Ilona opened her eyes that she didn't realise she'd closed; she lay on her back, staring at grand marble arches above her. She sat up slowly and looked around her. She seemed to be in a deserted hallway of so medieval palace or something; it was beautiful, gothic and creative. As her mouth hung open slightly, the door at the end of the hall opened making Ilona scrabble to her feet. She turned only to be greeted with a familiar site; Vlad was walking briskly down the hall towards her, Ilona walked to him.

"Vlad was going on h-" Ilona stopped in front of him but he continued on straight through her like she was a ghost. Ilona turned around to see his receding back and she then looked down at her hand; it was see through, she shivered at the site and suddenly thoughts of 'A Christmas Carol' flooded her mind and she understood just what was going on.

"I understand now...Vlad for some reason wants me to see things from his past...this palace must be the future King of Hungry, Matthias Coruinus Castle. That Vlad looked like was in his late twenties just there... so this must be the years of his imprisonment. Corvinus must be taking a liking to him again since he can walk freely around his castle...thank god I did my research on him." Ilona gave herself a quick pat on the back and ran after him.

Ilona followed the human Vlad to what seemed to be a library or study; he wandered around the shelves not really looking interested. Ilona studied his profile as he walked. His hair was long and dark, flowing down part his waist. His hands were clasped behind his back. He had a red shirt on and it was untucked with what looked like black jodhpurs and boots; his outfit was out of time with his surroundings. Ilona laughed slightly how he always had a peculiar fashion sense, even then. He turned around and it looked like he was facing her, his dark brown eyes brooding through her. She shivered slightly; he was so different from the red-lure-eyed-crazed-grin-creature she was used to. Even when he made himself appear human to her, he never looked like that. The man who massacred: men, women, the young and old for his cause. The real monster. The tyrant. Vlad Tepes.

The door of the library opened and he walked towards the sound where a servant who was visibly shaking with fear waited.

"King Corvinus wishes to invite you to the annual dance this evening, my Lord. M-May I inquire if you wish to attend t-tonight?" He stuttered the last few words as Vlad approached him.

"Corvinus never wishes for anything. He gets what he wants; no matter what it is...even my freedom." He paused, surveying the man. "Tell him I shall attend at his request." He said in the same deep and defiant voice he addressed Integra with. The servant scampered out of the room. Vlad smirked at the quivering man and then walked out the door himself.

Ilona lagged behind him, not really sure if she was really following the same man she's going to marry in five hundred years time. Ilona was snapped out her thoughts when she heard someone running up behind the door he had just walked past. Vlad turned around sharply only to be knocked off his feet as the person came crashing through the door and straight into him. It was a woman who had burst through the door and was now on top of him, breathing heavily. Ilona stared in shock at the woman, not standing close enough to see her face, as she lifted herself up.

"What the hell do you think-"Vlad stopped by the blue eyes staring back at him. She quickly got off of him and started bowing.

"My Lord! I apologise most sincerely! I was a fool to run with such velocity without looking as to where I was going! I am so very sorry, forgive me!" She puffed out with her upper body parallel to the floor.

Vlad, still lying down and propping himself up by his elbows restrained a laugh at this girls odd demeanour: she had very long dark brown hair which was now unpinned from the fall, her dress was a royal blue and was a little dusty. He picked himself up, dusted himself off and cupped her chin, pulling her head up to meet his gaze.

"Do you know who you have just knocked to the floor with your antics?" Vlad said, trying to help his voice stern as he stared at the young woman.

"Yes, you are the former Voivode of Wallachia, the renowned and revered Vlad the third Drăculea. I also pray you are unhurt by my foolish actions." The woman said in a stead voice.

Vlad stared into her eyes for a few moments, not releasing her chin. Ilona stood away from them, still unsure of what this woman's face looked like; jealousy curling inside her as she tried to peek around, reluctant to be walked through again.

"Very well, it was an accident. However, you will not escape unpunished," Vlad smirked as her eyes widened, "Tonight, you will be my partner for this evening festivities; I am assuming that's why you were running; to dress for the occasion and such?"

"That's my punishment? But I would like that-" She cut herself off as she blushed at her own words. He chuckled slightly, "However that was not why I was running, it was because of-"

Ilona screamed as a small scuttling creature ran past her, hurtling towards them, bracing herself against the wall. The other woman also caught sight of it too and proceeded to climb up Vlad trying to escape it. Holding her up, Vlad planted his foot on top of the huge, black and hairy spider; clearly laughing at her as she went red from embarrassment.

"That was it?" Vlad chuckled wiping the dead spider off to the side.

"Well you have to admit; that thing was huge." She laughed a little and blushed at the fact she was still in his arms; his face was close to hers as he smiled.

"Where are my manners? What is your name, my dear?" he breathed over her lips.

"It's-"

"My lady! The king wishes to see you at once!" The voice of a male servant as he came around the corner to them; they both turned to face him and Vlad placed her down, she curtsied and ran off down the hall, he laughed; she was doing it again. Ilona looked down the hall but she still didn't see her face, just her residing back and then she was gone. Vlad turned to the servant who had his head lowered in respect.

"My lor-" He was cut off as Vlad's fist collided with his nose making him fall to the ground clutching it in pain, "Ah! M-my nose!"

Ilona clasped her hands over her mouth with shock from the sudden, random act of aggression.

"Boy, you must never interrupt a Lady when she speaks. Be glad it was only your nose I broke." Vlad sneered at the shivering man and strode away. Ilona crouched beside the man and saw in fact his nose was broken; rather badly too as he ran away. Ilona shook her head, 'All that over a name.' She followed Vlad as he marched down the hall.