"Is it true what I hear, Arthur you kill her and with a child because of the order of the prince".

Asked the maid, giving him a bowl of mushroom soup with crunchy bread in front of him.

"Poor that child".

"What can I do, Ana Maria, nothing I couldn't do. I won't kill her". the maid blinked. "I had no courage to kill her, including the child who needs to be born and feel the mother's love".

The maid dragged the chair and sat, "Then what do you do?"

"I give her some advice, telling the truth she will be dead if she disobeys and not just her and the rest of her family will".

The maid sighs, shaking her head. He spoke again. "The prince himself doesn't want to have anything to do with them".

"And he already killed those women without the villagers knowing who did it".

"And you tell your husband?"

"He already knows before I do. They know Arthur the whole village does".

He sighs, reaching for the bread and spoon. He ate it. The maid spoke again,

"Just they cannot fight the prince, we all know what he will do to us".

Arthur chuckles, "He will burn down the whole village".

"Exactly that. Are you sure the girl's family is safe?"

"I guarantee that, Ana Maria, nothing will hurt them. They were in good hands. I don't think the outsider will bow to him anymore if they find out".

The maid walks toward the cauldron, stirring the mushroom soup until it looks ready to eat. For Vlad actually, she needs to be more careful if she steps over his tail.

He will rip her heart out if the soup is bland. Since Arthur hadn't complained about it yet, that should do.

"He won't listen to me, Ana Maria, how stubborn he was. If we try to hold him down... death is upon us".

Sigh, "We are his slave, Arthur not his specific relative blood. He can kill you if he wants, he can kill me if he wants. You know him better".

Finishing the soup, the maid spoke, "What made him change his mind?" asked her.

"What do you mean?"

"You say he won't involve any of whore around him. How sudden change in him".

"A proper woman. He found his proper woman in his heart". pushing the chair then walking. "Thank you for the soup, Ana Maria". She nodded and smiled with pleasure.

The village later. Arthur makes his own way to meet Alexandra Darius without Vlad knowing that he is secretly meeting the family in the village.

Making sure none of Vlad's rebels from the castle saw him was there for her. He knocked on the door.

"It's me". The door swung half open, she stood eyeing him. "It's okay. Just me and he doesn't know I am here".

She let him in, hurriedly got inside the house then sighs, "I can't keep you in the dungeon".

"I know". said Alexandra, took a seat next to the mantelpiece. "I just want him to take responsibility on me. I know he killed those women like me as I claim but you saved me".

"I don't want you to be a part of it. What you did that day was the stupid thing you've ever done. As you already know he could kill you, why do you dare!"

She shrugs, rubs her growing belly as her eyes on the fire. Chuckle. "I just want a family. My own family".

"With the wrong man like the dark prince".

"I should know that! I thought he was, yes I am stupid. But how must I survive? this.."

She pointed to her grown belly, "Considering it was a gift from the dark prince!"

"Then you should wear protection". said Arthur.

"I'm a woman! He's the one who should. Don't you learn anything?"

He nod yes, he did learn a bit from Josette about science, about sex education, a medication sort of like that. He learned and was grateful for the knowledge.

His eyes back to her, "I try to save you and I did. If I had a sister I would do the same thing but not fight the dark prince. He's a powerful man in Romania, he owns this".

"Then help me!"

"I can't! Which part you didn't understand? We cannot fight the prince not because of his title or bloodline. He's the order of the kingdom. If we try to fight him we are all dead".

He sighs harder, continuing. "Just think about the child. Forget this and it never happens. If I were you I... moved away and I will not face the prince".

"Sounds like you just sold your soul to the devil. To the dark Prince and he promised me".

"Promising to have a good life and be his princess? he never did or granted it. I may not be relatable with the prince but I know him and he will listen to me no matter what kind of decision I make he will listen".

Her eyes back to the fire again, shaking her head. "Because I am always right when I do something for him. Just don't claim anything. He asked me to kill you and I never did".

"You kill all those women!"

"I didn't. Couple of the soldiers did, I didn't tell you, didn't I?"

Their eyes stare at each other, he spoke back. "That's why I asked you to return that day. He's been watching whether I convinced you or not. I read him, Alexandra I can tell you what he wants. Your death".

She leans back as she closes her eyes. Imagine that she and Vlad build the family with a child inside her. If that happens she will ask Vlad to treat Arthur as his own, he deserves it.

Arthur is too kind, sympathetic and sad through his eyes she can see now. He wanted her to live without Vlad but what can she do? She still wants Vlad involved in her life and the child.

Vlad is the most powerful man in the world, even the King and queen couldn't stop him.

..."Please"...

"You're a good man, Arthur. I don't know why you ended up with that bastard!"

Sigh, smile. "Is my job to protect him. You need to rest and stop thinking about him. Build your own happy life. I pray for you, someone will have you and the child dearly with love which you deserve rather than he give it to you. Raise the child well".

"Thank you. I will". nod with a smile.

Later. Arthur went back to the castle, without an empty handed. He buys something from the market to avoid Vlad's suspicion that he goes to the market without telling him or meeting Josette secretly behind his back or worse.

He hates that when it happens. Arguing between him and Vlad such a waste of his time. Walking toward the kitchen.

"Here". he laid it on the table. "Fresh from the market".

"There's meat. Would you like me to cook you something?" asked Ana Maria.

"I try to avoid actually. I met the girl".

The maid's eyes widened. "That girl you talk about, that girl with a child?" he nodded yes. "How is she then".

"Usual. She is trying to convince the prince and I say she shouldn't. It's good actually and she listened to me before I came back in here. I buy this meat trying to avoid him or any suspicion I was involved with".

The maid nodded and began to cut the meat Arthur had brought earlier.

He said, "Yes. I would like you to cook for me, Ana Maria broth any kind of broth I eat without complaining".

"Good to know. Where are you heading?"

"Our prince chamber". he smiled, climbing the stairs. Through the hall his mind is blank. He reasoned. He wants to speak with Vlad. "Sire?" he swung the door open and saw Vlad standing at the parapet for his view. His back on him. "Are you early?"

Vlad looked over his shoulder, "Am I not allowed to wake early?"

"Quite. Weird. Yes". Arthur stood beside him. Turn to him. "Sire?"

"What lovely weather, Arthur, haven't you noticed?" trying to avoid the next question from Arthur. "Lovely. Such a lovely day". he smiled, turning to him. "Did you see her today?"

Arthur nodded, "Because I saw you walk down there and I was hoping you were seeing her". sigh the prince. "How is she?"

"Usually, Sire is busy. I had no chance to talk with her. I look at her from afar through the crowd. I saw her with the patient inside the store".

Vlad smirking, "Amazing isn't she, Arthur my future wife and future princess of Romania. Isn't she?"

"Yes".

Arthur nodded. "If you asked me to let her go, Arthur I won't. She is mine! As the whore we speak, I know you were there visiting her house that is why you down there alone. And you lie to me!"

"You hadn't asked, Sire of course I was there for that lady beside Miss Marguerite. I can tell she won't bother you anymore".

"Is that so?" Vlad's eyes met him. "Then get rid of her and the child. Banishing them if you must".

Vlad eyes back to the view, Arthur sighs hard. Vlad turns to him again. "Well?"

"I am just thinking if my sister were involved personally with you, Sire I am sure I will kill you too".

Smirking, Vlad laughs. "So you really want to kill me so badly. I am impressed".

"Trying too".

"That is not my problem, Arthur tried it. Let's see what you got there. Sword fight I guess. She's the problem not mine".

Vlad smirking again, "You know already that I will win that fight. And you are weak!"

"From the outside, yes I am weak, Sire better you know what the inside of me shall do to you".

Both men smiling, Vlad gives him a pat on his arm. "I slept with every woman down there, that village. Disgusting things ever do happen when they are so desperate to have me in their bed".

"They died for you, Sire".

"Like I say, that is not my problem. I rule this kingdom and they will obey me as their Prince and the future king. I like to torture them without mercy".

Vlad giggled, then sighs. "Especially women!"

"You already proved that, Sire, it is right in front of your eyes". Nodded. Arthur spoke back, "I can't barely imagine if she found out".

"If... you say. I'll make sure she won't". He watches Arthur bow to him then walk out from the chamber, as the door shut behind Vlad sighs harder. "Damn!"

Josette gently approached behind Pietro whom he helped cut piles of wood, poking his waist and he accidently threw the ax on the ground.

Shocking. "Don't you do that!"

"I'm sorry. It looks funnier". she laughed. "You are a journalist, what are you doing?"

"What are you doing here?" he asked her back. "Did my father send you here to spy on me!"

Shook head no, she said. "I was wondering where you were today. I didn't see you anywhere".

"Missed me my dear, Josette?" His words made her blush, snickering. "I know you like me so did I am to you". grab the ax, resuming the cutting. "I hear someone did give you and your family a present".

She took a seat at one of the piles. "Yes. And we don't know what to do with it. Too much. We did try to return and all they said was "been paid".

"That mystery. Who?"

"We don't know".

"Your family has received enough. I can help if you want we're family, Josette. That all matters but I need to tell you this before it's too late and before you fall in love with someone you are not supposed to".

She blinked her eyes, "What is it?"

"It's about your beloved, Maximus Dragos the doctor. Remember what my father had said about him is true. I saw with my very own eyes, Maximus Dragos is the prince of Romania and as for you congratulation you met him".

She gasped, "Are you insane!"

"Yes. Maximus Dragos is the dark prince. His true name is Vlad the Impaler known as Vlad Dracul, a member of the order of the Kingdom. He is our future King, the dark prince of Romania and he ruled this country. You need my advised my love?"

She nodded yes, he smirked. "Stay away from him if you see him again. Nowhere else will he go unless you are the reason why he needs it. Be careful".