Buda, Hungary, 1449 (two years later)
It was an ordinary day in the kingdom of Hungary. Ilona stood still and listened to the sounds of servants moving around the floors, birds chirping as they flew past her window. She gazed at the blue Danube, sparkling in the sun, as the river flowed past the city.
She had excused herself from her sewing lesson, feigning a headache as she felt like she might go insane if she had to spend another hour in the company of the noblewomen of the court and their gossiping.
Ilona thought of her distant home of Wallachia and how the roses would be blooming now in her home at Târgoviște. She reminisced on the days she had spent there, running through the court happily and playing games with the other children.
Two years had passed now since they had arrived at Buda, but to Ilona, it felt even longer. The journey from Wallachia had been long and arduous. She remembered the first time she had laid eyes on Buda Castle as they approached, how she was amazed by the sheer size of it and how it took her breath away.
Her mother had held her hand tightly as they stepped into its grand halls. Together, they had stood before King Albert II. They curtsied before him at the throne.
"King Albert, I come to you today with my young daughter, to seek your protection," her mother spoke in Hungarian.
Ilona was suddenly thankful she had studied hard in her lessons and was able to understand the conversation.
"Lady Magdalana, it seems you have not heard the terrible news," the King frowned.
Ilona felt her mother's hand squeeze around hers tighter.
"What news, my king?"
"I am sorry to the bearer of such tidings. I have been informed that your husband has been killed. Your son's whereabouts are unknown. It seems that there was an uprising of the boyars in Wallachia after your departure who planned to overthrow Prince Mircea. Your husband had tried to warn him. Unfortunately, the boyars succeeded in their wicked task and they were both killed. Prince Dracul was also captured by John Hunyadi, and met his end."
The room seemed to be spinning. Her throat felt dry and her head pounded. Her father, Mircea, and his father are also, gone forever. She saw tears on her mother's cheeks but she made no sound.
"I pardon you Lady Magdalana, of your husband's actions against the Kingdom of Hungary. Your father, my cousin, was loyal to me, and I would not cast his daughter aside. I will allow you and your daughter to reside here within the court, with your family, and be at peace."
It had been a hard time for her poor mother following that day. Once a strong and fierce woman, Ilona noticed how pale she looked and quiet she had become. She clenched her fist as she continued watching the great river outside.
"If I were a man," she thought "I would be able to avenge their deaths."
The door to her room swung open suddenly. She spun around to see her cousin, Erse, holding a letter in her hand. Her face was flushed pink, her pale hair seemed wild.
"What is it, cousin?"
Erse, out of breath from running, spoke only three words.
"Nicolae. Dracula. Prince."
Ilona's heart seemed to stop beating. She grabbed the letter from her cousin quickly, her eyes skimming the page with haste. It was a letter from Wallachia addressed to her mother.
"Vlad Dracula has returned to Wallachia. He has taken the throne and is now Prince. Your son, Nicolae who survived having fled to the Carpathians, has returned and joined his ranks " she read aloud.
Ilona read the line once over, the corners of her mouth turning upwards.
"My dear cousin! What news you bring me! Nicolae is well and Vlad is Prince!" she rejoiced, bringing Erse into a hug.
The girls giggled together. Although they had only known each other for a short time, they had grown as close as sisters.
"We should not rejoice so loudly," Ilona closed the door quickly. "John Hunyadi is after all considered a hero amongst all of Hungary."
"But cousin, do you think Vlad will write to request your hand?"
Ilona shook her head. "No, I think not. I have not seen or spoken to Prince Vlad since we were young."
"But Ilona! He kissed you before he left. Surely he still thinks of you."
"Oh Erse, it was nearly ten years past!" she laughed. "No, I suppose Prince Vlad would have forgotten me and kissed many maidens since."
"I do not know how that would be possible. Dear Illona, you do not realize how your beauty affects men. I have witnessed it myself. If Prince Vlad should not ask for your hand soon, another suitor will, I'm sure of it."
"You are sweet, cousin, but I am content knowing that my dear brother is alive and well."
Despite this, Ilona prayed that the Prince hadn't forgotten her.
-----
Buda, Hungary, 1453 (four years later)
"His reign as Prince was pathetic, and lasted only two months."
"I've heard he impaled the whole village. It seems he learnt the technique abroad."
"Why Hunyadi would allow the man to reside in Transylvania, let alone be the commander-in-chief is beyond me. He should have killed him."
"I hope our new to-be King will strike him down."
Ilona felt irritated as she listened to the gossip of the nobles seated around her. A new King was to be soon crowned in Hungary, and so the feasting began.
She picked at the mutton on the plate before her with disinterest, trying her best to shut out the idle chatter. How she wished she could tell them what Prince Dracula was really like.
Four years had passed now since he had taken the throne, losing it shortly after and thus fleeing to Moldavia with her brother, Nicolae. But the young Prince's determination was strong, and he had returned to Transylvania, escaping assassination and then making peace with his former enemy, John Hunyadi.
Nicolae wrote to her frequently, speaking of the young Prince's bravery. Yet, she never received a letter from Vlad himself. Perhaps he truly had forgotten of her. She frowned to herself, pushing the plate aside. Vlad was busy securing Wallachia, he had no time for writing letters to old friends, she reasoned with herself.
"Lady Ilona, does the food not please you? You've barely eaten a thing."
She looked up to find Matthias Báthory standing before her. She had been so absorbed by her thoughts that she didn't see him coming over.
"Good evening lord Matthias. No, I believe the food is decent. Yet, I seem to have lost my appetite tonight."
Matthias smiled at her response, quickly occupying the seat in front of her. Ilona noted that, ever since she had turned nineteen, the man seemed to pop up everywhere she went. He could be considered handsome, indeed, with golden hair and light eyes, and he was only a few years older than she was.
"Do you enjoy walking my lady?"
"Oh, yes, I suppose," she replied.
She noticed her mother eagerly watching from a distance, a hopeful smile on her lips. She knew too well how happy she would be if the two were to become engaged. Ilona saw her future as if it were a path laid out clearly in front of her. She would become the wife of a respected nobleman, and live out her days in the safety of Hungary, mothering children and growing old. The very thought terrified her.
"I was thinking to take a walk along the Danube tomorrow. It is predicted to be a pleasant day. Would you care to join me?" he asked.
Ilona couldn't help noticing how his eyes moved from her eyes down to her cleavage slowly. She suddenly wished she had worn a different gown.
"I'm sorry my lord, I am occupied tomorrow," she rose quickly. "I apologize, but I'm rather tired tonight. I wish you a good evening," she replied quickly, crossing the hall to exit, not before seeing the look of disappointment on her mother's face.
"Lady Ilona!" a voice called as she walked briskly down the hall.
She prayed it wasn't Matthias following her. She was relieved to see her handmaiden, Helena, running behind her.
"I have a letter for you! It arrived not long ago but I didn't want to disturb you while you ate."
Helena placed the envelope in her hands. Ilona noted her brother's familiar script.
"Would you need anything, my lady? Are you not feeling well? You left the feast so early."
"No thank you, Helena. I am tired and wish to rest. Go, enjoy the feast," she smiled, noticing how the girl beamed.
"Thank you, my lady! Good night."
Ilona wished her good night and returned to her room. Ever since her brother had returned to the safety of Târgoviște they had exchanged letters frequently. It warmed her heart to see his writing and she suddenly missed him dearly. She sat on her bed, opening the envelope with care. She read by the light of the fireplace.
Dearest sister,
I am writing to inform you that an old friend travels to you. John Hunyadi is to be present at the King's coronation, and our true Prince, Vlad Dracula, accompanies him.
I hope, my sweet sister, that we will meet again one day in our homeland.
Yours,
Nicolae
She read the letter four times before putting it down. Her hands were shaking. Vlad, her Vlad, the one she had never stopped thinking of, was coming to her.