Impaler

Confrontation

Alexandrei and Minah were forced to participate in the festivities, and everyone was surprised by their begging and screaming. King Matthias and Vlad the Monk were also surprised by their forced entry. Everyone watched as the two were forced into the center of the festivities while Angelina moved away to the side. 

She knew that a vast fiasco would occur, and it would change everything. Angelina believed that Alexandrei would be out of the way and wouldn't be accused of spying. Alexandrei believed she was a threat, and it was only a matter of time before he would try to eliminate her.  

Vlad stood from his seat and glared at his wife and Alexandrei. He thought he would feel angry, but he felt relief. It was a strange feeling, but Alexandrei had more support than he did. Vlad believed it was better to eliminate his potential enemy. 

"V-Voivode! What is the meaning of this? I have not betrayed you!" Alexandrei was in disarray, having been without food or water. Whenever he asked to speak with Vlad, he would be given a beating. He then noticed Minah by his side, who looked unrecognizable. Her hair was in total disarray, and parts were tangled; there were bags under her eyes, looking as if she hadn't slept in days. Parts of the dress were torn and wrinkly; her beauty wasn't the same anymore. When focusing on Vlad, there was no emotion in his eyes.

No one said anything, fearing the consequences. 

Vlad then slowly walked toward his wife and Alexandrei, stopping when he stood before them. "My honored guests, you are all curious about the sudden outburst of my second-in-command and my wife. I must say with great sadness that I always had traitors within my court. I have found that these two traitors had an affair.

Gasps echoed within the halls; the guests had many questions. Some couldn't believe that the two would do such a thing. 

Alexandrei and Minah violently flinched. Minah tried to stand, but she was pushed down forcefully. "H-Husband! What nonsense are you speaking of!? I swore to god when we married that I would be a faithful wife! I-!"

"Silence!"

Minah's head was forced down to the floor; everyone was disguised by the way she was treated. Vlad the Monk also couldn't help but feel disturbed by how Minah was treated. He wasn't too close to his sister-in-law, but he disagreed with her treatment. Upon looking at her appearance, it seemed that Minah was a beggar. However, hearing of a possible affair between Minah and Alexandrei was a different story. Wives were not allowed to have affairs like their husbands since they gave birth to the next generation of Lords. He stood. "Brother, please let your wife have some dignity. This is more of a private matter and-"

"Why should this be a private matter, brother? Everyone will eventually be curious why my wife is not seen by my side. You all deserve to know the truth that these two traitors have been having an affair. Due to their affair, their child was born!"

Women squealed in shock, and the men murmured to one another, debating whether or not to believe the allegations. Alexandrei was well-respected among the nobles since they believed he controlled Vlad's rash decisions. 

"Please, Voivode! It is all a lie! A lie! We would never betray you in such a disgusting manner! Whatever you have heard are lies to destroy us!"

Vlad nodded at one of the guards, who then kicked Alexandrei's head, making him silent. "You still have the audacity to lie before me and my guests. Very well, it is time to bring in witnesses." 

The doors opened again, and Bioan entered the room. He wasn't alone; he held the sleeping infant in his arms. When Alexandrei saw Bioan, his heart skipped a beat. Bioan stood at the center, keeping his distance. 

"Introduce yourself."

"I am Bioan, Voivode. I was a soldier in your army until I was appointed a servant in your household. Before becoming your servant, I was imprisoned by Lord Alexandrei, suspected of being in league with the Ottomans, but I was found innocent. However, I knew the main reason I was imprisoned."

"Explain."

"One night, I entered your household. I am ashamed to say that I wanted to get a bottle of alcohol, which I retrieved. Once, I tried to get out, but I got lost, and I found myself close to Lady Minah's quarters. That was when I found Lady Minah and Lord Alexandrei in the same room. I was caught and imprisoned, hoping that I would be given the death penalty. Thanks to you, my Voivode, I was found innocent; you gave me mercy."

 The guests were stunned, and Vlad nodded, glancing at Alexandrei. "Is it true that you threw Bioan into the dungeon?" Alexandrei didn't respond, making the Voivode smirk. "He does not answer, a sign of guilt. Bring in the next witness."

Angelina nodded at Sorina, who then walked forward and stood beside Bioan. She glanced at the infant quickly and noticed some of his deformities. She felt pity for the child, but looked forward to it. Voivode, I am your witness."

"Please explain your position and what you have witnessed."

"I am Sorina, Voivode. I am a lady-in-waiting for Lady Minah." Minah slowly looked at Sorina. Her glare was one of pure hatred and rage, as if she were trying to intimidate the young lady into keeping her mouth shut. Sorina noticed and remembered all the times her mistress mistreated her and threatened her whenever she did wrong. For the first time, Sorina had the power. "I must ensure the Lady Minah is taken care of, but there were times when the other ladies-in-waiting and I noticed how much Lord Alexandrei visited Lady Minah. It was more than between a Lady and a servant. There have been instances where we were ordered to leave them alone, which has not been heard of since Lady Minah's marriage. We believed they were having an affair."

"YOU LIE! YOU FILTHY SERVANT! WHY WOULD YOU ALL BELIEVE IN A MERE SERVANT!? SHE IS WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!" Minah banged her head on the ground roughly until bits of blood dripped. She wasn't stopped; everyone continued to watch her.

"Has she gone mad with guilt?"

"Lady Minah looks insane."

"Perhaps they are having an affair."

Vlad motioned for Bioan to walk closer with the infant. "God has also sent this child as proof of their guilt! Show them!"

Bioan nodded as he undid the blanket. He was shocked when he saw the infant. Bioan motioned to the child and its deformities. Gasps of horror and shock were felt throughout the festivities. King Matthias and Vlad the Monk looked horrified at the sight. 

Children born with a disability or deformation were believed to be made of sin and were a punishment from god. 

"That child is a monstrosity!"

"They truly had an affair!"

"This is an outrage!"

Minah screamed with insanity as she denied having given birth to the child. Alexandrei wanted to defend himself, but when everyone saw the child, they assumed he was guilty. Children with such a state were seen as proof of one's sins. He could deny everything, but no one would believe him. 

"There you have it, my honored guests. My wife and Alexandrei have not only betrayed me, but out Christian values. Put them back to the dungeon where I will decide their fates."

Aleaxndrei and Minah were forcibly taken as they pleaded for Vlad, but their pleas fell on empty ears. Angelina watched silently as they were taken away. She felt relieved that the threats to her life were going to be punished, but now, she had another difficult path ahead of her: Vlad.

His attention will solely be on her.