Preys and Predators 3 Love Binds, Family Destroy Chapter 22

 

22. 

 

Vlad Tepes had his day of consolidation. The Hungarian king called for his audience after his recovery at the palace.

“You looked well, Vlad.” Corvinus looked to the Wallachian. The latter stood there before the king, dressed in the simple tunic and leggings but without the belt to hide any dagger. “How long was your stay there at the ……”

“Not long enough, King Corvinus.” Vlad looked at the king. “I had not constructed my castle yet.”

“Sarcasm will not end well for you, Vlad.” Corvinus stared at Vlad. “It was Stephen III who bargained for your release. He is away, as I was told, to campaign for coins on your new expedition against the Turks. And to retake Wallachia.”

“I have not really met Mehmet II.” Vlad smiled. “He … My brother was his…”

“Radu III, as I was told, is his favourite.” The king smiled. “We all have our favourites.”

“Aye, King. What do you expect of me?” Vlad hit the issue on the point.

“Your allegiance,” Corvinus replied. “I……”

“Not an alliance?” Vlad asked.

“Vlad Tepes, you hold nothing I can value as an alliance. I am convinced to offer you some men, and for that you owe me your allegiance. You will be the commander of a Hungarian column. Your first assignment is to land at the towns of Šabac and Srebrenica.”

“My …… Wallachian?” Vlad asked.

“Mehmet II leads an army against Moldavia. He holds the Wallachian support through Radu. Stephen III was defeated at the Battle of Valea Albă. He faltered there and began to withdraw.” King Corvinus looked to Vlad. “I cannot place my trust in the Wallachian.”

“And why me?”

“Vlad Tepes, you are an exceptional leader, and above all, the Turks hold fear for you. For you to win the trust of Wallachia, you need to march in victory once more. If you are successful at Šabac and Srebrenica, they may rally to your banner.”

“But for now, I am to find you a lover.” King Corvinus shifted the subject. “You cannot be a voivode without a wife.”

“I do have a wife in Wallachia. And two children.” Vlad said. “She……”

“She is not of noble blood. I am looking at getting you one of the nobles.” King Corvius looked at Vlad. “I have in my mind one of my relatives.”

The stare at Vlad made it known to him that he was not to deny the arrangement.

“Her name is Justina Szilagyi. She will be a fine lady to stand by your side.” King Corvinus told of the choice he had made. What he did not disclose was her status as the widow of Wenceslas Pongrac. The Lord was an ally of John Hunyadi and fought the Turks. He was the estate holder of several castles, but they were taken back, thus leaving him without any. He died soon after.

“You will wed her next … perhaps tomorrow, and then we will discuss the war with the Turks.”

Vlad Tepes, while waiting for the nuptial date, wrote a letter to Radu III.

“Dear brother, it has been years since we last met. I am at the court of King Corvinus now, out of the dungeons and in the courts of the king. He has released me, but I am bound by servitude to regain Wallachia and fight the Turks. I heard of your return. I will seek your word not to fight me. I will do what is needed for our brotherly love. When it is done, we can be a family once more. Vlad Tepes.”

Vlad also wrote another letter to his love at Wallachia.

“Katharina, I am freed from the dungeon and will return to Wallachia soon. I am ever thankful that you and the children are safe and well. I am here to serve the king in the war with the Turks. I will duly return to you once that is done. I will be safe, as I had been in all the wars before. All I want to know, and if God allows me this, is that you remain safe. I may suggest that you go to Genoa and see Lord Gencio Capulet. Show him this letter and allow him to house you there till I return. Your love.”

Vlad had one last letter to write.

“Lord Gencio Capulet, I am writing to you as a friend. I am with King Corvinus to battle the Turks. Of these, I am unafraid, but another matter of mine concerns me. I am to take on a new wife, attended to me by the king, a noble lady. I have no choice in the matter. My other love at Wallachia devotedly waits for me, but I fear that I may never see her. If I do return to Wallachia, she may not sit by my side. For me, Katharina is my lady and not a mistress, but diplomacy separates us. I do not want her hurt and would like your assistance to house her at Genoa, and all her expenses will be reimbursed to you soon. I hold no promises but the faith that I will return as Voivode of Wallachia. Do offer me your friendship and generosity. Ever the faithful friend.”

Affection was afloat with Romeo knowing that his only way to the Montague’s ball was with Rosaline. He took on the affectionate posture towards the young relative, and much time had he spent on the tickling hours of the weekend.

“I am sure, Romeo, that your time ……” Rosaline looked to the young Capulet who had accompanied her; the morning was depriving him of his freedom.

“I am for you, Rosaline. I had told Reynard that Mother told me to chaperone you on the walk today.” Romeo, ever the charmer, smiled. His smile was as enticing as his father's.

“Are we to walk to the square?” Romeo asked.

“Yes, we are.” Rosaline was delighted to go there. She knew her peers would be there, and they would be surprised to see Romeo at her side. At the square, she met Jessica, who was passing by, and they spoke.

“I am going to Juliet’s ball this weekend. There are only two more days left.” Jessica smiled at her friend. She knew Romeo by reputation and avoided looking at him. It was Romeo who was uncomfortable there and asked that they convene at the nearby café. Once seated, Romeo raised the matter at hand.

“Could I go with you to the ball?”

“I am supposed to. I mean, have you asked your father? The Montagues are not on good terms with the Capulets.”

“Yes, I am aware, but of what had split them, I do not know.” Romeo sighed. “The Alegar, despite the blood link to us, somehow escaped the feud.”

“Well, my father trades with Lord Dante Montague fairly.” Rosaline looked to the ones walking by.

“Fairly? Are you saying we did not?” Romeo was offended.

“I did not mean that. We, the Alegar, have no bad trades with the Montagues. Maybe ……” Rosaline corrected herself. “Have you asked your father?”

“No, he will not say. Mother was the same. So was Reynard, who knew Father long. No one is talking.” Romeo looked away. “All I know is when we saw the Montague, our desire to fight them was all we knew.”

“Does killing solve the issue?” Rosaline asked. “I am…. Could they not learn to love each other?”

“I doubt it. A love between the Montague and us is… an impossibility.” Romeo replied.

“Yet you want to visit the ball?” Rosaline asked.

“Yes … I guessed it was to spite the Montague.” Romeo said. “I am unsure at times.”

“And what are you… sure of?” Rosaline looked at the man. She had known Romeo since they were young; they were playmates and even visited each other’s homes, but that was the first time she was out with Romeo. She was delighted that they were seen together. Over the years, Rosaline felt herself drawn towards Romeo, but he was not responding. Last season, she was at their home for Christmas, and she had her first kiss with him under the mistletoe. They were pushed to do it by the friends and relatives, but Romeo did not follow up on that.

“Everyone was doing it.” Romeo told Rosaline then. “And we did.”

“Did you like it?” Rosaline looked adoringly at him.

“Well, it was fun.” Those were Romeo’s departing words before he joined the others in the merriment. Rosaline was hurt then. She was hoping for more from the Capulet heir."

Well, in that hit you miss, I'll not be hit with Cupid's arrow."(Act 1, Scene 1)—Adapted from Romeo and Juliet. With that thought, Rosaline had left the Christmas celebration that evening. She felt Romeo was cold towards her; she was his relative and shall remain so, but people grew in the years. She felt she was dejected about something. Was it her looks? She had looked at herself in the reflection. She was not plain, nor was she devoutly beautiful, and she did stand out in the crowd. She was not short of suitors, from lords and notable figures, but her true love was Romeo. Yet, she was denied.

Was it family or love? Rosaline asked.

“We must go back,” Rosaline told Romeo.

“Are we to go to the ball then?” Romeo was persistent in asking. Rosaline nodded and then excused herself to go to the powder room. Romeo had then put up the excuse that he was to leave first. There she cried her tears out.

“He is … vain.” Rosaline muttered out.

“Who is Rosaline?” It was Jessica.

“Men. They all want something, and once they get it, it will be over.” Rosaline said.

“I can share that. My mother wants me to wed a man twice… no, he may be thrice my age.” Jessica sighed. “A brute he is.”

“Oh, I would not have agreed to that.” Rosaline turned to her friend. “Who was it? Lord Gencio Capulet?”

“Heaven forbids… No, he is far too old.” Jessica replied. “Who were you saying was vain?”

“Some fool.” Rosaline sighed.

Fools are born every day.

“I am sure, Count Paris, your good intention is well received.” Lord Dante Montague looked towards the young, handsome man from the royal family. He had received the guest in his library alongside his wife, Lady Angeline.

“Juliet is …… A lady, but we have not decided on her future.” Lady Angeline assisted the lord. “Hence, the ball to be held this weekend was to introduce her to the society of Genoa.”

“I do apologize for my hasty forthcoming request. I have heard and seen Lady Juliet,” formal was the tone taken by the man to address the lady’s rank. “My schedule is ……”

“I can understand the responsibility of the Count is of utmost importance, but ……” Lord Dante Montague struggled for words.

“Count Paris Deville, I am honoured that you sought my daughter for… as a bride, but we do have to discuss the matter beforehand. Please accept our invitation for you to attend the ball this weekend, and we will introduce her to you.”

“It shall be said and done there.” Count Paris Deville, as identified, took his leave then.

“Good gracious, what has become of our daughter? Her ……” Lady Angeline then tried to find her own words.

“Juliet is of the age that ……” Lord Dante Montague stammered on his thoughts.

“She is our darling, and it is too soon. She needs to learn more about life before she is committed to a wedded life.”

“We shall discuss.” Lord Dante Montague stepped away.

“Men! Once they are done, they leave without asking.” Lady Angeline sighed.