Angelina walked out of Vlad's chamber, her heart beating rapidly. "Angelina."
"Oh, uh, Ioana. S-Sorry, I didn't see you there."
Ioana noticed Angelina's state and chuckled. "I imagine that the Voivode hadn't tried anything on you, yet."
"Y-Yet!? N-No way! Thankfully he just wanted me to...sing to him and tell him stories. He also wanted me to sleep beside him." Angelina scratched the back of her head. She couldn't help but feel confused about why Vlad would make her do such innocent, intimate actions. Was there a possibility that Vlad desired someone to listen?
"Angelina, we must return before everyone wakes," said Ioana as she motioned the young woman to follow. Angelina merely nodded, and they went to the secret passage, leading them back to the female servant quarters. While walking, Ioana couldn't help but notice Angelina's thoughtfulness. "Are you thinking about the Voivode?"
This got Angelina out of her daze. "S-Sorry, what did you say?"
"I said if you were thinking about eh Voivode? Usually, women that come out of his chambers would speak highly of his prowess."
A blush came across Angelina's face. "W-Well, not me!"
"You confirm my belief that you truly are special and different from the other women that the Voivode had bedded. I also believe he sees it too."
This confused Angelina; Ioana seemed to know much about Vlad that many people didn't. "Can I ask you something?" When permitted to ask, Angelina continued. "You seem to speak about Vla-I mean the Voivode positively. Why is that?"
Ioana stopped mid-way; she didn't turn to look at the young woman. The older woman bit her lower lip and felt her anger rising, but she couldn't entirely blame the young woman. Vlad had violent tendencies and used cruel methods on those he considered his enemies or worthless. She sighed. "I have known him since he was born, Angelina. I also knew his other brothers; they all were close. Vla...the Voivode, didn't have a good childhood. Vlad and his brothers were always surrounded by instability and death threats. His father was a cruel man, and his mother was a gentle yet meek woman."
"Okay, but what about you? Since you have known Vlad and his family for a long time, why do-"
"Angelina." Ioana slowly glanced at the young woman. "There are certain things you mustn't ask or know. If you speak or ask about him, it will bring you more trouble. Believe it or not, you are getting unwanted attention."
This made Angelina slightly nervous. She didn't like to attract too much attention to herself, and she despised drama. However, since Angelina was warped into another time, getting too much attention could be a matter of life and death. "Well, it's not my fault! Vlad made me to be his nurturer! He could have any other woman!"
Ioana sighed. "I'm not speaking about the women. What I am trying to warn you is about Alexandrei."
Alexandrei's being mentioned brought a shiver to her spine. "I haven't done nothing to that bastard! He accused me of being something I am not! All I did was defend myself. He is nothing more than an insecure prick!"
Angelina's curse words were difficult for Ioana to understand, but the older woman couldn't help but chuckle. "I will admit that I agree that Alexandrei is a bastard to the core. However, I must warn you that he is dangerous. The Voivode trusts him completely."
"And you don't. Why?"
Ioana slowly turned forward, not looking at Angelina. "He has a love for power. He does have the Voivode's trust, but he doesn't have the power he truly desires."
This alerted Angelina; Ioana told her things that were considered dangerous. Alexandrei was always quick to judge. When they first met, he disliked and distrusted her immediately; he wanted to get rid of her without trying to know her. "That would make sense. I will try to be cautious around him."
"Yes. Also, do not mention that you seeing the Voivode in secret. He will try to get any information from you. Understand?"
"Yes."
"Let us be off, then." The women continued until they reached the end of the secret passage. Ioana opened the door and ensured that no one was in sight. "Alright, it is time for us to go." The duo walked toward the female quarters, but they were stopped when they heard footsteps approaching them.
"Lady Ioana!"
Ioana saw a male servant running toward them; he looked frightened and nervous. The male servant looked to be in his teens. "What is it, child? Why the commotion?"
The adolescent stopped before the women as he tried to regain his breath. "L-Lady Ioana, it is L-Lady Minah!"
"What of Lady Minah!? Is she hurt!?"
"She was screaming and asked me to get you and the midwives!"
Ioana and Angelina were stunned. "Midwives? Does that mean...?"
"Yes! Lady Minah is ready to give birth!"
Everything almost felt like a blur. The female servants were scattering and trying to get dressed as Ioana announced the news. Luckily, Angelina got inside just in time, so no one noticed she was gone all night.
Ioana ordered Angelina to get the ladies-in-waiting and go to Lady Minah when she was done dressing. Angelina and the ladies-in-waiting were done dressing and immediately went to Minah's quarters. The closer they got there, the women heard Minah's screaming echoes. Although Angelina didn't like Minah due to her cruelty, she was about to give birth.
Angelina believed that she was fortunate to be born at a time when epidurals were invented to soothe pain, but women in the past weren't so lucky.
Many women had a higher chance of dying.
Angelina hoped that nothing would go wrong during labor. Upon arrival, the women immediately went inside Minah's room, where they saw their mistress lying on the bed, screaming in pain. Her face was pinkish-red; her long black hair was sprawled on the pillow. The noblewoman noticed the women. "IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU ALL ARRIVED! YOU WISH ME TO PERISH DO YOU NOT!" No one said a thing; the women wouldn't have dared to. They also knew that Minah was in agony and couldn't entirely blame her. "WHERE ARE IOANA AND THE MIDWIVES!?"
"Lady Ioana immediately went to get the midwives and to get all that is needed for the birth, my Lady," said one of the ladies-in-waiting.
Everyone watched as Minah cried and screamed; she even yelled at the ladies-in-waiting. Angelina was behind them women, but Sorina stood beside her. Angelina didn't know anything about the medical field or childbirth in general, but she was willing to put what she had learned from television shows to the test.
Angelina walked forward toward Minah, who noticed her. "Lady Minah, I know that you are in pain, but laying in the bed won't calm your contractions. I know some techniques to help at least make the pain bearable, even for a moment." The ladies-in-waiting feared their mistress's wrath and dared not to say anything. Minah breathed heavily as she glared at Angelia who motioned out her hands. "Please, trust me, even if it's just this once. All I want is for you and your unborn child to be okay." Tension was felt throughout the air, but Mina grabbed Angelina's hand and was motioned to stand. As Minah stood, her contractions got stronger. "I want you to take deep breaths." She showed Minah and the noblewoman did the same.
Sorina couldn't help but feel awe and relief seeing Angelina trying to help Minah. Minah had tried to make it difficult for Angelina. Yet, her friend didn't take it to heart; she was strong. The adolescent and the others watched as Angelina instructed Minah to walk back and forth while holding her arm and waist. Minah, on the other hand, was still in pain and just wanted it to disappear. At first, the noblewoman thought it was pointless, but the more she practiced the breathing and walking exercises, the more her mind was elsewhere, and the pain wasn't as apparent.
Then, Minah sat back down on her bed, but Angelina sat behind her and began to massage her back. No one said a word, but Minah felt the massage was comforting. Moments later, Ioana and the other midwives appeared with pans of hot water, cloths, and bowls of herbs. "My lady, we arrived! All of you, please wait outside!"
The ladies-in-waiting left, and Angelina was about to go and follow, but Minah grabbed her hand. "No, you will stay."
Ioana and Angelina looked at one another. However, the older woman didn't want to argue and motioned her to stay by Minah's side.
Minah was put into a position where she had to sit at the corner of her bed, where two midwives held both her legs. Ioana knelt before Minah, preparing for the newborn. Angelina sat behind Minah, where her head and back touched her chest, and held both hands.
Minah was instructed to push, and she did so; her screams echoed throughout the room. It was a sound that made Angelina shiver. Minah kept pushing, but nothing; she was sweat-filled, and parts of her skin turned pinkish. It felt like the labor had been happening for hours, which was a possibility. Ioana couldn't help but feel worried about the situation. "Lady Minah, you must keep pushing!"
"I can't you foolish old woman! The child doesn't want to come out!"
The labor would continue for a while, but if Minah couldn't push the child out, it would create problems. Angelina stepped in as she gently squeezed the noblewoman's hands. "Lady Minah, please listen! I know you're in pain, and you are tired! I know you want everything to be over! However, you have to give it your all! If you can handle the pain, then you can give life to your baby! Now give it you're all and push!"
Minah breathed heavily and was tired from all the pushing, but if she didn't push, then she and her unborn child could die. If she was going to die, she didn't want to do so without seeing her child. The noblewoman sat more upright and kept pushing. Angelina encouraged her as she gently squeezed her mistress's hands. "I see it! I see the head! Go on, Lady Minah!" yelled Ioana.
Minah took deep breaths until she pushed again; she felt the baby slowly being born. Then, with one final push, the infant was pushed out.
A soft yet loud cry echoed in the room; the infant was born.
"C-Congragulations, Lady Minah! You have a son!"
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