"No Katerina, just leave it, please." I begged, stepping away from her.
"But you mustn't walk around with your hair loose, it doesn't become a lady like yourself..."
"Just leave her Katerina, let her finally eat." Vlad's imposing voice interrupted us, making me win the battle. "She can wear her hair however she likes."
He walked over to me, kissing my hand and whispering, "You are so beautiful, Samara."
I haven't seen or heard him entering my chamber, and his sudden presence made my heart race again. "This dress suits you the best," he murmured, wrapping his arms around me, and I leaned my forehead against his chest. He felt reassuringly real. "It's the dress you wore on the day of our wedding."
Of course, he was right. Another memory settled itself in my confused, forgetful mind. I remembered that day...
"You must remember to knock the door my lord, now that your lady is back." Katerina's voice disturbed my silent reverie.
"Katerina, he can do whatever he wants!" It was my turn to defend him against my exasperating nurse. We looked at each other and laughed.
"I'll be back as soon as I can, my love." Vlad told me. Then he turned towards the nurse, saying, "Katerina, you keep her company, she shouldn't leave these chambers while any of my guests are present. I'll leave you the knights, if you need me, send me a message with one of them."
"Of course, my lord," Katerina said as Vlad walked out of my chamber; his voice, giving orders to the knights standing outside, trailing off as the door closed behind him.
When I finally sat down to the breakfast table placed under one of the windows, I realised I was starving. Also, I missed my usual morning coffee. I scanned the different trays for anything that could have caffeine in it, but I knew just enough about life in medieval Europe not to expect to find it. There was a small cup filled with dark liquid, though. It looked promising, so I brought it to my lips carefully, not quite trusting my luck. It was not coffee, but ale. A beer for breakfast? No thank you. I placed it back where it had been and in the end I settled for a bread bun with some dried fruits in it and a cup of wine. It was the same sweet wine I drank last night, but less strong.
"Katerina, could I have a glass of milk?" I asked the nurse who was just putting my book on the chair next to my still undone bed. "Not right now, but maybe tomorrow?" I changed my plea when I was met with one of her stern looks.
"Milk, my lady? I wonder what's gone into you today. Only children and old people drink milk. You seem to have forgotten a great deal of your education and good manners..." I listened to her sermon quietly, wishing I had bitten my tongue before asking.
Once I had finished eating, Katerina asked me to retire to the library, so she could call the maids to clean and tidy up my room. I obliged, getting out of her way, not wanting to make her even more angry.
Walking down the short corridor again, I noticed a door I had missed before along one ot its walls. Where could that lead? Open the door! My curiosity screamed at me. I tried the doorhandle and finding it unlocked, opened it carefully. There was a steep, narrow and very dusty spiral staircase leading both down and up. Definitely a place to explore, but not today. You promised to stay put, I reminded myself.
I closed the mysterious door silently, and walked in the library, cosy and a lot warmer than my chamber. Even though small, it held plenty of books. They looked ancient, but brand new at the same time, with thick, glossy pages and beautiful illustrations glimmering in the firelight.
I leafed through some of them reverently, turning the pages with great care. Feeling still too confused and distracted to concentrate on deciphering their ancient writing, I chose a book that seemed to have a lot of pictures in it and carried it carefully over to a table by the window.
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