The Divine and the Damned

SINAIA, ROMANIA

YEAR 1225

Alina and Dragavei journeyed across Romania, exploring its regions and making fascinating discoveries. When they were contented with their knowledge-filled adventures, they ended their journey, arriving at Sinaia, Dragavei's home.

He drew his horse to a stop in the front of a stony mansion and got down.

"I thought you said we were headed for your home. Why make yet another stop?" Alina asked in a frustrated voice.

"This is my home" he replied casually.

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she took another look at the magnificent structure.

"This is yours? But how?" She stuttered. "How can you even afford this? You're nothing but a mere traveler"

Dragavei guffawed. "Not all travelers are penniless"

He started for the entrance, leading Mayhem behind him "Come. Let's go inside"

Alina followed his lead eagerly.

After dropping the horses at the stable, they entered the grand house where a tall man emerged from one of the many corners and approached them.

He took Dragavei's coat and hat, staring at her strangely.

"Welcome, brother"

"Brother?" Alina looked at the man closely and realized there was a great amount of resemblance, although he wasn't as tall and huge as Gavy.

"Yes. This is my twin, Radu" Dragavei introduced, pouring himself a cup of wine.

"Oh my. Nice to make your acquaintance, sir. I am Alina"

Radu gave a single nod, his eyes cold and expressionless.

He stretched out his hand towards her "I shall take your coat and collect your belongings"

Something about his gaze made her uncomfortable. She shrugged off her weary coat, handing it to him, alongside her belongings.

"Thank you"

Dragavei extended a cup of wine to her, but she shook her head in objection.

"I do not take well to wine," she said "But I appreciate the kind gesture. Thank you"

Dragavei stared down at the cup in his hand "It's just wine, Alina"

"Yes, I'm well aware" she bit back

He downed the contents in the cup at once and shrugged "Your loss. It's really good wine"

Dragavei started in a direction "I shall show you to my library which will be our study place"

"You have a library?" She jumped in excitement, running after him.

Dragavei turned to look at her, a short laugh breaking from his lips "This news excites you so?"

"Yes!"

"Come along"

He took her to his library, a vast room filled with rows of shelves stacked with books. Alina had never been that overjoyed before. "Oh, my. This is..." she spun to face Dragavei "...absolutely magnificent"

He laughed, surprised at her enthusiasm.

"There's so many of them, Gavy!"

Alina ran to a shelf and picked up a book "So so many!"

She scurried to another shelf "There are scrolls too. Oh, my! Texts written in the olden language"

Dragavei leaned against the large oval table in the middle of the room and watched her prance around excitedly. When she had calmed down, she approached him with a book in hand.

"Look, there's even a book on my hometown" she smiled at him "Where is your hometown?"

"Targoviste"

She gasped "That's not too far from my abode. How come you are here in Sinaia and not over there?"

His smile dropped but Alina was too distracted to notice.

"Did you grow tired of the scenery and wanted a change?"

Dragavei's face took on a hard glow "There are memories there I wish to forget. Unpleasant memories"

"Oh." Her face softened "I am sorry"

He ran his hand over a giant book, heading for the door "The past is the past. Now, come. I shall show you around"

They walked out of the library and down the hallway. As they moved deeper into the mansion, they passed through vast chambers adorned with beautiful paintings when suddenly, a half-naked woman emerged from one of the rooms.

Alina was taken aback, irritated by her lack of modesty.

"My Lord!" The woman sounded surprised. "You are back. Welcome," she purred, bowing before him.

Dragavei assessed her slowly, his eyes settling on her exposed breasts "Ana. You're still here"

"How could I leave, my lord?" Her voice was seductive as she inched closer to him, ignoring Alina's presence.

"Who'll be there to keep your bed warm, if not I?"

He smirked, running a finger down her cheek "I shall join you shortly"

"Shall I call for my sisters, my lord? Irina and Mara?"

"Yes, you may"

Alina turned to briefly stare at Dragavei, the surprise evident on her face. Of course, he was a rather promiscuous man.

Ana left to call the attention of her sisters, and they continued on their way.

Alina was silent, thoughts of her mentor's promiscuity brewing in her mind.

"You're oddly silent," Dragavei remarked.

"Oh, am I?" She responded brusquely, her tone bitter "Pardon me, but I didn't quite anticipate such topics being brought up in my presence. Matters of your personal affairs."

Dragavei halted his steps. "We hardly uttered anything vulgar. Why does it trouble you so?"

It bothered her because, over the months of their journey together, she had grown to like him.

She didn't respond and they strolled on in silence till they arrived outside at the garden.

"Oh" Alina gasped, her hand covering her mouth "They're beautiful"

She ran to a dandelion and caressed it softly, her anger quickly forgotten "They're all so beautiful"

"This is Constantinos" he introduced, and a man of average height and medium build stepped forward. He had light brown hair, which came down to his neck, and pale blue eyes.

"He is the gardener"

"My lady" he bowed, reaching for her hand "A pleasure to meet you"

The gardener pressed a kiss to the back of her palm and Alina shaded to a rosy red.

"The pleasure is all mine"

"Now, if you two would excuse me, I have to attend to some urgent matters that require my attention", Dragavei said, turning to head back to the mansion.

Constantinos bowed, "Yes, my lord"

After he left, the gardener looked at Alina "Would you like me to show you around the garden, my lady?"

"Yes, I would love that very much, Constantinos"

"Right this way"

As they strolled through the garden, Constantinos pointed out various flowers and plants, sharing their names and origins with Alina.

"Your garden is truly magnificent," she remarked.

"It is my pleasure to tend to it," Constantinos replied with a warm smile.

Together, they continued their stroll, until they made it back to the mansion.

"My lady" Constantinos bowed "I shall now hand you over to Ileana. She is the head of affairs here"

Alina smiled gratefully "Thank you once again, Constantinos. I have truly enjoyed your company"

"As I have yours. Ileana will show you to your chambers" he walked to a corner and called out to her. Soon, a short woman emerged, an apron tied around her waist. She regarded Alina with a look of jealousy before speaking. "Welcome, Lady Alina. I am Ileana."

Alina nodded in acknowledgment, but Ileana didn't wait for her and began walking. Surprised, Alina followed suit, hurrying after her.

"Tell me, Ileana," Alina said, deciding to engage her in conversation "What is Gavy like when he's at home?"

Ileana glanced at her briefly, her expression stiff. "Our Lord is always barely home," she replied with reluctance, her tone icy "He spends most of his time on the roads, traveling around the world."

Alina nodded "Yes, I'm well aware. It is how I met him" She looked at the woman. "Are there any things in particular that he despises?"

She hoped to gather some information about Gavy's character since he refused to reveal anything much about himself during their travels.

Ileana hesitated before she replied, "Of course, he has his preferences, like any nobleman. But there are certain things he... disapproves of," she said

Alina raised an eyebrow, intrigued "Certain things like what?"

Ileana turned to give her a stern stare and Alina backed away.

"I forget my place" she scoffed "I am his guest, not his wife, and have strictly come here to learn from him. Nothing more. Just show me to my chambers."

Ileana's lips pressed tightly together. "Yes, lady Alina"

They walked on in silence till they got to her chambers. It was a spacious room adorned with a captivating view of the outdoors.

"How delightful" she muttered happily, thoroughly satisfied with the view.

"Would you like to have your morning meal now, my lady?"

"No, thank you. I'm quite alright"

Ileana departed without further questioning.

Alina was happy to have finally arrived at Gavy's place to study but she could not force the thought of him being with other women, out of her mind. Yes, throughout their travels, she had developed feelings for him and at certain points, it had seemed like he felt the same, but this morning had proven it all wrong. Gavy did not hold the same feelings for her.

She rose to stand at the window, gazing down at the wondrous scenery below.

She had come for one thing, and one thing alone. To gain knowledge, and she could not afford any distractions.

That morning, Alina made a vow.

A vow to dedicate herself solely to her studies within the castle walls.