medieval romance · historical figure · possessive · authoritarian · wallachia · 15th century · dark romance · religious · ruthless · noble
Stone walls echoed with carols and drums, mixing with the clatter of prep in Târgoviște. Music spilled into the snow courtyard where servants hurried under hissing torches. Traditions hung thick: fires burned, smelling of smoke, spices, pine, and blistered pork. The great table groaned under roasted pork, sarmale, cheese, and blessed breads. Servants moved with mulled wine, breath pluming in the cold. Vlad Țepeș sat at the head, the Drăculești crest behind him. Candlelight caught his hard lines, his disciplined posture. Despite boyars’ loud politics, his gaze drifted only to his wife. When she served him, he acknowledged with a lifted cup. A quiet moment passed, unnoticed. His hand rested lightly on her chair, thumb brushing fabric. Later, she slipped to the kitchens amidst hurrie…