VLAD

A melancholy tune spread through the great hall of Bran Castle. Soldiers hummed a tune and one of them sang through the hall, his voice soaring through the air, making everyone shiver.

"For the battle,

For the fight,

You, my friend, gave up your heart,

Now you can fly,

Free from life,

You needn't give up,

More of your heart."

Vlad drank his wine, hoping it would mend his soul which cried for all the dead soldiers, for all the dead disciples. Soon, they would celebrate life. Right after they pay their respects to all of those that gave up their life. Vlad spun the glass in his head, throwing a glance in Lerra's direction every now and then.

He didn't know what to make of the entire situation. He didn't trust Maks Adamov and now he realised he made a mistake trusting Lerra. That's what he got for becoming such a coward. He rotted away in this castle, this school he decided he wanted to lead.

But all that was over. A new Vlad sat at his throne as people mourned their loved ones. They didn't even know what happened in his mind during this battle. Vlad noticed Lerra De Noves leaving the room and he dithered about whether he should follow her or not. They had some things to talk about.

"Vlad..." Codrin walked up to the throne. "The Border seems to be up again, at least for now." Vlad's eyes widened in surprise.

"I should congratulate Giselle, then." He said, wondering how powerful she really was when she was able to rebuild the Border herself.

"You could, if she was anywhere to be found. My men said she never returned from the forest." Codrin's brows furrowed.

"Send someone after her." Vlad said immediately and got up. He didn't let worry overcome him, he had no more time to babysit, not even Giselle. He marched out of the great hall, following the direction Lerra went in.

Things have been happening without him knowing. He was fine with it for the past couple of decades, but now he remembered how good it felt to be in charge. When he ruled the Monarchy, nothing happened without him knowing about it. It would be like that again.

He thought he would have to search for Lerra, but he almost bumped into her in the hallways of Bran Castle. She seemed distressed, but Vlad didn't care. He went for her and took her by surprise, he grabbed her by her neck and pushed her against the wall.

"What..." She tried, her eyes wide with shock.

"How did you plan this?!" He shouted in her face.

"What are you talking about?!" She shouted back.

"Don't even pretend you don't know! How did you plan this?" Vlad held her tightly against the wall and he was so close to her he was able to see the spark of anger forming in her eyes. She pushed him away hard and he lost his grip.

"I didn't, you fucking maniac! I knew Maks wanted to rule over the Unknowns, but I had no idea Lucien would attack. I thought it would be an inner thing! Maks was the one that sent me a letter saying Lucien waged a war on you." She spoke fast and Vlad let her go, maybe because her eyes were full of rage. "That's why I came to help."

"I don't believe you." Vlad murmured.

"Believe what you want, but I came here to help. And now Bryce is waging a war on Cardona." Lerra waved with a letter in front of Vlad's eyes. He took the letter and read it.

"Jack sent you a letter?" Vlad asked in disbelief.

"Apparently. I need to go to Cardona, now." She tried to walk away but Vlad grabbed her by her arm.

"What if it's a hoax?" He asked.

"Then it's a hoax. I left Cardona to come and help you. It's my home and I need to defend it no matter what." She tried to shake Vlad off but he held tightly.

Lerra sighed and looked at him, she seemed tired and in pain, perhaps her wound hasn't healed completely yet.

"How can I trust you?" Vlad asked.

"You either do or you don't. Listen, I meant what I said. You and I, we have the same end goal. We want to change the Monarchy." Lerra said.

"Then, why do I have a feeling you're after your own power?" Vlad asked.

"I could ask you the same thing. I saw how you fought against Lucien. Someone got their balls back." She smiled widely, but there was tension on her face.

"I will give you the benefit of the doubt. But if it comes down to you and me, I will be ready." Vlad said through his teeth.

"If it comes down to you and me, Voivode, we will know we had won." Lerra smiled humourlessly and walked away from Vlad.

Vlad's smile was one of dominance and excitement as he stared after the woman he met only a month ago, but decided she was the most interesting ally he had ever had. Because whatever she said, he knew she had planned it. Of course she did. She might not admit it and she might've done for the right cause, but she was spinning a wheel much more thorough and clever than everyone thought. Which meant he would have to be one step ahead of her.

"Lerra!" He called her while she was still in sight. She turned around and looked at him questioningly. "It was a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, Voivode." She disappeared around the corner.

Vlad headed back to the great hall, deciding it was enough for the day. He had a plan to come up with and he had to do it quickly. Of course, he already had an idea forming in the back of his head. He followed the rules most of his vampire life. He was this decent, brave, honourable man that protected those he loved above all. But tonight, he remembered what it was like to create rules, not follow them. And how he missed creating the rules.

Vlad walked to the great hall where Codrin intercepted him.

"Lerra and Devan are gone." He told Vlad.

"Yes, I know, Bryce is attacking Cardona." Vlad said.

"Should we send aid?" Codrin asked suspiciously.

"Maybe, once are soldiers are rested. They are in no position to fight another war. Also, we lost two thirds of our army." Vlad murmured.

"Yes, it would be unwise to send help." Codrin seemed worried, perhaps he thought Vlad would immediately want to pay Lerra back for calling Maks Adamov.

"Codrin... while we're at this subject. We are going to need to train other soldiers, recruit villagers and train disciples harder." Vlad knew he was nothing without his army and it just suffered a major loss.

"Why... I mean, I get that we need to toughen our disciples, but villagers, Vlad? To give them immortal life... that, you have to report that to the Crown, you can't just... Are we, are we in need to get ready for another war?" Codrin barely managed to form sentences and Vlad knew it was because he suddenly didn't recognize the man in front of him.

"Don't worry, Codrin, Queen Aksana has much bigger issues than us creating vampires over here." Vlad reassured him.

"It's against the rules, Vlad, remember? The rules you helped in creating." Codrin reminded him.

"Do you remember that night when Dinu died? You told me we do not lead this was for us, but for them. We do not live this life for ourselves." Vlad watched what's left of his army singing and cheering for the fact they are alive.

"Yes." Codrin nodded.

"Well, I have decided to live this life for myself, now. I've lived long enough, I deserve to enjoy the rest." Vlad smiled when he locked eyes with one of the soldiers.

The soldier fiercely lifted his cup and saluted towards Vlad, his eyes drunk and teary and his beard shaking, but pride and honour pouring of his entire being. Others noticed him and looked at Vlad. At once, they all got up and saluted to Vlad.

"To our Voivode!" The first soldier shouted. "To our King." He added.

"To our King!" All of them shouted at once and drank.

Vlad watched it all and smiled at them, locking eyes with every single one and nodding.

It was time to break all the rules.