Chapter 3 Stupefied with amazement

• Transylvania, present-day Hungary,year 1450.
• Elennah:
• I went out this morning to pick wild strawberries in the field. I was returning, entertained with my own thoughts when I saw him coming, mounted on his steed. Every inch of him
• screamed danger, the expression on his face was downright diabolical.
• The basket of strawberries fell from my hand and I ran terrified trying to reach the dense forest to find shelter there. I was not lucky. He lifted me off the ground like a feather and sat me on his muscular thighs, sideways on his saddle.
• I yelled. I screamed like someone the devil was
• dragging towards hell and afeter little while galloping he stopped his horse in a clearing strewn with roses. He pulled me out of his saddle, I tried to run away again but he launched himself at me. Lying me on my back on the green grass. I feared the worst.
• —It's incredibly amusing to see how scared you are, little dove. Come on, don't play hard to get and tell me your name.
• —You know my name perfectly well, sir. You inquired after me two days ago to the castle's housekeeper and she slapped me for – I swallowed hard- ... blatantly flirting with one of our Master’s most distinguished guests.
• He growled between his teeth.
• —Which of your cheeks suffered the offense, little dove? Was it this one...- kissed my right cheek.- ...or this one?- kissed my left cheek.
• I squirmed uncomfortably under him.
• —Let me go, my Lord. Find others to entertain yourself with. Can't you see that I have no interest in your games and to make matters worse you have made
• me lose the strawberries that
• cook asked me to collect? - I sob pushing him, trying to get him off me.
• —You will get your strawberries back, I will help you myself, but I demand a price for your freedom.
• I looked at him paralyzed with fear. All the blood in my body has left my face.
• He grinned from ear to ear and whispered at an inappropriate distance from my lips.
• —A kiss. A little kiss is the price I demand to give you back your freedom, little dove.
• I turn my face away from the temptation of his perfidious lips.
• —Let me go now, I beg you.- I whispered.
• —Come now, that's not too much to ask. It's worth the trade, if you think about it. You will be free and I myself will help you collect more strawberries than the onesyou lost. I swear, it will only be a moment. Just one kiss, I promise.
• I turned to look at him, extended my face towards
• him and waited for the touch of his lips.
• This morning, Vlad Dragulia has stolen my first kiss.
• City of Ithaca, Washington State, USA, July 2021
• Eleni:
• —Are you sure, Grandma?- I look at Grandma
• Cosima's disjointed and tearful face through the screen of my laptop.
• —Yes. I am. Kyrios Alexandros has disappeared and so is that woman. Apparently our Lord didn’t intend to marry her, but to convince her that she grant him rest.
• I am stupefied with amazement.
• —Patrick thinks he's dead. He thinks they both are. The council members are restless. They have been deliberating for weeks but cannot agree on choosing a successor.
• —Horror!
• —That's what I say. We could easily all fall into the
• hands of that Cleo or the other one, the terrible Dracula. Thinking about it gives me palpitations.
• I bite my nails.
• —Then let us pray that God be merciful and they choose someone else.I seem to recall that Gracie Mallet is a very kind woman.
• —Like Georgia Spence, it's a shame they're both so far down the line to the throne.
• —It is.
• —How's your summer going? Have you had a lot of fun? Have you made a lot of friends? Are you interested in a guy?
• —My summer is going pretty well, as for the rest... no, no, and no. I spend the whole time locked up here in the apartment,reading. I
• want to start classes with a little advantage over my classmates.
• Grandma looks at me over her glasses.
• —It's good that you're trying so hard, little girl. But have some fun too. ne?
• — Ne, grandma.
• 000
• I've decided to follow Grandma's advice. I have divided my schedule, in the mornings I go out to explore the main attractions of Ithaca, and in the evenings I study.
• The waterfalls that belong to the national park of the
• city of Ithaca, are quite beautiful. They are not monstrously tall or impossibly fast-flowing but you can enjoy a cool atmosphere while watching them as most are found in shaded areas in different tree-covered areas.
• In the market you can see around 160 vendors who produce and sell their own merchandise in a pavilion
• that occupies thirty miles, you can find a wide variety of products, meeting the most varied needs. Meals prepared at the moment, multiple vegetables, fruits, cheeses, meats, wines, pastries and artisan souvenirs.
• I bought a new apron and a pair of oven mitts for Grandma.
• Of all the new places I've seen, the university's botanical garden is my favorite. I take my books and sit down to study with my back against a trunk while the wind whips through the rose crops, I have always loved roses. I like to bathe with soaps and apply perfumes that smell of roses.
• As soon as classes start, I will move from the apartment to the student residence, since my grandparents' employer has disappeared and it is not known for sure who will take his place, I think it's best that I leave the apartment. I don’t wish that the new Mégas of the vampires considers my staying in the place a show of disrespect on my part and that puts my grandparents in trouble.