Chapter 32
Episode 32
A Brotherly Bond the younger years of Prince Vlad the Impaler and Prince Radu
The air in the royal chambers was thick with the scent of beeswax and old parchment, a smell that clung to Prince Vlad’s memory like a second skin. He was a boy then, no older than his own Mihnea when he’d first felt the weight of the world settle upon his young shoulders. Beside him, Radu, his younger brother, was a whirlwind of restless energy, his laughter echoing in the dim light. Radu, with his softer eyes and a heart that bled for every stray dog and injured bird, was Vlad’s opposite, and his anchor.
Their father, Mircea the Elder, was a man of formidable presence, his voice a low rumble that could command armies or soothe troubled children. But even his stern gaze couldn’t entirely subdue the spirited boys. Vlad, even then, possessed a fierce protectiveness, a primal instinct to shield Radu from any perceived threat. He’d watch his brother’s every move, a silent guardian, his jaw set with a determination that belied his tender years.
One crisp autumn afternoon, they ventured into the sprawling castle gardens. Leaves, the color of dried blood and burnished gold, swirled around their ankles as they chased after a particularly bold squirrel. Radu, ever the explorer, stumbled, his knee scraping against the rough cobblestones. A cry of pain escaped his lips, and Vlad was instantly at his side, his small hands gently examining the wound.
Keep reading "Episode 32"
Open the same story in AIBookCraft. Later chapters may require an active subscription.
Free on iOS & Android · No signup to read