Stupefied with amazement:

Transylvania, present-day Hungary,1450

Elennah:

I went out this afternoon 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.
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, Lord, 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 have. 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.