At dawn, Doina woke to check on her daughter. Today was the horrid day she had feared for so long. She rushed down the hallway until she reached Aurora’s door, and became nervous when she realized it was slightly ajar. She pushed the door open and called out, “Aurora? Daughter, are you awake?” There was no answer from within, and Doina stepped into the room to see.

A shriek from downstairs sent her whirling back into the hallway. Mihai emerged from his chamber, as did his brother and his wife from theirs. “What was-” he started, but stopped at the sight of Doina’s white face. She ran down the stairs, and stopped at the bottom of the staircase, landing on her knees on the floor. She began to cry at the sight of her daughter lifeless on the stone floor, the drop spindle in her hand.

She had taken such care in removing all of them from the castle, how could this one… She turned on the maid, “Whose spindle is that?” The girl shook her head, as Mihai reached the bottom of the stairs.

His heart broke.