This page contains information about plot points and future story developments so read at your own risk!
Lale/Laia Burnell is the main character you play as in the book Dracula: A Love Story. In this book, you move between two different timelines: Laia, a woman in present-day Romania and the United States, and her past life Lale, a teenager at the time of the 15th-century Ottoman Empire.
Most choices you make for this character influence one of the following variables: Bravery🗡️, Luck🍀 and Soul Light💓 . These choices change the story, the interactions you have with other characters and the scenes you will be able to play.
Please note: this book is ongoing so this page is constantly updated as we learn more about this character.
Laia Burnell is the default name of the present day character you can play as, but you can customise it. When you travel back in time to the 15th century, you play as an Ottoman teen Lale Hatun, and you can't change her name. It is explained that "Hatun" is not her surname but it's an honorific way to address women in the Ottoman empire, and other women throughout the book are called in the same way.
Laia is a fine art restorer. The story begins as she is visiting Romania's capital Bucharest with her sister Millie. Her employer, Vincent, tasks her with picking up some rare paintings that happen to be also located in that city. When she touches these paintings, she travels back in time, where she becomes Lale, the niece of the Ottoman ruler, Sultan Murad.
The story constantly jumps between the present day and the year 1444/1446/1448 at the Ottoman court, in the Sultan's palace in Edirne, Ottoman Empire.
Your relationship and romantic choices also have a significant impact on the story. If you have a good relationship with some of the characters, they will be kinder and more helpful, and if you decide to romance a character, certain scenes/options with other characters will be affected, or not be available. Also, your romantic choices in the present affect the past and vice versa: you cannot romance two different characters in the two different timelines.
⚠️Trigger warnings: this story contains scenes of fighting/violence/war, and scenes including physical threats of sexual assault and verbal and physical threats of domestic violence. Details of which episodes are affected can be found on our walkthrough pages.
Laia Burnell was born in Lastville, United States. Her mother Annie and father Gregory moved to a ranch in the outskirts of town when she was little. We haven't met her father in the book yet as it is said he is in Chile for a work project.
Laia works as a fine art restorer for an art gallery that belongs to Vincent, a French man living in the United States.
The book begins as she is in on holiday in Bucharest with her sister Millie. They are visiting Romania because Millie is obsessed with vampire stories and had dreamed of visiting Dracula's homeland for a year. While staying at the Vampire's Den hotel, they encounter Leo Nolan, who claims to be in Romania to cheer up his cat Nosferatu. Once Laia retrieves three 15th-century paintings on behalf of her boss, she also meets Sandra and Vlad, the other two Love Interests in this book, and her time travelling visions begin.
In Season 2, when she returns to Lastville, Laia learns that Baron Sotet, the old owner of the local Black Castle, has left her a chapel on the property in his will. The chapel features a stained glass window which depicts Laia's likeness, which further add to the mystery of her past. It is further revealed in a diamond scene in Season 2, Episode 5, that Laia was abducted by Sotet when she was 4 years old and brought to Black Castle, but was rescued before anything happened to her.
Lale Hatun was born to Aisha, one of the noble ladies at the court of the Ottoman Sultan in Edirne, in the 15th century. Aisha died before this books begins, so we only see her in flashback scenes. No word is said about Lale's father other than the fact that he was an outsider, but in Season 1, Episode 1, Lale defines herself as an orphan. It is hinted that Aisha was murdered by Yavuz Pasha, possibly with the complicity of another noble lady, Halime, who was jealous of Aisha.
Lale's bond with both Aslan and Vlad is very profound. Both young men are princes from conquered territories that are kept as long term hostages at the Ottoman court, although Aslan has spent most of his childhood there, while Vlad has only arrived in 1444, when he was 16 years old. The three of them have a strong connection, and depending on your choices, Lale's friendship with one or the other can develop into romance, but the man who is not chosen will gracefully puts himself aside in the name of their friendship.
Despite the fact that in 15th-century Turkey depicting people was prohibited and punishable by death, Lale makes several portraits of those closer to her. Allegedly there are seven paintings in this book, although not all have been revealed so far. The paintings we have seen so far (in the order in which they are have been shown to us) are: her cousin Hasan, her friend Saphie, her mother Aisha. More are surely to come in future episodes.
At the moment, Laia is trying to discover more about her connection with the past while navigating her complex relationship with Vlad, Leo and Sandra. The story is ongoing.
Relationships[]
Present day:
Leo: Friend/Love Interest depending on your choices
Vlad: Friend/Love Interest depending on your choices
Sandra: Friend/Love Interest depending on your choices
Noe: Enemy/Friend/Love Interest depending on your choices
Ezel: Friend/Love Interest depending on your choices.
Mehmed: Enemy/Love Interest depending on your choices.
Millie Burnell: sister
Annie Burnell: mother
Ilinca: Friend
Vincent: Employer
Commissioner John Dougan: Family friend
Ottoman court:
Aslan: Close friend/Love Interest depending on your choices.
Vlad: Close friend/Love Interest depending on your choices.
Alexandra: Friend/Love Interest depending on your choices.
Hasan: Cousin/Love Interest depending on your choices.
Mehmed: Cousin/Love Interest depending on your choices.
Aisha: Mother
Shahi Hatun: Tutoress
Sultan Murad: Uncle
Saphie: Friend
Nuray: Friend
Zara: Friend
Mustafa Hojam: Teacher
Dimitris: Art teacher
Esme: Cousin
Trivia[]
Laia loved to paint but hasn't done so in a long time, concentrating on restoring art instead.
Laia's birthday is the 10th December, according to an interview with the author of the book. This date was chosen as a tribute to her favourite painter, Russian artist Zinaida Serebriakova. [1]
From the development: The main character of “Dracula: A Love Story” Laia Burnell got her surname in honor of the British astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell. This happened at the earliest stages of the story development. Long before, we had the idea that her touch would burn Vlad. This isn’t the only coincidence in this mystical story. (RC Facebook, February 2021) [2]
The heroine of this story is Lale's reincarnation. While they share the same soul, their personalities differ due to different upbringings in different times.
Lale befriended Aslan after losing her father. Her mother, Aisha, was still alive and approved of this, treating all the palace's inhabitants equally.
Lale is younger than Vlad and Aslan. Vlad is a year and a half older, and Aslan is two years older.
The heroine grew up on a ranch with her parents and moved to the city to attend college. Her younger sister joined her later, interested in the local high school.
Mehmed and Lale are nearly the same age, but the şehzade was born first. Historians know his exact date of birth: March 30th.
High Respect Guide[]
High respect can be earned by Lale in the past through actions and outfits throughout the book that give her benefits and causes those around her to treat her well. Note: In order to unlock important story development on Vlad's romance path, you need to have high respect.
With Hasan. [❗Your choice influenced the story in a major way!] [This will influence Hasan's attitude in Season 2: he will be kind to you]
Ep 2 · The New Heir to the Throne
I'm ready to study. [❗The teacher is counting on you!]
Will take her! (💎26) [❗Vlad liked that you stood up for the dog!] [You adopt the dog. You can choose the dog's name, but the default name is Güzellik.]
Come inside. [❗Your uncle the sultan appreciates that you visited Hasan.]
Ep 3 · An abrupt move
To study for the contest. (In Ep 5 you will see [❗The respect to you in the palace has strengthened!] )
Ep 9 · Moaning Walls
Saphie Hatun! ✅ [❗You made the right choice! Your reputation at the palace has increased!]
Season 2:
Ep 4 · Punishment
Magnificent (💎31) -and- Long locks (💎19) -and- Special (💎19) (If you were offered all three choices - outfit, hairstyle and jewellery - and chose all the most expensive diamond choices, you will see the banner: [❗The respect for you in the palace has strengthened!] )
Will do as you say. [❗You can be obedient. The sultan respects you more now!] -or- Believe Mehmed has changed. [❗Your opinion of Mehmed has improved!] [❗The Sultan respect for you has strengthened!]
Ep 7 · The Return
Padishah, I'm so sorry. [❗You choose the right words! You're respected more in the palace!]
Season 3:
Ep 3 · The Brochure
I'll be glad to go to the river with you. (You do not need to kiss Hasan to keep a good relationship with him)
Ep 4 · The Sleepy Barren
It's an honor for me to delight you. [❗The sultan liked the answer! You're respected more in the palace!]
Ep 5 · The Prisoner
It's really better this way. [❗You understand the palace ways well! The respect has strengthened!]
Ep 8 · The Victor
Day (💎30) -or- Evening (💎45) [❗Respect for you within the palace has grown!]
About Şehzade Mehmed’s brilliant idea. [❗The sultan is very pleased. You’ve gained respect in the palace!] [❗Your relationship with Mehmed has improved!] -or- But the main victor is you, Padishah. [❗The sultan liked your words. You’ve gained respect in the palace!] [❗Your relationship with Mehmed has worsened!]
If you kept a good relationship with Hasan and were able to paint a proper likeness of the Sultan's sons you will see: [❗The sultan is very grateful. You’ve gained respect in the palace!]
Someone must help Uncle! [❗You care about your uncle. You've gained respect in the palace!] -or- I feel very bad for the Sultan and Hasan. [❗You care about the sultan. You've gained respect in the palace!] [❗Your relationship with Hasan has improved!]
Ep 9 · The Prize
See them as individuals. [❗You gained respect in the palace!]
Knock him down a peg. (💎31) [❗The sultan is interested. You gained respect in the palace!] [❗Now the sultan knows Yavuz Pasha is cruel to his wife!]
Ep 10 · Fire and Oil
I’ll donate the gold to the development of oil-wrestling. [❗Aslan has surprised the fighters!]
Where the ground is stomped out. ✅
At the way he locks his fingers. ✅
[❗Thanks to the previous choices, Aslan won the fight!] and [❗The respect for you in the palace has strengthened considerably!][❗Çekiç respects Aslan so he didn’t cheat!]
Season 4:
Ep 1 · The Fall and Rise
Let me call my husband; he'll choose. [❗Lale acted with dignity. You gained respect in the palace!]
Ep 5 · Dark Past
Stall. [❗The sultan's respect increased!]
Ep 7 · The Trap
“Help Mehmed!” (💎26) [❗You've gained respect in the palace!][❗This choice will affect the future!]
Ep 8 · The Night
Golden azure (💎55) -or- Paradise garden (💎30) -and- Golden azure (💎30) -or- Paradise garden (💎30) (If you buy both a premium outfit and a premium headpiece, later in the episode: [❗You’re respected more in the palace!] )
“Take her hand, and reassure her!” (💎55) [❗Lale supported Mehmed’s mentor before her death!][❗You’re respected more in the palace!]
A Pendant - S2 Ep6 (You only get this if you listen to Aslan's story in S2 Ep2 AND take Leo's (💎97) romance option in S2 Ep6)
Lale's hairstyles, outfits and accessories[]
Please note: There isn't a wardrobe button for Lale, so all the outfits, hairstyles and accessories you pick for her are not stored anywhere and cannot be changed at any point in the story.
Long locks - S2 Ep4 (💎19) (If bought together with other 2 premium choices - only available if you already have high enough reputation to be offered all three choices: outfit, hairstyle and jewellery: [❗The respect for you in the palace has strengthened!])
Fair hair - S2 Ep4 (💎11)
Dark hair - S2 Ep4 (💎11)
Modest - S2 Ep4 (Free)
Half-done - S3 Ep3 (💎10)
Long natural - S3 Ep3 (💎20)
Braid - S3 Ep3 (Free)
Day - S3 Ep8 (💎21)
Evening - S3 Ep8 (💎30)
Morning - S3 Ep8 (Free)
Fair Braids - S4 Ep1 (💎22)
With a golden headband - S4 Ep1 (💎27)
Messy Bun - S4 Ep1 (Free)
Natural curls - S4 Ep4 (💎19)
Perfect waves - S4 Ep4 (💎31)
Half-up - S4 Ep4 (Free)
Golden azure - S4 Ep8 (💎30) (If bought together with a premium outfit: [❗You’re respected more in the palace!])
Paradise garden - S4 Ep8 (💎30) (If bought together with a premium outfit: [❗You’re respected more in the palace!])
Comforts of home - S4 Ep8 (Free)
Sweet - S4 Ep10 (💎17)
Favorite - S4 Ep10 (💎32)
Simple - S4 Ep10 (Free)
Outfits
Eastern night - S1 Ep4 (💎29)
Morning dew - S1 Ep4 (💎21)
Forest fairy - S1 Ep4 (💎9)
Cute dress - S1 Ep4 (Free)
Special dress - S1 Ep7 (💎34)
Mysterious dress - S1 Ep7 (💎20)
Airy dress - S1 Ep7 (💎11)
Simple dress - S1 Ep7 (Free)
Passion - S1 Ep7 (💎20)
Charm - S1 Ep7 (💎11)
Debut - S1 Ep7 (Free)
Bejeweled dress - S1 Ep11 (💎20)
Airy dress - S1 Ep11 (💎12)
Modest dress - S1 Ep11 (Free)
Magnificent - S2 Ep4 (💎31) (If bought together with other 2 premium choices - only available if you already have high enough reputation to be offered all three choices: outfit, hairstyle and jewellery: [❗The respect for you in the palace has strengthened!])
Beautiful - S2 Ep4 (💎19)
Delicate - S2 Ep4 (💎11)
Simple - S2 Ep4 (Free)
Mysterious velvet - S2 Ep7 (💎26)
Decisive - S2 Ep7 (💎20)
Nondescript - S2 Ep7 (Free)
Fine taste - S3 Ep3 (💎20)
Rich pattern - S3 Ep3 (💎30)
Modesty - S3 Ep3 (Free)
Luxurious shawl - S3 Ep3 (💎20) (You only get this shawl if you have a good relationship with Mehmed and unlock the diamond scene by accepting his gift and letter)
Day - S3 Ep8 (💎30) [❗Respect for you within the palace has grown!]
Evening - S3 Ep8 (💎45) [❗Respect for you within the palace has grown!]
Morning - S3 Ep8 (Free)
Black Embroidery - S4 Ep1 (💎22)
Gold on Red - S4 Ep1 (💎45)
Comfortable Dress - S4 Ep1 (Free)
Tender oleander - S4 Ep4 (💎31) (Only if you have a good relationship with Mehmed: [❗Mehmed admires Lale's ability to choose outfits!])
Precious saffron - S4 Ep4 (💎51) (Only if you have a good relationship with Mehmed: [❗Mehmed admires Lale's ability to choose outfits!])
Hibiscus - S4 Ep4 (Free)
Golden azure - S4 Ep8 (💎55) (If bought together with a premium hairstyle: [❗You’re respected more in the palace!])
Paradise garden - S4 Ep8 (💎30) (If bought together with a premium hairstyle: [❗You’re respected more in the palace!])
Comforts of home - S4 Ep8 (Free)
Made of soft fabric - S4 Ep10 (💎32) (No effect on stats but it offers a benefit later in the episode.)
Flowing silk - S4 Ep10 (💎50) (No effect on stats but it offers a benefit later in the episode.)
Made of stiff fabric - S4 Ep10 (Free)
Accessories
Delicate - S1 Ep11 (💎12)
Dainty - S1 Ep11 (💎20)
Small - S1 Ep11 (Free)
Delicate - S2 Ep4 (💎11) (You only get this if you already have high enough reputation at the palace.)
Special - S2 Ep4 (💎19) (You only get this if you already have high enough reputation at the palace. If bought together with other 2 premium choices: [❗The respect for you in the palace has strengthened!])
Simple - S2 Ep4 (Free) (You only get this if you already have high enough reputation at the palace.)
Star earrings from Vlad - S3 Ep4 (💎21) (You only get these earrings if you have a good relationship with Vlad and unlock the diamond scene by accepting his gift and letter)
Swallow earrings from Aslan - S3 Ep4 (💎21) (You only get these earrings if you have a good relationship with Leo and unlock the diamond scene by accepting his gift and letter)
![Lightning priestess - S4 Ep6 (💎17) (If bought together with a premium outfit: [❗The councilor is in awe of your look!])](/wiki/File:Laia.hair.S4Ep6b.png "Laia.hair.S4Ep6b.png (5.82 MB)")
![Northern wind priestess - S4 Ep6 (💎33) (If bought together with a premium outfit: [❗The councilor is in awe of your look!])](/wiki/File:Laia.hair.S4Ep6c.png "Laia.hair.S4Ep6c.png (5.89 MB)")
![Air - S4 Ep6 (💎17) (If you are already close and you also buy a premium outfit: [❗Your relationship with Mehmed has improved!])](/wiki/File:Laia.hair.S4Ep6d.png "Laia.hair.S4Ep6d.png (6.5 MB)")
![Fire - S4 Ep6 (💎33) (If you are already close and you also buy a premium outfit: [❗Your relationship with Mehmed has improved!])](/wiki/File:Laia.hair.S4Ep6e.png "Laia.hair.S4Ep6e.png (6.47 MB)")
![Romance - S4 Ep9 (💎29) (If bought together with a premium outfit: [❗Mehmed is proud to have such a beautiful woman by his side!])](/wiki/File:Laia.hair.S4Ep9b.png "Laia.hair.S4Ep9b.png (2.43 MB)")
![Dignity - S4 Ep9 (💎29) (If bought together with a premium outfit: [❗Mehmed is proud to have such a beautiful woman by his side!])](/wiki/File:Laia.hair.S4Ep9c.png "Laia.hair.S4Ep9c.png (2.43 MB)")
![Lightning priestess - S4 Ep6 (💎33) (If bought together with a premium hairstyle: [❗The councilor is in awe of your look!])](/wiki/File:Laia.outfit.S4Ep6b.png "Laia.outfit.S4Ep6b.png (6.33 MB)")
![Northern wind priestess - S4 Ep6 (💎53) (If bought together with a premium hairstyle: [❗The councilor is in awe of your look!])](/wiki/File:Laia.outfit.S4Ep6c.png "Laia.outfit.S4Ep6c.png (6 MB)")
![Air (💎33) - S4 Ep6 (If you are already close and you also buy a premium hairstyle: [❗Your relationship with Mehmed has improved!])](/wiki/File:Laia.outfit.S4Ep6d.png "Laia.outfit.S4Ep6d.png (6.49 MB)")
![Fire (💎53) - S4 Ep6 (If you are already close and you also buy a premium hairstyle: [❗Your relationship with Mehmed has improved!])](/wiki/File:Laia.outfit.S4Ep6e.png "Laia.outfit.S4Ep6e.png (6.25 MB)")
![Revealing - S4 Ep9 (💎29) (You only get to pick this lingerie set if you are on Mehmed's romantic path) [❗Your relationship with Mehmed has improved!]](/wiki/File:Laia.outfit.S4Ep9b.png "Laia.outfit.S4Ep9b.png (2.41 MB)")
![Precious - S4 Ep9 (💎44) (You only get to pick this lingerie set if you are on Mehmed's romantic path) [❗Your relationship with Mehmed has improved!]](/wiki/File:Laia.outfit.S4Ep9c.png "Laia.outfit.S4Ep9c.png (2.42 MB)")
![Fleeting romance - S4 Ep9 (💎29) (If bought together with a premium hairstyle: [❗Mehmed is proud to have such a beautiful woman by his side!])](/wiki/File:Laia.outfit.S4Ep9e.png "Laia.outfit.S4Ep9e.png (2.61 MB)")
![Luxury and dignity - S4 Ep9 (💎44) (If bought together with a premium hairstyle: [❗Mehmed is proud to have such a beautiful woman by his side!])](/wiki/File:Laia.outfit.S4Ep9f.png "Laia.outfit.S4Ep9f.png (2.42 MB)")
![Long locks - S2 Ep4 (💎19) (If bought together with other 2 premium choices - only available if you already have high enough reputation to be offered all three choices: outfit, hairstyle and jewellery: [❗The respect for you in the palace has strengthened!])](/wiki/File:Lale.hair.S2Ep4a.png "Lale.hair.S2Ep4a.png (6.13 MB)")
![Golden azure - S4 Ep8 (💎30) (If bought together with a premium outfit: [❗You’re respected more in the palace!])](/wiki/File:Lale.hair.S4Ep8a.png "Lale.hair.S4Ep8a.png (5.72 MB)")
![Paradise garden - S4 Ep8 (💎30) (If bought together with a premium outfit: [❗You’re respected more in the palace!])](/wiki/File:Lale.hair.S4Ep8b.png "Lale.hair.S4Ep8b.png (5.72 MB)")
![Magnificent - S2 Ep4 (💎31) (If bought together with other 2 premium choices - only available if you already have high enough reputation to be offered all three choices: outfit, hairstyle and jewellery: [❗The respect for you in the palace has strengthened!])](/wiki/File:Lale.outfit.S2Ep4a.png "Lale.outfit.S2Ep4a.png (6.15 MB)")
![Day - S3 Ep8 (💎30) [❗Respect for you within the palace has grown!]](/wiki/File:Lale.outfit.S3Ep8a.png "Lale.outfit.S3Ep8a.png (6.07 MB)")
![Evening - S3 Ep8 (💎45) [❗Respect for you within the palace has grown!]](/wiki/File:Lale.outfit.S3Ep8b.png "Lale.outfit.S3Ep8b.png (5.84 MB)")
![Tender oleander - S4 Ep4 (💎31) (Only if you have a good relationship with Mehmed: [❗Mehmed admires Lale's ability to choose outfits!])](/wiki/File:Lale.outfit.S4Ep4a.png "Lale.outfit.S4Ep4a.png (6.12 MB)")
![Precious saffron - S4 Ep4 (💎51) (Only if you have a good relationship with Mehmed: [❗Mehmed admires Lale's ability to choose outfits!])](/wiki/File:Lale.outfit.S4Ep4b.png "Lale.outfit.S4Ep4b.png (6.2 MB)")
![Golden azure - S4 Ep8 (💎55) (If bought together with a premium hairstyle: [❗You’re respected more in the palace!])](/wiki/File:Lale.outfit.S4Ep8a.png "Lale.outfit.S4Ep8a.png (5.59 MB)")
![Paradise garden - S4 Ep8 (💎30) (If bought together with a premium hairstyle: [❗You’re respected more in the palace!])](/wiki/File:Lale.outfit.S4Ep8b.png "Lale.outfit.S4Ep8b.png (5.73 MB)")
![Special - S2 Ep4 (💎19) (You only get this if you already have high enough reputation at the palace. If bought together with other 2 premium choices: [❗The respect for you in the palace has strengthened!])](/wiki/File:Lale.acc.S2Ep4b.png "Lale.acc.S2Ep4b.png (6.36 MB)")
