Road to the Crown

11th November 1574

"They truly have some balls, don't they?"

Even though we went over this topic over and over again, I still couldn't stop being amazed at how shameless the high nobless of the senate acted. Right after hearing about my refusal, they actually told me to go back in two weeks time?

"Dear, calm down. It's not like we can do anything about it. Given the situation, we are bound to expect some resistance with our plans!"

Grasping the fingers of my left hand, Elia hugged herself to my side, most likely hoping that her warmth would help me clear my mind./

"Well, that's given."

Rather than her actions managing to shut me off, it was the meaning implied behind my wife's words. So far, I have yet to tell her my thoughts about the entire royal election thingy, ultimately leaving her in the dark about my plans of installing someone proper on the throne while remaining in the dark myself. 

Yet, in this specific situation, Elia's words held true in both scenarios. For her, it was Senate attempt at curbing my chances at becoming the king, while for me, it was an attempt to rope me into the schemes of the high social circle. Given how I could use my time much more effectively while focusing on my own lands rather than some noble squabbles, there was no way that I would agree to that. Either way, refusing to pay them any mind was ultimately the one thing that I could do.

"Anyway, let's change the topic. Maybe it's because of my anger, but the journey seems to be even quicker than usual."

Looking outside the window - one of the most expensive parts of the entire damned train, explaining the lack of those in the military outfitted trains - I could see the thick forest of the Lesser-Poland grand plain giving way for the first lines of buildings. 

Thinking about this, I greatly neglected Tarnow recently. Even though everything that I did happen over the span of about nine months, I still couldn't help but feel guilty for that. As the hometown of both my original and the current self, it held a special place in my heart. 

Yet, even without all that of my overseeing, the policies that I implemented seemed to have insanely positive effects of the land. It took me actually a while to realise that the buildings that announced our entry into the urbanised area were quite a lot further than just a few weeks ago when I last took this train!

If even in such a short period of time the growth of the Tarnow could move so fast, then maybe I actually didn't have anything to worry about?

This mysterious growth of my homeland was explained relatively quickly. Instead of being completely alone on the entire track, our train actually passed by a second station, with a running train on it! The difference between the passenger line and the cargo line was clear just from the number and structure of the wagons, while the number of people that busied themselves with unloading the overwhelming among of goods could serve as an explanation for the sudden splurge of the population in the province.

"It's truly a wonder…"

With her eyes glued to the sight of many, many lights behind the window, Elia whispered with nostalgia.

"What is, my dear?"contemporary romance

Even though I could guess what my wife had on mind, I still went on and asked while pulling her a bit closer into my embrace. With the rhythmic noise of the train's wheels hitting against the small slits between each respective train track turning the atmosphere hypnotic, I could feel Elia resting her head against my shoulder.

"If you exclude all the things that you did in New Tarnow or now, in the eastern colonies, just our Tarnowian beer alone would turn this place into a prosperous one. But then, after it became a hit on the markets, you invested in a trading centre. Even though so far, it's intended purpose of luring the Hungarian merchants in kind of failed, when our drink flooded its shelves, Tarnow became the actual centre of the province. Yes, I actually confirmed that."

Seeing the confused look in my eyes, Elia smiled a bit before poking her finger against my cheek in a cheeky act.

"You might have failed to notice it, but if you think back, didn't Krakow seemed to be a little less lively than before?"

Elia's lips parted as her mouth twisted in a cheerful smile. Seeing the sparks of joy in her eyes, I wouldn't dare to interfere in her story.

"Yes, now that I think about it, it seems to be the case."

Limiting myself to just confirming what she wanted, I continued to stare at Elia's lively expression. Just this alone was enough to fill me with happiness. With the lights outside shining like a lake filled with the stars, with the two of us cuddled in our thick, soft clothes, the atmosphere in the wagon was truly magical.

"Oh, it's eleventh of November…"

Suddenly, a realisation struck me. 

In the current world, this date meant absolutely nothing. For the first big thing in the current calendar to happen, one would have to wait for the Christmas. Yet, for me, that date had a special meaning, that would be born only a few hundred years to the future from now.

The independence day.

The day that came down in Polish history as the day when the nation reclaimed their freedom from the hands of the three oppressors that failed to eradicate them over the last one hundred and twenty-three years!

Even though as I grew up, the situation both in the country and in the world as a whole continued to deteriorate to some unimaginable lengths, leading to my feeling of attachment to the entire idea of a country to waver, when I realised what day was today… I just couldn't stop the shock that went through my soul and my heart.

"What's wrong, dear?"

Nearly instantly noticing the change of my expression, Elia looked sharply at me, as if trying to find the potential wound that could be the effect of my sudden reaction.

"Wrong… A day to celebrate independence… What about making it the day when its independence would be ultimately preserved?"

Rambling the strange words that were coming to my mind like crazy, an idea started to form in my head. 

What if Poland would never face those hundreds of years of war, slaughter and slavery? What if, all those tragic events that buried the legacy of Commonwealth would never happen to begin with? What if…

It was my great wish from the very beginning to preserve the future of this country during the turmoil of the future. But never before did I experience this sudden longing so damn hard!

And from this clash of the new idea and old approach, a new determination was born in my soul.

"Dear… I do not intend to become the king of Poland."

Rather than putting that topic off for later, I decided it was better to come clean right away. Given how we only had two weeks remaining before the fate of the Commonwealth would begin to change, I didn't want them to be soured by the hidden guilt of keeping secrets from Elia.

"Dear?"

This girl understood me well too great. Without even a hint of hesitation, she simply stared at me, awaiting the follow-up sentence. It seemed that speaking in a manner that would increase the tension of those who were listening to me already ingrained itself in my blood!

"I will put someone of my choosing on the throne, and become his chancellor. This way, we won't face any obstructions while changing this place, while avoiding the bothers of wearing the crown."

done.co