Chapter 360: Side Story 1: The New Nobility

Looking at her brother, Ada felt like a part of her was gone. They never had the best relationship, and the last time they had seen each other, both of them had wished the worst for the other. But she never wanted him dead.

Bending down, she stroked his hair, brushing it out of his face and softly smiled, matching the peaceful one on Lesezek’s face. It gave her solace to know that he died an easy death. History would likely call him a coward for choosing suicide over a glorious last stand, but to Ada, he made the best one.

She had seen her father’s body. Imagining the pain he was in as he died made her sad. "Princess." The door behind her opened, and Horace’s cold voice called out, "His Majesty requests your presence." Ada took a deep breath and turned to look at Horace. Nodding at him, Horace smiled. Ada couldn’t tell what it meant, but knowing how vile the man in front of her was, she was sure it wasn’t anything good.

Ada walked through the palace halls and stepped into the throne room. Her family banner had been replaced with the Ammary flag, and the throne now belonged to the Lindonfalls. Sitting on the throne, Alfred looked down lazily. By his side, William and Charles stood with straight backs, their cold eyes staring at those kneeling below.

At the bottom of the steps, Oskar, Roch Marszalek, Kapcer and Henryk knelt, Marcus standing before them and guarding the throne. "Take your place," Horace whispered quietly and walked ahead, past Marcus. Ada couldn’t tell if it was on purpose or not, but Horace didn’t stand by Charles and William’s side, instead hiding just behind the throne, nearly out of sight.

’A weird guy. Just like Konrad.’Ada stepped forward and joined the rest of the men, kneeling before Alfred. Finally moving, Alfred leaned back and looked at Henryk.

"Henryk." The old man stood up and looked up at Alfred, "Thank you for your help. As a father, I know that you will never be as happy as you were before, but I hope that with this, your rage has subsided even a little."

Henryk lowered his head, his hands balling into fists. "Thank you, Your Majesty. But you are correct."

Alfred nooded, "For your effort, I will grant you a two-year tax relief. It’s not much, but I know your lands need time to heal." Alfred watched Henryk. He knew it wasn’t much, but it was the most important thing he could offer for the future of the Empire. He needed Henryk to keep his people happy in the short term.

"Thank you, your majesty." Henryk understood the purpose of the tax relief and quickly retook his place, this time without kneeling. He was now a Duke of the Empire, not a foreign helper.

"Roch Marszalek." Roch stepped forward and looked up at Alfred. "Sasha made a good claim for me to accept you as a part of the Empire. First, let me apologise for what Horace did all those years ago. Whilst necessary for the Empire’s cause, it was disrespectful."

Roch knew it was all pleasantries, but hearing one of the most powerful people in the world apologise to him felt good. "Not at all, Your Majesty. In fact, I told Admiral Godwin, but it was truly masterful."

"Thank you. I can’t offer you anything as rewards mustn’t be given easily, but I will send men to assist in any repairs of Jaslo if you require."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Roch took a step back and looked down at Oskar.

"Oskar Laska." Oskar stepped forward. His heart was beating fast. It was the first thing he was doing as Duke. Stepping in place, he fell to his knees.

"As the new Duke of the Laska Duchy and patriarch of house Laska, I swear fealty to the Emperor, Alfred Lindonfall." Alfred nodded and signalled for him to rise.

"I accept." Alfred took a deep breath. "You already made the conditions clear for your fealty, and I will keep my side of the deal." Alfree stared into Oskar’s eyes, "Don’t make the same mistakes as your father."

Oskar lowered his head, "I understand, Your Majesty." He spoke through gritted teeth and retook his place. After having confirmed his father’s death, he couldn’t help but feel bitter and slightly angry at Alfred. Whilst he understood why it happened, it was still his family. He just hated that it had to be him who had an example made of.

"Kacper Tarlo." Kacper got up and walked before Alfred, "William has decided that you will be a helpful ally of the Empire. In the name of Alfred Lindonfall, second of my name, Emperor of the Ammary people, Blessed One of Sol and founder of the Empire, I decree you Duke of Tarlo."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Kacper bowed and stepped back, peeking at Ada.

"Ada Sobieski." Alfred looked at the Princess of the Commonwealth, the last survivor of her family. Ada walked forward and took a deep breath. Looking into Alfred’s eyes, she expected to be overwhelmed by rage for what he had done to her family and home, but instead, she was calm. She couldn’t understand it.

"In the name of Alfred Lindonfall, second of my name, Emperor of the Ammary people, Blessed One of Sol and founder of the Empire, I grant you the title of Arch-Duchess of Livonia." Ada rested her hand on his chest and bowed. She tried her best to suppress it, but smiled.

It was power. Real power. She could now decide her future. It was what she had begged he father for when her only future was to be married off for an alliance. "Thank you, Your Majesty." Everyone heard the slight joy in her words

"I know the land has been brutalised due to the war, and because of this, I will offer the same as Henryk and allow a two-year tax relief."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Arch-Duchess." As Ada was about to step back, Alfred called out to her. "I know you technically hold the second-highest rank in my lands, but make no mistake, you are not." Ada thinly smiled and carried on. Alfred got up and looked at everyone with a small smile. "Return to your lands." Alfred walked down the steps and out of the room, followed by William, Charles, Horace and Marcus.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Empress, " Isra said as she sat in the council room with Issac and Esmond. Their conversations were cut short when she looked up at the messenger holding a letter. "The Emperor has sent a letter, " the messenger said quickly. The messenger bowed, leaving the three.

’Veni. Vidi. Vici.

Alfred.’

It was short, but Isra knew exactly what it meant, hearing the stories from Alfred about his old world. Issac and Esmond saw Isra bloom into a smile as she threw the letter on the table for them to all read.

"Gentlemen," Isra looked at them happily, "The war is over." The two took a second to understand what she meant and smiled. Issac got up and grabbed a bottle of alcohol from a nearby cabinet, making sure to choose the best he could find. Grabbing three glasses, he poured them all a drink.

Isra picked up the wine and smelled it, happily enjoying its aroma. "A toast." Issac lifted his glass in the sky, "To the future of the Empire. May it last for eternity."

Isra and Esmond lifted their glasses and took a sip, relaxing. "We must spread the word," Isra said, casually swirling her wine, "Can you get on that tomorrow, Issac?"

"Of course." Issac looked at Esmond, the old man still with a rare smile on his lips as he silently drank the wine.

"Great." Isra finished her glass and poured herself a second. "Then today we celebrate. We will soon be bust after all." With a smile, she took another sip and relaxed in her chair, wondering when Alfred would be back.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Sir." Anton’s assistant walked over with a slight grin, holding a paper. "I have just received news. The Church is retreating from the Commonwealth. It seems His Majesty has won."

"Already?" Anton couldn’t help but be surprised and snatched the paper. Smiling, he threw it to the side and chuckled, "I didn’t even get time to help."

"What now?" His assistant asked, and Anton smiled, getting up. Walking to the window, he looked out at the streets of Chent. He had finally opened his branch in the city and was slowly working his way up to get onto the ruling council of the free cities.

"We can’t fall behind. His Majesty still wants Chent. We need to get it ready for him." His assistant nodded and left the room. Anton watched the people below, happily going on with their day, his bank having people walk in and out every few minutes. It would be slow, but once its reputation was proven, the gold would start flooding in.