Chapter 225: Side Story 3: Origin of the Commonwealth

108 years before the Birth of Alfred:

Queen Desislava walked into a side room of the palace removing her veil and showing a face that seemed to be carved by Sol himself. Her beauty was unparalleled but the man in the room was the only one who was allowed to see it.

Getting up he took her hand and pulled it to his lips, before smiling at her. Her cheeks slightly flushed from the act but she quickly hid it taking a seat opposite him. "Zarek." She called his name lovingly and picked up the small cup of tea that had been prepared for them.

"Desislava. I still can’t believe it. To think you would become Queen." His voice was happy saying that as Desislava thinly smiled.

"It is a shame what happened to my brothers. They were good men." Despite her words, her eyes flashed with a slight frost as Zarek smiled. "But things are stable now. I think it’s time."

Zarek nodded as he leaned forward and let out a deep exhale. "It will be hard. Many won’t enjoy our two Kingdoms being unified like this." Zarek said full of worry as Desislava brushed it off.

"My love. Do you honestly wish to continue having to meet in private like this?" Zarek could only shake his head at the soft voice. "Everything we have done was for this day. My loyalists are ready to move."

Zarek reached out and grabbed her hand as he nodded. "I know. The sacrifices you’ve made just for this." Zarek smiled getting one in return. "Three weeks. Let us marry then." Desislava, flashed a perfect set of white teeth hearing that as she practically leaped across the table.

"Thank you." The tone of her voice was like that of a schoolgirl in love as she stared at Zarek. Clearing her throat, she realized what she had done and calmed herself taking a seat back. Zarek chuckled at the whole ordeal as he got up and went to her side.

"But what about our family names? Who takes whose." Zarek said seriously as Desislava dropped her head, looking at her fingers.

"I don’t care about that." She played with them and Zarek could see she didn’t mean the words. Bringing her head to his shoulder he smiled and softly spoke.

"Why don’t we both get rid of them? Chose a new one." Zarek’s words caused her to look up at him confused. "If one of us takes the other’s name it could have problems in the future. For our kids and their kids. So let’s make a new one."

"You’re serious." Desislava looked at him with hopeful eyes as he gave a nod.

"At first I had thought of combining our two family names but I didn’t know how. So instead, why not look to the past? How do you feel about Sobieski?"

"The hero of the past," Desislava said with excitement as Zarek nodded.

"It’s perfect. What is a better name to unify our two kingdoms than the name of a hero for them both?" Desislava felt like she could see Zarek’s nose rise with pride at the good choice as she gently giggled.

"I’m fine with anything, my love." Zarek kissed her forehead hearing her answer as he got up. "I must leave. If I stay too long, people will really wonder what happened to me."

"You’re right." Desislava got up gracefully, putting her veil back on. "I must summon my vassals. This news has to be spread." She happily said, nearly spinning as Zarek took her in for a final hug.

"In three weeks we will have whole new lives. Let’s make sure everything is perfect." Despite the veil hiding it, Zarek could see Desislava’s eyes curl showing how wide her smile was underneath.

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"My people. I know that these summons were on short notice and I thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to come." Desislava sat atop the throne, only her cold eyes visible to the people below. Taking a deep breath she scanned those present. It was obvious who was loyal to her and who wasn’t. Making a mental note of them she breathed in.

"I shall be getting married in two weeks." Her words made everyone feel like a bucket of cold water was dunked on them as everyone looked at one another; wondering whose son was chosen to become King consort.

The hate in the eyes as everyone looked at one another made Desislava scoff internally. Very few knew of her relationship with Zarek having become her most guarded secret. "I know many of you will be shocked by this announcement and many of you may not approve but I shall wed King Zarek. And once wed I shall adopt the family name, Sobieski. The family name of our legendary hero." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"My Queen." An older man walked forward with cold eyes that showed not an ounce of loyalty. "This marriage threatens our very kingdom. You must reconsider."

Desislava scoffed as she looked down at him. "You seem to misunderstand something. I did not call you all hear to negotiate this. You are all being informed of the future. My family name as well as King Zarek’s shall vanish and we will adopt a new name. One that is woven deep into the history of our land."

Her eyes shot daggers into everyone as they all took a step back lowering their heads. The amount of power that radiated off her body made people forget she was a woman feeling the urge to willingly bend the knee to her. A small smile rose under the veil as she nodded with satisfaction.

"You have your orders. You’re all dismissed." Getting up she walked off gracefully ignoring all the eyes looking towards her.

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Desislava sat in her council room, waiting as a flood of people entered and bowed before taking their seats. "Everyone. You all have shown your loyalty these few years, and unlike the rest have looked passed the obvious fact that separates me from my brothers."

They all nodded. The people around the table didn’t hold the same disdain others did for Desislava as a woman ruler. It was pleasing and she knew it was time. Reaching to the side of her face she carefully unclipped the veil on her face and took it off. The mouths of those around dropped seeing her beauty but they all quickly composed themselves.

"We all know that my father forced me to live a sheltered life, hidden from view. I had kept this wish my parents wanted for me and hid myself, but I believe that for you, my most loyal and proven servants the need for secrecy showed be dropped."

"You have helped me in uncountable ways to reach the throne and I ask you one last time, help me solidify my wishes," Desislava spoke with a pleading voice, but it didn’t come off weak to anyone around the table. They all knew what she was capable of and whenever she spoke like that it always meant big changes would happen in the Kingdom.

An older man, with a grandfatherly look, stood up. His clothing showed the immense wealth he had and his hardened eyes the years of experience. "The Dabrowski family has been a loyal servant of the Royal family since its formation, and it shall not stop my Queen, no matter the circumstances." The old duke said gracefully as he rested his hand on his chest and bowed.

Desislava smiled warmly but her eyes flashed with a chill rivaling the coldest winters. "There are many who still do not appreciate my rule and even more who will see to it that this marriage does not happen." Her voice carried a sharpness to it and everyone subconsciously stiffened their backs.

"Let us deal with these elements." Gently clapping her hands she gave the order as everyone nodded.

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Around the capital numerous nobles slept peacefully, long having proceeded the news that had been given to them. Unhappy, annoyed, bitter. Many felt a wave of emotions about the whole marriage, some annoyed their families had been sidelined, and others feared their power vanishing once the two Kingdoms unified.

The peace of sleep was short-lived as the sound of fighting broke out all around. The clashing of steel and screams of people made many wonder what was happening but it quickly became apparent by morning as many didn’t live to see the next day or their children vanished.

Those who found themselves seeing the sunrise looked at the empty beds of their children grinding their teeth knowing what it meant as they were forced to stay their hand for any future plans they had in mind.

Those who carried the name Borch within the capital were not spared. Their blood spilled as Desislava became the only remaining Borch alive within the capital.

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Desislava stood in front of the large cathedral alongside Zarek. Nobles from both kingdoms looked on with pleasant smiles, whether forced or willing as they praised marriage. It was a first for many of them to see Desislava’s unveiled face as her smile made them forget about the brutal campaign she had carried out weeks before.

Despite everything they knew it had become impossible to move now with the union, no-one wishing to attack the power of two Kingdoms.

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83 Years Before the Birth of Alfred.

"And do you King Bronislaw Sobieski, swear by the one true Lord Sol, to guide and lead your kingdom, with dignity, honor, and strength." A Cardinal held the crown high in the sky showing it to the people all around.

The king knelt deeply toward the Cardinal and breathed deeply. "I do."

"Then when this crown touches your head I crown you King Bronislaw. King of the Livonian and Vioniak people." The Cardinal slowly lowered the crown, as Bronislaw slowly rose. Looking down at his vessels he closed his eyes and and smiled.

"On this day." He called out to the people. "Our two Kingdoms are no longer separate. In My name, Bronislaw Sobieski, the two kingdoms are no more. Today we are one, one Kingdom, one people. By decree of the Sol and his grace, I announce the Livonik Commonwealth. May our nation be blessed for eternity to come."

Bronislaw looked out as the vassals all slowly knelt. "LONG LIVE THE KING! GLORY TO THE COMMONWEALTH!" The first cry rang out soon followed by a wave of others as Bronislaw relished in it.