Chapter 264: Side Story 4: Face to Face with the Emporer

Lech looked at the towering Palace before him. It had been a long journey to the Empire, having to sneak himself into the Commonwealth to avoid Snowid’s spies. While he slept rough, he kept on going for his father. Although he wanted the title Duke, it didn’t mean he wanted his dad to die, unable to have a satisfying end. A servant opened the door for him, and he thought of the last conversation with Henryk as he walked into the palace.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Hearing the knocking on his door, Lech released a tired sigh and got up, letting Henryk in. It was strange. His father seemed to have a weight lifted off his shoulders. Previously, he had been carrying his anger and the burden of leading the war against Snowid himself, but now it seemed he had lost part of it.

"Everyone out." Ordering the servants waiting on Lech, Henryk took a seat and offered the one opposite to Lech. Looking at him, Lech couldn’t help but have a bad feeling. "Son. Me and our allies have come to a decision." Henryk paused and took a deep breath. "We’re requesting the Empire’s help."

"Father." Calling out in panic, Lech shook his head. "You can’t be serious. The Ammary’s have been our enemies for decades."

"Do you think I make this decision easily, Lech?" Henryk slammed his fist on the chair, the anger in his voice obvious. "But we have no choice. We are too weak to take action alone. Besides, do you honestly think that even if we win the war and you or I take the throne, you can keep it?"

Lech opened his mouth, wishing to say something, but stopped. Even he knew that it would be impossible. The Commonwealth only survived because of the Sobieski name. If any other family took it, then the chaos that would come would be untold. Maybe the weaker nobles would bend the knee, but the stronger ones would definitely fight it.

Henryk nodded in satisfaction, seeing Lech’s reaction. "We have neither the prestige nor the strength to keep the Commonwealth whole and would be setting ourselves up for an invasion. Even then, I don’t think we could clean up the rot that has built up over the years."

"But, father. We can’t trust the Empire."

"I know. None of us do. But think about it. The Empire will invade us anyway. This way, we may secure a way forward where we keep our titles and land. It’s not an easy decision, and I’m sure you will hate it, but I need you now, son. More than ever."

Lech sighed in disbelief but leaned forward with determined eyes. "What will you have me do?" Seeing his son’s confidence, Henryk smiled.

"First thing first...."

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"We have arrived. His Majesty is waiting for you." The servant said cooly, breaking Lech out of his thoughts. Giving small thanks, he fixed his appearance carefully and nodded that he was ready.

The door opened, showing the large throne room, and at the end, Lech saw for the first time the infamous figure of the Commonwealth. He didn’t know what to expect. Alfred was the boogeyman of the Commonwealth nobility. A man whose very existence was there in the blood of his enemies and allies. The Blood Child. The Blessed One. Tyrant. Sol’s Grace.

Hundreds of names circulated around him. He had half expected him to still be a child. He was treated less as a human and more as a creature of myth. Looking at him, he couldn’t help but laugh at some of the rumours and be surprised by how accurate others were.

His handsome appearance contrasted with his icy blue eyes. The air of dignity was as suffocating as the arrogance he excluded. The black clothing made him seem evil, but his golden hair made him holy. ’A monarch.’ It was the only way to describe him. He had seen Snowid before, but he felt like a barbarian who claimed to be king compared to Alfred.

"Introducing Lech Dabrowski, son of Henryk Dabrowski and heir to the Dabrowski Dukedom." The servant called out, and Lech walked forward, not allowing himself to look weak. In front of Alfred stood five Royal Guards. Next to him were an old man and a young man with similar looks.

While he didn’t know the younger man, he knew the older one: William Flanders, his father’s counter and the supreme commander of the Empire’s military. Looking at the other, it was obvious that he was his son and the Prime Minister.

Stopping just before the Royal Gaurd, they slightly shuffled. "I greet the Emporer." Placing his hand on his chest, lech lowered his head respectfully.

"It is surprising—for someone of the Commonwealth to seek me out." Alfred’s voice cut through the air like a knife. "Raise your head." Lech waited a second before doing so and looked up, meeting the cold blue eyes on the throne. "So, why have you come?"

’You already know.’ Lech suppressed the words and smiled. "My father has sent word. The unjust action King Snowid has taken against my family and the many others of the Commonwealth have gone on for too long. My father would have liked to solve these issues himself, but he knows when such actions are futile and seeks your help."

"Oh." Looking at him, Alfred dragged the silence on. "So you wish for my Empire’s support in your rebellion." Lech nodded, and Alfred took a deep breath, leaning his head back. "Why should I?"

Lech subconsciously wished to clench his fist but stopped himself. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself. "It is our hope that in return for the Empire’s support, you shall allow us to swear allegiance to you."

"Oh." Once again, Alfred acted surprised and got off the throne. Walking down the steps leading to it, the guard hesitated to let him through but did. Standing in front of Lech, he looked at him with a gentle gaze. "Do you speak and act for your father right now?"

"Of course, Your Majesty." Nodding happily, Alfred looked at him and clapped his hands.

"If you are true to your word, bend the knee right here and swear fealty. Throw away all your commitments to the Commonwealth and swear them to me." His request surprised Lech, and seeing Alfred turn and pull a sword from one of his Royal Guards, he gulped.

"Must I do so now, Your Majesty?" Lech cautiously asked, only getting a fake smile from Alfred.

Lifting the sword, Alfred stroked the blade. "You claimed to speak and act for your father. If he wishes for this, then why can’t you." Lech looked at Alfred’s gaze and nodded. Slowly lowering himself, he fell to one knee and bowed his head deeply.

"I, Lech Dabrowski, heir to the Dabrowski Dukedom, swear undying fealty to Alfred Lindonfall, the second of his name, Emporer of the Ammary People, the Blessed One." Lech lowered his head deeper and felt the blade’s cold steel land on his shoulder; he tensed up slightly.

"In my name, I accept the offer of fealty." Lifting the sword, he lowered it on his other shoulder. "Before the gods, I swear to uphold my sacred commitment." Lifting the blade, Lech looked up at Alfred and saw his smile. "You may rise."

Lech nodded and rose as Alfred handed the sword back to his guard. Turning, he stopped, and as if remembering something, he looked at Lech. "There is a need for trust between us, right?" A feeling of dread washed over Lech. Nodding, he saw Alfred’s smile grow. "In that case, I believe this is something you must know. Your brother, Izaak. The Empire orchestrated his death."

The words repeatedly played in Lech’s mind as he watched Alfred scale the steps back up to the throne. His breathing got heavier, and looking at everyone, he could see it wasn’t a lie. "What?"

"It was something we had to do to destabilize the Commonwealth. But, the appearance of a bastard did create a problem. We are not mindless killers, and thankfully, when my operatives saw him, they didn’t kill the innocent boy. It is a shame what happened to him, however."

"You... killed my brother?" There wasn’t sadness or anger in Lech’s voice, only disbelief. He wasn’t like his father. Izaak’s death gave him a chance to become a duke after all. But hearing it so openly admitted was strange. It made him wonder.

"My nephew. You didn’t..." He paused. "You didn’t kill him, too, did you." Staring into Alfred’s eyes, he wanted to try and catch him in a lie.

"The child." Alfred sadly said. "I know my reputation is not ideal in the Commonwealth, but I don’t like the murder of the innocents, especially children."

"Please. Answer the question." Lech interrupted and spoke through gritted teeth.

"I can’t believe you would even ask something like this. But if it’s what you really want. I didn’t order the murder of a young boy. I didn’t order your nephew to die." Alfred said angrily and stared back at Lech with a powerful gaze.

The man could see nothing lying about him, and he breathed a sigh of relief. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I just had to ask."

"As long as you understand your place." Alfred leaned back into the throne. "I think the Duke doesn’t need to know about the information you have just found out. After all, we don’t want him to suffer more than he already is."

Lech smiled and nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty. This can stay between us."

Alfred smiled and playfully clapped his hands together. "I have prepared a room for you. There is no need to worry. Snowid has no spies in my home. He won’t know you’re here."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."