Chapter 298: The Treasure of the Commonwealth

Ada sat perfectly still as her maids worked on her face. Her eyes were full of confusion, wondering why she had been ordered to have a makeover, but seeing how her brother was also doing it, she assumed that a foreign diplomate was coming. The maids worked quickly, sculpting Ada’s beautiful appearance to near perfection. The intensity behind her eyes brought out to the maximum, and looking at herself, she couldn’t help but smile proudly.

A series of dresses were brought out, and Ada frowned, looking at all of them. All looked childish to her, like the things she would have worn when her mother still dressed her. "Get rid of these. I’ll choose myself."

"Princess. The Prince ordered us..."

"Whose servant are you?" Ada looked down with hard eyes, forcing the maids to look away from her in embarrassment

"Yours, Princess." Her tone was respectful as she said so, making Ada smile.

"Then you will listen." Ada walked to her cupboard and glided her finger across the outfits. Her hand rested on a long, navy dress. Nodding, she took it out and handed it over, waiting to be dressed.

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"Sister." Lesezek looked at Ada with a thin, forced smile. "I see you didn’t like my suggestions."

"I think my taste is better, brother. But I’m sure you don’t mind." Lesezek dryly chuckled and nodded his head. Holding his arm out, Ada grabbed onto it as he led her to a nearby room.

"Who has arrived to make you act like this." Ada casually asked. Lesezek looked at her, his smile dropping.

"A Gotic entourage to collect you. Your husband is waiting." Ada’s eyes went wide, and her head snapped in his direction.

"You fucking bastard," Ada growled the words and took her arm off her brothers. Lesezek acted quickly and grabbed her waist, squeezing as hard as he could. A groan of pain escaped Ada’s mouth as she looked at him with hate. She tried to throw a punch, but to Lesezek, it was pathetic, and he quickly caught her fist. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Bending her wrist back, he squeezed her fist. Ada wished to scream out in pain but didn’t, not wanting to give her brother the satisfaction. "You will go in there. You will lower your head and be thankful for the marriage. You will say nothing that puts the Commonwealth at risk. And if you dare do anything else, I will disown you from this family and sell you to a whore house." Lesezek leaned forward. "Are we clear?"

"When father finds out... ahhh." Lesezek squeezed even harder on Ada’s waist, stopping her from talking.

"Are. We. Clear." Ada looked into his eyes, slightly fearful. She could see there was hardly anything behind them, only a deeply cold, calculating gaze. She gulped, seeing her brother like this. They never had a great relationship, but he wasn’t someone who acted like this.

She wanted to ask what happened, but she knew. Being Regent had changed him. He became cold as the survival of his home became the only thing on his mind. "I understand." Lesezek finally let go and forcibly took her arm again. Lowering her head, Ada’s eyes went cold as she tried to think of how to deal with her brother.

He had gone crazy, and although she understood that some part of him was doing it because he felt it was best for the Commonwealth, she wondered when it would stop. His threats weren’t empty. If she did do something to sabotage right now, she didn’t doubt that by the end of the day, she would be a common whore. The light that had once existed in his eyes and the small amount of warmth he was capable of had vanished.

He was more dangerous than any invading army to the Commonwealth. He didn’t care anymore what it cost to survive. ’I have no power, however.’ She would have already taken the regency from her brother if she could, but no noble supported her. Father was the only one who protected her to a certain degree.

Lesezek opened the door, and the Gotic entourage was waiting with a small feast of deserts. Lesezek did his best to hide his disgust with their indulgence whilst his people were at war. "My sister. Ada Sobieski."

The envoys all gave small bows before her. "Thank you, Prince. Princess Ada, you are as beautiful as the rumours say. I am sure our King will be so pleased, and you will be very happy as his Queen consort."

Ada smiled and held her hand out for the envoy to kiss. "It is an honour for me to even have the opportunity to be King Theodoric’s wife. Tales of his valour have even reached our lands after all."

Lesezek nodded in satisfaction at Ada’s act. He knew his sister wasn’t dumb, but she quickly played her part. While a part of him felt bad for forcing her to do this, he didn’t care compared to the chance to save his Kingdom. One sister was worth the price of a potential ally.

"Our King has offered a small gift." An envoy quickly grabbed a chest and opened it for Lesezek. Inside was a small collection of precious gems. Although they could tell each one was precious, it was insulting how small the chest was.

"He is far too kind." Lesezek smiled and took the gift. "I would love to give something in return, but due to the war, I can only give you my sister. But she is a treasure of the Commonwealth, so I hope he won’t be too disappointed." The envoys laughed and looked at the clock.

"Prince Lesezek. Whilst we would love to stay, our king has ordered us to return quickly. If it is okay with the Princess, we would like to leave today. If it is impossible, we can move it to tomorrow."

Lesezek squinted, and before Ada could say anything, he spoke. "That is fine, but please let me speak with her before she goes. I want to say goodbye." The envoys all nodded and left the room. Lesezek’s eyes went cold as he turned to face Ada. Leaning in closer, he stared deep into her eyes. "Have a child as soon as you can. It shouldn’t be hard. That man is a debaucherous bastard, after all."

Ada gritted her teeth and clenched her fist. Looking at the ground annoyed Lesezek, who grabbed her chin. He made sure to do so lightly not to leave a mark. "Have a child and make him mobilise to support us. Do you understand?"

"Let go of me, you prick." Ada slapped his hands away and rubbed her face. "I know, so don’t you dare lay another finger on me, you sad excuse of a man."

Ada turned her back and left the room herself before Lesezek could say anything. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself down and followed her.

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Ada sat in the carriage with a few maids. They looked at her with slight pity as she started at the palace, slowly getting smaller. "Princess, " one of them said in a sad tone, and Ada gave a small smile.

"You all have been so faithful to me these years. Can I ask you to help me one last time?" The maids looked at one another and nodded. She had been kind to them and kept them paid well. Despite the small tensions in their relationship, they had always chosen her over anyone else. Ada knew this aswell and didn’t blame them for their behaviours. She had no power in her family compared to her brother and father.

"I need your help. When we stop to rest, help me leave." Ada said seriously, and the maids looked at one another with scared looks.

"But the Prince..."

"I don’t care. I need to speak to my father. He wouldn’t let this happen," Ada said confidently, and the maids took a deep breath and nodded.

"We will do our best. How can we help."

Ada smiled and looked back at the palace. "Do you have any spare uniforms?"

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Halfdan sat on the street of Torun, watching as the convoy of carriages rode past. Seeing the Gotic flag flying on them, he squinted and got up before running to the safe house. It wasn’t a long journey, and he quickly let himself in.

"Sir." Halfdan bowed toward Horace, who was reading. The man didn’t look up, finishing the page he was on. Only after did he put the book down and give his full attention.

"What is it?" Horace leaned back and crossed his arms.

"The Gotic entourage is leaving the Palace."

"Already?" Horace frowned and fell into thought. "Strange. Official envoys usually stay for a couple of days." His mind raced, wondering what had happened. It was obvious some sort of deal was made between the two kingdoms. It was obvious to anyone in the Empire that the Commonwealth would look for allies abroad.

"Have someone follow the carriage. If anything happens, report it back to me. Do not let it leave your sight." Halfdan nodded and left the room, leaving Horace to think once more.

’Did talks fail, or were they rushed?’ He needed to know. One could be disastrous for the Empire, and the other is a godsend. ’No. Oskar can wait. This is too important.’ Horace got up and followed Halfdan.

"Forget my order. I will take charge of this." Everyone looked confused by his order, knowing how long he had been planning to deal with Oskar, but they said nothing and knew they simply had to follow his orders. "Prepare to move soon. I want two of you to come with me."