Chapter 306: Bringing Ada Before the Emporer

The amount of work Horace had to do to pass Snowids’ camps was staggering. If it had been him alone, maybe it would have been fine. If he had enough resources, he could explain that he was a merchant. But with Ada and her maid, it was impossible. Every carriage that passed would be searched, including its occupants. Anyone who saw Ada would know who she was, and while she may not get hurt, Horace and his men couldn’t be hurt.

Getting information about Snowid’s retreat and the Empire pushing across the bridge had made things easier, but it still required careful preparation. He had spent a few days watching and learning, and after feeling confident, they cut through a small forest path, ditching the carriage. There were a few patrols, but they were easily avoided, and once out, they pushed towards the river.

It was quick, Horace not allowing long breaks for anyone. Within a day, they saw the camp, and a huge smile spread on Horace’s face as he forced everyone to speed up. It was a different smile than they were all used to, a genuine one. The camp shifted, seeing the people approach, and Horace could tell instantly that they were not Ammary soldiers.

’Henryk.’ If it was possible, he needed to avoid the man. If the duke spotted him, then it was all over for the invading army. At best, he would have to offer his head alone to ease relations, and at worst, a war would break out between the two sides. "Halfdan. Go ahead. See if His Majesty or Her Majesty is there." The small man nodded and ran ahead as the rest stopped and rested a little.

Halfdan was quick, and as he got closer, the camp stared at him with cold eyes, wondering if he was a spy or civilian. Those trainees could see from his posture that he was a trained soldier and was on guard. "HALT!" One shouted and stopped Halfdan. "Who are you? State your business?"

"Is her or His Majesty here?" Halfdan asked with an equally cold voice, making the soldier squint.

The soldier grabbed the hilt of his sword. "Who are you?" Halfdan nodded and pulled out a small ornament.

"A member of the Underwells. I must speak to His or Her Majesty." Although the ornament he carried wasn’t a real family crest of the Underwells, it was enough to fool a random soldier. The man frowned and grabbed the ornament, looking at it.

"Her Majesty is in the camp. I will take you to her." Halfdan nodded and followed as everyone stared at him suspiciously. Those who knew of the Underwells frowned in disgust. It was a name that represented everything bad about the Empire, a family drenched in blood.

"Your Majesty. Someone claiming to be a part of the Underwells has arrived. He wishes to speak to you." There was a long silence, and Charles pocked his head out. Seeing Halfdan, he dangerously squinted.

"Let him in." The guard nodded, and the tent opened. Inside, Halfdan saw Isra with Charles and a few others around a map. Looking at Halfdan, Isra’s eyes quickly filled with murderous intent.

"Everyone leave." The nobles didn’t dare argue against Isra’s cold voice, so they hurriedly left, leaving Isra, Charles, and Halfdan alone. "You dare appear in front of me, Halfdan?"

"Horace sent me forward to ensure the Duke wasn’t here, Your Majesty. Believe me, I wouldn’t have done so alone otherwise." Isra stared at Halfdan for a while as he averted his gaze. "It is very important we know, Your Majesty. We have something that will be helpful in the war."

"The Duke is commanding the lower bridge. He won’t be here nor with Alfred." Halfdan nodded.

"I will be back." Halfdan left after bwoing towards Isra.

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Alfred sat in a tent, waiting, as his finger bounced. Looking at Isra’s letter, he could tell she was excited about something, her writing lacking the usual perfection it usually had. The tent flap flew open, and Isra walked in, smiling brightly, seeing her husband. "How have you been?"

Affectionally grabbing his cheek, the two shared a kiss. "Better. I will never understand how you like war." Tilting her head, she just smiled. "What is it then?"

Isra nodded and turned around. "Horace. Enter with what you have." Hearing Horace’s name made Alfred frown. From what he knew, Horace was meant to be deep within the Commonwealth, not here.

Horace walked in with Ada right behind him. Seeing Alfred, he fell to his knee and lowered his head. "Your Majesty. Forgive me for coming to you so early, but this couldn’t be trusted with anyone else."

"It’s okay, Horace. Rise" His eyes glanced at Ada and instantly felt a strange familiarity. He was sure they had never met, but he couldn’t help but think he knew her. "Who is she, Horace?"

Horace got up and quickly brushed his knees. "I give you, Princess Ada Sobieski." Alfred froze, making Isra chuckle. She had reacted the same way but found a strange pleasure in Alfred being caught so off guard.

"Snowid’s daughter?" Alfred had to ask, and Horace nodded in delight. "Ho...How?"

"I won’t bore you with the details, but I gave the Princess a choice, and she chose us." Alfred looked at Ada and smiled happily. Things were different.

"I greet His Majesty The Emporer, Blessed One and Creator of the Empire." Ada made sure to bow. Saying she was terrified was an underestimation. Horace alone scared her, and yet he acted like a good dog before the man sitting in front of her. Then there was Isra. She was sharp like a knife.

Finally, she glanced at Alfred. Out of everyone, he seemed the most normal, but she knew better than to think that. His features gave him a holy look, but she knew that the amount of Blood he had spilt could feel like a river. Tyrant was the only word to describe him. Peeking at Horace, it made her shudder. To even have someone like him submissive added to her fear.

"Ada," Alfred called her name with a soft voice. He hid his excitement and tried to stay as professional as possible. "What value do you have as a hostage against your father? Whilst I don’t plan to treat you as one if what Horace says is true, I need your Father to believe it."

Ada gulped and looked up. She could only look forward at Alfred, sensing the cold glares from Horace and Isra. She knew if she turned to face them, her mind could collapse from the pressure. "I don’t think I have any left. My father had abandoned me to the Gotic’s. Now that I serve no value in that marriage..." She didn’t finish as Alfred’s smile dropped.

"He doesn’t love you?" Alfred asked, and seeing her meekly shake her head, he sighed. His plans to use her to end the war early suddenly fell apart as he tried to think of something else to do with her. The more he did, the more he realised she had served no one in the war.

"Your Majesty?" Ada worked up all her confidence to speak up. "May I speak?" Alfred nodded, and Ada took a deep breath. "I can see you are disappointed, but don’t be. I may have no use in the war, but afterwards, I believe I will."

"Ho..." Alfred stopped and looked at her. His mind quickly spun, and he quickly realised what she meant. It wasn’t hard to understand. How many times on earth were puppet governments propped up using a native to keep things calm? "You can stabilise the lands afterwards?"

Ada nodded, and Alfred finally smiled again. "Horace set her up in a tent. Also, wear a mask while here. I don’t know who is watching, but if Henryk finds out." Horace nodded and quickly left, leaving Isra and Alfred alone.

The mood quickly turned affectionate as Isra came over and took a seat on his knee, wrapping her hands around his neck. "Have you gotten word from Issac yet?"

Alfred shook his head, making her head drop. "You worry about Edward too much. He is safe." Despite his words, he could see Isra pointing still and chuckling, kissing her forehead.

"It’s my job to worry about him."

"Of course." Alfred tightened his hold on her waist, bringing her in. Resting her head on his chest, Alfred played with her hair with his free hand. "How was it? As fun as you remember?"

"More than anything." Isra quickly recalled her moment on that bridge. It was brief, but her yearning for more was palpable. "Thank you." Looking up, she smiled sweetly, making Alfred blush a little.

"I promised you, didn’t I? I’m sorry it took so long." Isra shook her head.

"It’s fine. You kept it in the end." She paused for a second. "After this. After we take the Commonwealth, will your promise him be finished."

It was Alfred’s turn to fall silent as he thought about Little Alfred. It had been so long since he last saw him that he couldn’t help but forget him most of the time, only remembering his promise. "I don’t know. But it doesn’t matte right now. Just don’t do anything reckless, Isra. If you..."

"Don’t say it. It’s bad luck. Besides, who will look after Edward if I did?" The two stared at one another in silence enjoying their company.