209 Engagement
The next morning I woke up next to that busty noblewoman with whom Jan was dancing... she was the daughter of some staroste, so I had to show hospitality. I couldn't let her go out... at night, alone. I'm a gentleman after all, although she was clumsy in bed, she made up for other shortcomings with her breasts. I got up from the bed, threw on my fresh clothes, and poured the wine. Hungarian tokay, busty lover... life can be beautiful, sex, alcohol and rock and roll... unfortunately without the latter.
Unfortunately, everything that is beautiful is impermanent. After talking to Prince Rakoczy, I now had to wait for his reply, although my offer was attractive, I could not be sure if he would agree to it... Suddenly I heard a movement on the bed and a yawn from my lover, so I decided to leave the bedroom quickly... My heart was too sensitive and I was never good at saying goodbye... On the way to my office, I warned the servants that my night guest would get up soon and would like to discreetly leave the palace.
For the first time in several months, I didn't know what to do with myself, I had too much free time... Wroński in Vienna, Piotr in Rome, Elisabeth, her sisters and our children and Katarzyna, they were all in Jazłowiec... if I didn't have to wait for answer from Rakoczy, I would probably go there myself.
While making such plans, I suddenly came up with the idea of visiting Jan's sister, Gryzelda and her husband in Moscow, their son should be two or three years old, and he was to play a role in my plans... perhaps I would also persuade my cousin's husband to help me on an expedition to Bohemia. I immediately called Jan to see me.
"It's good that you are here, I would like to discuss some things with you..." (MC)
I looked more closely at Jan. Eyes red and swollen, face pale... I got up, went to the table, poured a cup of wine and handed it to him.
"You look like you were taken out of your dog's throat. Drink... either that or a horse ride... but you probably puke all over your horse. I remember my first hangover... and I remember the stomping of that cat's paws that woke me up." (MC)
After drinking a few sips of wine, Jan's face turned red... the medicine was starting to work. There are only two ways to cure a hangover, either sleep it over or drink it.
"In a few days, maybe weeks I'm going to go to Moscow to your sister, I will also visit some more eminent noble families... do you know what that means?" (MC)
"I can't really think right now, cousin. My head hurts as if a herd of startled horses ran through it... " (Jan Sobiepan Zamoyski)
I was like that too. The first cheap wines of the brands "Czar teściowej ", "Komandos" or "Patykiem pisane", the first easy women... my youth.
"It means that we will visit families friendly to us and those that we want to win for our cause... but looking at you... we will talk about details later." (MC)
(Prince Jerzy Rakoczy I / Prince Jerzy Rakoczy II POV)
"Father, what do you think about Jazłowiecki and his proposal?" (Prince Jerzy Rakoczy II)
"I think Jazłowiecki is a old fox... no, rather a snake, it fits better. The proposal is too good to be rejected, but..." (Prince Jerzy Rakoczy I)
"So why are you hesitating?" (Prince Jerzy Rakoczy II)
"My son... Jazłowiecki promises a lot, but he does not offer anything right away... He will help us with Wallachia and Hungary, but first we have to help him with Bohemia. Wars are unpredictable, if Jazłowiecki loses in Bohemia, we will be left with empty promises. His adopted daughter has no property or money, only the title of the Princess of the Reich, which she received after her father's death for his merits... she is completely worthless, and in fact her only value is Jazłowiecki." (Prince Jerzy Rakoczy I)
"Are you afraid we'll be left with nothing? We can always demand a large dowry and see how Jazłowiecki reacts and what his intentions are." (Prince Jerzy Rakoczy II)
"No, I'm afraid we'll be left with everything... Despite the problems of the Habsburgs, this is a powerful family, and the Emperor is not someone to be taken lightly." (Prince Jerzy Rakoczy I)
"So what are you gonna do father?" (Prince Jerzy Rakoczy II)
"I'm gonna gain some time. I will agree to the engagement, but we will wait with the wedding... You will go with Prince Jazłowiecki to Jazłowiec, under the pretext of meeting your future wife. You will learn about his strengths and weaknesses, plans, allies, you will learn everything... and then we'll make the final decision." (Prince Jerzy Rakoczy I)
(End POV)
A few days passed and both the princes of Transylvania, father and son, appeared in my palace... Although the ruler of Transylvania did not consent to the wedding, he consented to the engagement, which was not all that bad. Especially that his son was to remain in my care... and it gave me the opportunity to manipulate young and inexperienced Rakoczy.
When this case was closed, I announced the engagement of Katarzyna and young Rakoczy in my newspaper, it was a very important social event and on an international scale... then I returned to planning my trip to Moscow. As it was winter, I did not expect our journey to go smoothly and without any problems. I also made a list of magnates and nobles worth meeting. Although my future son-in-law wanted to go to Jazłowiec first, he was not able to oppose my decision... and he did not even try very hard.
Less than two weeks later everything was ready, I gave up taking carriages, only horses and a few people for safety... I wanted to travel light and fast.