Chapter 13.
The trip back to Warsaw is a bit hard, the roads in Slyria are clunky and the spring rains slow down our marching speed. Although it might discourage my troops, I leave the responsibility of commanding the soldiers to Marshal Kawasaki and take dozens of men accompanying riding fast to Warsaw. Like I've said, I would like to be present the day Abigail gives birth to my child. I've never experienced being a father before so the feeling I'm having now can't be described by words. Although this child will be born outside of wedlock, I will prepare everything necessary so that Abigail and our children can live comfortably and have bright futures.
The first thing I do when I reach Warsaw is rush toward a mansion near my palace, where I ordered to build for Abigail. The rumors have been spread among the people and several people show their disagreement since Christianity often encourages a person to be enveloped with only one partner and not have sex with others before marriages. But my fame from winning the war overwhelms that and I still receive flowers and yells of admiration from the crowds when I come back.
Abigail's nurse leads me to her room. Opening the door, I see a beautiful figure sitting on a sofa by the window sewing something that looks like baby clothes. When I enter, she looks at the door, and when noticing me, she shows a shining smile and rushes toward the door and hugs me. I pat her on the head slightly while we move toward the sofa hugging each other.
- " Welcome home, my love " Abigail speaks before kissing me.
- "I'm home, Abigail." I smile at her before kissing back and doing some cuddling. Her belly is bigger from the last encounter. She should be giving birth anytime soon, even when she is in her labor, her stunning figure still attracts me. I have to restraint myself from man's desire and chat with her, comfort her nervous about her first time bearing a child.
3 days later, I have to stand out of Abigail's bedroom when nurses and midwives get in and out of the room crazily. I can hear Abigail screaming inside the room, which tears my heart apart. The nurses say Abigail's case of giving birth is difficult to manage and normally who meet this case often die. I pray to every god that I know for her safety. This is the first woman that I have a feeling of true love and I do not want to lose her. From the moment I met her, she becomes the angle and keep my mind clear from the brutality of fire and blood. She is the woman that keeps me outside of the nightmare of seeing the people I killed seek vengeance every night. My mind becomes so unstable that I threaten the midwives that I will kill them if anything happens to her.
About an hour and a half later, Abigail's screaming stop and I hear the sound of a crying baby. I kick the door open and rush into the room, where I find Abigail breathing exhausted while a nurse holding a crying child. Neglecting the child, I walk to Abigail's side and ask her:
- Abigail, do you feel uneasy? Is there anything that I can do for you?
- I'm fine, let me see my baby.
I give a glance to the nurse holding our baby, she gently gives it to Abigail. Abigail slowly uncovers the towel, which reveals a beautiful baby boy inside. We look at each other and smile, she puts her head on my shoulder while I hug her. We decide to name the child Alesky Wozniak. The people inside the room retreat immediately since if they stay, they might have to eat a lot of "dog food". I speak:
- You've given me a warrior, Abigail. Simply saying "thanks" is not enough. Say whatever you want and I promise if I'm capable, I will do that for you.
Abigail shows a little hesitating before speaking:
- I know it might be demanding, but can you make little Alesky become your heir?
Hearing this, I froze. Declaring this child as my heir will cause a huge political problem both in and outside the realm. Seeing my mood has changed, Abigail moves closer to me:
- If you do not like that, you don't have to do it. Just never leave him alone.
Luckily, Abigail is a smart girl. Every woman wants her child to become somebody with great wealth and fame. I can't blame her for making such a suggestion. I kiss her forehead and speak:
- Never.
I spend several days with her and our kid before moving back to the place to rule my country.
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After several meetings with the governors and military captains. I decided to reform the military structure of my country.
Now, a captain will only be in charge of 16 soldiers, a sergeant will be in charge of 160 while a lieutenant 480. These positions will be elected by the soldiers fighting in the army. However, the commander of an army will be appointed by me and the Marshal have the privilege to command an army without my orders if the country is in dangerous situations.
Aside from that, now the only infantry unit in the army will be Polish infantrymen, armed with medium armor and long muskets with knives on top and sabers. They'll be trained about ranks formation and how to fire line by line as well as how to fight in close combat with their sabers and muskets. The most elite ones will be chosen to be Polish Guard, who is equipped with better armors, muskets, and several of the Guards will work directly under my command.
Moreover, I want to increase the number of Winged Hussars and Hussars as well. Hussars will act as support and flanking units that help the Winged Hussars to cause more damage in a charge. These units, especially the Winged Hussars have shown their strength and importance in the past war. Although it's exorbitant to train and maintain those forces, with Czeck becoming the governor of Warsaw, I believe everything will be fine.
Another reformation is that half of the soldiers in the army will work as farmers in peacetime for periods of 6 months and will replace each other afterward, which will not only create connections between soldiers and the people but also increase the amount of food Poland produces every year. Harsh farming work can also train a person's strengths and calmness. This method was used by the Vietnamese Dynasties during the medieval age, which created a strong relationship between the army and the people. And we know how strong this relationship can become in times of war.
After a week of constant office work, I summon the Lithuanian girls that came to Warsaw with the Royal sigil of my house and the house ruling Lithuania. The moment I see one of the girls, I drop the cup of coffee I'm drinking and open my mouth in shock.