186 Irritation

"Please sit down, the servants will bring food immediately. If anyone wants to pray before the meal, then go ahead... although it is not a custom practiced under this roof." (MC)

"Prince, don't you pray before meals?" (Elisabeth Stuart)

"No, I have a good cook... the dishes may seem strange to you, I assure you, they taste good." (MC)

My joke about prayer did not delight my mother-in-law, but for the sake of justification, I was not delighted with her presence... I tried to be a nice host, although I honestly hated my wife's family... as Italians say that the guest is like a fish and starts to stink after three days, they were supposed to spend a few months here... so my castle will smell like a fucking fishing boat.

"I have to say I'm a bit surprised... judging from the Prince's status, I was expecting a more sumptuous castle." (Prince Charles)

What a fucking little asshole... you could tell from my mother-in-law's face that she wasn't happy with her son's behavior.

"I don't pay much attention to it, just like I don't pay attention to my palaces in Tarnów and Warsaw, but maybe Elisabeth will take care of it now, women have a better eye and hand for such things. Of course, my residences are no match for Prague Castle or Heidelberg Castle... but from what I heard the Swedes destroyed the city heavily in 1633." (MC)

Fortunately, a moment later the servants showed up with food, and the topic was quickly ended... our dishes might seem strange to someone who has just come here, but the fact that Poles, Ruthenians, Tatars and even Czechs lived in Podolia had an impact on what was eaten and how it was eaten. Many might consider serving beaver tails or bear fat as something barbaric, but in my eyes it was barbaric to eat snails.

"I've never seen anything like it... What's this?" (Sophie)

My eyes went to Sophie, who was looking at the fondue... although the dish was already well known to the Swiss highlanders in this era, it was not the food the nobles ate, so Sofia's surprise was understandable.

"It's a cheese fondue with some wine. You take that metal skewer, stuff it with bread or a piece of roasted meat and dip it in cheese." (MC)

After dinner, my mother-in-law and her son wanted to talk to me about Bohemia, so I invited them to my office.

"I have no mead but maybe wine, the best Hungarian Tokaj? So what did you want to talk to me about?" (MC)

Neither of them wanted wine, but I did not deny myself the pleasure.

"We already had a consultation with my uncle and the King of France. My uncle promised me 8,000 Scots, and the King of France promised 5,000 soldiers... so we came to Podolia to find out about the promised Tatars?" (Prince Charles)

"I don't quite understand the question." (MC)

"I mean where are those Tatars?" (Prince Charles)

"Far east, they are probably sitting in their yurts now and waiting for the end of winter." (MC)

"Prince, that was not the deal... you got my sister and gave your word..." (Prince Charles)

There was something very irritating about the tone of his voice, about the way he spoke, about his manner... in fact, it even irritated me that he was breathing.

"Lady, tell your son to be careful about the tone of his voice when he talks to me... and boy, watch out for the next words you say because they may be your last ones. Your uncle promised you 8,000 Scots and the King of France 5,000 soldiers, I promised you 5,000 Tatars... you want to say that my word is less worth than theirs?" (MC)

"That's not what my son meant and he didn't want to offend you, he's just impatient. He grew up without a father..." (Elisabeth Stuart)

I got up from my chair and walked over to a shelf in my office.

"I will introduce my friends to you ..." (MC)

One by one, I picked up the skulls of Khan Temir and the others and introduced them to my mother-in-law and her stupid son. Their expressions were priceless, and I hadn't had so much fun in a long time... by the way, I also kept Khan Temir and the boys entertained... they don't often meet new people.

"Do you know the difference between their promises and mine? That's a rhetorical question, so don't answer... I also promised muskets, gold and grain, and all three things are already in Jazłowiec. If you want, I can show it to you, but remember one thing, the skulls you saw belonged to mighty men. Much more powerful and important than you... If I killed them, think about what I can do with you. I promised you Tatars and you will get Tatars when the time is right, but seeing your attitude and behavior... good luck in keeping them disciplined." (MC)

The atmosphere became heavy, they were guests in my house and it was not good to threaten them with death, on the other hand, my mother-in-law knew that her son also crossed the line.

"I reluctantly admit it, but you deserve an apology. My irritation prevailed over the rationale... Tatars will be ready for next summer, by then, the French and Scottish troops must be in Bohemia... The official version that you will make public is that you obtained the Tatars with the help of the Ottomans. Given the relationship on the line, Constantinople-Vienna, everyone will believe it... and once your army is in Bohemia, I will deliver the promised supplies." (MC)

"Thank you, Prince... and I also apologize for my son's words and behavior." (Elisabeth Stuart)

"Do you want to know something else, ask about something or raise a topic?" (MC)

"Actually, yes, but it's a request, not a question..." (Elisabeth Stuart)