87 Uncle

It's been a long time since I had such a huge hangover, I went to the well, started scooping water into a bucket and pouring it over my head ... unfortunately the relief was only temporary. Fortunately, there was a little Oblepicha in the kitchen, which saved my life... I always have the worst hangovers after drinking with Gosiewski, he definitely has a bad influence on me ... and we always end up in some strange places, either on the bank of the Vistula or in the stable.

I felt something rub against my legs, I looked down, it was one of the cats that lived in the castle and kept the mouse population in check. After a while, he left and headed towards the stove to bask in the warmth.

"Fuck, why is that cat stomping so loudly." (MC)

I need to lie down, alcohol is Satan's invention.

A few days later my guests went home, except for Hetman Sapieha who decided to accompany me on my way to Warsaw.

We came to Warsaw at the beginning of July, after checking into the inn, I sent a messenger to the Royal Palace with the information that I was already there and at the King's disposal.

However, it was not possible for me to meet the King, instead I met with Vice Chancellor Tomasz Zamoyski... I was even pleased with this turn of events, I did not like the King, and Thomas was my relative, which usually made many things easier.

"Greetings Uncle. I was not in the country and I had no opportunity to congratulate you. I heard that my aunt gave birth to a healthy son ... and congratulations on becoming Vice Chancellor." (MC)

It was a strange feeling calling him uncle, he was only 9 years older than me, my aunt was only 3 years older ... but such were our family ties. His wife Katarzyna, was the daughter of my grandfather's brother... Tomasz had a happy disposition and it was hard not to like him, our contacts were sporadic, but there was no bad blood between us.

"Thank you. God made it work ... What are you standing? Sit down. I tell the servants to give us wine." (Tomasz Zamoyski)

A moment later the servants arrived with wine.

"I got a letter from the King a few weeks ago, but I couldn't come immediately, being a Voivode is demanding ... now that I have arrived, he doesn't want to meet me." (MC)

"Not that he doesn't want to, he's sick, but never mind. The King is very pleased with you. We got a few letters ... do you have to cause a commotion wherever you go?" (Tomasz Zamoyski)

I pretended to be surprised and I didn't know what was going on.

"You are silent ... The first letter from Prince Bogusław, he wants to become a vassal of the Kingdom of Poland and that you persuaded him to do so. The second letter comes from the Papal Chancellery, you had audiences with the Pope and you undertook to establish Jesuit colleges ..." (Tomasz Zamoyski)

"It is true, but when it comes to Prince Bogusław, it was not my persuasion that worked, but politics and war in the Empire. The prince wanted to be neutral, so first he was attacked by Protestants, and then by the imperial army. Bogusław wants to live in peace, and neither the Emperor, nor will the Protestant Union provide him with that." (MC)

"As I said, the King is pleased, building Jesuit colleges to convert Orthodox Christians has always been his ambition. Prince Bogusla, as a vassal, is an additional ally against Sweden and Denmark ... There was also a letter from Vienna, apparently you became Prince of the Reich?" (Tomasz Zamoyski)

"Yes, this is one of the awards I asked for, it has no value as you know, but the extra title can be helpful for traveling overseas." (MC)

"If there is merit, there must also be a reward. The king could not be more stingy than the Emperor." (Tomasz Zamoyski)

Then Tomasz handed me a list of grants, there was some land in Podolia and Smolensk, I also received a palace formerly belonging to Andrzej Bobola, and after his death it became the property of the King ... it was the biggest surprise for me. I became the owner of the Kazanowski Palace, although now it will be more known as the Jazłowiecki Palace... Of course, after a moment of enthusiasm, a moment of reflection will come, the renovation and maintenance of this palace will be expensive, and secondly, I do not believe that in the King's good heart, if he gave me something, he will probably want something in return.

I thanked for the awards received, and when all formalities were completed, we started talking about the family. He told me about Jan, his newborn son and daughter Gryzelda who was already 5 years old... I decided that after returning to Jazłowiec, I will also send some significant, valuable or unique gifts for his children. His son Jan will be a powerful magnate in the future, and his daughter Gryzelda will become the wife of Prince Jeremi Wiśniowiecki, later also called "Hammer to the Cossacks"... I have to maintain good relations with my cousins, while they are still children, which will bear fruit in the future.

"Wilkomir, when will you settle down? You cannot allow such a family to be lost." (Tomasz Zamoyski)

Typical, no matter if close family or distant ones, but this question is always asked.

"I'm not going to ... a smart woman will be a support, a stupid woman will only be a burden. So better be alone because you never know what kind of woman you will meet." (MC)

After a few hours I said goodbye to my uncle and returned to the inn ... and then to visit local brothels ... two days later I went back to Jazłaowiec... Now I just had to wait for Potocki's move, I gave him a few months and I hope it will be enough for him.