168 Bohemian Court

The first thing I did after arriving in The Hague was renting an inn for a few days and sending a messenger to Bohemian Court, as the Winter Queen's residence was commonly called. Then I just had to wait for the official invitation... which was scheduled in two days.

I was curious how the meeting would go, I didn't have much experience in this matter... my experience with women, apart from Sveta and Galina, was rather superficial and was based mainly on trade and sometimes supported by intimidation.

I never wanted a wife, nor was I a romantic who believed in deeper feelings... even when I thought about Sveta, I couldn't call it love. She was close to me, I cared about her... but I cheated on her many times and I had no remorse for that. I have always put my comfort above her needs, especially after the birth of my children. In Elisabeth's case, however, it was possible that she would become my official wife not a mistress... for better or worse, until death... because divorce was not an option, of course there are other ways to end a marriage without divorce... but first I'll see what the future holds.

The day finally came, I knew that the first impression is the most important and I wasn't going to make a similar mistake as in my previous life, when I went to meet my girlfriend's parents in a Cannibal Corpse "Tomb of Mutilated" sweatshirt... it didn't make a good impression on them... That's why this time I dressed in the best clothes I had, I didn't want to look like a transvestite, so I remained faithful to the Polish noble outfit, avoiding Western European fashion for laces, collars and wigs.

On the appointed time, I went to the mansion... I was more stressed than before my first murder. To my surprise, the majordomo was waiting in front of the entrance, I greeted him politely, introduced myself and then he invited me inside.

"I will inform the Queen that the Prince has arrived." (Majordomo)

What Queen? The fact that she wore a crown for a year does not make her a queen for life... I knew men who wore dresses for years, but I wouldn't call them women anyway.

Then a servant took me to the lounge where guests were received l... and a few moments later Elisabeth Stuart and a young man appeared... I suspected it was her son... the future dead king of Bohemia.

I got up, I bowed, but not too much... let them know that they need me more than I need them.

"Lady" (MC)

And there's no way I'm calling her queen.

"Prince Jazłowiecki, my brother wrote a lot about you, although his proposal was surprising... please forgive my manners, this is my son, Charles Louis." (Elisabeth Stuart)

With that black curly wig on his head, he looked like a member of some glam metal band... I even wanted to ask if his carpet matched his drapes.

"Nice to meet you, although I must admit that I have not heard much about the Prince, I believe that in the future he will achieve the greatness of his father." (MC)

A bit of a niggle that he is no one important and reminding him whose shoes he needs to fill.

"But I have heard a lot about you, Prince Jazłowiecki, and these are not always nice things..." (Charles Louis)

Well, it's an exaggeration, even about Hitler you can say some good things... like that during medical experiments not a single animal suffered.

"But probably true... When you are my age you will understand that you have to pay for everything in life." (MC)

Our discussion was interrupted by his mother, who suggested that we sit down and called the servants to give us something to drink.

"Prince, before you meet my daughter, I would like to know what kind of person are you?" (Elisabeth Stuart)

"Please ask, I am like an open book." (MC)

Written in a strange language and encrypted, but open.

"Well, are you Catholic?" (Elisabeth Stuart)

"Yes. My father was a Calvinist, but converted to Catholicism in his youth and I was brought up in the Catholic faith." (MC)

"So Protestantism is not foreign to you, and how do you view Protestantism?" (Elisabeth Stuart)

"I do not think about it, everyone believes what they believe and it is a matter between him and God. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is known for its religious freedom, but even we have our reservations, Calvinism is rather accepted, but not Lutheranism." (MC)

"Surprisingly, where does this acceptance or lack of it come from?" (Elisabeth Stuart)

"We see Calvimism as the Swiss Faith, Lutheranism as the German Faith." (MC)

It was true, among the Polish nobility you could meet Orthodox and Calvinists, even followers of Islam, when some Tatar received an ennoblement for his services to the country, but Lutheranism was rare and rather negatively perceived.

"Mother, you ask him about insignificant things... What about my uncle's proposal?" (Charles Louis)

The young prince's impatience was even funny, but who wouldn't want to be king? Apart from me, probably everyone... but even if everything goes according to his expectations, he will not sit on the throne earlier than in a year or two... war, army, food supplies and other things, transport all requires planning, and planning takes time.

"Please forgive my son, despite being 21-one years old, sometimes behaving immaturely. However, since the question has already been asked, can you answer it?" (Elisabeth Stuart)

"As I explained to King Charles, my participation will be very limited, for my part I will provide food for the army, weapons, gold and 5000 light Tatar cavalry..." (MC)

"That's nothing... with something like this I will not defeat the emperor !!!" (Charles Louis)

"If the Crowns grew like fruit on trees, everyone could be king... and if the Prince thinks my offer is not enough, we can say goodbye and I will return to London." (MC)