It had been a very long time.
The Ottomans had stepped onto European soil by intervening in the civil war, transitioning from mere wanderers to a sophisticated state.
Since the first Osman, a succession of capable rulers had led the empire to constant victories. Though there was a slight pause following Timur’s defeat of Bayezid’s army, the Ottomans’ power remained formidable. Any movement against them was invariably crushed.
Until now, when the empire, using foreign intervention strategically, reclaimed Athens.
The unquestioned Ottoman control over southern Greece was stripped away by a single individual. With a keen sense of exploiting positional justifications, bold decisiveness to seize opportunities, and excellent judgment to create favourable conditions, this person silenced even those who had previously belittled and dismissed his achievements.
Constantine Dragases.
No longer a faint “possibility,” the Ruler of Morea rekindled a long-forgotten emotion among those who still identified with the empire.
A passion hidden deep within, suppressed by centuries of helplessness. People no longer saw Constantine as merely a potential; he had become a reality.
This sentiment was particularly pronounced in Morea, where the prince’s influence was profound. The excitement that rippled through the crowd was almost noticeable, impossible to ignore. However, Constantine’s success had a darker side. In her room, practically imprisoned, Sophia read the message delivered to her with an unblinking gaze.
The content remained grim.
The Hungarian-Serbian coalition had barely reclaimed the territory occupied by the Ottomans, but that was all. They could advance no further because the main Ottoman force, having previously moved southward, turned back to march on Serbia.
The Ottomans intended to crush Serbia completely. Hungary, having expended vast resources to recover its territory, had no desire for another confrontation with the Ottomans.
In the end, Serbia, under Hungarian pressure, signed a peace treaty with the Ottomans.
The treaty required a significant compensation, but the losses were far greater. A confident war that resulted in a devastating defeat. Stefan’s standing in Serbia would plummet. The mistakes made by her father were not easily resolved. Knowing this, Sophia couldn’t contain herself and rose from her seat. The face that once bore dignified elegance now twisted with anger and humiliation.
Sophia strode boldly to the audience chamber.
Having returned to Mistra from Athens after concluding the agreement with the Ottomans, the prince sat back in his chair, smiling as if he had expected her. Sophia, without even a pretense of a smile, raised her voice.
“Why? Serbia and Morea were allies, were they not?”
The prince responded calmly.
“Before that, the empire and the Ottomans were allies.”
“Weren’t you planning to strike the Ottomans? If so, now would have been the perfect time.”
“And I did act. The empire reclaimed Athens and central Greece. This forced the Ottomans to turn their attention away from finishing Serbia. They saw the empire as a greater threat.”
“Do you even understand why the political marriage took place?”
“Then you must also know that you’re not in a position to be angry with me.”
Despite her sharp tone, the prince smiled cheerfully. Though Serbia’s reckless challenge had thrust them into a do-or-die gamble, the successful outcome of that gamble had yielded much. The prince spoke with an unprecedented level of courtesy.
“Do you still believe that the leadership of the alliance lies with your father?”
“…….”
Sophia clenched her fists tightly. She had found the reason why the prince had not moved decisively for Serbia.
‘So this is why you refrained from engaging in a full-scale war with the Ottomans.’
Sophia had wielded significant influence over Serbia by leveraging her father. While this could be seen as an advantage, the prince viewed it as a major threat. Sophia had not come to support him but to pursue her own power. This might explain why she and the prince could not harmonize.
What was certain was that Sophia’s power had been significantly reduced.
As a foreign princess, her power fluctuated based on her homeland’s position, an inevitable reality. Moreover, the prince did not see her as his wife. To him, Sophia was merely a means to secure Serbia’s army. There was no need to leave her power unchecked, especially when she might be seen as a potential enemy.
“Previously, maintaining the alliance was due to the political marriage and Serbia’s goodwill, but it will be different this time, my lady. Remember that the continuation of the alliance now depends on the goodwill of the empire.”
Despite the blunt provocation, Sophia could not respond.
The roles had reversed. If the prince had chosen Sophia to secure Serbia, now Serbia had to offer Sophia to secure the prince. The prince, observing Sophia’s still domineering demeanor, issued an stoic dismissal.
“And conduct yourself accordingly. Your father may not care, but I have no intention of allowing your personal will to interfere with state affairs.”
“…Truly remarkable.”
Leaving behind a single sentence, attached with both admiration and sarcasm, Sophia slowly turned away. As she did, the prince delivered one final warning.
“I’ll overlook this time because circumstances favoured the empire, but remember that if you hinder my intentions again, I can have you executed, wife or not. I’ll reduce you to a street harlot.” ( TL : basically a prostitute )
The sheer cruelty of the insult made her face flush with anger. Sophia reminded herself repeatedly. She was the one at a disadvantage.
Endure it, endure it, endure it…
“You know why you’re in that position.”
Unable to contain her humiliation, tears welled up in her eyes and began to fall. Gritting her teeth, she turned back to glare at the prince, who met her gaze with a composed expression.
“Because you’re willing to be ruthless for the sake of the empire, you’re in that position.”
“You are no different. The only difference is what you’re willing to be ruthless for.”
Sophia did not yield to the end. Biting her lower lip, she exited the audience chamber.
In her heart, she resented her father.
Father, why did you undertake such a reckless decision?
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