Short Stories

Jadwiga

       Maria looked at her sister, but she was in the same position, the only difference was that tears were falling from her face. Maria felt pity for her sister and for Poland. She felt the pity for her sister because she knew that Jadwiga was not ready to rule and leave him behind, their love could not exist, and her sister couldn't let it go. She felt the pity for Poland because she wasn't sure if their future leader was fit to rule and make sacrifices. 

Her sister met the boy when they were all children. As they all grew into teenagers Jadwiga and their childhood friend grew to being more than just friends. Before Maria could have done or said anything about it, she left for Hungry and hadn't seen them since.

          The door opened and Maria turned around to see her mother enter with a young girl following her in. Maria guessed that she was her sister's lady in waiting. "Mother! Hello! How wonderful it is to see you!" Queen Maria greeted as she bowed to her mother, Elizabeth of Bosnia. "I'm so happy to see both of you! How is Jadwiga doing?" Elizabeth said whispering the last part to her eldest daughter. "She is still thinking about him," Queen Maria whispered to her mother. Her mother's warm aroma quickly went away as her smile did. It was replaced with coldness. "Mary, will you give us a second? I think your husband was looking for you" their mother stated in a frightening tone. Maria nodded her head and before she left the room, she said out loud to her sister, "Best of luck to you" but it was more like a whisper no one heard. Magdalena left as well, knowing whatever is going to happen next will not be pretty to watch.

           As the door closed the atmosphere of the room changed rapidly. It felt cold and grey although the fire was on and light beaned through the window and into the room. Jadwiga didn't dare to look up, but she felt her mother's cold stare. Her mother went to stand in front of her. Forcefully Elizabeth used her cold hand to lift her daughter's chin so she would look at her. "You are not going to ruin this for me and yourself do you understand? You don't know how long and hard I worked for this so you can become Queen! Do you not know what I sacrificed for you and Mary? Did you forget what I did to the men who tried to take your sister's throne? If in case, you forgot they are either six feet underground or at the bottom of a river forgotten forever. I can do the same for your dear Krzysztof if he is the one that keeps polluting your mind." 

         Elizabeth let go of her daughter, Jadwiga rubbed her chin after her mother's tight grip. Elizabeth was about to leave the room, "Remember what I sacrificed for you, Hedwig. Now it is your turn." Without another word her mother left. Jadwiga took out her handkerchief and whipped her falling tears away. The door opened without knocking and in entered Krzysztof. When he saw Jadwiga, his expression turned into a concerned one.

"My darling what is troubling you?" he went up to her and took her hands into his. Jadwiga didn't want to replay the scene that just occurred, "I am just a little nervous" 

Krzysztof smiled at her, placing a kiss on her forehead. Jadwiga took her hand's out of his and stood up from her chair and turned her back at him. "I can't do it" she muttered. "What can't you do my love?" Krzysztof asked. "I can't marry you." Jadwiga whispered. She turned to look at him. He looked as if he was shattered, his eyes filled with pain and disbelief. Jadwiga quickly went up and took him into her embrace. She closed her eyes as if it would prevent tears from falling, "I love you Krzysztof. You will forever and always be my one love. I will never love anyone as I love you." she said. He slowly hugged her back, "Then why can't you?"

Jadwiga pulled away to look at him. He looked her into her eyes, as if he could find any hint of her that would say yes. "I can't because they chose me. They wanted me as their leader, they sacrificed for me and now I must do the same for them. I can't let them down. I am not Hedwig anymore, I am Jadwiga" she explained. Jadwiga looked at Krzysztof to see if he would say anything but instead the church bells started to ring, signaling that the coronation is going to start soon. "Best of luck to you. I wish you a good future my Queen" Krzysztof said looking into Jadwiga's teary eyes. He bowed to her as a subject would and left. 

Jadwiga was going to break down in tears, but she had to get herself together. Magdalena entered and both walked downstairs, Jadwiga ready for her grand entrance.

After a few years passed Jadwiga was the sole ruler of Poland. She was married to Władysław Jagiełło, grand duke of Lithuania. Magdalena was not her lady in waiting anymore since she married. They haven't seen each other in a long time until they met again at a party. Both women rejoiced when they saw each other, Magdalena was pregnant with her first child. "Where is your husband?" Jadwiga asked excitedly. She couldn't wait to meet the man that her best friend had fallen in love with. "Oh, there he is!" Magdalena said as her husband came up to them. Before Jadwiga could turn around to see him, she heard a familiar voice, "Good evening your majesty"

When she turned around, she saw no other than her forever love, Krzysztof.