29. June 1389.(16th of June by Julian calendar)
Serbia rides into a stone castle with a solemn expression on her face. Entering through the gate, she is greeted by the ruler's wife Milica (Кнегиња Милица).
"My kingdom, I beg you, tell me what happened? Have we claimed a victory?" she asks desperate for some good news. Serbia dismounts still solemn and shortly replies: "Yes."
The princess is confused. She looks at the few riders accompanying the representative. Their heads are bowed and silent. Her heart stops in dread, seeing a wagon with a casket.
Next scene: After a few hours. Serbia enters her room with princess Milica behind her. They both move slower that usual in a very depressed state.
As Serbia sits searching for something in her small chest, princess Milica sighs. "I should have know something was wrong when Vuk Branković arrived without my husband. The nerve he had demanding that we accept him as the rightful ruler of our lands" she frowns shaking her head.
"Do not blame him too much. He simply believes it is his destiny to rule. Unfortunately, so do the other noblemen. I have never felt such disunity. There is no chance I can defeat such a powerful opponent in such a state" Serbia replies still searching.
Milica scoffs: "The arrogance of them all! The only one who can rule is my son Stefan Lazarević (Стефан Лазаревић). He is sill a minor but with my help..."
The representative, still in her armor, takes out her trading cards and slowly turns to her. "In that case, as my co-boss, I hope you are ready for this difficult decision." The princess' eyes fill with tears as she nods. Serbia takes one of the cards on which we see a pale fair-haired girl with a benevolent expression.
Next scene: The same girl from the trading card steps out of the castle. She sighs and takes a minute before stepping in the chariot prepared for her. Her name is Olivera Lazarević (Оливера), daughter of Princ Lazar (Лазар) and Milica. Serbia pats her hand. "I'm sorry princess. I wish there was another way" she whispers.
The frightened girl looks at her kindly. "No need to apologize, my kingdom. I understand and accept my destiny willingly" she says nodding to the driver to go. "After all, isn't that my duty? To marry whoever would be beneficial for my home and family." The chariot slowly leaves as ordinary people throw rose petals and flowers on the path.
At that moment, as she watches her princess leave to marry Sultan Bayezid I, the one who ordered the execution of her father, Serbia starts to shiver. The realization of the whole system of strategic marriages. Sending young girls far from home, away from everything they know and into the arms of strangers...Something considered normal by all of the representatives. Something she took part in without a second thought.
She scrunches the trade card, puts the other hand over her mouth and lets out a muffled scream.
As we watch the scenery, we hear Serbia narrate: "And that is how I became an Ottoman vassal state...It wasn't so bad at first. A short strategic break. Chance to recuperate before freeing myself...How wrong I was. My servitude lasted centuries. I would be lying if I said that every moment was miserable. It wasn't. But when it got bad, it got really bad. Thank God, those days are over. Now I have new conquerors to worry about."
