novelxo Chapter 322 322-The Ducal Banquet
Chapter 322 322-The Ducal Banquet
Duke Edward, having audaciously claimed three earldoms in a single stroke, had incited the wrath of the Marquesses of Milan and Rolf, as well as the Duchy of Savoy.
United in their enmity, they perceived an unmistakable threat in Edward, subsequently forging a military encirclement against him.
At least for the short term, this alliance restrained Edward from waging another war.
Moreover, should he be declared war upon, these three states could justify their aggression as punitive measures against him.
Five or six days later, Edward had thoroughly consolidated his hold over Florence.
His rule was now unchallenged, the streets were swept clean, and the would-be bandits, hoping to profit from the chaos, had been vanquished.
Merchant caravans, once again, nervously set forth from Florence, guarded by the ever-efficient cavalry of the Valuva family, always ready at Edward's command.
In terms of governance, Edward was ahead of Howard.
Howard had always believed that despite his temper, Edward possessed undeniable talent.
Now, as a newly minted duke, Edward commanded even greater respect from Howard.
To improve relations, Howard dispatched his Foreign Minister, Bosiden, to Edward's court.
The alliance with Duke Edward was now of significant importance to Howard.
About ten days passed, and Edward traveled overland by carriage to Lagusa, where he met Howard.
Howard and Catherine, his wife, stepped out of their ducal residence to greet him.
Both were surprised that Edward had chosen to travel by land.
During a casual conversation, Catherine remarked, "You must be exhausted from the bumpy journey. Please, come in and rest."
Edward responded, "It was an opportunity to scout the terrain, preparing for future battles."
Catherine, with a playful tone, chided Edward, "Enough with your bravado. Come inside. I've had the servants prepare fruits and cakes, just waiting for your arrival."
Upon entering the ducal mansion, Edward found himself face to face with Rolf and the Governor of Venice.
The atmosphere tensed immediately, thick with unspoken animosities and complex relationships.
Edward, now a duke, had little prior dealings with Marquess Rolf.
However, he found himself ensnared in a strategic encirclement masterminded by Rolf, the Governor of Milan, and the Duke of Savoy, fostering a deep-seated resentment towards Rolf, a key architect of this scheme. contemporary romance
The relationship between Rolf and the Governor of Venice was notoriously frosty.
An assassination attempt on Rolf, orchestrated by the Governor and foiled, leaving Rolf with both evidence and eyewitnesses, had intensified their enmity.
The subsequent alliance of Rolf with the Governor of Milan, culminating in the defeat and occupation of Venice's forces and territories, further stoked the Governor's hatred towards Rolf.
The Habsburg family, to which Nora belonged, could be likened to meddlesome matchmakers in their approach.
Although not a perfect analogy, they often shared a similar style of conversation.
You might be minding your own business, but upon encountering them, you'd be subjected to lectures about the empire's needs: "The empire needs money, you must contribute," or "The empire needs soldiers, send a troop to the emperor at your own expense." Issues like these made them daunting figures to meet.
Despite this, Howard, ever mindful of his role within the empire, eventually opened the door to Nora, greeting her with due respect.
As friends, and with a party in full swing, Howard had no reason to deny Nora's participation.
Nora entered the room playfully, her luxurious attire reflecting the prestige of the Habsburg family.
Despite her cheerful demeanor, Catherine was visibly displeased upon seeing Nora.
Aware of Nora's past as Howard's secretary, Catherine harbored a sense of jealousy.
With a barbed tone, she made a comment about Nora's position as the third in line for the imperial succession, implying that Nora should behave more gracefully, rather than in such an uncouth manner.
Rolf, upon hearing this, almost wanted to duck and cover, and the faces of the other guests also betrayed discomfort.
Catherine's remark had introduced a palpable tension, highlighting the delicate intricacies of court politics and personal relationships within this grand setting.
Nora retorted icily to Catherine, "The military power of the empire is beyond what a mere earl's daughter can fathom."
Catherine, striving to hold her ground against Nora's imposing stature, replied, "I am a duchess. My husband has participated in two wars aiding the empire. Why wouldn't I understand the empire's military might?"
Nora chose the best seat and sat down.
A trembling maid set a plate brimming with cakes before her.
Nora took a bite of the cake and, without turning her head, said, "Tell your father, Count Terni, that he has missed three years of tithing. He better gather the money soon."
Catherine's face paled, and she trembled involuntarily.
Howard thought to himself, this was why the nobles of the empire dreaded confronting the Habsburg family.
Regretting her confrontation with Nora, Catherine was a mix of anger and resentment.
Despite feeling humiliated and wanting to retaliate, she struggled to maintain her composure.
Nora, glancing casually at Howard, smiled and said, "Duke of Lagusa, your wife is about to cost her father a fortune. Aren't you the least bit worried?"
Howard replied with a chuckle, "Ah, Nora, long time no see. How have you been?"
"I want an answer," Nora insisted.
Howard responded, "It's a matter of principle. Count Terni paying his dues is only right and just. Settling the taxes that have been evaded over the years for various reasons is a good thing. It's not a loss of a large sum of money, but rather a rectification of tax arrears."
Catherine, drawing closer to Howard, raised her voice, "Howard!"
She was displeased, unable to grasp why Howard wouldn't defend her father and instead seemed to side with Nora.
Edward stepped forward and addressed Howard, "You should choose your words carefully, Howard, and not embarrass your wife. We are allies, and this is my advice to you."
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