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.
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.
Amid these tangled webs of hostility, the ducal mansion was hosting a party.
Newly hired maids moved with efficiency and grace, adeptly handling their tasks.
Carts laden with an assortment of cakes and fine wines were wheeled around by the maids, available for guests to freely indulge in.
Edward, donned in an opulent ducal attire, made his way through the low steps at the entrance.
His ensemble, a pristine, form-fitting ceremonial dress, was accentuated by a dazzling diamond at his chest, a testament to his wealth.
The Valuva family crest emblazoned on his left breast further elevated his status in the noble circles.
The Governor of Venice, not inherently antagonistic towards Edward, remarked, "The Valuva family has a long and esteemed history. I've long heard of your family but never had the honor of meeting. Today, it's clear you stand apart."
Rolf, with a sneer, quipped at the Governor, "Of course, someone without noble blood would find any family crest impressive."
Unfazed, the Governor retorted, "I do find the Valuva crest aesthetically pleasing, unlike the Gautam family crest, which I find rather distasteful."
Catherine, speaking candidly, added, "Indeed, the Valuva family crest is quite beautiful."
Howard, holding a bottle of wine imported from Bordeaux, teased Edward as he entered, "It seems you're faring quite well these days. Dressed in gold and silver, you finally look the part of a duke."
Edward responded with a hug, his smile thawing like ice in the sun, "I owe you my gratitude. Without your military support, I couldn't have defeated Ferald so swiftly."
Inquiring about Ferald's current status, Howard listened as Edward disclosed, "He's nothing more than a commoner now, stripped of all titles."
Howard sighed, "Times have indeed changed. A duke loses a war and is left titleless."
Edward, with rising fervor, asserted, "But victory can bring more titles than ever before!"
Meanwhile, Rolf, nonchalantly eating cherries and holding a plate of cake, listened in.
The Governor of Venice sneered, "The Gautam family is always a step behind in warfare. My sources tell me that you were just about to form an alliance to support Ferald, only to be stunned speechless by news of his surrender."
Rolf, neither admitting nor denying, retorted with a hint of arrogance, "It's of no consequence. We were considering an alliance with Ferald to form an encirclement. But now, thanks to Edward's foolishness in gobbling up Ferald's lands, we have a reason to form one against him."
Edward, turning to face Rolf with the dignity of a sovereign, declared, "Bring it on. No matter how many cowards you gather, they can never triumph over our spirited soldiers."
In the latter half of the party, with Howard's consent, the Governor of Venice met Howard's Finance Minister.
They signed a series of mutual aid agreements regarding port facilities.
Henceforth, Venetian ships could dock and undergo repairs in Howard's territories, and vice versa.
Suddenly, Golan brought news that Nora, the third in line for the imperial succession, was seeking an audience with Howard.
This caused a stir among the leaders and nobles present at the ducal mansion.
Their expressions shifted uneasily, none daring to face Nora.
Local lords generally avoided direct encounters with the core powers of the empire.
Meeting them meant subordination; avoiding them allowed for mutual coexistence.
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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