Chapter 385 385-Chance Encounter
Although Howard had not discussed with Markhan the specifics of the latter's investiture as the Duke of Venice beforehand, Markhan himself felt it was better not to announce it immediately.
Given the complex situation in Venice, where the leaders of the other four families were closely watching the Kelan family, Markhan was concerned that an immediate announcement would make him a target of hatred among the other major families.
He was satisfied with Howard's approach.
An incident that followed only solidified Markhan's sentiment.
Jacob, seizing Gallieni by the tie in anger, exclaimed, "You lied to me! You had promised you would never vote for Howard!"
Feeling that such a public confrontation would damage his dignity, Gallieni struggled to free himself, insisting, "This is the council! Don't be so uncouth!"
Unable to contain his fury, Jacob drew a bronze tube arquebus from his coat and aimed it at Gallieni, shouting, "Die, you traitor!"
Laurent, having been preemptively placed in charge of the Venetian guards by Markhan, intervened and subdued Jacob, after which the situation calmed down significantly.
A week later, Howard appointed Markhan as the Duke of Venice, fulfilling all the promises he had made to him.
Intriguingly, Howard encountered someone on the waterways of Venice, a meeting that was clearly unexpected.
She had her hair in a braid, shining brightly, and was dressed in a white checked long trench coat.
Howard called out to her, "Boshni? Is that you? Boshni!"
Boshni turned around, her face etched with terror, and she bolted.
Howard gave chase, saying, "I had ordered Portia to deal with you that day, yet he spared you."
"Now that it's come to this, my anger has subsided. Come back with me, we can discuss whatever matters you have. No more running."
Boshni halted, responding, "Then you must promise not to kill me, and you need to restore my noble title."
Howard agreed.
Before leaving Venice, Howard took Nia to some shops to pick up a few things and stumbled upon two old acquaintances.
One was Nora, an old friend who had been with Howard since the days of Count Nok, steadfastly by his side.
The other was Delysa, whom Howard had almost forgotten.
To put it simply, she was a fruit merchant Howard had encountered while fetching water during a military campaign.
Howard, wanting to give her a chance to earn some money and for the convenience of nearby logistics, had given Delysa a large order, enabling her to make some profit.
As the war concluded, Howard had all but forgotten this seemingly ordinary female merchant.
Yet, today, she was with Nora, both selling some local souvenirs and specialities.
Nora was calling out, "Take a look, come and see! Authentic local products from Venice, a must-buy for travelers from across the continent. Don't miss out, it's a steal!"
Howard's expression was ambiguous.
As his gaze met Nora's, a moment of recognition passed between them, causing Nora's face to fall dramatically, and she turned to leave.
Delysa, somewhat puzzled, asked, "Hey, why are you leaving? Didn't you say you'd help me mind the shop?"
Then Delysa saw Howard and her face brightened.
"Wow, if it isn't the big shot himself."
"Howard, I remember you. You gave me that order back in the day, giving me the capital to restart my business."
Howard caught up with Nora, grasping her arm, "Why are you leaving? Is it because you saw me?"
"Seeing as we're old friends, and upon such a reunion, why do you flee in haste?"
Nora covered her mouth, her bangs falling to her eyebrows, murmuring, "My heart is in turmoil, let me have a moment of peace."
"Come back with me, Nora," Howard proposed.
"I'll restore your Habsburg family status and grant you a ducal title, and henceforth, you'll assist me in managing the court."
Delysa chimed in, "Go with him, Nora. You belong to the nobility, I've known it."
"No traveling merchant ever carried themselves with the decorum you have. It was apparent you come from a distinguished family background."
Howard then took Delysa's hand, saying, "You should come with me as well. I will bestow upon you an earldom, and you will assist my finance minister in managing our finances."
"He will oversee the grand strategy, while you handle the commercial regulations for the middle and lower tiers of the market. Together, you'll help govern my nation well."
Nia spoke up, "Howard, I think I cannot go with you to the capital. As you know, you have many acquaintances, and the capital is an environment unfamiliar to me. I can no longer accompany you."
"Indeed, Nia, my thoughts have changed. Being a married man, as you are aware, there are things I simply cannot do."
"Thus, I am sorry, Nia. I must betray your parents' expectations and cannot maintain a close relationship with you."
"Even so, you can still serve as my vassal, assisting me in the future."
Nia, in disbelief, said, "Really? Can I also become a noble? Me, a person from the slums, to become a noble?"
"There's nothing impossible," Howard reassured.
"Since you are familiar with the lives of Venice's lower-class citizens, you will surely manage the Duchy of Venice well for me. I will confer upon you the title of Countess of Traves."
"This place, Traves, lies within the Duchy of Venice."
Nia asked, "How should I cooperate with you afterward?"
"As the Countess of Traves I've appointed, you will be one of my direct vassals."
"You must understand, although by territorial division, you would belong to Venice, by feudal allegiance, you are undoubtedly appointed by me."
"Therefore, you must support my decisions between Markhan and me, helping me to maintain the kingdom's power in the Venice region."
"That's wonderful," Nia exclaimed.
"I never really liked the idea my parents had, for me to become your lover or mistress or anything of that sort."
"Now that you've changed your mind, I'm overjoyed. I can be a noble too! I can have my own fief and my own castle!"
...
A week later, everyone returned to the capital.
Howard then conferred upon Nora the title of Duchess of Swaben, and Boshni the title of Duchess of Salvia.
Upon reuniting with Alonso, Howard was immediately confronted.
Alonso, upon seeing Howard, accused him, "Why did you kill my wife, Boshni?"
"When I woke up, I found my wife gone, and everyone says you killed her!"
"Why!"
Howard had intended to explain, but after a moment's thought, he stepped aside.
Boshni, with a smile on her face, walked up to Alonso to explain and apologize personally.
After hearing her out, Alonso felt ashamed for having wronged Howard.
Kneeling before Howard, Alonso said, "Your Majesty, I am sorry, I misunderstood you."
"It turns out that not only did you not seek to harm my wife or usurp her property, but you also sought to save my life and uphold the law."
Howard looked at Boshni and Alonso with a complex expression and said to Alonso, "There are some complicated matters at hand, do you understand? While you were unconscious, your wife tried to kill you."
Alonso stated he had forgiven Boshni and wished to continue living with her as husband and wife.
Since the person involved had spoken, Howard did not press further, shrugging his shoulders, feeling perhaps this was for the best.
Nora also arrived and apologized to Alonso, who forgave her as well.
As for Clay, who had initially been sent to harm Alonso, Howard had him found and then released.
All seemed resolved, but Laurent was not convinced.
He said, "Your Majesty, this may be a bit of an abuse of power. Clay and Boshni attempted to murder Duke Alonso; they should be given the sentences they deserve."
"I indeed passed the sentences they deserved, but somehow, the person responsible for carrying them out released them instead," Howard responded.
"In that case, the person who failed to execute the sentences should be charged, and these two should be apprehended and brought to justice once more."
Howard said, "During my time in Venice, I was surrounded by dangers, and there was a day on the boat when I nearly lost my life."
"Given that, I've been pondering why I shouldn't be more forgiving?"
"Moreover, my actions that day were in accordance with the law."
"But now that they have escaped, to capture and kill them again would seem excessively cruel."
Laurent disagreed, stating, "If laws are established, they must be enforced. If we follow your logic, then anyone could simply bribe the executor, escape once, and then brazenly return after some time."
"This would not achieve the purpose of the law."
"The law must protect every vulnerable individual, every good person, but it must also punish every wrongdoer! Only then can the law maintain its credibility, making people fear it, thereby reducing the number of crimes that are about to happen!"
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