“I will come to see you soon.”
Isabella, having heard the King's whisper, smiled wickedly. Syphilis? Oh, I don't like it.
But she took Leo III's arm and answered him in a hoarse voice.
“I will wait patiently, Your Majesty, taking every second as if it were a minute.”
Isabella's answer was far more positive and charming than he'd expected. The old King was completely captivated by her response.
Leo III shouted loudly.
“Hey, is there anyone here?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
A servant ran up to the King and knelt before him.
“Give 100 ducats of gold to the King’s official mistress, Countess Contarini!”
Contrary to Rubina's wishes, it was a firm declaration that Isabella would not disappear from the palace anytime soon. Isabella covered her cheeks with both hands, her expression filled with happiness.
“Oh my god!”
This was a genuine joy, unlike the laughter she had shown when Leo III said he would go to bed.
“I’d like to wear a dress that matches my outfit.”
Leo III remembered the dress Isabella wore on what would have been their wedding night, a cascade of draped layers. It was quite an impressive outfit.
His new mistress was a woman who knew how to dress the stage. If it were a 100-ducato dress, she'd surely bring a luxury item that rivaled her outfit of the day.
As a patron who wanted to see the scenes he wanted to see, he gave a generous budget to the lead actor and director of the play.
He was looking forward to their upcoming wedding, which would be one of the most enjoyable experiences he's ever had in his life.
“It’s so good, Your Majesty.”
Isabella whispered, clinging to his arm, a bright smile on her face. But the woman he favored didn't want such an event.
'Am I crazy?'
Among Leo III's pending business was meeting with envoys from the Marquis of Mantica.
Ever since he captured the King's party on their way down to Taranto, Viscountess Panamere had been pressuring Rubina for a "quick audience." But to no avail.
Irene finally got to see Leo III today, long after the New Year's celebrations.
“If His Majesty doesn’t give me a schedule, what can I do?”
Rubina's excuse was always Leo III.
"The Princess's return to the country? That's a matter for His Majesty to decide. I will simply follow His Majesty's decision."
Rubina left the responsibility for returning home, for the ship, and even for the audience itself, all to Leo III.
As she went to meet the body of the problem, Viscountess Panamere pondered.
'What on earth is Leo III himself trying to say?'
At this point, it was pure intellectual curiosity. There were limits to what her mind could imagine.
Leo III, with a tired countenance, sat on a three-tiered throne in the high audience room of the Winter Palace, wearing the purple royal crown, and greeted the Viscountess Panamere.
After a grand fanfare of foreign guests, kneeling on the ground to show respect to the King, and various diplomatic rhetoric and pleasantries, the main topic finally began.
“Yes, Viscountess. What is your request today?”
Are you asking because you don't know? Of course, I wanted you to send me home!
But Viscountess Panamene was now becoming accustomed to the Etruscan tactic of beating the whistle. She, too, decided to throw an unexpected jab before the expected words could be spoken, taunting the intermediary.
“Our country deeply regrets that the Etruscan Kingdom received the official diplomatic documents of the abolished country through a channel other than your country’s Foreign Minister.”
Leo III's thick eyebrows twitched.
“What?”
The King was quite embarrassed. He had naturally expected the Manchike Marquis to chirp about being the Princess's wedding partner.
He had come fully prepared for that part. He was confident. But this was something he had never heard or seen before.
Leo III received the official document from the Marquis de Manchike. That was enough for the King himself. He simply had to read it. It was none of his business how the paper had arrived.
Sir Delpiano came over hurriedly and whispered in my ear.
"This document should have been sent to Your Majesty through Count Marquez. However, I understand that the late Grand Duchess Rubina was forced to receive it first and submit it to Your Majesty to restrain the Manchike envoy, who insisted on returning home with the Princess immediately during his tour of Taranto."
“Ugh...!”
Rubina, Rubina again. Rubina has once again exceeded her authority.
But this time, even Sir Delpiano took Rubina's side.
'Since Count Marquez departed for Taranto from his own fiefdom, not the capital, there was no foreign minister in the area at the time.'
Strictly speaking, it was actually the King's secretary, Sir Delpiano, who should have informed Leo III. But the situation was urgent, Leo III was ill, and Sir Delpiano did not want to highlight his own blunder.
Leo III, who had recently found it increasingly difficult to think for himself, reluctantly agreed to Lord Delpiano's assertion that, objectively, it was not Rubina's fault.
But the subjective discomfort remained. And he was a man who remembered unpleasant feelings for a long time. He asked his secretary with an uncomfortable feeling.
“Has Count Marquez, the foreign minister, returned?”
“I was informed that he would arrive in Taranto within this week.”
Leo III nodded to Viscountess Panamere with an expression that said, "Have you heard?"
“From now on, you will speak to me through Count Marquez. Is that alright?”
Whether a great power or a weak one, they were equal players in the international community. At least they pretended to be. She didn't like the arrogant attitude of the Etruscan King, who openly asserted his absolute superiority.
However, Leo III's boastful remark resulted in Rubina being completely excluded from the settlement process.
It was clear as day that this order would significantly damage the position of the former Grand Duchess. Furthermore, it meant that Irene could personally stop seeing that scheming woman.
Viscountess Panamere decided to settle for the moment, satisfied with her own personal gain. However, she needed to secure this gain.
“I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty. But.”
That damn 'but'.
The King's forehead was marked with a bold "But". This was Leo III's most hated word, except when he used it himself.
"also?"
“Moreover, Her Highness the Grand Duchess Rubina left us behind in San Carlo and departed.”
The old King's white eyebrows twitched once more. This was fresh information that reinforced his newfound ill feelings toward Rubina.
'Rubina... did you do something like that?'
Seeing Leo III's lips twitch, Irene escalated her attacks. Down with him, down with him...!
“Princess Manchike was included in the personal entourage of Grand Duchess Rubina, and was not even sent back to her quarters that night!”
But this was a self-inflicted wound. Not because it was ineffective, but because the level of pressure was too high. It was the same as Rubina's claim that Julia Helena had been detained.
If that's true, the Etruscan kingdom must be held accountable for Rubina's actions. No matter how much he disliked Rubina, Leo III knew he couldn't simply give in to the Manchike's arguments.
“Rubina is getting old these days, so she blinks a lot...”
“There are voices in Manchike’s country calling for this to be classified as an attempted kidnapping!”
Leo III openly frowned. That young woman and the filthy, squeamish foreign lower-ranking nobleman had completely ignored his suggestion to just let things slide.
He called Irene without any sign of displeasure.
“Look at this, you.”
Anger finally began to seep into his voice. He couldn't hide the irritation that was welling up in him at having to bow down to a young girl and do Rubina's bidding.
“You know best that we had no intention of doing that.”
It was incredibly shameless. Julia Helena was pulled out to prevent the marriage proposal from being immediately cancelled.
Rubina didn't go so far as to say, "I kidnapped the Princess overnight and then stole her away," but she clearly reported this to Leo III and received his approval, albeit indirectly.
Leo III did a remarkable job of imitating a monarch who had been harmed by the impulsive actions of his concubine. It takes such brazenness to rule like this and still reign for decades.
“What should I do so that this doesn’t get into trouble?”
To Leo III's words, which threatened her, Irene answered firmly.
“Please let me return to my home country.”
"No."
Leo III answered without taking a breath.
Irene clicked her tongue inwardly. How could he refuse so brazenly? She'd thought she'd at least add some spice. But even for Irene, this wasn't a point where she could compromise.
"Your Majesty, my lord has declined this marriage proposal. In that case, Your Majesty, there is no reason for us to remain in this land."
She decided to appeal to the other person's approval and face.
“Our Lady is a young woman of marriageable age.”
She tried very hard not to reveal her true feelings, for if they were revealed, it would be difficult to hide the contemptuous gaze.
What the heck! Why! The marriage proposal fell through! The prospective groom is married! And you're holding on to a young woman of her age!
Are you perhaps a pervert with other thoughts?
“If the marriage is not to take place, Princess Julia Helena must return home as soon as possible.”
Any unmarried woman who was away from home for extended periods inevitably had reputational problems. If Leo III wasn't going to take responsibility for Julia Helena, it would have been terribly irresponsible for him to keep her.
"Viscountess."
A vulgar smile appeared on Leo III's face.
“The marriage won’t happen. What do you mean?”
"Yes?"
“Your interpretation is different from my interpretation of the Marquis Manchike’s letter.”
Leo III paused for a moment, then added in a tone that was either sarcastic or sarcastic, something that made the onlooker think of violence.
“In my view, the Marquis Manchike has never refused a marriage contract?”
What the hell is this nonsense? It's ridiculous.
Viscountess Panamere lost her composure for the first time today. Her face flushed, she slammed the table and rose from her seat.
“What are you talking about!”
Isabella, having heard the King's whisper, smiled wickedly. Syphilis? Oh, I don't like it.
But she took Leo III's arm and answered him in a hoarse voice.
“I will wait patiently, Your Majesty, taking every second as if it were a minute.”
Isabella's answer was far more positive and charming than he'd expected. The old King was completely captivated by her response.
Leo III shouted loudly.
“Hey, is there anyone here?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
A servant ran up to the King and knelt before him.
“Give 100 ducats of gold to the King’s official mistress, Countess Contarini!”
Contrary to Rubina's wishes, it was a firm declaration that Isabella would not disappear from the palace anytime soon. Isabella covered her cheeks with both hands, her expression filled with happiness.
“Oh my god!”
This was a genuine joy, unlike the laughter she had shown when Leo III said he would go to bed.
“I’d like to wear a dress that matches my outfit.”
Leo III remembered the dress Isabella wore on what would have been their wedding night, a cascade of draped layers. It was quite an impressive outfit.
His new mistress was a woman who knew how to dress the stage. If it were a 100-ducato dress, she'd surely bring a luxury item that rivaled her outfit of the day.
As a patron who wanted to see the scenes he wanted to see, he gave a generous budget to the lead actor and director of the play.
He was looking forward to their upcoming wedding, which would be one of the most enjoyable experiences he's ever had in his life.
“It’s so good, Your Majesty.”
Isabella whispered, clinging to his arm, a bright smile on her face. But the woman he favored didn't want such an event.
'Am I crazy?'
***
Among Leo III's pending business was meeting with envoys from the Marquis of Mantica.
Ever since he captured the King's party on their way down to Taranto, Viscountess Panamere had been pressuring Rubina for a "quick audience." But to no avail.
Irene finally got to see Leo III today, long after the New Year's celebrations.
“If His Majesty doesn’t give me a schedule, what can I do?”
Rubina's excuse was always Leo III.
"The Princess's return to the country? That's a matter for His Majesty to decide. I will simply follow His Majesty's decision."
Rubina left the responsibility for returning home, for the ship, and even for the audience itself, all to Leo III.
As she went to meet the body of the problem, Viscountess Panamere pondered.
'What on earth is Leo III himself trying to say?'
At this point, it was pure intellectual curiosity. There were limits to what her mind could imagine.
Leo III, with a tired countenance, sat on a three-tiered throne in the high audience room of the Winter Palace, wearing the purple royal crown, and greeted the Viscountess Panamere.
After a grand fanfare of foreign guests, kneeling on the ground to show respect to the King, and various diplomatic rhetoric and pleasantries, the main topic finally began.
“Yes, Viscountess. What is your request today?”
Are you asking because you don't know? Of course, I wanted you to send me home!
But Viscountess Panamene was now becoming accustomed to the Etruscan tactic of beating the whistle. She, too, decided to throw an unexpected jab before the expected words could be spoken, taunting the intermediary.
“Our country deeply regrets that the Etruscan Kingdom received the official diplomatic documents of the abolished country through a channel other than your country’s Foreign Minister.”
Leo III's thick eyebrows twitched.
“What?”
The King was quite embarrassed. He had naturally expected the Manchike Marquis to chirp about being the Princess's wedding partner.
He had come fully prepared for that part. He was confident. But this was something he had never heard or seen before.
Leo III received the official document from the Marquis de Manchike. That was enough for the King himself. He simply had to read it. It was none of his business how the paper had arrived.
Sir Delpiano came over hurriedly and whispered in my ear.
"This document should have been sent to Your Majesty through Count Marquez. However, I understand that the late Grand Duchess Rubina was forced to receive it first and submit it to Your Majesty to restrain the Manchike envoy, who insisted on returning home with the Princess immediately during his tour of Taranto."
“Ugh...!”
Rubina, Rubina again. Rubina has once again exceeded her authority.
But this time, even Sir Delpiano took Rubina's side.
'Since Count Marquez departed for Taranto from his own fiefdom, not the capital, there was no foreign minister in the area at the time.'
Strictly speaking, it was actually the King's secretary, Sir Delpiano, who should have informed Leo III. But the situation was urgent, Leo III was ill, and Sir Delpiano did not want to highlight his own blunder.
Leo III, who had recently found it increasingly difficult to think for himself, reluctantly agreed to Lord Delpiano's assertion that, objectively, it was not Rubina's fault.
But the subjective discomfort remained. And he was a man who remembered unpleasant feelings for a long time. He asked his secretary with an uncomfortable feeling.
“Has Count Marquez, the foreign minister, returned?”
“I was informed that he would arrive in Taranto within this week.”
Leo III nodded to Viscountess Panamere with an expression that said, "Have you heard?"
“From now on, you will speak to me through Count Marquez. Is that alright?”
Whether a great power or a weak one, they were equal players in the international community. At least they pretended to be. She didn't like the arrogant attitude of the Etruscan King, who openly asserted his absolute superiority.
However, Leo III's boastful remark resulted in Rubina being completely excluded from the settlement process.
It was clear as day that this order would significantly damage the position of the former Grand Duchess. Furthermore, it meant that Irene could personally stop seeing that scheming woman.
Viscountess Panamere decided to settle for the moment, satisfied with her own personal gain. However, she needed to secure this gain.
“I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty. But.”
That damn 'but'.
The King's forehead was marked with a bold "But". This was Leo III's most hated word, except when he used it himself.
"also?"
“Moreover, Her Highness the Grand Duchess Rubina left us behind in San Carlo and departed.”
The old King's white eyebrows twitched once more. This was fresh information that reinforced his newfound ill feelings toward Rubina.
'Rubina... did you do something like that?'
Seeing Leo III's lips twitch, Irene escalated her attacks. Down with him, down with him...!
“Princess Manchike was included in the personal entourage of Grand Duchess Rubina, and was not even sent back to her quarters that night!”
But this was a self-inflicted wound. Not because it was ineffective, but because the level of pressure was too high. It was the same as Rubina's claim that Julia Helena had been detained.
If that's true, the Etruscan kingdom must be held accountable for Rubina's actions. No matter how much he disliked Rubina, Leo III knew he couldn't simply give in to the Manchike's arguments.
“Rubina is getting old these days, so she blinks a lot...”
“There are voices in Manchike’s country calling for this to be classified as an attempted kidnapping!”
Leo III openly frowned. That young woman and the filthy, squeamish foreign lower-ranking nobleman had completely ignored his suggestion to just let things slide.
He called Irene without any sign of displeasure.
“Look at this, you.”
Anger finally began to seep into his voice. He couldn't hide the irritation that was welling up in him at having to bow down to a young girl and do Rubina's bidding.
“You know best that we had no intention of doing that.”
It was incredibly shameless. Julia Helena was pulled out to prevent the marriage proposal from being immediately cancelled.
Rubina didn't go so far as to say, "I kidnapped the Princess overnight and then stole her away," but she clearly reported this to Leo III and received his approval, albeit indirectly.
Leo III did a remarkable job of imitating a monarch who had been harmed by the impulsive actions of his concubine. It takes such brazenness to rule like this and still reign for decades.
“What should I do so that this doesn’t get into trouble?”
To Leo III's words, which threatened her, Irene answered firmly.
“Please let me return to my home country.”
"No."
Leo III answered without taking a breath.
Irene clicked her tongue inwardly. How could he refuse so brazenly? She'd thought she'd at least add some spice. But even for Irene, this wasn't a point where she could compromise.
"Your Majesty, my lord has declined this marriage proposal. In that case, Your Majesty, there is no reason for us to remain in this land."
She decided to appeal to the other person's approval and face.
“Our Lady is a young woman of marriageable age.”
She tried very hard not to reveal her true feelings, for if they were revealed, it would be difficult to hide the contemptuous gaze.
What the heck! Why! The marriage proposal fell through! The prospective groom is married! And you're holding on to a young woman of her age!
Are you perhaps a pervert with other thoughts?
“If the marriage is not to take place, Princess Julia Helena must return home as soon as possible.”
Any unmarried woman who was away from home for extended periods inevitably had reputational problems. If Leo III wasn't going to take responsibility for Julia Helena, it would have been terribly irresponsible for him to keep her.
"Viscountess."
A vulgar smile appeared on Leo III's face.
“The marriage won’t happen. What do you mean?”
"Yes?"
“Your interpretation is different from my interpretation of the Marquis Manchike’s letter.”
Leo III paused for a moment, then added in a tone that was either sarcastic or sarcastic, something that made the onlooker think of violence.
“In my view, the Marquis Manchike has never refused a marriage contract?”
What the hell is this nonsense? It's ridiculous.
Viscountess Panamere lost her composure for the first time today. Her face flushed, she slammed the table and rose from her seat.
“What are you talking about!”
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