Julia Helena's face turned pale, fearing that Viscountess Panamere would be punished by Grand Duchess Rubina.
However, Irene, the person involved, didn't think much of it. Rather than being prepared for punishment, she was more likely to be incensed and blinded by the situation. She also had some faith that, as a diplomatic figure, she wouldn't be provoked, as international courtesy dictated.
“His Excellency the Marquis Synadenos, the lord of Manchike, has ordered his daughter, Princess Julia Helena, to return to her homeland immediately!”
It was a matter of national pride. Just because someone was from a small country, they didn't leave their liver and gallbladder behind.
“We are only following orders, and Princess Julia Helena is also obliged to obey her father’s orders!”
Rubina asked in surprise.
"An order to return? Without even telling us?"
Viscountess Panamere blushed for a moment and turned her head away.
It was true that no communication was made to the Etruscan kingdom. It was a trick intended to declare the breakdown of negotiations after first abducting Princess Julia Helena.
Rubina, who had found an opening, leisurely attacked Viscountess Panamere.
“The Etruscan kingdom never received any official documents from the Manchike regarding this.”
But you can't be a diplomat without being shameless. Even Viscountess Panamere was a seasoned veteran in this field. When pushed, you have to yell. Instead, she raised her voice.
“Isn’t that because of the Etruscan royal family’s sudden trip to Taranto?”
In fact, Leo III had delayed or ignored the Manchike' requests for an audience more than once. He used the accumulated points of rudeness as an excuse.
"We clearly intended to deliver an official document. But due to circumstances on your side, the audience was repeatedly canceled!"
However, it was Leo III who refused the audience, not the late Grand Duchess Rubina.
Instead, Rubina, unable to meet the King, took Princess Julia Helena here and there, introducing her to Etruscan society. Rubina was just about to bring up the subject.
“The day after the official document arrived, didn’t His Majesty Leo III board the carriage for the south at dawn under the command of Your Highness the Grand Duchess?”
Rubina's mouth snapped shut.
"If you were planning to leave early the next morning, I'd be willing to make a hundred concessions and have everything finalized the day before. But you didn't even mention a single word to us!"
At least until noon the day before, she had no plans. Her main goal was to drop her off, so she had packed her bags in a hurry.
Viscountess Panamere launched a fierce attack on Rubina, who could not say....
"We woke up in an empty Palazzo Carlo! There wasn't even a single servant left to fetch us water! This was like abandoning a foreign envoy and running away!"
This time it was Rubina's turn to blush.
“No, I didn’t abandon it...”
Should I lie and say I asked Prince Alfonso for a favor? Surely he won't try to talk to me later, right?
Alfonso and his entourage at Palazzo Carlo believed they were alone in the palace. In fact, the Manchike' subjects had also stayed behind, albeit against their will.
However, they did not stay long at the palace. As soon as they learned that Leo III's entourage had left the palace, they ran around San Carlo that morning, looking for a vehicle.
They hurriedly searched for horses and immediately left the capital to follow the royal family on their journey south.
Viscountess Panamere slammed a wad of parchment down on the table in front of Grand Duchess Rubina.
“If you need it, I’m here!”
This bundle of parchment was an official document sent from the Manchike Marquis, announcing the breakdown of negotiations.
"Please convey this to His Majesty Leo III. We will be on our way immediately! That's all!"
However, Irene, the person involved, didn't think much of it. Rather than being prepared for punishment, she was more likely to be incensed and blinded by the situation. She also had some faith that, as a diplomatic figure, she wouldn't be provoked, as international courtesy dictated.
“His Excellency the Marquis Synadenos, the lord of Manchike, has ordered his daughter, Princess Julia Helena, to return to her homeland immediately!”
It was a matter of national pride. Just because someone was from a small country, they didn't leave their liver and gallbladder behind.
“We are only following orders, and Princess Julia Helena is also obliged to obey her father’s orders!”
Rubina asked in surprise.
"An order to return? Without even telling us?"
Viscountess Panamere blushed for a moment and turned her head away.
It was true that no communication was made to the Etruscan kingdom. It was a trick intended to declare the breakdown of negotiations after first abducting Princess Julia Helena.
Rubina, who had found an opening, leisurely attacked Viscountess Panamere.
“The Etruscan kingdom never received any official documents from the Manchike regarding this.”
But you can't be a diplomat without being shameless. Even Viscountess Panamere was a seasoned veteran in this field. When pushed, you have to yell. Instead, she raised her voice.
“Isn’t that because of the Etruscan royal family’s sudden trip to Taranto?”
In fact, Leo III had delayed or ignored the Manchike' requests for an audience more than once. He used the accumulated points of rudeness as an excuse.
"We clearly intended to deliver an official document. But due to circumstances on your side, the audience was repeatedly canceled!"
However, it was Leo III who refused the audience, not the late Grand Duchess Rubina.
Instead, Rubina, unable to meet the King, took Princess Julia Helena here and there, introducing her to Etruscan society. Rubina was just about to bring up the subject.
“The day after the official document arrived, didn’t His Majesty Leo III board the carriage for the south at dawn under the command of Your Highness the Grand Duchess?”
Rubina's mouth snapped shut.
"If you were planning to leave early the next morning, I'd be willing to make a hundred concessions and have everything finalized the day before. But you didn't even mention a single word to us!"
At least until noon the day before, she had no plans. Her main goal was to drop her off, so she had packed her bags in a hurry.
Viscountess Panamere launched a fierce attack on Rubina, who could not say....
"We woke up in an empty Palazzo Carlo! There wasn't even a single servant left to fetch us water! This was like abandoning a foreign envoy and running away!"
This time it was Rubina's turn to blush.
“No, I didn’t abandon it...”
Should I lie and say I asked Prince Alfonso for a favor? Surely he won't try to talk to me later, right?
Alfonso and his entourage at Palazzo Carlo believed they were alone in the palace. In fact, the Manchike' subjects had also stayed behind, albeit against their will.
However, they did not stay long at the palace. As soon as they learned that Leo III's entourage had left the palace, they ran around San Carlo that morning, looking for a vehicle.
They hurriedly searched for horses and immediately left the capital to follow the royal family on their journey south.
Viscountess Panamere slammed a wad of parchment down on the table in front of Grand Duchess Rubina.
“If you need it, I’m here!”
This bundle of parchment was an official document sent from the Manchike Marquis, announcing the breakdown of negotiations.
"Please convey this to His Majesty Leo III. We will be on our way immediately! That's all!"
Viscountess Panamere grabbed Princess Julia Helena by the shoulders. She then lifted her up and tried to push her away like a raging bull.
However, Grand Duchess Rubina raised her right hand and stopped Viscountess Panamere from dragging Princess Julia Helena away.
“No, wait a minute.”
Without blinking, she picked up the wad of parchment and tore it open.
Boohoo!
But Rubina frowned as soon as she looked inside.
“Cepinelli.”
The Marchioness de Cepinelli came running in a hurry from behind.
“You read this out loud.”
Rubina added.
“...In the Etruscan language.”
Unfortunately, the official documents of the Manchike Empire were written in the language of the Ratan Empire, and the former Grand Duchess Rubina was blind to the official language.
Only then did Viscountess Panamere come to his senses and shout loudly.
“Grand Duchess Rubina!”
She protested vehemently.
"This is an official diplomatic document from the Marquis of His Majesty Leo III of the Etruscan Kingdom! It must be delivered directly to His Majesty and cannot be viewed without permission!"
Rubina scanned Viscountess Panamere with snake-like eyes. Every word was true.
But regardless of right or wrong, Rubina knew full well that she couldn't let the Princess of Manchike go now. She started a fight.
“Are you saying that I am not qualified to read that document?”
It was a despicable rhetoric, cleverly shifting the issue from a question of rules that must be observed between nations to a question of personal authority, like Rubina's. But Viscountess Panamere wasn't fooled by it.
“I am not a subject of the Etruscan kingdom, so I do not know the internal affairs of the kingdom!”
Fight among yourselves over such childish things. Who's superior to whom, what authority, and such things are none of my business. I'm just asserting the essential points.
“All I know is that it is an official letter from the Marquis of Manchike to the Etruscan monarch, and no one who is not the Etruscan monarch should be allowed to open it!”
Rubina hesitated for a moment. In truth, stalling for time was far more important to her than gaining recognition for her authority.
It will be later that they will know what was written in that document.
“Yes, good.”
Rubina, the Grand Duchess, readily agreed.
Viscountess Panamere's eyes wavered. What on earth is he up to?
Rubina, the Grand Duchess, placed the official documents of the Manchike Kingdom back on the table.
“I may not be authorized to receive diplomatic correspondence.”
A servant appeared from somewhere, picked up the letter, and placed it on a purple cushion on a golden platter.
“Then I will deliver this letter to His Majesty Leo III.”
A thin, long line was drawn at the corner of Rubina's mouth.
“However, whether or not the negotiations have officially broken down will be decided by His Majesty after reading this document.”
Viscountess Panamere let out a groan.
'I got hit.'
She should have broken into the Princess's carriage in the middle of the night and staged a kidnapping and escape. It was her own failure to think that she could communicate with the Etruscan people.
Viscountess Panamere cried out, embracing Princess Julia Helena.
“I request an interview with His Majesty the King! As soon as possible!”
Julia Helena trembled in Irene's arms. She had boldly fled, eager to seize the Grand Duke Cesare, and volunteered for Taranto. But witnessing the situation with her own eyes, where Grand Duchess Rubina had restricted her movements, she suddenly felt uneasy.
Rubina said meaningfully.
“Everything will work out in its natural order, so don’t complain.”
'As the natural course of things goes.' These were terrifying words to the weak.
Princess Julia Helena finally spoke.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
Rubina looked back at the princess.
"Hmm?"
“Please let my men stay in the same carriage as me.”
The Princess thought for a moment and then added, "There were too many people dispatched from the Marquis to fit everyone in the carriage."
“Even Irene.”
"Hmm."
“And I would like to stay in the same accommodation after arriving in Taranto.”
This was non-negotiable.
“All of the people in the country.”
Viscountess Panamere was perplexed. Her plan was to take Princess Julia Helena with her before arriving in Taranto.
Rubina narrowed her eyes, but soon smiled brightly like sunlight.
“Well then. It’s the Princess’s request, so I must grant it.”
A hint of relief crossed Princess Julia Helena's face as her request was granted. The young Princess misinterpreted Rubina's playful attitude as a sign of her power over the situation.
Rubina explained in a seemingly detailed manner.
“Viscountess Panamere. Princess Julia Helena’s carriage is the four-horse carriage right behind you.”
It was a massive golden chariot drawn by four horses. The doors and pillars were adorned with beautiful carvings, and the ceiling was adorned with a crown-like ornament.
It was a special carriage, reserved only for those receiving special treatment, its interior tightly packed with soft, fluffy purple cushions. However, to Irene, the carriage looked like a golden prison.
"Viscountess, please ride down in the Princess's carriage. The rest of the party may continue on the horses they came on, or, if you so desire, I will provide separate seats in the carriage of the royal family."
Rubina nodded to the Marchioness de Cepinelli. At her signal, the attendants swarmed to the Marquis de Manchike and his entourage and took the reins.
Although she said that she could continue to ride the horses she brought, in reality, the Grand Duchess did not want the people of the latter country to have the means of free movement.
“I will try to arrange an audience with His Majesty the King as soon as possible.”
Just listening to her, Rubina seemed like a tree giving everything. She smiled kindly.
“Is there anything else you would like to request?”
But Irene saw the future clearly. That "Audience with His Majesty the King" would be postponed as long as possible.
Even if she struggled to stall for time, here and now, until tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, it was clear she wouldn't listen. Nevertheless, she continued her helpless resistance to the very end.
“...I want to see His Majesty as soon as possible.”
"Of course."
Rubina laughed like a snake.
Lord Delpiano and Viscountess Panamere weren't the only ones who were simply trying to do their jobs diligently when they were struck by lightning. Lord Delpiano and Viscountess Panamere knew why things were going so slowly, but the new Pope, Justinian VIII, was truly in a state of shock.
"No, you signed the disposition document! Why are you so furious when I tell you to keep the treaty?"
The treaty between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Gallico clearly and unambiguously stated that "within six months of the Allemand amnesty, ownership of the port of Pisarino will be permanently transferred to Trevero."
It was clearly a valid diplomatic document, bearing the elegant signatures of the former Pope Louis I and King Philip IV of Gallico. So, as the six-month deadline promised under the treaty was approaching, he sent a letter requesting the port of Pisarino.
After that, Philip IV ran wild like a mad dog.
“I’ve never seen anyone this angry about Pacta Sunt Servanda (‘Promises must be kept’, a fundamental principle of international law derived from the principle of good faith in Roman law)!”
However, Grand Duchess Rubina raised her right hand and stopped Viscountess Panamere from dragging Princess Julia Helena away.
“No, wait a minute.”
Without blinking, she picked up the wad of parchment and tore it open.
Boohoo!
But Rubina frowned as soon as she looked inside.
“Cepinelli.”
The Marchioness de Cepinelli came running in a hurry from behind.
“You read this out loud.”
Rubina added.
“...In the Etruscan language.”
Unfortunately, the official documents of the Manchike Empire were written in the language of the Ratan Empire, and the former Grand Duchess Rubina was blind to the official language.
Only then did Viscountess Panamere come to his senses and shout loudly.
“Grand Duchess Rubina!”
She protested vehemently.
"This is an official diplomatic document from the Marquis of His Majesty Leo III of the Etruscan Kingdom! It must be delivered directly to His Majesty and cannot be viewed without permission!"
Rubina scanned Viscountess Panamere with snake-like eyes. Every word was true.
But regardless of right or wrong, Rubina knew full well that she couldn't let the Princess of Manchike go now. She started a fight.
“Are you saying that I am not qualified to read that document?”
It was a despicable rhetoric, cleverly shifting the issue from a question of rules that must be observed between nations to a question of personal authority, like Rubina's. But Viscountess Panamere wasn't fooled by it.
“I am not a subject of the Etruscan kingdom, so I do not know the internal affairs of the kingdom!”
Fight among yourselves over such childish things. Who's superior to whom, what authority, and such things are none of my business. I'm just asserting the essential points.
“All I know is that it is an official letter from the Marquis of Manchike to the Etruscan monarch, and no one who is not the Etruscan monarch should be allowed to open it!”
Rubina hesitated for a moment. In truth, stalling for time was far more important to her than gaining recognition for her authority.
It will be later that they will know what was written in that document.
“Yes, good.”
Rubina, the Grand Duchess, readily agreed.
Viscountess Panamere's eyes wavered. What on earth is he up to?
Rubina, the Grand Duchess, placed the official documents of the Manchike Kingdom back on the table.
“I may not be authorized to receive diplomatic correspondence.”
A servant appeared from somewhere, picked up the letter, and placed it on a purple cushion on a golden platter.
“Then I will deliver this letter to His Majesty Leo III.”
A thin, long line was drawn at the corner of Rubina's mouth.
“However, whether or not the negotiations have officially broken down will be decided by His Majesty after reading this document.”
Viscountess Panamere let out a groan.
'I got hit.'
She should have broken into the Princess's carriage in the middle of the night and staged a kidnapping and escape. It was her own failure to think that she could communicate with the Etruscan people.
Viscountess Panamere cried out, embracing Princess Julia Helena.
“I request an interview with His Majesty the King! As soon as possible!”
Julia Helena trembled in Irene's arms. She had boldly fled, eager to seize the Grand Duke Cesare, and volunteered for Taranto. But witnessing the situation with her own eyes, where Grand Duchess Rubina had restricted her movements, she suddenly felt uneasy.
Rubina said meaningfully.
“Everything will work out in its natural order, so don’t complain.”
'As the natural course of things goes.' These were terrifying words to the weak.
Princess Julia Helena finally spoke.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
Rubina looked back at the princess.
"Hmm?"
“Please let my men stay in the same carriage as me.”
The Princess thought for a moment and then added, "There were too many people dispatched from the Marquis to fit everyone in the carriage."
“Even Irene.”
"Hmm."
“And I would like to stay in the same accommodation after arriving in Taranto.”
This was non-negotiable.
“All of the people in the country.”
Viscountess Panamere was perplexed. Her plan was to take Princess Julia Helena with her before arriving in Taranto.
Rubina narrowed her eyes, but soon smiled brightly like sunlight.
“Well then. It’s the Princess’s request, so I must grant it.”
A hint of relief crossed Princess Julia Helena's face as her request was granted. The young Princess misinterpreted Rubina's playful attitude as a sign of her power over the situation.
Rubina explained in a seemingly detailed manner.
“Viscountess Panamere. Princess Julia Helena’s carriage is the four-horse carriage right behind you.”
It was a massive golden chariot drawn by four horses. The doors and pillars were adorned with beautiful carvings, and the ceiling was adorned with a crown-like ornament.
It was a special carriage, reserved only for those receiving special treatment, its interior tightly packed with soft, fluffy purple cushions. However, to Irene, the carriage looked like a golden prison.
"Viscountess, please ride down in the Princess's carriage. The rest of the party may continue on the horses they came on, or, if you so desire, I will provide separate seats in the carriage of the royal family."
Rubina nodded to the Marchioness de Cepinelli. At her signal, the attendants swarmed to the Marquis de Manchike and his entourage and took the reins.
Although she said that she could continue to ride the horses she brought, in reality, the Grand Duchess did not want the people of the latter country to have the means of free movement.
“I will try to arrange an audience with His Majesty the King as soon as possible.”
Just listening to her, Rubina seemed like a tree giving everything. She smiled kindly.
“Is there anything else you would like to request?”
But Irene saw the future clearly. That "Audience with His Majesty the King" would be postponed as long as possible.
Even if she struggled to stall for time, here and now, until tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, it was clear she wouldn't listen. Nevertheless, she continued her helpless resistance to the very end.
“...I want to see His Majesty as soon as possible.”
"Of course."
Rubina laughed like a snake.
***
Lord Delpiano and Viscountess Panamere weren't the only ones who were simply trying to do their jobs diligently when they were struck by lightning. Lord Delpiano and Viscountess Panamere knew why things were going so slowly, but the new Pope, Justinian VIII, was truly in a state of shock.
"No, you signed the disposition document! Why are you so furious when I tell you to keep the treaty?"
The treaty between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Gallico clearly and unambiguously stated that "within six months of the Allemand amnesty, ownership of the port of Pisarino will be permanently transferred to Trevero."
It was clearly a valid diplomatic document, bearing the elegant signatures of the former Pope Louis I and King Philip IV of Gallico. So, as the six-month deadline promised under the treaty was approaching, he sent a letter requesting the port of Pisarino.
After that, Philip IV ran wild like a mad dog.
“I’ve never seen anyone this angry about Pacta Sunt Servanda (‘Promises must be kept’, a fundamental principle of international law derived from the principle of good faith in Roman law)!”
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