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 imdiately.
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 imdiate announcent 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 sentint.
Jacob, seizing Gallieni by the tie in anger, exclaid, "You lied to ! 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 aid 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 cald 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 soone on the waterways of Venice, a eting 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 co to this, my anger has subsided. Co back with , we can discuss whatever matters you have. No more running."
Boshni halted, responding, "Then you must promise not to kill , and you need to restore my noble title."
Howard agreed.
Before leaving Venice, Howard took Nia to so 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 rchant Howard had encountered while fetching water during a military campaign.
Howard, wanting to give her a chance to earn so money and for the convenience of nearby logistics, had given Delysa a large order, enabling her to make so profit.
As the war concluded, Howard had all but forgotten this seemingly ordinary female rchant.
Yet, today, she was with Nora, both selling so local souvenirs and specialities.
Nora was calling out, "Take a look, co 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 t Nora’s, a mont of recognition passed between them, causing Nora’s face to fall dramatically, and she turned to leave.
Delysa, sowhat puzzled, asked, "Hey, why are you leaving? Didn’t you say you’d help mind the shop?"
Then Delysa saw Howard and her face brightened.
"Wow, if it isn’t the big shot himself."
"Howard, I rember you. You gave that order back in the day, giving the capital to restart my business."
Howard caught up with Nora, grasping her arm, "Why are you leaving? Is it because you saw ?"
"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 have a mont of peace."
"Co back with , Nora," Howard proposed.
"I’ll restore your Habsburg family status and grant you a ducal title, and henceforth, you’ll assist in managing the court."
Delysa chid in, "Go with him, Nora. You belong to the nobility, I’ve known it."
"No traveling rchant ever carried themselves with the decorum you have. It was apparent you co from a distinguished family background."
Howard then took Delysa’s hand, saying, "You should co with 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 comrcial 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 environnt unfamiliar to . 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 in the future."
Nia, in disbelief, said, "Really? Can I also beco a noble? , a person from the slums, to beco 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 . 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 ."
"Therefore, you must support my decisions between Markhan and , helping to maintain the kingdom’s power in the Venice region."
"That’s wonderful," Nia exclaid.
"I never really liked the idea my parents had, for to beco 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 imdiately 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 mont’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 ashad 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 so 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 seed 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 sohow, 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 ti 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 so ti."
"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 cris that are about to happen!"
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