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As the candlelight was raised, the terms on the document were clearly visible.
Agree to represent the Duchy of Milan in swearing allegiance to the Italian Empire and return all governing rights in full.
Surrender all of Sforza’s armies, and…
Sforza curled his lips into a mocking smile. “It seems you're the one who’s lost your mind. You actually want me to sign this?”
“You’re still tied up like a pig,” Niccolo said slowly, his tone laced with sarcasm. “What exactly are you so cocky about?”
“My personal guard will—”
“Your personal guard consists of forty-two men inside the castle and two thousand outside,” Niccolo interrupted, his voice flat. “The poison has been dealt with long ago. Did you really think only your family knew how to poison people? There’s no one left to even send a message to Milan. Do you understand?”
Sforza’s face, which had been twisted in a snarl just moments ago, froze. He moved his lips as if to argue, but after a long pause, no words came out.
“As I said,” Niccolo glanced at the people behind him, “this is quite an awkward situation.”
“I won’t sign it,” Sforza began shaking his head wildly. “My grandfather spent so much effort to win this position—there’s no way I’m giving Milan to you!”
“And I already told you before I left,” Sforza suddenly lifted his head, his eyes bloodshot with anger. “If I don’t return within two months, they’ll march an army straight in!”
“That’s not a threat,” Hedy said slowly, her tone calm and unhurried. “Whether your people can even break down our outer walls is a real question—let alone the fact that we have ways of making them stop, willingly hand over their army, and surrender their country.”
“You—!”
“You should stay here a while longer,” she said, standing slowly, her voice filled with pity. “It’ll give your mind time to clear.”
Before the old man could roar anything else, she turned and walked out with her attendants, not lingering for even a minute longer.
——
Ferdinand I arrived a bit late.
He had always been somewhat hesitant and instinctively sensed that this woman would be troublesome.
Because of this, he chose to delay his journey, hoping that Sforza would first run into enough problems before he arrived, allowing him to gradually wear down her temper.
... For a woman like this, who could be dealt with by simply using a whip, why make things so complicated? Thinking about it carefully, it was indeed annoying.
Although he arrived late, the welcome he received was no less grand than the previous guest.
Many of Milan's nobles came out to greet him, and the evening banquet and ball were quite extravagant.
Ferdinand watched the dancers' backsides, occasionally hearing a few lines of conversation between the diplomats and officials.
"Where is Mr. Sforza?" he forced a smile, trying to seem friendly, though awkwardly using formal speech. "In such a wonderful gathering, it would seem disrespectful for a guest to be absent."
"Sforza?" The person next to him chuckled, waving his hand as if they were sharing a secret.
"Where did he go?" Ferdinand asked with a playful look. "What do you know?"
"Your Grace, we had agreed that this would not be shared," Niccolò said slyly, glancing at the queen who was sitting upright, and lowered his voice. "A couple of days ago, Sforza went to a brothel and slept with five women in one night!"
"... He deserves to be stuck in bed then," Ferdinand scoffed. "A mercenary leader is far braver than men like us."
Laughter erupted around the table, and everyone began chatting and drinking happily, enjoying the night together.
Ferdinand had spent three days eating, playing, and sightseeing in Florence before finally deciding to focus on the business at hand.
