Hear Out the Servant

You, Otto and a few men dismount from your horses and cautiously approach the servant. The servant in question is a man seemingly in his late forties. A well-kept mustache, finely combed hair and better clothed, you notice. This man is clearly not an ordinary servant.

"Greetings, my good men." The man politely bows, "My name is Piero, loyal servant of the Duchess Eliza, chief steward of her castle and her chief adviser. By your crown and crest, you are the newly crown King of Ostgrenze and these men are your guards and soldiers." He says in a polite yet strongly neutral tone.

The men bow in kind while you offer a hand. "I am." Piero shakes your hand, "I must say good King. You are remarkably late. The Duchess Eliza prefers men who strive to be punctual." He says then he lets go of your hand.

"Oh I do so strongly believe that people should be on time and not keep others in waiting. But when your holy men, old and frail, need the help of the young and strong, one cannot simply just turn around and walk away."

Piero slightly tilts his head in curiosity and his face softens. "I suppose not. A justified reason no doubt but as you can see..." he gestures to the around emphasizing the empty space, "the matter is over."

You let out a quick sigh, "That is unfortunate," but not entirely a lost, "but I really can't blame anyone now, can I?"

Piero shakes is head sadly, "In your case, I can't say that you can. However if you are here for other diplomatic reasons, I'm sure my liege lady can accommodate you." He offers.

You brighten up a bit. It is only prudent that you make something out of your trip to Toscana. Perhaps a trade deal or maybe Eliza could lease you some of her ports. "That sounds like a splendid suggestion, Sir Piero."

"But not at this moment, I am sorry to say." He says with genuine regret. "The Duchess is currently dealing with matters of the state and cannot be distracted." One of your eyebrows snaps upward briefly. A little odd that the chief adviser is not attending such a important matter. "I can offer accommodations within the castle for you and all your men but I'm afraid you can't meet the Duchess at this time. I am further sorry to say we cannot prepare you a feast befitting a man of your position." Their supply for feasts must have been exhausted from the previous guests. So you can't fault them for that.

"I see no need for feasts, my good men. Just see to it that my men are well taken care of and you will offer to us your hospitality."

"You are a King. It would a great insult not to offer you our hospitality. Just as it would be an insult to ourselves for not being hospitable to a royal guest."

With that, Piero leads in you the castle. As a sign of good faith, Sir Piero requests you and your men to leave all your weapons in the armory. The weapons can be taken back anytime you wish. "And this shall be your quarters, good King." Piero opens the door to a fine room. "If you do not mind me asking, Sir Piero..."

"Hmm?"

"Who did Duchess Eliza chose to be her future husband?" Might as well know the man who won over the Duchess.

It dumbfounds you to hear Piero chuckle. "My good King, My lady did not chose any of her suitors. They were all... inadequate in my lady's eyes." Now that is quite the unexpected surprise.