Ostgrenze and Toscana are One

You inform Eliza's council to go in. They leave you alone with the men you accompanied you earlier. Otto notices the make-shift bandage on your neck and the small stain of blood on it. "Your highness," Otto whispers concerned, "are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Otto." You take a deep breath in, "Just some tough negotiations." You can tell Otto is resisting the desire to berate you on perceived recklessness on your part. "It's just a small cut. Not deep at all. It won't kill me." You reassure him and the rest of your soldiers and diplomats.

"Very well, Sire. But still, we should have it seen to." You remove the handkerchief from your neck and signal for the healer among your soldiers to properly see to your wound. "If you feel strange, please say so," The healer says genuinely. You appreciate the man's concern.

You all stand and seat just outside of the council chamber. It is about over an hour later until the door to the council chamber and Piero steps out. "Our lady will speak to you now, good King. But alone." You look to your men and send them a nod of reassurance. You then follow Piero in.

The focused and concentrated look on Eliza's face has returned. She offers you a seat. She and her council all on one side and you all by yourself on the other. "King of Ostgrenze, I have discussed the issue thoroughly with my most trusted of advisers. Do you swear to uphold your end of the deal. Will you allow the continuation of my rule in Toscana? Will you legitimize our future child as the next ruler of Toscana?"

You stare straight into her dark eyes. "You have my word. Your position in your land will be honored and our child's inheritance will be guaranteed by me."

"But what of your throne? Will our child have a claim to your throne?" You notice the others in the chamber have straightened up in their seats.

"Unless we marry, no. But you don't want to get married, don't you?" You lean forward confidently with a small yet sly smile. You blink as a realization dawns to you, "You..." you look left and right at Eliza's advisers and council. "You're all in on it!" You gasp. "You help her stay unmarried."

Some of them look down or away. "Yes." Eliza answers for them. "Why?" You ask simply.

"Because!" Piero snaps softly. He exhales and bites his lower lip, "We help her because we did nothing. Most of us here were a part of the family's household when our lady's father was still Duke. We saw what he did. We heard what he did. We passed by the door of their quarters and heard our lady and her mother's plight. But we did nothing." He slams the side of his fists on the table causing it to shake. "We did nothing! So we understand and accept if Duchess Eliza refuses to marry."

'I see now.' You think, 'Guilt plain and simple and fear and unwillingness for a repeat of the past.'

"That is enough, Piero. You've said enough." Piero apologizes to his liege lady. Eliza turns her attention back to you. Your eyes both lock into each other's again. "Do I have your word?" Eliza stresses again.

"You have it."

"Then as per the agreement: we accept you as King, we will integrate our forces with yours and our ports are yours to use. Let Ostgrenze and Toscana be one." With that declaration, a triumphant grin forms in your mind. Another victory for you and Ostgrenze grows.