Ducal Court of Piemonte

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Angelo Correano got his letter from Nürnberg just before the he got the Genoese ultimatum from Fieschi

“Oh… that is… khm… sad… really sad… By the way, noble Fieschi, how is it possible you get every important news well before me?
Hmm… I think it’s… khm… impossible… to do anything now… hm-hmmm… In fact, I have plans in my mind… but, sadly, none of the too realistic… yes… Perhaps we should find some common… purpose, we, Genoese and Piemontese could fight for together… but finding such is not any easier than it was finding a common purpose for guelfs and ghibellins a century ago… Khm… khm… well…
But if you can think about any… khm… middle-of-the-road solutions… don’t hesitate to say it…”

The renegade Venetian sighs and shakes his head.

“Oh, good Fieschi, those pesky lords decided once again… The Emperor… My Duke… Your capitains… I could kill each of them in this very place…”

He sighs again.

“But of course I don’t ask you to leave… In fact, I invite you most cordially to my palace, near Salazzo… because… khm… I think it will be very… well… unhealthy to be in the eastern part of Piemonte, when this mess breaks out…”

 

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Fieschi nodded.

"Ahem... yes, perhaps another location than here would be preferable. Thank you, Correano."

Fieschi still did not know about the fate of his Doge.

 

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Piedmont breaks vassalage​

With the recent allegations and investigations against the Doge of Genoa, the Piedmontese vassals do not feel bound to the state of Genoa that much. The chains and ties of vassaldom have weakened over the past few months and no longer will Piedmont and its ruler march beneath the banners of Genoa to war, nor will he taxes send to the rich coffers of the merchant republic. But bonds of vassaldom are those betwixt parent and child. And if some nobles of Piemonte feel justified in distancing themselves from the state of Genoa, some resist it.

Piemonte receives a positive modifier of +2 to the roll due to the unusual circumstances in-game. The player should note alas, that if he fails to fulfill his IC promises, he will trigger another identical event without the modifier.

1. Nobles loyal to their former overlord react violently, and set about taking their vengeance to their errant leader at sword-point! (-2 morale, -2 tech to Piedmont for 2 years. 50% (rounded down) of Piedmont provinces rebel (become rebel held) and have tech and morale stats of -/-/3/3/-. A rebel army of 3/-/3/3/- also arises in one of those provinces)

2. Nobles loyal to their former overlord react violently. (-2 morale, -2 tech to Piedmont for 2 years. 50% (rounded down) of Piedmont provinces rebel (become rebel held) and have tech and morale stats of -/-/3/3/-)

3. Nobles loyal to their former overlord react rebelliously. (-2 morale, -2 tech to Piedmont for 2 years)

4. Nobles loyal to their former overlord react angrily.(-2 morale, -2 tech to Piedmont for 1 year)

5. Nobles loyal to their former overlord react suspiciously. (-1 morale, -1 tech to Piedmont for 1 year)

6. None of the nobles supported their old overlord anyway! (No effect)

Roll:4+2=6; None of the nobles supported their old overlord anyway! (No effect)
.

* * * * *

 

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In Nürnberg

And the Doge was burned.

Benedetto Correano was there. Although the crowd made him really disgusted, he bought two pieces from the talented boy, who monopolized the market of the rotten apples, and threw them at the direction of the Doge… the throwing power was too small, the fruits fell well before Doria, but Correano didn’t care about it very much.

He didn’t like the whole party. It was too barbaric for his taste. He remained there until the crowd began to chant, but then he left, without seeing the real spectacle.

He was going back toward the palace where his Duke – and nearly the half of the Piemontese court – was residing, when he realized that he hadn’t seen his Duke on the square… He began to worry. And he began to worry even more, when he didn’t fnd the Duke in the palace, not even in his private chambers.

After a long search, he finally found Antonio. The Duke was sitting in the garden --- crying.

“Sire…? What…? What is the matter?” Correano asked.

“Nothing.” Antonio replied, not even lifting his head.

“But Sire… You are crying…”

“Yes. I have noticed it already.”

Correano waited for a while, then he asked slowly:

“And why are you crying, Sire?”

“I am mourning Doge Doria.” Antonio said.

 

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Near Turin

Raimondo di Savoia, the Chancellor and Marshal of Piemonte came back to Turin a week after his army, and a day after Angelo Correano and Gino Fieschi left to Salazzo.

And a day after he arrived, he went to the camp of his army, what still not dispersed after the second battle of Modena.

“Hey men!” he shouted. The soldiers came out their tents, but their morale was low after marching so much just to find out: they will fight again, this time against the mighty Genoa.

“Hey men!” Raimondo shouted even louder. More face lifted to see him, but their expression was the same.

“Now listen me! I need a little help! I got this letter yesterday…” Raimondo said, holding up a piece of paper – it was the Genoese ultimatum. “… and I have some problems with it.”

The soldiers became somewhat more curious.

“It is adressed to… some ‘Rebels’… Do you, good men, understand this? I don’t know any rebels. What about you?”

Some was murmuring: ‘It’s for us all…’, ‘Yeah, they meant us…’

“Us?!” Raimondo pulled funny faces. He acted as if he was schocked. “Are you really sure? I fail to see any rebels here…”

The soldiers exchanged glances, but remained cold. But then a sergeant began to laugh.

“Yeah, yeah…” a smiling Raimondo continued. “I don’t see any rebels here… I only see brave Piemontese soldiers!”

More and more soldiers began to laugh.

“Just brave Piemontese heroes! Not Genoese, no… Piemontese! That’s it, boys, let’s teach them a lesson! Let’s teach the devil-worshippers a lesson! We need no more heretic lords! Let’s teach them: THE SATAN CANNOT RULE PIEMONTE!!”

An elementary ‘hurray’ was the answer. The soldiers rushed to Raimondo, everybody wanted to touch him. They lifted Raimondo to their shoulders.
Somebody gave him a Piemontese flag – and others got the Genoese letter out of his right.
The letter was dropped to a campfire.

“I think the army is ready to any battle” Raimondo wrote at night in a letter to his brother.

 

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The wind was good, and the small squadron of ships that had set sail from Bremen made good progress. They had stopped in Nantes and Barcelona to replenish their supplies, but as they entered the Mediterrenean, the tension rose. So far, no hostile actions had been taken by the Genovese, but all knew that Doge of Genoa served the Devil, and that his son was most likely a heretic as well. So the three Bremer ships were on highest alert, and each and every time a ship flying Genovese flag was spotted, the men manned the deck, ready to repel any attacks.

The ships entered the Piemontese harbour, and the captain made his way towards the senior officer present at the harbour.

"Sir, I am Heinz Grüber of Bremen. Me and my men are at your service untill the current crisis with Genoa has ended. We fully support your right to remain free from the Devillish taint of the Doria family. Know that all my men have volunteered for this task, and are quite eager to defend christians against worshippers of the Devil."
Heinz made the last part, about his men having volunteered, up. They had been ordered to go, and quite a few of them had openly declared their intention to desert, if only they spoke the local language. Such talk earned a few rounds of the whip, and the talk of desertion had ceased, but there was no need to troubled the good Piemontese with such trivial matters.

 

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At these times, Nizza was a dusty little fisher-village. Although it was the main port of the Duchy of Piemonte, this fact barely made the town any more important.
Gianpaolo Serrano, the baron of Nizza – an old mercenary-sergeant, who got the title from Duke Riccardo after the civil war – was frightened, when he was informed about the arrival of a large fleet.

’The Genoese’ he thought in despair ‘Oh God, the Genoese are already here…!’

His eyes opened wide, then he began to run toward the stables. He took a horse, and was just about fleeing, letting the Genoese to sack the city, to burn down the ships, he was about to left his palazzo, his wife, his sons and daughters behind…

“Why are you rushing so, Sire?” the servant asked. “This is an ally’s fleet. Our allies, the Germans coming to help us!”

“Khm… I… Stupid servant, I am just rushing to greet our noble allies as soon as possible!” Serrano answered.

***​

“Long live to the noble Heinz Grüber of Bremen! Long live to our noble allies, the Germans!” baron Serrano shouted.

“Long live… Viva Grüber…” the bystanders said with far less enthusiasm. Nobody would be happy if he had to give his house to foreigner soldiers.
Even baron Serrano was wondering, how could he provide the sufficent beer – it was legendary, how much beer a German could drink. He was frightened at the thought that he has to beguest the Grüber.

“Noble Grüber” Serrano said to the Bremer in an over-familiar tone. “I already sent a courier to Turin, to infrom Marshal Raimondo about your arrival. He will be joyous, that’s for sure. It is really good to see so many Germans volunteered to help us. It’s clear, those legends about the Germans’ courage were telling the truth. I am… khm, I am happy to offer my hospitality. Please, feel fee to use my humble palace as your own.”

‘Let’s hope he won’t notice the cellars…’ Serrano thought.

 

[Longinus]

Joachim meets with Antonio di Savoia in his private study.

 

[Longinus]

The banners with the marks of two headed black eagle and red griffon were flying on the strong wind as the army of veterans were marching through the fields of Piedmonte. Germans were enjoying the sights, fresh air and much warmer climate. Turin welcomed them however with fear.

Longinus van Eyck, old Germanized Dutch solider who served House of the Greif since many years, came to meet with Raimondo di Savoia, Chancellor of the Duchy of Piemont, Marshal of the Duchal Army of Piemont and Governor of Turin.

“Your Grace it is a pleasure that we meet again. This time however the situation is much different for we came to defend the city against those devil-worshippers from Genoa.

We left an Imperial garrison in Modena behind us and fulfilled the orders of His Majesty immediately. Glory to Empire and Piedmonte!”

 

[Longinus]

In Nurnberg

Long time has Joachim and Antonio spent in the Emperor's study. Finally a peace accord with Modena was reached.

Imperial Peace of Emilia​

Article One – House of Modena entirely surrenders to the Imperium and pledges for forgiveness which will be hereby granted with this very accord. Furthermore, House of Modena admits its wrongdoing and apologizes all involved parties, most notably King of Italy, Duke of Tuscany, Duke of Piedmonte and Viceroy of Naples.

Article Two – House of Modena shall pay 12000 imperial as repatriations to the Tuscan threasury and give the city of Rminaro into eternal possession. (OOC: no stats results)

Article Three – House di Savoia, after proving its balance on the matter and continious loyalty to the Empire will be from now responsible for guiding Modena out of the depths of madness. Thus House di Savoia will be responsible for directly governing these lands for no more then One Year. After the said period the House di Savoia will be inspecting carefully Modena, guiding and giving advices to them but from distance.

 

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A letter arrives for the duke.

To the traitor duke of Piemonte.

I will not waste more perfectly good ink than needed on your crime. You have betrayed my father, you have betrayed me, you have betrayed Genoa. The Republic of Genoa hereby declare war on Piemonte.

Signed
Andrea Doria
Doge of Genoa.

 

[Alexandru H.]

A letter comes from Tuscany.

My dear Lord, it is clear that I made a mistake in the Modenian bussiness. But it seems that our small errors are nothing compared to the annoying gestures of our imperial protector.

But let's take one matter at a time. The son of the late duke of Modena agreed several months ago to become a worthy member of the empire, and to forget his father's sins and irrational behaviour. Naples and Tuscany agreed. It would have been some payments for Piemonte, of course, but it wouldn't have resorted to this humiliating peace. Tuscany did not get anything, yet it doesn't have territorial ambitions. But it longed for a friend at its borders. Now, the Emperor seems to favour your side, which is a hard blow for Italia. We are part of the Empire because we are treated equally. But when a member dissolves its vassalship without trying to reach an agreement, annexes a state and then releases it to obtain more advantages, it becomes a grave issue.

We are Christians and have nothing but love for our Emperor. Yet, the burning of our beloved ally, the doge of Genoa, was the last drop. It's inacceptable, this is not the Christian way. Maybe Modena was right...

We want to have nothing in common with Piemonte. We will be spectators in your confrontation with Genoa, but mark my words: if the emperor will step in, it would mean the end of his italian empire. These are not empty phrases.

We hereby ask from you to denounce the annexation of Modena and reinstate the former duke. I think you gained enough advantages already, so no reparations will be asked from him.

Signed,
Cosimo I il Medici
Duke of Tuscany

 

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Those nasty Italians...

Raimondo di Savoia was seen rarely at the meals in the ducal palace in the past weeks. He ate with his lieutenants instead, in the camp of the army, near the city.

Yet one day he showed up at the dinner. Only a few people were present, some lesser courtiers, the Marquis of Salazzo – an elderly man, who, although accepted the lordship of the Duke, always obeyed the ducal orders somewhat reluctanly –, a rather sinister character, called Orsini, and most notably the general of the Emperor, Count Longinus van Eyck. Raimondo sat at the head of the table, with general van Eyck on his right.

“My apologies, Sire, I simply had not time even to come to the city.” Raimondo said to the Imperial general. “I hope the servants have done everything for you. I would never forgive myself if you had any troubles becaause of my negligence…”

Raimondo smiled, yet his eyes were the eyes of a daydreamer. It was clear he is not very aware of the conversation.

“It is a pleasure you are here.” Raimondo continued. “Your presence truly delights me. However the situation is truly sad.” he said, but his smiling face clearly betrayed his real feelings.

“Ahhh yes” a nearby courtier smiled. “How sad! The treachery of Genoa! How sad!”

“Truly sad” another courtier added. “How very-very sad!”

“Sad indeed” the third smiled. “Those treacherous Genoese…”

“They must be punished” the man called Orsini said, looking directly in the eyes of the Imperial general.

“Ahhh yes” the first courtier replied. “We must punish them.”

“We must kill each of the heretics” the second courtier said, still smiling.

“We must burn them all” the third said, smiling as well.

“Gentlemen, please…” the Marquis of Salazzo said with a stern face. “We are eating. You should put this this ugly conversation off until we finish the meal.”

“You are probably right, Marquis” Raimondo nodded, then he turned to general van Eyck. “By the way, Sire, what fate His Imperial Majesty intends to Genoa? I am truly curious about this.”

“All the Dorias have to be burnt” the man called Orsini said in an ice-cold voice. “Fieschis. Those renegade Grimaldis. Spinolas. All must be burnt.”

“Ahhh, sure” the first courtier smiled. “We must burnt every one of them. We must not leave a single baby living.” The courtier said this with a joyous face, as if he was saying: ‘what a nice day!’

The Marquis’ face reddened. It was not a secret, his wife was a Spinola…

“This offense… This… This…Hah!” The old man was trembling in fear… or maybe in loath. Or maybe in rage. He stood up, and left the hall without a word.

“Oh, I think our dear Marquis was offended at something…” Raimondo said to general van Eyck, smiling. “Forgive him his hasty departure… he is always like this… A highly emotional man, yes. Not a man of the modern times… Oh, I almost forgot to introduce my newest friend to you, Sire! This is Girolamo Orsini, from Monaco!”

“At your disposal Sire” Orsini nodded, and he was smiling, smiling at the first time in the evening, but his smile was a cold smile, a frightening smile.

 

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A letter arrives from Wien, addressed to the Duke of Piemonte.

[color=ff5555]"I have received word from the Imperial Reichstag in Nuremberg that your diplomat has called me a Traitor and a Bastard, whilst I have never said anything cross about you or your realm. I expect an apology from You, and I expect an apology from your ambassador to the Reichstag to the Distinguished War Veteran, Otto von Bremer, who I sent to Nuremberg as my Emissary.

I am beginning to see just why the Lotharingians declined to add your territory to their own.

By his own hand
An Angry Markus von Habsburg
Duke of Austria"[/color]

 

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A man walked into the court and bowed to the Duke,

I am Joan de Hiago, ambassador to this court from Aragon if his highness accepts me. King Joan I wishes to open the relationship with Piedmonte. He wishes to establish a trade and friendship with your nation. He is also curious to see if you would be willing to allow Aragonese troops pass through your lands. May our two nations be in friendship!

 

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Raimondo di Savoia smiles at the Aragonese.

“Good signore Hiago, I am not the Duke, I am just his brother … but you do not have to be embarassed, many have mistaken me for him. Also, do not worry, as a Chancellor, I have the right to rule in my brother’s absence.

I welcome you in Turin – seek the butler, he will show you your room –, and we gladly welcome the friendship of the glorious Kingdom of Aragon. You may send word back to His Majesty that we hope, he will overcome his illness, and we wish him further years, decades of glorious reign.

Trade, you say… Yes, a trade agreement would benefit both of our countries. Maybe we should prepare a treaty… at least after this war with Genoa is over.

As for the right of passage… Regarding the recent treaty between King Joan and His Imperial Majesty, we have no reason to deny it. I assure you, from now on, all Aragonese soldiers shall march through the lands of Piemonte unharmed.”

 

[Petrarca]

A letter is delivered from Praha to the Duke while he stays in Nuremberg:

To the Duke of Piemonte,

Enclosed are presented the terms offered in Nuremberg by His Majesty the King of Bohemia for a resolution of this unworthy conflict. His Majesty's government may only allow a week's more consideration noon GMT Sat of this offer to end the fighting and remedy the disputes peacefully. I beg your grace to formally propose peace to the city of Genoa on these terms without delay.


His Majesty desires a swift resolution of this unseemly affair, a fratricidal conflict between two states, both alike in dignity, assembled under the regalia of the Empire. An expedient solution must be achieved, your graces, for the Turk's armies crush Constantinople, gate of civilization, under their boot, and threaten more marches against the pious princes of Christendom.

It is proposed, then, that all Imperial states cease their wars against their brothers, for as the Lord condemned Cain's killing of Abel, so He has no love for the man who strikes his brother or the prince that strikes his fellow Christian prince.

The bonds that tie such princes cannot, nor should not, be easily dissolved. The duchy of Piemonte, since the expurgation of heretical influences in Genoa, should resume its obedience and vassalage to that state without question.

The republic of Genoa should lay down its arms, accept peacefully the return to days past, comply with the terms of the Martial Bulle should that document be invoked, provide neither trade nor comfort nor aid to the infidels who trample upon Christian cities such as Constantinople and their allies, this excepting the Sultans of Egypt who hath given up the Rhodes and shall return Cyprus to Christian care. Additionally, the isle of Rhodes should be returned to the Knights Hospitaller of St. John without delay or condition while proper reverence to the Church restored.

No longer should the states of Christ’s Empire war against one another in such an unjust fashion, giving no thought to the welfare of the states and the Empire nor the laws, both religious and secular, governing such conduct.

And upon such resolution of peace again with the borders of the Empire, matters of legal reform should be introduced to this august body so that future harmony may be increased. This His Majesty has proposed, as resolution in peaceful manner of the plague of conflict that grips the Empire. Should no solution or no compliance come to pass within the fortnight, then the unreasonable must be brought to reason as the master leads a stubborn ass to water.

-Cardinal Archbishop Dietrich von Ehrlichman, Minister to His Majesty the King”

 

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A letter arrives from Genoa

To the Duke of Piemonte.

I do want peace with Piemonte and return to the days before this rebellion. However, I find it fascinating that my enemies continue to ignore my words. Let me state it one more time, just to make sure that I have used every opportunity to state it:
I will NOT wage war on Genoas trade partners. There, stated once more. I care not if the Martial Bulle orders me to it or not, for the law is wrong, and even its current use is illegal. The Emperor used it before getting the acceptance of the Diet, and therefore I regard his order to my father and myself as illegal and anti-Imperial. That he tries to gain their accept now does not make his order to my father any less illegal. If you can not write up a peace that does not demand my involvement in the "crusade", then I fear we will have to fight this war. Genoa will not be blackmailed, it is as simple as that.
As for Rhodes, then Genoa alone will decide the islands fate. The Knights failed to protect it, the Emperor most of all failed to protect it, the church failed to protect it. I know, that if I once more reinstate the Knights' rule on Rhodes, they will be slain again. I have always regarded myself as a good Christian, protecting what I can in the best possible way. The Empires and the church's methods have failed. My way has succeeded. Now Genoa will protect it the right way. The Knights can return to help in the defence, but the island will remain under Genoese protection. If it returns to its old ways, it is doomed once again, I know this for a fact. I will not allow that to happen.
Your offer of peace is welcomed in spirit, but the current offer you have given me is not acceptable.

Signed
Andrea Doria
Doge of Genoa

 

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The Emperor and Duke Antonio arrived to Turin

At this time, Turin was not a nice city.
In fact, it was rather ugly in the eyes of a cultured man of the age: Turin lacked the palazzos, cathedrals, the open squares with statues and fountains… It was truly a medieval city, without any sign of the Rennaissance. For a cultured Italian, going to Turin was like travelling in time.
But Turin lacked the charm of the German cities either. The constant buzzing of the crowded Nürnberg was unknown here, where most of the people spent the entire day – and their entire life – sitting in a hut, dying the cloth, just dying, dying, dying… The stinking, unhealthy gases of the dying substances heavily covered the city.

And when he saw his capital, Antonio closed his eyes in disgust, embarrasment and shame.

* * *​

It was well after noon, when the news of the approaching of the Imperial convoy reached the city. At first there was some confusion, as the vast number of soldiers frightened the men – maybe it was a Genoese agent, who began to spread the rumour about the approaching army is really the army of Genoa – though this confusion lasted until the most keen-sighted noticed the flags: the Imperial eagle, the red Griffon of Pommern, and most notably the El Drapo, the red flag with the argented cross.

“Rejoice, Turin!” Raimondo di Savoia shouted from the window of the old Governors’ Palace, that functioned as ducal palace at that time. “Your Duke is arriving! Rejoice, Turin! Your Emperor is arriving!”

* * *​

There was much cheering at the arrival. Pentals of roses were covering the way of the Emperor and the Duke.

“Viva il Imperatore! Viva Gioacchino, re d’Italia!” the people was shouting. “Viva Antonio, duca di Piemonte! Viva Antonio di Savoia, duca d’Italia!”

Antonio was overly tired, although this could be seen only in his eyes – his face was like a mask from a Greek tragedy…
And then Raimondo suddenly understood those worrying letters from Correano. He looked at the Emperor, then he looked at his brother: the same expression, the same gestures, the same look…

And in the middle of the cheering and shouting Raimondo, who never liked the idea of getting too close to the Emperor, to befriend any foreign power too much, he closed his eyes and sighed in concern, worry and embarrassment…

‘Italy is lost’ he thought. He was not sad, he was completely without any emotion then. ‘Italy is dead… and it was murdered by Piemonte.’

Then Raimondo caught Antoio’s inquiring glance. Raimondo smiled and bowed toward his brother – Antonio did not seem to notice it, his face was rigid.

The Emperor and the Duke reached the palace. As a symbolic gesture, Antonio took his cloak off, and spread it out on the muddy ground before the Emperor. The exalted crowd cheered (“Viva il Imperatore!”), and Raimondo shuddered.

‘We murdered Italy and they are happy for it. Just like when Jesus was crucified…’ he thought with a gloomy face. But then he smiled. ‘Hmm… We murdered Italy? Well, anyway… quite an achievement from such a small duchy, isn’t it?!’

And Raimondo bowed very-very deeply before his Emperor.

 

[unmerged(18481)]

Nürnberg - Turin

Benedetto Correano was pretty happy with his life then. No debates, no reddened faces, no foolish Germans, nor proud Germans, no nasty Italians… The first week of calmness in the Diet was just fantastic: there was silence in the Neureichsburg, only the birds’ singing was heard. At first, Correano dutifully went down to the hall every day, just to sleep over the silent discussions about only the pettiest matters… but then he finally realized that he don’t need to go there every day… he appeared in the hall only once a week, and later he managed to minimize his presence with absolutely not going to the Diet.

He spent the most of the day sitting in the park, maybe flirting a woman – nothing serious, though: just having a good time with minimal commitment or responsibility. He drank less, and soon after he gave up drinking at all. The injured skin of his head began to heal, only the smallest scars reminded him the old days, when he was scratching the top of his head all day long.

Life was beautiful. Austria? Tuscany? Genoa? Piemonte? Battles? Utter defeats and glorious victories? Genoese hegemony on the seas?
He didn’t give a single thought to these illusions – as every one of these seemed to be merely an illusion for him, when he, the smiling Benedetto Correano was stralling in the beautiful sunshine in the park of the Neureichburg.

* * *​

Not every Piemontese was just as carefree, though. Duke Antonio di Savoia, for example, just realized that he was tricked again.

When he returned to Turin some months before, Raimondo – his brother, who always had a good nose to smell the change – had been giving him every respect, he let Antonio rule on his own – but only two or three weeks later Raimondo rode against Genoa with the Emperor… and Antonio had to realize, that he was left to rule an empty capital, an empty country. All important nobles accompanied Raimondo on his campaign – what campaign, by the way, proved to be a weekend trip.
And then Raimondo was returning to Piemonte, although not to Turin: he was riding to the southern coastal area, to defend it from a possible Genoese repercussion… and the people of Piemonte was cheering and shouting ‘Viva Raimondo!’, as if Raimondo was the duke…

Antonio was walking nervously in the main hall of his palace. He cursed his lame leg – and he cursed his previous self: that fool, who was unaware to each and every important thing. And he also cursed his present self: he felt himself too weak, too stupid, too slow…

‘The Emperor surely always know, what to do’ he thought not without any bitterness, and even with some hate. ‘I’m not worthy even to follow him… I am not worthy even to be his last servant…’

The palace was absolutely empty: only a few guards remained, and almost no courtiers. Rizzio was somewhere in the east, Angelo Correano was in Salazzo… only that all-smiling Orsini remained, whom Antonio have disliked since they met… so there was nothing what could distract the young Duke’s attention from his rather bitter thoughts.

Antonio stopped by a window, and he looked out to the sleepy Turin. There were tears in his eyes.
He looked at the cathedral in despair. The golden cross on the top of it was shining brightly in the faint spring sunshine – but right then, instead of bringing comfort to his soul, the sight of the Holy Cross only made him more confused, filled his heart with uncertainity.

The duke gazed into the sunshine for long minutes. His tears ran down on his face, but his face remained still, with not a single facial muscle trembling.

Finally he turned back, and shook his head, as if he awoke from a slumber. Antonio sighed, and wiped the tears off his face.

‘God Almighty, give me strength for just one more day’ he begged with his eyes closed.