"Although Welf is the eldest son, the title of Marquis of Milan will be inherited by his half-brother," Matilda explained. "Therefore, the Marquis of Milan has only one person to turn to for aid—Emperor Henry."
"It seems we’ve arrived at just the right time," Eric said with a smile.
...
Since Marquis Azo was very likely to ask the Emperor for aid, Eric planned to set out the next morning.
However, before leaving, he had to make arrangements for Genoa’s affairs. He needed to leave someone behind to handle matters there.
Eric planned to persuade Matilda to stay behind for the time being and handle matters in Genoa.
Persuading Matilda had never been an easy task.
He couldn’t afford to upset her before she became pregnant.
「Evening. The bathroom.」
It was a replica of an Ancient Roman bath, though much smaller, which allowed it to be fit inside the residence.
There was only a small pool, not fed by a natural hot spring, but instead using the Ancient Roman ’hypocaust system’. Hot water and steam were piped in from the boiler room next door through underground channels.
Eric sat on a chest and let his Attendant remove his boots.
He quickly stripped off his soaked clothes and sank gratefully into the tub, waving the young man away to indicate he needed no further assistance.
Eric also dismissed the other servants. He never liked being surrounded.
Leaning back, he rested his neck on a soft cushion at the edge of the pool. The water soothed his aching muscles, easing the spasms and stiffness.
An enticingly familiar scent filled his nostrils. After a moment, he realized they had left him some scented soap.
He poured some into his palm, lathering it onto his chest. He rarely lingered in the bath, but the warm water was soporific, almost seductive, and he soon closed his eyes.
He didn’t even realize he had fallen asleep until he woke with a start, unsure how much time had passed. Something cold touched his cheek, and he shot upright, sending water splashing everywhere.
He whirled around, sending a wave of water sloshing. His wife sat on the chest opposite him, feet comfortably crossed, watching him with calm eyes while holding a silver-plated goblet.
The gown she wore today was perfectly fitted, with yellow silk thread embroidering floral patterns on the bodice and sleeves, giving her an air of voluptuous Charm.
’She didn’t look to be in a very good mood.’
The silence made the atmosphere between them a bit tense.
’Earlier this afternoon, I’d tentatively hinted at this,’ Eric thought. ’She must have figured out what’s going on by now.’
"I don’t much like this decision," Matilda said abruptly, breaking the silence.
"To be honest, I don’t like it either. But someone has to stay in Genoa. We must maintain the balance between the nobles and the common citizens and form a new Governance Council. I need someone dependable and wise enough to take charge of that task here.
Besides, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral you’re building in Pisa needs someone to supervise it, and the poor citizens there still need you to play the part of a benevolent Lord."
"If this war is about expanding Tuscan lands, then as their ruler, I have no reason to stay in the rear. Besides, that is my army. And this is not the first time I’ve led troops, Eric."
"I know. And I’m not asking you to retreat anywhere. You’ll be staying in Genoa—a territory that has never before been under Tuscan control. This place is just as chaotic. I can’t very well leave a brute like Belem here, can I?
To be honest, if you refuse, he’s probably the only one I can turn to.
That would only make things worse. He’s always been a reckless fool, and frankly, I’m done making excuses for his baffling actions in the name of God.
Besides, Genoa swore fealty to you, the Marchioness of Tuscan, not to the Earl of Shrewsbury from England, didn’t they? Let us each attend to our duties."
"You don’t seem to consider the possibility of your defeat at all. That’s arrogance, Eric. Northern Italy is different from Southern Italy. You don’t know this land well enough yet." She finished the last of her wine, reached for the nearby flagon, and poured herself a full cup.
"That is for God to decide. I don’t usually trouble myself with things I can’t control." Eric directly evaded the question Matilda had posed.
"You’re quite devout at a time like this. When you need Him."
"My wife’s Devotion will make up for that on behalf of our child."
When she raised the goblet, he remained still, allowing her to tilt it to his lips as he took a sip.
The water had begun to cool, but his body was suddenly filled with heat.
Eric’s voice was a little hoarse as he said, "I’ve been in this pool long enough."
He wrapped his arms around her waist, trying to pull her into the water.
She quickly put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him back.
"No... wait a moment."
she said, and as he watched, she untied her headscarf and hair bun and began to loosen her long, red-gold braids.
She lifted her skirt and kicked off her shoes.
He thought she would take off her stockings next, but instead she straightened up and swung a leg over the edge of the tub.
A moment later, she slid into the water. Her fingers brushed over the wet silk that now clung to her body like a second skin as she said, "You owe me a new gown."
Eric kissed her neck. "I owe you more than that,"
he said, pulling her into his arms. The water quickly overflowed the edge of the tub, soaking the rushes on the floor. But by then, they were too busy to care, or even to notice.
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