"Your Honor, this is against custom. My turn should be after the banquet."
"I believe that for a proposal brought by our Supreme Lord, the illustrious Canossa Clan, we can make a one-time exception out of respect and reverence—just as you said the other day." Soderini merely patted Simone on the shoulder without even looking at him before walking directly toward the high platform of the Hall of Government.
Simone was left speechless. He had used the exact same argument in the council that day to humiliate Rolando when he requested the speaking privilege from Chief Justice Soderini.
All he could do was lower his head in embarrassment and walk back to Matilda.
"Marchioness, my apologies. The situation has changed. I may need to rely on you or your husband, the noble and dauntless Knight."
"If that's the case, what value are you to me? Canossa has no use for worthless people." Matilda set down her goblet and tapped it against the nearby table with a bit of force.
