Multiple letters
Monti and Mancini household
Duke Mancini,
I hope this letter reaches you in good health. The recent happenings in Costa Schiuma have truly opened my eyes to how much cities do need to be able to turn to each other in crisis. It was mere good luck that their people and ours have been able to work together so well with our previous history of rivalries.
It made me think of you. Erban is such a wonderful place, I choose it as a holiday destination whenever I can, which is not so often in recent days. I really would like to create a tie between us, so we can look after each other in the coming years. Things are not as easy as they were before the Unrest, and I think what our people need is a good omen of the times to come. One of my own has become increasingly interested in Erban, and I see that your own has come out into society lately. I do not want to push anything, and please disregard me if you must, but I think both of these fine nobles would benefit from somebody around their age that they can talk to. Perhaps, when it is their time to rule, they may rely on each other as close friends and push through these hard times.
I would love to arrange a meeting of the two. I have already asked my youngest, and with the agreement of your dear lady Bianca, I believe we can become two stronger cities together.
Thank you for your consideration,
the Viscount of D’Roccamo
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Viscount Monti,
How lovely it is to receive a letter from you. I heard of your mother, and I truly hope the family is doing well. The loss of a strong matriarch is something my house can deeply empathise with. She would smile with glee, looking at you reaching out to fellow houselords now. It would be my honour to present my daughter to your family, perhaps she can be the glue that holds the family together. Another feminine influence will be good to help stabilise your court. You’ll have to remind me again, but wasn’t it in the news that recently your people found that cave by the ocean? I’m sure it’s full of many valuable resources. You can tell this old man, being that our cities are going to be working together with this new union.
I’m glad you felt that you could talk to me. Have you given this this proposition to anyone else? You should be careful. Friendliness is good, but many of these new leaders are greedy and would just want the treasures inside the cave. If there is any, of course. So perhaps we should work towards this first, and then branch out? This old man has had many years in power, he can give you little tips like this.
Eagerly awaiting your response,
Mancini of Erban
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Duke Mancini,
Forgive me for my late reply. I have had many things to think about. I wonder if, perhaps, you misunderstand? I just mean for them to meet, for now, and if anything should happen it can be organic and natural. We do not want spite and hatred to be sewn if they do not get along. Please do tell me when we will be able to organise a day out for them, again, only if the lady agrees to it. I trust you have asked her and have her best ideas in mind.
As for the current matters in D’Roccamo, cannot tell you anything more than has already come out. I wish I could have kept the whole thing a secret to my city only, as many houses have suddenly begun to contact me. I trust I have the brain to weed out who only wishes to take my city’s earnings, however. I’m glad to have contacted you first. Ultimately, though, none of this does matter for the sake of our conversation. If you would like to talk about it another time, perhaps we can wait. This is simply about introducing two inheritors of houses to each other, in the hope that they will continue a strong relationship of any kind between our cities.
Thank you for your fast response thus far,
The Viscount of D’Roccamo
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Viscount Monti,
Of course I would never just be in it for the many treasures found in the rocks of your great city. My Jewel collection is very full. I am jesting, of course. I already feel our city’s closeness enough to jest, see? And perhaps if you don’t feel comfortable talking about the cave here, which is entirely understandable in case any ne’er-do-well’er intercepts these messages. Not that they could, we are using our most expensive couriers, it is just that anything can happen in this day and age. There were never as many spies and assassins, from other houses no less, back when I was as young as you were and my parents were ruling. Best to be safe, very safe. My calendar is open in two months time, and I would love to invite you out for tea. Perhaps we can talk business and I’ll give you a few times, old to young, about the best way to be running your city.
I’m thinking perhaps the twelfth, and we can have you over the weekend just in case some things need to be ironed out. And we can talk about the business with my Bianca and your Helio, too. She definitely would not cause such a stir as to allow herself to be hated, so please drop the thought, she has definitely been trained in better etiquette than that. Our family has run Erban for quite a while now, so we make sure all of our children know exactly what is proper. And I’m sure yours does too, I’m not insinuating anything there, so please let’s talk in person.
The gift I have left with this letter should be received well, I would hope. I asked around for what may be useful to you.
See you sooner rather than later,
Mancini of Erban
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Duke Mancini,
I will be arriving on that date, to talk only about the business between our possible inheritors. Thank you for the offer, but as of the current, I truly do not want to speak about anything else. Thank you for understanding this.
The Viscount of D’Roccamo