Chapter 229: Auditing and Absolute Power (3)
After Fabio returned home, the Duke had finished his external duties and came back to the Visconti estate.
"Welcome back, Alfred."
"Yes, father. It was quite a long day. Did you finish discussing matters with Count Farnese?"
Alfred shrugged his shoulders and replied.
"Count Farnese’s son and Count Pisa’s daughter accidentally fell in love at a social event, so their arranged marriage fell apart... but they truly love each other, and since both families have similar standings, I suggested they marry anyway to resolve the issue, and they agreed."
No matter the era, the nobility always faces the constraint of arranged marriages. They might pay a fortune to indulge in a private affair, but in the end, it’s the contractual, often politically motivated marriage that matters.
This is because their unions can have enormous economic effects, equivalent to deals involving billions or even trillions of gold coins. When thousands or tens of thousands of lives are at stake, a romance outside the arrangement could lead to catastrophic economic losses.
The situation with Count Farnese's son and Count Pisa’s daughter could have caused a similar upheaval, so it wasn't surprising that Alfred, the heir to the Visconti Duke faction, took charge.
"You did well. But both Count Farnese and Count Pisa were adamant about opposing their children's marriage for love. How did you convince them?"
"Well, with the rumors that Count Farnese’s son and Count Pisa’s daughter were already in love, the arranged marriage fell apart. Even if they tried to arrange another match, they'd only find a match of lower status."
In the world of arranged marriages, prior romantic involvement is often seen as a significant flaw.
It’s like buying a second-hand item: even if it’s fully functional and only has minor wear and tear, the value drops drastically.