“But she never intended to let that war actually happen. And in her eyes, Duke Astor was the true threat to Ardence. He and the other decadent nobles of the court.” She might even have been right that he would have plunged the city into ruin, but I wasn’t going to say that to his cousin. “If he’d had a promising heir, she might simply have done away with him. But without a strong Ardentine leader to replace him, she had to create a crisis so extreme the Empire would have to step in and appoint an imperial governor. And Ignazio, the natural choice, was more than willing to assume that role.”

“Hells. I know I didn’t have much respect for the city’s leadership either, but that’s going too far.” Domenic fell silent, lost in thought.

I wished I could give him time to come to terms with what had happened to his city, but I had only hours left before he would cease to have a city at all.

“Domenic.” I caught his eyes. Trouble weighed down his normally lively expression. “Tell me. Do you believe Ardence’s future lies with the Serene Empire?”

“I do.” Domenic sighed. “How I feel about the Empire doesn’t matter. It’s here, and we’re in it. The days when Ardence and Raverra were both independent city-states are long gone.” He settled back into his chair. “It’s why I never liked Gabril’s talk of rebellion. It doesn’t make sense. We can reform the Empire, and make it better. Sometimes we need to stand up to it. But we’re a part of it, for good or ill. That’s the truth we have to work with.”

Good enough. “I have to ask you to do something, Domenic.”

He swept his arm in a courtly flourish. “Ask, and it is yours.”

“You won’t like it.”

He lifted a brow. “Hmm. Well then, ask, and I’ll think about it.”

“I need you to become the new duke of Ardence.”

The stunned expression on his face was inordinately satisfying. After a long moment, he swallowed. “There are others with a claim on the ducal throne who want it more than I do.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” I grimaced. “I’ll make it up to you. You can even have my Muscati.”

His eyes lit up. “Truly?”

“Well, when I’m done with it.”

Domenic leaned back in his chair, taking a long breath. “I’m not sure a Muscati is enough. I’m a scholar, Amalia. A traveler, a joker, and a dabbler. Not a duke. And you know how I despise politics.”

“I know.” I poured a full goblet of wine from the bottle Ciardha had left with me. “Believe me, I know. But a duke who hates politics may be what Ardence needs right now. I’m counting on you to make this sacrifice, for the sake of peace.”