Emperor Balsamo Corsini was sitting upon his imperial throne within the City of Florence, news of Milan's fall had just reached his ears, and he could hardly believe it. If it were not coming from a trusted source, the man would never dare to believe such shocking words.
The Holy Roman Emperor swallowed the saliva built up in his throat before asking the question on his mind to the General standing before him.
"Can you repeat what you just said for me?"
Upon being asked this question, the General did not hesitate to respond with the words he had just spoken moments before. He sighed with defeat as he announced the grim news that he had only recently received.