บท 52: Chapter 52: The Interview
Henry II looked at the report in his hand with a peculiar expression. As soon as Old Rochester saw this expression on His Majesty's face, he knew that John must have caused some trouble again.
"He clearly just won a battle, but now he's holed up in Dublin with no ambition. What a little rascal," Henry II muttered, and the courtiers around him shrank their necks.
Although Henry II cursed aloud, he was secretly pleased. John was his favorite son, and Henry II was actually happy that John had managed to achieve so much in Ireland on his own. Anyone daring to join in on the cursing would be in real trouble.
Old Rochester stepped forward to advise, "Your Majesty, the Earl of Lancaster may have his own plans."
"That's right, Your Majesty. Look, the Earl of Lancaster kept silent before, but then suddenly sprang out and drove that Roderick away. He has a lot of ideas in his mind," Baudric also chimed in.
Henry II nodded, satisfied with their attitudes.
He put down the report in his hand and picked up another letter. It was a letter sent from Aquitaine.
The content was simple: the envoys Henry II had sent there had gathered intelligence and reported on the recent conflict between the Marquis of Toulouse and the Duke of Aquitaine, Richard.
In this conflict, Richard was clearly at a disadvantage.
The Marquis of Toulouse had seized castles under Richard's name, and Richard had not reacted, staying quietly in Bordeaux without a word of protest.
Although both of his sons were staying at home, one was idling after winning a battle, while the other remained silent after suffering a loss, the difference was clear.
Moreover, John was working on his own in Ireland. Even though he hadn't given Henry II a penny, at least he had no intention of funding the enemy. Richard, on the other hand, was in Bordeaux, maintaining an ambiguous relationship with the King of France, which infuriated Henry II.
Henry II had just lost his eldest son, Young Henry, last year. This guy had also colluded with the King of France and then launched a rebellion, but suddenly died of illness.
If Henry II had another chance, he would definitely still choose to thrash his son, Young Henry.
The entire empire was his, and he could not tolerate rebellion.
"Make arrangements for us to return to Rouen in three days. We shouldn't stay in Anjou any longer," Henry II showed no nostalgia for his hometown. "Then we should consider returning to England."
The courtiers glanced at each other, no one daring to say anything.
In the past, Henry II would not have been so eager to go to England, but now things were different.
Given the current situation, John seemed to be more promising than Richard.
But in fact, what John was pondering every day was not his career in Ireland, but how to form his theater troupe.
He looked at the long list, feeling a bit indecisive.
Elina was definitely in, as John was planning to make her the leading lady. However, Rolf had sent his sister Helena, and John had to consider Rolf's intentions.
Rolf's goal was certainly more than just having Helena join the theater troupe as an actress.
There were other names too, some of whom, although lacking background, were indeed worth John's careful consideration.
"We need to hold an interview, Elina."
The beauty sitting on John's lap twisted her body slightly and leaned gently against him.
In a soft, sweet voice, she asked, "Your Highness, what do you mean by an interview?"
"It means having these people come over, giving them a script, and seeing how they perform on the spot," John patiently explained. "If they do well, I'll include them in the troupe."
Listening to John's explanation, Elina started to understand.
"And if they don't perform well, we'll dismiss them and send them back where they came from."
Elina nodded lightly, agreeing with John's approach.
After John finished speaking, he gave Elina a gentle kiss on her cheek. The soft and elastic touch made John's heart flutter again. His hands began to wander once more, and Elina's body grew warm under his touch.
Soon, they relived their previous passion until they were fully satiated, and the heat began to subside.
Not long after their intimate moment, John went to the window and looked at the dozen or so people gathered below who had come to join the theater troupe. Among them, some would become actors, some backstage workers, and others musicians. As John watched them, it was as if a grand vision unfolded in his mind.
However, John's planning was soon interrupted by a report brought by Young Rochester. He sent Elina back to her room and stayed in the study.
"Your Highness, we have received the latest news," Young Rochester said seriously. "Roderick is continuing his war preparations, and mercenaries have started appearing under his command."
What does this mean?
Even though John had just finished his business and his mind wasn't particularly clear, he understood one thing: Roderick definitely had someone backing him.
As a nominal yet powerless high king, Roderick's financial situation was undoubtedly inferior to John's. Moreover, after suffering two defeats, if there were still people willing to follow him, they either had something wrong with their heads or there was a conspiracy behind this.
Young Rochester's tone was filled with concern. "Your Highness, I believe this has something to do with the Duke of Aquitaine."
"Why do you say that?" John was curious.
It was only then that Young Rochester revealed his reasoning. "The envoy His Majesty sent to Rome has returned."
The envoy sent to Rome has returned?
Upon hearing this news, John propped his hands on the table and stood up.
"The Holy See says that these people were indeed not sent by them. However, the Pope still refuses to crown you, and he seems to be instigating the Duke of Aquitaine to rebel."
"Moreover, the papal envoy indicated that they hope you will stop the war in Ireland. The envoy said that if you do not cease your campaign against your fellow Christians, the Pope will excommunicate you."
Excommunication, really.
John felt a bit puzzled. Had he done something terribly wrong in Ireland?
All he did was kill a few more Irishmen, dabble a bit in the slave trade, and tidy up the local nobility—nothing too serious.
"Forget it, this bird-brained Pope." John waved his hand, dismissing Young Rochester.
Since the Pope wanted John to stop the war, John would oblige. He planned to take it easy in Dublin and focus on selecting theater troupe actors.
"Jacques!"
John called for Jacques, who had become John's personal errand runner.
He came running in from outside and bowed his head obediently. "Your Highness, what are your orders?"
"Go and bring those people downstairs up here, one by one. I want to see how good they are."
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