Turmoil

The Governor of Venice, about to speak, caught Nora's eye and suppressed his urge to talk.

He too owed taxes and did not wish to provoke major trouble over a fleeting moment of verbal triumph.

Howard approached Nora, questioning, "Nora, there's something I don't understand. The tithing you mentioned isn't meant for the emperor, as far as I know. Who exactly are you asking Count Terni to pay?"

Nora, her demeanor growing more authoritative, stood up and addressed Howard, "In the empire, all money belongs to the emperor. The tithing must be paid to him. Naturally, Count Terni's payment is meant for the emperor."