Persuasion

Laurent said, "I am always pleased to see a monarch who possesses an appreciation for the arts." Howard smiled, "You understand this as well?" 

Laurent shared his views on music and lavishly praised Moka's compositional talents, proclaiming Moka to be a grand musician with a broad definition of musical prowess.

Howard gestured in the air, mimicking the leaps of musical notes, "You see, these ingenious notes hit just the right spot, capable of captivating the audience completely." 

Laurent quietly spoke to Howard, "Your Majesty, forgive the interruption, but was your reaction to the queen just now related to Venice's Nia?" "As far as I know, you seemed quite close to Nia."

Howard assured, "Don't worry, after I titled her Countess of Traves, we've had no personal contact." 

"I'm in the capital, and she's in Venice, separated by the distance of one or two ducal lands."

Laurent, somewhat skeptical, said, "Oh, if that's the case, then it's fine."