Exchanging a fox for a tiger

The prince gazed at Taurion, his mind swirling with thoughts and uncertainties. In a moment of introspection, he found himself muttering under his breath, the words laden with profound meaning, "Perhaps, in trading Nikephoros for Sicily, we've exchanged a sheep for a lion."

The metaphor, pregnant with implications, delved into the heart of their geopolitical maneuvering. Nikephoros, perceived as a less formidable adversary, had been supplanted by Conradin, the young and ambitious king of Sicily. The analogy underscored the magnitude of the shift in their circumstances. Previously, their alliance with Nikephoros may have seemed like dealing with a manageable, docile creature – the sheep. However, with the emergence of Conradin and the formidable Sicilian kingdom, they found themselves confronted by a much more potent and unpredictable force, symbolized by the metaphorical lion.