A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

”Where did you come from, Aunt?”

”Salerno, of course. I’m also representing your father and your step... er, I mean, your siblings.”

”Not Messina?”

”Ever since that last time the Saracens besieged Messina, Roger decided I should stay far away from Sicily.”

”I recall he arranged for you to be in Miletto, didn’t he.”

”Oh, please. In Miletto, it’s just me. So boring! I don’t like staying there at all. Salerno is much more lively.”

”What was the bet?”

”What?”

”Didn’t you just say Bohemond made a bet with you?”

”Er... a... a solid silver brooch.”

”Solid silver? Are you sure?” Eric asked with interest.

”Of course, solid silver. I have... I have a few Saracen servants! They’re very skilled at appraising the silver content!”

”A solid silver brooch? Alright, my dear aunt, perhaps I should tell you that Bohemond stopped wasting his time betting with me or anyone else on topics concerning me since he was twelve.

It usually just made his already meager finances even worse. A solid silver brooch? If that were part of his spoils, I think he’d rather exchange it for money to visit the bathhouse than risk it on gambling, which always leaves him frustrated.

He knew what he would have to face in the future from a very young age. He saves everything, preparing for what’s to come.”

”Xiaoai, don’t let prejudice cloud your judgment. We have to cast aside our biases and think rationally. I know you two don’t get along and are always at odds, but little Marco is a good kid. Bohemond is just his nickname, his real name is Marco.

He can be hot-tempered at times, but he’s very respectful to his elders. Every year, he picks out a portion of his spoils and has them sent to Miletto specifically as a gift for his aunt and uncle.

This thing I’m wearing in my hair right now is...” Judith frowned, looking a little displeased, and as she spoke, she took the ornament from her hair.

It was a silver ornament shaped like olive leaves, with pearls embedded on them. It looked quite exquisite and ornate.

Eric didn’t respond. He simply took the headpiece from Judith’s hand and, under her shocked gaze, snapped it in two.

”Xiaoai, what are you doing!” Judith reached out to take her headpiece back but only managed to grab one half. ”That’s so disrespectful!”

Eric felt the break in the ornament. The broken edge was neat and smooth, with no obvious discoloration. A fingernail could easily leave a mark on it.

”Alright, you got what you wanted. Are you satisfied now, Xiaoai?” Judith glared at Eric. ”I liked that hairpiece.”

Eric ignored his aunt’s complaints and held the hairpiece over the flame of a nearby candle.

If it were real silver, it would turn red when heated by the flame. If it were fake, it would turn black under the high temperature.

As the candle flame licked at it, the surface of the hairpiece gradually turned red.

”See? Xiaoai, you’ve gone a bit too far. Marco is very respectful to his elders...” Judith continued to complain.

However, when the flame reached the broken edge of the ornament, it quickly began to turn black.

”The inside is cupronickel, plated with a layer of silver. A fairly common technique for faking silver,” Eric said, handing the piece of the ornament back to Judith, his tone even.

”But I quite liked this hair...” Judith looked disappointedly at the two pieces in her hand, trying to fit them back together.

”So... there weren’t any Saracens, were there,” Eric said suddenly.

”Ah? Er... there were, there were! I just felt there was no need to be so on guard with family.” Judith gave an awkward laugh and quickly waved her hands.

”And there was no Bohemond or Giscard either, was there? It was just you and my uncle...”

”Yes, there were! It was their idea! I came to represent them. Everyone is happy for you. As for the bet, I was just trying to make some conversation.”

”Alright, alright. Whatever makes you happy, Aunt.”

”What do you mean, ’whatever makes me happy’? It’s the truth! The truth! Think about it, Xiaoai, when have I ever lied to you?” Judith clutched her chest, her tone becoming agitated.

”Er... for instance... just now?”

Judith: ”...”

”Don’t sweat the details! Seriously, where’s your bride? I’ve heard all about the Marchioness’s reputation, even back in Sicily. Rumor has it she single-handedly led an army to quell the rebellion in Spoleto last year.

Quite a remarkable person. For a woman, anyway.” As she spoke, Judith leaned to the side, tilting her head to peer behind Eric.

”She’s occupied with something at the moment. You’ll probably be able to see her tomorrow.”

”Oh? Well, alright then. She is a big shot, after all.” Judith nodded. ”Xiaoai, what do you think of her? Is she your type?”

”She’s alright. She can be a handful in some respects, but I believe she’ll be a good partner. She’s fluent in Latin, so we usually converse in it. She has also read works by the Church Fathers, and her theological insights surpass those of your average Priest.

Of course, all of that is secondary. She’s already a Marchioness. What more could I ask for?” Eric shrugged.

”You still seem a bit unhappy. But regardless, this will be a great marriage. If all goes well, the power of the Normans in Italy will be unstoppable.