5

The shopkeeper from before pushes his way to the front of the crowd and turns to face them. "The nobles are cowards! They're letting these witches run rampant. We need to-!"

"Enough!" the Contessa shouts, and her voice freezes the man as if he's been thrown into an icy lake. "I told you I will stand strong for my subjects, and I meant it. But vigilantes will not be tolerated in my domain. I understand there have been rumors about magic-users in the kingdom, but angry mobs are not the answer."

The crowd applauds her words, but now Adriano seems to be boiling over. He can't contain himself. He shouts, "Just like all the other nobles! You say you'll stand strong, but the mobs burned the east wall of my inn night before last. Where were you then?"