Hello there! Here's the next chapter of Usury and Licentiousness. I did a time skip with some flashbacks to connect the plot a bit. I own nothing but Contessinas character. I hope you enjoy the chapter and be sure to leave reviews please they give life and motivation.
Rome, 1942 Medici Palazzo
"Did you hear? The Pope is dying." Cassio's comment tugs her head out of the account books. Contessina smiles sardonically. The news of the Pope dying has been whispered through the streets for weeks now.
"Really? I did not know; it is not like he has been dying for weeks now." Cassio shakes his head in dismay.
"No, my lady. He has taken a turn for the worse. They say he won't last the night." Contessina sighs realizing what she must now do. Shutting the palazzo until a new Pope is chosen to protect her assets, alerting her businesses to halt commerce until a decision is made.
"Very well, begin the preparations. We must be secured in the palazzo until the Conclave is done. The whole city becomes one riot until a new Pope is chosen. I will not have my house nor my tenants in danger. Tell the shopkeepers to close when the Pope dies, the brothels to shut themselves in and I will compensate them for the nights that they will be closed. Safety before profit in this case." Cassio nods, then starts to the door. As he opens the door, he turns back to Contessina, questions in his eyes.
"My lady? Who do you think will become the new Pope?" She smiles and laughs.
"Well, my dear friend, I would not put it past Cardinal Borgia to come out on top. He is as resourceful as ever."
"But surely not, he keeps an open mistress."
"Do not underestimate him. He will do what he needs to be Pope and he will very well be Pope. I do not doubt it."
"If you say so my lady." Cassio leaves, and Contessina is alone. Two years have passed since she left Florence behind. Two trying years of buying businesses, improving them, setting up a Medici bank branch in Rome with a Medici running it. And she has been doing a damn good job at it as well. Piero eventually found out where she was, but she made sure to build security for herself. She made herself the representative of the Medici bank in Rome, conversing with the current Pope and claiming that it was Piero's decision to have her be in Rome. It was a year ago when she was summoned to the Vatican.
Flashback
She received a summons from a papal messenger. Pope Innocent wants to receive her in Rome. More like inquire why she was alone without a male relative. She dressed in her finest gown and headed to the Citadel. She walked into the hallowed halls of the Vatican, escorted by papal guards. Her nerves were frayed, and she was pale, but she did not let it stop her. She must stand tall in front of the Heir of Saint Peter. As she stood before his throne she knelt on the floor, the picture of supplication.
"Lady Medici, you have been in Rome for a year now and yet you have not come to introduce yourself to us? Why is that my lady?"
"Your Holiness, I did not want to presume that I was significant enough to stand in your presence being the simple banker's daughter that I am."
"Ah, but my dear, you are not a simple banker's daughter. You are the daughter of Lorenzo de Medici, the Pope's banker. You are anything but simple. But God awards humility my lady so do not fear for you are not in trouble. Though I wonder why you are without a male chaperone of you family my lady?"
"Your Holiness, my brother Piero has sent me to restore the branch of the Medici bank here in Rome Your Holiness. He must stay in Florence unfortunately, to head the bank there. My brother Giovanni is currently in Northern Italy, in his parish, and my younger brother Giuliano is too young to leave Florence. My chaperone is a dear family friend who would give his life for me Your Holiness. I must do the duty commanded of me by my brother Your Holiness. And, if it would please you Your Holiness, I would be the representative of your account Your Holiness. I swear to do my utmost for your account as you command me to Your Holiness."
"Taking on such an account will be a grand undertaking my lady, are you prepared for such a task?"
"Yes, Your Holiness. With the skill given to me by God I will take care of your accounts." His Holiness smiled, then motioned a Cardinal forward. The cardinal bowed, stealing quick glances at her.
"This is cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, my Vice-Chancellor. He will coordinate with you on the papal accounts and guide you through the process. We will see if your family talents passed to you, my lady."
"Thank you, Your Holiness." The cardinal escorts to his office, pulling out a seat for a me. He takes his seat, shuffling around papers before turning his attention to me.
"So, my lady. If you do not mind me asking, why Rome?"
"My lord brother commanded it Your Eminence."
"Now my lady, I think that that was not necessarily the truth. I'm sure your brother would never let a beautiful gem such as yourself alone in Rome."
"And why do you think that Your Eminence."
"Because you have the face of one who does not let others tell them what to do."
"You are a smart man Your Eminence."
"To be a Spaniard amongst Italians I must be. Now to the business. The accounts have been in some disarray…"
And so, the acquaintance of Cardinal Borgia and Contessina Medici began, with them meeting several times to discuss the papal accounts, Piero having no choice but to send them to his sister. During these discussions, the cardinal would hint at the fact he would like her support for the papacy if the time came. Contessina would never say anything to confirm or deny the request, simply discuss the papal accounts.
Flashback End
The door of Contessina's study burst open, Cassio panting and trying to speak.
"Cassio catch your breath; I'm sure the news can wait."
"No, my lady. The Pope is dead. The Conclave is about to commence."
"So it begins." The fight for the papacy has commenced, and only God knows the outcome.
The Vatican
"We must get you out of here before they lock the doors." Rodrigo Borgia says to his son, Cesare. With a hand on his shoulder, he pushes both down the halls, the guards closing the windows for the isolation of the Conclave.
"And so it begins." Cesare says his voice faint in the hallway.
"You know what to do?"
"Yes, Father."
"Keep our family safe. Until the new Pope it will be anarchy in Rome—every faction fighting for its own candidate. And if—after the first vote—if the smoke is black—"
"As you said, Father, I know what to do." Cesare says with a bored look on his face. He walks away for moment before his father pulls to the side with irate look.
"I have waited a lifetime for this moment. We will go over it again. If we fail at the first vote, I will send word…"
"On the wings of a dove—"
"…names of those cardinals who need persuading."
"With properties, benefices, and, if need be, gold. They call it simony, Father."
"God will forgive us, my son. But I will not forgive failure… from you or your brother. Am I understood?"
"We will not fail you, Father." Cesare says with a fierce look in his face, determination that he will help his family rise filling his very being. Rodrigo chuckles, then kisses his cheeks in blessing.
"Go now. Oh, and Cesare?" Cesare turns back to his father.
"Go to Contessina de Medici and tell her that I would be very grateful for her support."
"Why Father? She is not on the College of Cardinals, how can she have influence over the decision?" Cesare was confused, how could this Medici girl help their family?
"Because while you and I are focused on the now, she is apart of the future. She holds the papal accounts, and she is friendly towards our family. So, you will go to her and ask for her future support. She is an especially important ally. Without her our life in the papacy will be much harder than it needs to be."
"Very well Father, as you command." Cesare leaves the Vatican going in the streets. Seeing a crowd, he pushes through seeing his brother Juan fighting two assailants. He quickly ends the fight by putting his sword to the man's neck.
"My brother speaks before he thinks. He begs your pardon." The men back away while Cesare picks up his brothers' sword and turns to him. "I should have let them do it."
"Kill me? Your younger brother? Our father would never have forgiven you." Juan smiles smugly even though Cesare had saved him. Cesare storms off to their palazzo, Juan not far behind. Cesare enters the courtyard to see his mother Vannozza, his sister Lucrezia, and his little brother Gioffre playing cards.
"Have you heard?"
"Even Gioffre has heard. Have you not?" His mother says sarcastically.
"The Pope has died."
"You know what that means?"
"I know there will be an election."
"And the city will be bedlam until it's over." Juan finally enters the courtyard, carefree as ever.
"Do you think our father can win, Juan?" Lucrezia asks her elder brother.
"Are we allowed to dream, Mother?"
"Your father found ways to love and care for us in this house, but I'm not sure as Pope he can do the same." Vannozza says sadly, hoping that her lover would still be with her.
"As Pope, he can do what he wants." Juan says with surety.
"Are you sure? Kings and popes and emperors belong to their peoples, not to their families."
"So, we allow the election to run its course, and he won't be Pope." Cesare states the facts without the implications of simony.
"What other course is there? It's in the hands of God."
"It's in the hands of the College of Cardinals, Mother. It is not quite the same thing. This one." Cesare advises his brother on the game. He stands up to make his to leave when his mother interrupts him.
"Where are you going?"
"I have an errand for father." Juan looks up at this, frowning a bit.
"He said we must do it together Cesare, not just you."
"Well, this part we cannot because it is not based on the election so no, Juan, I'm doing this alone."
"Why can't I come?"
"Because I'm going to see Contessina de Medici, and she does not tolerate wandering hands Juan."
"Your hands wander just as much as mine Cesare."
"Stop bickering and let Cesare go Juan, if he does not need you then leave it be." Vannozza interjects tired of the noise while trying to focus on the game. Cesare looks in victory at Juan than stalks out of the palazzo.
Medici Palazzo
As Cesare approaches the palazzo the guards at the gate stop him.
"Halt, no entry is allowed until the new Pope is chosen. Leave at once."
"Tell your mistress that Cesare Borgia needs to see her."
"She does not know you, why should we tell her?"
"Because she knows my father and he would have me speak on his behalf." The guards turn towards each other, then back to him.
"Wait here."
Inside, Contessina is going over the books when the door opens, and Anna enters.
"Milady, there is a man here for you."
"I'm not seeing anyone until the new Pope is chosen. Tell him to leave."
"But milady, it is Cesare Borgia on behalf of his father." Contessina looks up, surprised. She thought it would longer for the cardinal to ask for her.
"Very well, send him in." Anna walks out, returning a few minutes later with… a rather striking man. His clerical robe was wasted on him, what with his dark eyes and smirk. This man wants more than what he has and just like his father he will take what he wants with all force. Oh, Contessina bets that this man has had plenty of women, she bets that he all he must do is whisper and they fall to their knees. His eyes speak of the danger in his soul, plain as day, and yet, she is intrigued by him. But she has been musing too long. He has been staring at her as well, perusing her body.
"My lady. My father as you know is in the Conclave and will be secluded until the Pope is chosen. Nevertheless, he has me to ask for your support."
"My support? I am not on the College of Cardinals my lord; I am not sure how I can help. I am simply a banker."
"Indeed, you are a banker… and a landlord who for the past two years have been buying property and renovating them to produce finer goods. Your tenants say you are a good and fair lady who always treats them well. You have the love of the people my lady. Not only that but for the past year you have worked with my father on the papal accounts, surprising him with your ingenuity. He considers you a powerful ally."
"Kind words my lord. Still, I do not see how I can help him currently."
"He does not need your help yet. But in the future, if he becomes Pope, he hopes he can count on your support."
"You know a lot about me Cesare Borgia, but what of you? The elder son who dreams of his younger brother's position. Who dreams of being more. Just because we have not crossed paths before does not mean I do not know of you, my lord. If he becomes Pope then he and I can discuss that later, but for now I cannot promise anything."
"Very well my lady, but I hope you remember that being a woman alone is a dangerous thing."
"It is a dangerous position at all times, my lord, but I can defend myself well enough. And, I am a Medici. We take care of our enemies." He chuckles, seemingly amused by her comment. He bows before leaving her. She thinks that he is and will continue to be a formidable man. She only hopes that she can match him in that sense. Oh well, no use in worrying about it tonight. Contessina retires to bed, hoping that tomorrow the Pope will be chosen.
Borgia Palazzo
Cesare stood at his dovecote, spying the dove his father sent him. He opens to read the contents.
My sons, the Cardinals Versucci, Piccolomini, and Sanso, grant some titles and benefices from the Borgia abbeys, monasteries, and bishoprics.
Later in kitchen with Juan and a page, Cesare start to list the bribes to the cardinals.
"Julius…Versucci…" the page scribbles
"All rights to the Abbey of St. Catherine of Siena. Cardinal Allesandro Piccolomini." Then the men head to the Vatican kitchen to sneak in the missives to their respective cardinals. The head cook walks around showing which dish belongs to each cardinal.
"Suckling pig for the cardinal, roasted." Cesare sticks the letter inside the pig.
"Roasted and stuffed." Juan reads the next name on the list.
"Cardinal Julius Versucci." The cook looks about, then spots the dish.
"Uh, rabbit. Rabbit baked in milk." Thus, concluding their tasks for know as Juan puts the letter in the dish. Hours pass and even then, no Pope is chosen. Later that night, Cesare receives another letter from his father.
My dear son, we are in sight of our goal, but now you must redouble our efforts. Send your brother round the Borgia churches to empty them of gold, ornament, and precious stone. We will leave Contessina for now, let us focus on this matter.
In the night, Juan gather all the finery from the churches, presenting them to his brother. In total it took nine mules to carry it all.
"I have emptied the churches of the Romagna. I have stripped altars bare. They were rotten with gold ornament."
"Yes, you are a true reformer, brother."
"These cardinals know no vows of poverty." The men separate the treasures into the night continuing till the morning. As Cesare fixes a letter to a dove to send back to his father, a voice interrupts him.
"Why the dove, Cesare?" Lucrezia approaches him, a questioning look upon his face.
"It has a dual purpose, my love. Like many things in life, it serves as both a symbol and a messenger."
"A symbol of what?"
"Of the uncorrupted soul."
"And a messenger of what?"
"Of corruption."
"You mean to say it bears news of how many votes we must buy in the Papal election."
"You are criminally well informed, sis. But I trust your soul is still of the purest white."
"How many votes must we buy him, Cesare?"
"You know too much already, don't you?"
"You're wrong. I know too little…and what did father say of the Medici girl? How can she help him?"
"She can help him in her future support, she has the love of the people. But she will not give an answer unless father wins. She's being smart, and that protects her."
"I think she is very smart. I would like to know her."
"I think she would like you sis, but she is busy running a bank and the papal accounts. Perhaps when this is over our father can introduce you to her."
"I would love that very much." He smiles the turns to release the dove, his words tied to its leg.
Dear Father, nine mules laden down with gold and treasure are being distributed to the palaces of the following cardinals…
"Six days have passed Anna! How much longer do you think it will be? I dread being stuck in this house though the money for the businesses are fine." Contessina complains to her maid. Her maid smiles at the fact that her mistress is whining like a child again. Contessina pouts but stands up, nonetheless. "Let me find another book, I have already gone through eight! Oh, how I hope it will not be much longer." Just then, Cassio walks up with a smile on his face.
"No need to wait much longer my lady. The white smoke has appeared!" She startles then looks relieved.
"Do we know who?"
"Not until the new Pope is presented to the crowds. Shall we join them my lady?"
"Why not. It's not everyday one sees a new Pope." The trio heads to the square where the crowds fill the area. Everyone around is cheering and clapping hoping to see the new Pope. In the morning light you see a cardinal come out onto the balcony. He spreads out his arms and with a great shout says, "Habemus papem!" The crowd give a thunderous roar as Rodrigo Borgia walks out onto the balcony. He waves to the crowd for a few moments, then starts a blessing.
"Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus. Amen." The crowd begins to kneel in deference to the new Pope. As Contessina is kneeling, a voice whispers in her ear.
"So will you give my father an answer now?" She smiles hearing the voice surprised how he snuck up on her.
"That is for your father and I to discuss my lord. Although what you and I will discuss is a different conversation."
"Different indeed." The city spends the night in revelry, though Contessina pours over the books instead, preparing for the moment the new Pope calls upon her. She already compensated her establishments, keeping them happy. Her only care now is that she needs to be ready for anything with this new Borgia Pope, and his intriguing son.
The Vatican
Cesare waits in the confessional, and his father enters he releases a sigh.
"I ask to confess to you, Holy Father, because… I have sinned."
"How have you sinned, my son?"
"I have corrupted my soul. I have pledged estates, castles, benefices to your brother cardinals. I have transferred the documents in the innards of roasted beasts and fowls. All to secure your election as Pope."
"And God will repay us tenfold."
"But you must set my soul at ease, Father. Can a family such as ours survive such a prize? We are Spaniards. They hate us. The enemies we have at present will be multiplied tenfold."
"God will protect his Vicar on Earth, Cesare, and those dearest to him."
"And will you inform God as to His duties in this regard?"
"Why this blasphemous tone, my son?"
"Because I swear, if God does not protect us, I shall."
"You are a bishop, Cesare. You have no need of such temporal thoughts."
"You placed this collar on my neck, Father. You made God my calling. But the sins I've committed for you must convince you, surely, that the Church is not my calling. I beg you now to release me of my vows. Let me live as a layman. As a soldier. I can then protect our family from the storm that surely must engulf it."
"You are my eldest son, Cesare. You were always destined to a prince of the Church!"
"I would be a prince of state, Father, and I think you know that."
"The papal army is small, Cesare. The battles I will fight will be within these sacred walls. This is where I will need your help. Juan can bear arms for the Borgia family, and lead whatever army the Pope has, and I will not have my authority questioned further on this. Ego te absolve ab omnibus censuris, et peccatis, in nominee Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen." Rodrigo storms out of the confessional while Cesare stays there in despair. He was meant to be a soldier not a cleric. As he walks away from the confessional, he chances upon his brother getting fitted for his armor. As he and Juan look at each other, Juan spreads out his arms.
"Do you think it fits me, brother?"
"You have broad shoulders."
"As have you. Though it lacks an insignia. I thought a cape to cover the breastplate, with the Borgia bull in bright yellow."
"I favour black, myself."
"Black for the cleric, but for the soldier, a prancing bull in yellow. Or red, perhaps? Black. It suits you." Cesare smiles thinly, not amused at all. The days pass in preparation for the coronation of Pope Alexander Sixtus. A grand parade treads through the streets, with the Pope at the end walking into the Vatican. As the banker for the Pope of Rome, Contessina has a place in the hall where the coronation is. She kneels as the Pope passing by, seeing the far away look in his eyes. As the protocols commence, she can see the Pope crying as the crown is placed on his head. Ahead of her, she sees Cesare and his sister talking, and wonders what they could be discussing. As the church empties and the procession of the cardinals begins, she see the cardinal Della Rovere talking with the French ambassador. Curious, but Della Rovere never liked Borgia. Later in the day, it was pronounced that the new Vice-Chancellor is to be Cardinal Ascanio Sforza. The word is that Cardinal Orsini was quite enraged at the appointment. And not two days later, Cardinal Orsini was dead, from poison. And Cesare had a new associate. A well-known assassin from the bowels of Rome, Cassio informed Contessina.
"Micheletto is quite known among my associates my lady, he is skilled."
"As much as you Cassio?"
"Maybe more so my lady. Micheletto is resourceful to say the least. To find out that he is taken into the bishop's service does not surprise me."
"I suppose that being in the service of the Pope's son is a secure position."
"Indeed, my lady." The fact of the matter is that this Borgia Pope has many new enemies. She hopes that he and his family can survive their threats.