"What wisdom," a sing-song voice said to Francesco. The youth next to him smiled. He had been sitting at the fountain as if he had been waiting, and now he stood up. "It wasn't all that difficult, Cardinal Medici. You have to admire such strength of heart."
"They must have help from a cardinal... Master Borgia?" Francesco glanced at the young man with the stupid grin. Francesco didn't have an accusatory tone; he was simply stating facts. "It would be difficult for a priest to get an audience with the Pope. Only a cardinal could have obtained it for him."
"It would have been very difficult indeed." The young man didn't seem fazed at all. He smiled like a naughty boy. "The Department of Inquisition accused Cardinal Sforza. The case didn't have to be dropped because there was new evidence. But because His Greatness the Pope intervened, you had to step down. Nosy of him."
"No, that's not it." The young man was clearly pleased, but Francesco wasn't going to bite. "I wasn't enjoying that monkey show, so the Pope's appearance was right on time."
"Oh, Your Eminence?" Antonio prompted Francesco.
Francesco started to walk across the garden. His face suggested he had forgotten that he was supposed to wait on the Pope, who was also his little brother. "I must return to my work. I must ensure that the relevant steps are taken to end the trial. There is much to see to—including our next battle with that woman." He acted as if he were surveying his territory, not an ounce of defeat in his demeanor. He walked with a strong pace...
Francesco said something that no one could have heard but himself: "I have to find a solution to the issue of this woman. Power that will mean no one will be able to save her!"
The man with the greatest power in the Vatican pledged as much to himself and surveyed his battleground.
In the winter sun, the Cubola shone bright white.
✦ ✦ ✦
"It was not my intention to criticize you, Countess Vogelweide." Magician's voice was the same as ever. He looked up at the winter sunlight peeping through a crack in the curtains. "Your actions put the Orden in a very precarious position. I would like you to be aware of this."
"What happened was a series of unfortunate coincidences." Ice Witch raised her eyebrow. She internally cursed her bad luck that this man had total monopoly over her beloved. She continued her empty words: "We do not want to get our hands dirty with these New Vatican people. It was just coincidence that Sforza was rescued. Please believe this."
"Do not be mistaken, Countess. I am not trying to criticize you. It is just that these unfortunate coincidences have put us in a dangerous position. That is all I am saying."
Magician looked up at the beautiful Ice Witch. Her eyes betrayed nothing. There was nothing to reveal what her true meaning, whether she knew of what had happened or if she was truly dumb. She may as well have been a dead fish.
"Cherubim reached the Vatican with information, due to these unfortunate coincidences. It is only a matter of time before they discover our locations—including this place."
"Leave that to me." If she had taken offense before, she was now trying to smooth things over. Helga's voice cracked in shame as she realized the trap she had created for herself. "Let me take responsibility for this. For my honor."
"I see... Well, I will not deny you this. Countess, I will leave this matter to you. I wish you the best of luck."
"Sir!"
With Ice Witch's acknowledgment, Magician's image disappeared.
Helga now glared at the empty space. This man was always hovering with the one she loved. If he hadn't been around...
"You'll see, Magician. When this is over, you'll..." The words spilled like daggers from her plump lips. She would get rid of him soon. That was certain. But she couldn't make any mistakes until then.
"First, Sforza and AX."