Chapter VI: A Golden Heart Beats for Someone

"What?"

"Antonio! Calm down...I've known Cesare since he was my student and I know more about him since he was little!"

"But...we are priests! We can't!"

"That's your opinion, Antonio! From my point of view, there's nothing strange about it. Sure, the vows are some traditions from the past. No one respects them anymore, except some monks who are unwanted by anyone and are less attractive...I think you already know that I have four recognized children and a loving girlfriend, although I'm not allowed."

"I know, but you are the Pope...We are-"

"Enough, Antonio! As for you, Cesare, first you have to win Antonio's heart, then ask for my blessing, okay?"

"That's even harder to do...Can't you help me?"

"Maybe with a little more time...Antonio, I have a mission for you!"

"Tell me, what is it?"

"We need a specialist in law, and a librarian. The last one died last month at the age of 98 and we need a young and studious one."

"I don't know what to say...I'm flattered but...I came here-"

"I know why you came! I'm not meddling in my son's affairs, but I can say that you could be useful here. Your followers will understand that the Pope needs you and they won't be upset!"

"Yes, but the poor people there will lose a benefactor, and the Church a defender!"

"Yes, but we need people here too. Anyway, you will also talk to my son, Cesare Borgia, and decide then. I'm glad I met you and one more thing...When we're alone, don't ever try to kiss my ring again, okay?"

"Y-Yes! Goodbye!"

"Goodbye!"

I talked to the Pope. That diabolical Pope presented by the Church of my time is one of the most open-minded popes in history. I don't think any pope would receive a stranger in his free time, let alone give up protocols.

It's evening now, so Cesare and I have to go back home. It's not that far, but I marveled at the starry sky and meditated on all the false things I knew because of the clerics in my time.

"Antonio, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm just amazed at how beautifully the Pope received me!"

"That's because I was with you, don't you think?"

"Well, yes...And thank you!"

"I'm sorry? I didn't hear you."

"I said thank you!"

"I'm sorry?"

"I'm not repeating myself. It's your fault you didn't hear me!"

Cesare really enjoys teasing me...Honestly, I hope he gets over it and we can keep our friendship. Honestly, aside from his advances, Cesare doesn't seem like a bad person. I think...

"Who was that woman with the child that you helped today?"

"They were just poor people who needed help. I gave them all the money I had to get back home, but it doesn't matter. I really want to help them more."

"Well, that's that! But are you sure Sister Caterina is wrong? About the angel thing..."

"No, I'm not an angel. Don't start with that!"

"Okay! I'm going to take a bath. Are you coming or..."

"I'll wait outside. I really don't want to see new things. Although already..."

"You liked it, don't deny it!"

"No...Now go!"

After we both bathed (separately), we fell asleep. Actually, I couldn't sleep. So many things happened today...The visit, meeting the Pope, the option to be a specialist in law and a librarian...What should I do?

"Cesare, move over!"

"Let me sleep!"

3:00 AM:

"Cesare, are you sleeping?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"I'm intrigued by a thought...I wonder if meeting you was a coincidence or destiny?"

"Destiny...Anything else?"

"Would you like it if I accepted the Pope's proposal?"

"Of course...Now go to sleep!"

"But, if..."

"Go to sleep!"

"I can't sleep. I have different thoughts!"

"Then..."

Cesare got too close to me. Too close. Wait, what?

"Why did you hold me?"

"To help you fall asleep so I can sleep too!"

"O-Okay...Goodnight!"

The next morning, Cesare was very energetic, and I was very tired.

"Antonio, wake up!"

"I need 5 more minutes, please!"

"Oh, come on! It's almost 8 AM!"

"And so? I have nothing planned for today..."

"Come on... I managed to get the address of the woman you helped yesterday!"

"What? And you're telling me now?"

"Get up and let's go!"

"Fine, okay! Why are you more excited than me?"

"Why? Because I get to spend another day with you!"

"Ha ha ha!"

"I'm not laughing, you know!"

After managing to wake up after more than 5 minutes, I took a bath, changed clothes, and waited for someone to pick us up. In about 10 minutes, an elderly man appeared at the door, urging us to come down to leave for our destination.

When we arrived downstairs, we were greeted by a carriage with two white horses. I heard from the old man that their names were Amadeus and Richard. I went to pet one of them, but...

"Father, don't go near him... He may be violent with people he hasn't met before!"

"What? And animals have souls, don't they?"

I approached the one on the right, named Amadeus. It seems he was more violent than the other one. I just hope he doesn't hit me too hard.

I closed my eyes and reached out my hand. To my surprise, Amadeus began licking my hand like a pony. Everyone was amazed, especially Cesare, but I didn't just stand there, I stroked his mane, making him gentler than before.

"Antonio, who are you really?"

"Me? Don't you know? I'm just a simple priest, right?"

Cesare POV:

These horses can't be controlled even by the soldiers of the empire, let alone ordinary people... And now, Antonio comes and pets them? It can't be, could Sister Caterina be right?

Antonio POV:

"Let's go, Cesare!"

"O-Okay!"

We set off to the house of the woman I had just met yesterday, loaded with food, daily necessities, and sweets for the children. Along the way, due to the lack of sleep I had last night, I was very tired.

"You can lean on my shoulder!"

"No, thanks! I'm fine like this!"

"Antonio! Just once, accept my offer..."

"No...No way!"

I can't fall asleep. I feel like I'm defenseless if I do. But I'm too sleepy. Anyway, I guess they'll wake me up when we get there, right?

Cesare POV:

Antonio has fallen asleep. I can't lie...He looks better when he sleeps, plus he's the most vulnerable then. Maybe I could...No! I must resist!

Wait, what? He just rested his head on my shoulder...How cute...I have an idea!

Antonio POV:

I slept so well! I'm finally refreshed! Wait, something doesn't seem right...Why do I see the inside of the carriage roof? Oh no!

"What, what's happening?!"

"Here we go again..."

"What is it? Did you do something to me while I was sleeping?"

"Maybe..."

"No! That's not possible!"

"Relax, nothing happened!"

"But still, I'm with my head on your knees..."

"That's because I wanted you to sleep better. You know, my shoulder is not the best place to sleep on..."

We finally arrived. I said goodbye to my favorite horses and went down to surprise the woman and her children.

"Cesare, don't just stand there! Grab something and come on!"

"Alright, boss!"

We knocked on the door of the house and the woman I saw yesterday came out, along with Antonio Jr., her son.

"F-Father...What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean? I talked to my friend and brought you guys something..."

"Oh, no...You gave us too much yesterday and..."

"Nonsense...Think about your children and Antonio!"

"O-Okay...Come in!"

Hm...It wasn't a big house, but cozy enough. You could tell the woman knew how to take care of her children with the little she had. I didn't even get inside and three children threw themselves into my arms and started hugging me.

"Alright, alright! I didn't come alone...There's another priest with me!"

When the children saw Cesare, they hid behind me. Why? Maybe because of the look he gave them when they hugged me? Maybe that's why, I think...

"Kids, this is Father Cesare and he came with me to bring you some gifts. So go and hug him!"

"What, n-no need!"

Once they were active, the children began to embrace Cesare even though he was a bit uncomfortable with the attention from the little ones. He seemed so human next to the children. If I saw him now for the first time, I would say he was a young parent taking care of his own children.

Well, while the children helped the old coachman bring the gifts, Cesare and I spoke with the children's mother.

"Do you need anything else?"

"The help you offered is enough, thank you!"

"Very well, and if you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask!"

After we said goodbye to that woman and her children, we headed towards the carriage we came in. The road was quite long back home, and we were quite tired after spending a day with that family.

Everything went smoothly until I felt a weight on my shoulder. When I looked, I saw Cesare with his head on my shoulder. I told the coachman to stop the carriage and carefully moved Cesare away from me so as not to wake him up.

"Sir, if Cesare asks about me, please tell him that I chose to take a walk around Rome."

"Sure thing, sir! But he might get angry and it might not be good for us after..."

"It doesn't matter. You just do as I told you. I'll take care of the rest!"

I left the carriage, walking through Rome. Rome, caput mundi, as they call it, is so wonderful at sunset. I wish I could stay here all my life. Maybe I will stay... Maybe... But I miss the world I come from. In the 21st century, Rome doesn't look as majestic as it does in this century, and all the rituals and such... I still can't understand one thing... What power does Cesare have? Who is Cesare, really? Why does he care so much about me? Maybe I don't understand him?

I decided to visit different cathedrals and squares. The central cathedral, St. Peter's, which I also saw in the world I come from, is even more wonderful now. Different squares where people talk, joke, and dance to lively rhythms. What a wonderful city. I'm curious about why all the bishops, cardinals, and even the Pope give up their habits when they meet me. Maybe I'm the outdated one? That's what I learned in history class and what I thought was true. But maybe it's not entirely true.

I really enjoyed being with that family. If it weren't for Cesare... I can say that he resembles Benjamin a little. The same style, the same warmth, the same bond of friendship that I had...

It wasn't easy to make friends with Benjamin either. I was always cold to people I didn't know. But he overcame all those shortcomings of mine and remained my friend until now... Or until I came here. I need friends who support me, so I'll be more honest with Cesare.