Chapter XXIX: A Mission? Am I Ready?

The next day, Marcus, Cesare, and I woke up quite late. Honestly, it was already past 9:00 AM, and I realized that we had slept in quite a bit. Marcus was still asleep, while Cesare had just woken up, and after kissing me, and thanking me for last night, I decided to head to my room. However, Cesare didn't agree.

"Antonio, you know... You could stay a little longer," he said.

"Why? Didn't you say that-" I started to reply.

"I want to apologize properly for not telling you that I am Cesare Borgia. I really needed you, and I felt that I started to change since I met you," he interrupted.

"And what about it? Cesare, we're not compatible... You're a cardinal, and I am-"

"Not for much longer. Please, come with me to the Vatican!" he pleaded.

"Come with you? And who will stay here to govern? What will happen to my country?" I asked.

"Oh, come on... You already know that this isn't your country, right? Do you think I'm a child?" he retorted.

"Wait, what?"

"You have a mission to fulfill, and that's why you transmigrated here, right? Don't think I don't know. Plus, you're dreaming now, don't forget that..."

"Antonio, wake up!"

Wait, what? I- I just dreamt all of this? It felt so real though... Well, it seems it was just a dream.

I woke up and found myself alone in bed, which bothered me somewhat. Marcus and Cesare had already left, and I was the only one still sleeping at 9:00 AM. It appears that part of the dream was real though: I did wake up late.

I went downstairs to have breakfast and socialize with the others in the dining room. Everything felt incredible. Last night, I pushed myself to the limit, and I actually think Vlad was right. Why have feelings for just one person when you can have a whole harem, right?

"Antonio, you finally woke up!" Marcus exclaimed happily.

"About last night-"

"That's exactly what I wanted to talk about, Antonio... We have decided to bury the hatchet and both become your beloved ones. That is if you don't have a better idea," Cesare said in a rather neutral tone.

"To be honest, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but-"

"That doesn't matter... What matters is that you have feelings for us, that's all..." Cesare interrupted.

"Well, now I'm extremely happy but also confused. What happened to both of you?"

"Well, it was the first time I was bottom, and I was humiliated to such an extent, but still... I can't say I didn't enjoy what you did, so..." Cesare said, blushing.

It seems that I am starting to discover some hidden sides of Cesare and Marcus. Honestly, I enjoy their company, and I hope to continue enjoying it until the end.

"Antonio, you have to give a speech in front of the crowd today, I believe you haven't forgotten, right?" Marcus asked.

"No, Marcus. I haven't forgotten, I just woke up..." I replied.

"Come on, have something to eat, prepare your breviary, and then go speak to the people," Cesare said.

"Have you already done yours?" I asked.

"Yes, I've been awake for almost two hours..." he replied.

"And why didn't you wake me up?" I questioned.

"After last night's action, I didn't dare, and besides, you were sleeping so peacefully..." he explained.

The breviary Cesare mentioned contains the prayers that a priest is obliged to perform daily at specific times (when waking up, at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM or 3:00 PM, in the evening, and before going to bed). It seems I need to start with the Third Hour, which is said at 9:00 AM.

After praying and having breakfast, I prepared my speech and dressed in my appropriate attire: the cassock, the cincture, the monsignor's ring, and the canonical mantle. After getting dressed, I waited for Cesare and Marcus to come downstairs. Marcus was dressed simply, but Cesare...

Cesare was wearing a magnificent red cassock, covered with a mantle of the same color. In his right hand, he held a gold-sealed ring, and he wore a cross of the same material around his neck. At first, I didn't recognize him, but his voice and different eyes reminded me that this cardinal was actually the simple priest I had met almost a month ago.

"Antonio, are you ready? You know, people are already waiting for you to go out on the balcony and speak to them," Marcus said.

"I'm ready... Is everything prepared on the balcony?" I asked.

"Yes... Hey, do you want to go in a procession, or..." Marcus started to ask.

"Of course," Cesare interrupted.

"Your Eminence, that wasn't a question for you but for Antonio..." Marcus pointed out.

"Antonio wants what I want, right?" Cesare replied.

"Enough... You two are like children. How old are you? Well, I think a procession would be interesting. Just the master of ceremonies and the three of us, right?" I suggested.

"Yes, Antonio."

The procession began. The master of ceremonies carried a nearly two-meter cross at the front, followed by Marcus, Cesare, and me. The gathered people started applauding and shouting my name as if I were a celebrity when they saw me.

After I looked up at the sky with my hands outstretched toward them, the people stopped. I forgot to mention that there was torrential rain outside, and the people were quite wet and impatient. Lord, if you really have a mission for me, then...

"Lord, command your clouds to disperse and let the shining sun rise upon your servants. Amen."

At the end of the prayer, the clouds dispersed, the rain stopped, and the sun emerged, warming the hearts and bodies of the people. The crowd began to glorify God again and call out my name as I blessed them.

"Brothers and sisters, I believe many people are curious about what will happen in our country after the death of our bishop. Well, we all know that Bishop Ignatius has stolen many lands from the rural people. Therefore, after discussing with Marcus, my secretary, and Cardinal Cesare Borgia, we have concluded that all the lands stolen by Ignatius, except for those legally donated, will be returned to their rightful owners."

The people were overjoyed. Many of them fell to their knees, filled with tears of happiness. The majority of the Church's property had been stolen from ordinary people, so we did something revolutionary with this decision. Well, I am proud of myself, and I hope God is proud of me too.

"Furthermore, brothers and sisters, you might be curious why I didn't die yesterday after that wretch stabbed me. Well, the truth is, I received a gift from God-"

"Antonio, be quiet... They will kill you if they find out you're a vampire..." Cesare interrupted.

Pretending not to hear Cesare, I continued, "And this gift was given to me for you, faithful people of Targoviste. No human weapon can kill me because God has decided that He has a tremendous plan for me, and for all of you as well. Therefore, you will choose the successor to the Bishop of Targoviste, and Pope Alexander will approve if he deems it appropriate. So, whom do you have in mind, brothers and sisters?"

"Antonio! Antonio! Antonio!" the crowd shouted.

"No... I am not worthy of this... Choose someone more worthy than me, for example-"

"Antonio, the bishop! Antonio, the bishop! Antonio, the bishop!"

"Good people, calm down! For the sake of God, I am not the right person-"

"If the Lord has bestowed so many gifts upon you, why don't you want to lead us? We know that we are not worthy to be led by a saint like you, but please have mercy on our souls!" a voice from the crowd spoke, accompanied by people chanting my name.

"I-I don't know what to say... Cesare, help me! If you want me to come with you to the Vatican, calm the crowd down..."

Cesare had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Well, to be honest, I think I would like to go to the Vatican... Even though I wouldn't see Gabriel or Vlad as often, I still...

"Good people, calm down," Cesare began. "Antonio cannot become the bishop because the Pope has decided to elevate him to the honor of Cardinal of the Church. So, I implore you, do not oppose this decision."

Wait, what? Me? A cardinal? It can't be... Cesare, you've gone too far with this lie. The people, however, became quiet, saddened. I was also saddened by this turn of events, but Cesare had something else to say.

"Nevertheless, Antonio will be consecrated as the Apostolic Visitor of Targoviste, but he won't be able to stay in Wallachia; he will reside in the Vatican. However, he will visit once every three months for three days to see you and guide your souls. Therefore, I ask you to choose someone else to be the titular Bishop of Targoviste."

The people were amazed and somewhat puzzled by this person, but they chose one of the prominent priests of the diocese to become the bishop. Priest Julius became the people's chosen one. From what I know of him, being my former colleague from the seminary in Targoviste, he has always been generous and kind-hearted towards others. I remember when I was in my fourth year of studies, my mother left me to be with my stepfather, and he took me into his home, treating me like a brother. I knew he was the right person... I trust that everything will end well.

After finishing the speech, we gave the solemn blessing together with the other two and went inside.

"Cesare, are you insane? It's as if you've lied to God with this deception..."

"But it's not a lie... Father agreed to appoint you as a Cardinal at the next gathering of the Cardinals. So, first, you will be consecrated as the Apostolic Visitor of Targoviste, and then you will be named Cardinal in Rome... Actually, he has prepared the most challenging position for you to be the President of the Roman Inquisition... Aren't you delighted?"

"Wait... So, I will be the Grand Inquisitor?"

"Yes... And finally, you won't be a mere priest anymore, as you used to say until now..."

"But-"

"No 'buts.' Marcus will come to the Vatican as well and become your secretary. Besides, he needs some kind of monsignor rank, don't you think?"

"Your Eminence, really? Will you allow me to come to the Vatican?"

"Yes, Marcus. Plus, Father has been waiting to see you again for some time."

Alright, so... It seems that I have to leave Wallachia in a few days, so I need these days for a meeting, I mean an audience, with the king. I can't leave without seeing him up close at least once.

While I was contemplating this, I received a surprise visitor. It was the future Bishop of Targoviste, Julius.

"Antonio, it's been a long time since we last saw each other..."

"Oh, Julius. You have no idea what has happened during this time..."

"Well, I was wondering. You, the most intelligent student from our seminary, refusing the appointment as a bishop? Do you realize what a great responsibility that is?"

"I know... We will stay in touch, so you don't have to worry. I have one request though: please don't steal from our people."

"Of course, I won't steal. But there's something else I would like to do..."

"What is it?"

"You see, Antonio... There's a priest here, Claudius, who is one year younger than us. I've had a crush on him since our seminary days, but he hasn't reciprocated my feelings... I thought maybe I could use my powers-"

"Sure, go ahead and use them. Just be careful not to make him hate you even more afterward. By the way, have you ever told him how you feel?"

"No... I'm afraid of rejection... You know how obsessed he is with priestly vows, right?"

"Speaking of obsessions with vows, I know someone who is obsessed with them too, don't I, Antonio?" Cesare began teasing me.

"Shut up... And speaking of that, Claudius was even more obsessed with vows than I was... Only a miracle could make him give them up, don't you think?"

"Well, I'll see you later, Antonio! Good luck with your love affairs, they might consume you."

Marcus and Cesare were embarrassed, especially by the way I asserted my dominance over them. I made them kneel, and I patted their heads like puppies.

"It seems like you're still in control as ever, aren't you?"

"Exactly!"

After Iulius left, I apologized to the two of them, but to my surprise, they didn't seem upset at all. In fact, they seemed excited by such behavior. It appears that they're starting to become masochistic, which only brings me joy.

I'm still worried if I'm ready for the mission entrusted to me, but... I have Cesare, Marcus, perhaps Vlad, and now, Iulius, my former colleague and benefactor, by my side.