Chapter VI: A Golden Heart Beats for Someone

"What?" I intervened.

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

"B-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 traditions from the past. No one respects them anymore, except for some monks who are unwanted by anyone and are less attractive... I think you already know that I have four recognized children and a very beautiful wife, although I'm not allowed."

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

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

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

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

"Tell me, what is it?"

"We need a specialist in canon law, namely 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 don't meddle in my son's business, but I can say that you could be useful here. Your faithful will understand that the Pope needs you and won't be upset!"

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

"Yes, but we also need people here. Anyway, you'll also talk to my son, Cesare Borgia, and decide then. I'm glad to have met you, and one more thing... When it's just us, never try to kiss my ring again, okay?" Pope said seriously.

"Y-Yes! Goodbye!"

"Goodbye!"

I talked to the pope. That diabolical pope portrayed by the Church in my times is one of the most open-minded popes in history. I don't think any pope would welcome a stranger during his free time and especially give up protocols.

It's evening now, so Cesare and I have to go 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 nicely I was received by the pope!"

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

"Yes... And thank you!"

"Excuse me? I didn't hear that," Cesare began to pretend.

"I said thank you..."

"Excuse me?"

"I won't repeat it. It's your fault for not hearing!" I concluded, annoyed.

How much Cesare enjoys mocking me... Honestly, I hope he'll come to his senses and we'll keep our friendship. Honestly, besides his advances, Cesare doesn't seem like a bad person. I think...

"Who was that woman with the child you helped today?" Cesare asked curiously.

"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 it! But are you sure Sister Catherine isn't right? 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 can wait outside. I really don't want to see new things. Although already..."

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

"No... Now go!" I said, trying to sound serious.

After both of us took a bath (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 canon law and a librarian... What should I do?

"Cesare, move over!" I said quite annoyed.

"Let me sleep!"

03:00 AM:

"Cesare, are you asleep?" I said softly, not wanting to wake him up.

"Yes, what is it?"

"I'm intrigued by a thought... Was meeting you a coincidence or destiny?"

"Destiny... Anything else?"

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

"Of course, I would... Go back to sleep!"

"But, what 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 hug me?" I asked amazed by his action.

"To help you fall asleep and to fall asleep myself!"

"A-Alright... Goodnight!"

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

"Antonio, wake up!" Cesare tried to wake me up.

"Just 5 more minutes, please!"

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

"So what? I don't have anything planned today..."

"Come on... I got the address of the woman you helped yesterday!"

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

"Wake up and let's go!"

"Alright, I'm up! Why are you more excited than me?"

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

"Ha ha ha!"

"I'm not joking, you know!" Cesare said seriously.

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

Once 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 to him... He might be aggressive with people he hasn't met before!" the old man warned me.

"What? Aren't animals souls too?"

I approached the one on the right, named Amadeus. It seems he was more violent than the other. I just hope he won't hit me too hard. I closed my eyes and reached out my hand. To my surprise, Amadeus started licking my hand, like a pony. Everyone was amazed, especially Cesare, but I didn't just stand there; I petted his mane, which made him gentler than before.

"Antonio, who are you really?" Cesare asked amazed.

"Me? You know me. I'm just a simple priest, right?"

Cesare POV:

These horses can't be tamed even by the soldiers of the empire, let alone ordinary people... And now, here comes Antonio, and he's petting them? It's unbelievable. Could Sister Catherine be right?

Antonio POV:

"Let's go, Cesare!"

"A-Alright!"

We set off towards the house of the woman we had just met yesterday, loaded with groceries, everyday necessities, and sweets for the children. On the way, due to the lack of sleep I had last night, I was very tired.

"You can lean on my shoulder!" Cesare said, smiling.

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

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

"No... Not a chance!"

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

Cesare POV:

Antonio fell asleep. I can't lie... He looks better when he sleeps, plus he's most vulnerable then. Maybe I could... No! I have to restrain myself!

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 ceiling of the carriage? Oh no!

"What, what's happening?!" I started yelling, scared.

"Here we go again..."

"What's going on? Did you do something to me while I was sleeping?"

"Maybe..."

"No! It can't be!"

"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 might not be the best place to sleep on..."

We finally got off. I bid farewell to my favorite horses and descended to surprise the woman and her children.

"Cesare, don't just stand there! Grab something and let's go!"

"Okay, boss!" he obediently replied.

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

"F-Father... What are you doing here?" the woman asked, surprised.

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

"Oh, you shouldn't have... You gave us too much yesterday, and..."

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

"O-Okay... Come in!"

Hm... It wasn't a very large house, but quite welcoming. It was evident that the woman knew how to take care of her children with the little she had. I didn't even get a chance to enter when three children threw themselves into my arms and started hugging me.

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

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

"Children, this is Father Cesare, and he came with me to bring you some gifts. So, go ahead and hug him!" I advised the children.

"N-No need!" Cesare stuttered.

Once activated, the children started hugging Cesare even though he was somewhat uncomfortable with the attention from the little ones. How human he seems alongside the children. If I were to see him now for the first time, I'd say he's a young father taking care of his own children...

Well, while the children, assisted by the elderly coachman, brought in the gifts, Cesare and I talked to the mother of the children.

"Do you need anything else?" I asked.

"The help you've offered is more than enough, and we thank you!" she replied.

"With pleasure, and if you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask!"

After bidding farewell to that woman and her children, we headed back to the carriage we came with. The journey home was quite long, and we were both 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.

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

"Of course, Father! Although he might get upset, and it might not be good for us afterwards..."

"It doesn't matter. Just do as I said. I'll handle the rest."

I walked away from the carriage, taking to the streets of Rome on foot. Rome, caput mundi, as they call it, is so beautiful 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... Still, I can't understand one thing... What power does Cesare hold? Who is Cesare really? Why does he care so much about me? Maybe I don't understand him?

I decided to visit various cathedrals and squares. The cathedral in the center, St. Peter's, which I also saw in the world I come from, is much more magnificent now. Different squares where people talk, joke, and dance to cheerful rhythms. What a wonderful city. I'm curious about why all the bishops, cardinals, and even the pope abandon their customs when they meet me. Maybe I'm the outdated one? That's what I learned in history lessons, and that's what I thought was true. But maybe it's not quite so true.

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

It wasn't easy to befriend Benjamin either. I've always been cold towards people I didn't know. But he overcame all my shortcomings and remained my friend until today... Or until I came here. I need friends who support me, so I'll be more honest with Cesare.

Suddenly, two people appeared behind me and hit me, causing me to fall unconscious.

"What do you say, should we sell him?" one of them said.

"I think if we take out his organs and sell them, we'll get more money!" the other replied.

"W-What's happening?" I wondered.

"Oh, the chosen one... Hm, it seems Cesare is nowhere around to save you now, huh?"

"Excuse me? How do you know Cesare?"

"Everyone knows him. Everyone hates him! And now, here you are, his weakness in our hands!"

"Oh no!"