Chapter 14: Knights Templar
After leaving the training grounds, Rafael walked back. Along the way, he saw the priests and nuns bowing and making way for him in the middle of the road. Rafael skillfully responded to them with a smile. Halfway through, he met the hurried deacon.
“Your Holiness,” the deacon, who had finally found the Pope, breathed a sigh of relief and bowed respectfully, “The president of the Roman Royal Bank is waiting for you in the reception room.”
Florence’s industrial development was mediocre. Due to its small land area and large population, the local economy is mainly driven by commerce. Therefore, many wealthy families whose livelihoods depended on trade would establish a base in the Holy City. The Roman royal family, of course, also had a bank here, but the scale of this bank was not only inferior to that of the giant Portia, it wasn’t even among the top three.
Most of the business of the Roman Royal Bank was only for people related to the Roman royal family. As soon as Rafael heard the name, he understood the purpose of the president’s visit.
It must be to send money on behalf of the Queen of Assyria.
His guess was correct. The bank president waiting in the reception room had specially put on a new suit for today’s meeting. His curly mustache was neatly trimmed, and he held a long box tied with a silk ribbon in his hands.
The deacon opened the door for Rafael, and before the banker could see the young pope’s face, he bowed deeply: “Your Holiness, Sistine I, it is an honor to meet you. I am here on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Amandra of Rome, to add a little glory to your rule.”
His voice was high-pitched and tremolo-like, as if he were singing an opera.
But considering what he brought, Rafael was very tolerant of him: “Please take a seat, sir.”