Chapter 52: Anastasia
The Pope’s convoy arrived in Vallado City three days later in the evening. They would rest here for a day before taking a train to Perigo, the capital of the Roman Empire. Vallado was the last city in the Papal States bordering Rome. Due to its proximity to Rome and other free city-states, commerce and trade were very developed here. There were seven banks in the city alone.
The mayor borrowed a holiday castle from a baron and barely managed to accommodate the Pope and his entourage. Rafael took a bath and came down the stairs with his long hair still a little wet. Several black-clothed monks were scattered around the hall on the first floor. Two soft chairs were placed in front of the fireplace, and Ferrante stood beside an empty chair.
Rafael walked over and sat down in the chair next to Ferrante.
Ferrante turned his head and glanced at him, his eyes showing a hint of helplessness. He reached into his sleeve and took out a roll of silk ribbon, tying Rafael’s long hair up. His movements were so skilful that it was astonishing, as if he had repeated it countless times.
Rafael obediently let him play with his hair, staring intently at the person in the opposite armchair with curious and inquiring eyes.
It was a woman.
But at first glance, it was really difficult to identify her gender.
Her hair was shaved shorter than that of an ordinary man, like a messily trimmed stubble, piled haphazardly on top of her head. A tattered felt hat covered most of her forehead, revealing a pair of particularly spirited blue eyes. Her cheekbones were high, her chin was pointed, and her facial features had a masculine toughness. She was thin and wrapped in a loose, men’s short coat and her trousers were tied at the waist with a straw rope. She wasn’t really a woman who could be praised for her beauty. Rather, according to current standards, a woman with such a masculine appearance could be considered ugly, especially since she didn’t seem to consider herself a woman. Whether in her dress or expression, she exuded a masculine aggressiveness.
“Ms. Anastasia, I apologize for inviting you to visit in this way. I hope my children have not been rude to you,” Rafael smiled apologetically at her. “In fact, my original plan was to visit you, but my attendant said you’ve been staying in the cemetery these past few days—”