Chapter 104: Lover
Julius stepped out of the bustling banquet hall, loosening the layered silk cravat around his collar. Inside, expensive spices and charcoal burned, emitting a wave of heat so thick that standing in the foyer felt like being wrapped in a tangible, soft shroud of hot air.
As the most powerful, top-tier family in Florence, the Portias never lacked guests for their banquets. People were more than willing to fight tooth and nail just to secure an invitation from the Portia family. However, to their surprise, they noticed that the frequency of Portia banquets had increased significantly of late, and obtaining an admission ticket was no longer an insurmountable challenge.
Julius stood on the terrace, wearily rubbing his brow. With the accelerating expansion of the Papal States, the pressure weighing on the Secretariat of the Papal Palace had grown heavier, and the majority of that burden fell upon the Secretary-General alone. Although, to avoid suspicion, he did not handle military affairs, the related logistical work inevitably fell to him as well— including the continuous procurement of funds, provisions, and weapons to be shipped to Assyria, as well as supporting Rafael’s covert machinations against Calais.
In short, Julius had not had a decent night’s sleep for more than half a month.
Of course, that was not the sole reason for his annoyance.
Julius rotated the crystal goblet in his hand, the amber liquor within swirling into a dizzying, intoxicating halo, like a tiny whirlpool that drew one’s gaze down, down, down…
“Lord Portia.”
A soft voice came from behind. Julius exhaled silently, put on a flawless smile, and turned around. Even with his exceptional memory, it took him a few seconds to identify the newcomer: “Lady Susanna.”
The young girl in the light green silk evening gown smiled shyly, her youthful face like a tender rose, her brown eyes round as a cat’s, gazing at Julius with a bright, sparkling look.