Augustus's convoy headed straight for the Medici Palace. Upon arriving in Florence for the first time, it was essential to first visit the city's master.
What struck Augustus as somewhat odd was that upon entering the city, when Dracula revealed his identity, not only was there no one to greet or guide them at the gate, but even the guards showed no reaction, as if they were uninvited guests.
At the same time, Dracula was seething with anger, feeling greatly insulted. This insult was not only to himself but also to the Pope. However, Dracula knew that reprimanding a few guards at the gate was meaningless, and Augustus had not said anything, so he refrained from acting out.
Suddenly, a richly dressed young man on a white horse appeared from out of nowhere, single-handedly blocking the convoy's path and stopping their progress. It took him a while to bring his horse to a stable halt.
Dracula scrutinized the young man before him; his face was as long as a horse's, his body as weak as a sloth's, and his clothes were somewhat disheveled, causing Dracula to frown involuntarily.
Although he had no good impression of the person before him, it was clear that the other party's identity was not simple; at the very least, it could be confirmed that this was not a case of a madman crashing into the Pope's carriage. Thus, Dracula said nothing, narrowing his eyes as he watched the young man, waiting for him to speak first.
The young man noticed Dracula's unfriendly gaze, awkwardly straightened his clothes, and then cautiously began, "Hello, please allow me to introduce myself. I am Cosimo de' Medici, the eldest son of Ferdinand I, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and the heir to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany."
Upon hearing this, Dracula was not overly surprised. There were probably few young nobles in Florence who would dare to publicly obstruct the Pope's carriage in such a manner.
"I am Dracula, Captain of the Swiss Guard. May I ask what business the young master has?" Dracula asked directly.
"My father is very busy with official duties, but he has still taken time out of his busy schedule to prepare accommodation for everyone in advance and has sent me to invite His Holiness the Pope and everyone to settle down. After my father finishes his official duties, he will come to entertain everyone," Cosimo seemed to feel that saying this was inappropriate, but for a moment, he did not know how to remedy it. He moved his lips but did not continue speaking.
Cosimo's fears had come true.
Dracula asked with a displeased expression, "Knowing the Pope was coming, the Grand Duke avoided meeting us, sent his son to dismiss us, and did not even wait at the city gate but intercepted us halfway. Is this Florence's hospitality?"
Noticing the tense atmosphere, more and more onlookers gathered. If Cosimo did not handle this well now, it would likely be known throughout the city by the next day.
In fact, Dracula did not speak these words on a whim but after a brief deliberation. These words, spoken by himself, both responded to Florence's slight and gave the other party a warning, while also leaving room for maneuver, allowing the Pope to play the good guy, so as not to affect their relationship.
Although he did not wish for such a situation, Cosimo was not unprepared with an explanation: "If His Holiness the Pope feels slighted, I take full responsibility for it and sincerely express my apologies to His Holiness the Pope."
As he spoke, Cosimo dismounted from his horse, bowed deeply, and then said apologetically, "It is shameful to say, but originally, my father wanted me to wait for you all at the city in advance. It is all my fault for being thoughtless, handling personal matters, and delaying the time. Furthermore, the Swiss Guard truly lives up to its reputation; their marching speed is simply too fast, exceeding my comprehension. This back and forth caused the delay."
Inside the carriage, Augustus clearly heard all of this and felt that Cosimo was most likely spouting nonsense. Were there no patrol teams, guards, or outposts outside Florence? A fully armed contingent of several hundred people, not on a surprise attack, would Florence not receive news in advance?
If it were that negligent, Florence would have long been torn apart by a pack of hungry wolves, leaving nothing but scraps, but the reality was that Florence had always been the one doing the devouring.
Then there were only two possibilities: first, Cosimo was truly an incompetent person who botched the task his father gave him; second, Ferdinand deliberately arranged it this way to test him. If it was the second, Augustus really had to wonder about Ferdinand's intentions. Couldn't there be more sincerity and fewer schemes?
It must be said that Cosimo was very clever to bring himself into the conversation with his first sentence, rather than submitting to Dracula or retorting. Dracula could press him hard, putting him in a difficult position, but Augustus himself could not fall out with Florence over such a small matter and would only mediate.
At the end, he did not forget to praise the Swiss Guard, which greatly pleased Dracula, as Dracula's greatest pride, apart from himself, was this guard.
Moreover, in this situation, taking all the blame himself, completely absolving his father, and not finding other excuses, was already quite responsible.
Thinking that Cosimo was only 16 years old and could reach such a level, Augustus couldn't help but feel that this child was too precocious. Indeed, 'he who desires to wear the crown must bear its weight.' When he was his age, he was still like a carefree simpleton.
Augustus pulled back the curtain, wanting to see the young man's appearance, and with one glance, he was startled: Good heavens, this child's face is really long!
Controlling his expression slightly, Augustus said in a gentle voice, "Alright, it's all fine. Strictly speaking, I am not a guest, but returning home. There's no reason for someone to be greeted when returning to their own home. And we are family, so why bother with such formalities among family?
Dracula is straightforward, but his abilities are outstanding, and he is fiercely loyal. He cannot bear to see me suffer, and his words are always quite direct. Please do not take offense at him.
You say your father is busy with official duties, and that is excellent! Divine right of kings, to serve for good. Being diligent in public service is the greatest piety and the best response to Heaven and the people! What does it matter if he doesn't come to greet me? I won't get lost on my way home.
I also completely understand your handling of personal matters; for an heir to carry on the family line, that is a very important matter!"
At the end, Augustus put on a knowing expression, which drew a burst of laughter from the onlookers. Even Dracula couldn't help but show a hint of a smile, and the once tense atmosphere immediately eased.
In fact, no one knew that Augustus's last sentence was quite serious. Countless families had died out due to lack of heirs, and unfortunately, the historical Medici Family was one of them.
The last Grand Duke of Tuscany, Gian Gastone de' Medici, due to his sister's meddling, married someone he did not like, refused to share a bed with her, and eventually descended into debauchery and degradation, seemingly even developing homosexual tendencies, ultimately dying without an heir. Coincidentally, at that time, there were no collateral branches left, allowing Austria to gain a huge advantage.
As for "Divine right of kings, to serve for good," these words were originally spoken by Frederick the Great more than a hundred years later. Augustus himself greatly admired this figure and, remembering the phrase, simply used it.
"Please lead the way for us," Augustus reminded him.
"Gladly," Cosimo said, mounting his horse with some effort.