Die Domina - Borgias
The Vatican was akin to a hen pen today, abuzz with last minute preparation for the Christmas festivities and Ascanio Sforza was getting too old for his job. (Which was, quite frankly a ridiculous notion, he was not that old after all. Then again, serving two Popes, Borgia Popes at that, in rather quick succession would do that to you)
Pope Lucas (Ascanio Sforza almost laughed at all the surprised faces when Cardinal Borgia had chosen this name instead of the expected Alexander VII. Why anyone would expect that name was a mystery to Sforza though, it was no great secret that Borgia's relationship with his father had been strained at best) was certainly different. The first pope in quite a while to actually be believed to be chaste. He had no children (that anyone knew of), no lovers (not since he had been named Cardinal at least, as far as anyone was aware), did not indulge in excessive displays of wealth (Though he did indulge in private. This pope's costs were only marginally smaller than any other's before him. Though most of that cost was lavished on his family, spent on scholarly pursuits or the keep of the papal military, most of which no-one would reprove him for), saw to the needs of the poor (whether in fate or in fortune), the orphaned and the helpless as the papal office commanded. Pope Lucas was, without a doubt, well loved by the people. Not nearly as well loved by the college of cardinals (but then, he was a Borgia and pope, being loved by the college had never been an option). But the love of the people was a very powerful thing still.
This December morning, his holiness was still in his Chambers when his presence was first needed. So it fell to Ascanio Sforza to inform the Pope he was needed. If there was one thing the Vice-chancellor would really prefer to avoid, it was having to seek out his holiness late at night or early in the morning. There was only so much one could turn a blind eye to, after all. But Ascanio Sforza had not made it to where he was by not knowing when to be wilfully blind. And this was a matter too important and the time too pressing to send the usual errand boy (who was as dutiful and discreet as he was mute and likely chosen for precisely those qualities). So he would have to brace the pope's most private quarters himself.
Much as Ascanio had expected, the so very chaste Pope Lucas was not alone. But of course no-one assumed that the frequent and lengthy visits by his holiness's sister Lucrezia were anything but sibling affection. Much to his chagrin and despite his continued attempts at turning a blind eye, Ascanio knew better.
"Do you have to get up, Cesare?" the Lady Lucrezia's voice sounded from the bedchamber.
The Pope's voice answered her. "I fear I must, my love. The matters of state and Christianity have proven unwillingly to take even a day of vacation, especially on the holidays." (It was nothing new to Sforza to hear Lady Lucrezia refer to the pope by his given name, nor to hear the pope forget to use the Pluralis Majestatis in private. Both were rather common occurrences) Ascanio heard the Pope's sigh, followed by the rustling of bedding and the swish of fabric. It seemed the Pope was getting up after all. He'd give the two a few more moments to get at least covered if not presentable, before he entered.
After as long as the matters that drove him there could wait, Ascanio knocked on the door.
"Enter"
"Your holiness, your presence is required in the audience hall" Ascanio announced as he entered. Lady Lucrezia was lounging on the Pope's bed in a shift and light dressing gown. (Sforza was careful not to let his gaze linger on the painting hung over the bed - where before a religious triptych had its place. He had no wish to see the Pope and his sister as Venus and Mars) Pope Lucas was similarly underdressed, though he was already working on rectifying that.
"I will be there presently. Until then, I have faith you can hold down the fort." Pope Lucas told his Vice-chancellor. With this clear dismissal, Ascanio gladly took his leave from the papal apartments.
No, Pope Lucas was certainly not like the popes before him. He did not spend the papal fortunes on his own grandeur. He had no children to mock his vows of celibacy. No lover to see him accused of lechery. He was dear to the downtrodden for his charity, cherished by the merchants for his commercial brilliance and respected by the condottieri and soldiers for his military genius. Yet no-one was closer to him than his sister. She, who was to him all he needed, competition, confidante, comfort, lover. It was unorthodox, unnatural even according to the church. But as far as Ascanio Sforza was concerned, the likelihood of a pope without any leanings prohibited by the church was abysmal and in that case, he'd rather serve one that was at least good in his office - and for it. And in that, at least, Pope Lucas - Cesare Borgia - surpassed the other popes Ascanio Sforza had had the more or less dubious pleasure to know.