The Vampire and the Pope's Illegitimate Daughter

Entering the Apennine Peninsula in August is like placing dry bread in an iron pan, roasting without oil. The temperature seems sufficient to squeeze out all moisture, even the wind is unwilling to linger. Every Roman, after summer arrives, except for visiting the nearby public baths, is reluctant to step outside. As a result, every year around this time, the usually chaotic law and order of Rome improves significantly. The Romans often joke that public order doesn't depend on the papacy but on heaven. In such heat, Giorgia finds it impossible to sleep until noon. She struggles to rise during the coolest part of the morning, washes her face, and sits by the window. Her sitting posture, however, is far from what this era expects of women. She curls up, her feet resting on the edge of the chair, her back fully pressed against the chair's backrest, the entire person shrinking into it. In the morning light, she idly flips through the theological books her aunt and tutor, Adriana, left in her room the previous night. She has no interest in the long-winded doctrines of Catholicism. Within a few minutes, she yawns several times, ready to close the book and return to bed for a nap when she hears hurried footsteps outside the window. She turns her head and sees a slender man with brown hair walking along the courtyard corridor. Almost at the same time she notices him, she twitches her mouth, then lowers her legs from the chair, adjusting her posture to something more resembling that of a Roman noblewoman. With a somewhat forced smile, she watches the approaching man. "It's not the weekend today, Mr. Brandao," Giorgia raises an eyebrow at the visitor. "Indeed, it is not," Brandao says, slightly breathless from his quick pace. "This time, I've come especially to find you. Father Rodrigo wishes to see you; your mother has sent a letter." Father — the Catholic term for priests. For centuries, only men could hold such positions, and they were bound to celibacy, devoting their entire lives to the Lord. Although these doctrines exist, every organization has those who wish to break the rules, and the Church is no exception. There have always been members wishing to experience worldly pleasures. Countless popes have had mistresses and illegitimate children, let alone other clerical officials. However, everyone knows that they must maintain an image of being detached from worldly affairs. Thus, mistresses became "friends," and children became "nephews." People would turn a blind eye, pretending nothing had happened. It was four years after Giorgia believed she had crossed over to an ordinary European family that she discovered the truth. The tall, burly priest who would visit monthly, bringing the latest toys and clothes and warmly embracing her and her siblings, wasn't doing so out of the clergy's love for Roman residents. Rather, they were his illegitimate children. Her beautiful, elegant mother was his favorite mistress. The man she had thought was her father for four years — with whom, although not overly affectionate, she had a harmonious relationship — was, in fact, assigned by this priest to marry her mother to hide the truth. And he was already the second one. After spending an afternoon in shock, Giorgia silently digested the truth, eventually giving a thumbs up in her mind, saying: "Oh, typical Italy." Ten years later, she learned from another letter from her mother that her real mother was someone else. At that time, Mrs. Vannozza Cattanei had just become the mistress of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia. Her younger sister, Martina, was only sixteen years old, youthful, and rebellious. Dissatisfied with the marriage arranged by her family, she left her hometown of Mantua to seek refuge with her sister in Rome. However, during her stay, she and Rodrigo fell in love at first sight, connecting instantly, sharing an intimate relationship, and a year later, giving birth to a daughter — Giorgia. After that, Martina decided that someone as young as herself shouldn't be confined to merely being "Rodrigo's mistress." So, she left her newborn daughter with her now-pregnant sister, Vannozza, to search for a new life. As the baby who had been abandoned by her biological mother to her aunt, Giorgia this time had slightly improved. She was only stunned for a few minutes before giving a thumbs up in her heart: "Indeed, typical Italy." "Suddenly telling you this truth might be hard for you to accept, Giorgia. You must understand, I intended to hide it from you forever. Whether your biological mother is me or Martina, without a doubt, you are Rodrigo Borgia's daughter. You will receive the best court education in the Orsini Palace and become the wife of a duke or even a king in the future. You will be one of the most famous ladies of the Papal States. "But you are also the smartest of the children. Someday, you would have discovered some clues. Besides, your biological mother, Martina, is gravely ill. She sent a letter to me a few days ago, expressing her wish to see you one last time. This request may put you in a difficult position, but though Martina did not raise you, she went through great hardship to give birth to you. If possible, I hope you can visit Florence to see the bedridden Martina..." Giorgia paused here, lifting her eyes to glance at Rodrigo sitting opposite her. "Why not continue reading?" Rodrigo asked, his tone relaxed, seemingly unperturbed by Vannozza revealing a secret hidden for over a decade. "That's the gist of the letter," Giorgia said, giving up on pretending after noticing her evasive gaze being caught by Rodrigo. She looked up directly at him. Rodrigo sat behind the desk, with a huge floor-to-ceiling window behind him. The overly bright summer sunlight of Vatican City spilled into the room, appearing somewhat cold, coating the tall and burly Rodrigo in an imposing golden glow. His study was peculiarly arranged. Generally, people would prefer to work at a desk positioned in the best-lit part of the room. However, he chose to sit against the light. His broad shoulders and large frame almost blocked all the light from the window, leaving his face, eyes, and expression in the shadows, obscure and unreadable. Giorgia guessed he didn't want others to read his emotions through his eyes, while he, in darkness, could see the person standing before him clearly. However, if those standing before him were his children, he would rise from his seat, kiss each of them, and softly inquire about their week's reading and lessons. The cardinal, notorious for his ruthlessness outside, was exceedingly doting towards his children. Years ago, Rodrigo brought his children from Vannozza's side to the Orsini Palace in the Vatican, right across from his quarters, under the care and education of his cousin, Adriana Orsini. Every weekend, his senior advisor Brandao would bring the children to his quarters to spend the weekend together. Before the current Pope Innocent VIII, no clergy had ever publicly acknowledged their children. Perhaps it was Pope Innocent who gave Rodrigo the courage, and he outdid his predecessor, not only admitting to having several children with his mistress but also bringing them to his side for careful upbringing. At first, Giorgia would regularly visit Vannozza's residence on the outskirts of Rome. But as Adriana's curriculum grew more demanding, the visits became less frequent. Now, if there were urgent matters, Vannozza would write a letter and have it delivered to the Vatican. Counting the days, her last visit to Vannozza seemed to have been two months ago. She hadn't expected this letter to bring such shocking news. Rodrigo rose from his chair, and as he did, the sunlight from the window eagerly rushed in, causing Giorgia to reflexively close her eyes. "I think you're not really surprised by your origins." No, in fact, I'm already quite shocked, Giorgia thought sarcastically. After some consideration, she added, "Father once said that one should not show emotions." Rodrigo chuckled, walked around the desk, and approached Giorgia. He still wore the red cloak symbolizing his position as a cardinal, his face bearing a smile, and his light brown eyes looking at Giorgia with a hint of probing curiosity. "Perhaps you already knew? Given that you and Vannozza have never been particularly close, maybe you suspected she wasn't your biological mother." Giorgia's mouth twitched slightly. How could she, with her limited experience in matters of affection, dare speculate on the intricacies of this man's complex love life from over a decade ago? It was simply that, when she had first crossed over as an infant, the Vannozza who held her was about the same age as she was in her previous life. She just couldn't see her as her mother. Rodrigo, having navigated the treacherous waters of the Vatican for decades, though extremely doting towards his children, couldn't help but project his own complex experiences and thoughts onto them as they grew older. For Giorgia, who was quieter and less expressive compared to her siblings, Rodrigo perceived her as precocious, reserved, and adept at hiding her emotions. Giorgia quietly accepted this perception and said, "Perhaps. There is a unique bond between mother and daughter that cannot easily be replaced." "So, will you choose to visit the ailing Martina?" Rodrigo asked. Can I choose not to go out in this heat? Giorgia genuinely thought. "I think you should stay home and read," Rodrigo said, suddenly changing his mind. "Juan injured his leg while learning horseback riding last week. Adriana and Julia probably can't manage alone and may need your help to take care of him." Rodrigo paused, "I also heard that the weather in Florence has been bad recently, with nearly a month of rain, which is quite unusual for this season." Before he could finish, Giorgia interrupted him. "Father, I've thought about it. I will go." Rodrigo looked down slightly, meeting Giorgia's hopeful gaze. "Father, please, allow me to visit my biological mother whom I have never met."