Once Upon A [Hidden] Time - [Stolen] Series IV

CHAPTER 17

MYRA
18 JUNE 1415

I snapped my head up, opening my eyes. "Huh?"

"Do you know him?"

"You mean Cosimo?" Ha! Should I really laugh?

He nodded.

"Edward, you keep forgetting that I come from the twenty-first century," I answered.

"Yes, but how does a twenty-first-century girl know a fifteenth-century Florentine if she claims to travel through time for the first time?" He cursed something under his breath. "I noticed how you talked about him with admiration. He is not of royal blood for you to learn about in your school, nor is he a poet or a writer for you to admire his work." His point made sense, but I laughed at his comment. He threw me an icy glare. It was time to get serious. This man certainly had insecurity issues. Leaning forward, I planted a sloppy kiss on his lips.

"My beau is jealous," I laughed again.

"I am serious!"

"All right!" I raised my hands. "Just as I know Dante's work, or Rumi, or Chaucer, or any other man in history, I happen to know about him, too."

"He is part of history, too?" He sounded so surprised. "On what grounds?"

"Oh, you have no idea!" I replied. "The Medici family ruled over Florence for quite a few generations, and they brought art into the city. They are the ones who made Florence what it is now—I mean, in the twenty-first century—an art hub in Europe."

"What else?"

I thought for a second. "They also produced four Popes of the Catholic Church, who will come in the next century."

"You mean their heirs will become Popes?" Baffled, Edward produced a guttural sound from his throat.

"Exactly," I answered. "Pope Leo X, Pope Clement VII, Pope Pius IV and Pope Leo XI."

"God's teeth!"

"The Bank of Medici is going to become the most prosperous and prestigious institution in Europe," I added.

"My father wants to do business with them, now that they have a papal account."

"He will not regret it," I answered. "The current Pope is their man, by the way!"

"What?"

It was the first time we were discussing matters of the state.

"I won't, of course, influence King Stefan's decision, should he decide to use Medici's bank, but I can tell you, it is going to do good for your realm." Leaning in closer, I snaked my arm around his neck. "As for Cosimo, he is called the Father of the Fatherland in my time because of his admired work for his city, and is entitled as Prior of the Republic of Florence."

Edward was quiet for a moment as his eyes landed on my lips.

"It just amazes me sometimes," he said, his gaze softening, "how you are blessed with so much knowledge." I returned a smile. "Are all women in your time like you?"

"I don't know about all of them, but if you're wondering how I know so much about the Medici, it is because when I first visited Florence when I was only sixteen, I fell in love with the city." He listened to me intently. "By looking at the art and culture of the city, I fell in love with the historical art patrons, who were solely responsible for bringing glory to the city. And I became obsessed with them."

"So you have never met him?"

"Of course not, Edward," God! Why is he so gullible?

"But you will recognise Cosimo if you see him anywhere?" he asked. Still jealous!