Chapter CXXI: "All is Vanity"  

The day after my reconciliation with Cesare, I had that important conversation with the Pope and Cardinal Sforza. Although he didn't reveal much about the idea behind the trap he had set, it seems everything ended well, though we probably could have made peace without the Pope's games. Right after my discussion with Pope Alexander, I was surprised to discover that Sforza wanted to speak to me in private, and I agreed. It appears I still owed him something from our last conversation. I'm not sure if he truly feels some remorse for all he has done, but I hope he will be forgiven for his sins.

"Antonio," he said at one point, "you know how important my role was in electing this Pope, don't you?"

"Yes, I know what happened, and I know you gave up the papal throne for the position of vice-chancellor."

"Then you also know that... I was nearly killed on the same night as Pope Alexander, right?"