The return of the fallen king

Chapter 47: Scheming (1)

Charles waited patiently for Giovanni to collect his thoughts, as he said nothing in the meantime. He was curious about what the other man had to say, and he was eager to hear his proposition in its entirety. But he was also wise to not interrupt the other man's train of thought, which was evidently focused and serious. He was content to remain silent and hear the other man out, and so he did not speak during the momentary quiet in the room. It was clear that Giovanni was trying very hard to find the right words to convey his thoughts, and Charles acknowledged that.

He knew that the matter must be important if Giovanni had come to visit him at this hour, and he would do his best to hear him out and give him a thorough and adequate response since he was sure that it would be more than worth his time.

Charles used the meantime instead to thoroughly analyze the expressions on Giovanni's face, and he noticed from his long experience that the man was anxious. His face was set with determination, and his eyes were fixed on Giovanni as he awaited the other man's next words. After a little bit, Giovanni opened his mouth and started talking again.

'' I am sure that your highness, tasked with the mission to protect the communes by the pope himself, will do everything in his power to complete the mission. Seeing such vigor and diligence, I could not help but try to think of anything that may be offered to you as a way of rewarding your efforts."

Charles eyes fixed on Giovanni's, causing the latter to fidget a little bit. After a bit of intimidation, Charles showed a slight smile.

'' And what may this reward be?''

As he heard that Giovanni also smiled lightly and then offered something that he was sure would gain Charles' attention.

''I am willing to help you be elected as podestà."

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Charles did not hesitate to let his laughter spill out when he heard Giovanni's proposal. It was clear to Charles that Giovanni was serious, but he could not help but find the idea of needing Giovanni's help in being elected podestà comical. He laughed with genuine mirth, and it was only after a moment of laughter that Charles composed himself and responded to Giovanni's offer.

"I do not need your help to be elected podestà, Giovanni," Charles said, a smile still plastered on his face. "My army is strong, and my support is firm. I do not need any assistance from you or anyone else, if that matters. If Florence wants my support, this is a must.

After having said that, Charles noticed that Giovanni let out a slight smile and said,

''Of course your highness I am sure you will be easily elected for this year, but what about the next? How much time will it take before the citizens of Florence get past this and elect a man of their choice, or do you wish to have an army operating in northern Italy forever? Of course not, after all, the communes would never let a new strong player join their game.

Charles listened closely to Giovanni's words, and he had to admit that there was some truth to what Giovanni was saying. Charles knew that the citizens of Florence were proud and stubborn people who would not give up their freedom easily.

''And how will your help aid me in this?'' Charles asked while changing and adjusting his posture to convey his interest.

Hearing that he said, "Well the most important thing will be to fool the citizens. For example, you can make an announcement that you refuse to be elected as podestà as this is a mission given by the pope." Giovanni proposed

''And how will that help me?" Charles said it with a bit of anger.

''Calm down, you highness; it is just an act. In my plan, you will be the podestà of Florence with everything except the name; a puppet will be installed, giving you power during and after the campaign."

Charles thought for a moment about what Giovanni had said. He could see the logic behind Giovanni's plan, and he was willing to consider it. "Go on," he asked, "and explain to me how this plan would work exactly." Charles was intrigued and curious about the details of Giovanni's plan, and he was ready to hear the other man out. He was always an open-minded person who was willing to weigh all of his options before making a decision, and he knew that it was important to hear the details behind any plan in order to make an accurate and informed assessment of the pros and cons of the situation.

''Well, during the campaign you will have all the power; however, after the campaign, since you will be far away from Florence, the puppet you will install will give you money from the position and troops during military engagements."

Charles knew where this would go: '' And I suppose you will be that person, right?''

''You are truly wise, your Majesty. Indeed, it would be me."

Charles' eyes narrowed as he considered the implications of what Giovanni was saying. He was not one to simply take others at their word, especially when it came to matters of power and influence. He knew that Giovanni was a schemer, and a schemer was always looking to advance their own personal interests, even if it meant sacrificing others to do so. Charles had to tread carefully when dealing with Giovanni, and the other man's plan was clearly one of personal ambition. The question was, did Charles feel that Giovanni's plan was beneficial enough to him to be worth pursuing?

''And what will you gain from that?'' Charles asked, trying to gauge the reason for his

''Well, I will get influence and power in Your Majesty's name."

''And tell me, how will you manage to get elected as podestà even after my return to Naples?''

Charles was curious about the final details of the plan proposed by the Florentine since it was obvious in his mind that once he returned to his kingdom, Giovanni would lose his backing.

''Please do not worry about that, your highness. I will make sure to make my position stable at the end of the campaign and eliminate any opposition, but for the last, I may need your help."

"Eliminate opposition? Just what did you have in mind?" Charles asked, his tone serious and cold. He took a moment to think about what Giovanni might mean before continuing. "Be clear as to what you mean. I will not tolerate any attempts that may endanger my position here; I want to know exactly how you plan on doing so before I agree to anything.''

Charles was not one to mince words. He was not afraid to be direct and to the point, and he was not one to tolerate any kind of ambiguity or half-answers. He was always straightforward and honest, and he expected the same of others. This was a trait that sometimes made him come across as blunt or even harsh, but it was a quality that he respected in himself and others and that he felt was necessary in a ruler or a leader.

''Well, your highness, I was thinking about inciting a revolt and using the chaos to attack any member that may be against me. By masking it as the mob doing it, you do not have to do anything in this plan, only to make sure that your troops will not join to fight for or against the mob on any side.'' Giovanni said with a scheming smile

''And tell me what about the garrison, will they not interfere?'' Charles asked, trying to find a loophole in the plan, prompting Giovanni to reassure the king.

''Do not worry about them, your highness; I made sure to bribe the right men to make sure that most of them will not join or be paralyzed by fear or by bribing."

Charles knew that this was an opportunity too good to be let go, and after weighing every option, he decided to join Giovanni in the plan to bring Florence under French control.

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