The blazing sun hung high in the sky, sending down warm rays that bathed everyone in a cozy feeling, lifting people’s spirits and driving away worries and unpleasantness, as if chased off by this warmth.
Yet, within the Vatican, the warm sunlight failed to disperse the worries and unhappiness from everyone. As the sun shone upon them, they seemed impervious to its warmth, their faces shadowed in gloom, enveloping the surroundings in a stifling atmosphere.
Every member of the Vatican stood like spears along the sides, akin to soldiers undergoing training in a military camp!
Today was the burial day for Pope Louis III, and nearly all the cardinals and priests from across regions had gathered at the Vatican, assembling now in Saint Peter’s Square.
As Pope of the Vatican, Louis III’s funeral was grand, akin to the burial of the emperors of ancient Huaxia, appearing glorious.
At this moment, Pope Louis III had already been placed inside the coffin, drawing all attention naturally to Nicholas, the second most significant figure of the Vatican, and Michelle.
As a saint, Michelle drew attention naturally, but Nicholas was not only the Vatican’s second most pivotal figure, he was also the personal aide to Louis III during his life!
The so-called personal aide is, frankly, just akin to a personal assistant or secretary nowadays.
Thus, within the Vatican, upon the Pope’s passing, the personal aide from the Pope’s lifetime needs to place a white scarf over the Pope’s body before sealing the coffin!
Nicholas handled this, as not even Michelle, Louis III’s niece, could do so.
After all, this is the Vatican, Louis III is the Pope, hence everything must adhere to protocol.
Additionally, Nicholas placed some commemorative coins issued during Louis III’s tenure and a document concerning the Pope’s life within the coffin.
Following this, countless individuals began to bless the Pope’s body and offer incense at the platform.
With these proceedings completed, the ceremony led by Cardinal Ratzinger officially commenced.
The so-called ceremony was essentially just praying, recounting Louis III’s life.
Though it might be deemed mere drivel, everyone listened and faced it with utmost attention and diligence!
Once everything concluded, the Vatican members prepared to carry Louis III to Saint Peter’s Basilica and bury him in the underground catacombs.
But at this moment, a young man with yellow skin, features seemingly chiselled, and sharply defined, with piercing eyes, appeared in everyone’s sight along with a youthful, beautiful woman.
The woman was strikingly beautiful, her golden locks cascading like a waterfall, casually draped over her shoulders, her form-fitting attire perfectly accentuating her curvaceous figure, inciting imagination.
Not only was her figure flawless, her face was exquisitely delicate, embodying an angelic visage and a devilish form!
The appearance of this man and woman immediately drew the eyes of everyone, instantly focusing all attention on them.
Upon seeing the man and woman, joy surfaced in Michelle’s heart.
In the next moment, the Vatican members stopped the man and woman.
Given that it was Louis III’s funeral, absolutely no disruptions were allowed. Without knowing who these two were, stopping them was imperative.
It was then that Nicholas suddenly spoke: "Let them come in!"
Nicholas’s voice boomed like a bell, echoing across the square, lingering incessantly.
Upon Nicholas’s command, the man and woman proceeded without further obstruction, entering directly.
"Marshal, welcome to Pope’s funeral!" Nicholas placed his right hand on his chest, bowing deeply to Ye Xunhuan.
"Sorry, I arrived late!" Ye Xunhuan said, somewhat embarrassed.
"No, you’ve arrived just in time!" Nicholas softly replied: "The Pope hasn’t been buried yet!"
"Is there anything I can assist with?" Ye Xunhuan politely asked.
At that moment, although Ye Xunhuan leaned towards talking with Michelle, he knew it wasn’t appropriate to approach her at such a time.
After all, this was the Vatican, Saint Peter’s Square, with countless Vatican members watching, and Michelle, being the Vatican’s Saint, held an untouchable sanctity in everyone’s eyes; approaching her intimately would likely lead to being surrounded as an enemy.
Thus, despite wanting to comfort Michelle, Ye Xunhuan had to restrain his impulses, waiting for the proceedings to conclude before approaching her.
"Thank you for your kindness!" Nicholas gratefully said: "But there’s nothing requiring your assistance. However, there’s something I wish to verify with you; may I ask, Marshal?"
"Please speak!"
Nicholas inhaled deeply, scanning the surroundings slowly, then asked: "Marshal, is it true that the Pope was assassinated while attending your wedding?"
"Yes!" Ye Xunhuan didn’t deny it, acknowledging it outright.
For Ye Xunhuan, there was nothing to deny; with so many witnesses, denial would be meaningless.
Admitting, though true, filled Ye Xunhuan’s heart with caution and unease.
Given that it was Pope Louis III’s funeral, Nicholas’s abrupt question seemed unlikely to stem merely from curiosity over Louis III’s death, especially since Gabriel, upon bringing Louis III back, would have surely informed them.
Yet, Nicholas persisted in asking again.
Unusual occurrences entail peculiarities, which made Ye Xunhuan approach with caution, wary of falling into Nicholas’s trap.
Moreover, this was the Vatican, with many Vatican members present, perhaps even some ancient members concealed in the shadows.
If ensnared in Nicholas’s trap, it would undoubtedly pose a tremendous problem!
"Nicholas, what’s your meaning?" Victoria’s exquisite face instantly showed a hint of coldness.