Chapter 50: Lady Innocente

Chapter 50: Lady Innocente

Attendants stood at the ready in tuxedos opening doors and welcoming the empire’s most distinguished guests to the estate of Duchess Carmen Innocente.

Black limos, Rolls Royce, Bentley, and other luxury vehicles lined the enormous circle drive at the head of the 50,000 square foot French gothic mansion that took design cues from the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.The initial posting of this chapter occurred via N0v3l.B11n.

The guest list included bishops, cardinals, nobleman, and other privileged and wealthy individuals within the empire. As guests alighted from their vehicles with their dates, a magnificent red carpet greeted them and led them up the stairs to a set of hand carved stone doors depicting various scenes from the bible. Upon entry through the doors, guests were welcomed into an atrium with 50-foot-tall ceilings with the walls constructed of stone and stained-glass depictions revering the Lord.

The atrium had relics of the Christianity religion on display, paintings more than a millennium old, and even a life-sized wooden cross to remind everyone of the sacrifice the Lord made for all of Christianity.

Several senior Cardinals arrived including Cardinals Ricard, Pell, and Ortega. The atrium had swelled to nearly 150 people, and an audible yet hushed buzz of excitement washed through the crowd as the senior Cardinals made their entrance.

While most guests wore bespoke tuxedos, designer cocktail dresses, and other luxury garments, the Cardinals were distinguishable by their red and black robes.

The hushed buzz persisted for several minutes following their arrival as the party came to life. Champagne and wine flowed, and an excess of food littered the tables for guests to eat as they pleased.

The party was abuzz with life; however, suddenly the buzz grew to a wave of building excitement as one of the most revered Cardinals in the empire stepped through the door. In the signature red and black robes of a Cardinal, Cardinal Betoli stepped into the party. At 95 years old, he was one of the oldest members of the College of Cardinals. After Pope Gregory and Pope Peter, he also held the most power, even more so than St. Michael in the political realm.

Alongside Cardinal Betoli, he was joined by the man of the night himself... Pope Peter. The two men drew the attention of the entire party, and their arrival marked the start of the evening in earnest.

After a few minutes of mingling, a middle-aged woman dressed in an all-white beautiful hand-sewn dress appeared at the stone pulpit found halfway up the room’s central master staircase.

Cardinal Betoli entered the conversation and softly said, “Do not be embarrassed Pope Peter. The daughter of Duchess Innocente is known to very few. She is here tonight at the request of myself for she has studied under me for many years. She is a treasure to our empire and one of the empire’s foremost scholars of Christianity.”

Carmen gave a delighted smile and said, “It’s a shame you two have never met. Allow me to fix this at once!” Carmen then snapped her fingers and waved for her daughter to approach.

As her daughter approached, Carmen shouted, “Come meet our empire’s leader. The height of Christianity on this planet. The one who you strive for greatness for in your studies under Cardinal Betoli. Pope Peter!”

The mysterious woman stopped before Pope Peter allowing him to take in her full sultry body up close, “I am Lady Elizabeth Innocente, daughter of Duchess Carmen Innocente. It is my honor to be in the presence of our Pope Peter.” Elizabeth curtsied to Peter with the utmost grace.

Peter responded in kind, “Lady Elizabeth. You honor me by studying under the highest of Cardinals Betoli. You have undoubtedly worked hard in the shadows to advance our agenda and religion throughout the world. I would like to know more of you studies if you have the time to spend with me.”

Lady Elizabeth bowed her head as to keep her face in the shadows of her veil, and her mother prodded her, “I have the perfect idea. Elizabeth. Take Pope Peter to the crystal falls cave within the papal suite. It was designed for his arrival after all, was it not?”

Elizabeth bowed her head, “Yes mother. I will do as you say.”

Pope Peter took her arm as she looped it through his arm. The touch of her tight latex dress against his skin aroused him to no end, and he had his sights set on Elizabeth for the night. Garnering support and favor with powerful members of the empire had just taken a back seat to the lovely girl in front of him.

As they walked off, Peter made small talk, “I love this dress of yours. It honors our religion and is quite becoming of you. Who is the designer...”

As the two disappeared into the estate, Duchess Carmen and Cardinal Betoli also receded into the depths of the labyrinthian house to stow away from the other guests for the time being.