Sister, I'm the Queen This Life (330 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 296

Sir Bernardino cautiously called out to Prince Alfonso.

“My Lord.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s a minor matter, but…”

What Sir Bernardino had to report was that the date for the audience between the detained Prince Alfonso and Cardinal de Mare had been changed.

“They say His Eminence has urgently gone up to the Imperial Painting Bureau in Trevero. Thus, the audience will unfortunately have to be postponed until after his return…”

Sir Dino read the unspoken question—”Why?”—in the prince’s expression.

“It’s still confidential, but apparently Pope Ludovico is gravely ill. Cardinals from across the continent are gathering in Trevero. Officially, they claim it’s to offer prayers for His Holiness’s recovery, but…”

“They’re preparing for a conclave.”

A conclave was the secret meeting held by all cardinals upon the death of the previous pope to elect his successor. Votes remained anonymous, and if unanimity wasn’t reached, they would be confined and vote again once per day until a new pope emerged.

“What’s the current balance of power exactly?”

Pope Ludovico was barely in his mid-to-late fifties.

He couldn’t be called young, but neither was he at an age to die of old age, and he was famously robust in health. Naturally, he had designated no successor, and there was no clear frontrunner actively maneuvering behind the scenes.

“There’s the conflict between the Reformist faction led by Pope Ludovico and the Traditionalist faction led by Cardinal de Mare.”

Whichever side held the majority would produce the next pope.

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