A sentimental poet once wrote, "A city is a frozen poem, and the buildings made of stone and wood are the notes of each other."

As long as any city can be lucky to escape the terrible destruction caused by natural disasters and man-made destruction in the long history, with the passage of time, the city will precipitate and brew its own charm like fine wine.

This kind of charm is also like poetry, whether it is timeless or hot and lively, and it is also like a beautiful woman, always with her own different taste and character.

Valaridot is not a city with a long history, just 100 years ago it was a desolate and remote town, and even now, neither the size nor the heritage of the old capital Toledo can be compared.

The future of Barriaridud is not so promising, it has been suggested that it is not suitable to be the capital of a new kingdom that may be united in the future, and for various reasons, Zaragoza of Aragon is also not suitable as a new capital in the future, so the search for a more suitable capital for the kingdom has become an urgent and important issue.

Madrid, less than 120 frances from Beria Ridode, has been proposed as the new capital, and it is clear that the city is more suitable for the future kingdom than Barriaridod in terms of size and location.

However, as with the initial decision to move the capital from Toledo, many people did not agree to move the capital again.

Their reasoning is simple: it is very imprudent for a kingdom to move frequently, which is likely to cause unnecessary suspicion and panic, after all, it is often only when it is forced to do so, and it may even cause unnecessary confrontation between the nobles in various places.

Isabella knew that this was what the nobles were trying to say, just as the result of moving the capital from Toledo was to free her from the constraints of the old Castilian aristocracy, and the new nobility that had gradually formed a scale was also in danger of being challenged by the newcomers.

"It's a worthless city," Alexander heard the Pope say of the city as he entered the city of Barriaride, "If Isabella hadn't been married to Ferdinand here, she wouldn't have chosen to make it the capital of her kingdom." ”

Alexander knew that the Pope was teaching him about the aristocracy of Castile, and during this time Alexander VI was very serious about popularizing it to him, and the situation between Castile and Aragon and the relationship between the nobles was like a spider's web.

This was obviously very beneficial to Alexander, although he had already figured out the general situation of Castile in detail before, but many things could not be understood by simple information after all, and Alexander VI, as the head of the Borgia family, of course, knew the details of those nobles like him better.

It was also from the Pope that Alexander understood more clearly the extent of the conflict between Isabella and the old nobility of Toledo.

"If you want to realize your dream here, either get the support of the Toledo nobles, or let the people of Vallaridus take your side, and there will be no one to compromise with each other, and the people here are different from Rome, for whom gallows and beheadings are more lovely than negotiations."

Alexander agreed with the Pope's statement, and although the Moorish rule had come to an end for many years, the Iberians could not erase the mark left on them.

In many cases, their way of thinking is very similar to that of the Moors, and the oriental style of revenge and intolerance has taken root in every corner of the place, so it is not possible to solve problems in the same tactful way as in Italy, where the people, like their monarchs, seem to have an enlightened mind, but in fact have a conservative and extreme heart.

It was somewhat rude that Queen Isabella did not leave the city to greet the Pope, but the Queen also had her own reasons for fulfilling a 7-day silent vow under the supervision of her personal priest, Thomas Tongomada.

During the seven days, the queen could not speak, not even listen to others, so she could only spend the long seven days in her room, but according to Thomas Tangomada, after seven days, the queen would receive a revelation from God for this pious act, and although it was a little rude to the pope, it was believed that the queen's actions would be forgiven by the pope.

Alexander VI, of course, was very magnanimous in his approval, and by the way he was tired of the queen's piety, and the hospitality of King Ferdinand of Aragon was indeed done in all aspects, and the money spent on the grand ball and the welcome ceremony even made the Pope feel sorry for it, so that the welcome ceremony, which lasted until midnight, still drowning the whole city of Vallaredot in joy and joy, also diluted all the speculations caused by the queen's non-attendance.

Alexander entered the city as an entourage to the Pope, and although he had seen many nobles of the Castilian court before, it was the first time he had seen Ferdinand.

Ferdinand made a peculiar impression on Alexander, and although he remembered seeing the portrait of the king, Alexander was still a little surprised when he saw him.

In his imagination, Ferdinand, who was known as the Great Genius, was supposed to be a so-called eagle-eyed man, and even standing behind him would make people worry that he might be targeted.

But in reality, Ferdinand looked more like a slightly mother-in-law landlord.

His cheeks, which had drooped a little, made him look tired, a large, round chin set off a face that was clearly a little old, the king wore a hat that looked a little like a nightcap, which was somewhat strange, and his wide robe with black piping made him seem as if he had not had time to change his clothes and rushed to the ceremony.

This dress made Ferdinand look less like a king and more like a bohemian artist, and his face gave Alexander the illusion that he was looking at a landowner who had just entered the city from a country manor and had broken into the palace through the wrong door.

Even though he knew that he should not be deceived by appearances, Alexander still wondered how Isabella had fallen in love with such a person, who did not look like a king at all, let alone the monarch of a powerful country, but he knew that this person had shown a tough and skillful hand in the face of a country that might be divided again after Isabella's death, and he not only suppressed the Castilian nobles who were about to move, but also firmly grasped Juana as the heir.

Only this time he probably won't clash with Philip head-on, because although he has just entered the city, he already knows from some Castilian nobles that Philip's illness is dying.

This is probably the reason why the Castilian people have a somewhat strange attitude towards the arrival of the Pope, which can be felt even during the welcome ceremony, and in the evening, when there is an opportunity to be alone with the Pope, this slightly strange atmosphere is even stronger.

Many people wanted to take the opportunity to say a few words to the Pope, but no one dared to be the first to come out, so Alexander VI sat there, saying his perfunctory words to the groups of nobles who were in front of him, while the Pope's gaze occasionally skimmed to Alexander, who was standing not far away.

Unlike the Pope, Alexander was already surrounded by a group of people, and some of the nobles who had met him before were glad that they had a nodding acquaintance with the Duke in the first place, so that they could catch up with Alexander in a high-sounding manner, even if it was impossible to talk about anything too deep in such a place, but it was a good opportunity, at least as long as he had a good relationship with the Pope's son-in-law, he would have a chance to get close to the Pope.

Ferdinand was obviously aware of the ambiguity of the nobles, and he had to pay attention to Alexander, especially when he thought that this man was the half-brother of Queen Josa of Naples, and that this man was also said to have a non-negligible influence in Sicily, and Ferdinand thought that perhaps he should have a good talk with the duke.

So when they saw the king walking by, the nobles immediately made excuses to leave, but the people did not go far, they were waiting for news that they did not know what it was.

"Duke, my Sicilian governor Flomenza has mentioned you more than once in his reports, and he says that you are the one who sabotaged my plans to march into Naples," Ferdinand unabashedly showed hostility as soon as he spoke, this sharp attitude contrasted sharply with his face that looked like that of a country landowner, and at the same time the king's gaze was fixed on Alexander's face, as if to see through the real thoughts behind his expression that was still calm after hearing this, "Duke, I think it is necessary for you to explain, I know that you have a deep misunderstanding of me, and that you think that I covet the land of Naples, but you must know that your suspicion is baseless. ”

Alexander looked at the landowner's face in front of him, and listened to Ferdinand's words that seemed to be both threatening and explaining, and at first he wondered what the king wanted to do, and then he slowly understood.

It was clear that Ferdinand was testing him, for whatever purpose, and the king seemed to have something unsettling him about it now, and considering that Isabella was not present at the ceremony and the banquet, Alexander felt that perhaps this was the key.

Ferdinand apparently wanted to find out from him how hostile Napoli were to him, and as for what he had done in his message, Alexander was sure that Ferdinand would not take revenge on him openly, even if he was very annoyed.

The army to Naples was originally in the name of reinforcements, as for the historical Aragorn took the opportunity to annex the Kingdom of Naples, they were based on the fact that the French had driven away Frederick, the king of Naples at that time, causing the throne of Naples to be vacant, and later they simply fought with the French for Naples, so that the original Astamara line of the Neapolitan royal family was virtually deposed.

But now, before the Aragonese army could even reach Naples, Alexander was forced to move into Crete, which did not allow Ferdinand to succeed, but no one ever knew about Ferdinand's ambitions to annex it.

The king still has a good reputation, and he is even regarded by some Neapolitans as a "brother and friend" of the same roots as the Naples.

It's just that the hatred for Alexander, Ferdinand, can't be hidden, just like now, Ferdinand looked at Alexander and whispered: "Duke, I don't know why you suddenly want to come to Castile, but if I were you, I would leave as soon as possible, and it is not good to be hated by a king." ”

Listening to Ferdinand's undisguised hostility, Alexander glanced at the Pope, who was looking at him, and then said in the same low voice: "Do you want your in-laws to have a tougher ally, or do you want Sicily to face a war that may break out at any time?" ”

Ferdinand looked at Alexander in surprise, he didn't expect this young man to dare to threaten him to his face, and it was in "his" court.

It's just that Alexander's words did catch his attention, and he carefully reflected on the meaning of these words, and at the same time raised his glass to Alexander's slight salute: "Duke, what you said is very interesting, but I don't understand what you're talking about, I have an in-law relationship with the emperor, and that's enough for us to be a strong alliance, so what makes you think I'm going to clash with the emperor?" ”

"Your Majesty the Crown, it's the Crown."

Alexander and Ferdinand stood side by side looking at the noisy hall, and it was hard to imagine that these people in this hall would be in great distress two years later with Isabella's death, and that the seemingly kind-faced king standing next to him would pave the way for unification with their blood.

Ferdinand was a bit surprised this time, he couldn't figure out what Alexander knew, and because of this he had to remind himself to be more cautious, he had heard of the war in Italy, and that Rome Thesia was at war with the French.

However, Ferdinand was not very optimistic about the Roman Thesians, and he fully understood that a new duchy wanted to establish itself through a war, but it would be too stupid to use the French as an opponent, perhaps Louis XII was not a clever general like Charles VIII, but the French army was strong, which was enough to make up for the king's lack of experience in war.

Although Maximian, along with Venice and other countries, joined the Holy Alliance of the Roman-Thesians, Ferdinand, knowing Maximian's character, was even more certain that the Roman-Thesian would most likely fall victim to the Emperor's intervention in Italian affairs.

However, although he was not optimistic about the prospects of the war, Ferdinand could not help but guard against Maximian's alliance with Rome and Thesia, extending his tentacles to southern Italy, and if possible, he might not take the opportunity to make an attempt against Sicily.

This was the reason why Ferdinand thought that the duke should be treated with caution, he did not want to force this man to the point of siding with Maximir completely, if then he might use his influence to make the Queen of Naples fall to Maximian, which Ferdinand definitely did not want to see.

With this in mind, Ferdinand raised his glass to Alexander: "Don't be too impulsive Duke, sometimes we should look a little further." I can be your friend rather than foe if you want, but you should know that my friendship comes at a price. ”

Ferdinand smiled and stepped forward.

Looking at the back of Ferdinand, who was "split" like Moses splitting the waves of the sea, and the crowd walking towards the Pope, Alexander couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Isabella's lack of appearance from beginning to end attracted Alexander's attention, and he had the impression that Isabella was a very diligent monarch, and it is said that she was about to give birth when she was pregnant with Mary, and she was still dealing with state affairs, so that the minister who reported to her found that the queen was not doing well and called someone in time, so as to avoid the fate of Maria being born on the throne.

How could such a diligent queen be absent from such an important ceremony, as for Thomas Tangomada's so-called 7-day meditation, Alexander absolutely did not believe it.

So what happened to Isabella, or why couldn't she greet the Pope in person?

Alexander's carpenters did not look like the nobles, who did not know how many of them had the same suspicions as him, but it was evident from their constant desire to draw closer to the Pope that the Castilian nobles seemed to sense something.

Alexander was eager to see Ulius at this time, and although the Moors might not be able to find out more, Alexander could analyze and guess if something was going on around Isabella from the information he had gathered about Vallarid's various aspects.

While Alexander was guessing what had happened to Isabella, in a very secluded palace in the royal palace, Isabella was lying on the bed with a sickly face, her face was a little pale, and her chest was panting sharply because of the swelling.

From time to time, the maid who accompanied her put pieces of handkerchiefs soaked in cold water on her hot forehead, but this did not seem to make the queen any more comfortable, so a doctor, who did not look much better than the butcher, came in with a set of rusty tools.

"Your Majesty is suffering from a fever, yes, yes, a fever," the doctor opened Isabella's eyelids and looked at it, and then made up his mind, "well, let's bleed His Majesty so that she can be more comfortable." ”

Isabella, who was a little dizzy, barely opened her eyes and looked at the figure in front of her, which seemed blurry because of the high fever, and the last thing she remembered was a man with a knife in his hand like a pig butcher walking towards her with a hideous face.