Of course, Cosimo was no one who would just lie in bed swallowing his regrets.
The moment he noticed the hidden trap behind the “Empire’s favor” stated in the treaty Giovanni brought, he immediately called for Lorenzo and Giovanni.
“…I think this is the Empire’s true intention.”
“Ah…”
“Oh no…”
Lorenzo and Giovanni’s faces fell at Cosimo’s words.
Especially Giovanni, who had returned jubilant after scoring big in the negotiations with the Empire, now looked crestfallen and blamed himself.
“I’m sorry! I was foolish! If I had noticed this trap earlier, I would have prevented it!”
Cosimo shook his hand.
“No, even if you knew, you still had to accept it.”
“Even knowing before it happened?”
At Lorenzo’s question, Cosimo nodded.
“Exactly. To succeed in the ‘great undertaking’ you mentioned, Florence alone cannot do it. We inevitably need outside help. With that in mind, the Empire is a worthy partner.”
“Then… should we just let this go?”
“It’s a matter of control.”
“Control?”