a cunning person is correct because Machiavellian means cunning, scheming, and willing to use dishonest methods to gain power.

This idiom or phrase is useful because it helps students understand the intended meaning beyond the individual words.

Examples: The Machiavellian adviser secretly turned the leaders against one another. A Machiavellian character may smile while planning someone's defeat.

The word describes cunning and manipulation, not honesty, romance, or simple wisdom.