Cesare sat on his chair and anticipated eager but worried for the battle tomorrow. He had received word that Chiaro would be on the opposing army. Cesare longed for the bloodlust of the battlefield. he demon within him was constantly taking over his body ever since Chiaro and Vanozza disappeared from his side. The small scrap of the soul that was still Cesare Borgia pleaded for the life of Chiaro, its love unconfined, but the demon banished all feelings but hatred. Yet still, Cesare vividly remembered the feel, the soft reluctant touch of Chiaro's lips against his. Still remembered the look of shock on his face.
A soft knock came from the door. Cesare jerked upright. Slowly, the door opened, revealing Volpe, Cesare's ever faithful follower, even after the discovery of Cesare's demonic side.
Cesare slowly stood and gazed out the window, prepared. Where is Chiaro now?
Chiaro groaned as he sat up in bed. Analyzing his surroundings, out of habit from when he was being targeted, his glance fell on Lucrezia. Smiling gently, he stroked her hair.
Eyes flickering open, she gazed up at Chiaro, content. Embracing him, she was overcome with relief that he was still by her side. Sunlight streaming through the open curtains, casting the holy glow of God upon the pair.
Sighing, Chiaro got out of bed and dressed. "I must report to Signora Sforza. We are preparing for the battle tomorrow."
Chewing her bottom lip, Lucrezia anxiously asked, "Will you be fighting against brother?"
Chiaro jolted. Both know that Cesare was a sensitive subject, especially after he married into Naples and his demeanor changed. "I suppose so," he sighed. How much had Cesare changed?
The next morning, Cesare rose to find that all garments and weapons for battle had been laid out. Smirking in anticipation, he donned the clothing and exited to join the king of Naples, with Volpe at his side, eager but still reluctant for bloodshed.
Kneeling at the king's feet, he then joined his troops.
"If you see Chiaro, or Michelotto, what will you do?"
Though shocked, Cesare calmly answered Volpe's question. "I will kill him of course. He betrayed me, then fled with and impregnated my sister."
Volpe turned his head, again casting his attention upon the king. "You do know I have not forgiven Chiaro's abandoning of you. I shall slay him before your hands become stained even more," Volpe proclaimed, anger etched on his face.
Chuckling softly, Cesare replied, "Stained? Have you seen Niccolo's vision of me? A tyrant, bloodstained, surrounded by dead bodies. How could I possibly become more stained than that?"
Silence was the response he received, and the pair remained silent as the preparations began for battle.