Alfonso marveled at how exquisite his new bride was. Lucrezia Borgia truly was the finest and most precious treasure the vatican contained. Skin like flawless porcelain. Hair like it was spun from heavenly gold. It was hard to imagine only hours before they had been joined in holy matrimony and she was his to spend an eternity with. The hall where their reception ball was being held was a sight to be beheld in it's own right. Gold and jewels seemed to hang ubiquitously, as if floating in mid-air. No matter the room's adornment, Lucrezia outshone it all. She was gazing sweetly into his eyes and he felt like the only person in the entire room. Spellbound entirely by the moment he had failed to see her older brother, now standing like an imposing mountain in front of them.
"Might I share one dance with my beloved sister?" Cesare asked with a most bitter, fraudulent smile. Alfonso was too engrossed with the way he had phrased the question to answer. There was something about the way he said my beloved sister. There was a possessiveness that ran immeasurably deeper than simply a part of speech. Alfonso shook himself out of his thoughts to answer, but observed their was never a question to begin with. Not really, anyway. Lucrezia had not waited for her new husband's approval. She had not waited for Alfonso to nod and place her delicate hand into Cesare's. The pair were already making their way to the center of the floor, poised for the music to signal the dance.
It was then that Alfonso saw what no one else had. Or what no one else was quite able to understand. He observed in wonderment two people who were one moving in two bodies. Moving so fluidly together it appeared they were dancing underwater. A fire burned in both their eyes that set ablaze the savage electricity between them. Alfonso found himself unable to take his eyes off the horror he was beholding. No one else in the room seemed to see what he could see. But he knew it was not his imagination. He had never been a jealous person, not one to fabricate terrors that did not exist. But this, this was real. Though he did not distrust that Lucrezia cared for him. Alfonso knew there was an affection she had for him, but nothing like what was playing out before him.
Nothing like this obsession personified. Then and there he recognized that she would never be his. She may love him or care for him. But Lucrezia Borgia had given her heart completely to another. Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia were one in the same person and belonged only to each other.