Chp 1
Alessandro, Leonardo and Antonio were sparring against each other at the open pavilion of the Borgia Manor. Their mothers, minus Lucrezia, were watching at the sides as their daughters played nearby. Alberto, on the other hand, was standing nearby to evaluate their sparring training. It's been a week since the library encounter. In the end, the sparring ended up with the trio pointing their swords at each other's throat. "I guess it's a tie then?", said Antonio.
Alberto clapped loudly and said, "Bravo, boys! You've exceed my expectations after all. I'm very proud of all of you". Leonardo gave a small smile. He was close to his father, but it was Uncle Alberto who trained him in the art of sword fighting. He was slightly disappointed on that account, but Juan was the general of the papal army and Leonardo understood his tight schedule. Meanwhile, Lady Isabella and Mary were sitting as they watched their sons sparred.
Lady Isabella was feeling melancholia and Mary noticed this. "Bella, are you alright?", asked Mary. Lady Isabella shook her head. "Bella, I know something is not quite right. Are you ok? Do you need any help?", asked Mary again. "I feel…, I have lost my love with Cesare. He's spending his time away and I know one day, I may no longer be his wife", said Lady Isabella.
"Don't say such things, Bella. I'm sure there's a way…, for the two of you to repair your marriage", said Mary. "No, Mary. There's no other way. I've known him long before you do. I know him…, inside and out. He's like most men with the word infidelity stamped on his forehead", said Lady Isabella. "What will you do then if…, he decides to…, annul the marriage?", asked Mary. "Last Christmas in England, Lord Charles Brandon made me an offer…, to run away with him. I'm quite tempt to do it right now", said Lady Isabella.
"Lord Brandon is like most men", said Mary. "I know that…, but he made me the offer long before my romance with Cesare rekindled. When I first arrived in England, I think King Henry had sent you off to Ludlow with your own court, but it was after the incident at the slope. There, I first caught Lord Brandon's attention, but back then my uncle thought I was too young to be someone's wife. I stayed away from court and that's why you rarely heard of me. I never like to spend my time outside after that incident", said Lady Isabella.
Lord Brandon had married Mary's aunt, also named Mary, Dowager Queen of France without her father's consent, but in the end he saw her happiness and felt happy for her. Maybe Lady Isabella will be too, should Cesare wanted to annul their marriage. Mary knew living at court, no men had said no to infidelity including Lord Brandon, even during his marriage with her aunt till her death when she delivered Henry Brandon to the world. Perhaps this time, Lord Brandon had turned a new leaf.
"Tell no one of this, Mary. I beg of you, for the sake of my children. All they have is me and Alberto and I know he and Lucrezia's marriage also begin to crack. I know not how or why, but please Mary, speak of this to no one. If anything should happen to us…", said Isabella and she stopped her words when Juan entered the pavilion. Mary knew something was wrong and she must know what it is.
Juan walked to his wife with a smile and kissed her. "How are you faring, my lovely wife?", he asked. "Quite well, husband. You?", she asked him back. Before he could answer, little Sophia ran to her father and hugged his leg. "Papa, I miss you!", said the little girl. Juan picked up his daughter and twirled her around before tickling her, which cause the pavilion to be filled with Sophia's loud laughter. Mary smiled at the sight.
That night, after tucking the children in, Mary asked her husband as she brushed her hair without looking at him, "Juan, do you think that there's something wrong between Bella and Cesare? Lately, I always see them separated and Bella is always sad. Is there something wrong?". But there was no answer. She turned around to see him sound asleep. Mary sighed and put the brush down. Then, she climbed to bed.
Once she was sound asleep, Juan crept out of the bed and leapt out through the window. Some days, he felt bad, going to taverns, got drunk and slept with other women when he had sworn to be loyal to her. Alberto knew of this and Juan, who became his old self before meeting Mary, threatened his long and loyal friend. Alberto, being the slightly gullible, agreed to keep his mouth shut. Alberto had considered Mary as a sister and he too felt bad for not telling her anything. Some days, Juan had turned to his old self and he knew that he will be like that even though he tried not to be for Mary's sake.
Juan gave a last glance to the window before running to a tavern nearby, but didn't realize that Leonardo was watching from the roof. He had his suspicions as to where his father had disappeared early morning, giving excuse such as early morning training and now he had his proof, but how to tell his mother without breaking her heart?