The next night, Juan sat with a drink in hand, sipping slowly as his "friends" laughed and grasped drunkenly at bar maids and whores.

He leaned forward. "How can I get her to marry me? How can I become king?"

A large man with a burly beard and bald head laughed and told him. "Seduce her! Then your Father will have to make her marry you, no?"

Juan leaned back, he knew she found him uninteresting and revolting. He had been unkind to her disfigured handmaiden and now he was paying for it. But then he thought... 'All I have to do is MAKE her impure...then I'll be king...'

Across the city Cesare sat on his balcony staring towards the fires that burned at his princess' camp. He knew they were still celebrating, though he wasn't sure if it was the engagement or her killing of Anton. In that moment Cesare understood that he was never meant for the "quiet" life of Rome or of the clergy, he was proud of his fiancé and of the fight she had in her. Lost in thought he hadn't heard his door open but now he heard the foot falls near him. He quickly swung around to find a scantly dress Lucrezia, she smiled brightly.

"Brother, what occupies your mind?" She neared him, resting her hand on his chest.

He clasped it gently as he swallowed. "Sis, I thought you had decided to stay at our mother's villa."

She brought up her face to his. "My husband decided to venture to Rome's finest establishments of wine and whores...I did not wish to have our mother's eyes on me in pity... So I am here...with you..."

Cesare leaned to her and placed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. "Honey and roses..." He practically melted against her. "You are my weakness..." He kissed her deeply and they both scurried towards his bed, undressing.

As they laid down, the door swung open send a voice rung out cheerfully. "Cesare I have ne-" they both turned and there stood Alena. "News..." She finished coldly. "When you are decent, please come find me and your Father." Her face was like marble, the face he found so young and charming was now hard. She turned and shut the door calmly, her footsteps echoing down the hall like rocks being thrown at him.

He quickly got up and wiped his face in shock and shame. He stammered as he redressed and Lucrezia began to sob as she wrapped herself in his sheet.

"Cesare." She whimpered. "I am so sorry. I do not mean for this...I am sorry."

He got a shirt on and stared at Lucrezia, the women who had become an obsession, the love of his life..."Get dressed, go to our mother's villa and stay there...this will not happen again. I love you but this is done." He left the room in search of Alena and his Father; he could hear Lucrezia sobbing loudly and as he turned a corner there was Micheletto. "Get my sister to my mother's, then come find me so we may speak about our matters." Micheletto nodded and went to the room. Once Cesare reached Alena, he found she was alone, so he took this moment to talk to her. He neared her quickly. "Alena," she turned still stone faced. "allow me to explain...I-"

"You bed your sister. I knew. There are rumors all over Italy of the depravity that the Borgia family indulges in. Though most are ludicrous...the incest is not so hard to see. Lucrezia is beautiful and you are so close, we have inter family marriages, like my half-brother trying to marry me for the crown..." She lowered her head. "You may continue the relationship if you'd like, I could make her an ambassador and you both could continue... I would be your wife and we would only have to meet to fulfill our duties as royalty..."

He grabbed her hands. "No. I have been trying to end it with her since I formally met you... I knew I wanted you. She's going to my mother's villa and I have told her that it will not happen again." He grabbed her hands and smiled. She took her hands away and turned around. "I understand but it will take some time..." Cesare nodded and his father entered the room.

"How is the new couple?" He opened his arms and hugged Alena. "Our dear, you look so solemn."

She shook her head and smiled brightly. "I am just tired from all the festivities. Forgive my mood, Your Holiness." He nodded. "I have come with news from my sister, she comes to Rome. She wishes to convert to the Christian faith and wishes to die with the Pope's blessing."

Alexander gave a half smile. "That is wonderful news, as well as most saddening. The death of a dear sister must weigh upon your heart." He caressed her cheek.

Alena gave a halfhearted smile. "I love my sister but I have prepared for this...though if I am honest... I am very saddened... Thankfully I have Cesare by my side." She smiled and looked over at him. He smiled back and stepped forward, taking her hand in his. "When does your sister arrive?" Alena smiled and looked toward the marble floor. "She has already set up camp in the woods and asked to be met there before her formal arrive to Rome. She has never been one for crowds and wishes a quiet venue to meet my fiancé and the Pope."

Alexander murmured to himself, mulling over the unconventional idea. "Well... Yes, We think We can accommodate for a queen. Send word We will be there at noon tomorrow."

Alena's face brightened and she lunged for Alexander, embracing him. "Thank you, Your Holiness!" She pulled away, red with embarrassment. "Apologizes, Your Holiness..."

Alexander laughed. "No no no, anytime We are hugged by a beautiful woman We know We have God's favor." He looked at Cesare. "You are lucky, my son. Now be a gentleman and escort the princess back to her camp, yes?"

"Of course, Holy Father." He held out his hand to Alena and she smiled. "One moment, Cesare, will you wait outside; I wish to speak with His Holiness." She smiled.

Cesare nodded and began to leave the room, at the door he sees Juan leaning against the wall across the hall door. "What do you want, Juan?"

He stumbled toward Cesare. "You, brother, have taken from me a... :hiccup: a kingdom that I most rightly deserve. :hiccup: I should be her King and master..."

Cesare neared his brother, grabbed his collar and narrowed his eyes. "She loves me and you are weak, and piss drunk... Get out of here..." He shoved Juan down the hall.

Juan stumbled over himself and fell. "Be careful, Cesare, the last time a royal was under this roof, they died... Would you like your betrothed to end up like our good Muslim brother, Djem, did?"

Cesare raised his sword and rushed his brother. "How dare you!?"

At that moment Alena cried out. "Cesare!" He stopped in his tracks, his blade at Juan's neck. "What is happening here?" She went to him, her dress shuffling around her, her heels clicking in a rush. "You cannot do this, my love." She put her hand on his sword.

"He threatened you. I will have his tongue." Cesare pressed his sword against Juan.

Juan swallowed, a droplet of blood slid down to his chest. "You cannot do this, brother. Our father will condemn you..."

Alena moved herself between Juan and faced Cesare. "My sweet love, do not do this... Because he is a monster, his blood is undeserving to be spilled in the Vatican. So I ask this... Let him live?" She turned to Juan. "For now."