Chapter III
Duel Proposals
Ezio scowled into his wine as Maria Auditore gripped her son by the back of his vest.
"Ezio. I am warning you. One outburst," she scowled, tugging on the dark green material, "And I shall not allow you and Federico out for weeks."
Federico Auditore, being held in the same compromising position by his father, nodded quickly before both uttered a unanimous 'Yes, mother'. Petruccio giggled up at his older brothers, gripping Ezio's hand tightly. His mother, placing a quick kiss a top of his head, shooed him along with the other children.
"Now, no running off with any women tonight," Maria mumbled, one hand placed against her stomach, "It is Fia's party and she wanted you two to be here."
The two teenagers shared a look before giving their mother a final nod. Ezio had known that his family was a member of the esteemed guest list, though why he had been invited was another thing that occupied his mind. After all, Fia knew for certain that he did not get along with Vieri...
As their parents were greeted by familiar faces, the brothers turned to one another.
"I know that look," Frederico breathed, "Ezio, everything will work out."
Ezio snorted, sipping the wine. "And if it doesn't?"
There was a pause and Ezio continued.
"Fia knows how well we get along with Pazzi... If there is a fight, she will never forgive us."
"Come on, Ezio," Federico elbowed him, "Let us find Claudia. She spoke with little Riccio earlier."
Sauntering through the boisterous crowd of the party, the brothers quickly found their younger sister amongst a group of giggling girls. The girls beamed at the sight of the all too famous brothers, fanning themselves and mumbling compliments their way. Ezio, giving a small bow, was first to speak.
"Ci scusi, le donne. (Excuse us, ladies)" Charming smiles were flashed as they tugged their younger sibling, gripping her by either arms and pulling her towards the garden where they could finally have a word together without being interrupted. Claudia, looking paler than usual, sighed in relief.
"I have been looking for you two for the past hour," she mumbled, smoothing her dress.
Federico and Ezio shared a look of concern. The older of the two spoke first. "What is wrong, sorella? You look sickly. Have you come down with something?"
Claudia shook her head, swallowing. "No, I am alright."
"Then what is wrong?" Ezio questioned, attempting to keep his voice down as a group of girl passed by. He gave them a quick wave and a wink, exciting giggles from each one.
Claudia narrowed her eyes her friends before grasping both her brothers' hands and tugging the behind the terrace and far away from the crowd. Once it was quiet, she spoke hastily.
"Vieri is not going to propose," Claudia muttered.
Ezio blinked at her. "What?"
"Because when he sees her, she will already be engaged."
Federico laughed skeptically. "Claudia, what are you talking about?"
Their sister swallowed. "She cannot marry Vieri. You two know as much as any other that she is a very dear friend of mine. I only wish for her to be happy. And safe. But, if Vieri takes her hand, then she will not be any of those things! ... Her father spoke to me earlier... He had a favor to ask. When she is presented, she will accept someone's proposal, but Vieri's..."
Federico hushed her. "Keep your voice down, Claudia. Go on."
"I told him that Ezio is going to propose."
Ezio quickly stammered, laughing loudly. "Che cosa? Ma sei matto? (What? Are you crazy?)"
Claudia huffed. Her blue eyes met his brown one. "You're going to propose. You need to. Vieri will ruin her. Her father was so happy with I told him you would... I slipped!"
Ezio quickly swallowed, gaping at her younger sister and older brother. Federico was resting on his haunches, a piece of grass between his fingers. Thoughtfully spinning it, he shared a glance with his sister who nodded. There was a moment of silence when Federico finally stood. He clapped his hand on Ezio's shoulder.
"You'll need flowers. And a proposal," he spoke quickly, "I shall run to the florist. I know a man who owes me a favor. I'll be back in a few minutes. Claudia, I need you to stall Fia's parents. They are not going to be happy with this, so please, do not allude to it. And Ezio? Propose to her when she is presented. There will be many men up there, so you must be full of flair. And, whatever you do, do not make eye contact with mother. She will know what the three of us are up to in an instant."
Claudia broke into a grin.
Ezio however protested.
"I... I cannot marry her!" He screeched, "This is marriage."
"Sì, lo è (yes it is), but this is Fia. Our friend. Claudia has a point. She cannot be married to Vieri. I will not allow it."
"Then why don't you marry her?"
"Oh, please," Federico winked, "We both know you've always been the better looking of us both, Ezio."
And with that, his older brother was sprinting past the party go-ers, apologizing before breaking into a sprint towards the market.
Ezio, his chest tight with nervousness, glared at his sister.
"I cannot believe this."
Fia, her chest tight with nervousness, glared at her mother.
"I cannot believe this," she muttered, stalking out of the bathroom. she quickly grasped her fan off the table by the window. Spaying the feathered fabric across her pale skin, she straightened her posture and sauntered towards the patio where guests had begun to quiet and settle in. Spotting Vieri amongst the crowd, she quickly turned about, headed for the opposite direction.
"Ah, ah, ah," a familiar baritone filled her ears, "There is my little fiore."
Blinking, a smile grasped her features. She spun to find her father's aging eyes twinkling down at her with fondness, his smile soft and sincere. "Papa! Oh, how I am glad to see you."
His hand clutched hers and he gave a hearty chuckle. "Your mother spoke with you, I am guessing?"
"Oh," she paled, "Yes. She did."
"And, I take it you're not very happy about what she had to say."
She paused. "No, papa."
He remained silent. When he finally spoke, he was quieter than usual. "When I met your mother, she was the most beautiful thing in my world. I had fallen very fast for her, you know. I was the son of a wealthy banker and she, the daughter of a seamstress. Your mother was very poor, but when she met me, she knew she would not live that life any longer. Now, because you're my daughter, I trusted that you would make the correct choices in your life. I trusted that you would take the hand of a man you would be happy with. But, that decision had been taken from you, Fia."
He paused, settling her hand in a cocoon of his own. "Please, do as I believed you would. Do not fear your mother's wrath. She and I only wish the best of you."
As he whispered a quick endearment, his bearded lips met her cheek quickly. Suddenly, her mother was at her side. "Are you ready, Fia?"
She had almost spoke her mind with a sharp no, but instead, Fia nodded.
She grasped her daughters hand as her father was, giving it a quick pat. The three began towards the patio, and as they neared, the silence of the crowd grew. The minstrels stopped their strumming and the drunks stopped their laughing. Even the girls ceased their giggling.
She was led to the center of the patio, where she stood beneath the sweltering sun, fanning herself. She could hear her own blood rushing into her ears as her father began his speech, telling some story of how Fia had become his world. Time seemed to slow, and her eyes darted through the crowd nervously.
Vieri de Pazzi was standing at attention in the front row surrounded by his father and uncle, both looking rather smug in their fur coats and embroidered vests. The dark haired teenager threw a wink at her which she quickly dismissed turning her attention to a figure struggling through the crowd.
The all too familiar mess of brown hair belonged to the one and only Ezio Auditore, and for once in her life, Fia felt relief to see him. He moved to stand among the other suitors, clutching a fistful of flowers and looking rather pale himself. He swallowed when she made eye contact, and suddenly, it all clicked.
"And with that, I present Fia Rizzola di Firenze to you as a striking young woman who shall forever be my daughter."
There was a flurry of screams and shouts for her attention, but suddenly, there were two men on their knees in front of her. Suddenly the crowd grew quiet. There was a sudden shout from the back of the party go-ers as Fia's eyes fell to the pair of boys before her.
On one knee, gripping a bouquet of flowers was Vieri de Pazzi, his face twisted into some mad expression as his gaze met the other boy's.
Mirroring him was Ezio Auditore, his eyes set straight ahead on Fia. "Signora Rizzola, I wish to ask—"
Vieri jumped to his feet, whipping the flowers at Ezio angrily. "He cannot do that! I was going to ask! Me!"
Recovering from the sudden explosion of petals to the face, Ezio thrusted his roses towards Fia. "— As I was saying — I wish to ask for your hand in marriage, Fia Rizzola."
To her right, her mother fainted.
In the crowd, the gaggle of teenage girls screamed and wailed.
There was a horrible scream from the back of the crowd as Maria Auditore rushed forward. But, before she could do anything to punish her son, Fia's answer left her mouth.
"You may take my hand, Ezio Auditore."