Chp 12
One rainy night, Cesare was in his room, reading when he heard a knock. He opened the door to Lady Isabella, who was heavily soaked due to the rain. He pulled her in and said, "Bella, why were you in the rain?". Lady Isabella didn't answer him; instead Cesare heard sobbings came from her mouth. He cupped her face and kissed her cheeks. "What's wrong?", asked Cesare.
"Please don't be mad at me", said Lady Isabella. "My love, what's wrong?", he asked again. "All those late night rendezvous, all the time we spent together…", Lady Isabella said, but stopped as she started to cry. "Bella, I can't help you if you don't tell me what is the matter", said Cesare. "I'm with child, Cesare. Your child", said Lady Isabella.
Cesare was surprised. "This is joyous news", said Cesare. "You're not mad?", said Lady Isabella as she sobbed. "Why would I be? This is our child. Ours and you, the woman I love is carrying my child", said Cesare. "What if someone were to ask?", asked Lady Isabella. "Tell them it is my child", said Cesare. "Even when my uncle or your father ask?", said Lady Isabella. Cesare smiled and nodded.
Lady Isabella smiled back. Cesare leaned forward and kissed her. "Stay with me tonight. It's cold out there", said Cesare. Lady Isabella nodded and Cesare held her in his arms as they slept through the rainy night.
(The next day)
Cesare got up before Lady Isabella. He placed his hand on her stomach and a little smile crept up to his face. His child was carried by the woman whom he love and adored. Then, there was a knock. "Cesare, are you awake?", he heard his father. Cesare got up and opened the door and he didn't care if everyone knew Lady Isabella is carrying his child.
Rodrigo came in and was shock to see Lady Isabella in Cesare's bed. "Before I get to business, what is the meaning of this?", Rodrigo whispered. "Bella and I, we have been together since we were young. It's hard for me to let her go. We exchange letters and…, had our late night rendezvous. She's carrying my child, father", said Cesare.
Rodrigo looked at his son with disbelief and awed. "You impregnated her? For how long?", asked Rodrigo. "I found out last night. I think she just knew as well", said Cesare. Rodrigo hugged his son and Cesare was surprised by his father's reaction. "Congratulation, my son. We must convey this message to everyone", said Rodrigo.
"But we are not even married", said Cesare. "Oh. That is a problem. Antonio might kill you for that", said Rodrigo. Cesare sighed. "Do not fret, my son. I'm sure we can have it resolved during dinner", said Rodrigo as he patted his son's shoulder, trying to reassure him. "I hope so", said Cesare.
Later, everyone, minus Rodrigo, Vannozza and Lord De Luca gathered at the open garden. The women gossiped while the men sparred with each other at the same time. In the end, all three held each other at sword points. "Guess it is a tie?", said Captain De Luca. The men put down their swords and joined the ladies for a round of refreshment.
Lady Isabella was slightly pale today and this was worrying Cesare. "Bella, are you alright?", he asked as he cupped her face. She only nodded before collapsing in his arms. Everyone panicked for a while. "Calm, everyone! Brother, Lucrezia, you two will get Bella to her room. Mary and I will inform mother, father and Lord De Luca while Alberto can fetch the physician. Clear?", Juan said as he divided duties to everyone. Cesare picked Lady Isabella up, bridal style and rushed her to her room with Lucrezia following behind.
When everyone had gathered there, the physician had asked everyone to wait outside. Mary, the Borgias and the De Lucas waited patiently, but when time ticked, Cesare got up and started to pace. His face frowned and he sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. "Calm down, my son. I'm sure Bella is fine", said Rodrigo, but Cesare was getting restless.
After it seemed an eternity for Cesare, the physician came out. "Lady Isabella is fine. Perhaps she a bit exhausted. Oh, congratulation I might add. She's with child", said the physician before leaving. Lord De Luca was shocked. "Bella is…, with child? How did this happened?", said Lord De Luca with disbelief. Juan, Lucrezia and Captain De Luca turned to Cesare and the eldest Borgia son bowed his head down.
"Cesare? Are you…, the father to Bella's child?", asked Lord De Luca. Cesare only nodded. "Did you hurt her?", asked Lord De Luca, slightly angry. "No. I would never dare. I would've kill myself than hurting her", said Cesare. "Antonio, I was going to discuss with you this evening after dinner", said Rodrigo. "How long have you known?", asked Lord De Luca. "This morning", said Rodrigo. "Last night", said Cesare.
"I made a promise to my brother that I'll protect his child no matter what. I will see to it that she is happy. Can you make her happy, Cesare Borgia? Because if you don't, I will kill you", said Lord De Luca. "You have my word, Lord De Luca", said Cesare. Lord De Luca sat down and sighed. "I hope we can come to an arrangement for their wedding, Antonio. Gosh, so many weddings do we need to prepare!", said Rodrigo, excitedly.
Lucrezia looked rather disappointed. "It's not fair!", said Lucrezia, angrily. "Why is it not fair, my dear?", asked Rodrigo. "Everyone gets to marry the ones of their choosing. Everyone but me! It's not fair", said Lucrezia and ran back to her room. Captain De Luca ran after her and Rodrigo and Lord De Luca got the clue. "I supposed we are doing three weddings, right Rodrigo?", said Lord De Luca. "I suppose we can find a way to dispose of Sforza, somehow. Cesare?", said Rodrigo. Cesare nodded, understood Rodrigo's command. "Now, everyone can be dismissed except for Cesare. I need a word with you", said Rodrigo.
