The Borgia party decided to rest for a night in the town of Salerno after two days on the road. Lucrezia was tired, dirty, irritable and very glad to be sleeping in a proper bed for the night. They chose an unassuming tavern, however not one that was too common as they still desired some comforts despite their wish to travel discreetly. Lucrezia stretched out on the bed and sighed, but before she had time to relax a heavy weight was dropped on her stomach. She opened her eyes and smiled wide at the sight.
"Hello little Giovanni, look we have a place to sleep that doesn't have wheels or insects, isn't that nice?" She tickled the baby's feet and he giggled happily. "Look you are as happy as me!" Giovanni stopped giggling and she looked at him quietly. "If only you had known Paolo, then you would have known what true happiness was like."
"Would you like me to take him for a walk around the square while you dine with your brothers?" Henrietta asked as she picked up the child from Lucrezia's lap. Lucrezia was sad to see him go but was glad not to have the messy distraction all children prove to be at dinner.
"Yes thank you, Henrietta." The pair left the room cooing and giggling, and Lucrezia felt a small pang in her heart. A knock at the door soon dispelled her thoughts, and Cesare entered the small room.
"Are you coming down to dinner?" Cesare questioned brusquely. Lucrezia was irked by his abrupt entrance and his coarse manner of invitation.
"I will be, but what is the urgency?"
"Our brother grows impatient." He replied tersely.
"Yet it is you up here and not him, is something the matter?" Lucrezia rose from the bed and laid a hand on Cesare's arm, looking up into his face earnestly. Cesare looked back at her and his expression softened.
"Nothing beloved, accompany me down to dinner then?" He linked his arm through hers and escorted her down the stairs to the large main dining room. Tonight it was bustling with patrons, drinking heartily and enjoying the stew on offer. They joined Juan at a private table and he grunted as they sat down.
"Finally you have arrived, I was left with only the dog for company." He nodded his head at the silent form of Micheletto leaning against the wall, eating an indistinguishable piece of meat off of his knife.
"Where are the guards?" Lucrezia queried looking around for the two in question.
"They've gone to find their own entertainment for the night." Cesare responded solemnly.
"Whores!" Juan laughed. "Be truthful Cesare, they've gone to fuck and we will be joining them as soon as possible, right brother?" Lucrezia's eyes widened but she said nothing. Cesare would not meet her eyes and he gave Juan a swift kick under the table, who only just managed to stifle his groan.
"Lucrezia, I have heard rumours you will be marrying Calvino de Genova?" Juan mumbled around his food in an attempt at polite dinner conversation.
"Yes that may be true." Lucrezia smiled softly, pushing the food around on her plate.
"I have also heard that his brother Raffaello is much more handsome."
"Yes that may also be true." Her smiled widened. Juan laughed and clapped her on the back.
"Look brother we are all not so different after all." Juan turned to Cesare. Cesare attempted a smile but the effort appeared more like a grimace.
"Yes I see, shall we be going then? I can't eat anymore of this slop." Cesare stood up, draining his cup in one gulp. Juan did the same and went to follow him.
"Sorry sister, you'll have to finish you meal on your own, we have 'urgent' matters to attend to. Maybe the dog can join you, just don't feed him any scraps." Juan sniggered. Micheletto bowed his head in mock thanks at Juan's kindness and sat down at the table with Lucrezia, with a glance at Cesare.
"Look after her Micheletto" Was all Cesare said before he strode out onto the streets of Salerno with his brother looking for a good time and abundant liquor.
Lucrezia and Micheletto sat in silence as she continued to play with her food and he picked at his nails with his dagger. He wasn't the best dinner company she could have imagined for the night, but he was all she had. Lucrezia had just opened her mouth to make polite conversation when a grubby hand appeared on her shoulder. She looked up to see the slack face of an extremely drunk patron beaming down at her. He couldn't have been older than thirty, with a large nose and straight teeth, not bad looking for a peasant she thought, but definitely bad smelling.
"Hello there miss, doesn't look like you have much company at this table, how but you come join us then?" He indicated to where his friends were waiting expectantly with similar grins lighting their faces.
"No thank you, I was almost finished anyway." Lucrezia turned away indicating the end of the conversation.
"Come on. This gentleman can't be much fun for a lady like you. Let us show you a real good time. I saw the other two leave, they won't be keeping you company tonight." The man slurred, winking this time to ensure they were on the same page.
"I said no, I am not interested in you or your buffoon like friends."
"Now look here..." He went to grab her arm but pulled back as Micheletto casually stuck his dagger upright in the table and turned his eyes to the intruder.
"I think it is best you left now." He spoke softly. The man gave a grumble of disapproval and glower, but backed away nonetheless. Lucrezia was slightly shaken but smiled at Micheletto from across the table.
"I think I might withdraw up to my room now."
"I think that might be a wise choice. I'll come with you." He followed her up the stairs and to the door of her room.
"Do you think he knows which room I'm staying in Micheletto?" She turned to ask him.
"There's always a chance. However I'm certain he is too intoxicated by now to do anything brazen."
"Would you stay in my room anyway, it would make me feel safe." Micheletto nodded, waiting outside while she changed, and then taking up position sitting on the floor at the foot of her bed.
"Will you be uncomfortable Micheletto?" Lucrezia questioned as she began to nestle into her nice warm bed.
"The dog always sleeps on the floor." He replied in self-mockery, the dagger placed in his lap.
"I do not think you are a dog. There are many beasts in the Borgia household Micheletto, but you are not one." Lucrezia closed her eyes, attempting to drift to sleep without thoughts of brothels or drunks entering her mind.
Sometime later, very early in the morning the two men stumbled back to the tavern. Juan was leaning heavily on his brother but was blatantly content with how the evening played out. Cesare had to deposit him in his room before he could do anything else. He was just about to enter his own room for some long awaited sleep, when the thought occurred to him to check on Lucrezia. He silently approached her room and looked in. Micheletto opened his eyes suddenly from his place on the floor and locked them with Cesare. He nodded once, but Cesare just stared then closed the door and stalked back to his bedroom. Words would be said, but not over the peaceful sleeping form of his sister.