Sorry for the late update! I haven't updated ANY of my stories for the past week. Last chapter, I received reviews that commented on my short chapter(s). I know that my chapters are short but my chapter lengths depend on my writing mood. Well, lets reword that. I'll try REALLY hard to make my chapters longer. I'm not the kind of authoress to write really uber long chapters (well, long to me) so

"Madonna Auditore, may I ask?" Serafina said.

"What is it?"

"Who painted these lovely pictures? They're very unique."

Serafina and Maria were admiring the paintings that were ordered. Meanwhile, Ezio was leaning against his wall and crossing his legs.

"That's only because you're not going to be the one that's carrying them." Ezio groaned.

"Ezio! It's time you need to learn how to be a gentleman!" Serafina exclaimed, placing a painting back in its box.

"But Serafina, I'm always polite to you," Ezio whined.

"See, here's your line. Ezio, you flirt with so many women that I wouldn't be surprised that you would flirt with some random female dog walking on the street."

Apparently, Maria was amused by their bickering and made no attempt to stop them. Suddenly, the door opened and a man walked out.

"Serafina, you wanted to meet the painter, no?" Maria said with an edge in her voice.

Serafina quickly turned her head to see a man dressed in red.

"Greetings, Messer…"

The man quickly smiled. "Da Vinci, Leonardo da Vinci."

Serafina examined Leonardo. Attraction sparked.

"A painter?"

"Umm, yes."

'So this is the other one…Does that mean that he can also decipher the Codex?'

"Messer da Vinci, oh where are my manners? Let us escort you back to our palazzo." Serafina said, slightly bowing her head and brushing off the topic.

"Ezio, help us carry the box." Maria said. Ezio groaned but picked the box up.

"So, Messer da Vinci…Art was it?" Ezio asked.

"Painting is nice, but I often feel that my work lacks…I'd rather contribute more directly. How about you, Signora…" Leonardo looked at Serafina curiously.

"I work on something that is rather direct, yet secret at the same time. One of my family businesses. Unfortunately, Messer da Vinci, I cannot tell you what it is." Serafina said. The Assassins were a secret order, yet they made kills that directly changed society.

"It's alright, Signora…" Leonardo still didn't receive her name.

"I'm not married yet. My name is Serafina, Serafina de Costanzi."

Ezio looked at Serafina and Leonardo. Both were looking at each other intensely and full of curiosity. Ezio's face pinched up. He did not like what he saw.

"I hope we'll meet again, Messer da Vinci." Serafina nodded her head at Leonardo.

"Please, just Leonardo. Same to you as well, Signorina de Costanzi." Leonardo examined Serafina as well.

'Not married? I wonder why…She's pretty. No, beautiful, a work of art. Those green eyes show with promise to fertility. Her manners are lovely. My, what am I thinking? Her non-marriage has nothing to do with me.'

"I must say that I'm charmed, Leonardo. Sorry, I must get back to my work. Excuse me for my absence."

With that, Serafina left abruptly. It almost seemed like she disappeared.

"Leonardo, you looked intrigued. What is it?" Maria asked.

"I am curious. A lady like Signorina de Costanzi isn't married yet?"

"Ahhh, this question again."

Meanwhile, Ezio looked annoyed as Maria explained.

"It isn't that no one wants her, it's just that she turns them down."

Flashback

Serafina was merely ten years old but many families already admired her diligence and beauty. Other than the fact that she was from the Costanzi family, Serafina was also adopted by the Auditore family, increasing her reputation. One day, the Morelli family came. Their son was twenty years old and not yet married. They thought that Serafina would make the perfect bride.

"Signore Auditore, keeping the child will be of no use or benefit for you." The head of the family had said.

"Ahh, but she is ever so useful to me. She can sing, dance, manage, and do others needed to stay in the Auditore family."

"But-"

"I think this conversation is over, Maestro."

All heads turned to the feminine voice that resounded. Ten year old Serafina stood by the door.

"You will marry to my son in the future, puttana." The Morelli head said. He then stormed out of the room. As he passed by, he stopped before Serafina and smirked.

'He's up to something' Giovanni and Serafina thought.

After two days, all seemed well until Serafina noticed a gang following her on the street. She walked into an alley where there was nowhere to run. Stupid move. Serafina turned around.

"Well well, if you won't marry me then I'll take you by force. When everyone knows that you've been tainted, none will want you anymore." the gang leader said. Apparently, he was supposed to be Serafina's betrothed.

Now it was time for Serafina to smirk. She laughed maniacally.

"I don't even want to hurt you. Let me go back home and your lives will be spared." Serafina said. There was something in her voice that made the gang scared. However, the leader only laughed.

Hearing this, Serafina said, "Then come on over. I have something special for you."

The leader walked over with ease but Serafina disappeared by the time he arrived at her spot. The next thing that could be heard was a sickening crack. Other gang members saw their leader laying on the ground, still and unmoving.

It wasn't the first time Serafina had killed so brutally. At the age of seven, Serafina had already tortured a Templar prisoner into admitting secrets of a meeting by slowly dragging a knife deep enough but not killing. When the Morelli accident was spread around, no one dared to get near Serafina again.

Maria had witnessed everything and told Leonardo the whole story, just not the way Serafina murdered. Leonardo now, instead, pitied Serafina for the fact that she was accused of a crime she didn't commit. Well, the thing is that she did commit it and Leonardo just didn't know it.

Meanwhile…

"Requiescat in pace"

Serafina laid down the man he had just assassinated. Her heart was eased of a burden.

"Nothing is true, everything is permitted."

I really really hope that this chapter was longer! Please review!