The next day I finished my run a little early so I had some time to kill before combat training with Mario. It was still early in the morning so it was cool and quiet. I decided to use my free time doing some chores in the stables. I didn't mint it that much, because I'd grown to love being around horses and I was good with them. Now I could shoot at a target with a bow and arrow at a full gallop. While I was shoveling hay I heard hoofbeats coming up fast. The horse and rider came tearing in like the hounds of heck were on their heels. When the horse settled I saw that the rider was Federico. Face flushed and hair blown he was smiling so big it looked like his face might crack.
"Ciao bella. Is it not a glorious day?" I smiled at him, but raised an eyebrow.
"What's got you in such a good mood?" He dismounted grinning like a cocky school boy. Then picked up a shovel and started to help me.
"I experienced a magical moment last night." That was a shock.
"Really?" He nodded with a dreamy look in his eye.
"A truly beautiful woman. Alas I doubt I'll ever see her again." He sounded so sad, and his story made me think of my stranger. I gave him a sad smile.
"I know how you feel." Federico returned my smile. We worked in comfortable silence for a long while. Until Federico felt the need to break that silence.
"What did you mean? I know how you feel." My cheeks flushed bright red when I turned to him slowly and screwed up my courage.
"Well at the party last night I met a very charming man." Federico gave me such a roguish grin I didn't think it was possible.
"Well are you not a saucy little minx? Honestly bella it is not fair for you to tease innocent men." I gasped at him with an outraged expression.
"Me a minx? If that's the case your not much better. Remember your 'truly beautiful woman'." Federico laughed at my little fit and held up a hand in surrender.
"Dispace, dispace why don't you tell me what happened." I was about to tell him to shove off because he was probably going to tease me some more. But his face was very honest and it made me lose my tongue.
"Well your mother dressed me in a fancy dress and when I went to the party this man asked me to dance. And we danced for awhile and then, he kinda, kissed me." Federico straightened up and looked at me with a serious face. I cleared my throat uncomfortably and went back to shoveling. After a few minutes Federico asked a follow up question.
"What did this man look like?" I looked at him curiously and answered carefully.
"Well I can't be sure because he was wearing a mask. But he was tall wearing a dark costume and a wide hat." Federico suddenly cursed aloud and held his foot, it seemed that he'd hit his own foot with the shovel.
"Are you alright Federico?" He straightened up and dropped his foot, and I swear I saw a slight blush on his cheeks.
"Si, si bella. I um, I um, need to find Ezio." With that Federico dropped his shovel and ran out faster than quicksilver.
"Well that was weird." I said to myself before going back to my work.
With Federico
Federico ran out to the garden where Ezio was working. Ezio looked up from his weeding and wiped his brow. Seeing his brother Ezio smiled and waved to him as he ran up.
"Hey brother whats happening you were running like the devil was at your heels." Federico panted a few times before rubbing the back of his neck looking uncomfortable.
"Little brother, do you recall that lady that I told you about?" Ezio grinned lopsidedly with a knowing glint in his eye.
"Aye yes that lady at the party who in your words was. 'The most lovely angel on this earth, with lips sweeter then the rarest wine.' Really brother I've never seen a woman make you so poetic." Federico chuckled even more uncomfortably.
"Well I believe I just realized the identity of that lovely lady." Looking surprised Ezio looked at his brother expectantly waiting to here the mystery woman's identity.
"I believe that it was Amelia." Ezio looked at his brother a moment letting the information sink in. Then burst into big loud laughter. When he finally stopped he saw the murderous Federico was giving him.
"Dispace Federico, but really I don't know why your reeling so. I thought you liked Amelia." Thinking a moment Federico nodded his head and answered.
"Well yes, but in a playful teasing sort of way at least I thought it was. Now that I know it was her that kissed me with such fire, I'm just not so sure now." Ezio was still chuckling to himself.
"Brother I must say that this is interesting for me. This is the first time I've ever seen you so conflicted, over a woman no less. Did you tell her that it was you that kissed her last night" Federico shook his head and sat down on the garden seat and let out a pitiful sigh. Ezio sat down next to his brother.
"Forgive me brother, but I must say that if you did need to truly fall for a woman. Then you have a good choice in Amelia."
"Really?" Federico asked. Ezio nodded back at him.
"And if you decide to not act on these feelings, I would be happy to fill the space in Amelia's life." Not missing a beat Federico gave him a half-hearted slug on the shoulder. Not a minute later both brothers were laughing together both feeling lighter. Then there was an alarm bell ringing and soon Mario's soldiers were gathering their equipment and rushing off. The two boys watch curiously for a moment when they turned to one another.
"So, shall we ask our uncle what's happening?" Federico asked his brother.
"Yes, yes we shall." Ezio replied.
There, now that school's over I can focus more on my stories. Please review