Well, due to the randomly large number of reviews I got the other day I'd just like to make everyone aware of my terrible internet connection at the minute. I can't log onto anywhere but my email at home right now, so chapter updates will be a little slower than the rate I actually finish them – for example I've had this one finished since last week but no net access to put it up.

Just to note – I looked through gemstones and picked out the one I liked, I had no idea how ridiculously rare it was until I googled it. Also since if memory serves since Albion uses 'Dinar' (which is currently Iraqui currency) I figure most places in TB do too – otherwise I'd have used Lira (old Italian currency) for the price. I also added a bit since the Dark Land is completely desolate in TB.

Side note: Paraiba Tourmaline is mined in Brazil and South Africa – I don't know how far Carthage runs since the novel maps only show the top half of North Africa. A two carat piece can go for $10,000-$15,000. Antonio's ring is a one carat with an unnatural shape. Also if you're curious it's worth 2138237.70 Lira. Ye-ouch… still 1 Euro's about 2000 Lira so I suppose it's not too bad…

"Well?" Antonio asked timidly as Sofia looked at the ring he and Abel had selected with a frown.

Eventually the woman lowered the ring and placed it carefully back into its velvet lined box. "Which stone is used?"

"Paraiba Tourmaline, it used to be mined in the Dark Lands, so there's very little of it left."

"Price?"

"One million, six hundred and fifty thousand Dinar," Antonio said remembering Abel's exclamation upon reading the asking price.

Sofia was silent for a moment. "Well done, Toni. Although I do wish you'd have gone higher than a carat," she said passing the ring back and gesturing for Antonio to leave. "You did well for a couple of hours searching." Antonio tensed at the doorway. "Don't worry, I'm not angry," Sofia drawled, a twisted smirk on her lips, "Though I do expect you to make a heart-felt proposal tomorrow at Morning Mass."

Antonio swallowed around a lump in his throat, "Y-yes, Madre. Of course." With that, Antonio opened the door and quickly departed, determined to put as much distance between the two of them as possible. And people wondered why I wanted to study in Germania! Antonio thought before suddenly changing direction from his rooms to that of Cardinal Medici's.

~~~Oh yes! I am read! Woohoo! Ahem. Big thank you to the following reviewers! tatsumi-hime, jdfgkjho, sakura, akkaku and sara-chan - virtual cookies to you all~~~ (... Great the line break's hyper... Just what I need.)

"Excuse me, Your Excellency?" Francesco's secretary said, opening the door just enough to poke her head through.

"Yes, what is it?" the cardinal demanded looking sternly at the young girl.

"Cardinal Borgia is outside; he was wondering if you had a moment?"

"Tell him I'm busy," Francesco said with a snarl at the thought of having to entertain the brat – the boy was a complete headache!

"I'm sorry, Francesco, but this is a rather important matter," came the soft voice of Antonio as the younger cardinal pushed the door wider so Francesco could see him.

Francesco sighed, "Look, as much as I would like to help you with whatever your problem is – I really am busy."

"No you're not. You're playing solitaire," Antonio said calmly, not bothered by the fact Francesco was trying to get rid of him. "I can see the cards on your desk."

Francesco growled slightly. "Alright fine. Take a seat. I'd like to finish my game though," he said before giving the secretarial nun a glare that said 'you tell anyone I was playing solitaire – you're dead!'. From the worried look on the girl's face, it appeared she got the jist and quickly shut the door once Antonio was properly inside the room.

"So what's the problem?" Francesco asked with a sigh once Antonio was seated in the chair before his desk. Medici didn't look at Antonio, instead he looked at the cards on his desk, looking for a place to put the card he had just drawn from the deck.

"I have to propose to Caterina tomorrow. I was kind of hoping you could help me with what to say."

At this Francesco's hand slipped, causing him to knock two of the neat piles into disarray, even sending some off of the desk either onto the floor or Antonio's lap.

"W-what? How on Earth do you assume I can help!" quickly remembering who he was talking to Francesco schooled himself. "I mean… Aren't those things meant to be heartfelt, personal things? Besides that, it's arranged, you don't need to propose," he said raising an eyebrow.

"That story was changed a few days ago as you well know," Antonio answered gathering up the cards in his lap and placing them on the desk. "The story now is that Caterina and I have been having an affair until recently, which whilst easy to believe is utter tripe. I don't know all that much about her, so I figured I'd look for someone who might."

"And you thought me?" Francesco asked dubiously. "What about that Nightroad idiot, he's usually the one guarding her if the robot's unavailable. I suspect he'd be of more help to you."

"Perhaps, but Abel told me he was leaving for a mission tonight, so I can't talk to him before Morning Mass."

"And that's important because?"

"Because that's when I am to ask for Caterina's hand." Ignoring the fact Francesco was staring at him and was clearly struggling to find a polite way to phrase his reply, Antonio bent and recovered the rest of the fallen cards and begun correcting the piles for Francesco.

"In front of the entire clergy?" Francesco managed at last, Antonio nodding as the first of the columns was restored.

"I just don't want to screw up and make it anymore awkward than it has to be."

"I suppose you could always ask her what she'd like you to say," Francesco suggested as Antonio finished fixing Francesco's game. "… Thanks."

"No problem. As to your suggestion… Tempting, but knowing my luck, Madre will be on the prowl or at least her various spies would be... Do you really have no ideas?"

"Do I look like I've ever asked a woman to marry me?" Francesco asked raising an eyebrow. Antonio gave him a look. "Ha, alright. Go with saying what you like about her – I wouldn't use memories unless you know something that would get her smiling. And I suppose be yourself?" Francesco said the last part as a question; pretty sure Caterina also thought the man's natural persona was a nuisance.

After a moment Antonio smiled, "Hehe~ Thanks, Francesco. I think I know where to go with this." He rose and went to the door. "Oh. Don't be worried or anything," Antonio added his hand on the handle, "But I think my mother may be intending to make you my best man. Just thought I'd warn you."

I assume Francesco knows about Tres, after all he has Duos Iqus… Also apologies, he's so OOC. Still, I never have liked Francesco so I'll probably just use him for twisted entertainment ^_^

Also, I don't know why but I do see Francesco as the kind of person who pretends to be busy and is actually playing card games/chess/noughts and crosses.

Oh and sorry the chapter's so short - I'll try to make the next one longer!