Chapter 9 of the Dreaming.
As one would say, the plot thickens.
To be honest, I had to act out the scene between Ezio and Serafina. With the help of my other half, we managed to perfect the scene, sans tears and broken jewelry.
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Water-Sirene: Thank you for your review, I've read Greek literature since I was only eight, and I simply adore the love stories.
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Canto IX
"Have you ever thought of marriage dear Serafina?" the rhetorical question was sudden, it grasped everyone's attention on the breakfast table, and Serafina nearly dropped her cup of milk. She was scolded for looking so surprised; young girls like her were expected to marry an older gentleman, with fame and fortune as his forte, and he is to be of nobility in order to keep the blood running hot. She looked at her father and grand uncle; they were trying to reciprocate after the question has been said by Regina.
Marriage? What good would it bring for someone unexposed to society as of late? Had Fiorella allowed herself to associate with her younger sister there would not be any trouble pertaining such a delicate matter, and yet, what of her older sister? Is she not supposed to marry first? She was still within her prime and her beauty was, as they say, beguiling. As for Vieri, since he was the only heir to the Pazzi name, he can marry whomever he wishes, but must still contain nobility in her name.
Serafina pursed her lips and drank her milk, she was the only one who wore a bright peach gown whose plunging neckline seemed inappropriate for her tastes, and it was Francesca who insisted her to wear such negligible clothing, saying all women should have an asset of some sort. Serafina wanted to prove her wrong, that all females shouldn't use much of their body as an asset, however, due to her inferiority amongst her father's relatives, she cannot say anything else for the meantime. They were to leave for Siena soon, for no particular reason though, and Francesco and Vieri had to leave for work right after breakfast, Fiorella had a small gathering to attend, and so Serafina was tasked to stay to keep an eye on the palace.
"Oh come now Francesco, the palace is not a dog, Serafina can do whatever she's like, am I right my dear?" said Regina again. It is quite obvious that she liked the youngest Pazzi. Although, it was not the same with the others, who all inherited a vehement and cold stare, Serafina wiped her lips clean, and allowed Ursula to take her plates away.
"Forgive me, Signora Regina, but I have to obey every direction my father tells me."
"Poor you," said Francesca sarcastically. "Francesco was like that too, when he was young, and now here he is, favored by my uncles, married to a middle-classed woman, and blessed with but one heir." Not one spoke after her, Serafina fiddled with the cuffs of her chemise, too anxious to move out of her seat. It was Paolo, the footman, who came and disrupted the awkward silence, he told them the carriage was ready, and that their items have been stored as well.
The cousins bid goodbye to each other, mentioning of their splendid stay at the Palazzo Pazzi, and all went downstairs with Serafina trailing behind like a quiet mouse. Francesco did not have time to watch them leave and they did not have time to say anything more to him, they left as soon as they mounted their horses and entered their carriages. Serafina stood at the tunnel, waiting for any more instructions before her family leaves for personal business, Francesco did turn to her, only to tell her that she may have permission to leave the premises if she feels the need to. She thanked him for his consideration and waved goodbye to her father and brother.
Afterwards, she went upstairs to fetch her white coat. Ursula asked her where she was heading and she merely said: Auditore, then left. She did not know why she wanted to go to Ezio so eagerly, she merely followed her intuition, and she wanted to stay by his side so badly. She arrived at Via Porta Rossa where the Palazzo Auditore was situated. The chilling winds nipped at her bare fingertips, as well as the tip of her nose, and her breath slowly began to materialize before her face like mist. The heavy snowfalls will come soon in January, so too will its new beginnings, and probably its happy endings.
Serafina approached the gate of the palace, she saw a woman humming quietly as she tended to the roses that will eventually bloom beautifully in the spring. She knew it was Maria Auditore, despite her age she still looked pleasing to the eyes, she had a strong feature, unlike any married woman, and her children had inherited such a trait from her. She warily stepped in, unsure of personal introduction or otherwise. Madonna Maria looks up, swift as a keen hawk, and smiles upon seeing the young Pazzi maiden.
"Serafina! What brings you here?" she inquired the young lady after allowing her entrance into the warm house. Serafina removed her coat, placing it in the care of Annetta, the maidservant was happy to see her again, and she said the same. She was glad to be back here, the pure happiness emitted by the family had influenced her greatly.
"Come sit by the fire! You must be so cold, oh dear! Did you forget to wear gloves? Here, stay closer to the warmth. Annetta, please bring us some warm milk, and maybe cut a slice of Sicilian cake. You should try some my dear, I made it yesterday. Federico and Ezio had requested it some time after Christmas Eve." Serafina smiled briefly, her hands clasped on top of her lap, and her eagerness to see Ezio had vanished for a short time. Annetta served the cake and milk, Maria expressed thanks and told her to bring some to Petruccio as well. When she left, the two stayed silent while fire cracked in the inglenook.
"I am sorry if I came here without notifying my visit," said Serafina, placing her cup on a table beside her. "No worries my dear, you are always welcome to this place, it usually gets gloomy and solitary whenever my boys are away. I am sure you have met them already, Federico talks about you, he says you are always at your window, reading books that could fill a philosopher's head." Madonna Maria chuckled before busying herself into sewing floral embroidery onto a red cloth; it was almost as large as a carpet. When Serafina inquired what it was, it was for the table, in the main dining room upstairs.
"Federico speaks about me, the man can gain so many friends after a short while," she said. "My eldest is lazy at times; nonetheless he is always cheerful, too cheerful. He was meant for the bank, and yet, he would rather play than work. One time, he hid a bag of florins on the bank's roof, and do you know what his explanation was? He was merely playing a practical joke! I know it is unreasonable of him because he is already considered a man but I cannot help but comprehend what he is doing. He loves to live and he will live happily for as long as he likes." Serafina smiles again and allows herself to speak of her reason for the visit. "Madonna, I have come here to seek for your son, Ezio."
"Goodness me, has he done something wrong?" asked Maria, she had suddenly dropped her work that Serafina thought she was the one at fault. She assured her, her son had done nothing wrong, but something right. She glanced down at the necklace she wore, smiling ever so serenely. "You are glowing Signorina Serafina," said the Auditore mother.
"I have been, for Ezio has showed me something that I thought I'd never have." Maria smiles, albeit pitifully, and leans forward to pat Serafina's hands.
"Be steadfast my dear, my son is, unfortunately, not what you think he is. I will pray that whatever he has offered to you, may it be temporary in your side." She could not comprehend the older woman's words till she heard the door open and close abruptly. She heard feminine and masculine chuckles coming from the entry hall, she knew it was Ezio's, she could never be wrong at identifying him, and the other was fairly unfamiliar. In comes Ezio Auditore, followed by the beauty of Firenze, Cristina Vespucci.
Serafina felt every nerve in her body vibrate; she saw the same look in Ezio's eyes when he told her he loved her, though it seemed to appear much brighter, and much stronger than ever. Ezio was half-surprised, half-questioning, he turned to his mother for answers, and all Madonna Maria could do was to shake her head at him. Serafina did her best to yield any tears from emerging, she kindly thanked Maria for her hospitality, and removed the ribbon around her hair.
She placed the innocent thing on the ceramic tray, reluctant to just leave it there. She walked past Ezio and Cristina, avoiding any of their gazes to keep away from being shamed. Serafina snatched her coat from Annetta, and with haste, left the palace. Her auburn hair fell to her face, her cheeks were red and hot with discomfiture, she was deceived, she was ridiculed immeasurably, and her heart broke into so many pieces. Tears finally came through, her breathing unhinged, and her stride unbalanced. She came to lean against a building and settled down on the damp ground. There, she cried by her lonesome, embracing the distantness and solitude again.
When she found the strength to stop her tears, to stand from the puddle she had sat on, and the will to return home, she heard his voice resonating through the air. Serafina breathed, tiny puffs of mist emitted from her now pale lips, and she tried her best to run. But he had found her, he held her firmly to his bosom, and turned her so she may gaze into his illusory eyes. Ezio sighed uneasily, the grip on her frail shoulders tightened without meaning to, and he kissed her brow and pressed his lips against hers, trying to regain all that was lost.
"Do not dare kiss me!" said Serafina, pushing the Auditore boy off her frame. "How dare you kiss me, how dare you shower me with great lies!" she exclaimed. "Serafina," begged Ezio "Please, my beautiful moon, let me explain—" "What is to explain? I saw how much you love Cristina more than I!" more tears came down her face and he wanted so much to make them disappear. She did not deserve any of this, she did not, she was only wishing for someone to love, someone to hold on to in her darkest hours, and someone to tell her that all will be well. Serafina trembled, placing both hands on her hips to keep her steady poise.
"When I asked you if you were mocking me, you said you would never mock a maiden such as I," said she to him. "Then why? Why must you covert yourself in deceit? Why?" She and he stood there in the prevailing chill of the outdoors, ignorant of the curious gazes and awaiting spectators. "I had given you everything! I had given you all that is to be given! I had given you so much!" she cried, agonizingly, then tried to calm herself, pausing her fury to speak more plainly.
"I ignored all that is said about you, I give little care to those you have hurt because I thought they were not worthy for you," she said. "And you are worthy of me Serafina," replied Ezio, he was so calm in his manner of speaking, he was serious on the matter. Nevertheless, Serafina still perceived it as some sort of mocking statement; it was just another attempt to keep her hidden in the shadows, totally unaware of the true significance.
"You cannot love two women at once Ezio! God can only limit us to one partner and one partner alone! I am neither heartless nor am I selfish; I am just heedless to those around me for I have not known love since my mother passed away! I have confessed to you all that had been my weakness, all that had been my pain, and they simply pass through you like a ghastly spirit. You do not love me Ezio, you do not feel it, but I do, and at this moment it will be hard for me to leave you just as you are, you poor and unwitting little boy. What of my Cupid? What of my Ceyx? So long Ezio, I hope you and I shall never see each other as we once did, but as strangers once again. Arrivederci."
Several moments passed them like the gentle wind, Serafina held her shivering hands close, trying to keep them warm, and she held the agate stone strongly. She removed the jewelry from her neck and threw it on the ground; she then turned away, heartbroken and ill. She returned home with such a high fever, she fainted just as she entered the courtyard; a servant of Vieri had to carry her back to her room.
Once again, Signore Carlos was called for his aide, and this time he was uncertain of the cause of sickness. Ursula began to kneel by her maiden's side and pray to the heavenly Father for guidance and mercy. Serafina leaned against the elevated pillows, panting, crying, and breathing improperly. "What has happened to my maiden?" her maid said quietly, using a cloth to wipe the sweat from her brow and the tears from her face. "Leave me be, I wish to be alone." Serafina whispered and she simply closed her eyes to sleep.
By the next day, the young maiden was found sitting by her standard seat near her window. A book was not present in her hands, in its place was an open sketchbook, her fingers were caked with red and black chalk, and her gaze was blank and unwavering. Ursula had asked her if she needed anything, Serafina continued to stare into nothing, and her maid asked once more. She looked up, surprised, and forced a small smile on her already pale expression. "What is it Ursula?" she inquired her. The maid said nothing and merely went away to clean her used clothing. Just as she left, another person entered the bedchamber, and sat beside Serafina.
Francesco sighed deeply; he looked down at the paper she placed on a thick book seeing the smiling face of Ersilia. He wrapped both arms around his daughter and pulled her into a hug; he kissed the top of her head, and told her everything will be alright soon enough. Serafina dropped her items unto the floor and returned her father's embrace, she soon allowed her feelings to flow from her, and cried till she fell asleep on his lap. Vieri leaned against the doorway of the chamber, crossing his arms coolly, assuming he had no care in the situation.
Francesco carried Serafina to her bed; he pulled the sheets over her shoulders, and whispered something in her ear that Vieri caught on: "Whoever gave you so much pain, I shall return it to him a hundred-fold." At this moment, Vieri spoke to him "I know of who father, it is that blasted Auditore fool, he played my little sister's heart in his hands, and purposely dropped it in the dirty soil."
Francesco closed the doors quietly and faced his only son, "Then what do you propose? That we send Serafina away to recuperate and be married off to someone else? She is not Viola, she is not ambitious as she is, and for once she does not mingle with the highest nobility, therefore, she cannot be allowed to venture the world alone, and dear God! The noose of matrimony will not be tied around her neck till we find a proper suitor!" while he exclaimed his distraught, a servant came forth bearing bad news.
The city guards were at the gates, waiting impatiently for his master's arrest. They were ordered by a noble named Giovanni Auditore, his accusation was that of murder. Francesco stared at the servant and at his son, he knew this day would come, he just did not know it would occur on such unfortunate time. He turned to Vieri, telling him that he will leave for prison, his son dejected his proposal, but he held him by the shoulders strongly.
"Do not forget, we have allies Vieri! We will be the rulers of this city! Do I have your trust?" he said. Vieri grimaced, he did not wish to see his father leave for a crime he may or may not have committed, but he wholesomely agreed. Francesco patted his shoulder roughly and ordered him to take care of his sisters while he is away, Vieri agrees and watched his father surrender himself to the guards.
They bind his hands in ropes, forced him to walk through the streets with his head hung low, and he did not glance back to see if his son had shed one tear for his loss. Vieri entered his sister's bedroom, silently as he could, and he sat on a low ottoman near her bed. The Auditore had gone too far. He held his sister's hand in his; he grasped it firmly, kissed its pink knuckles, and pressed his forehead against the smooth surface. The Auditore will pay, they will pay in flesh and blood.