Chapter 16 of the Dreaming.
To my dear reviewers, this may be a little rushed. But I must inform you that I will delay my updates for perhaps more than a week.
Finals are coming quite swiftly, and I must study for my Literature exam.
LoneWolfOfAForgottenForest: Her interaction with the Borgias will be reflected later in the story. Also, she might even return when Cesare is in his adolescent years!
assassins creed fan: You have misspelled DIALOGUE by the way. And which part confuses you so? I thought it was already clear that two people were conversing, therefore, the usage of such paragraph. It was quite obvious when the 'he said, she said' was executed. If you were referring to the dialogue with Vannozza dei Cattanei, Viola de' Pazzi, and Serafina, then I assure you, it is quite difficult for me to separate all three in different conversations, because of the usage of 'she'.
Any other questions? No?
Reviews will be kindly accepted for this chapter :)
And if there are any flames, well, I will easily put it off with water, and a nice cup of tea :)
Canto XVI
Serafina sighed quietly as she sauntered back to the house, followed by her niece and nephew. They took a stroll together in the district, playing chase, and the like. The flock of geese outside the farm waddled away as soon as they approached the gateway. Signora Loretta was placing the rugs up in the balcony, while his nephew was brushing the horse's mane. The twins ran gleefully to their mother, who had been adding embroidery to her latest work.
It has almost been two weeks, by morrow she should leave, and return to Monteriggioni, to Ezio. She sat on a chair close to her sister, and glanced at her drudgery. Serafino and his sister had been placed in their separate walkers, Viola explained how annoying they were most of the time.
"My sister, I must leave Rome for Monteriggioni, to-morrow, before dawn," said Serafina. The youngest Pazzi paused in her sewing to look at her sibling. "Must you really? The children enjoy your company! And for once, I never felt so relieved!" she sighed, and placed her hands on her hips. Serafina apologized, having been submissive to Ezio's promise, rather than her family's own. Viola placed her fabric aside, and told Serafina to follow her upstairs. The pale-skinned young lady smiled at the twins before tailing after their impatient mother. In Viola's private room, she saw her sister pull out a small casket from one of the various cabinets she had. It was a box full of letters, and she hand-picked one, and gave it to Serafina.
"Read it, aloud, and I pray you are not like Fiorella." Viola explained, and crossed her arms. Serafina looked at her, and reluctantly opened the letter.
"Dear Signora Pazzi, I am pleased to inform you that you are cordially invited to one of my many gatherings at Trastevere, I am looking forward to our meeting with your beloved older sister, Serafina de' Pazzi." She paused, and gawked at Viola. "Sorellina how could you?" she gasped. Though her tone was soft, it displayed much of anger.
"Forgive me, but I really had to. Oh dear Serafina, look at you, you're falling for a man who will not stay with you forever! As much as I love to hear about Ezio being jaunt and carefree in your eyes, I cannot help but feel pitiful, he is a man Serafina, he will not stay true and faithful to you." Serafina could note the distress in her voice, as well as the jealousy in it. Viola explained how she sent little notes to Lorenzo Di Vitto, when she received his letters, she was charmed by how anxious he was to meet Serafina, and he held a party, just for a simple meet. Serafina did not want to be involved in such scene, she would decline him, no matter how willing he was to marry her.
"Are you telling me you will come?" Viola inquired. "You are my youngest sister, Viola, do not forget that, and I love you very much. I will inform Ezio that I will be delayed for a few more days, but I doubt he will be happy." The young mother skipped happily to fetch a quill, and a parchment for her sister's use, and she even allowed her children to run around and play in her room. Using a thick volume, Serafina placed her paper, and began to write her apology note to Ezio.
"My dearest Ezio,
Forgive me, I broke your promise of returning to Monteriggioni within fourteen days. Viola has been inviting me to various parties, and has been making most of my apparel for better use. I am in good health; I have never been in better company. My niece and nephew are such lovely creations, and one of them has been named after me. But you should not worry, I do not wish to disturb your training, and I certainly do not want you to frown upon this. Please send my regards to your uncle, your sister, and to your mother, I pray she will be well soon.
Sincerely,
Serafina"
Ezio sighed, crumpling the letter in his hands, before throwing it into the fireplace. Claudia glanced up from the book, asking him about his problem. The young lad sits down on a chair near the window, and massages his brow.
"I was hoping she might have returned early, in time for my eighteenth birthday."
Serafina put on her best chemise gown, she slipped into an emerald green kirtle, with a stiff bodice, and a matching green skirt. Her overgown was pastel in color, and she tied a gold sash around her waist, which Viola later tightened to enhance her figure. She herself wore a burnt orange attire, with her hair in curls. The children were sent to bed early, and Signora Loretta bid the two women goodbye as they left the house in a carriage.
The Palazzo Di Vitto was located near the Tiber, its windows were fully lit, and the sound of musical instruments was pleasing to Serafina's ear. They got off the carriage; Viola met with her husband in the front garden, and quickly vanished from sight. Serafina was left to wander around the unknown place, and she could not help but avoid the stares given to her by the men loitering in the corridors. She came into a great hall where all had gathered, the middle was left open for the dancers to take their place. Many of the women looked away from Serafina, as if she was a disgusting thing to see. The young lady was busy looking at the dance itself, she felt her hands slowly swaying to the wonderful music, until she felt something touch her sash. She turned around, surprised to see a man, taller than her, and with dark eyes, looking down at her.
"Forgive me," he said, withdrawing his hand, and hid it behind his back. He was wearing dark violet clothing, with matching hoses, and a feathered cap. Serafina took one step away from him, feeling intimidated by his presence.
"You must be Signorina Serafina, I am very delighted to meet you at last."
"Are you Ser Lorenzo Di Vitto?" she inquired, and he replied with a bow. He seemed quiet different from what Serafina expected. His letters were lighthearted, but before her, he was like her foster father in every bit of character. Lorenzo held out his gloved hand for Serafina to take, she reluctantly placed her porcelain one on top of it, and his grip was far from kind. He led her to the long dining table where certain people were watching the performance with a better view, Serafina sat beside another male of unknown status, and watched as well. She spotted her sister waving to her from the very back of the room, before disappearing again.
"Ah Buonasera Lorenzo!" a big man approached the host of the party, with two familiar people following behind him. Cesare leaped, and ran over to Serafina's side, excitedly jumping, and begging her to hug him. The young lady picks him up, and settles him on her lap. Like before, he played with her hair, absentmindedly putting it in his mouth.
"Cesare! You know what you are doing is bad!" said the man, most likely to be Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia. Vannozza simply laughs, and tells him to leave his eldest to do what he wants, as they take their respective seat beside Lorenzo. Cesare continues to bounce on Serafina's lap, and she in turn began reciting a child's poem about summer. Within the evening, the little boy was the only person in the room whom Serafina's attention has been locked in. She said she liked him very much, and he was very energetic. She found him quite adorable, and she gently pinched his cheeks often. Vannozza was glad to see her son enjoying another's attendance, he was not able to play with his younger brother, Juan, because he was still a newborn, and his father was usually strict when it comes to house rules. She even explained how the rules also affect her in a way.
"Rodrigo is a private man, he keeps to himself, and he does not have enough time to play with his sons. However, when he is with his closest friends, you can see how much of a sensible man he is, and how much he adores his family." Serafina smiled softly, and stared down at little Cesare, who was gradually falling asleep on her bosom. Vannozza took her son back into her arms, and left Serafina in the hands of Lorenzo again. They talked somewhere more quiet, and with less people to interact with.
"I can see you are very well associated with Rodrigo's mistress," said Lorenzo. "We met a few days ago in the Campo, she is quite sensible, in fact, I like her very much," replied she.
"A pity though, she is a courtesan," he muttered. Serafina stared at him for a moment, trying to comprehend his words. But she appeared so fine, and courteous, as if she was born from nobility. "She would have been an excellent noblewoman as well, if it weren't for her status as a whore." Serafina suddenly felt her nerves jumping at his statement. To call someone by that title, it made her cheeks flush, and her heart to beat rapidly. Her own mother was a courtesan, and even though she will never have the chance to meet her, she respected her greatly.
"You should watch your words, Ser Lorenzo," said Serafina, "I do not like a man who disrespects a lady when she is not present." She turned away, and left the party on her own.
In the succeeding day, Serafina had packed a few of her clothing; including those Viola had made for her. When they came home that early morning, Viola was surprised to find her getting ready to leave. Serafina explained that she disliked Lorenzo, and that she vowed never to confront him ever again, she put on her riding gloves, eager to return to Monteriggioni, and to see Ezio and his family.
"But must you abruptly leave? I have so many things to tell you! And the men that you must meet!" said Viola. "My dear sister, as much as I want to show you respect, I have to say, your choices are quite awful," said Serafina. Marco had strapped the caskets onto the horse, and was fully prepared for the journey. The young lady turned to her younger sister, apologizing for her rude statement, and embraced her tightly.
"I promise I'll come back as soon as I can, but at this moment I have to stay low. I cannot let our father find me, do you understand Viola?" she said. The young woman nodded, hesitantly, and returned her sister's hug. She had no choice but to let her go.
"Send my concerns to Ezio, and tell him I am doing fine!" exclaimed Viola, as Serafina mounted her horse. With one nod, she turned her mare away, and galloped away from the house.
Ezio polished his father's blade as he sat outside the walls of Monteriggioni, a bottle of wine, and a loaf of bread was set beside him. He looked into the shiny blade to see his bright brown eyes staring back at him, and then suddenly, he overhears a thundering noise. Ezio looks up to see someone approaching the town. Serafina pulls her horse to a stop when she saw the young man outside. He stood up, patting the dirt off his pants, and came up to her.
"Like the inconsistent girl you are, I fear you might vanish into thin air if I were to touch you." Ezio held out his hand to her, but she only replied with a smile.
"I am glad to be back too Ezio, if you will excuse me, I must unload the poor horse," she said. "Yes, of course, go on. I will wait for you in the villa." Serafina turns away from him, putting the horse to the stable while a few townspeople helped carry her things back to her room. The children, specifically Cirino, were happy to see her again. They did not like her departure, and were asking if class would start again soon. She assured them, it will. When she entered the villa, Claudia and Mario welcomed her warmly, and she apologized for the delay.
"Ezio felt really bad when you left, he could hardly concentrate on his sword handling!" said Mario, "But we managed to cheer him up on his eighteenth birthday!" Serafina raised both her brows, and glanced over to Claudia for answers. The young maiden told her that Ezio's birthday occurred yesterday, and he waited for her to return, but to no avail, she did not come.
"In a way, both he and I are fair," said Serafina, smiling gracefully, before sauntering away, embracing an Auditore lad in her bedroom.
Monteriggioni, 1478
The children had recited the Latin phrases effortlessly, making Serafina a little proud about her work. When class was over, they ambled out of the gardens, and embraced their awaiting parents. Ezio came up behind Serafina, wrapped his strong arms around her waist, and kissed her nape. She snickered, quietly, and turned so she may face him. He has grown a little stubble around his chin, except for the scar on his lips. She kissed him there softly, and asked him how he was.
"I am in good health, thank you for asking." He moved to her desk, and saw the various books laid out on the surface. "And you, you seem quite busy, what have you been teaching yourself?" he inquired. "I have been teaching myself German and English these past months, I have been working on the accent though, it seems like French and Greek are my natural tongues." Serafina picked up several of the books the children had to share, stacking them neatly, and placing them on the table.
"Speaking of tongues," said Ezio "Do you know Spanish?" he asks.
"Of course, Spanish is almost similar to Italian, so I do not find it difficult to master." Ezio nods promptly, and walks over to Serafina's side. He holds her hands firmly in his, and looks into her gray eyes.
"Once my training is complete, I will be taking my mother and sister with me to Spain, and I want you to come with me," he said.
"I would love to, but Ezio, what about Cristina?" Serafina inquired. Ezio sighs deeply, and returns his gaze to her, "Serafina, let us forget about Cristina, you and I can live a happy life together! We can get married when we reach Madrid!" Serafina stepped back, and walked over to the other side of her table; she placed both hands on its smooth top, gazing intently at her reflection.
"As much as I want to tell you that this is a dream come true, I cannot Ezio. I still have a family here in Italy, and I do not want to run away from them," she said.
"But you are not a Pazzi remember?" exclaimed Ezio. He stepped up to her, and forced her to look at him. He reminded her over and over, she was not a Pazzi, and that she held his heart so tightly it would burst if she would ever let it go. Serafina shook her head, moving away from him once more.
"I do not speak of my former house. Ezio, you may have forgotten, but I must find out about my mother, and even my father. To be so far from the truth, it is unacceptable! If you wish, you can leave Italy on your own! I am not coming with you until I find my father!" she yelled out. "Why must you seek answers from a man who left you and your mother behind?" said he, angrily. Serafina seethed, and slapped his cheek. She turned away from him, and did not even dare glanced back.