Chapter 19 of the Dreaming.
LoneWolfOfAForgottenForest: I secretly like Vieri, actually. He only wanted his father's affections, and so he had a motive in his every duel or battle with the Auditore lads :)
To those who have placed this story on the alerts: the color blue, BrokenRayne, , Halkyone, Kairy-Hitsugaya, KnownAsNydra, Kye-kye cat, LadyxMuderxGates, marshmallow jam, rachil, TralucentAkira, WannWan Chan, WindCrestTrails. I dedicate this chapter to all of you :)
Much love, and I do hope to receive reviews, they are much needed~!
Canto XIX
The palace was silent in respect for a fallen Pazzi. Candles were lit, and the curtains were closed, and Serafina sat quietly in the courtyard, holding her old journal, a dark veil concealing her saddened face from the others. She opened the leather notebook to a page where a dried rose bud was pinned in between. Earlier that day, a group of surviving servants came back with terrible news, the only heir apparent of the House of Pazzi has been killed. Serafina would not believe it until she saw her foster brother's corpse wrapped in a canvas sheet, she fell to her knees and mourned over his loss.
"What have you done to deserve this?" she whispered to herself, "Poor soul you are Vieri, all you've ever wanted was father's attention, but all he wanted was power and self-indulgence." She closed her note, eager to head over to the Pazzi chapel to pray for her brother when she was stopped by none other than Francesco himself. He looked tired, sad even, and his eyes had dark circles around them. Both of them remained silent till he spoke: "I have…never thought it would have come to this," he said "I lost my wife, I had lost two of my daughters, and now I have lost a son. Only you remain, despite none of us are related to you."
He leaned against the nearest column to support himself, and Serafina felt the need to reply to his statement, to which she did.
"I remain, only because I had a judicious goal, I was not craving for any power, but I was looking for the love I had almost given up. Had you been so kind to any of us, emotionally, none of us would have to leave your side."
"Yet, you returned. You came back"
"I only returned because my love for the people that care for me encouraged me to face all my fears. Who do you love Papa?" Francesco laughed out loud; Serafina had to take one step away from him, fearing that he might hit her angrily.
"Sometimes, I see Alba in you, sometimes I see Ersilia, I do not know anymore." He chuckled one last time, and pulled then young girl into an embrace, and then whispered in her ear: "If you wish to know where you were born, come to my office tonight, I will take you there." He let her go, and Serafina left the palace, shuddering as she did.
In her lonesome, Serafina prayed for Ezio and his safety. She sighed, holding her rosary tightly before staring up at the pale statues. She cannot go back, she cannot return to him yet, not until she finds out about her family, her real family. She picked up her bible, making the sign of the cross at the end of her prayer, and sauntered out of the chapel. The winds blew at her veil; the dark color accentuated her pale complexion, appearing as if she was glowing in the dimmed light.
There was no Ursula to greet her when she came home, there was not even a Fiorella to snub her as she passed. She stood there, contemplating what had came over, and what should have occurred instead of Vieri's death. If her foster mother had not died, so will Vieri, but if Viola did not leave for Rome, she would not have met Ezio, and challenge herself to keep him true to himself, and to the people he loves exceedingly. She returned to her bedroom upstairs, removing the dark coat around her shoulders, and settling it on the backrest of a chair.
She started to remove the veil as well, letting her hair cascade over her shoulders, she thought of cutting it again to retain the knee-length feature every nobleman liked, but she precluded the idea, knowing that she might turn into one of those over enthusiastic old women in the parties she had seen. While she chose a book from the shelf, she heard a strange noise in her windows, thinking it was a bird pecking on her window sill, yet it persisted, and she was curious to see what it is. As she pushed the dark curtains aside, her whole body jumped at the sight of Ezio Auditore sitting by her window sill. She did not know what to say or what to do, but she had pulled him inside, and hurried over to the doors, and locked them.
"What are you doing here? You are not supposed to come here!" she said, frantically. "I-I had to see you, something…happened," said Ezio. Serafina noted his voice breaking, and she knew he was downhearted, she led him to sit on the bed, and she knelt down in front of him. "Tell me, what is it? Did something occur in the town? Ezio, tell me please." The lad pressed his hand against Serafina's cheek, caressing the smooth skin under his thumb, and leaned down to kiss her softly. He was depressed, but from what? What was the cause of his disposition? Who has applied this to him?
Serafina could no longer ask herself any more questions when she felt Ezio's fingers tugging at the laces of her gown. He pulled her into the bed, eagerly removing all of his attire and accessories, carelessly throwing them on the floor. Serafina saw how his muscles have toned within his two yeas of training; she touched his bicep gently, feeling him tense as her fingers floated over his skin. They rid themselves of any more clothing, and became one again. She had missed his embrace; she had missed his kisses, and his warmth. Ezio begins to thrust harshly, Serafina grabs on to his arms, levering herself onto her bed, which creaked and moaned with every movement.
"Ah, Ezio, I…" Her cheeks burned, and her thighs ached, Serafina looked away from him for a brief moment, and released a small moan. She arched her back, and her exposed neck met Ezio's lips. He pulled her towards him, encasing her in his strong arms, and guided her up and down his manhood. "Ezio," she moaned quietly. "Ezio I…love…" The cord in her belly snapped, and she came, followed by Ezio.
"You were…about to say something…" he huffed, settling Serafina safely beside him.
"You know of that word Ezio, and you know how dreadful it is to both of us, and Cristina," said Serafina. She heard him exhale noisily, and she looked up at him, she saw the look of anger now, and it only came out when she had aforementioned Cristina's name. She loomed over his face, staring deep into his eyes.
"Did something happened between you and Cristina?" Ezio laughs, and she suddenly remembers their first night together. She kissed him instantly, and told him she would never leave his side, no matter what the reason may be. He simply stares at her, stroking her auburn hair away from her face so he may see her gray eyes.
"You are too young to understand," he said.
"Scusi Ser, but I am now fourteen years old," she replied sincerely.
"But you are still unmarried, therefore, you are still young." The tip of their noses touch, and both smile at the other. Serafina kissed him lightly, but would soon regret his departure afterwards. He promised they will see each other again, no dishonesty was traced in his words, and Serafina felt happy. They share one last kiss before the young man escaped through the window.
Francesco returned, later that evening, and found Serafina standing by his office doors holding a single candle stick. "Get your coat, it will be cold outside," he said. Serafina trailed after him outside, and walked through the empty streets of Florence. She had felt his hand on her shoulder, and she instinctively stepped away from him, Francesco told her that the brothel was not far. Within moments, they came to lit building, the smell of perfume was present in the air, and the fair sounds of women laughing had peaked Serafina's curiosity. She came up to the window, seeing scantily clad women pleasing men in the most natural way.
"Your mother worked with those girls before, and my wife treated her as if she was still nobility. No one would suspect your mother of anything, she was too courteous, too kind, and she could never harm anyone without proper reason." Serafina turned to Francesco, sensing the emotion in words, and the strain in his voice.
"Signore Francesco, were you…in love with my mother before?" The Pazzi man cleared his throat not too loudly, and blinked twice. He scoffed at her remark, and yet, had a sad smile on his face. "She and I were engaged to be married, until that damn inferno destroyed everything, and with it, it took her entire reputation, and she had to live in the streets. I had tried to convince my father to marry her now, in order to regain her status, but he refused, and forced me to espouse a neophyte in nobility."
Serafina stared at him for long, till he looked away from her. "When she died, a part of me withered, but when I saw you in Ersilia's arms, I felt the need to keep you safe, and to let you feel the air of amenity that Alba had lost. That is why I wanted you to wed Vieri, so you will not end up in the streets like her." She stared at him, looking back at all the things he had done for her, and she could not hold back her tears. She embraced him tightly, showing her immense gratitude for what he has shown.
"But why? Why must you kill Ezio's father and brothers?" she said, wearily.
"That is a question you must not embroil yourself Serafina," Francesco replied.
"Will you not tell me father?" He wiped a tear from her face, and told her that a part of his mission has failed.
"I must let you go now, my son is dead, I have lost my motivation to keep the house standing, because surely, in days time, the Pazzi will fall."
Francesco led her to the door, despite her refusal to move, he knocked on the mahogany entrance twice, and instructed her to find the courtesan named Calvina. He kissed her brow, turned away, and before she had anything else to say, the door behind her opened. A young courtesan greeted her at the entryway, inquiring her of her needs.
"I am looking for Calvina, is she there?" The courtesan nodded, and went back in to fetch the said lady. Serafina found it strange that she did not lead her inside, a few moments later, an older woman came up to her. Her dark brown hair had been brushed up to resemble small horns on her head, and her dark green kirtle had been fastened on too tightly, stressing her bosom.
"Yes, and who may you be?" she said. "I…I just want to know if my mother had really worked here and—"
"Your eyes," Calvina interrupted, "They are gray, like the rain cloud, but they are beautiful, nonetheless, who are you?" "My name is Serafina de' Pazzi." Calvina placed a hand to her mouth, she looked as if she had seen a ghost, and began to call a certain name: 'Paola! Paola!'
"Come in quickly! You must be so cold!" The first hall that she had entered contained all sorts of men, some of those which were half-naked already. Serafina knew what the male anatomy was like, but to see someone else's, it was a different story. Calvina brought the young girl to an office where she will be undisturbed by the vulgarity outside. She even said that her visit was unexpected. The courtesan sighed, and kissed Serafina's cheek.
"You resemble your mother's face, but your eyes, they are like your father's" she stated. "You knew my father?" Serafina inquired, and before she could continue, the office door opened, and a lady in red came in. She was an average sized lady with a very feminine physique, her dark hair was covered by a red hood, and her lips were painted in the similar color of her clothes.
"Madonna Paola, this is Serafina, Alba's child." Calvina curtsied politely, and took a small step to the side. The madam of the brothel took Calvina's place, her eyes travelled all over the young girl's form, and she had welcomed her with a warm embrace.
"I am glad to see you once again, little Serafina. I have heard countless stories about you from the noblemen; you are graceful, charming, and quite blunt when provoked. Quite unlike your mother, perhaps you inherited it from your father's side." Serafina took this moment to ask her: "Do you know who my father is? What is his name?" However, Paola did not answer her questioned, instead, she countered with her own, and Serafina could do nothing but stay silent.
"Answer me this first: Who told you of your true origins? Who brought you here on such evening?" She fiddled with the laces of her coat, slightly bowing her head at the madam. She said it was Francesco de' Pazzi who had told her the truth, and that she had came here on her own. Calvina took a quick glance at Paola, and walked over to the girl's side.
"Then you are truly Alba's child, you are brave, dear Serafina." Paola stood there quietly, and ordered Calvina to prepare the guest room upstairs, the woman complied, and stepped out of the workplace. Serafina waited for Paola to speak again, the older woman gestured her to sit next to the fire, knowing that it has been a chilly night. Serafina sat on a cushioned chair, and stared into the crackling fire.
"Your father, Louis Arnaud Saint-Jeanne, was a French courtier, and a loyal war lord to the King of France. He came here during the Carnevale, and on that night, he met Alba. At first, it caused quite a stir. A noble marrying a courtesan was scandalous, indeed, but they were in love, and no one was able to break that bond. After knowing of her pregnancy, Arnaud had to return to France to relay the message of his marriage, and his soon to be child. Alba waited for him, but he never came back."
The fire cracked, and Serafina felt a tear fall on her palm. She sniffed, and stared at the burgundy wall across the room.
"No word was received after my birth?" she asked.
"The only information we could find was that he married someone else."
Serafina bowed her head, and felt a warm hand on her back. Paola comforted her, telling her that sometimes one cannot always stay truthful to the ones they love. Betrayal was just a common sort of sin committed even by the most unlikely of people. Serafina sighed, wishing to hear no more of her parents, especially her father. Calvina returned happily, unaware of what had transpired, and led Serafina to rest in the guest room, where she had cried in the darkness.
Several hours later, she awoke to the sound of the front door opening, the creak was loud enough to wake a baby from its slumber. Serafina sat up, free from her kirtle and overgown, and peeked through the small opening of her door. Most of the customers have retreated to their respected rooms, and so there should be no one else downstairs but the available courtesans.
She saw Paola talking to someone near the fireplace, when she moved away, another figure in white robes took over her spot. Serafina gasped, opening the door wide open, and nearly stumbling on her chemise gown. Ezio looks up at the sudden thud in the mezzanine above, and was surprised to see Serafina. She smiled down at him, and Paola gave them time for each other. He rushes up the stairs, and she takes him into her bedroom.
"I told you, we will see each other again," he whispered. "But wait, why are you here? What has happened? I was only gone for a few hours." Serafina placed two fingers on his lips, and replaced them with her lips. "I am home Ezio, this is the place where I was born." Her hands began to search for his belt, and when they found it, she began to unfasten each buckle. Ezio chuckles, returning her kiss, passionately. "Welcome home then, I am glad you are away from that Pazzi house, we can finally get away with what we want." When he was finally disrobed, they climbed into the bed, and made love the entire evening.
"He still has not told me about his troubles or his reason for leaving me so early in the morning," said Serafina. She and Calvina were at the courtyard, playing with the white roses that grew prematurely. She had awakened, alone, and without Ezio beside her. It was a first, and she was beginning to worry over his new actions. Calvina reassured her that he is merely busy.
"How can such a man be busy when depression lingers in his eyes? There has got to be something, I have never seen Ezio that poorly downhearted, not since his father and brothers died." Serafina twirled the blooming rose in her fingers, and sighed deeply, she merely wanted to help ease Ezio's pain. Calvina sat down beside her, smiling as she did.
"I know it has something to do with Cristina," said Serafina.
"Cristina? Cristina Vespucci?" She glanced over to the courtesan after repeating her last words.
She inquired if she knew anything about the said maiden, and Calvina replied shortly: "Well, I have heard that she is engaged to be married soon!" Now Serafina has discovered the reason behind Ezio's depression, she stood, asking if there was a gown befitting her meeting with Cristina Vespucci, and Calvina offered her a yellow overgown with a pastel green kirtle. She will confront the beauty of Firenze, and set things right for Ezio, even if it means humiliating herself in public.