The Real Life of Francesco De Medici

by L.Hawk

What was life like for young Francesco, growing up the bastard child of the Pope? A lot crazier than you might expect. Rated for mentions of abuse and mental illness.

11. First Letter to Vincenza

Vincenza,

I got your letter. I guess I should thank you for writing it, seeing as it made life more tolerable here. You always said not to complain if you had a roof over your head and food in your stomach, so I guess I shouldn't complain, but you'd hate it here. Katarina and Alessandro and I have to take these protocol lessons, which are like being lectured about good behavior by Maria, only worse, because it's for an hour and you just sit there and listen. Plus, everyone, especially Katarina and Alessandro, is so nervous around me. There's a girl here who's also Maria, who works for the archbishop, and she's the only person in the fucking house who's not afraid of me, except maybe the archbishop himself, who's too busy praying and directing bishops and stuff to be around much. Other than that, it's not too bad here, but I could use someone like you around. Be careful, and remember to go to confession.

Francesco