I prayed that the contents would not escape my memory, for I would have thought it to be a dream without any proof- a rapturous dream where Ezio Auditore da Firenze wrote me a letter.
I pushed the tray of food away and accidently dropped it loudly on the floor. My heart began pounding and my head told me I was a fool for looking so suspiciously guilty.
I kneeled to pick up the broken glass and scoop up the spoiled food into the tray. When I looked up I saw a dark red robe and as I raised my head I realized the man wearing the robe was Rodrigo Borgia.
"Holy Father, may I help you?" I asked, my cheeks red with embarrassment.
"Child, do stand up. It is improper for a lady like yourself to clean; I shall fetch a servant," he replied.
"It is all right, truly. I was not born a lady; my habits and nature are stricken with poverty."
"Habits," he began, walking around the dining table with his hands held behind his back, "Can lead you to the devil's doorsteps. It is better to change your nature rather than accuse the horrid personality you have for habits—you, my child, are not wicked and cruel. The devil has no intentions for you, unless you allow him to do such."
I was confused as to what he wanted me to do, so against my better judgment, I stood up and left the tray on the floor.
"I am not sure what you mean, Father," I admitted.
He stopped by the fire and without removing his gaze from the flames said to me, "Secrets lead you to the devil. By keeping secrets you allow the devil to take your hand and guide you to hell…"
I felt faint. He knew about the letter, but did he know who had written it? I remained silent.
"Louise, I know about the note by your dinner tray. I only kept it closed out of respect for a woman's privacy, but when you burn things it shows a sign of something worse than a mere need for privacy. Confess to your Father, and tell me what the contents were."
You play with Cesare's head but not his heart. Do not be fooled and think he loves you; he cares for no one but himself. If you wish to meet me you do not need to walk the dangerous streets alone, merely come to the Rosa in Fiore.
Sincerely yours, Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Such were the contents of the letter, but I would have rather burned along side it in the fire than to tell Rodrigo. Excuses danced around my head until I thought of one befitting of the situation.
"I do not burn the letter because I hide secrets, merely because I am a woman and my anger gets the better of me. It was a note from Cesare—we had gotten in a quarrel, you understand—and he had written a note asking for an apology. To be truthful to you, Holy Father, I was outraged that he would expect an apology from me when he had started the whole outburst to begin with."
I looked in his eyes to see if he was convinced of my story, thinking that a Pope could not know the secrets of lying, but I was surprised to see that he knew I lied. Before he could declare my "compliance with the devil" Cesare himself came walking into the dining room.
"Father," he said coolly, and then looking to me, "Louise, come with me."
"If you will excuse us," I said to Rodrigo and quickly following Cesare, mentally thanking him for rescuing me from his father.
I followed him back into his study and sat on a seat, patiently waiting to know why he asked me to join him again in the room. I was anxious and realized I would rather have been with Rodrigo. Did he know about the letter too and rather than let the pope have his fun by torturing me with words, he could do it with his bare hands?
I held my breath as he opened his mouth to speak.
"I must leave tomorrow night to oversee my army. I will not be back for a fortnight."
"Very well," I replied with relief, "Did you want me to cancel your meeting with Micheletto on Saturday?"
"No, he is coming with me…" he said, not finishing his sentence.
"Oh?" I replied, trying to push him to continue.
He came to me and kneeled by my seat, looking more anxious than I did.
"Do you love me, Louise?" he asked abruptly.
"Yes I do. Cesare, what is the meaning of this?"
"I fear you do not. I will be back in two weeks time and you will not be here."
"Of course I will. You speak nonsense."
"I do not. Louise, you are the only person I treasure anymore. Promise me you will be here when I return and my family and your heart will not persuade you to leave."
I remembered the letter at that moment; you play with Cesare's head but not his heart…
"I promise," I lied.
He partially smiled, kissed me and walked back to his desk.
The rest of the night was spent speaking of the details for his trip. I listened dully, only excited for his departure. I only thought of how to avoid Rodrigo and Lucrezia while Cesare was gone; and the letter that was now mere ash. His leaving would give me an excuse to find Ezio Auditore and study the precious golden sphere Cesare adored so much.