Cathy awoke early the next morning, before light to a male servant and the Pope bursting into her room. She sat up in surprise not bothering to cover herself with the sheets.

"Your Holiness…"Cathy uttered confused.

"Leave us." The Pope said to the servant. The young man left, leaving Cathy to the mercy of the Pope.

"Your cousin Costanza was sent home this morning to Milan." The Pope said.

"What?" Cathy said jumping out of the bed. The Pope's gazed lingered over her forum. She suddenly felt exposed under the thin material of her nightgown.

"We have no use for her anymore." The Pope said rather plainly.

"No use?" Cathy exclaimed. "You just brought her here to entertain your nephew, only to throw her out as if she were a prostitute?"

The Pope smiled slyly. This enraged Cathy.

"When my father hears about this…"

"Ah yes. I thought the Duke of Sforza would not take the sudden dismissal of his most prized possession very well. There are rumors you know, of Lady Costanza and the Duke…committing some very unholy acts." The Pope spoke as he sat down in the chair beside the window.

"How dare you!" Cathy shouted. Of course she had heard the rumors as well, it was just gossip amongst servants, wasn't it? She remembered how Giuliano use to tease Carlo about it.

"I would not want Girolamo caught up in potential scandal. Surely you can understand that Lady Sforza."

Cathy huffed. "Well I guess I shall pack my bags then, I can be gone in an hour."

"You misunderstand me. You must stay."

"You expect me to stay after how you have treated my cousin?" She asked taken aback.

"You will stay." The Pope said seeming unamused.

"You are mistaken, your Holiness, I am leaving today." Cathy replied firmly.

The Pope stood up; he looked at Cathy with a very serious expression. He was not use to being challenged.

"Do not make this unpleasant for yourself Lady Caterina. There will be guards on you at all times, you cannot run."

"So I am a prisoner then?" Cathy asked. The reality of the situation was being to set in. Riario must have told the Pope of her eavesdropping and now she was to be walled up in Vatican City.

"Choose to look at it anyway you like." The Pope remarked before he headed for the door.

"There is not a cage you can build that could contain me." Cathy spoke.

"Are you sure about that?" The Pope questioned turning around to face his challenger. "Marriage is the best cage of all wouldn't you say?"

Cathy looked at the old man in confusion.

"It does not have to be this way Lady Caterina, we could help each other you know."

"You could help me? I seriously doubt that. There is nothing I would ever want from you or the Vatican."

"I can give you the Turk's head on a silver platter if you like." The Pope said.

This captured her attention. She wanted nothing more than to find the Turk. Cathy felt herself breaking to the man's will. He smiled when he noticed her thoughtful consideration of his offer.

"To find him we will need Milan's assistance."

"My father would never assist you after the way Costanza was treated." Cathy said blatantly.

"He would if his eldest daughter was the Countess of Rome."

Cathy's mouth dropped to the floor. "Of what do you suggest?"

"Do not play coy Lady Caterina. You will marry Girolamo."

Cathy stood in shock at what the Pope was saying.

"Does this displease you?" He asked noting her bewildered expression.

"Yes!" She shouted. "I mean no. Well, I'm not sure. Have you told Riario about this?"

"Obviously." The Pope answered annoyed. He had not planned for this conversation to carry on so long.

"And what did he say?" Cathy asked taking a step towards the Pope.

"He agreed."

"Why?" Cathy asked, surprised by his answer.

"Perhaps he is fond of you." The Pope shrugged. Cathy's dark blue eyes lite up. This pleased her.

"Or perhaps he is doing God's will and playing his part in the advancement of the Church. A role you will soon come to know very well." The Pope said before walking out of the room.

Cathy did not care about the Pope's insinuations. He could never suppress her. She sat on her bed to try to comprehend everything that had just happened. Was she a prisoner? Was she to be forced to marry Riario? Or did she want to marry him? Did she even want to get married? What would her father say? What Carlo say? Or the Medici's? What would Costanza think? Oh God, Costanza! She would hate me for eternity.

This was super short! But I really wanted to update, I will be adding more hopefully tonight or later this week. Midterms are eating away all of my time! ;)