2.

The devil in Crimson

I felt as the last nights incident were all a dream. A strange, rather intriguing dream. I walked over to my mirror. My fingers traced the path where the man had traced his lips down my neck. My father came in through my door. He was a good man with kind brown eyes, and straight dark hair. "Are you well, Lucrezia?" He smiled at me. I nodded at him, and took a hold of my Medici necklace "I'm quite well father. I just had a sleepless night. Can you help me to put it on father?" Father advanced towards me, and fastened the necklace. He took a lock of my hair and started braiding it. My father was quite extraordinary in that fashion. He worked as a well-established merchant and politician. When my mother died, he had to take care of their kids for five years before he married again. He had learned many skills, such as braiding, dressing, and even to talk like a mother. He loosened the braid and started on another one "Leonardo Medici, your betrothed comes to visit in nine days. You're lucky who gets this chance to meet him before the wedding. Many brides doesn't meet their future husband before they walk up the aisle. Most brides also have to marry a man many times their age, You'll marry one only a year older than you. Leonardo isn't just at your own age, he's a gentleman. He's interested in art, literature, poetry and music. Signiore Medici is also skilled with the sword. I'm shore that you'll love him." Father finished the braid, and secured it with a hairpin. He gave me a light kiss on the cheek, and stroked my hair "You'll be a beautiful bride, Lucrezia."

I felt strangely touched by father's kindness. He was the father of nine, and he managed to spread love equally. Even though that five of his children had moved, two to convents, one married away, one living in Rome, and one in the military. I admired him for it. Both girls and boys had the same value in his eyes. He married of his girls to good husbands, whom they would love, and let the boys choose their own destiny. These virtues was a rare expense in Rome, or the rest of the medieval world for that matter. Father smiled at me "I'll go and welcome a few tradesmen from the middle-east." He exited through the door, and disappeared down the steps.

The thought of my own marriage got me to think about my eldest sister; Mariella. She married a man 13 years her superior, but she loved him anyway. They got three children in seven years, and they loved each, and every one of them. I hope that I will love Leonardo as much as she loves _ Sforza.

The night fell on Rome at the third day of the papal election. Once more, I found myself brushing my hair in the window. Then I could see something in the dim light in the entrance to the courtyard. The silhouette of a Priest. The priest from the night before. I was curious of this man with the deep eyes, and I just had to meet him again. I ran down to the courtyard. The silhouette disappeared out of the courtyard, and onto the street. Should I run after him? Maybe not… YES! I ran after him through the streets of Rome. He stopped at the Piazza de Navona. The silhouette walked over to the far south end of the Piazza. I was out of breath and breathed heavily "Why was you outside my window?"

The priest laughed, "You followed me all this way to ask me that?"

I took a step towards him, "Just answer me! Who are you?"

He turned around to reveal a face with masculine features encased in perfect olive skin. His hair flowed out from under his hat in dark brown curls, which ended right over his shoulders. His chin, covered in a spars dark facial hair, and I could guess that he maybe was 22 of age.

He smiled, revealing a row of perfect white teeth, "The devil in black".

A smile snuck over my face in the darkness, "A devil in the cloaks of a priest. Should I be afraid?"

The priest took a step towards me – his lean body was muscular, but he had smooth movements – he looked at my necklace, "You should be cautious at least. I'm a wolf in sheep's clothing. Actually" he laughed again, "I'm actually shore that I soon will be a devil in crimson. And maybe I will make official visits to your cardinal brother, and you."

I set up a smug smile "I'm betrothed to Leonardo Medici from Florence".

The devil in black took a step towards me "I hope that you'll stay in Rome".

I answered by taking another step towards him –we were only 40 cm apart – I studied his young yet masculine face, "My upcoming husband lives in Florence. Do you wish me to stay in Rome?"

"I'm a powerful man" he said nonchalantly, "What if a banker was much needed in the Vatican. I know that the Medici family are bankers of the highest order. What is to stop me in making place for a new banker in Rome?" He thrusted forward and kissed me passionately. His hands wandered down my back, and onto my back end. I tried to refuse, but he slit his tounge into my mouth, and kissed me inside my mouth. He stopped as suddenly as he had started, but did not let go of my waist. I looked up at him "What is your name devil?" He smirked, "call me the Bull".

The Bull left the Piazza in the shadows. I was once more on my own. The Bull, a remarkable nickname for an interesting man.

3.

The introduction of Cardinals.

The end of the conclave. White smoke flowed out from the chimney in the Vatican. The crowd outside of the papal palace whispered together of whom the new pope may be. Cardinal Sforza came out on the balcony in his crimson cloak "Welcome pope Alexander sixth of his name!" An old man came out on the balcony. He raised his hands and hymned something in Latin, which I could not make sense of because of the cheering crowd. A gentle voice behind me said "It's Rodrigo Borgia! Rodrigo Borgia is the new pope!" I turned around to see a familiar face.

A fair face with dark brown eyes, surrounded by a nuns veil. I squinted my eyes "Nencia?" The nun smiled at me "It sure is!" I ran towards her and hugged her.

"I thought you weren't going to get out of the convent before you lived under the vows in 10 years ".

"I was given a special deal to see the new pope, and it's only 2 years until my 10 year "holiday". I hear that you're betrothed to a Medici."

I smiled, but felt a pinch of guilt after the kiss I shared with the Bull last evening, "Can I confess today as usual?". Nencia looked at me with a questional look "Of course, there's priests in the churches at all times. And, I'll come to your wedding, see you there".

"Yes, thanks Nencia." I hugged her once more, and walked away. Shuffeling my way through the crowd. I reached the door to the basilica. There was not a lot of people inside the church, since everyone was outside watching the new pope. A dusin people was scattered in between the different alters in the church. There was a confession on both the right, and left side of the ship. Which should I go to?

I looked to my right, and decided to go left. The first confession booth was empty, so I entered. A priest opened the door to the other room, and sat down.

"I have come here to confess my sins, father." My lower lip trembled.

"What's your name my child?" the priest had a sturdy, yet familiar voice, "what's your name, and what may your sin be?"

I swallowed a couple of times, "My name is Lucrezia Catarina. I'm betrothed to another man, but another man kissed me passionately, and I enjoyed it."

I cast a look up on the pries, he gazed at me simountaniosly, and a set of deep brown eyes met mine. A pair of eyes surrounded by dark curly hair, only contained by the priest's hat. The priest bit his lip, "That's indeed a sin". I pulled my gaze back to the floor "I felt guilty for feeling thus for another man."

He exhaled heavily, "Pray each night for a week. More is not to be expected as penance for a kiss."

"Maybe the Bull should serve this penance as equal as me."

He let out a small laugh "Maybe you will meet him again, and then you can tell him yourself."

I leaned forward against the bars and whispered, "Can this good priest enlighten me about the bull?"

"This Bishop can't do so. But enlightenment comes to you if you come to the introduction of cardinals." The priest drew the cross in front of me mid-air while hymning "May the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all the saints, whatever good you do and suffering you endure heal your sins, help you to grow in holiness, and reward you with eternal life. Go in peace."

I felt a strange sensation of peace as the bishop exited the both. Maybe, my sins already were forgiven.

- 6 days later -

"Brother, can I attend the introduction of cardinals with you tomorrow?" I pulled my cutest smile towards him. Mercurio sighted, the crease between his eyes became visible, "I'll take you with me if you promise to behave, and if you're allowed by father to do so. My blessing to attend will not be enough. Fathers consent is crucial to be allowed." I nodded vigorously "I understand Mercurio, Thank you!"

I ran into the house. Father was usually in his office, or in the family altar at this hour. I ran to the altar in the eastern corner of the courtyard. The polished marble altar in the middle of the room casted the light around the sandstone room. A small room with room only for the family, and the closest servants. We gathered here every time disaster was upon us, or in difficult times. Mercurio used to be the one who used this the most, but he now had the Vatican to pray in. He could pray in the private altars in 's. I stood there in the door studying the marble alter. Vague memories flashed in my head. Memories of the weekly memorials we used to have for my mother. Father loved her much, but was all the love for her a political game. An alley, maybe.
A shadow suddenly blocked the light casted into the room from the door, "Lucrezia, what are you doing?". "Oh, I was looking for you father. I was wondering if it was possible for me to attend the introduction of cardinals, with Mercurio." Father smiled at me "Of course, it will be interesting for you, and you'll benefit of attending an important event in the church."

"Thank you father!" I gave him a long hug. Only if he knew who had told me to attend this event.

The basilica was filled with people, choirs lined up behind the papal chair. Light beamed in through the class windows on the east side of the basilica. I fixed my dress; my dress had a pale golden colour, decorated with lace. The dress consisted of a lot of fabric. The abundance of fabric sent out a message of wealth and a womanly body. I was going to stand here for one to two hours, I hoped that the cardinals could kiss the ring of the pope as quickly as possible.

The pope raised from his seat "welcome the new cardinals of our holy mother church. These men are ready to spill their blood for the Christian faith, and will aid me in every matter with the rest of the colleague. Let the new servants of Saint Peter come forward!"

The door in the back opened, revealing a row of cardinals. They walked in one by one. The row was organised after age, the oldest was In front, the youngest in the back. And there I saw him. The Bull walked in the space second to the back. This was the first time where I saw him in daylight. He was even more handsome in the light. His curly hair fought against the restraints of the cardinal hat, and the olive colour of his skin was beautifully enhanced by the crimson coloured cloak. I was to know his name when he was announced by the holy father.

A girl came walking over to me, she had golden hair, fair skin, and sparkling blue eyes, "Who are you? If you mind me asking".

I smiled to her "I don't mind, My name is Lucrezia Catarina Visconti."

The girl sent me a big smile "my name is also Lucrezia! Lucrezia Borgia. I'm thirteen years old. How old are you?"

I shrugged "I'm seventeen years old"

"Are you married?" She gave me a curious look.

"I'm betrothed to a man. We're getting married in a month's time."

"How old is he?"

"We're almost at the same age. He's eighteen, maybe nineteen. Leonardo is rumoured to be very kind."

Lucrezia got a thoughtfull look "How did it fe-" she was interrupted by an older boy, "Excuse my sister, she's always so curious".

"I don't mind, but who are you really?"

His hazel eyes sparkeled, he then stroked a lock of his brown hair behind his ear, "I'm Giovanni Borgia, son of the pope, and Lucrezia's older brother. I'm also the future falconier of the papal army."

I gave him a polite smile, "I'm Lucrezia Catarina Visconti, daughter of Giovanni Visconti. It's a pleasure to meet you Giovanni."

He sent me a smirk "call me Juan. Giovanni is my Italian name, call me by my heritage" he looked at my hair like he never had seen red hair. Juan reached out for my hand and kissed it, "It's always a pleasure to meet a beautiful lady." I smiled to him, "thank you, Juan."

The pope started to announce each cardinal as they walked forward to kiss the papal shoe, and ring. "Cardinal Salvatore, Cardinal Pinochino, Cardinall delle Neca" and then I saw him " Cardinal Borgia" he bent forward to kiss the shoes, and the papal ring. The Holy Father smiled to him. Unbelievable! The bull, the devil in black was the pope's son!

Lucrezia and Juan turned towards me "That's our brother!" Lucrezia looked at him with love in his eyes. Juan on the other hand, had a look with nothing but disgust and despise. I could not comprehend that the bull was the pope's son. But one mystery remained; What was his full name, and why did he make contact with me?

- Later that night –

I took a walk down to Piazza Navona. I knew it was wrong of me to do this, but I wanted to meet him again. It was something about him which drew me towards him. He was so handsome, so masculine, so mysterious. I sat down by the church at the piazza. A silhouette emerged from the shadows. A man with a dark cloak came and stopped on the line between shadow and artificial light. I studied the silouette carefully, "The devil in Crimson?". The silhouette laughed, and he took of his hood of, revealing his curly hair "This devil is in disguise tonight. Don't you think is dangerous to go out here at night?"

I smiled, "Isn't it strange that you; Cardinal Borgia is out walking in incognito at the same place and time is I am?"

Borgia took a step closer to me "You got me there, Visconti. By the way; why is it against the rules to meet a betrothed woman in the dark of night? There are many cardinals who go to brothels in their crimson cloak."

I took a hold of his hand, "And may I ask what his excellence's name is?"

He tog a better grip around my hand, "You may, and my name is Cesare Borgia. I'm the eldest son of The Pope: Rodrigo Borgia. Call me Cesare."

"So, Cesare. Why do I have the pleasure of your company?"

"You're beautiful. Are you aware of your own beauty?" He stroked me over my cheek "I'm quite certain that you wish to say in Rome. Aren't you?" I nodded.

Cesare took another step closer, I could feel his breath in my neck, "You like this don't you. You are intrigued by this, but you don't want to admit it. Your thoughts are of your upcoming marriage with Leonardo Medic." He kissed my neck "But I don't want to corrupt you. Can we go somewhere we can speak in private?"

I regained my positure, "Of course, my excellence. Where should we go to?"

He pulled his hand back, "I have rooms at the Borgia Apartments in the Vatican."

I wandered off with him to the Borgia apartments.