Italy, 1498796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7sOCknPp6
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Lucrezia cried out in pain.
Her hands gripped the white sheets of the convent bed, her nails jutting painfully into her palms. She bit back another scream, gritting her teeth sharply until her gums felt numb.
“You must try to relax, my lady!” Penthesilea said by her side. Lucrezia’s maid had placed her hand comfortingly on her mistress’ forearm.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPITnxtFeVg
Lucrezia took a deep breath.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNdZXKD5Ad
“My mother.” She managed say. Penthislea attempted to sooth her.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTOAKyG7sU
“Your mother is on her way, my lady. Give her time, give her time.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNbTzDKaOW
“There is… no… time!” Lucrezia cried out, feeling the pain once more overwhelm her.
The rain outside lashed at the windows. When it had first started, the rainfall was slow and gentle. Lucrezia had timed her breathing to the patters on the window pane, but the gentle drizzle had quickly turned into a storm. She could no longer hope to keep her breathing in time with the rain on the glass or the whistle of the wind, and she found herself wailing in despair.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9a6ZmVoXK
“I cannot, Penthesilea. I cannot!!” She threw herself back onto the pillows.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d8e0kXSG9
Penthesilea was at a loss; her mistress was deep in the throes of labour and the weather had prevented her mother and the midwife from travelling swiftly to the convent.
Just as Penthesilea was about to give up hope and send for one of the nuns to deliver the baby, the door opened and Vanozza Cattanei strode into the room, removing her riding gloves and rain soaked cloak.
“My girl!” She cried, hurrying to her daughter’s side. Lucrezia attempted a small smile, but the pain in her abdomen cut her attempt short. Her mother turned to Penthesilea.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd1KGqRMUO
“The midwife shall not be far behind me. Fetch hot water and towels for the child, and bring a cold compress for my daughter. I fear it shall be a long night.” She said grimly.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin4Z5D2yAD
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The hooves of Cesare’s horse pounded against the rough road leading to the convent. He could see lights in the distance, the faint glow of candles in windows.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvFP2poX3g
He stopped for a brief moment, pausing in the downpour. He turned, and could see the dark outline of Michelotto following close behind.
“What is it, my lord?” Michelotto asked when he had caught up. He had halted the horse roughly, and it exhaled loudly, shaking its head and sending raindrops in every direction.
“She is in there, Michelotto. She is to become a mother.” Cesare said, wiping water from his face before bursting into laughter.
“She is, my lord. Which is why you should not be stopping here.” Michelotto said with a raised eyebrow. Cesare, with a grin, nodded and tapped his heels on the horse’s side.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLHMYgpZny
“Indeed. Keep up if you can, Michelotto!” Cesare called behind him as his horse galloped away, closing the distance between Cesare and the convent that kept Lucrezia from him.
Cesare crossed the threshold and the nuns instantly retreated. His reputation had preceded him. His violence and short temper combined with his sardonic streak was a combination for trouble, and all of Rome - nay, all of Europe - knew it.
The water droplets still clung tightly to his dark, wind-swept hair and his whole appearance was weather-worn and tired, yet he still managed to walk with a dignity that would not be amiss among royalty. 796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaiL3OMfIm
He was just like Lucrezia, thought Michelotto as he watched his master walk before him. So beautiful and alluring. So strikingly similar, and yet so radically different. He was dark where she was fair. He was fearsome where she was gentle. It was little wonder they had all of Italy gossiping.
Cesare was in a good mood this night. The usual glower that he sported was nowhere to be found. He had visited Lucrezia a number of times during her time at the convent, and the nuns had always fled before him. He usually came straight from Rome, straight from a busy day scheming in Vatican City or brawling with his brother in the streets. Usually he had a countenance that would send ice running through the veins of even the bravest soul.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OvMm4UUOF
But tonight he was…jovial.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCjPDKjLJv
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The nuns whispered as they hurried past him, and tonight he found it amusing. He never tired of the terror he could instil with just a glance.
He glanced back into the courtyard before going inside. Michelotto was tethering the horses next to another. The other was tall and black, with a white stretch of fur on its nose. His mother’s horse.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9R4IaDhVg
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The three horses stood side by side under the shelter.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsljpDYpvkl
Cesare noted with pleasure that Giovanni had not yet arrived. Let him get caught in the rain, he thought to himself, let him drown.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3dEEjOQ2W
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“Cesare!” Vanozza said in surprise when he entered Lucrezia’s chamber.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Zell0niaj
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The chamber was comfortable, for a convent at least. Tapestries hung on the walls, her harp sat in the corner by the small, modest window. Lucrezia was no nun, merely a young girl hiding from her responsibilities.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV7nxXOQab
Cesare hated her being here, so far away from Rome. So far away from him.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEUZWnzSwW
He glanced at the dressing table littered with jewels. He saw that many of the glittering gold necklaces and stones were ones that he had bought her. He saw no sign of the ring that Giovanni had gifted her the year before last. He delighted in that.
“You cannot be here!” Vanozza said, leaving her daughter’s side to usher him out. Lucrezia looked at him from the bed. Her beautiful eyes were red and puffy, sweat dripping down her forehead. Her golden hair was soaked and dull. She opened her mouth to protest, to say that it was okay for Cesare to be there. It was Cesare, after all.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgxU9W8uue
Vanozza silenced her with a raised palm.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zETBIhEua
“You know that men cannot be in the birthing chamber.” She said sternly.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8thyhXRJf
“But I-“ Cesare began. Vanozza stopped him with an iron glare.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmotJ7OJLF
“Out.” She commanded.
Even Cesare could not argue. Before leaving, he took Lucrezia’s slender hand and kissed it. She smiled a little, before being wracked with pain once more.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMDWEMmqqx
Cesare’s eyes widened. He had never before witnessed labour, and to see his Lucrezia in such agony made him furious.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AnqCy1zof
“Pray for me.” She whispered as he knelt to kiss her cheek. She spoke almost silently; not another in the room heard her plea. Cesare nodded.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIVPeurq0F
“I shall. Most earnestly.” He said in low tones. She attempted a laugh.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgCw97Sobc
“You never… do anything earnestly.” She said between deep breaths.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYQErs7hhI
“Oh Lucrezia, I do for you.” He said softly, smiling gently at her before rising and leaving the room without looking back.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ul3M172Yp
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Cesare waited outside, his fists clenching each time Lucrezia’s screams pierced the air. Michelotto looked sympathetically at him. It only made him angrier.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPBdR88LVK
“I do not need your pity, Michelotto.” He snapped. Michelotto raised his palms in surrender.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFAooUhiBl
“Yes, my lord.” He said. Cesare avoided looking him in the eye after that.
Hooves were heard in the courtyard and the pair stood up to get a better look.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuGADES4ok
A large horse was riding in, a saddle edged with gold on its back. It’s rider was cloaked and hooded, but even the hood was lavish. It was clearly made of expensive fabric, and the hint of a gold chain could be glimpsed around the rider’s neck.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvjxrDhKHS
The rider paraded the horse around the courtyard for a moment, making the creature lift up each hoof in turn as though it were a show horse. The rider was arrogant, showing off his wealth to an empty courtyard.
“Giovanni.” Cesare muttered under his breath. He rolled his eyes and sent a look of contempt in the rider’s direction.
“Someone come and tend to my horse!” Giovanni called, dismounting. Michelotto moved to go to the beast, but Cesare stopped him with an extended arm. A look of warning from his master sent Michelotto retreating back to his former position.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wJvTwyBlY
“He can tend his own fucking horse.” Cesare said with a snarl.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirXz5UOJfv
“Ah, Cesare!” Giovanni said pleasantly as he gathered with the two other men outside Lucrezia’s room. “I see you did not change from your street clothes before coming to see Lucrezia.” He said, looking with a smug smile at Cesare’s garb.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQkUedGPYd
“Why would I waste time in changing, when she needed me so here?” Cesare asked through gritted teeth. Giovanni shrugged.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbaBnMrpHd
“I thought you should want to be more… presentable for her big day.” Giovanni remarked. He shrugged. “It is no matter. How is my sister?” He asked.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpesC9NPQRi
“Fine.” Cesare replied sharply. Giovanni smirked.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyOKp3raez
“The Holy Father should be here soon. Even the Pope would not miss the birth of his first grandchild.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wZkX0uvqS
Cesare, usually so composed, failed to mask his surprise. That the Pope should leave Rome so suddenly was unusual. For the Pope to leave Rome so suddenly, in the midst of a storm, to be present at the birth of his bastard daughter’s bastard child was unheard of.
“I see he did not tell you, Cesare.” Giovanni said. “I should have thought he would have told you… after all, it is you that have been with him all day in the Vatican, not I. And yet he still found time to inform me of his plans. Strange.” He said with a patronising, conceited laugh.
Cesare bit his tongue. He glared at Giovanni, envisaging his head on a spike over the Tiber.
Giovanni strolled inside and sat on the benches not far from Lucrezia’s door.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcTc2D1zKU
The door opened as Penthesilea hurried to fetch more towels and water. Lucrezia’s screams were growing louder, and at the end of each scream was a heart wrenching sob.
Even Giovanni was perturbed by the sounds.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ7EgBOXzi
Cesare longed to go in there and endure the pain for her, or at the very least, to wipe away her tears and give her his hand to hold. If there was any way to take the pain from her, to take it all in her stead, Cesare knew without doubt that he would do it.
“My lord,” Michelotto said suddenly. He nodded his head in the direction of the courtyard. Two more horses were approaching.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7T9iBlBFz
“Is it the Pope?” Michelotto asked. Cesare nodded.
“I told you my father would be here.” Giovanni said, coming to join Cesare and Michelotto.
Cesare nodded to Michelotto, a wordless gesture that Michelotto understood. Immediately he went into the rain to aid the Holy Father off his horse and take the creature into the shelter with the others.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOySYO5Euh
Alexander Borgia thanked Michelotto, before moving quickly to shelter himself.
“Ah!” He said when he beheld both Cesare and Giovanni. “My sons!” He took both of them into his arms.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6TQdDnsdW
“I shall go to Lucrezia.” He said directly.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dKyqISgJZ
“Vanozza will not let you in.” Cesare warned with a smile. Alexander waved a hand.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXUpZRRR7g
“I know how to handle Vanozza. Besides, she would not reject the presence of God’s representative on Earth!” He said with a chuckle. Cesare’s lips turned upwards in a smile as the Holy Father pushed open the door and immediately cast aside Vanozza’s disgruntlement.
The rain was still pouring.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0Ckh0yPee
It was well into the night now, and Lucrezia was no closer to giving birth. Cesare sat outside with his head in his hands, Giovanni paced in the hallway and inside, Vanozza was growing increasingly worried.
“Mama,” Lucrezia cried. “I cannot, I cannot... not anymore.” She whimpered. Vanozza took her daughter’s hand and squeezed it tightly.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PhfP1Hypl
“You must have strength!” She said, looking to Alexander for support.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvswZkSmvk
Alexander was at a loss. He adored his daughter more than anything in the world, and to see her in such pain was an anguish he had not expected to feel. He made the sign of the cross over her, and muttered a quick prayer in her name.
“I want to see Cesare.” Lucrezia asked. Vanozza looked again to Alexander.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksBpffmEmL
Alexander shrugged.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9snbXCePBz
“If the child wants Cesare to comfort her…” He said. Vanozza sighed and got up to the door.
Cesare entered tentatively.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwomB5cIwD
“Lucrezia!” He said upon seeing her. He had never before seen her so weak and pale. Her beautiful face, with its rosy complexion, was turning a grey colour. He hid his concern and rushed to her bedside.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicOo7D48mg
“Cesare, did you pray?” She asked faintly.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwweFZ4SqY
“Yes.” He lied. He mentally reminded himself to do so as soon as he was free from her presence.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIsnjvkAUZ
“Then I shall not worry. I shall be fine.” She said with a nod. She looked up at the ceiling of the chamber.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzYymscoZE
Cesare placed a cool hand on her forehead.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7BKWF4TCS
“She is as hot as a furnace!” He exclaimed. “Can we not open the window?”
Vanozza shook her head.
Lucrezia writhed as the pain began again, and Cesare stood immediately.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ015hZQgMHb
“What can I do?!” He begged. “Lucrezia, let me do something to help you.” He said in desperation.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4MWx466fZ
She shook her head as tears began to fall from her eyes. He wiped them instantly with his sleeve.
Vanozza pushed him gently to the door.
“You should be outside Cesare. You can do nothing in here.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9ua1E0VLB
"I cannot!" He cried, pushing back against Vanozza's arm. "I shall not leave her!"796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZye6PJK0a
His heart ached to see her in such a state, and he vowed that he would be there to endure her pain with her. Each contraction for her was like a knife wound to his own gut. Her screams pierced him harder than the blade of a sword.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu380ojCgB
Cesare was no squeamish man. He had tortured men in the past, and had never so much as batted an eyelid at their cries of pain or the blood flowing profusely from the wounds he inflicted. But Lucrezia was different. Lucrezia was more dear to him than anything else in the world. She was his.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigPNiZIOlg
Vanozza looked at him with sympathy in her eyes.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2gpQGKwOP
"You can do nothing here." She repeated gently.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWcMSfJoN2
With downcast eyes, Cesare relented. He admitted defeat and cast one last glance to his beloved Lucrezia before returning outside.
“I do so wish Lucrezia would hurry up and just have the child.” Giovanni complained.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFjw0MvkPy
Cesare bit his tongue once more.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVGClorzgJ
“I have business to attend to in the city.” Giovanni continued. Cesare snorted.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pQHglxhUb
“In a whore house? I wouldn’t call that business, brother. I’d call that a lack of ability to fuck a woman without paying her first.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXBuZ5Yj8t
Now it was Giovanni’s turn to bite his tongue. His hand moved to the sword at his hip, wondering just what would happen if he were to draw it and run Cesare through. His fingers lingered at the hilt. He took a deep breath and removed his hand, clenching it into a fist.
“Even if that is so - which it isn’t - you and I both know that you're merely bitter. I am Giovanni Borgia! The favourite son of His Holiness the Pope!" He said grandly, raising his arms open to the air. "But not you. He happily signed the document denying you as his son. You are no Borgia, Cesare.” Giovanni said with a sadistic smile.
Cesare paused for just one brief moment before lunging.
Cesare’s force sent the both of them tumbling through the archway and into the courtyard. They landed gracelessly in a large puddle. Giovanni laughed from the floor as Cesare stood.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvh7FZyaeZ
“Jesus, do you realise just how easy it is? I can push all of your buttons just so… fucking easily.”
Cesare shook his head, laughing himself. It was no good-humoured laugh. It was cold, calculating. Murderous.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLxg40eGEv
“If it’s so easy, brother, why do you do it? I always thought you liked a challenge.” He asked. He moved closer to Giovanni, grabbing him by the throat. “All I have to do is squeeze…” He whispered. Giovanni glared as he struggled for breath. Cesare increased the pressure, smiling as Giovanni's pulse raced beneath his fingers.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rTC8hjnJY
He found pleasure in the power taking a life gave him. God might grant life, but Cesare Borgia could take it away, and he wouldn't think twice before doing it.
“The Pope would never forgive you if I died at your hands.”
“You underestimate me!” Cesare said with a menacing laugh. “It would look so much like an accident that God himself wouldn’t question it.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsKt09hVjG
He tightened the grip on Giovanni's throat once more. Giovanni's nails were leaving scratches on Cesare's hands, clawing at his knuckles. Cesare only revelled in the pain and the thrill of the fight.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagQVplVEFX
Thunder cracked overhead, a flash of lightning illuminating the scene in the courtyard. Giovanni saw for the first time the merciless expression on Cesare's face, and though he would never admit it, he began to feel something akin to fear.
Michelotto was standing in the archway, waiting to step in. His hand was already on the dagger concealed in his belt. All Cesare had to do was nod…
But instead of nodding, Cesare shook his head. Michelotto relaxed his grip on his weapon. Cesare loosened his grip on Giovanni’s throat roughly, and pushed his head viciously to the ground.
Giovanni spat the mud out of his mouth as he sat up and wiped the rain from his face. It was still falling heavily, and the pair of them had been soaked to the bone.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76zoEZaDbq
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Then Lucrezia’s door opened, and they straightened up immediately.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DCSMTlBKI
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“It is a boy.” Vanozza said softly. If she even noticed the dishevelled appearance of her sons, she did not comment.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg491WyN3zx
They strode into Lucrezia’s chamber. She was sitting upright, a bundle of blankets in her arms. She was smiling.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4RuTYoTfj
Cesare breathed a sigh of relief, his anger temporarily forgotten. He rushed to her side, sinking to his knees.
“Thank God.” He whispered.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vGIF0F56v
“Do not thank God. Thank yourself, Cesare. I should not have had the strength to go on if you were not here.” Lucrezia said softly. She had tears in her eyes, and she took one hand off the baby and placed it on top of Cesare’s. He squeezed her hand, looking up at her in admiration.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOqWOjqXLc
“You are the strongest woman I have ever known.” He said, pressing a lingering kiss to her hand. She shrugged.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoVYbJzm45
“If you say so.”
“Have you decided on a name, my dear?” Alexander asked from the foot of the bed.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYJyt3yrAw
“Yes.” Lucrezia said proudly. Cesare looked up at her. “He shall be called Giovanni.”
Cesare’s heart missed a beat. Giovanni. He had somewhat vainly thought that if the child were to be named after anyone, it would be named Cesare. Giovanni? Why Giovanni?! The elder Giovanni was smiling. He shot a glance at Cesare, and Cesare knew in that moment that he should have strangled him outside.
“Giovanni.” Cesare said coldly. Lucrezia looked at him apologetically. “I see.” He said bluntly.
Lucrezia studied him. Cesare, her dark haired, dark eyed, handsome Cesare. He could be as arrogant as Giovanni somedays, and his temper was certainly one to be feared. He must have told a thousand girls he’d loved them, but Lucrezia knew he only ever really meant it when he said it to her. He must have had hundreds of affairs all over Italy, but Lucrezia knew for certain that she was the one who really held his heart.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHdhXVEzN4
He was a formidable man, she knew that much. She knew that people in the streets only ever whispered his name, and even then they did so looking over their shoulder for fear that he should overhear them. She knew that those Cesare disliked often ended up floating in the Tiber or poisoned at their dinner table. And yet Lucrezia also knew that despite all of Cesare's faults, despite all of his sins, she was the only one he was honest with. She was the only one who had ever been able to melt his frozen heart and quell his formidable tempers. She had always loved him infinitely more than Giovanni.
She looked at him now, kneeling by her bedside, and felt simply dreadful that she should have hurt him so. She should have known how he would react. Giovanni and Cesare had fought for her affection for as long as she could remember, but Cesare was the one that had always protected her, looked out for her, killed for her. Her loving Cesare, the only constant in her life. 796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXGMybf4uK
Surely he should know by now, Lucrezia thought, that there is no contest? That I would chose Cesare over Giovanni each time?
“Oh Cesare,” She said, looking into his deep, dark eyes. “Forgive me.” She asked.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4rUHavNqK
He nodded in response, but did not meet her eyes.
The room was silent save for the occasional murmurings of the baby Giovanni. All the others had left, leaving Cesare and Lucrezia quite alone.
Cesare sat on the window seat, watching the rain fall down. The worst of the storm had passed and the rain was finally beginning to ease.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEMf5er9cJ
He glanced at Lucrezia. She was lying in bed, cradling the sleeping baby. No matter how hurt he had been, Cesare saw that he would love her regardless. She had rested a little, and her beauty had returned. The most beautiful woman in Rome, Cesare insisted. He would kill anyone who suggested otherwise.
“Cesare,” She said. It was the first word either of them had yet spoken. “Please. Forgive me.”
“I will.” He said stiffly. "I always will."796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe0c97QUHJ
“Do you mean it?” She asked. There was something in his face not quite convincing her of his forgiveness.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YZUO1xfk2
He sighed heavily and got up from his seat by the window.
“Lucrezia there is nothing on this earth you could do that I could not forgive.” He sat on the edge of her bed, taking her hand. “You could be sent to Hell for the most heinous of crimes and I would forgive you. Jesus, I’d probably be right there alongside you.”
Lucrezia laughed, but it hurt her in so many different places to do so that she had to stop. She winced in pain and Cesare rubbed her hand comfortingly.
“I’ll leave you to sleep.” He said, rising from the bed. Lucrezia nodded.
“You’ll come tomorrow?” She asked.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL3n9J3yPs
“Of course.” He replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead. She smiled as he turned away.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsugVT0WYXd
“Cesare?” She said as he reached for the door handle. He paused and turned back to her. “I love you, brother.”
He smiled.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bi8QEaWtG
“I love you too, sister.”
Authors note: Some things to clear up - 1) Giovanni actually died in 1497. His body was found in the Tiber and Cesare is the main murder suspect. I kept him alive a tad longer to see how Cesare would react to Lucrezia's first child being named after him. He is also kept alive longer in shows such as The Borgias. 2) The father of Lucrezia's child, Pedro Caldes, also died mysteriously. Chances are that was Cesare too. 3) I've left this quite open, so you can decide yourself whether Lucrezia and Cesare were involved romantically or not. Cesare was certainly very possessive of his sister, and they appear to have been extremely close. However, I personally doubt it went any further than sibling love. 4) A note on what Giovanni says to Cesare: He says he was no true Borgia. Alexander, in order to make Cesare a cardinal, had to deny Cesare was his son. If memory serves me right, the bull stating so was later repealed, but in the 1490's, Cesare was, at least officially, the legitimate son of another instead of the bastard son of the Pope.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjp3P97NZ1
(Ps, Cesare is pronounced as Chesaray and Lucrezia as Lucretzee-ah.)
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