Italy, 1498768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaDh2dZmh2
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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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfpxJOG9F2
Lucrezia took a deep breath.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJRYitLddW
“My mother.” She managed say. Penthislea attempted to sooth her.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIBdY4OJJJ
“Your mother is on her way, my lady. Give her time, give her time.”768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZhj1ITEAI
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGUY14vVZB
“I cannot, Penthesilea. I cannot!!” She threw herself back onto the pillows.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eHGjwam2P
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q3laqw6JH
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHCxEB9vuJ
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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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboLdmE1f4f
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwHkYs3bTt
“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. 768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3yGdNPpTv
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpAANP0Hv0
But tonight he was…jovial.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzcFULiiY4
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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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrSbkEu9GU
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The three horses stood side by side under the shelter.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56F9O4SAxb
Cesare noted with pleasure that Giovanni had not yet arrived. Let him get caught in the rain, he thought to himself, let him drown.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYYa5qD148
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“Cesare!” Vanozza said in surprise when he entered Lucrezia’s chamber.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7dVvLqTKf
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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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZMblsfOQh
Cesare hated her being here, so far away from Rome. So far away from him.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppoMqYbugX
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcovKbagYL
Vanozza silenced her with a raised palm.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4hZXSiHrz
“You know that men cannot be in the birthing chamber.” She said sternly.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NQBhGOlzi
“But I-“ Cesare began. Vanozza stopped him with an iron glare.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O5rIXcHwj
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK71e8smAmy
Cesare’s eyes widened. He had never before witnessed labour, and to see his Lucrezia in such agony made him furious.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGJWhioU30
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxkmcgVghu
“I shall. Most earnestly.” He said in low tones. She attempted a laugh.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHporkdPN0k
“You never… do anything earnestly.” She said between deep breaths.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhCaxot4Sx
“Oh Lucrezia, I do for you.” He said softly, smiling gently at her before rising and leaving the room without looking back.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2b5crZnvP
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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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkCqQ4aU9a
“I do not need your pity, Michelotto.” He snapped. Michelotto raised his palms in surrender.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8AeWQXuE1
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILdCJ8thnI
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYL7oBQCLm
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsaogNfXIE
“He can tend his own fucking horse.” Cesare said with a snarl.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbpAxbxz71
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrlkhril4h
“Why would I waste time in changing, when she needed me so here?” Cesare asked through gritted teeth. Giovanni shrugged.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WQfvLyx0x
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe8YUR5g5s
“Fine.” Cesare replied sharply. Giovanni smirked.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTswbsYhwi
“The Holy Father should be here soon. Even the Pope would not miss the birth of his first grandchild.”768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeS2kVot8T
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKUrlaYXig
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex9QOXB16b
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vdAxR942V
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyJsAyRwx0
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWGrWY17Us
“I shall go to Lucrezia.” He said directly.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWHh6h0zjY
“Vanozza will not let you in.” Cesare warned with a smile. Alexander waved a hand.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL5ORryloo
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg6ndoHEzq
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbp1LaK3Ro
“You must have strength!” She said, looking to Alexander for support.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYd4A7EeoD
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Jb03dy7Nw
Alexander shrugged.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm87wbU8bK
“If the child wants Cesare to comfort her…” He said. Vanozza sighed and got up to the door.
Cesare entered tentatively.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhRZmFohNU
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CBKmQsfvE
“Cesare, did you pray?” She asked faintly.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLRe9VD16Y
“Yes.” He lied. He mentally reminded himself to do so as soon as he was free from her presence.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF855lIdGa
“Then I shall not worry. I shall be fine.” She said with a nod. She looked up at the ceiling of the chamber.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBMYnesUQB
Cesare placed a cool hand on her forehead.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7sAfjlnyo
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPSLiniagv
“What can I do?!” He begged. “Lucrezia, let me do something to help you.” He said in desperation.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFPhVLe5aG
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.”768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZytNQCYshj
"I cannot!" He cried, pushing back against Vanozza's arm. "I shall not leave her!"768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlDZzg5TsL
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgrNqGs3Lx
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHDz8RaAAf
Vanozza looked at him with sympathy in her eyes.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWVXlTDH0S
"You can do nothing here." She repeated gently.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT2c65bHOg
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63LHWu5SxK
Cesare bit his tongue once more.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALGun0daoH
“I have business to attend to in the city.” Giovanni continued. Cesare snorted.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxJsgwCmnW
“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.”768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUBXfG5rXH
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN66aErzed
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWivfz4H5U
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQE51YE0Yi
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.”768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGKx9lSMoI
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zxZkYVQOw
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y3Z8PYPfD
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Then Lucrezia’s door opened, and they straightened up immediately.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAncv2ydP0
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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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiImaDokod
They strode into Lucrezia’s chamber. She was sitting upright, a bundle of blankets in her arms. She was smiling.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jc20SEskA
Cesare breathed a sigh of relief, his anger temporarily forgotten. He rushed to her side, sinking to his knees.
“Thank God.” He whispered.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheE8IXx6o2
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHG6R8nHKXg
“You are the strongest woman I have ever known.” He said, pressing a lingering kiss to her hand. She shrugged.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8LmUl7lds
“If you say so.”
“Have you decided on a name, my dear?” Alexander asked from the foot of the bed.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp3jDcVvEL
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv66yhhUCr
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. 768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIDWwKvGzm
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn0dFkiTCo
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mUFz17scD
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."768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiwEkvTxiq
“Do you mean it?” She asked. There was something in his face not quite convincing her of his forgiveness.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DiOpOlQ0s
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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5scuQDEAHK
“Of course.” He replied, pressing a kiss to her forehead. She smiled as he turned away.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlYhdKLFrB
“Cesare?” She said as he reached for the door handle. He paused and turned back to her. “I love you, brother.”
He smiled.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpG5H50AA5
“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.768Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ1az5c5IG
(Ps, Cesare is pronounced as Chesaray and Lucrezia as Lucretzee-ah.)
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