xii. written

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia writes in curled letters, more like pictures than text, a little poetry or is it a riddle? ]

πόλυ πάκτιδος ἀδυμελεστέρα χρύσω χρυσοτέρα


[ Meanwhile she is at the laundry room, seated on the floor with her light green gown spread about her. She has both hands on one machine, watching the colors spin through the glass with amazement on her face. Yellows, blues, greens and purples! ]

[ trans.; than the lyre, far sweeter in tone than gold, more golden. ]

Comments

[heloise]

Shall I tell you what my brother has told me or would you wait until I see it for myself?

[assassino]

Tell me what your brother has said.

[heloise]

Such impatience, Ezio?

[assassino]

[He manages a smile, on his end.]

Not impatience –– curiosity.

Where are you, piccina? I should like to talk to you in person.

[heloise]

[ The past few weeks have taught her that this isn't a good sign. She's hesitant. ]

In the room with the white boxes, where one washes dresses?

[assassino]

The laundry. I will be there soon, then.

[heloise]

[ She tries to sound amused. ]

Do I get a warning?

[assassino]

Do you think I come with ulterior motives?

[heloise]

I can never tell.

[assassino]

I am that mysterious, hmm?

[But he shows, a few minutes later, dressed in his usual leather pants, white shirt and a coloured doublet. He sits down next to her, smiling almost half-hearted.]

Tell me Cesare's news, then.

[heloise]

[ She doesn't budge from her spot, giving him a giddy smile before finally turning her eyes from the most fascinating dress tornado inside the machine. ]

As you said, my marriage has been annulled, in his time.

[assassino]

[His smile grows a little smug.]

I told you it would be.

[heloise]

[ She returns the smugness. ]

And he will be no woman's husband after the Conclave declared him impotent. [ And Cesare rips out his heart. ]

[assassino]

[He laughs!]

Your father is certainly capable, to humiliate a family like the Sforza so deftly.

[heloise]

[ She giggles, though drops her gaze in consideration. ]

I have not asked him what it cost us to free me from such a marriage.

[assassino]

Little, if Sforza was made to return your dowry.

[heloise]

They might retaliate to such offense.

[assassino]

They will be enemies to the Borgia regardless, so retaliation likely is not a concern.

[heloise]

[ She nods slowly, and stands if only because her legs are starting to cramp. ]

There are no friends in this Italy of ours.

[assassino]

I'm sure that is not true. A man does not rise to power without good allies.

[heloise]

Perhaps. [ She doesn't know enough about that, she thinks. ]

Did you come here only to see my face when I deliver you good news?

[assassino]

Perhaps. [He leans against an empty dryer, folding his arms. He doesn't want to approach this topic with hostility, but he can't help but feel frustrated with her.]

I was hoping we might speak about... an important matter.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia drops her smile, at least, and watches him warily. She cradles her hand with the other and attempts a polite smile. ]

A matter concerning...?

[assassino]

Concerning a certain letter.

[heloise]

[ She sets her jaw and keeps her eyes on him. ]

Addressed to whom?