Chapter 5 - chapter 4

my lady, what are you babbling about Cosimo.

oh, I didn't introduce her, behold lady Bianca Isabella Pelegrina of the house Floare

Cosimo pointed at her like a cars salesman trying to sell an obsolete car to a young couple

why in beggers clothing

it was aunts decision, you can't be too safe.

why was she left in the middle of the harbour?

the girl looked at Petro while hiding behind Cosimo, she slowly crawled out of her hiding spot

i was, i was.

she was clearly blushing as she couldn't bring herself to talk to Petro

you don't have to push yourself too hard Bianca, let me and lady Marietta handle this ok.

ok

good girl

Cosimo pushed her while giving her head pats and pointed her towards the carriage after he made sure that she was gone Cosimo instructed Petro to follow him, after walking for a while they reached the harbours HQ, this was the place which harbour was managed in, and the throne room of Medici family, although most of the income was gone before it came, mostly evaporated through taxes and labour costs, it could have been said that harbour was one of the most important financial hubs of the city, and at its heart, there was the white roofed HQ.

Cosimo opened the door and they entered the building

surprisingly inactive for a workday

today is special, aunt prefers it quiet.

they finally reached a door, they were in front of the management office, where Petro's father should be, but it was clear that his father was absent today, as matters of great importance were about to happen to the family and no extra party was needed, the moment of judgment has finally arrived, time to witness the den of the beast Cosimo slowly opened the door

hey, aunt, I've brought him

Petro slowly entered the room, he expected to see his aunt sitting on the office chair but no one was there, Petro's senses alerted him but it was too late, a 60-year-old monstrosity, grabbed him from behind

let me go.

impossible, haven't seen my nephew for ages, I need to refuel my heart with my little nephew's love

Petro wanted to protest but, he knew from the beginning, that resistance was futile.

after minutes of receiving passion from his aunt, she finally let him go.

time to start the business, as you know you're we're here to marry you off to Floare the legal work has been done so it isn't much you could do

so why am I here

for me to hug you of course

aunt, I love you but I know that you wouldn't without purpose, you're the real definition of a politician

clever my nephew, normally you wouldn't even need to get out of the house as everything was arranged by me, but I wanted to create a situation where you get to know each other to prevent my beloved nephew from somehow hurting the young maiden and creating a pretence for breaking up this marriage.

wait you mean it was you who orchestrated the whole thing, you paid the bullies, you ordered them to attack her when I was in the vicinity, so I had to protect my turf and stop those dolts from doing something stupid.

the hard part was making her run away from the carriage she was in, but i managed to bribe some maids into telling her that you were a 56-year-old pervert

hey that is insulting

I love this attitude of yours, bald and assertive but when the situation calls for it dumb as a pair of donkeys

Cosimo who was silent before broke his silence

hey, aunt, it is insulting to compare donkeys to Petro, in reality they are smart animals did you know that they can easily find the way home

hey I'm not dumb

let us continue, I created an ideal situation she runs away to protects herself from a predator not knowing how to navigate the streets, she runs into a pack of bullies, I had instructed her maids to prepare beggers clothing in case that she went missing so some lowlifes wouldn't try to kidnap her, it was a tough sell, but they agreed regardless, a knight in shining armour saves her not knowing her social standing, believe me, this is a fantasy that many girls have when they're 10 years old.

aunt has killed two birds with one stone, now you can't try to present yourself as intolerable and she thinks her husband to be, has saved her from evil children, isn't that romantic

don't you guys trust me I'd never do something to sabotage the engagement

you're my beloved nephew, but here is the thing you're my nephew, I would trust a random dog before I trust you

good points it still hurts

after giving him another round of hugs Petro and Cosimo left for the home.

meanwhile, in the Floare's mansion, the young lady was hugging her blanket while staring at the ceiling, as she was lost in thought someone opened the door to her room

oh my beloved daughter bonded with the Lanchester plot

she threw her pillow at him

don't just walk in, where is your manners dad

oh I'm am sorry my beloved, however, after i heard what happened to you during that cursed traverse i couldn't wait any longer tell your father of the wrongdoings of the that wicked witch

who?

that Lanchester devil she who shall not be named, oh you mean lady Marietta,

ah even her name causes me to shimmer

nothing much i didn't see her much, but i sensed that she was smart, she even instructed the maids to give me clothing of the commoners so if i somehow found myself among commoners no one would bother

what about the thief who is about to steal my hearts light

at first, i thought that he was an old pervert with a thing for children but it turned out that he was about my age, and...

and what my beloved

nothing go out i have a lot on my mind right now

at least give your papa a goodnight kiss

get out

as you say my love.