"In the name of the golden boy, let there be a jousting tournament!" Leonardo said, emphasizing the jousting tournament.
Botticelli and I laugh at Da Vinci's exaggeratedly deeper voice, emphasizing his words as if they were the voice of a dictator. "They set up rather quickly," Botticelli said as we look at the people preparing for the jousting tournament for Giuliano's birthday.
"Will anyone be able to play as well?" I ask, still looking at the empty plaza now filled with decoration and equipment for the tournament.
"So long as you can withstand such a blow on horseback, you can participate. You must acquire the necessities first including a horse, armor, and such. However, not a lot of common people could afford those." Botticelli explained.
Nodding in understanding, I switch my gaze between the two. Leonardo did a double-take and then shakes his head vehemently. "You honestly think we would be fit enough to participate?" He said then laughs.
I shrug my shoulders and then spoke. "Why not?"
Leonardo only laughs in response. "It's nice of you to think we're able to participate but sadly, our talents are limited within the confines of arts," Botticelli interjected.
"If we were to participate, it wouldn't be to joust but to supply banners for the participants like little barrel did last year for the golden boy," Leonardo added as he taps Botticelli's arms playfully.
The statement made me silent. I forgot that Giuliano won the jousting tournament and nominated my mother as the Queen of Beauty and the banner he used was Botticelli's work.
It suddenly dawns on me that no matter how much I wanted to disassociate the two of them from their previous feelings for my mother, it cannot be. It was the very thing that leads them to me.
When I got home, I was busy reading more of the manuscript of Dio Cassius when Franzia came inside my room. "Antonia, your Aunt is asking for your presence in the parlor." She said with a smile.
"Alright, thank you. I'll be downstairs." I replied as I stood up and leave the manuscript by my table. As soon as I enter the parlor, another woman was sitting next to my Aunt as they chat.
When Aunt Simona notices my presence she gestures for me to walk closer to them. Standing in front of them, I realize that the woman is just a girl. "Antonia, I like you to meet Semiramide. She's Simonetta's niece."
Her big brown eyes glance at me as she stood up and bowed gracefully. I bowed in return. "It's a pleasure to meet you." She said.
Her dark blonde hair was neatly arranged ornately. Her bright blue gamurra tells me she's also of noble birth. "Pleasure's all mine, Semiramide."
"She'll be staying with us for a while. Her parents wish for her to have a husband from Florence." Aunt Simona said nonchalantly.
"Husband?" I exclaimed. "Don't you think it's a bit early to find her a match?"
"Antonia, she's already 9 years old. It's best to find great matches for her in the early stages. It's the only way to secure her future."
I wanted to argue the absurdity of the situation but then I remember that this isn't my time. At a very young age, women are always looking for suitable matches to secure their futures.
As soon as they did, they will wait for the ripe age of marriage and be wed immediately. "Are you not wed, Antonia?" The young girl asks, as she gracefully sits on the settee.
I sat down myself, surprised by the question she directed my way. "I was, but not anymore," I responded, instinctively rubbing my left ring finger where my wedding ring had once been.
"May I ask what happened?" She said full of curiosity.
"He died I'm afraid." Aunt Simona chimed in, saving me from answering the question for myself. I smile gratefully at her.
"My condolences." She said.
"Thank you." She's only 9 years old but she's already groomed to be graceful, tactful, and timid. A far cry from how I was raised. Looking at her, I'm no longer sure if I were to be impressed or feel pity over her situation. We were all silent for a while. No longer comfortable with the silence, I decided to speak. "Do you like reading books, Semiramide?" I ask with a smile, trying to elicit emotion from her stoic face.
"I'm afraid I prefer to practice my needlework than to read, Antonia." She replied.
"Oh, I see." Her answer made my Aunt Simona nod in approval. "Do you like taking a stroll around the street?"
"No. I prefer to stay inside."
Seeing as we are quite different, I decided to stop trying anymore. "Well, I think I'll stroll around the city to stretch my legs. I'll be back in a few Aunt Simona." I said standing up and heading towards the door.
"What a strange lady she is, Great-aunt," Semiramide whispers to Aunt Simona that was rather spoken a little loud to the point I managed to hear her.
Not minding her comment about myself, I try clearing my head as I walk about the street. Try as I might, I can never assimilate myself in this time. It's too difficult to bring myself to follow everything these women believe to be a must.
I can't sit still in the house and be a homemaker. I love walking, I love the sunlight and the warmth it makes me feel. I like reading books and learning so many things from books and I love seeing painters make their masterpieces.
Unfortunately, the things I love to do are frowned upon by almost everyone at this time. I don't feel I belong here.
Around the market, amidst the chaos of merchants and tanners trying to go about their business, I saw a friendly face buying materials he needs for a painting. I walk toward him with a smile. "Hello," I said, as I tap his shoulder.
Botticelli shifted towards me and smile upon realizing it was me. "Madonna, I'm surprised to see you here of all places."
I raise a brow as I grin. "I think we both know you should not be surprised about me turning up randomly in the city."
Both of us laugh at my statement. "Well, I'm finished buying new colors. I'm heading to the cupola if you want to join me."
"Yes please."
We began walking side by side towards the church silently. "Something strange happened to me this morning," I said, finally breaking the silence.
"What is it?"
"I met Simonetta's niece earlier today. She will be staying with us until she finds herself a suitable match."
"Alright, what's strange about that?" He asks as he furrows his brows in confusion.
"She's only 9 years old." When I look at Botticelli, he doesn't seem surprised. I was stunned by his reaction. "That's young, Botticelli."
"You know how it is at this time. Having a daughter is quite expensive but whenever a family is blessed with one, they make sure she gets the best future possible." He said, in a calming and soothing voice.
No matter how he softly spoke those words, my reaction remains the same. "In 500 years, parents will favor children to act like children until they reach adolescence. They'll live a carefree life and enjoy it as much as possible. I know I still need to work on acculturating myself. I just couldn't help whenever I see her. She's so restricted and reserved. My father raised me differently."
We stop talking for a while until we reach the cupola. At the top, the view looks so divine that I couldn't look away from it. I look to my right and see Botticelli sitting on the floor as he prepares a paper and charcoal to sketch. "Are you going to draw the city?" I asked as I sit next to him.
"Yes, or at least I'm trying to. I'm not like Leonardo. His technique is more realistic than mine but I'm trying to see if I could draw the beauty of this city." He answers as he looks lovingly at the city. This reminds me of Dante Alighieri.
He may not have been a painter but his love for his city is just as much as Botticelli's. I wanted to tell him about his future, that he's going to be known for his ability to translate the beauty he sees into a canvas but I know he wouldn't permit me. He started drawing beginning at the roofs and then the horizon.
"Do you consider yourself a great artist?" I ask, eyes still lingering on him.
"I'm not quite sure about being great, but I do know I'm a good painter."
Smiling at his humility, I realize how amazing this person is next to me. I wish I can draw as realistically as Leonardo or have a camera in hand to preserve his image as he looks into his beloved city. "You are undoubtedly great, Botticelli. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise."
He only smiled in response and continue to draw as I watch.
When he's finished, we head back down. He was walking me home when Giuliano appeared. "Fancy seeing you around, Antonia." He said with a smile then taps Botticelli's arm, nodding towards him. "My friend." Somehow, he looks at Botticelli, and the way he emphasizes the word friend seems a bit odd but Botticelli taps his shoulder back and smiles. Both of them let go and then Giuliano's gaze went back to me. "Where have you been? I was at your house earlier. Simona said you were out."
"Yes, I was just out strolling when I saw Botticelli. He's walking me home." I said, smiling at him despite feeling a little bit of tension as soon as he saw us together.
"Well, I was but now that you're here I know she's safe. I'll be taking my leave now. Good night." He said, switching his glance between the two of us before walking away. He suddenly acted a bit weird. Did Giuliano say something to him?
"Right, let's get you home." He said, now more relaxed that Botticelli is not around.
Walking side by side in silence, I decided to break it. "So, are you ready for your grand feast tomorrow?" I said in a teasing manner.
He laughs. "Yes, well my brother insisted on the feast. I can't say I mind a little bit of jousting." He then looks at me and gets a little closer. "I was hoping maybe someone, in particular, will be cheering me to win."
Chuckling, I shook my head lightly. "Of course! You won last time. I'm pretty sure that you'll win it again."
"I'm more determined to win this tournament than I have ever been the previous times I participated." The way he's looking at me now makes me feel some fluttering inside my stomach that I had to suppress a smile. "I want to win the tournament for you."
I am very familiar with how things usually go in jousting tournaments. In England, Knights are the only ones allowed to joust but since this is a republic, any bodily and financially able could. I have never been promised by anyone to win something in honor of my favorite.
If Giuliano wins tomorrow, it would be as if a knight has given me the greatest honor I could ever receive, just like how I always envisioned the medieval period. I suddenly feel like a little girl fawning over some guy who displays such great affection for her.
A thought suddenly crossed my mind. I realized that I have never mentioned to him my previous marriage. I wonder if he would feel the same way after learning of it. I didn't realize that I stopped walking until Giuliano spoke. "Is everything alright, Antonia?"
"There is something I need to tell you," I said, now nervous more than ever.
"Alright, I'm listening."
I don't know how to begin nor how I should tell to him. Quite frankly, his reaction matters to me now more than ever because I think I'm starting to like him more than I thought I would. I don't know if he'll accept me after this revelation. "I was married," I said, then look down, fearing to see his reaction. "6 years ago, I met my husband back in England. We were wed a year after and he..." I trailed. Not knowing what to say. I can't possibly tell him he's left me since he technically does not exist yet and so I decided to go with what Aunt Simona has in mind. "He died soon after. I know I should have told you about this sooner it's just that I was not expecting to meet you and—" I was interrupted when he lift my chip and kiss me ever so softly.
When he pulled away, he is looking down at me with those serene dark orbs pulling me in closer to him. "It doesn't change how I feel for you. Not in the slightest." He said, almost a whisper to my ear, making my heart beats harder and faster in my chest. Relief washes over me as he kisses my forehead. "It's getting late, it's best I get you home."
We were silent as we walk but now, both of us knew the understanding only the two of us knew. As we arrive by the door, Giuliano smiled and then look up at the house before bringing his gaze back to me. "I hope to see you tomorrow, Antonia."
"I'll be there."
He then brings my hand to his lips and kisses it gently, before leaving.