Unlike last year, Giuliano's birthday will simply be a feast in their colossal palazzo. When I got home, Aunt Simona asked for at least another 3 days of my stay in Florence after today. Not wanting to disappoint her, I agreed.
Even then, I decided to start packing. Knowing I cannot bring the clothes my mother handed down to me, I neatly arrange them on a chest by the foot of my bed.
According to Aunt Simona, my mother's favorite piece of jewelry would be her necklace. It's a beaded necklace with a rectangular black stone encased in gold with three hanging beads at the bottom. She wore it only a few times but loved it dearly.
It was the gift of her mother before she left Genoa. Out of all the jewelry she has left for me, I decided to take this necklace instead. I decided that the ones I cannot bring with me will be placed back in the secret room my father has made.
I was arranging the letters and journals when Franzia enters the room. "Forgive me, but I think it's best you prepare for tonight's feast." Her voice is softer and lighter than usual and her smile does not meet the eyes.
Worried, I walk toward her and ask, "Is everything okay?"
She suddenly turned red and cry in front of me as she shakes her head yes. "Everything's alright. It's just that it's difficult to see you go."
Seeing her in a state like this hurts. I immediately pull her closer and hug her tightly. "Don't worry, everything's going to be fine. It will just be like how it's always been without me."
She hugs me back as she continues to weep. "I know it's not my place, but you have been so kind to me. You have treated me more as a friend than a chambermaid and it's more than I could have asked for."
I pull away and rub her arms to soothe her. "No, Franzia. You're not just my friend. You have also become my family." She cried even more and hugs me again.
After a while, she wipes her face and starts helping me prepare for tonight. Holding my gift in hand, I walk towards the palazzo alongside Semiramide. When we get inside, the palazzo is filled with people. Some are familiar and some I do not know.
As I scan the room, I noticed Bianca walking enthusiastically toward me with a grin. "Antonia!" She said as she gives me a warm hug. "I'm so happy to see you again."
"Likewise, Bianca," I said as I hug her back. When we let go, I instantly turn to Semiramide. "Allow me to introduce Semiramide," I said as the two women bowed toward each other.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Madonna," Semiramide said politely, making Bianca smile.
"Pleasure's all mine. Please, I insist you call me Bianca."
Then I suddenly spotted the birthday boy in the middle of the room. "If you'll excuse me, I just need to give this to our celebrant," I said then left Semiramide with Bianca.
As I got closer, I notice that he was surrounded by important people from the signoria. Not daring to interrupt, I decided to get some wine for myself. Sipping some wine, I noticed Botticelli on the other side of the room, talking to a multitude of people.
Perhaps about his works or they are possible patrons. When his eyes noticed me, I quickly turn away and walk around the room. It is then that I was approached by someone I have not expected.
"I heard you are coming tonight." She said as she smirks.
Lucrezia eyes me from head to toe with a glimmer of displeasure in her eyes. "Yes, Madonna. I was invited by your son, Giuliano."
She then switches her gaze from Giuliano then to me before responding. "I see you still have a grip on my son."
"I have done what you have asked. I have left your son. In a few days, you did not have to worry about me as I am leaving." Her face suddenly changed into a softer expression.
"Antonia, there you are," Giuliano said, suddenly approaching us as he walks towards us. He then turns toward his mother and continued. "I see you're talking to my friend, Mother."
"I was, perhaps I should leave you two alone." She said impassively as she walks away from us.
It was quite odd. Perhaps she liked the news I just told her enough to leave us alone. When Lucrezia is out of earshot, Giuliano turns to face me with a smile. "I hope my mother did not terrorize you."
His words made me laugh a little. "No, she didn't. Don't worry." I said as I smile. "Which reminds me, happy birthday!" I said as I hand my gift over to him.
The smile on his face grew wider upon seeing my wrapped gift. He took it from my hands and gaze at it for a few seconds before looking back up at me, squinting his eyes a little in curiosity. "What could this be?"
"Only one way to find out," I said, encouraging him to open it. When he did, he carefully tears it open to see a book inside. "I know it's not much, but I figured you might like it."
"Of course I do!" He exclaimed as he smiles. "I have always wanted to have this for as long as I can remember. This is just astounding. I can't thank you enough for this amazing gift, Antonia." He continued as he reads the title page.
The legend of King Arthur's book my father left along with the many things inside the chest became handy. I have loved the legend for as long as I can remember, and giving it to the man I have always viewed as the embodiment of great knights appears to be my way of farewell to the notion of the perfect knight and the golden boy.
There is no such thing as perfect no matter how much we try. Seeing him happy warms my heart.
Despite how large the palazzo is, I seem to be unable to hide from Botticelli or Lucrezia. I want nothing more than to keep my distance from them. Lucrezia has been carefully studying my movements discreetly but I can feel her every gaze as it's making me uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, Botticelli's gaze makes me feel insecure. Not seeing him for a long time somehow made me forget about my feelings for him but as soon as I saw him, it just ignited once again if not more.
Something that I have never felt with Giuliano. It was my 4th glass of wine, but I couldn't seem to feel calm until Bianca sat beside me.
"Are you alright?" She asks worriedly as soon as she sat down next to me.
"Yes, I'm alright."
She sighed in relief upon hearing me. "That's a relief. I thought my mother has said something horrible to you. I didn't want you to be upset like last time."
"Don't worry, Bianca. I'm leaving soon and I mentioned that to her earlier when she and I conversed. I think she's liked it too much that she was rendered speechless."
The two of us laugh at my commentary. "It's a shame I have missed it. I've never seen her at a loss for words and I would have loved to see it!"
As the night continues, I found myself drinking my 8th glass of wine when I suddenly realized I have drunk too much. "I'm afraid I've underestimated my tolerance for wine," I whispered to Bianca.
"I cannot let you go home in that state then. Please, there are plenty of rooms in this house, allow me to escort you to one of them." She said with concern.
Feeling a little too lightheaded, I nodded in reply.
My visions started to blur. I could no longer see properly until Bianca helped me lie down on the bed. It wasn't long until my body gave in and fall asleep.
I feel tired. I have regretted drinking so much. My throat and mouth feel dry. That's right, I drank too much wine last night. When I open my eyes, I feel something different. My body feels tired and limp.
When I try to get up, I noticed something wrapped around my waist. When I look back, I realized I'm not alone. Next to me is the naked sleeping form of Giuliano.
I jolted upright, earning a groan from him as he retracted his arms from me. I suddenly feel cold when the air breezes from the window. That is when I realized I'm naked. Did I just make a horrible mistake? Not wanting to spiral down, I quickly dress and left.
How could this happen? What do I remember from last night? Think Emma, think hard! When Bianca lay me down on the bed, I do remember a fuzzy memory of trying to get out of the room and being locked in it so I came back to bed.
Then a nebulous figure of someone with me. I feel ashamed of myself. I have never done such a foolish act before and I truly regret letting myself be inebriated. I can only hope that he doesn't remember it.
"I thought you are supposed to leave today?" Aunt Simona asks as she stands in the middle of my room while I pace around anxiously.
it's been 7 days since Giuliano's birthday. I haven't been able to leave yet and I am no longer certain of my plans. After months of determination, my will is wavering for one reason. "Yes, but something has come up," I said, still pacing.
"Please, darling sit down. You are scaring your dear Aunt!" She pleaded. I sigh in resignation and sat down by the bed as she follows suit. "Now, what is it, child?"
The thought of it makes me feel nauseous. "Something happened a week ago." I began as I look away in fear that I might suddenly burst into tears from anxiety alone. "I may have drunk wine too many the night of Giuliano's feast and when I woke up, I was in bed with him." When Aunt Simona stayed quiet, my heart drops to my stomach. "When Bianca took me to the room, I was completely alone and I have no clue how he ended up with me and now I'm scared that I might be pregnant."
"It's too soon to tell, my dear." She said.
"I know, but this is not the first time I was pregnant. When I bled lightly, it usually means I'm pregnant."
Aunt Simona suddenly stood up and pace as she thinks deeply. "In that case, you need to wait. If you are not with child, then you can leave as soon as you want."
"What if I am?" I ask, my voice shaking in concern.
She looks me straight into my eyes with no trace of humor on her face and says, "Then you must stay."