Somehow after he leaves, I feel a burning sensation around my neck and throat. I caress the skin for a while before deciding to move on...
-Seduction... He says that but do I really need to go that far? After all a kiss is all I should do, I could just drag him down when he's distracted and do it- I murmur to myself -Ah but how the heck am I gonna get him to dance with me?!-
I walk some more lost in thoughts and hear steps echoing down an alley nearby, somehow I'm curious. I rush toward the sound and try to hide behind a wall... I move my head past the wall enough to look at the other street and see Lord Casanova running away, laughing to his heart's desire
-The heck? He probably just got caught by another lord as he was having fun with their daughter- I smirk and relax my shoulders, a strong grip pulls on my arm from behind and I'm suddenly shoved up against the same wall I was hiding behind.
A man around forty years looks at me with a stern expression -I think we find an accomplice of that Casanova- he says making way for someone else -Come take a look at this filthy rat's face-
A dark figure approaches and soon after enters my field of vision as the moon enlightens his pale face and silver hair -Y y y your Majesty! I mean Grace, I.. Uhm... My Lord, I was just passing by after a party- I panic seeing that stern face, craved by God's himself.
-Lies! Everyone know about your connection with that man! Your entry to Florian together today have been the talk of the town- shouts the older man, getting completely ignored by the Duke and me.
His eyes looks at me without flinching, I get nervous under that stare... Is he judging me? Feeling disgusted? Does he want me dead?!
I feel my heart going up my throat -I don't know what happened, I was really just walking around and rushed here upon hearing someone run! I have no ideas about what happened either! I'm sorry if he stole your wife's but I really don't have anything to do with that- I say to the man and he blushes awkwardly
-Wife... Uhm- he finally stops yelling at me and looks away ashamed
-Wait... Did I get it right? I'm sorry Sir- I look away too and the man flares up again -Help nah! He didn't! don't have... Uhm, I'm not marr... Ugh shut up!!!-
I hear a find laugh and turn immediately toward the Duke behind us, he's hiding a smile behind his hand. I find my heart to skip a beat at that gentle and unexpected reaction of his, pretending to be serious but feeling actually amused even if just a little bit.
-Do you even know what that man said?!- shouts the man -That's literally what I've been trying to tell you, I have no idea!- I defend myself
-He provoked our Lord and said he'd steal his cherished per...!- -Enough!- finally speaks the other man
I widen my eyes at that voice, it's like dark and crushing waves at the borders of the city during a storm... Powerful enough to sweep us all away but calm enough to allows us to live our miserable lives. That's what a King should sound like.
I dare not speak either after him -Vittorio, let's go. This person is innocent- he says and turns around -But Sir!- he looks at him from above the shoulder and the older man obediently follows him in silence
-Innocent...? Just like that?- I whisper to myself -No trial or anything? He could honestly shove me down the canals and nobody would bet an eye yet he says I'm innocent without any proof?- I look at his tall figure walking away, confused...
-I thought peoples like him wanted those like me dead and found me despicable... Well, maybe he still does but finds no need to kill an innocent person. That's how a heir to the Throne should be- I smile content at my own conclusion, completely made up but still good enough to make me appreciate that man a bit more.
...
The day after I walk around all happy and smiley, my cheeks flushed as I recall that small laugh the Duke had the night before. Maybe I'm not beyond saving if someone like him could even laugh at the words of a low being like me!
An index bops my cheek and calls me back to reality -You seem in an awfully good mood today- I blink a few times and turns toward the person speaking to me -Oh! Lord Casanova, good morning to you-
-Please, just call me Giacomo. Anyway, what got you so happy?- he smirks -Maybe some weird confession? Found money down the streets? A gift?- he asks leaning against a tree in front of me, blocking my way and towering over my figure
-Ah nothing of the sorts, I just saw someone laugh and...- the thoughts of what happened the night before comes back to me -Wait, I saw you running away yesterday as I was heading home. What happened?-
He scratches his neck awkwardly and looks around -Oh well, nothing too exciting. The usual- I side-eye him -Nothing exciting you say...? That doesn't happen to be about... The Duke, does it?- I add in a quieter voice.
He widen his eyes and gulps down, his voice immediately sounds more serious -What do you know exactly?- I look around trying to see if someone weird might be keeping an eye on us. I ask him to lower himself with a hand -A man said you provoked about stealing something cherished to him- I whisper in his ear
He licks his lips and gaze at me, just s few centimeters away from my face -How do you know?-
-I... Have my ways. Afterall I am practically living on the streets, I know all the trending rumors- he frowns, not believing my words -Fine, I'll tell you. Yesterday when I saw you a man spotted me and said I was your accomplice... But somehow the Duke said I was innocent even without questioning me, as if he just knew-
Giacomo smirks proudly -I see, I see...- he lowers even more down on me -We're being watched by the way- I flinch at his words -Act natural-
-What? By who?- I try to turn around but he grabs my wrist and drags me forward, half hugging me out of the blue. He looks away in the distance with a pleased expression before letting go -Told you to act natural... See ya- he smiles and leaves just as he appeared.
After a few seconds of confusion I turn around and notice a black coat walking away in the mix of colourful clothes form the citizens of Venice.