Fearless Francesca

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1516 House of Visconti, Milan, Morning



"Il mio dolce, do not fret. It'll ruin the pretty face of yours." Her mother cooed as she brushed the tumbling fire burning locks.



The girl placed her hands delicately in her lap as she stared at the reflection before herself. The youth was erased with the now sharp cheekbones, straight nose and large round watery blue eyes. The soft red roses of her lips were curved into a frown.



"Si guarda in modo abbastanza, look at your beautiful face. The saints have blessed you for a reason." Mama said as she finished with the comb and tied up her hair.



Her name was Francesca Isabella Magdalena Piera Visconti of Milan. She was born from the arranged union between her mother, Antonia and her father, Valentino. She grew up as the fourth child with two elder sisters and an older brother. Though she wasn't the youngest actually; she had another younger brother and sister too. Today was the day where she would depart and marry Giovanni of the Medici house.



The reflection before her didn't change as the unhappy grimace was painted stiffly on her face. Mama helped her up as she beckoned her outside. She was to travel with a few guards and then marry. Her father would be her escort along with my older sister Maria who had decided to leave her covenant and travel to Florence's nunneries.



She stepped gingerly outside and felt the warmth of the sun radiate on her fair complexion. Francesca grew up as a quiet child who hated the outdoors. Many of the town's children used to pick on her for being the sulky little brat. But her porcelain skin was now the envy of the city. She didn't need to powder her face and then add cakes of rouge on her cheeks. Her dress was tightened with a mandatory corset. On most days she had gotten away from the ugly iron grasps of that hideous contraption. However, now everything was different. She was a proper lady and engaged too.



She climbed up inside the carriage. There were actually multiple carriages. Five to be exact, one for her and her sister, another for her father and the servants and three more for belongings and gifts. This was of the utter most importance so it was only usual that they traveled in luxury. She brushed her dress to smoothen the wrinkles. The fabric was heavy and stuck to her body. The humid heat wasn't of much help either.



Her father had climbed up in another carriage and she saw my mother and younger sibling's wave goodbye. Maria sat across from her and looked like the perfect image of a serious nun. It was such a shame since she had pretty blond hair and piercing sapphire eyes. Though since a child hood traumatizing where she had nearly been raped, she had sworn to live her life away from men. It had been originally her duty to marry Giovanni and now it became Francesca's. It wouldn't have made a difference since they were only one year apart. She sighed at my misfortune.



---



1516 Dark Alley Way, Florence, Evening



"Oh Giovanni!" The girl screamed. She was lustfully sprawled against the alley wall as her long golden tumbles of hair fell down her waist in a mess. The devilish young man had his arms enveloped around her body. His fingers loosened her corset while his other hand had treacherously reached above her thighs.



Young Giovanni Federico Petro Michel D'Medici was nothing more than a rake that enjoyed the sexual pleasures of women. Not any women but mere sluts or whores from brothels or the common street corners. He was the second son of the family who didn't have any heavy pressures. His father had bought him a pretty little pedestal job in the papacy. His life was just easy going enjoyment. He didn't need to fall in love but marriage had been mandatory. Even though he was second born, his brother was of sickly health and had been married for seven years and produced only a daughter. Marriage was his duty and the only thing his father forced upon him.



Within days, he would be married to some girl from Milan. But none of that mattered right now. He was enticed by this buxom blonde's lips and body. She had torn his shirt with her fingers and he had grasped her chest tenderly, removing the barricade of fabric.



"Si-sire." A nervous boy mumbled.



That was when his fantasy ended and he was no longer aroused. He slipped a pretty coin to the girl who groaned and had hoped for more. She tided back her dress and slipped away from him. She planted a finger to her lips and whispered in his ears a tantalizing offer.



"Come to me whenever you desire, il mio bel cavaliere" Her lips turned up as he hungrily kissed her one last time and then she disappeared into the shadows.



"What is it?" Giovanni roared at the boy who had waited patiently. Poor boy was red at such a sight but managed to spit out the words.



"Master has told you to return home quickly. Lady Francesca will be arriving tomorrow." The pageboy squirmed.



Giovanni gruffly shoved the boy aside while buttoning up his shirt. He walked off into the direction of his house, unhappy that his little game had ended on a too early note. To his luck, it began to rain.



He had no interest of this marriage. Only bedding women was his hobby. Many of the young maids had called the girl an ugly pimply hag who had been cursed with a disease while others said she was orange as worn out fabrics. He heard nothing of her attractiveness and didn't want to be tied down with a wretch.



Giovanni was now drenched and his feet squished on the elaborate carpets. He made his way through the house towards his father's chambers. One of the young maids in particular named Annabelle wrapped her arms around the soaking wet young man. A delusional little fourteen year old had fallen for this twenty five year old man. She wasn't particularly pretty with her large nose but she had the perfect hair that he adored. He loved golden tresses.



"Annabelle, not tonight." He said quietly, needing to chat with his father.



"You promised me though. I don't care if you're going to get married! Let us continue this." She whispered as she seductively loosened her hair and let her fingers reach towards his sweet spots.



He slightly moaned in delight at her touch. But took her fingers and body away from his.



"I told you, not tonight principessa. I promise you another time." And he slowly kissed her against the wall. She arched her back and tried to contain him for a little longer but he was gone in seconds.



She crumpled onto the floor and cried. She swore she loved him and she didn't want any girl to change that. Especially his soon to be wife, she wanted to be the reigning woman in Giovanni's life and she wouldn't stop until she reached it.



Meanwhile, Giovanni had appeared in his father's studies accompanied by his brother. Neither seemed happy to see Giovanni in his inappropriate attire.



"Are you still bedding women?" His brother, Stephen said angered at his younger brother's antics.



"Why does it matter? I've come here to argue the cancelation of my marriage." Giovanni announced.



"You have no choice. It is the very least you can do for me and you will get married to Lady Francesca whether you like to or not." His father said sternly.



"Why can I not continue my life in peace?" Giovanni complained.



His father began to turn red, "Your life at peace? My son, you are the laughing stock of Florence. All those around know of your habits. I will not have you unmarried and leave wedlock children across town. Your fertility is your only use to give to this household! Produce as many grandchildren and I do not care what you spend the rest of your time doing." He roared.



"Father is right, put your talents to use." Stephen said coldly.



"At least I have the talent." Giovanni sneered and then left the room with a loud slam. He would drink his problems again if he could but the alcohol had been locked and guarded from him. He wanted to search for Annabelle to relieve his tension but he was too tired to play any games that night. All he could image was the ugly image of his soon to be bride.



1516, House of D'Medici, Next Morning



The elaborate carriages had finally arrived after three weeks of travel. Francesca had donned herself in a coat to disguise her face until her 'spectacular arrival' and now they were at the grand house of the Medici. She had asked around town and heard of Giovanni's reputation as a rake. It was no surprise since most unmarried men took their times swinging at the local whorehouse. She had already set herself to firmly believe that he would be a pleasant man. It was fair to give him a chance at least.



The Lord of the house greeted the family with welcoming arms while scowling the servants to bring Giovanni up front.



He was soundly oversleeping with nothing but his trousers. The old maid who had raised him since he was a babe loudly shook him and he lazily groaned.



"What is it now?" He said annoyed.



"You better get dressed. The Viscontis have arrived and my, that girl is wearing a curious cloak. Hurry up now boy. You know how angry your father gets when you're tardy."



"Yes, yes, I know." He grumbled. If her face was that hideous, it seemed reasonable for her to hide it.



He took his sweet time and dressed in the plainest attire he could don. Then he arrived besides his infuriated father. There stood a man of prestige with a nun besides him. He caught a glimpse of gold hair and his mouth curled up into a smile. However her eyes narrowed at him and she averted her gaze, her mouth opening and closing to mutter unheard prayers. Then he caught sight of his bride who was in fact covered in a black cloak.



Her delicate fingers lingered on it and then she pulled it back.



He nearly gasped. She was fairer than any girl he had seen. Her hair was not the match of her sisters but an exotic color of burning fire. Though what contrasted it were the blueness of her eyes. She curtsied before him and her glance didn't linger for long. Seemingly uninterested which did irritate him just a bit.



She caught sight of him and had expected his appearance just as it was told. Handsome in the predictable manner that wasn't very interesting. He looked like he had rolled out of bed with his buttons undone. The thought of her future husband bedding a woman brought forth a cold gust of wind as she clenched her jaw. When she removed the cloak, she watched his eyes sparkle at her appearance. She was bemused considering that he had taken his eyes on her sister just a second ago.



"Shall we let them get acquainted?" Her father said interrupting her private thoughts.



"It should be for the best, they are to be married within two nights after all. Please come this way for some tea."



And then it was just the two of them.


A/N: Gosh I was so inspired from out of the blue that I decided to write this. Yeah I don't know, I have way too many ideas and just wanted to write a new story with this ultimate one. Been doing renaissance history and well I feel comfortable enough to write about it. Social life during this time period was very interesting. Ha I didn't even know Sodonomy existed! Anyways to those who are reading, thank you. Comment, Vote, Do whatever makes you happy! And see you soon! OH and if you have any plot suggestions, share in anyway you would like C: