Fearless Francesca

1516, ball held at another noble’s house

Francesca hated these events. Her unruly hair had been tamed down with several pins and the dress pinched at her every movement. On the contrary, her dear husband looked quite pleased. There were plenty of women around and his father had finally allowed him out of the house for the event. Luckily Rita was with her.

“Another endless night of dancing and smiling like a wanton.” Rita sighed next to her.

“Social events are to be fun aren’t they?” Francesca murmured.

“That may be so but it’s always the same. Men with their mistresses in the shadows, young girls laughing naïvely, gossip … It’s all quite a bore.”

Francesca nodded, her sister in law was right. It had become a repetitive cycle.

“Excuse me but may I have this dance?” A man’s voice asked.

Francesca was startled from her daze, surprised to see him again. The man that Giovanni warned her about, Clemente. If he was so bad, she wondered how much her husband’s blood would boil at the sight of this.

“Ah … yes.” Francesca murmured as she took his outstretched hand. Rita looked a little worried but gave an encouraging smile.

“So how have you been enjoying your time here in Florence?”

“It has been pleasant, nothing exciting truly …”

He smiled eerily which gave her the shivers.

“I could show you around town if you’d like.” He said softly with hopeful eyes.

“That is kind of you but I do not think Gi- my husband would be happy about that.” She said lightly.

“Oh Giovanni, he’s always been possessive and easily jealous.” He said with a shake of his head.

Francesca felt uncomfortable at such words but she knew that they weren’t all lies.

As the dance came to an end, she curtsied. “Thank you for this dance, it was a pleasure.”

Just as she was about to turn her heels, he grabbed her by the wrist. She spun around to meet his glowing green eyes. They were bright and hid something she hadn’t seen before.

“You know that your husband is a bastard, he killed my bride on the day of our wedding. Don’t you feel empathy and sorrow, nonetheless, hate?”

“I-I do.” Francesca murmured with a slight nod.

“Then I would like to request your help. I will never trample a lady’s innocence but if you help bring Giovanni to me; you will be free of your sham marriage.”

“How do you know …?” She whispered, she tensed up. It was true; their marriage was nothing but a fragile contract that connected her and Giovanni. If anything were to happen, it’d all fall apart. She would feel nothing and her marriage could be annulled. 

“Sweet Francesca, I’ve known Giovanni for a long time. He hasn’t laid an eye on you tonight until I swept you onto the dance floor. It’s not a secret in society that the numerous marriages are all fake. Women with their lovers and men with their mistresses. Before you fall prey to becoming a play thing, I can help you.”

The offer tempted Francesca’s ears. She wanted Giovanni to feel pain, to feel anger. He had done so many things wrong and she wanted to hurt him. But something held her back.

“I can help bring him to you, so long as no harm is done to him.” Francesca said quietly.

“You have my word miss Francesca. I will send letters in a couple of days and you will be directed on what to do.” He said with a grin. He kissed her hand and then sauntered off into the crowds.

---

Giovanni had busied himself with a crowd of young girls. They laughed as he made silly remarks. Though at the corner of his eye, he saw Clemente sweep Francesca into his arms. He watched them dance while she smiled. She never looked happier in his arms. It made him angrier than he expected. Clemente had flashed a triumph beam as his eyes darted to Giovannis. This made Giovanni even more furious. His hands were clenched into a ball now.

At the end of the dance, he felt a bit more relieved but watched as the two exchanged a short conversation. Francesca seemed hesitant about something but then proceeded to nod. What were they saying?

Giovanni’s thoughts roamed off into the midst of the worst case scenarios possible. He attempted to keep himself calm and cool but within moments, he was across the room with Francesca backed up to the wall.

“I’d thought I warned you about Clemente. Can you not hear?” He hissed, eyes churning with turmoil.

“He merely asked for a dance himself, why should I be put for the blame.” Francesca said diverting her eyes.

“Because you took up on his offer.” Giovanni said steely as he watched Francesca’s eyes widen.

“Why must you make such a deal of him? Is it because he has the manners of a gentleman that you don’t possess?” She said with her eyes narrowed.

“He’s not a good man and you should stay away from him. But clearly you are deaf.” Giovanni retorted.

“I am not your servant, nor your slave. I can do as I please as you do.” She seethed back.

At this last word, Giovanni was furious. He gripped both of her wrists and pressed her up to the wall as he punished her. Not caring if anyone found them out. He had warned her once and if she wasn’t going to listen, he would do whatever it took to get it clear in her head. She was not stupid and she knew it.

She struggled under his grip as she tried to knee him. When he finally released her, his eyes were storms of dark brown. She watched in fear, he was a beast. A terrifying angry … thing.

“I can do much worse than this. But I’ll let you off. The next time you do something like this, you’ll feel a more horrid wrath.”

He turned his back, angry and fuming as he left his wife to collapse onto the ground shaking. He felt guilt and wished to apologize but his pride stood in the way of that. It did not allow him to be a better man.

---

Francesca had felt violated, her own feelings were stirring like a volcano, ready to erupt. She had been sure he would take her completely that night but he did not. Instead he had slept elsewhere, leaving her in her bed alone. It was strange not to feel his warm presence or his familiar scent.

Her mind was clouded with thoughts. Whatever Clemente had, it might be something bad but he had given her his word. A promise, an oath that God would witness. She still did not believe Giovanni’s rubbish.

He was merely jealous. Especially that evening. Francesca balled herself under the covers as tears fell from her eyes. She was miserable. She wanted so badly to be free of all these wretched feelings but they remained with her like inerasable scars.

---

1516, the next morning

A present had came and on the label was written, a gift to Lady Francesca with a messy CP scrawled. It was a beautiful little flower painting and she knew who had given it to her.

“It’s a lovely gift.”

“Yes it is Miss but it seems a little strange, doesn’t it?” Sarah asked with a curious tilt.

“Don’t you start believing the crazy talk that Giovanni spews. He’s just envious that I can get attention just like him.” Francesca said promptly as she took the present into her room. It was carefully propped up on the dresser.

A/N: Sorry this took so long to write but yeah. Clemente and Giovanni and Francesca. Love triangle or something much? Just kidding, it's a bunch of weird dynamics and yadayadayada. Not sure about what to do next (I don't want to rush the plot now that I have something specific in mind. YES SUCCESS) but uh I think I'll do a little Christmas scene to signal the end of the year. Perfect for the upcoming holidays anyways. The bickering of Francesca and Giovanni gives me headaches but I'll see if I can make them a little less loathesome at each other and a bit happier. So many more secrets and things to reveal but dang the pacing. Ah well, anyways. Vote, comment ( no really, do, I need feedback on questions or future things you, as the reader would like to see) Follow. See you all soon, hopefully! (That is if I'm not bombarded with hw and tests -.-" oh the joy)