War of Hearts || Reign || REWRITE

24- Ottavio II

September 19th, 1562.

More than three weeks passed. Ottavio was back within three days from the battle that had ultimately not turned into a battle but had been resolved peacefully. Ottavio didn't like this because he came back cranky and refused to see or speak to anyone for the next three days.

It did nothing for me. I just enjoyed being far away from him. But my happiness was short-lived because soon he wanted to share the bed with me again and satisfy his needs.

Every time he got into my bed and touched my bare body I was disgusted. I prayed silently that I did not father a child that night and when my monthly bleed came I thanked God.

God only knew what would happen if I was pregnant with him. He was already treating me like an object, a slave. Let alone if I had been pregnant.

I felt alone. I had no friends around me and no family. I could even swear that people were spying on me here. The confessor, some maids except Anna, the guards. Basically everyone who was in the service of the Holy Father and Ottavio.

I had nothing to hide so I didn't know what they were looking for. I just let it all happen.

~

"We've arrived, Madonna," said the coachman as he opened the door of the coach. I held out my hand and he helped me out of the carriage.

I looked up at the small palace of my sister and her husband, which was secured in the middle of Rome, and walked to the door that was opened by the two guards.

My sister was already in the hallway, dressed in a purple velvet dress. She had a happy smile on her face. "Welcome sister, feel at home" she said, motioning for a maid to take my cape and then motioning for me to follow her.

"How are you?" she asked as she escorted me into a room and place name on an armchair. I took a seat on the armchair next to her. "I'm doing okay, and you? You look happy."

Isabella's smile widened. "I'm definitely happy. I found out I'm pregnant. After all this time and miscarriages, I'm finally pregnant again."

I smiled "Oh what wonderful news, I'm so happy for you Isabella. Have you told your husband yet?" She nodded "Yes and he is very happy with the news, he especially hopes that we have a healthy child."

Isabella and I continued talking about her pregnancy and then had lunch before it was time for me to leave.

~

Arriving in the papal state and back in the palace I went straight to my room to get ready for the evening meal.

When I got to the room I saw Ottavio sitting on the bed. He had an angry expression on his face.

"Hello, Ottavio" I greeted him as I took off my cape and threw him on the chair. "Where were you?" he asked menacingly.

"With my sister, in Rome". "Did you ask permission for that?"

I looked at him incomprehensibly. "Do I have to ask permission for that?" I asked mockingly. Ottavio got up from the bed and walked over to me. "Yes, you ask permission for that. You have to ask permission from me for everything you do, understand?"

I laughed briefly "I'm not going to ask you permission to do anything I can and will do".

Ottavio turned red and before I knew it I felt his hard hand against my cheek. I staggered as I put my hand against the spot he'd just hit.

"How dare you hit me!" I cried angrily, "I am your husband and you should obey me. Let this be a lesson to you because I can hit you harder than this" he said before walking to the door and slamming it shut.

Anna came into the room shortly after and walked right up to me "I heard everything Madonna. Does it hurt a lot?" she said as she examined my cheek.

I didn't say anything, I was still in shock at what had happened. I've never been beaten in my life.

Get used to it Bianca, because this won't be the worst thing you'll have.

It's about time we brought Francis back into the story so the next chapter we'll do a fast forward to March 1563. I think you'll love the next 4 or 5 chapters because then we'll finally get rid of this sucker, but for that you will have bear with him first.