I was having my breakfast when I looked up to one of my maids.
"Would you be so kind to ask his grace if he would like to ride today." one of them nodded and bowed I fed some to Zia and when I finished I embroided. It was one of the things I could still do when I was at the Orsini palace. That and read.
"His Grace Cesare Borgia My lady" I looked up as Cesare walked in. I smiled
"You may leave us" my maid nodded and closed the door behind her.
"I only asked a question you needn't have come yourself to reply" I continued sewing.
"Well I did plan to visit you this morning anyway. There is a Villa for you to move into if you so wish, or you could stay here in the Vatican."
"I have a choice?"
"Yes, although I would prefer you stay here."
"then i shall."
"very well i am clearing out a the Cardinal Della Rovere Villa in the town. Would you like to accompany me. Perhaps you might see something you may like"
"maybe i shall"
"then we could go riding in the woods" he held out his arm and i took it.
"I am very grateful to you and your family for taking me in, given the circumstances"
"you need not be grateful. A nature such as yours should be nurtured in the best possible way." We walked in silence for a while.
"Here a present for you" he brought out a black mare with a fine mane.
"She is beautiful"
"I'm glad it pleases you."
"You spoil me"
"You deserve to be spoiled " I was helped mounting onto the horse and clicked my tongue squeezing the mares stomach and I followed Cesare.
"We soon arrived at the Cardinals Palace and I was told to look around . So far I saw nothing I like and it continued to be so.
"Nothing take your eye" Cesare asked
"No." I sighed
"What a shame, are you ready for our ride" I smiled up at him
"Yes" we mounted our horses again and rode into the woos I laughed as I was in front of him.
I halted near a meadow.
" I win" I breathed
"I let you win"
"Of course you did." I laughed and he smiled
"What?"
"I have yet to hear you laugh properly. You have a beautiful laugh"
"Thank you...My Lord"
"It is a pleasure...My Lady." I giggled and breathed heavily as we started heading back.
"I have had a special dress commissioned for you."
"What is the occasion?" I wonder
"I am to be made Cardinal." I could see in his features that this was not a title he wanted
"You are not happy, my Lord"
"What make you think that"
"Your eyes, and the way you said you were being made Cardinal."
"You very observant Lady Natalia. But you are correct I do not wish to be in the cloth but my father sees it so."
"Where do you wish to be?" I questioned
"Where my father has put my brother"
"General of the Papal armies?"
"Yes"
"Oh" was all I could reply
" When we arrive back at the Vatican you will be fitted"
"Of course Cesare" he smiled
"That is the first time you have called me by just my first name"
"That is because you have gain my trust, you, your parents, Lucrezia have all been so kind to me."
"My brother, Juan will escort you tomorrow"
"Very well. Is he as kind as you"
"Sadly not, but I have asked him and our father has ordered him to be on his best behaviour tomorrow." I nodded
"Race you back" I clicked my tongue and my new mare ran as laughed
-
"So you are my brothers new toy" a man who held arrogance said
"And your his arrogant brother." he held out his arm.
"I like them feisty" I rolled my eyes and took his arm. He escorted me to our place
I watched as the 13 soon to be Cardinals including Cesare walked down and all of them kissed his Holiness' feet then his ring. Then all of them lied face down on the floor.
"It is red, as a sign of the dignity of the order of cardinals signifying you are ready to act with fortitude.. Red as a sign you are willing to spill your blood for the increase of the Christen faith into all of which you have all been baptized." I watched his holiness
"Arise our brother Cardinals" they all stood up
Slowly they all left
-------
I was invited to meet Prince Djem and I rode ahead with Lucrezia, and Giulia.
"So what do you think this prince Djem will be like." I asked
"I think he will be simply charming" we heard horses hooves arrive Lucrezia and I went to greet them.
"A stag is easy pickings. Where I grew up on the Persian foothills, the white tiger was our prey." I hugged Cesare and he took my arm and took us to the table.
"Do tigers come in white" Lucrezia asked. Cesare pulled out my chair and I sat.
"In all colours, my lady white, yellow , brown. Why I have even heard of tigers striped."
"Striped? Never!" Lucrezia exclaimed
"I killed one with my bare hands"
"Have you seen a unicorn?"
"I have spoken with them."
"What language do they speak?"I asked not actually believing in Unicorns but I would smile and bare it for Lucrezia
"It is in a meter known only to Allah" I cleared my throat as we began taking food from plates.
"Zia" I called and my dearest companion climbed up and took place on my shoulder.
"What a interesting pet. I have never seen a monkey so loyal" Djem commented as Zia picked at my hair
"I have trained him well"
"It is a boy? then why do you call him Zia?"
"Cesrezia 'Zia' for short" I replied. I looked at Cesare and he smiled
YOU ARE READING
The Borgia's - NATALIA
FanfictionBOOK 1 Natalia Orsini has had a rough life courtesy of her Uncle. She never thought she would be saved but she was and by none other than Cesere Borgia. Thanks to her saviour she is given a second chance at live under the protection of the New Pope...
