"One, two, three, one two three." Lucrezia was helping me practice my dancing.
"I am playing crocket with Djem tomorrow would you like to join us."
"I am quite alright thank you Lucrezia I think I should deliver some well needed bread to the convent of St Cecelia"
"oh- very well" she smiled and we continued to practice our dancing.
-------
I rode out with two guards for protection on which Cesare had insisted when we were met outside I smiled and the sister nodded towards me.
"Thank You my lady, may god bless you."
"You too Sister" we took a slow ride back that was till I heard a grunt of pain I looked back there were yells.
"Run my lady run!" the guard yelled and I kicked my horse into a gallop. I urged him to go faster never looking behind that was when I felt something in my ankle I grunted in pain. I had gotten used to pain so I carried on. I made into the town where people fell out of the way. As I headed for the Vatican. faster and faster never stopping till I see the walls.
"Open the gates" I yelled and the rushed to open then as I ducked my head riding through I pulled the reigns to halt. My horse went up in the air and I leant forward to stop myself from falling as soon as his hooves touched the ground he began to settle.
"My lady" guard rushed towards me and the must have noticed the arrow in my leg.
"Send for his Eminence!" I was helped down and taken away to be tended to. The arrow was taken my leg and ointment was rubbed on, I was not allowed to walk on it for a few days. Cesare came storing in and all those who were tending to me bowed.
"what happened?" he questioned I groaned lifting myself up. As the physician got back to work.
"I don't know it happened so fast. We were riding back when one of the guards was killed the other told me to run. As I was a arrow was and lodged itself in my leg." Cesare came to sit next to me .
"Is there anything else you remember."
"I saw nothing Your Eminence. I was told to run and I did, not Looking back." he nodded taking my hand and kissing it.
"At least you are safe now. I promise to you Natalia I will not rest till I found out who gave you that" he looked down as my now wrapped up leg.
"Cesare" I whispered
"No, I will not stand by and watched you hurt again." I sighed there was no use of dissuading him.
"It is my birthday it four days, I will turn 14."
"is that so? then we must hold a feast in celebration"
"Must we really?"
"Yes you are my ward and you deserve to be spoilt." shook my head
"But I don't want anything big or extravagant"
"Leave it to me Piccolo. Now rest "
"Will you stay for a while...please" he smiled down at me and nodded taking a book. I felt the rush of forced me to stay alert drain away and drowsiness take over me.
-----
Over the next few days I was stuck in my room barley moving and then I went to a dress fitting with Giulia and Lucrezia. They had both visited me and Lucrezia told me that she was to marry Giovanni Sforza. It seemed that I was not happy that my dearest Lucrezia was to be married off like some cattle. It was the day of my birthday and there would be a feast held this evening.
"White is so dull" Giulia commented and touched Lucrezia hand at she gracefully moved it.
"But surely a wedding dress should be white? Do you not think Natalia?" I looked up from my embroidering.
"Yes I agree it should" I replied I then went to looking back down.
"This dress is for your betrothal my love. And given the size of your dowry it should be made of solid gold."
"My ladies" a messenger came in.
"What is it?" Giulia asked
"His highness Prince Djem wishes the company of the Ladies Lucrezia and Natalia" Lucrezia smiled
"Please inform Prince Djem we'd be happy to oblige"
------
My eye closed and covered as I heard the wisps of air from outside. The hands covering my eyes were soon lifted.
"Open" I gasped as the gardens of the Vatican had been decorated with foreign tents and animals so much colours.
"It beautiful" I commented walking forward with Lucrezia.
"I wanted my dear Lucrezia and Natalia, to give you a taste of my homeland, before the Lord Sforza plucked you forever in my view and for the darling beauty 14th birthday." we were invited to site and I did.
"Please brother sit" I was sat in between Juan and Cesare. Djem said something and his servant came over.
"Food"
"It's beautiful Djem" there was a platter offered with food.
"How do you eat it?" I asked
"With your hands, like this" he showed us; Lucrezia and I did the same
"I also wanted to thank you four, for your kindness towards me"
"Are you leaving us soon?" Cesare asked
"Oh by the heavens, no. I dread the day I have to leave the bosom of your kindness." We were given drinks "Our ways at the courts of the Sultan can be cruel beyond you imaginations."
"I have a good imagination"
"Oh" Djem smiled at Cesare's comment "My brothers predecessor had the eyes of all his male relatives plucked, and brought to him on a silver platter. Twenty two of them" I covered my mouth in shock how barbaric.
"That's 44 eyes, Why on earth?" Lucrezia asked
"Because one who is blind could never take his place."
"Clever" Juan commented
"Barbaric is the term I would use." I say
"So to be among Christian soul, among the bosom of a family such as yours, is fortunate indeed"
"I'll drink to that" Juan commented
"And to your future happiness my dear Lucrezia. Bismallah" he raised his glass and we drunk
"How rude of me I almost forgot." Cesare stopped drinking and retrieved something. It was a necklace box.
"A gift for Lady Natalia" I smiled abandoning my drink and opening the box.
"Oh Cesare it's beautiful" It was a pearl necklace with a gold N and three peals dropping down (a/n it's like Anne Boleyn's necklace but instead of a B it's an N.) I brushed my hair over my shoulder and Cesare fixed it on.
-
I was sat in the sun while Djem and Cesare played a game and Lucrezia was talking with Juan.
"Djem?"
"Djem" i looked up and stood up to see what was going on there was something wrong. I watched in horror.
"Forgive me Cardinal. I have ruined your attire" he was in lots of pain and I ran to get help. After Djem was taken away I went to comfort Lucrezia.
"It's okay, my love Djem will find the strength to find his way back to you" Cesare came in and he looked solemn.
"What news do you have Cesare?" Lucrezia asked hopeful.
"I bring grave new sis. Dear Djem has breathed his last" She cried into me and I tried to soothe her.
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...
