Freak of Time, History's Game ( I Medici Masters Of Florence)

Chapter 11

Time seemed running so slowly.
Vittoria tried many times to slip away, but the other guests always caught her and distract her from her intent.
Till an hour lated she bumped again into Riccardo.
She had the time to recompose herself, so she acted like she was dealing with a simple acquaintance.

"Would you like a walk outside?" He suggested like hearing her deepest desire at that moment.
She agreed and followed him out of that hellish party.
The garden was lit by torches and some people were already enjoying the fresh air of that late evening.
"What a relief" she commented moving like she was swimming into the nature.
"I was tired too of those closed spaces" he laughed at her free behaviour.
"I was thinking of leaving. I just couldn't find a good excuse" she confessed.
They walked slowly between the bushes "You didn't enjoy the party?".
"Oh no, I really did. I've been to so many terrible parties, so I can say this is one of the best. But what about you? Your opinion is more rilevant than mine".
"I enjoyed it. More than I've ever imagined. That also thanks to you".
She laughed "I didn't break your feet enough".
"No, you didn't" he imitated her amused. But the memory casted a shadow on them and they stayed silent for a while.

"Are you nervous?" She suddenly asked in a low voice.
"For what?".
"The wedding".
He sighed "Of course I am. I'm selling my freedom to a woman I've never met before".
"I'm sorry. That's my worst nightmare too".
"Yeah. What's the point of being a noble if you can't decide your destiny?".
"I agree. Last week I've been to the wedding of my close friend" she didn't know why she was sharing that. She was impressed on how it was easy to confess things to him.
"How was it?".
She gave him a serious glance "You tell me. She was crying. She barely had the strength to nod when the question was placed".
He bowed his head nodding "That's awful. I'm sorry for her. And I wish you to have a better union, the best one".
Vittoria felt a bitter taste "I want to wish you the same".
He sighed "Thanks for caring. But I see only darkness in my future. I'll make the greatest vow to someone I don't even know. I don't even know if I'll be able to love her. My parents say that love doesn't matter, but it scares me".
"I feel you. Really. It scares me too".
Silence again. Silence can tell more than words, sometimes.
The girl thought she might asked for leaving. But deep inside she wanted to stay with him and she was sure he wanted the same too, thinking of how much he looked for her that night.

"Something's wrong?" She suddenly asked.
"What?".
She pointed at the door of the house where servants were clearly troubled by something.
"I'll go and check. Wait here. Or maybe it's safer if you go back inside" he suggested nervously.
"I can come with you, maybe I can help".
"Maybe it's nothing. Wait here" he turned and ran to meet the servants.
Also other guests felt that something unusual was happening and curiosity spread fast.
Vittoria joined a group who seemed to be the most updated and heard of a riot of peasants who had come to the gates of the mansion.
She saw Riccardo calling for the guards and climbing a horse while his father was shouting after him to go back to his party.
"Those people won't accept just a delivered message. I can talk to them and calm them down, so it will end".
He didn't wait for a reply and galloped away.
Vittoria was holding her breath. He was riding towards danger and he didn't show a shadow of fear.

The party went on even if most of the guests were worried.
The waiting was becoming an agony for Vittoria.
She was used to see riots and friends who got wounded when fighting them. Some never recovered, some died.
World can change all of a sudden.
Rita came to take her to the chambers, but she refused. And all her fears vanished when she spotted the group of men riding horses, led by Riccardo.
He was fine, but he looked like he was coming back victoriously from a war.
She couldn't help but admire him and smiling, even when he crossed her eyes.
Vittoria agreed to leave. That had been a very long evening, but she was grateful for the happy ending.