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

Chapter 17

They came back riding on the same horse and enjoying that night ride.

Vittoria was worried that her escape would have brought down her reputation, but next day nobody seemed remembering that episode.
Just Riccardo talked about it one last time, asking her not to do it again.
"Alright. I promise and swear I'll never leave again without telling you first" she said mockingly.
He laughed taking her arm and they went for a walk.

When she got back to her empty room to change her clothes, not Rita but another woman came inside.
Vittoria immediately stood up and bowed "Mi lady".
"Don't, dear. I hope I'm not disturbing you" Contessina slowly closed the door behind her .
"You can never disturb".
The lady smiled "We didn't have occasions to talk before, I'm not very chatty to new people. I just want to be sure you're alright".
She was right. They met at meals or randomly in the corridors or at the party, but they just greeted in a very formal way.
"I'm good. Thank you".
The woman looked around the room, then observed the girl sighing "I've known your mother many years ago. I'm glad to see some of her in your features. But I like more seeing all the details that are uniquely yours".
"You're too kind, mi lady" Vittoria too had the chance to watch Riccardo's mother without being rude and she spotted the resemblances.
"There's no need to be so formal, not anymore. We're going to be a family soon".

Vittoria held her reply.
Contessina guessed her thoughts and specified "There's not an answer yet, but I'm sure things can't be as they were before anymore. I always considered you and Lucrezia on the same level. But now I'm proud that my son made the right choice. You have a high education, a good noble title, you know how to manage the society. And you have that dose of rebel attitude that makes you a strong young woman. You proved that with your mad attempt of running away in the middle of the night. For sake of a city that you don't know, you were ready to sacrifice even your life. You're really the kind of person I want next to my son. Sforza keeps his weak girl locked in her room and would ask Riccardo to reach her there and never let him go. And anyway we already have one Lucrezia, Piero's wife. One is enough".

Vittoria felt useasy. She never heard talking so much about that unknown girl who was the only big obstacle between Riccardo and her "I just did what I thought was right.  If you think I'm so good, you may have to reconsider it".
Contessina smirked in the same way of Riccardo "Perfect balance of humble and proud, I must add. Family comes first, as we always say here. And you're part of our family now. You'll be protected, we will spend anything to keep you with us".
The girl had to surrender and accept it "I won't disappoint you, I swear it".
The woman showed the hands to stop her "No need to swear. I already know it. We are accepting you as you are. And I hope you will do the same with all of us".
"Of course I will".
"It won't be easy. You're so new here and people will tend to be diffident. Just have patience and for any problem count on me and Riccardo. I hope when you'll be ready, you'll call me mother, as now I call you my daughter".
That was kinda too much, but Vittoria didn't dare to complain explicitly "I'm really grateful for your kind words".
"They are not just words. I really mean all that I've said" the woman touched her cheek with a smile, then left.
Vittoria just sat on the bed, confused by that meeting but thankful that Riccardo's mother came to talk her at last.

Cosimo continued to act like the master of the house and Vittoria was always careful not to annoy him with her presence.
Except for Riccardo and his mother, she still felt like a merely guest in that mansion.

Few days passed, then Cosimo got what he was waiting for.
Soon he convoked his friend Antonio and read the letter to him.
Kinda bitterly, he called also Riccardo. The man didn't dare to read it to him, so he lent him the letter and waited for his son to catch the meaning of that message.
Riccardo drank every word of it then looked up with the biggest and brightest smile his father ever saw on his face.
Cosimo swallowed hard "So you won, Riccardo. You're a free man now and you can go to marry your lady and protect her".
"Do I have your blessing, father?".
The man nodded "You have".
Riccardo almost jumped for happiness. He was tempted to run to him and hug him, but readily repressed that instict "Thank you. I'll never forget it. I love you, father".
Cosimo brushed his chin and shoved him away "Good boy, don't make me regret it. Now run and tell her".
Riccardo gladly obeyed.
Antonio laughed while they heard his fast steps running away.
The two men shook their hand and  toasted to their new alliance.

Riccardo hurriedly looked for the girl, till he found her into the gardens.
"Are you alright?".
She seemed so lost into her thoughts, but she smiled when she spotted him and stoop up to meet him "Yeah, I'm just a bit stressed. But I can manage it".
"I have something to tell you. Well, to ask you".
"Yes?".
He kneeled in front of her taking her hand "Will you grant me the greatest honor of becoming my wife?".
She gasped "Did we  get a reply?".
He couldn't hide a smile anymore "Yes, an affermative reply. I'm free".
Vittoria screamed of joy "Oh my God, you did it!".
"We did it. So what's your reply to my question?".
"Can't you guess it? It's a yes. Forever yes".
He laughed with tears and stood up to kiss her and hug her.