Loving an Assassin [Ezio Auditore]

Loving an Assassin [Chapter 1]

Walking down the streets of Florence, I admire the stalls and vendors selling various items of interest. My favorite has to be the art vendor. "Ah! Caterina! The best model I've ever had!" the vendor cheers in delight. I giggle sweetly while he pulls up his newest portrait of me; I'm laying in a bed of flowers, dressed as Venus.

Reaching into my small purse, I realize that today, I am a few florins short, even with the discount he's given me. "I apologize, but I must wait to purchase my-" the remaining amount of florins I needed are placed next to my own. "Ezio!" Marco, the artist, smiles while I blush and look away.

The Auditore boy had caught my eye not too long ago, and I'm sure he knows of it by now. Alas, his eyes were drawn to Cristina Vespucci, who I believe makes me uglier than the most haggard puttana in all of Italy. Ezio picks up my painting and smiles. "Bella, especially the model. If I were an artist, I would love to do a pittura denudo of her. Maybe I could try?"

My face heats up even more than before. Ezio has been known to be a womanizer and to have slept with many girls. I don't think he will ever settle down, especially with a girl like me. There are days when I hear otherwise. "So Caterina? Will you pose nude for me?" "If you were my husband, then yes. But there are no ties between us that would allow me to do it," I respond.

"I guess you never heard, huh?" Heard of what? I've never heard anything, but I've been basically locked up in Palazzo Voltaire for the last few days. They consisted of locked doors and hushed voices. "What has my father done now?" Knowing that I am officially sixteen, the thing my parents want right now is marriage.

"You, Caterina, are supposed to be wed to an Auditore." I can hear the smugness in his voice. "Tell Federico that I'll try to tolerate him and his puttanas," I groan inwardly while speaking my response. "Not quite. You and I are supposed to marry very soon. " Ezio wraps his arm around my waist while he says this.

Holding the portrait in his other hand, Ezio offers to escort me around the city. I willingly accept. Luckily, I don't have anyone to contradict my decision. In all my life, I never envisioned myself to be here, next to Ezio Auditore; I never thought I would be in his presence ever. He has to be the most attractive man in all of Firenze.

But here I am now. My heart skips a beat; I'm engaged to this man. Like every other noble marriage, it is for money and status. Giovanni Auditore wants something Luigi Voltaire has, but the price just has to be my marriage. However... Eh, I'm not complaining. We pass by a few more stalls, but we do not speak. The warm sun shines down on us and I gaze into his gorgeous hazel eyes. There is passion and lust there. But who is it for? Or what?

"Ezio, is there something wrong?" He quickly looks away. "No." Sighing, I sit down on a nearby bench and pat the remaining space next to me, but he refuses. The painting is placed in the reserved spot. "Stay here," he mumbles. Nearby, Vieri and his men emerge from the shadows, while servants and other men join Ezio.

"Now I get it," I mutter to myself as Ezio speaks to the others, even hinting -more like revealing- a secret affair with Vieri's sister, Viola. Pouting, I attempt to ignore the fight that follows the taunts. I silently dust off my dress while they fight, sadness lingering inside me.

Soon after, Federico joins in and ends the fight. I pick up my painting and dismiss myself from their sight. Knowing Ezio, he'll probably be going to the doctor, then to Cristina. I'd rather not stay around for that. Gabrielle, our servant, escorts me back to Palazzo Voltaire. "Gabrielle, what do you think of Ezio Auditore?" "Ezio? He's okay, if only he stopped causing so much trouble. "

I knew she would be like this. She takes the portrait and it is quickly hung up on the walls. After a dinner of roasted duck and potatoes, I am ushered to bed. The next day, I wake up to yelling.