[Ezio x Reader Fanfic] May the father of understanding guide us

53} The Wilted Rose

It has been a long time since my last update so I'm sorry to make you wait, thank you so much for being patient! I made this chapter longer for you guys to compensate.
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Your pov

A strange rumour floats around Firenze on the gentle breeze that if you find yourself following the intoxicating fragrance of roses and trail of dried petals through the many twists and turns of the quiet backstreets, you will find yourself at a desperate place full of desperate people. An underground hangout where the scum of the city get their satisfaction and the madame turns the other way, letting clients do whatever they please, no matter how sadistic, to the working girls. It's where I spent my childhood, albeit unwilling, picking the pockets of men high on sex and opium. Until I ran away and found the Templars.

Out of the frying pan and into the oven - more like the roaring flames of hell.

I brush the thoughts to one side as I near the entrance of the brothel, hidden down a dark, deserted alleyway. Lowering my hood and quickly glancing around to check I'm not being followed, I prepare to knock on the door, being taken by surprise when it swings open before I can even touch it. Standing in the doorway is a scantily clad blonde, draped alluringly against the doorframe and bridling slightly.

"We don't normally serve women but I'm sure we can make exceptions. Who do you want?" She says breathily, her chest hypnotically heaving.

"I'm here to speak to the Madame, it's urgent." I command, noticing her tone change entirely as she straightens up and folds her arms.

"She's not available for consultation. She is busy with-"

"Cordelia, enough. Is your memory really that poor?" And older, more refined voice cuts into our conversation like a sharpened blade through flesh and renders the young blonde speechless. "It may have been well over a decade since we last saw you but you haven't changed one bit. Have you (y/n)?"

"Well I've certainly become wiser, haven't I?

Mother."

~~~~~~

Ferdinand's pov

I glance around, looking for (y/n), and see only Ezio stalking into the square to reach the city's latest victim before he is completely burnt to a crisp.

Sure enough he is met with little resistance, as expected when your target is caught and practically wrapped like a present for you - although this present happened to be wrapped and then set on fire by an angry mob. Another day, another experience I guess.

Once the tortured man is finally dead, I have the pleasure of enduring one of the Assassin's "liberating speeches". Boring.

I want to know where (y/n) is.

~~~~~

(Y/n)'s pov

"I need a favour. An urgent one." Keeping my voice as low and as monotone as possible I nervously glance around the room I've been taken to.

The walls are dark as are the floors and furniture, the only furniture being a desk, two chairs and a lounger. There isn't a single window, just one door. No escape.

"And what makes you think I owe you a favour? You told me you never wanted to see me again." My mother, who is noticeably aged but otherwise looks much like me, replies calmly as she props her head up on her hands.

"I'll pay you." I shoot back.

"I have no need for coin."

"Then I'll owe you one."