hungry dogs are never loyal × fp

ø2 : blackmailing

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"why do the people look upon you with such apprehension, cousin?"

it was a lovely day in florence. francesco, guglielmo, and salviati were roaming the merchant streets aimlessly, talking and bantering among themselves.

guglielmo had noticed the perplexity of the people before-everyone had. a sheer mention of francesco would cause a ripple of unease. neither guglielmo nor salviati had any idea what francesco had done to incite such reverence, and it left both of them intrigued.

francesco gave a wry smile, staring down at the road as they walked.

"no idea. why don't you ask them yourself?"

salviati kicked a loose stone as he strolled along, shrugging nonchalantly.

"maybe francesco is just so ugly that the people feel the need to wilt away from him as he passes."

guglielmo laughed and francesco gave salviati a playful shove.

"what room have you to speak, cousin? women weep at the unfortunate sight of you."

salviati snorted at that response.

"and women shield the eyes of their children when you dare show your ass of a face in florence."

francesco lunged at salviati, who jumped back with a wide grin.

"both of you are unsightly. consider it settled."

guglielmo snickered to himself as they entered their residence. almost immediately, their merry time together was cut short.

"francesco!"

jacopo's heated shout for his nephew came from his study.

francesco's expression hardened into a solemn frown, while guglielmo and salviati's smiles faded like a dying flame. this was a typical occurrence.

"i'll speak with you later, cousins."

he broke away from them, moving toward jacopo's study. guglielmo and salviati shared nervous glances before continuing down the hall.

francesco's shadow stretched tall and thin across the floor as he stood in the doorway. his face was shrouded in shadow as he gave a stiff greeting.

"uncle."

jacopo's study was dark and musty; the only source of light was from two small windows that were cluttered and blocked. francesco hated being in the suffocating room, as the walls were stacked high with books and papers and contracts.

"get over here."

jacopo growled between his teeth as he sifted through the disorganized mess on his desk. francesco obeyed, stepping further into the room. his dark green eyes were like arrows, fixed on his uncle like a hawk, withholding all of his hatred towards the loathsome man.

and as usual, jacopo didn't notice.

he finally seemed to find what he was searching for- a piece of paper- and threw it at him.