The Medici Girl: Reluctance

Contessina

If it were possible, Contessina de'Medici would run away. She had thought about leaving Firenze more than a few times, but if it were not for her friends, she would have left a long time ago. She had known for some time now that her cousin was looking for a good suitor for her, one that would complement her as well as treat her with respect. The only problem was, most men treated their wives like property. If she were to be sold to the highest bidder, it was going to be to some family that Lorenzo de'Medici knew well enough and also supported him in his endeavors for Florence. 

As it was, she was still unmarried at the tender age of seventeen. Most families married off their daughters at a younger age to men well into their twenties and even thirties. Contessina knew that if she were to marry now, she would be a difficult one to match. Thankfully, the one thing that most men worried about in their future brides was still intact. Her virtue was completely safe, even though by Vieri de'Pazzi's standards, was perfectly ripe for his taking. As if Vieri could get within feet of her without causing some kind of trouble. It was no secret that the young Pazzi was actively looking for a bride himself, but she was off limits. She was Medici and the Medici were at war with the Pazzi. Such a union would do nothing to strengthen the ties between the warring families. It was bad enough that Bianca had eloped with Vieri's uncle. 

The only thing Contessina wished was to be free. She did not want to be trapped within the confines of a home that belonged to the man she would someday marry. She was too wild and stubborn according to most. If it were not for her golden blond hair and sky blue eyes, most of the suitors Lorenzo considered a possiblity would stay far away from her. Contessina was opinionated and bold which was a trait that was considered undesirable. Of course, Lorenzo often said that she should never change, but her mother Ginevra hated that her daughter was unbecoming. 

As Contessina walked down the halls of the Medici home, she could hear the bustling of activity from the servants as they prepared for a dinner that evening. One of the servants bowed their head and gave her a letter before moving on. Popping the wax seal on the folded parchment, she opened the letter to read its contents as she walked. 

Contessina,

I hope you are doing well Mi Cara. I am writing to let you know that at any moment my father will allow us to be married. Any moment. I have been waiting most of my life to see us bound together in passionate harmony....

The young woman stopped reading and crumpled the letter before walking over to the nearest fireplace. She felt satisfied when she threw the parchment into the fire. As it burned she could not help but to smile at the ridiculous nature in which Manfredo Soderini sent letters to her. She despised the man's attempts at courting her. He would often send her gifts, which she often sent back as a refusal to engage with him. 

"Another love letter from Manfredo?" She heard her cousin Giuliano's voice from behind her and turned around to see him standing there with a cup of wine in his hand. 

"If it weren't for his gambling and cheating, he would be a good man, but I'm afraid he is mostly drunk all the time like you." Contessina replied. "What do you want Giuliano?" 

"Lorenzo and your mother would like to speak with you before you go. Something about important business." The dark blond man said before taking a sip of his wine. "If you ask me, I think they found you a match." 

"This doesn't surprise me. Mother has been hounding Lorenzo about it lately, so much I think he became exhausted with her barking." She grabbed the cup of wine out of Giuliano's hand and took a sip herself. "Tell Lorenzo and my mother that I will speak with them whenever I choose to." She handed to cup back to her cousin and strode towards the door.