pontificus | ( duplicity ) inbox

We are not in Rome. [And yes, it matters. Everything matters here. His explanation does little to quell her, arms crossed and looking at him boldly, jaw jutting out.]

I would give him a chance to explain yourself. I know how to handle men, Cesare. I am not so innocent as you may seem to think. [She does not need him for that.]

[He can tell that the topic of conversation might shift away from him, and he seizes the opportunity, immediately latching his focus back on to Jon and Lucrezia's interactions.]

You are a capable woman, I am well aware. But when your family warns you of someone, it is best to listen. He is not a good man, Sis.

Neither are you by your own admission, [She shoots back, tilting her head. She crosses her arms again before shaking her head.]

Even here you still try and control who I am with. Am I to never be happy? To handle my own affairs as I wish? I am no child, brother. I am capable. Or do you not trust me?

[He frowns, disheartened by her words, and moves forward to touch her, instinctively trying to place a hand upon her shoulder.]

Of course I trust you. I would trust you with my life. But I do not trust him, not after such a crude display.

I want him to give me an explanation, of what would compel a king to say something undignified.

[She knows him in other ways. Lucrezia does not even think that Cesare would misconstrue it, but she wants to hear it from him. If he is truly that crass, she would end it. It is bad enough that they are made to participate in all manner of acts, but to then air them is another.

His touch makes her turn toward him, clearly hurt that someone she may have trusted could break it.]

[He lets out a relieved sigh and nods, before pulling her in an embrace. She wants to give him an out, but she is listening to him. That is something.]

That is a good idea, Sis. Thank you.

[She hugs him back, glad to not be alone here. It's hard enough having to forced into what this place wants, but it would be even harder without him. Not everyone has been fortunate to have family here, and she knows this. Lucrezia exhales feeling the tension roll off her shoulders before looking up at him.]

Please tell me you don't think of me differently.

Think of you differently? Why would I?

[He frowns. This has always been about Jon's poor behavior, not Lucrezia's. In his eyes, she can still do no wrong, and hasn't even come close to doing so anyway.]

You seemed so upset when you realized what I must do to regain my form. And now this? With Jon?

[Please don't make her regret her decision to sign with him. She's looking up at him, watching his reaction carefully. Her fingers slip through the folds of his shirt, holding on close to him.]

[If Cesare were the type to blush, he would do so now. Instead he smiles and looks down for a moment.]

Sis, I am aware you are a woman. My dear nephew rather gave that fact away...

It is different here-- it is out in the open. There are no scandals here. [She looks at him directly. It is simply duty, though to be touched gently and to be cared for is something she does enjoy. Is it wrong of her? Does he think less of her.]

Will you seek out any men I find favor in or do you truly find fault in Jon?

[Is it more than tainting her name?]

Jon is a cad and a scoundrel. [And he actually believes it. Perhaps deep down in his subconscious he is destined always to loathe Lucrezia's lovers. But he himself does not see it.]

I believe you deserve far better.

[There is a huff, though there is no fight behind it. She doesn't want to argue, and she did ask his opinion. She falls quiet though, wishing she had found out on her own. Pulling from him, she decides she tired now.]

Will you let me make that decision? [Since she hardly gets to make any decisions on her own. She knows it must be hard for him, so her question isn't accusing or angry. She just wants to stretch her legs here, now that the issue of her contract is over.]

[Cesare lets out a long sigh but nods, looking away. She's listening to him. That's something.]

Of course, Sis. I hope he is a better man than I believe him to be. [Though somehow he doubts it.]

[She tries to give him a smile, but it doesn't make it to her eyes.]

I will find out.

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