After the breakdown of my old computer I lost two of the chapters I wrote after my exams this spring, so here I bring a new chapter to the table at last! I am so sorry that I have not updated my stories, but to be honest: I lost my inspiration to continue writing.

Let us dive into medieval Italy once again ^^

- Pandemicwolf

4. Leonardo de'Medici

I straightened my dress anxiously. My fathers words echoed in my mind: "The Medici Family, Lucrezia! They're a powerful family with a lot of wealth and alliances. Relatives of Leonardo posess the power of the whole providence of Firenze. But, most importantly: I hope that you'll have a happy marriage with him."

A boasting voice of one of our servants from the reception hall drew me from my thoughts, "Entering the room: Giuliamo Medici and his most beloved son: Leonardo Medici."
Father was greeting them both right now, however, he was most likely wearing his business face. After all, he was negotiating the price de'Medici had to pay for the rest of my life amongst their ranks. A dowry represents more than the price of an alliance, it represents a promise to take care of the girl leaving her family to become a woman.

"Now introducing the most beautiful Lucrezia Catarina Trivulzio Visconti."

My legs would not move as the door opened and I looked at the table where they sat. I looked at father who smiled at me and waived at me, "come in child!".

Giuliamo looked at me as well as he gestured his son not to turn to look.
A nervous laugh escaped me as I strode forward into the hall. Leonardo was obviously as nervous as I was. I could see that easily, because of his shoulders that rose and sank as quickly as he was breathing. One could easily see why my father thought this was a good match for me, as Leonardo wore a doublet in a heavy, blue fabric, which revealed the collar and wrists of his camicia.

I rounded the edge of the table where my father sat while I stared at the floor to avoid them discovering how nervous I was.

However, all my worries were washed away as I sat down and met the gaze of two dark green eyes opposite of me. Leonardo smiled as he saw me, "Bongiorno, Your beauty was not at all exaggerated."
I blushed as I looked down at my hands, "You are quite handsome as well, Leonardo."

Giuliamo gestured to us, "The two lovebirds should go and get to know each other better, not sit here and listen to our discussions!". I looked over to father, he nodded in approval, "That is an excellent idea, Giuliamo!"

We we walked out of the room together in an aerie silence, until I broke it, as we reached the garden outside of the villa, "Do you have any hobbies, Leonardo?"

He smiled, "I have always been interested in art. I am especially interested in painting portraits."

"Why portraits?"

Leonardo smiled, obviously a bit embarrassed, "I find the soul of a person very intriguing."

I sent him a curious look, "How will your art help you to satisfy your interest for this concept?"

Leonardo stoked a strand of his black hair behind his ear, "A human soul possesses no bounds. Therefore the beauty of humanity is our ability to unlock the gates to either hell, or heaven. Each human being possess this key by having a soul with infinite potential. A great artist can show the very soul of a person. The artist do so by choice of colour, lighting, symbols, and posture of the person. A poet can do the same by choosing words."

I stopped in my tracks, surprised by his answer "That is a beautiful train of thought, Leonardo!"

He sent me a surprised look, "You really care? Everyone else think it's a waste of time."

"Leonardo, spiritual nourishment is never ever a waste of time! If knowledge was a sin, or a wrong-doing in the eyes of god, why would he give us the power and will to learn? Why should I not care?"

Our eye contact broke, as he looked at my necklace. He stroked the blue stone carefully, "You are wearing it."

I put my hand on top of the pendant, "I love it. I have not gone a day without it since I received it."

He smiled, "I designed it myself. It is made by the remains of a necklace after Simonetta Vecucchi. She was rumoured to be the most beautiful woman Firenze had ever seen, and you will be the next.

I blushed, "I am truly flattered, Leonardo. Will you come inside, so I can show you my poetry collection, and my sketches?".

Leonardo laughed, "Why, of course, my dear Lucrezia!"

The big library revealed my family's obsession with literature. Each of my siblings had their own desks. I had a corner in the library where I had my table, and my shelf with books. Leonardo walked along my bookshelf, studying each title carefully. He stopped as he traced the spine of a book with his finger, and pulled it out of the shelf, "Really?" He turned around towards me, "Dante Alighieri – The Divine Comedy. Is this not a bit dark for you?"

I smiled, "Dante was an artist. An artist from Firenze, if I am correct."

Leonardo opened the book, and studied the pages, "Florentine or not, the story still give me the shivers."

I continued, "Legends say that Dante wrote this after being rejected by the love of his life. This is a powerful love story."

He laughed, "You are indeed special, Lucrezia." He walked over to my desk. Then he then picked up a drawing i had made of my brother: Mercurio, "Who is this?"

"It is my brother Mercurio. That is why he has cardinal cloaks on him."

Leonardo studied the drawing closer, "You are really talented with charcoal."

"Thank you, I am working with my painting skills."

"I am rather good at painting on canvas" He smiled while lifting up one of my unfinished sketches.

I took a step closer, and took the sketch out of his hand, "Can you paint a portrait of me?"

Leonardo looked at me with a sceptical look, "I would not be able to finish it even if I wanted too. A painting takes many hours and sometimes days to finish."

I looked up at him, "We can call it a betrothal promise. You start painting it today, and you will finish it either before, or after we marry."

He smiled, "Where do you keep your equipment?"

I took his arm and literary dragged him up to my room. A cupboard in my room contained my canvases, stifles, paint, and brushes. I opened the doors wide so he could see the equipment. Leonardo walked up to the cupboard and studied the equipment within. He picked out a medium sized canvas, and three different paintbrushes, along with a stifle and the paint. I could see his skills shining through, as he skilfully set up everything, and started mixing the paint to his liking.

I spun around, "And where to the artist want me to sit?". He looked up at me and smiled while he mixed out a white with brown, "Sit in that chair in front of your window."
I sat down, and quickly brushed my hair, and straightened my dress. Leonardo lined up his canvas, and looked at me over the edge of it. Suddenly he murmured, "Something is wrong." He stood up and ran out the door. I was baffled. Why did he run out on me like that?

The door opened. Leonardo snuck in the door with something behind his back, as I laughed. "I needed something for you to place your hands on. The thing that will remind me the most of you." Leonardo leant forward and placed a book in my lap. I lifted it up to check which book it was, "The Divine Comedy by Dante? It reminds you the most of me?" I laughed, "Do you imply that I am the devil?"

Leonardo's mask cracked, "I thought you said it was a romantic piece of literature. But, you have to sit still"

I straightened my back as I tried not to smile, and rested my hands on top of the divine comedy.

Leonardo looked at me over the canvas. He mixed the colour he needed quickly, and studied me again, "You have a face which is very kind on the eye."

I smiled, "Thank you, your features is not ungallant either, Leonardo."

His brush strokes were fast and slick against the canvas. He sighted, "I'll just paint a rough sketch of you for now. My father told me that we had a meeting at the Medici bank office, here in Roma at the break of dusk."

I looked down at the floor, "Then you should take the started painting with you to Florence when you leave. Then you'll have something to look at."

Leonardo looked at me with a glimt in his eyes, but he maintained a deep concentration.

ᵯ

Giuliamo smiled as us as we came down the stairs to the courtyard, "I am sure that the two lovers got to know each other better"

However, his eyes darkened as he gazed at Leonardo's hands "We will talk about this before we leave!" Leonardo shrunk where he stood. He turned towards me, and smiled, but eyes told a different story, "I am looking forward to meeting you again. My lady." He took a hold of my hand, and kissed it.

"I am looking forward to it as well. Have you packed with you your present from me?"

Leonardo looked back at his father, and turned back to me, "Yes, It is stowed safely down in my chest."

Father took over the conversation, "Looking forward to our next meeting, Giuliamo. Have a save trip home!" He placed his hand on my shoulder and lead me to the door.
As the door closed behind us, he turned towards me, "We will talk about everything tomorrow. You will be able to sleep on what you will have to say." He embraced me in a hug before he walked to his study.

I was about to go up to my room, however, I remembered that I forgot one of my books outside on the stairs earlier.
As I walked down the stairs to the courtyard I heard a stern voice:

"You useless boy! Your little brother would be more suited to take care of the family! You are a useless painter!". It was the unmistakeable voice of Guiliamo de'Medici.

A nervous reply echoed "What are you talking about father?" it was Leonardo

I moved further down the stairs, until I saw the silhouettes of them.

Guiliamo took a rough hold of Leonardo's hands, "Do you think I am stupid, boy!? I could see the paint on your fingers.

"I thought you did not know what paint looked like." Leonardo replied.

His father lifted his hand and hit Leonardo hard across the face.

Leonardo laughed once again, "I am looking forward to be free of your tyranny."

His father growled, "This discussion is not over! We will finish this when we get home!"

One of our servants came out with their horses and bowed as he handed them over, "Have e safe journey!"

Leonardo and his father left the courtyard and I was left there, in silence.

What have I done?

Well, I am off to planning the next chapter :)

I am not satisfied with this chapter. Therefore, I will most likely alter it after some time.

Please let me know if there is anything you would want from this story! I will answer you as fast as I see the message!

Furthermore, do not hesitate to ask me any questions about the story :3

- Pandemicwolf (28.07.2015)