☩ ００８． ＶＩＤＥＯ | ＡＣＴＩＯＮ

[mansuetus]

[ Lucrezia is in one of the lounges! Sprawled on one of the sofas, fingers busy turning a pendent of gold in the shape of a sea-horse. There are no poems today, no joyful greetings, something is different. She looks more pensive than anything else but there is a shade of concern there as well as quiet annoyance.

When she speaks, her voice is devoid of any of it. Her eyes still focused on the sea-horse. ]

A riddle, Tranquility.

How to mourn for someone who does not deserve it?

If your duty demands it and you have no desire to - do all men need to be mourned for? Is it a a more grievous sin not to mourn than it is to speak false words of grievance?

[ a beat. ]

Perhaps I must fast again.

[ a moment later she puts down her necklace, smiles. ]

I would have a cup of wine with your answer, if any of you have some to spare. You will join me in the lounge.

[ and it is not a question. ]

Comments

Voice

[mansuetus]

He had made me shed my tears a few times too many. I have none to spear for his cause now.

Voice

[servant]

What did he do to you?

Voice

[mansuetus]

You should not, Merlin.

[ ask. ]

I do not wish to upset you. He - he was the man I was sold to for marriage. And a brute of a husband.

Voice

[servant]

You were sold?

[Whoops, he sounds upset.]

Voice

[mansuetus]

[ gdi. ]

For ships and armies of the Sforza family. To aid my Holy Father in Rome's war, an alliance sealed in marriage. As marriage is a union that cannot be broken.

[ unless your brother cuts your husband's heart with a dinner knife. erm. ]

Voice

[servant]

[He's quiet for a moment. A marriage for ships and armies isn't so different from the sort of marriage that Arthur might have in his future, a marriage that would strengthen alliances, unite kingdoms. The word 'love' may never be uttered.]

[But Arthur still wouldn't be the kind of man that she describes.]

You shouldn't mourn him. At least I don't think you should.

Voice

[mansuetus]

I do not think I know how to, even if I tried. It would seem that I am widow now.