[ her overall expression becomes pained before it gentles, and she squeezes his hand. ]

Yes, I do. It matters not that one day my legitimacy will be restored, Cesare. As of this moment, today, I am seen as nothing more than a bastard by my people.

And worse. [ she leans forward, so that their foreheads are pressed together. ] My uncle was attempting to court me in public. Do you know what that means?

The word whore has been whispered at my back more times than I might count.

[ her lips quirk upward, before she presses them against his briefly. ]

As of today, you are one of my betters. And I do not care. There is no one and nothing I want more than this.