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If he had lied to us then he must beg forgiveness and hope that we can find the patience and kindness in our hearts to forgive. Though I admit myself to be angry; he had promised not to hide aught from me anymore.

[ who knows how many other secrets are other. ]

and now this has come and I question the trust I have placed in my own brother.

I know not of you, dearest, but I would, were he to apologize. He never made such a promise to me, and I cannot be angry at the fact that he is stuck in an arranged marriage for political gain. I worry that he has no faith in me, that he thought we might not have been able to deal with this issue together.

( because in her mind, it would not be a concern of hers who her own brothers might have married. or even if she'd been able to attend the weddings or no. no doubt she will be made to stand up for cecily, and that is quite enough. in her mind, though she is upset and confused because this has impacted she and cesare as a couple, she thinks his sister might be more than a little harsh toward him than she ought. )

Do not. If there is one thing I know, it is that he would die to protect either of us. He has not meant any ill toward you in any of this, Lucrezia.

Nor me, perhaps. That is a thing I may have to ask him myself. ( she remembers the pain on his face that day; no. he had not enjoyed that. at all. )

Politics do not drive Cesare or any of my family, dolcezza. You should learn it now, as early as you can. Not simple politics, only ambition.

[ cesare is not stuck, he has never been. if he is married, it is because he himself wanted to be for his own reasons and lucrezia doesn't know his reasoning and it both angers and confuses her. ]

You show him great kindness. At the very least he shall receive it from one of us.

I see. ( and, you know? she does. her mother's side of the family is precisely the same. ) Then I have some small amount of experience with the like already from my time at home.

And I cannot fault it. Some are born with power, and others must take it. The way of the world has ever been thus, dating back as far as my ancestor, William the Conqueror. And the raiders from the North before him.

( she understands, though, too. about the arranged marriage; though he hadn't appeared very pleased with it in the least. she rubs a hand over her eyes, and sighs. )

I have been at odds with someone I love for a long time. I wish for no more strife of such a nature. And I cannot help that my heart yet beats for him.

And for power, they would take other things, too. Mind your steps, my love. You and I are sisters, as far as my heart is concerned. I would protect yours, if I can.

[ from being as hurt as her own. ]

Let it beat for you, first.

Other things? ( marry as many of their children into as many noble families as possible? procure as many titles and lands as they might? such things have made her mother's side of the family infamous and reviled at once in england.

but there are other things, such as taking the lives of two boys not yet fourteen years old, for instance, and declaring legitimate children bastards which she has experienced. and would find not only abhorrent, but worse. surely lucrezia's family is better than hers. at least, she would like to hope it. her own is a pack of wild cats which consume each other whole. she closes her eyes, and nods, feeling her features soften out of affection for this girl. )

I have ever seen you as mine, as well. I am honoured, that you would protect me so, Lucrezia. You are so very dear to my heart; and I would do the same for you, if the need ever arose.

( she can tell the other girl is hurt, and smiles sadly. )

I will need much practice to make it so. Tell me: how might I ease your pain and mine together?

Edited 2014-10-08 00:50 (UTC)

[ lucrezia thinks of prince djem, her dear moor who died after being bitten by a fly. she thinks of cesare's lies and wonders if his death had indeed been unintentional. family first, her holy father had said but this one seem to be based on more lies than she had thought. ]

mayhaps a walk. I do favor the gardens.

( she has ever favoured them, too; and without her, cesare has no reason to frequent them. perfect. )

I should like that. I shall be there shortly.

( it's better than feeling sorry for herself. she arrives not long after making her reply, eager for the company of a sister. )

[ lucrezia pinches her cheeks until they are rosy, unbraids her hair and lifts her chin. if she is scorned and betrayed and angry and sad, it does not show, she never lets it. elizabeth would know how she feels but that is a secret between them; not one she wishes to share with the rest of the ship. ]

Your feet are light. you are here so quickly!

[ she smiles as if naught is wrong. ]

( it is easy for her (and today, painful) to recognize just in which ways she and lucrezia are alike. they truly both do wear a mask of cheer and sweetness to hide their true feelings from the rest of the ship. one does what they must to survive. even in the future, beyond the reach of their own world; or perhaps, even beyond the reach of god.

elizabeth stands straight, her posture impeccable as she gently smiles back at lucrezia. if her own heart is broken, there is no sign of it. )

I was quite eager to enjoy your company once again, sister.

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