You are an evil, evil fellow calling me here to witness such a tragedy. Evil!
Rest in peace, Ricciarda. The hole left by your passing can never be filled.
Rest in peace, Ricciarda. The hole left by your passing can never be filled.
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You are an evil, evil fellow calling me here to witness such a tragedy. Evil!
Rest in peace, Ricciarda. The hole left by your passing can never be filled.
I do not mean to be evil, I wish Ricciarda didn't die either. You are definitely correct that it will be difficult for Ludovico, their children and many others to get over the loss and even if they will things will never feel quite right. Thank you so much for your readership and comment too.
April 1074
Ludovico sat in the dining room that doubled as the meeting place for his council, little sunlight made its way through the windows as it was raining on and off throughout the day, likely causing misery for those who had to work outside, as the chilly air likely amplified their discomfort, he scoffed and drank some water out of a crystal goblet,”It’s as if the heavens themselves mourn my dear Ricciarda’s passing, oh well it’s not is if I plan on going outside today anyways. At least the trade post in Ferrara has finally been built.”
He still felt Malaise, Averado’s replacement Jacopo only held his new position for a brief time, for twice in the same day he tried two treatments that failed to help Ludovico, the first one, done in the morning was covering him with leeches, which caused Ludovico unease given that it was too much leeching that practically killed his late wife. When the second treatment of well-spiced food didn't work in the afternoon he dismissed the man, and he soon wondered how he was ever deemed competent to treat the injuries and ailments of sailors.”The man couldn’t even make his mind up on the nature of my ailment, at first he insisted it was nothing major and then he said that it could be a sign of cancer.”
In the man’s stead he made his Court Chaplain Antoniotto the new court physician, as he was one of the smartest men he knew in the palace. Soon enough one of the four he was waiting for entered the room, a servant escorted young Alfontso into the room and the boy silently stood at his father’s side, the tragedy of his mother’s death meant that he and his sister were both much more somber than usual. Ludovico rose from his chair and hugged his son,”It’ll be ok my boy, we honour your mother’s memory today.”
This earned a meek smile from Alfontso,”Hopefully this won’t be too bad then.”
“It won’t, that I promise you, Adelaida too is aware of the arrangement, so she won’t be surprised.”
His son pulled away from his hug and stood by his father’s side as Court Chaplain Antoniotto, Bianca Savazzi, her husband Guilhem de Cerdanya and their daughter Adelaida entered through a door at the opposite end of the room and Bianca asked,”I take it you are ready to go through the betrothal ceremony?”
Ludovico noded,”Yes, I suppose we are.”
Antoniotto soon led the ceremony as Alfontso and Adelaida stood a few paces away from each other, by the right side of the dining table,”Do you Alfontso Strazzi, heir to the Strazzi name and fortune swear not to marry any other woman so long as this betrothal stands?”
The boy nodded,”Yes I will take thee to wed.”
Antoniotto then looked to Adelaida asking,”Do you Adelaida De Cerdanya swear to not to marry any other man so long as this betrothal stands?”
The small girl nervously nodded,”I will take thee to wed.”
Ludovico smiled, something that had become a rare occurrence,”It is normally custom to seal a betrothal with a kiss but given the somber mood over the past month, I think it would be in poor taste. Instead I think my son and Adelaida should sip water out of the same goblet.”
“Very well then Patrician Kudovico.” said Guilhem as he moved to the table, grabbed the pitcher of water and filled a crystal goblet with the liquid. Soon enough he brought to his daughter’s lips and she drank some of it, satisfied with the water. Guilhem then brought the goblet to Alfontso who grabbed it and drank what remained of the water and put the goblet back on the table and Bianca declared,”It is done then, I will be happy to see them wed one day.”
Ludovico nodded,”It is too early to tell but perhaps they will be well suited to one another. I hope you all have a good day.”
He then knelt down and hugged Alfontso,”Thank you, my son, you’ve done exactly what was expected of you.”
He then pulled away from his son,”I suppose you should now go back to Letizia and continue your Latin lessons under her. I hear Camilla is doing well under her tutelage too.”
“Yes we are, thank you for choosing her, she is so kind to us and does a good job.”
“Very well then, I shall see you two later today.”
Alfontso dutifully nodded in affirmation“Yes father.”
As his son was escorted to his lessons by a servant Ludovico walked out of a separate door, and soon made his way to a series of corridors and passageways and after a few minutes stopped outside of the lowest one, not even sweating because of his successful exercise regimen.
.PNG "weight loss(Ludovico).PNG")
As he was illuminated in torchlight he shakily sighed,”I tried to hide it as of late, but Ricciarda, my learned, loving lady, your passing has left me heartbroken. The children and I don’t know what to do without you, my love. Well there’s no putting this off any longer.”
.PNG "Seeks solace at wife's grave, (Ludovico).PNG")
With that he finally proceeded through the passageway into the Catacombs, and eventually made it to the two effigies and sat on the cold stone floor a short distance away from the cold bodies of his wife and stillborn son. He sat there for hours, initially silent and still as the stone around him but later he spent most of his time curled up besides the two effigies, quietly weeping.
.PNG "Visits Ricciarda's grave(Ludovico).PNG")
Finally, exhausted he rose from the floor, wiping what little dust there was off of his blue doublet and trousers and started to make his way up the stairs, when all of a sudden he was startled by a voice,”Milord, is something the matter?”
He looked up and noticed Antoniotto was standing at the top of the stairs,”I was just visiting my late wife and our stillborn son.”
The court chaplain grimaced,”My condolences, again. From the short time I knew your wife I can say that I have yet to see a more clever woman who was also a good, dutiful wife and mother. As for their fates, I assure you that the two of them, mother and unborn son are in heaven with god and all of his angels. Should you continue to conduct yourself in a virtuous manner, you will see them again after this life.”
As Ludovico finished his walk up the steps Antoniotto moved out of his way and he clasped the man on the shoulder,”You have my most sincere thanks, your words have been a great comfort to me. You are surely deserving of a reward for this, what would you like?”
He shook his head in response“You really don’t need to reward me my patrician, I merely do my job by helping the state of your soul.”
“Nonsense, please tell me something that you’d like as a reward.”
Antoniotto hesitantly suggested,”Well, I know this is a hard time to be asking this but I may like a wife sometime in the future, I hear that Lady Soaba is unwed and I may wish to marry her.”
“If she agrees then you two may be wed, I wish the two of you good fortune and happiness.”
“Thank you Milord, I will go ask her myself.”
“You are welcome, I hope you have a good night.”
A few hours later….
After finishing a dinner that mostly consisted of Chicken, bread, cheese and various vegetables Ludovcio and his court began to retire, and he inebriated from wine clumsily opened the door to his bedchamber. After stumbling a few paces he found something that truly surprised him on the floor, the silver necklace with a sapphire in the middle. As he picked it up he thought to himself,”I remember when I bought this for Ricciarda right before our wedding eight years ago, god that feels like it was so long ago. I assumed that they buried it with her, but I am glad to find it, I will treasure it until the day I die.”
Ludovico sat in the dining room that doubled as the meeting place for his council, little sunlight made its way through the windows as it was raining on and off throughout the day, likely causing misery for those who had to work outside, as the chilly air likely amplified their discomfort, he scoffed and drank some water out of a crystal goblet,”It’s as if the heavens themselves mourn my dear Ricciarda’s passing, oh well it’s not is if I plan on going outside today anyways. At least the trade post in Ferrara has finally been built.”
He still felt Malaise, Averado’s replacement Jacopo only held his new position for a brief time, for twice in the same day he tried two treatments that failed to help Ludovico, the first one, done in the morning was covering him with leeches, which caused Ludovico unease given that it was too much leeching that practically killed his late wife. When the second treatment of well-spiced food didn't work in the afternoon he dismissed the man, and he soon wondered how he was ever deemed competent to treat the injuries and ailments of sailors.”The man couldn’t even make his mind up on the nature of my ailment, at first he insisted it was nothing major and then he said that it could be a sign of cancer.”
In the man’s stead he made his Court Chaplain Antoniotto the new court physician, as he was one of the smartest men he knew in the palace. Soon enough one of the four he was waiting for entered the room, a servant escorted young Alfontso into the room and the boy silently stood at his father’s side, the tragedy of his mother’s death meant that he and his sister were both much more somber than usual. Ludovico rose from his chair and hugged his son,”It’ll be ok my boy, we honour your mother’s memory today.”
This earned a meek smile from Alfontso,”Hopefully this won’t be too bad then.”
“It won’t, that I promise you, Adelaida too is aware of the arrangement, so she won’t be surprised.”
His son pulled away from his hug and stood by his father’s side as Court Chaplain Antoniotto, Bianca Savazzi, her husband Guilhem de Cerdanya and their daughter Adelaida entered through a door at the opposite end of the room and Bianca asked,”I take it you are ready to go through the betrothal ceremony?”
Ludovico noded,”Yes, I suppose we are.”
Antoniotto soon led the ceremony as Alfontso and Adelaida stood a few paces away from each other, by the right side of the dining table,”Do you Alfontso Strazzi, heir to the Strazzi name and fortune swear not to marry any other woman so long as this betrothal stands?”
The boy nodded,”Yes I will take thee to wed.”
Antoniotto then looked to Adelaida asking,”Do you Adelaida De Cerdanya swear to not to marry any other man so long as this betrothal stands?”
The small girl nervously nodded,”I will take thee to wed.”
Ludovico smiled, something that had become a rare occurrence,”It is normally custom to seal a betrothal with a kiss but given the somber mood over the past month, I think it would be in poor taste. Instead I think my son and Adelaida should sip water out of the same goblet.”
“Very well then Patrician Kudovico.” said Guilhem as he moved to the table, grabbed the pitcher of water and filled a crystal goblet with the liquid. Soon enough he brought to his daughter’s lips and she drank some of it, satisfied with the water. Guilhem then brought the goblet to Alfontso who grabbed it and drank what remained of the water and put the goblet back on the table and Bianca declared,”It is done then, I will be happy to see them wed one day.”
Ludovico nodded,”It is too early to tell but perhaps they will be well suited to one another. I hope you all have a good day.”
He then knelt down and hugged Alfontso,”Thank you, my son, you’ve done exactly what was expected of you.”
He then pulled away from his son,”I suppose you should now go back to Letizia and continue your Latin lessons under her. I hear Camilla is doing well under her tutelage too.”
“Yes we are, thank you for choosing her, she is so kind to us and does a good job.”
“Very well then, I shall see you two later today.”
Alfontso dutifully nodded in affirmation“Yes father.”
As his son was escorted to his lessons by a servant Ludovico walked out of a separate door, and soon made his way to a series of corridors and passageways and after a few minutes stopped outside of the lowest one, not even sweating because of his successful exercise regimen.
As he was illuminated in torchlight he shakily sighed,”I tried to hide it as of late, but Ricciarda, my learned, loving lady, your passing has left me heartbroken. The children and I don’t know what to do without you, my love. Well there’s no putting this off any longer.”
With that he finally proceeded through the passageway into the Catacombs, and eventually made it to the two effigies and sat on the cold stone floor a short distance away from the cold bodies of his wife and stillborn son. He sat there for hours, initially silent and still as the stone around him but later he spent most of his time curled up besides the two effigies, quietly weeping.
Finally, exhausted he rose from the floor, wiping what little dust there was off of his blue doublet and trousers and started to make his way up the stairs, when all of a sudden he was startled by a voice,”Milord, is something the matter?”
He looked up and noticed Antoniotto was standing at the top of the stairs,”I was just visiting my late wife and our stillborn son.”
The court chaplain grimaced,”My condolences, again. From the short time I knew your wife I can say that I have yet to see a more clever woman who was also a good, dutiful wife and mother. As for their fates, I assure you that the two of them, mother and unborn son are in heaven with god and all of his angels. Should you continue to conduct yourself in a virtuous manner, you will see them again after this life.”
As Ludovico finished his walk up the steps Antoniotto moved out of his way and he clasped the man on the shoulder,”You have my most sincere thanks, your words have been a great comfort to me. You are surely deserving of a reward for this, what would you like?”
He shook his head in response“You really don’t need to reward me my patrician, I merely do my job by helping the state of your soul.”
“Nonsense, please tell me something that you’d like as a reward.”
Antoniotto hesitantly suggested,”Well, I know this is a hard time to be asking this but I may like a wife sometime in the future, I hear that Lady Soaba is unwed and I may wish to marry her.”
“If she agrees then you two may be wed, I wish the two of you good fortune and happiness.”
“Thank you Milord, I will go ask her myself.”
“You are welcome, I hope you have a good night.”
A few hours later….
After finishing a dinner that mostly consisted of Chicken, bread, cheese and various vegetables Ludovcio and his court began to retire, and he inebriated from wine clumsily opened the door to his bedchamber. After stumbling a few paces he found something that truly surprised him on the floor, the silver necklace with a sapphire in the middle. As he picked it up he thought to himself,”I remember when I bought this for Ricciarda right before our wedding eight years ago, god that feels like it was so long ago. I assumed that they buried it with her, but I am glad to find it, I will treasure it until the day I die.”
I catch more than a whiff of Edward I's reflection of his first wife, Eleanor of Castille: "whom living we dearly cherished, and whom dead we cannot cease to love"
Yes most certainly, and like Eleanor Ricciarda has left a good legacy, but left the world far too early. Thank you very much for commenting I always enjoy insightful comments like this.
The grieving continues, but with light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a betrothal. The process is going to be slow, but Ludovico seems the type to persevere in times of adversity.
Yes it certainly will be, you are right in saying that the betrothal serves as a reminder to Ludovico that he will soon have to focus on more worldly matters and that one day he'll eventually have to move on. The dynamic between him and visiting Ricciarda makes me think of the demo version of the song Even In Death by Evanescence as it symbolizes the love he still holds for her. Thank you very much for reading and commenting, I truly appreciate it.
I am still impressed by what a kind court this is. Even in grief Ludovico ensures the next generation has every opportunity for another happy union, and Ludovico himself gets some comfort from his wife even after she is gone. Centuries later, when Ludovico is a statue beside his wife, this Patrician family can visit the catacombs and honestly say its roots were honorable, loving, and strongly family-oriented. Beautiful.
Though I have to wonder, when they ascend to the status of Doge, will the family will be able to uphold Ludovico's legacy of love? After all, power corrupts... and temptations will abound. I'm rooting for you Alfontso! Stay noble!
Though I have to wonder, when they ascend to the status of Doge, will the family will be able to uphold Ludovico's legacy of love? After all, power corrupts... and temptations will abound. I'm rooting for you Alfontso! Stay noble!
Yes, though Ludovico felt somewhat uncomfortable arranging a betrothal he knew it was necessary and would help fulfill his wife's final wishes. Also though he may not admit it he also did so to distract himself from his grief. You do make an excellent and heartwarming point about how Ludovico and Ricciarda's descendants looking back to their wholesome roots. As for the power of being Serene Doge: I'm unsure as to whether they shall ascend to it in Ludovico's lifetime but hopefully they will stay loving and fair to the people and their family. I also hope that Alfontso will be a good combination of both his parents but you never know how children will turn out. Thank you so much for reading and your awesome comment !
17
September 1074
He stood within the market square, listening to the chatter of many people that filled it quietly breathing, feeling better than he had in months.
While Veglia was hardly the richest city on the Adriatic it was prosperous enough and as it’s market attracted many locals as well as merchants from Neighboring Croatia, Venice Proper, Serbia and the Italian territories of The Holy Roman Empire. Escorted by a pair of guards Ludovico made his way to a merchant stall where an aging merchant was heckling some of the customers at other stalls and chirped to Ludovico,”You there, surely you’d like to be most beloved by God by buying a holy artifact. Surely you are more willing to do so than the rest of the Godless misers here.”
As he closed the distance the man held up a bone of decent size and grinned, putting his crooked teeth on full display as well,”It’s a bone of Saint Mark, the Patron saint of Our Great Republic, only eight florins and it’s yours.”
Ludovico considered this for a moment and then reached into his coin purse counted eight coins and then set them on the stall, and the grinning merchant gave him the bone.”Hopefully this will be worth it, I’m not sure if relics are actually capable of doing the things that some say, but it’ll be handy to have around nonetheless.”
A few hours later….
Ludovico sat on his desk rubbing his forehead as he spoke with Benedetto,”Has Adelaida accepted the offer of a betrothal between herself and Vitale’s eldest son Orderlaffo?”
“Yes, though she was reluctant, as she seems to have loved Boris quite a bit.”
Ludovico nodded,”Yes, last spring was rather trying for many of us, first my dear Ricciarda and now Boris, poor lady Adelaida, now she and their daughter Zlata are without him forever.”
“Yes it was milord, hopefully Soabja will make a good marshal. Speaking of betrothals do you think that perhaps my son Cristoforo may be betrothed to Zlata, it would ensure that the two would make a match and it would give her some security.”
“Of course, if Adelaida, and your respective children agree to this then yes.”
As there was a brief lull in the conversation Benedetto picked up the saint’s bone off of a shelf,”What is this Ludovico?”
Ludovico turned around and smirked,”It’s the leg bone of Saint Mark.”
The man chuckled but then covered his mouth to stifle it,”I’m sorry but there is no way this bone belonged to a person, it’s too short and must be a pig’s bone.”
He frowned awkwardly,”Oh, so it must be a fake then?”
“Yes, unless Saint Mark was a pig. I’m afraid you’ve been deceived.”
“Well I guess you can say that was a learning experience then.”
“Much like my visit to Venice last week, to see the Serene Doge.”
Ludovico looked at him quickly,”Why is that Benedetto?”
“Well apparently I did not bow as much as he would’ve liked and I didn’t grovel before him.”
“If it had been a few months ago I would understand his bad mood, but he has no right to treat you so, especially after you congratulate him on his son’s recovery from food poisoning. I always knew Iacopo to be vain and think himself a king but this is outrageous, You are not at fault, instead you should focus on trying to improve relations with most of our other neighbors, mostly through letters.”
“You have my thanks, Patrician Ludovico.”
“Yes, Yes make sure that you give that bone to some stray dog, at least then it will be useful to something.”
“I shall, I hear that the newly arrived lady Renata has accepted a betrothal with Vitale’s younger son Michele.”
Ludovico nodded“Good, our court can use new blood. Speaking of which, has the Morosini patrician Francesco accepted the offer of my betrothal to his younger sister? I am not keen on her being much younger than me but she is the only close relative of a patrician that will be able to marry in a few years. It will also give me time to adjust to the idea of marrying again.”
“Those are very good reasons milord, he has indeed accepted but he has a condition….”
Raising an eyebrow Ludovico asked,”And what is his condition?”
“That your daughter Camilla also be betrothed to him.”
“Oh, well I suppose I must accept that condition then, it’s too bad that she will eventually have to marry a man who is a little over ten years older than her. Please write to him with my acceptance.”
“Yes but you are her father, and will do well to marry her to someone who is already a patrician.”
“I hope so Chancellor Benedetto, I hope so.”
One week later…..
He stood with his daughter Camilla outside the Morosini family palace, it was impressive, more so than that of the Strazzi palace, which Letizia was now managing as regent while he was away, and Ludovico put a reassuring hand on his daughter’s shoulder,”Their fairly old money you know, suffice it to say that Domenico the Third, the father of the two people we are to be betrothed too, came from a very successful line of merchants, who more or less bought their position as Patricians.”
“But I hear they make less coin than us and some of the other families.”
“Perhaps, but they are the only family who offer a suitable bride for me, you know why Mariana Ziani wouldn’t do?”
“I hear that she didn’t like my mother or you?”
“Yes, luckily her step children don’t seem to share the same enmity.”
As the conversation wrapped up a guard opened the large double doors and a servant escorted them through the Palace, specifically the private art collection. Both Camilla and Ludovico were both awed by the quantity and quality of the paintings, tapestries and sculptures that filled the room, some even from the time of both Alexander the Great and the long dead Roman Empire,”Funny that the Greeks who are to busy fighting amongst themselves, and the Germans both claim that mantle.” Eventually after a couple of minutes of waking through ornately decorated corridors, father and daughter made it to their destination and walked through the door to a well appointed sitting room. As they entered he regarded two figures, both of roughly average height and build for their age, the boy only slightly older than the girl was clearly the Patrician Francesco, who reacted to the opening of the door by putting the book he was reading on the table adjacent to the padded bench that they sat on. The young man then stood up,”May I introduce myself, I am Francesco, Patrician of the illustrious Morosini family.” His voice cracked, the teen nervously chuckled and turned to his sister, who just finished eating a green grape,”And this is my sister, Tomasina Morosini, please sit and enjoy the comforts of my palace.”
Ludovico and Camilla then sat on a padded bench opposite of the one that their future spouses sat on and a servant poured wine into three crystal goblets in front of Ludovico and the Morosini teens, while Camilla received a similar goblet containing water. After taking a sip of his wine Ludovico smiled in gratitude,”You have our thanks for your hospitality, it is my hope that we may work together to better both our houses and Venice.”
“Indeed, I hope we can do so as well Patrician Ludovico, it’s funny to think that you will be both my father in law and brother in law.”
Camilla then let out a quiet,”Hmph.” in protest as she went to drink some of her water. Only Ludovico and Tomasisna seemed to notice this and both downed more of their wine, pretending not to hear it. Soon enough after a short period of awkward discussion, a man wearing a chaplain’s robes emerged through a door to the left and Francesco announced,”This is my Court Chaplain Artemio, he will oversee the betrothal ceremony.”
The bearded brown haired man soon began the first of the two betrothal vows, and Ludovico helped his daughter clumsily get up and make her way to face Francesco, who was only a little shorter than Ludovico and Aremio looked to Patrician Francesco,”Do you Patrician Francesco, of House Morosini, promise that once, this girl comes of a age that you will wed her?”
The teen nodded,”I will take thee to wed.”
Artemio then turned to Camilla,”Do you Camilla Strazzi, vow that when you come of age you will wed Patrician Francesco?”
Though Ludovico could tell his daughter was unsure of this she nodded,”I will take thee to wed.”
“That is good then, the participants should seal this betrothal with a kiss on the cheek then.”
At hearing this the color drained from Camilla’s face but she stood still as a statue as her betrothed leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. As both sat back down on their respective seats Ludovico stood up, soon followed by Tomasina, who he met by the right side of the table that held their drinks and The Court Chaplain looked at Ludovico,”Do you, Ludovico, Patrician of House Strazzi swear that you will marry this young woman once she comes of age?”
Ludovico nodded and though he felt uneasy vowed,”I will take thee to wed.”
Artemio then looked to Tomasina,”Will you, Tomasina Morosina promise to wed this man once you come of age?”
She nodded,”I will take thee to wed.”
A moment after this Ludovico hesitantly bent down and swiftly kissed her on the right cheek and as pulled his lips away from her smooth, fair skin, she giggled, like the teen girl she was.
One hour later….
After a period of enjoying fruit and other sweets Ludovico and Camilla left the sitting room and began to walk out of the Morosini family when Camilla murmured,”I didn’t like that.”
Soon the two stopped walking as they reached a corner in the empty art gallery and Ludovico frowned,”I’m sorry about that my daughter, I’m sure you too will come to like each other.”
She furrowed her eyebrows in response,”It’s not fair, why should I have to marry a boy who is ten year older than me?”
Though he didn’t want to seem too harsh, Ludovico sharply retorted,”Enough! You think I liked having to go through that ceremony, after losing your mother months ago? Marriage is scarcely about whether you like the other person immediately and you won’t know if you don’t even give them a chance. This is simply the best match I can arrange for the both of us, you will marry someone who is already a patrician, and you will be able to stay in Venice.”
Although she looked distressed Camilla meekly replied,”I will try father. I promise you that.”
Attachments
Yes this is certainly true, thoghLudovico is very grateful for the time he had with Ricciarda, he knows that his 2nd marriage or the marriages of his children may not go so well. Of course he's also trying to pragmatically justify his decision to both his daughter and himself. Thank you very much for reading and commenting!
Marriages, marriages, marriages. One's tool to climbing ahead in this era with the right match.
Ricciarda remains an irreplaceable woman, and Camilla gets introduced how marriage works in her time.
Is she club footed in the story or are you eschewing the trait?
Ricciarda remains an irreplaceable woman, and Camilla gets introduced how marriage works in her time.
Is she club footed in the story or are you eschewing the trait?
You make some very good points, while Ludovico knew that his first marriage turned into a loving one, he knows he may not have that luxury in the future. Camilla is indeed club footed in the story I'm not quite sure to what degree it would effect someone so I try to write her as a bit clumsy and less confidant than the average person. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Everyone: The next installment will contain something of a time jump, nothing more than a couple years, but I thought I'd let everyone know.
18
January 1077
Ludovico sat on his white horse, Camillo, surrounded by much of his court, in the place’s northern courtyard. The late morning sun, which combined with the mild temperature made waiting outside more pleasant than it otherwise would be in January. Marshal Soabja sat on her horse to his right, smiling wistfully and chirped,”It’s a good day for a wedding, is it not milord?”
He nodded,”Yes I suppose it is, though I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.”
“What cause do you have to be nervous my patrician? It’s not as if you haven’t been married before.”
The man looked down at the ground for a moment and then turned to her again,”Yes but Ricciarda was a woman grown, yes I’ve visited Tomasina over the past few years but I don’t know what a younger bride will want, or how to make her happy?”
“I’m sure you know to do what you did with Ricciarda, try your hardest to make her happy and treat her well and she will do the same. Perhaps you’ll write a poem to her, I hear that you have become a good poet.”
“I hope so, tell me how is your little Callisto doing?”
“Fairly well, some say he has a face only a mother could love, though Antoniotto cares for him as well. He’s growing even more by the day, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a baby so big.”
Ludovico smiled,”That is good then, maybe he will one day lead men on the field of battle.”
“Yes, though I’d hate to ever see him hurt, being a commander would provide him with a good and glorious life.”
After the end of this conversation, steward Vitale’s eldest son, Ordelaffo started a new one,”My father is pleased that we no longer owe a debt to the jews, I am as well.” The young man then paused to spit on the ground,”Damn Christ Killers.”
Ludovico looked down to the young man,”I think the Romans were responsible, but what matters is that today's Jews haven’t done so again and were helpful to me, if it wasn’t for that loan we would’ve lost Veglia to the Croatians years ago, now thanks to the Jews we have not only survived but thrived.”
Though he didn't look convinced Ordelaffo nodded,”If you insist milord.”
After a brief minute of silence a rider approached, dismounted his mount and bowed,”Patrician Ludovico, Lady Tomasina and her entourage have arrived, they request a meeting on the road.”
Ludovico smiled at hearing this,”Well I suppose I will go to meet my new wife, I shall have two guards accompany me, everyone else should remain here.”
At this he gently spurred Camillo and rode down at a good pace, in between a canter and a gallop and after a short while of riding made it to the entourage, their yellow and blue banners blowing in a slight wind. Once there he regarded his young bride, who sat on a brown mare”She’s pretty enough I suppose. Her face is not arrayed the same way as Ricciarda’s but she seems to have put a great deal of effort into her clothes and making sure everything is in order.”
He trotted closer to her and called out,”Lady Tomasina, it is a pleasure to meet you again.”
The young woman inclined her head slightly,”The pleasure is mine Patrician Ludovico.”
He dismounted, walked over to her right side and bowed, his face nearly touching the ground and Tomoasina smirked,”What is this for?”
“I merely show you my respect, you who are the daughter of a late Serene Doge, sister of a Patrician of House Morosini and my bride.”
She then smiled a little as she continued sitting on her horse,”Thank you, milord.”
He then stood up and reached into his pocket and held out a silver chained necklace to her,”These topazes are the color of your eyes and hair, I hope that you will find it your liking.”
Tomasina smiled as she clasped the necklace and put it on,”I certainly do, these topazes are the size of grapes.”
As this conversation subsided Patrician Francesco dismounted from his own horse, a black stallion and exclaimed,”It seems that you have proved a gallant husband to my sister already, hopefully this bodes well for the wedding.”
Ludovico shrugged,”I just know that if I want to be happy it’s worth giving extra attention to my wife. It is my hope that one day you shall treat my daughter the same way, though one never knows how such things will pan out.”
“Shall we proceed on to the palace and the ceremony then?”
“Of course we can Patrician Francesco.”
One hour later…
The past hour had been a whirl of preparations for the wedding, both Ludovico and Tomasina had spent much of it bathing and soon enough he stood across from his bride, minutes before the ceremony was too take place, he wore a dark light blue doublet with black trousers, while she wore a light blue dress of fine silk, and her brown hair was elaborately put up, so that a ponytail sloped down her right shoulder while the front was layered to the point that it looked as if it was a crown,”I’m glad to wed you today, but I thought your half siblings would be attendance as well, are they unwell?”
.PNG "January 1077 Antonio(Tomasina's youngest brother).PNG")
.PNG "January 1077 Matilda(Tomasina's only sister).PNG")
Tomasina reddened,”No Antonio and Matilda are not, unless you count having a conniving harpy of a mother as being unwell.”
“What has she done now?”
As Tomasina was thinking of how to reply Alfontso walked up to the two of them, he had in fact grown to be a rather brawny and well muscled boy, despite being only eight years old,”Who is she?
Tomasina chuckled at the interruption,”The one that I speak of is my stepmother Mariana Ziani, she schemed to have my poor late younger brother killed, I still suspect that she had something to do with the rabid rat that bit him.”
.PNG "Marco Morosini Screenshot(Tomasina's dead brother).PNG")
Alfontso hesitated for a moment and then bluntly uttered,”Oh, that bitch Marianna, I apologize for having to bear her.”
Ludovico sternly yet quietly scolded his son,”Alfontso, do not say that about a woman.”
Tomasina smiled,”Oh no he’s right, why else would she keep Antonio and Matilda from attending their only older sister’s wedding. My brother could have pressed the issue, but who knows who she’d plot to kill next, she’d probably ask her brother for help against him as well.”
“I’m sorry to hear that Tomasina, but if you enjoy yourself today, then you’ll annoy her even more.”
He then turned to his son,”Now, could you please excuse us and make sure your sister has a good time.”
Alfontso nodded“Very well father.”
“That’s a good boy.”
As Alfontso walked away Tomasina remarked,”He seems like a good son, you are lucky to have him.”
Ludovico smiled at her,”Yes I am, I believe that you’ll make a good mother one day.”
“Perhaps, you’ve done an excellent job with raising your children. So with your help I may indeed be a good mother.”
As the conversation of parenthood ended, Court chaplain Antoniotto approached them and asked,”Are you both ready for the ceremony?”
Ludovico nodded and turned back to Tomasina,”I am, but are you my dear?”
Though she looked a little nervous Tomasina nodded in affirmation,”I am, there is no delaying this.”
As Ludovico took her hand in his he whispered,”There’s no reason to worry Tomasina, it’s just a ceremony and then we can celebrate with the wedding feast.”
As they walked through the grand hall he noted that his daughter was happily standing with her brother Alfontso and her betrothed, Patrician Francesco, though she had only met Tomasina a few times in the past few years she seemed to approve the idea of having her as a stepmother. When the two made their way to the wedding altar Antoniotto began the vows and first looked to Ludovico,”Do you, Patrician Ludovico of House Strazzi vow to marry this woman, stay faithful to her and care for her?”
Ludovico nodded,”Yes, I will do so and take her to wed.”
Antoniotto then turned to Tomasina,”Do you, Tomasina Morosini vow to marry this man, stay faithful to him and care for him?”
Tomasina smiled a little,”Yes, I promise to do so and will take him to wed.”
Antoniotto turned to the crowd and proclaimed,”If no one has a reason as to why this marriage should not take place, then you may wed.”
As no one offered any objections the two exchanged rings, Tomasina’s being a silver ring with a small emerald in the middle, while Ludovico’s was silver with an amethyst in the middle. Ludovico then leaned down and gave his wife a quick kiss on the lips, and the two sat together at the table as they were served by servants. Over the course of the feast Ludovico enjoyed a delicious meal of roasted chicken, buttered bread, peas and cabbage soup, Tomasina meanwhile ate some pasta, grilled fish and bread and as she cut up a small piece of fish she murmured,”My compliments to your chefs, they’ve done a good job tonight.”
“Thank you, they always do a good job but they seem to have worked particularly hard tonight.”
A couple hours later…
As Ludovico and Tomasina finished their desserts of cherry filled sponge cakes Ludovico proclaimed,”I suppose it is time for my wife and I to retire to the bedchamber, I bid you all a goodnight.”
Ludovico then took his bride’s hand and within a couple minutes the two made it to his bedchamber and as shut the door behind him the two awkwardly stood across from one another. He stood by the wall adjacent to the door, while she stood by the bed. Tomasina then slowly made her way towards him and gave him a kiss on the lips, one that was more lingering than the first one that they shared. As she started to try and take his shirt off Ludovico grabbed her hands and said,”You're shaking Tomasina, we don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”
She looked down at the floor for a moment and then looked back up at him,”But I want to, I want to do my duty as a good wife.”
He shook his head,”If you are this nervous you really don’t want to, one night won’t make a difference Tomasina. When we do eventually consummate our marriage I want to make sure that you also want to do so.”
She then backed away and sighed,”Thank you Ludovico, I know some other men would not care about what their wife wants, especially a young one like myself.”
Following this two stripped down to their night clothes, laid in their bed and fell asleep in one another's arms.
The following morning…
Ludovico awoke, warm and refreshed but felt some thirst, so, he got up and put his slippers on and quietly made his way to the palace’s kitchens, where a young groom asked,”I take it you enjoyed yourself last night milord?”
Grinning Ludovico told a partial lie,”Yes, I just need two goblets of wine, for my wife and I are in need of refreshment after last night's exertions.”
Smiling the groom grabbed two crystal goblets and filled them both three-quarters of the way with red wine,”I hope that you too have more fun today as well.”
As Ludovico grabbed the goblets he turned to the groom before leaving,“Thank you, I assure you that we will.”
Within a couple of minutes Ludovico re-entered his bechambers carrying the goblets and gave one to his waking wife, and after they both drank their wine, they found themselves in a perfect mood to accomplish what they didn’t the previous night and did so, ending with the two of them racing to catch their breath.
It looks like Ludovico has a good chance of producing more Strazzis. I've never played in a republic, I suppose many children can be easier to manage than as a noble?
I have played as a republic a little bit before and yes, childrem are easier to manage. I don't think you get the unlanded adult sons prestige penalty(which I ignore most of the time unless I have extra titles and if I'm sure the other sons will be loyal). I also believe that having more sons enables you to build more trade posts(though I think once they come of age they get a decent chunk of income to balance it out). I certainly hops that Ludovico and Tomasina have children as well as though I plan on Alfontso succeeding him even if he has younger sons you never know when death may come to take loved ones. The one downside to having many sons is that betrothing a son to a girl with more noble blood generally requires a bride price, and unless you say have children with the female relative a count or baron you are unlikely to make marriages to the close relations of dukes(due to the fact that a patrician not descended from a noble technically counts as a courtier/lowborn). Having many daughters on the other hand doesn't increase your trade post limit but marrying them off to members of the nobility boosts your prestige and means you may eventually be counted as a noble. I do also hope that Ludovico and Tomasina have children for their own happiness as well: seeing as how Tomasina hated living with her stepmother and likely wants to forge her own path. Anyways now that I'm done rambling thank you so much for reading and commenting, and welcome to the story!
Thanks very much for the welcome, I enjoyed reading the story very much so far and am looking forwards to seeing what happens.
I could never get accustomed to playing as a merchant republic despite many attempts to do so. Maybe CK3 will change that if they add them into the game eventually.
Ludovico's off to an excellent start with his second wife. Looks like the evil stepmother is more dangerous here than she is in fairy tales! I wonder what her end goal is...
Ludovico's off to an excellent start with his second wife. Looks like the evil stepmother is more dangerous here than she is in fairy tales! I wonder what her end goal is...
You are right in stating that Merchant republics are kind of hard to get accustomed to, it has in some points made writing this aar a bit more challenging, but some mechanics have made writing it more interesting. Tomasina's stepmother Mariana is indeed something of a plotter, I think her ultimate goal was to make her own son heir to the Morosini fortune, which he is(Though as a result of Marco dying from rabies.) Hopefully she dosen't try anything else but she likely does seem to be an example to Tomasina of what not to do as a stepmother. Thank you very much for reading and commenting!