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Yes young Marco certainly is, while i doubt it will happen, should tragedy occur and Alfontso die without living children Marco would make a decent heir,( Marco has the Burly and Dim traits). Thank you so much for commenting.
22
August 1080
Ludovico sat in his chair, inside his tent in the war camp and sat, thinking,”Am I really going to do this after agreeing with what that old man told me last year? That only idiots blindly follow ambition, and that a quiet life is best?”
Ludovico paused his thoughts to take a sip of wine, and after setting the goblet back down on the table thought to himself,”I suppose it doesn't matter that much, if I do not strike against Queen Neda, someone else will or she will attack me first. She couldn’t fight off the Byzantines, so I suppose the Croatians are especially weak now. Maybe the peasants and city people of Brinje will be happier under my rule, they say she treats them like vermin to be trampled underfoot.”
As he stood up and looked at his bed, he noted his wife’s absence,”I’m glad that she and my children accompanied me in the war camps in the prior months, but now that Tomasina is with child again it is best that they are all back in the palace. Though from what I hear she’s been helping Soabja organize the defense of Veglia. This fight today should be enough to relieve them, though I appreciate their efforts. ”
Ludovico scratched his beard and then exited the tent, and as he walked a few paces in the midmorning sun he met with Guillen De Cerdanya, before the smoldering remains of a campfire. The hefty man smiled and shook Ludovico’s hand,”It seems like a good day for a battle milord.”
Ludovico nodded and pulled his hand away,”Yes, the Bulgarian sellswords will prove themselves in pitched battle today, enough of ambushing small bands that can’t hope to win. As for the siege of Senj, well I’m glad I brought Tomasina with me, she helped provide some excitement.”
Guillen grinned,”I dare say that’s when the baby that grows in her belly was conceived.”
Ludovico smirked,”Oh yes, speaking of children, how is little Sibila doing?”
“When I last saw her last week, she has started to say a number of words, beyond just mother and father.”
He smiled at his commander,”That is great, unfortunately Marco has only said my name and his mother’s so far, hopefully he doesn't fall too far behind others his age.”
Guilen shrugged,”I wouldn’t worry too much, he’s a big boy for his age, perhaps he has the makings of a fine warrior.”
“Maybe, though hopefully such a vocation won’t cut his life tragically short. Alfontso for his part is being educated by Adelaida, and he seems to have a way with words, not unlike his uncle the Serene Doge… And his late mother.”
Tears welled up in Ludovico’s eyes and he shook his head, as a stray tear slid down his cheek,”Enough of that, we should be preparing to smash the Croatians, and defeat the husband of a Queen who will not march with her own men.”
Guillen nodded in affirmation,”Yes, we should be able to trounce them easily enough, though Guy’s father Robert, has recently crowned himself as King of Sicily. Those Normans seem to be a crafty bunch.”
“From what I heard King Robert won’t be supporting his daughter-in-law, perhaps this is a test to see if she is worthy to be Queen.”
“Yes, but it seems foolish that he’d hinder the rule of any grandchildren he would have by her and his younger son.”
Ludovico nodded,”Yes it is, I know if I was in his position I would do whatever it would take to support her.”
After a moment of silence Guilen asked,”Are you sure you will be able to keep paying the mercenaries and the levies?”
“That’s a good question, trade has been a bit unpredictable over the months, as you know the dockworkers have been very productive, but some drunk idiot, who captained one of my galleys, ruined a pier by ramming his ship into it, luckily justice was done by the mob, but I still had to pay for the repairs. I think if this battle goes well I’ll have the levies return home, then I’ll be able to afford to keep the mercenaries.”
“Captain Drzislav will be pleased, he seems to be a good enough sort.”
As he heard several, heavy footsteps, Ludovico turned around and called out to the dark haired man,”That’s funny we were just talking about you, come and speak with us.”
As the man moved next to Guillen he asked,”When will we meet our foes on the field of battle?”
Ludovico was unsure but grunted,”Soon enough, probably around noon.”
Drzislav smiled,”Good, we should be able to rout the bastards easily enough.”
He nodded,”Yes, so as the leader of my forces I’ll command the center, Guillen the left flank, and Drzislav the right flank. That way all parts of the army will outnumber the enemy. Remember that numbers won’t make us invincible though, and we still need to be cautious.”
Both of the men nodded and simultaneously responded,”Yes Patrician Ludovico.”
Three hours later….
Ludovico stood in front of the men in the center of his army,, clad in leather armour, the summer sun beating down mercilessly upon them all, especially for those infantrymen equipped with heavy, steel armour. Ludovico took a long, drawn out breath, and gave a short yet concise speech,”Men, today we fight to turn the tables against the monarchs of Croatia, now they are on the defensive. Now, without further delay, let’s defeat their kingdom.”
This was met by widespread cheers, and applause, as even the mercenaries who did not live under Ludovico’s rule liked the idea of defeating an entire kingdom. As the smaller Croatian army approached he yelled,”Archers, forward and fire upon the enemies archers.”
The archers for their part obeyed, and walked forward stopping roughly fifty paces away, while the Croatian archers walked in front of their infantry as well. Soon after their Croatian counterparts stopped, his archers released their first volley, their arrows making a swoosh sound as they were released, and from what he could see, Ludovico observed that they took down at least a couple dozen Croatians. Then came the dreaded counter volley, which landed half a minute later, taking down a couple dozen archers, most of whom had the mercy to be shot in the head, throat, or chest, while a few unfortunate ones were shot in their bellies, and their comrades, wanting to end their agony, cut their throats. After this the archers fired another volley, killing dozens more, and the Croatian archers, likely realizing the futility of skirmishing further, moved behind the footsoldiers and the Croatian infantry advanced, and as they neared closer, Ludovico gave an order,”All infantry, charge at the enemy, I want the cavalry to engage their own, and after you defeat them, I want the cavalry commanders to lead attacks on the nemesis flank and rear.” The pell mell of battle soon began as Ludovico’s infantry clashed with that of the enemy, and it soon became clear that his men held the advantage.
Ludovico then faced an older man, clad in full steel armour, who swung his sword at Ludovico, who bashed the sword out of his foe's hand, and decapitated him. Another enemy also ran after him, this one a young man likely in his early twenties, and the man swung his axe at Ludovico, who narrowly avoided it by ducking, he shoved him back with his shield and stabbed upwards towards his throat, killing him. As this fight ended, and some of his infantry advanced in front of him Ludovico noted how the rest of the battle progressed: Guillen’s troops on the left did well enough, slowly pushing the Croatians back, while Ludovico’s men and Drzislav’s on the right easily pushed their enemies back, while the light cavalry, after defeating the less numerous Croatian cavalry, repeatedly charged in cycles against the Croatian infantry, causing chaos, and the Croatians, despite the urging of their King Consort, were routed.
One hour later…
Ludovico sat on his chair in his war tent, spat a date pit into a small wooden bowl he held in his lap and thought to himself,”This is excellent, all the comforts of home.”
Suddenly, his solitude was interrupted by Guillen, who dragged a chained man wearing leather armour and his commander announced that,”This is a commander of one of the Croatian companies, we thought we’d have you decide what to do with him.”
Ludovico nodded,“Thank you.”
The jittery prisoner said,”My name’s Vukan, all that I do is command small bands of men, under the Mayor of Brinje.”
Ludovico raised his eyebrow,”Are you able to pay a ransom for yourself, or related to anyone who would do so for you?”
Vukan’s eyes widened out of fear and he shook his head,”No, I am just a common soldier who worked his way to command other men, but if you released me it would reflect well on yourself milord.”
“Then you are released Vukan, if you have no ransom to pay, then it is the most fair thing to do.”
The man smiled,”Thank you so much milord, you are a most merciful man.”
As Guillen unbound the man Ludovico asked his commander,”How many men did we lose?”
“They counted a little over one hundred among the dead, while our enemies lost over five hundred, not a bad result.”
Ludovico nodded,”Very good, I’ll have the levies return home, the mercenaries should be enough to finish our enemies off.”
Attachments
Yes it has, though the war is far from over, and there will be more battles to be fought. Thank you for reading!
Man, Ludovico's been such a calming presence I almost forgot this was ck2! War rears its ugly head in an otherwise happy life. Trust Ludovico to go to war to oust a tyrant though. 
I was kind of surprised he chose to lead the troops; while on the one hand I have no doubt he would never order someone to do something he himself would not dare to do, on the other hand he doesn't really seem suited to the battlefield (though that's a compliment). Letting prisoners go, just like that... ah, Ludovico, your heart is just too big for this brutal business!
I think it's great that he and his young wife are finding marital bliss. I still had lingering doubts about her sincerity, but with their second child on its way I no longer think she's trouble. In fact, it seems like Ludovico might have lucked out in the marriage department yet again!
I was kind of surprised he chose to lead the troops; while on the one hand I have no doubt he would never order someone to do something he himself would not dare to do, on the other hand he doesn't really seem suited to the battlefield (though that's a compliment). Letting prisoners go, just like that... ah, Ludovico, your heart is just too big for this brutal business! I think it's great that he and his young wife are finding marital bliss. I still had lingering doubts about her sincerity, but with their second child on its way I no longer think she's trouble. In fact, it seems like Ludovico might have lucked out in the marriage department yet again!
Man, Ludovico's been such a calming presence I almost forgot this was ck2! War rears its ugly head in an otherwise happy life. Trust Ludovico to go to war to oust a tyrant though.
I think it's great that he and his young wife are finding marital bliss. I still had lingering doubts about her sincerity, but with their second child on its way I no longer think she's trouble. In fact, it seems like Ludovico might have lucked out in the marriage department yet again!
Haha, both I and Ludovico thank you for the compliment! Oh yes, Ludovico definitely has some strong opinions on Queen Neda and her style of governance and it just so happens that he wanted to "strike while the iron is hot." so to speak. You are right in Ludovico's motivation for leading men, he's more the type to lead by example than give orders from his palace(except in times of little danger like sieges, he has a family after all) You are also right that Ludovico is not the best choice to lead troops, both stat wise and personality wise. His martial skill, while decent is the 2nd lowest of all his stats, and his mediocre personal combat skill means that if he crossed crossed swords with the mayor of Brinje, he may well have at least been injured. His sense of doing what is right and fair meanwhile does mean he is perhaps seen in a better light by his men, but on the same token he'd be less willing to use tactics that would end with many of his men killed, even if it did kill more of his enemies. You are right that Ludovico does show his big heart, and borderline naivety by being willing to let prisoners go so easily, but he also believed that the lowborn commander with little skill was not much of an asset to his enemies. He and his wife certainly are getting on rather well, though they aren't quite in love quickly like he was with Ricciarda. I was quite suprised that they had a second child so quickly, I was expecting them not to have another child until little Marco was two or three years old, but perhaps there good relationship, coupled with the fact that her father had many children means that they are more likely to quickly have more children. Tomasina seems to have placed most of her hopes on this marriage succeding by now, she may have feared she would not find a good match otherwise, and the fact that she realizes her older husband isn't some egotistic brute probably helps as well. You are very right in saying that that Ludovico has been lucky in the marriage department, he and Ricciarda of course were passionately in love until she met her tragic end, and it seems that he and Tomasina are starting to develop some warm feelings towards one another as well. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
March 1081
Ludovico knelt by the dying man’s side, and grabbed his sword with both hands, and plunged it into the man’s chest, ending his agonized screams and whispered,”I’m sorry.”
The young man was just one of the few Croatians who were brave enough to stay and buy time for their retreating comrades, and fought Ludovico well, but Ludovico waited until the time was right and took him down by a stab to the thigh and a slash across the belly. As a minute passed, Guilen de Cerdanya approached him, leading an ornately armoured and chained young man and smiled,”Milord, this is Guy de Hauteville, the King Consort of Croatia, our cavalrymen managed to trap him and his personal guard, and after a short period of fighting, he surrendered.”
Ludovico nodded and looked down at King Guy,”I see, why did you decide to surrender your majesty?”
The man shook his head and scoffed,”I am more useful to my wife and kingdom alive than dead, and this way I may return to her, you understand, don't you, Patrician Ludovico?”
Ludovico stood expressionlessly,”Yes I do.”
“Then you should release me so that I may return to her.”
He laughed,”You are not in a very good state to dictate terms to me Guy, after all, your being captured is symbolic of the poor state your wife’s kingdom is in. However, perhaps, in the next couple of months you will be ransomed, in the meantime I will give you a small suite of rooms in my palace for your own use. Your stint as my captive will not be unpleasant, that much I promise you.”
Guy looked somewhat disgruntled but responded,”You have my thanks, then.”
“That is good, I promise you will not have to stay for too long.”
Two hours later….
Ludovico finished the ride back to his palace in Veglia and slid off his horse, and patted him on the nose,”Good boy, Camillo.”
As Marshal Soabja and several guards escorted the King of Croatia from the courtyard to the rooms where he was to be confined, Guillen said,”I have good news from the battle, only seventy of our men fell, while we managed to kill over three-hundred and fifty of the enemy.”
“That is well, the mercenaries seem to have ground their numbers down suitably.”
As Ludovico sauntered towards the entrance, he was interrupted by his son who ran out and frantically yelled,”Come quick, Tomasina has had the child.”
As Alfonsto turned around and started to rush towards the entrance, Ludovico ran at the same speed and asked,” She wasn’t due for another month, Is she alive my boy?”
As Alfontso opened one of the solid, oak, double doors he said,”Yes, easier than Marco’s birth in fact, but the baby is dreadfully small.”
Ludovico rushed through the door,”What do you mean, how small is it?”
“Well, suffice it to say that she is much smaller than lady Adelaida’s son Antonio was when he was born.”
The color drained from his face,”Oh no, we must go at once.”
After a minute of rushing through the corridors of the palace, Ludovico and his son made it to Tomasina’s chambers, and they opened the door to find the fireplace containing a roaring fire, while Tomasina held her baby to her chest, while Camilla held Marco in a chair adjacent to the bed.
As Ludovico quickly made his way to his wife’s side he looked down at the small, dark haired baby and turned back to Tomasina’s sweat drenched face,”It’s not your fault my dear, things like this are a matter of chance.”
Tomasina nodded, and a tear slid down her cheek, as she kissed, the silent, sleeping baby on the cheek,”What shall we name her Ludovico?”
“Well, does Vittoria sound good? It was my late mother’s name.”
Tomasina nodded,”Yes, it’s a wonderful name.”
“Thank you, I’ll have Antoniotto do what he can to help her over the next couple weeks, and I'd like you to supervise Vittoria's education once she get's older.”
His wife sat still,”That’s good, thank you so much for everything darling, from the roses you bought me a few months ago to this, you have been most comforting. Alfontso and Camilla have been attentive and helpful as well, you should see the hat Camilla made for Marco.”
Ludovico looked down at his newborn daughter for another moment and walked over to Camilla and Marco, and Camilla asked her brother,”Do you like the hat I made for you Marco?”
The toddler nodded, the white woolen, hat still on his head,”Yes.”
The girl smiled,”Good, it took me four attempts to make one that was just the right size.”
Ludovico kneeled and ruffled his youngest son’s dark hair,”You're growing to be quite big for your age my boy, have you been behaving for your mother and sister?”
The boy smiled and nodded, while Camilla laughed,”Yes he has, though I think he was a little frightened when his mother went into labour.”
“Well I would be too, I hear you are getting better at your needlework Camilla.”
Camilla nodded,”Yes I am, but I’m very particular about how it looks.”
“That’s good, it means you’re willing to work hard to get what you want, hopefully that’s what our family will be known for.”
Attachments
If there is one thing we have learned about Ludovico is that, for him, family really is first.
Yes it certainly is, Ludovico is the opposite of the cliche that power corrupts, he uses his wealth and power to try and better the lives of his family and people. Thank you so much for commenting.
24
February 1082
They all stood in the courtyard, the winter air chilled them, and a few flurries were lazily drifting down towards them. Tomasina cleared her throat,”When will they arrive, Ludovico?”
Ludovico looked to her, as she continued holding his hand,”I don’t know, she’s a queen, so she probably wants to show her majesty by making us wait.”
Tomasina snickered,”Yes, she’s clearly showed it by losing every battle in this war, and allowing much of her coastline to be occupied.”
Ludovico smiled and reached into his pocket, taking out a small coin purse,”Speaking of which, this is part of the spoils of war, it’s just fifteen florins, but as my wife I think you are entitled to at least some of the campaign's profits.”
His wife took the purse, with a pleased look on her face,”Thank you, my dear.”
Suddenly they head the trumpeting of bugles, and a young woman wearing an ornate blue gown, with cloth of gold, accompanied by two dozen guards, servants and retainers rode to the courtyard’s entrance, and as she was helped off of her horse by a servant Ludovico bowed,”Your majesty, I am pleased to see that you have arrived to discuss my offer of peace.”
The woman barely inclined her head, a tiny tuft of brown hair blown out of her headdress by the wind,”Of course, let’s make this brief, I have other affairs to attend to.”
Ludovico huffed but smiled,”Yes, I understand, you should still come and enjoy the comforts of my palace for a short while.”
Queen Neda sighed and coolly said,”If you insist.”
Tomasina for her part bowed,”It is nice to meet you, Queen Neda.”
Neda smiled a little,”Thank you for the friendly greeting Lady Tomasina.”
Tomasina got back up,”We are technically distant cousins after all.”
“Is that so, I do remember that my grandmother Maria was Italian, but I did not know you were also a Morosini, did you meet her before she died?”
“Yes I did, I was barely five years old when she last visited Venice but I remember some of her sage advice.”
“I’m glad, my grandmother was indeed a wise woman.”
After a pause Ludovico asked Queen Neda,”Shall we proceed?”
“Yes of course.”
After a few minutes of walking, Ludovico, Tomasina, Queen Neda of Croatia as well as a few servants made their way through the palace, and stopped outside the double doors to the palace’s dining room and council chambers and the Croatian Queen asked,”Where is my husband?”
Tomasina replied,”In his suite of rooms, he will be released once an agreement is reached.”
Though she looked somewhat angered by this, Neda proceeded with them through the doors and gasped as she found a surprise standing in the middle of the room,”Guy!”
In a break from her coolness Neda rushed across the room, embraced her husband, and quickly kissed him. King guy smiled,”I’m glad you’ve come here Neda, I can be free, this war is over and I’ll be back to you.”
“Yes, but first I must go through with the negotiations.”
Guy nodded and took a seat at the far left of the table, and his wife sat to his right, while Ludovico and Tomasina sat at the opposite end. They all started to drink wine, out of crystal goblets that had already been filled before they walked in. Ludovico sat his goblet back down and announced,”My terms are simple Queen Neda, your husband will be freed, and all of your cities save for Binje will be returned to you, which will now be part of my domain.”
Queen Neda nodded, and finished sipping her wine,”I agree to those terms, obviously I am not pleased to lose Brinje, but you have beaten me almost completely.”
“Good, then we can end this business, and you can return home.”
“Yes, we will be glad to do so, you have my thanks for not mistreating my husband during his captivity.”
“Of course, If my wife were ever captured by an enemy in war I would want them to treat her well.”
Hours later….
The sun had set, and they were illuminated by candlelight as they both spoke and sat across from each other in well-padded chairs.”My lord Ludovico, I am so happy to be in your court, your chastity and faithfulness to your wife is known throughout Italy, and the continued survival of your daughter Vittoria is a clear sign favor from god.”
Ludovico nodded,”Thank you, Pandolfo, to be so honored by the Vicar of Christ himself, is such a great feeling.”
“The Pope merely seeks to commend those who deserve it, unlike The Serene Doge’s godless son Gaspare, who had a bastard son by some serving girl.”
The Patrician smiled,”Thank you for your praise, I am glad to have you here.”
 February 1082.PNG "Guarnito(Gaspare's bastard son) February 1082.PNG")
Attachments
Mmm, the Pope's favour is no small thing, but Papal schemes can be unhelpful even so.
Oh yes, it certainly is not but it certainly is nice to see. Ludovico isn't quite at the point of meddling in Papal affairs but perhaps in the next couple generations Strazzi men may become cardinals or even popes. Thank you very much ror the comment.
Queen Neda was not what I expected - she seemed to truly love her husband! I suppose even tyrants have soft spots... Still, I'd rather be a Strazzi than a Trpimirovic any day, crown or no crown!
Thank goodness Vittoria seems like she's going to make it. And Alfontso is turning out to be an excellent heir! But of course no matter how good things are going for his siblings, Marco has an authentic Camilla Cap so he's well in the lead in terms of good luck (and fashion) Always nice to check in on the Strazzis, thanks for the chapters!
Thank goodness Vittoria seems like she's going to make it. And Alfontso is turning out to be an excellent heir! But of course no matter how good things are going for his siblings, Marco has an authentic Camilla Cap so he's well in the lead in terms of good luck (and fashion)
Always nice to check in on the Strazzis, thanks for the chapters!Queen Neda was not what I expected - she seemed to truly love her husband! I suppose even tyrants have soft spots... Still, I'd rather be a Strazzi than a Trpimirovic any day, crown or no crown!
Thank goodness Vittoria seems like she's going to make it. And Alfontso is turning out to be an excellent heir! But of course no matter how good things are going for his siblings, Marco has an authentic Camilla Cap so he's well in the lead in terms of good luck (and fashion)
You are very right, it does make sense for her to have one soft spot and the Trpimorivics do have a nasty habit of everything they get involved with blowing up in their face. Of course, that just makes things better for Ludovico and Venice. I too am very glad that Vittoria made it Ludovico and Tomasina don't deserve such a loss(though that hardly deters fate) Alfontso is indeed becoming an excellent heir by any account, well rounded and has no real defects but we'll soon see that he may not be perfect by the standards of his time. Marco certainly will have an edge in fashion and as the second oldest son will likely have some prominence in the future as well. Thank you so much for your comment, I truly enjoyed it!
25
April 1084
Ludovico smiled, as he and his growing family sat in the sitting room, enjoying refreshments and each other’s company. His children from his first marriage to his dearly departed Ricciarda were thriving and were on the cusp of adulthood. Alfontso having just come of age, with a quiet yet dignified demeanor, and a large beard.
.PNG "Alfontso april 1084(1st screenshot as an adult).PNG")
Camilla meanwhile was a month away from her fourteenth birthday, and sat next to her brother on a padded bench, as she sewed the last thread in a small shirt, no doubt intended for little Vittoria, who she particularly doted on.
Tomasina sat in her own chair, and lightly held their month old daughter to her shoulder as she patted her back, and then the baby let out the long awaited burp, and Tomasina smiled,”There you go Caterina, that’s better now isn’t it.”
Caterina’s birth was the easiest of the three Tomasina endured, yet the young woman still felt particularly stressed during the pregnancy, complaining at length of how the baby’s kicks made it difficult for her to sleep. Also, much to his chagrin, when he tried to compose a poem extolling her accomplishments as a wife and mother, she seemed bored by it.
Ludovico decided to have her name the child, after all they were alternating who chose the names, thus she decided to name her Caterina, after her mother who died when she was a young child. As Ludovico sipped his wine and slumped back in his chair Alfontso asked,”Why exactly are we at war the Croatians again father? I thought you got what you wanted in the last war?”
Ludovico mulled the question over for a moment and responded,”Because, the people of the county of Veglia would be better will under my rule, in which they won’t have to face the chaos of changing thrones and civil war, besides the Pope was willing to give me a rightful claim to the entire county, and your uncle wanted to press my claim."
Alfontso nodded as he finished chewing an almond,”That seems reasonable father, I hear the war goes well so far.”
“Indeed it is, the Republic’s men outnumber the Croatians, and our own levies are helping to fight Queen Jadranka’s men. Queen Neda must have been very unpopular to be dethroned so quickly, and it probably helps that the Croatian nobility will see their power increase, as her sister still needs a regent.”
After he downed what was left of his wine and refilled it with the remainder of the wine in a pitcher Ludovico called out to a servant who stood by a window in the left of the room,”Could you please fetch us some more wine.”
The young man nodded and walked over to pick up the pitcher, and as he did so Ludovico noticed Alfontso looking at the servant out of the corner of his eye, the look he gave him was odd, that much Ludovico could tell, but he couldn’t quite determine why. As the servant walked out of the room and closed the doors he asked,”Is the boy a friend of yours Alfontso?”
Alfontso sat stone-faced for a moment,”You could say that father.”
Ludovico smiled,”That is well, one must always have a friend to assist and care for them, much like how your mother and Lady Adelaida were.”
“Yes, that is true father.”
Tomasina then changed the subject,”Is it true that spymaster’s Pietro’s daughter has been betrothed to the Contarini heir at your behest my dear?”
“Indeed it is, I think it a good reward for his service.”
“Yes I suppose it is, I’ve heard that the Serene Doge and his eldest have been doing an excellent job of leading the republic’s armies against Croatia, perhaps after you own the entire county of Veglia you will have a suitable powerbase to one day become Serene Doge yourself.”
Ludovico nodded,”Yes perhaps, time will tell.”
As Ludovico took a small sip of wine, the young servant who had taken the pitcher earlier walked through the door and sat it back down, yet this time Alfontso seemed to have made it a point to focus on the food in front of him. Also, Marco continued to play with some small toy horses, and even took Vittoria’s hand,”Now you play with them Vittoria.”
Vittoria for her part smiled, and soon joined her brother in play, while Camilla chatted with her father about how to manage a household and the family enjoyed the remainder of the day.
Attachments
 April 1084.PNG)
Thank you, it is indeed and a good way to take stock of the family's fortunes so far. Thank you so much for commenting!
26
January 1085
Alfontso rolled back over to his side, satisfied yet sweaty as he and his paramour ended their more athletic, activity. As he snuggled up to his lover, he caught his breath and moaned,”Oh Roberto, you make the time I spend with you so pleasurable.”
The young man turned around and gave Alfontso a lingering kiss, his light brown hair glistening with sweat,”I feel the same way my love.”
As Roberto got u p, and put his trousers on, Alfontso continued to lay on the bed and asked,”I take it this cottage is to your liking then?”
Roberto walked over to a small table in the left corner of the house and started to pour wine into two metal goblets,“Yes, I like it very much, I have a home of my own thanks to you, and living in the woods gives us the privacy to do as we like.”
Alfontso smiled,”Well I didn’t give it to you. I convinced my father to give it to you, along with the plot of land it is on, as I claimed that you’ve done an excellent job as a servant and friend.”
As he walked back over to the bed he handed Alfontso one of the goblets and sipped out of his own,”Does he still believe the story that we are merely close friends?”
Alfontso nodded,”Yes he does, my father is wise, but we’ve managed to be cautious enough. It helps that he has been preoccupied with having yet another child with my stepmother Tomasina, a trade galley that has gone missing and the war with Croatia, though the Republic is winning handily.”
“Very good.”
The two sixteen year olds, in fact, had been lovers for months. Roberto, the sixth son of a shopkeeper, had decided to join the palace as a servant, as he was unlikely to inherit much from his father, and he found Alfontso attractive, and one evening when he was cleaning his chambers Alfontso made an advance towards him, and he returned it, and the two enjoyed one another company in Alfontso’s bed. Now the two reaped the benefits of Alfontso’s deception, for in the morning he told his father he was going to the market, then to the tavern, something which would likely take most of the day anyways. After they both finished their wine and Roberto placed the empty goblets, Roberto got undressed and climbed back into the bed, and he leaned over Alfontso and kissed him, his hairless face tickled by his lovers beard and he giggled,”I love your beard Alfontso!”
Alfontso chuckled, and ran his hand down Roberto’s body and grabbed his hip,”And I love this part of you Roberto.”
Alfontso then sat up and kissed Roberto who asked,”How long will I have you all to myself Alfontso?”
Alfontso sat quietly for a moment and said,”Three years, I wish it would not be so.”
Roberto stroked Aflontso’s cheek and whispered,”Then don’t marry.”
As Roberto pulled away Alfotntso shook his head,”It’s not that simple Roberto, I have a duty to my family, which involves siring heirs, I don’t like it but it’s the way things work.”
“Why? You have a half-brother and probably another on the way, they can continue your line.”
Alfontso raised his eyebrow,”I made a promise, or rather my father made a promise on my behalf, to my mother on her deathbed, that I would marry her friend Bianca’s daughter, I can’t disparage my mother’s last wishes.”
As Roberto frowned, Alfontso leaned forward and kissed his cheek,”But I can promise you that you will always mean more to me than my wife, and I will always love you.”
Roberto nodded,”Then that will do my dear.”
This was soon followed by more kissing, and the two soon made love for the second time that day, clearing away any ill thoughts caused by discussion of Alfontso’s marriage.
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