Chapter 27 - Yule

Semiramide's dark blonde hair is soft against my fingers. Sitting by the window as I braid her hair, we talk about random things to pass the time. "Is Giuliano as nice as everyone thinks he is?" She said as she plucks the geranium petals one by one.

"He is. He's an amiable, charming, and understanding man. It's no wonder why he's called the golden boy."

"He can't be that perfect, can he?"

After spending a few months with him, I still have yet to see any flaws in Giuliano. He knows how to carry himself everywhere. "No one's perfect, Semiramide. I'm sure he has flaws just like we do. He's simply good at hiding it." When I'm done, I grab the mirror and show it to him. "How does that look?"

She immediately smiles upon seeing her hair. "It looks beautiful! Thank you, Antonia."

"You know what would make your hair look even better?" I ask as I grin, while she looks at me expectantly. "Flower crowns."

As we sit by the banks of Arno—now my favorite spot aside from the cupola—we sit as we watch the river with a flower crown on her head. "Thank you for the flower crown, Antonia. You spoil me." She said as she suppresses a giggle.

"You're most welcome, Semiramide."

"You seem to have done this before." She said as she gently taps the flowers on her head.

"I have, yes. I made a lot of flower crowns for my cousin Elizabeth." I said as I lean my hands against the grassy ground.

"Who is Elizabeth?" She asks as she looks up at me.

"She was my closest cousin. We were the same age, so it's bound to happen that we will establish a close friendship with one another."

"Are you no longer close to her?"

"Not anymore."

Sensing there was some deeper story, Semiramide chose not to ask any further. For a child, she sure is perceptive and I'm quite grateful. I'm not sure if I can handle her if she's just as stubborn as I am.

"Antonia!" Someone said making me look around my surroundings. That is when I noticed Giuliano running toward me with a smile on his face. I waited for him to reach me and smiled. "I saw you from the corridor. I just want to say hello." He said then look at Semiramide and bowed his head towards her. "Hello, Madonna."

"Well, greetings to you as well, Giuliano," I said smiling back at him.

"The truth is, I wanted to invite you to our palazzo this Christmas eve. It would mean a great deal for me if you could." He said with eyes filled with hope.

"I must inquire about it with my Aunt Simona first if that's alright with you," I said, as I look at Semiramide who suddenly looks a little sad with my invitation.

"I have already asked Simona. She said she'll allow it if you wish to accept it."

Seeing his determination, I wasn't able to resist him. "Then I'll be there."

His grin grew wider upon my acceptance. "Lovely. I'll pick you up then." And without waiting for another reply he jogs his way back to the corridor where his mother is sternly waiting for him along with his brother Lorenzo.

"Do you think it's a good idea to celebrate such an occasion with them?" Semiramide asks with concern in her voice.

"There's no harm in trying."

Semiramide switches her gaze from Giuliano to me and spoke with worrying concern. "If I may speak candidly, I don't think it's such a good idea."

I furrow my brows in curiosity and confusion. "Why is that?"

"I don't like the disproving look on Lucrezia's. I can feel in my gut she's about to do something that will not do any favors for you."

Semiramide's warning plays in my head repeatedly even on Christmas eve. It wasn't the first warning I received. Aunt Simona has cryptically warned me about the rest of Giuliano's family.

Could it be that she's particularly referring to Lucrezia? Could she be that bad? Her opposition towards Giuliano and I's relationship was never a secret but I wouldn't think she'd do anything bad to keep the two of us from being together. Right?

As Giuliano arrived, I look my reflection in the mirror. Due to the colder weather because of winter, Franzia has let my curly red locks down and placed a circular headdress over my head. The green velvet gamurra laced with a floral design added more heat to the cold.

I felt a little ridiculous because of how demanding this dress is but Aunt Simona insisted. I reach up to my neck to touch the cross pendant of my necklace. It is one of Simonetta's necklaces and somehow, I feel less of myself with it.

When I went downstairs, Giuliano, Semiramide, and Aunt Simona were waiting for me by the parlor. Upon looking at me, they all gasped. "You look exquisite, my dear." Aunt Simona said as she cups my face with teary eyes,

"Your dress is so lovely, Antonia," Semiramide said as she touches the velvet fabric of my gamurra.

Then Giuliano steps closer to me with a cheeky grin. "What a lovely sight you are, Antonia." He said, making me blush in turn. "Shall we?" He continued as he offers his arm to me. I took it and say my goodbyes to my family.

The air is chilly outside and I felt colder knowing that Lucrezia appears to be alarming. "Giuliano," I said, as we walk while our arms are still linked to one another.

"What is it, Antonia?" He asks as we continue to walk.

"I must tell you that you bringing me to celebrate with your family might only anger your mother even further."

He chuckles. "Don't worry about her. I'm sure things will be alright."

I then stopped as my anxiety grew in my belly. "You must understand Giuliano," I said as he stops in front of me. "I know your mother would not want you to be associated with people such as myself."

"What is it you think you are, Antonia?"

"Compared to you, I'm simply a foreign commoner with no affiliations," I said, looking down as I face the truth. Aunt Simona may be of noble birth but it doesn't necessarily extend to me.

An illegitimate outsider with no property under my name and connections is nothing to a family such as theirs.

"You have nothing to worry about, Antonia. My mother knows of my affection for you. It would be futile to fight against it." He said as he brings his fingers to my chin, lifting it to meet his gaze. "Do you trust me?"

Looking at his dark orbs, ever so alluring, makes it so hard to resist him. "I do." He then smiles, takes my hand in his and we continue walking towards their palazzo.

In the medieval period, most Europeans would burn a log in the fireplace. The log symbolizes the solidity and unity of the family. It would burn all night to keep Jesus warm. When Giuliano and I came in, I only saw a handful of smiling faces towards us.

As we sit by the fire, watching the olive tree log burn, I can feel the indifference of the majority of the people in the room for me. They have succeeded in making me feel like an outsider. Bianca decided to sit next to me despite the harsh gazes I receive mainly from Lucrezia and Clarice.

"I heard from Giuliano that you're related to Simonetta?" She said as she drinks her wine.

"Yes. She's a distant cousin." I said, smiling through the tension building around me.

"Your family is blessed with beauty." She said, smiling down at me. "Simonetta has been the subject of praise since she moved here."

"Are you close with her?" I ask, limiting my movements as I speak.

"Not quite. She's quite distant. Always keep to herself. I did try to make friends with her but I can never bring her to share anything with me. She was better acquainted with my brothers."

"I see. I don't know much about her either. I've only moved a few months ago from England." I said as I sip on my wine, warming my stomach.

"Really? I wasn't aware. What makes you move here to Florence?" She said, leaning closer to me in interest.

"I've lost a lot of my family from the war of the roses. When my father died, I realize that I have no one else to live with there. So I decided to move here, knowing that I still have ties in here. After all, before my father moved to England, he lived here as well." I said, suddenly aware of how easy it is to talk to Bianca.

She's just like Giuliano. Charming and understanding. There is a certain allure to them that tells you that you didn't need to worry about what you say to them as they'll try to understand. It's a very comforting trait.

"That sounds terrible. I'm sorry for your loss. I'm happy you're here though. Giuliano seems better since you entered his life." We then look at Giuliano who's talking to his brother and Bianca's husband. "If I may speak freely," She continued, bringing my gaze back to her. "I'm closer to Giuliano than I am with any of my siblings. What he feels for you is genuine. I should know as I feel the same for my husband. So don't worry about our mother. Giuliano has helped me with my match with my now-husband. I'd love to return the favor." She then held my hand encouragingly as she smiles. Finding an ally amidst the unfriendly faces of Giuliano's family.

The moment was cut short when someone came in. A man and a woman dress elegantly as they came in. You could tell from her gold-laced white gamurra that she is of noble birth as she held her head high.

The dark-haired woman, who appears to be around 15 years of age, looks around the room and smiles upon seeing Giuliano's face.

"Iacoppo, my friend!" Lucrezia exclaimed as she walks closer to the two. She kissed his cheeks twice and smiles as she takes in their standing forms. She then hugs the woman. "Semiramade. It's good to finally see you again." When she pulls away, Lucrezia looks at Giuliano and urges him to come closer to them. "Come, my son. Meet Semiramade." Giuliano, ever the obedient son, came towards them and bowed towards the two of them.

"Welcome to our household, Messer, and Madonna." He said as he smiles politely at them.

"It's best you acquaint yourself with her, Giuliano. After all, she's your fiancé." Lucrezia said as she beams at the two new guests in front of her.

The news felt like an attack on my end as Lucrezia looks on with a sinister smile toward me. Bianca's grip on my hand tightens as she whispers encouraging words to my ears.

Giuliano's brows creases in confusion as he looks at his mother. He excuses himself to talk to his mother privately. As the situation sparks conversations in the background, I was left alone as I think to myself, still reeling from the sudden news that was blasted my way.

What was I thinking? I knew Giuliano's attention can only last for so long. I knew he wouldn't end up with someone like me but the news still devastated me.

Perhaps I was carried away by hope and the way he treats me like I'm the only woman he sees. I should have known. He's one of the most powerful men in the city, his family would choose a beneficial match for him.

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted when someone sat next to me. To my surprise it was Semiramade. "Hello. I don't believe we've met. I'm Semiramade Appiani Aragona, daughter of the lord of Piombino." She said gracefully, her dark eyes big and curious.

"I'm Antonia Gorini," I said respectfully.

"Ah, a pleasure." She said. "I'm afraid I've never heard your name before." She said slightly squinting her eyes towards me.

"I don't blame you. I'm a nobody." The way she spoke, shows grace and confidence in contrast with my lower voice almost breaking by the sheer presence of her next to me.

"You wouldn't be a nobody if you were here celebrating with the Medicis."

"I'm simply a friend."

She nodded in understanding. She's poised and graceful. I couldn't blame why Lucrezia chose her for her son. Noticing that everyone was distracted by their conversations, I excused myself. I was about to get my coat when I heard Lucrezia in the other room.

"Do you honestly think I would let you marry her? She's a nobody!" She hissed.

"I love her, mother!" Giuliano quickly responded, eliciting a warm feeling in my chest.

"I have let you have fun with her. Toy with her feelings, bed her for all I care! But a Medici would never marry a commoner like her."

With that statement, I took my leave. I heard Bianca's voice calling my name but I decided to head out and continue my journey home alone.

I was unwelcome. I didn't know why I agreed to do this in the first place. I knew that people in this century are very strict in terms of marriage but I have never expected it to affect me as greatly as it does now.

I no longer know why I stayed. Do I honestly think that something will come of my relationship with Giuliano? History is written and I am not in it. I'm supposed to fade into the background just like how my father did and yet I caught myself in the middle of this situation.

When I arrived home, Aunt Simona chose not to ask nor did she allow Semiramide to ask anything from me. Instead, we watch the olive tree log burn as midnight strikes.