Chapter 35 - Venice

More months followed without any word from the three. During those months, I have been thinking about whether I should leave and have decided that I will. In a fortnight, I'll be back in the 20th century.

"I cannot believe you've decided to leave Florence to be back in England. I thought you said you have nothing left there?" Semiramide pouts as we sit by the banks of Arno while making flower crowns. She has insisted I make her lots of them every day before I leave as no one will do it for her anymore.

It hurts to leave them behind but now that I know about making the stone to bring me back to my time, I can finally leave. I no longer see any hindrance to it as it appears I cannot even say goodbye to Botticelli or Da Vinci anymore.

After all, they have recently closed the inn. They must have gone far away from me. "I know, but I need to be back there. I don't belong here anyway."

Semiramide's neck snaps towards me upon hearing my statement. "Of course, you belong here! You are like a sister to me. I thought we're family?"

Frustrated, her brows creases as she pouts. "You are my family too but I have to. Believe me, it's too complicated."

"Is it because of Messer Botticelli?"

The mention of his name felt like a heavy liquid inside my chest. "No, little one. It's not because of him. Why would you think he's the reason?"

Semiramide shrugs nonchalantly as she looks at the river. "I noticed the way you look at him sometimes. It's the same way Giuliano would look at you whenever he's around."

Not wanting to feed the fire, I decided to only smile and continue with the flower crowns. I was halfway done when a shadow casts over us. When I look up, I thought it was Giuliano but upon shielding my eyes, I realize it was Lorenzo.

I immediately stood up in shock at his presence. "Messer," I said with my lips parting in fright.

He slightly bows his head toward me and Semiramide. "Please, call me Lorenzo."

Despite how soft his expression is, it's difficult to ignore the harshness of his voice. "What can I do for you, Lorenzo?"

He was about to say something when his eyes switch down to Semiramide and then to me. "May we talk in private?"

"Of course." We then walk a few meters away from Semiramide, leaving her with a couple of flower crowns as she remained seated. When we're out of earshot of anyone, Lorenzo stops and turns to face me. "I need to ask for a favor from you, Antonia." He said. He then places his hands behind him before continuing. "I know we may not be close enough for me to ask this of you but it appears I have left with no other choice." He pauses for a few seconds then looks down before lifting his gaze back towards me and continuing. "My brother has been away from the city for months now. He has been staying in Venice. I have tried many times to bring him home but he said he wishes to stay and I cannot allow it. You know of his importance to the bank and this city, yes?"

I then nodded in reply. "What exactly are you asking of me?"

Taking a deep breath, he replied. "I want you to help me bring him back. He would not listen to anyone and despite my brother's stubbornness, he has developed such vulnerabilities with you. If you agree, I promise to take care of everything you may need. Just bring him home."

How can I ever say no? I would have loved to say no if I were approached by someone else, but it was Lorenzo de' Medici. No one can ever say no to him. As I slump down on the carriage, I couldn't help but think of how I got myself here. I was supposed to be leaving by now, instead, I'm on my way to Venice to fetch Giuliano.

I doubt that he'll want to see me, but what should I do? I have no clue how to approach him. Not after that time I have denied him a chance to be with me once again. This is bloody torture not only to me but to him as well. Anxiety continues to eat the best of me when I notice the marshes. We're getting close.

Canals instead of streets. Gondolas instead of carriages. Being here felt so familiar and different at the same time. I have an unbelievable mixture of feelings from familiarity to peculiarity.

In truth, I have no idea how long I'll need to be here before I could convince Giuliano to come home. He could be anywhere right now. The only certain thing I know is that we are in the same inn.

As I walk in the streets of Venice, I couldn't help but remember the famous historical figures born in this very city. The likes of Marco Polo, Giovanni Bellini, Tintoretto, Giacomo Casanova, and Enrico Dandalo are among the many names that hailed here. Stopping by the bridge, I couldn't help but be enamored by the beauty of this place.

I love Florence but there's always something about Venice that compels you to be in awe. The gondolas float like a dream and everyone is just as elegant as I have always imagined. Sighing in awe, my eyes wander around the city's edifice when I noticed someone familiar walking about.

Though his back is facing me, I would always know his way of walking. Suddenly reminded of the reason for my being here, I began to follow him.

Intent on keeping my presence unknown, I kept my distance as I trail him. I am not truly certain that he will lead me to Giuliano, but in any case, I'm very certain they have traveled together. After all, they are friends.

After a few turns, Leonardo enters a tavern. I have never been inside a tavern before and I am not sure if women are allowed in such an establishment but I need to go in. To prove that Giuliano is inside, I must see it for myself. Thankful for my cloak, I place the hood over my head in the hopes that it will hide my identity.

With growing anxiety, I went inside. The tavern is filled with bustling drunkards. The tavern was quite busy and the interior is in a state of disorderly you can hardly see where the tables and the chairs are.

It's not even 6 pm yet but everyone else seems so intoxicated. As I sit by the bar, I ordered wine from the attendant. Before he could place the glass in front of me, I suddenly gaze upon several women sitting by a lone gentleman, drunk as a bull with disheveled clothes and hair.

Ale after ale, he'd drunk it all without setting it down, finishing it swiftly. The women around him are leaning closer, amazed by the stunt he has managed to pull. Giuliano kissed one after another of those women just like he did with the ale.

The last time I encountered an inebriated state of Giuliano, it didn't end well for me. In fear, I immediately finished my wine, pay it then leave. I cannot be around him in this circumstance. Besides, I doubt he would listen to his state.

As night falls, the full moon brightens the sky. Its light illuminates the waters making the view even more magnificent. Venice was already beautiful then, but being here 500 years back makes it even more beautiful. I wish I am here for different reasons.

Waking up without Franzia has been quite difficult for me, especially with my hair. I would have loved to keep my hair as it is but my hair has grown from shoulder-length hair and now reaching the middle of my back.

It would be an inconvenience for me if my hair is suddenly swept by the wind. Not knowing what to do, I simply rely on a snood instead. After securing it to my hair, I immediately went out for breakfast.

As I start to eat my modest food, I began to hear a clamor by the staircase. When I look over my shoulder, 3 familiar faces emerged. One, in particular, had me dazed. Facing the wall in front of me, I just realized that the three have been together all this time.

Not hearing from any of them starts to make sense. Botticelli, Da Vinci, and Giuliano groggily sat a few meters away from me.

"Was it true of what you heard?" Botticelli asks. By the movements of the attendant, I can tell that their breakfast is being served.

"I'm not sure. Domizio said my brother has sent someone to take me home. He never mentioned who it was." Giuliano said, nonchalantly.

"It could be your mother." Da Vinci interjected.

The statement made Giuliano scoff. "I highly doubt that. She knew what she's done. I'm sure she wouldn't dare face me after what she did."

"Then who could it possibly be?" Da Vinci asks.

"No matter who he is, I would give him the same answer as I have given everyone else."

Knowing that I'd miserably fail with my task, my shoulders slightly slump as I continue to eat. Even after paying for the meal, I decided to stay where I am, deciding that I'd wait for them to go before I leave.

It didn't take long for them to leave after they finished their meal. I waited a few more minutes before I finally feel the sun on my skin.

Finding myself alone in a city, I couldn't help but think too hard about the matter I have yet to do. How can I convince Giuliano to go back?

The opportunity didn't arise until it was right in front of me. Sitting by the bar yet again in the tavern, I face the other people drinking as Giuliano starts to drown himself in ale. He was in his second ale when his eyes finally gaze at me, stopping him midway.

Just like last night, he's with women—working girls if I assume correctly. However, neither Da Vinci nor Botticelli was there with him. He immediately stood up and disregard the women around him along with the cup of ale in his hands and walk towards me with his lips slightly parted. "Antonia?"

Smiling, I waited for him to get closer before speaking. "Hello, Giuliano."

As he glances at me longingly, he smiles back and responds. "I never thought I'd see you again." He said, almost in a whisper.

"Well, I certainly wasn't expecting to see you gulping cups of ale after another," I said, teasing as I grin.

He chuckles nervously. "Yes, well..." He trailed as he quickly glances at the woman he's left behind before turning back towards me with a shy grin. "Had I known I'll be seeing you here, I would have been in a better situation."

"I have no judgments, Giuliano. After all, you seem to be having so much fun."

"More like trying to forget something."

Knowing what it meant, I felt a tug in my chest in guilt. "Can we talk outside?"

"Of course."

Once outside, the sun has started to set. The tangerine light turns Giuliano's hair and eyes into rust orange and amber respectively, making his features softer and pleasing. "How long have you been here in Venice?" I began as I turn away from him to look at the beautiful waters of Venice.

"I left a few days after the day I saw you last. I have not left since"

Giuliano followed suit and turn towards the water as he leans on the stone ledge. I feel bad for hurting him, but I did not want him to think of something else for the reason of my presence here. Preparing myself, I stood taller before speaking. "The truth is, your brother has sent me here."

I felt his gaze towards me. When I look up at him, his brows are furrowing probably from annoyance or perhaps from disbelief. He shook his head and said, "I cannot believe my brother would use you to bring me back."

"He's only worried about you, Giuliano."

His eyes still looking away from me as he sighs. "I needed time away. I thought they understood that after sending everyone else home without me."

"I can never force you to tell me anything. However, you also must consider how they feel while you're away. If I may speak frankly, I will be leaving Florence soon. I would have left already if your brother hadn't approached me."

His face then turns my way as he asks, "Why would you leave?"

Looking away once again, I take in the beauty of what Venice has to offer. "I left England with nothing and I thought being in Florence would help me answer questions about my parents. Now that it has, I see no reason to stay any longer."

"What about your family?"

Smiling at the thought of Aunt Simona and Semiramide, I shrugged. "I love them dearly, but they knew it was time." When I look back at his eyes, I see the disappointment in them.

"Is that the reason why you didn't want me to court you anymore?"

Shaking my head no, I smiled bitterly before speaking. "It was quite complicated between the two of us. Deep down, I know no matter how much you feel about me, your mother will never approve and I understand. Over time, I just learned to accept it. Besides, I know your fiancé is very beautiful and kind. I wish you would try to see it for yourself."

Giuliano's hands suddenly snake their way toward mine and grasp it tightly. "I don't know if I can."

"Give it time, and please don't have any hard feelings for your mother. Despite everything, she loves you dearly. I'm sure she misses you terribly."

He was silent and unmoving for a few seconds until he chuckles. "It was an odd way of persuading me to go home but I must admit that it works. Will you stay for a little bit? Just until my birthday."

Smiling, I confirmed my promise with a nod as the sun completely sets.

The ride home was quite uncomfortable. Despite the 3 men riding on horseback as I'm left alone in the carriage, I cannot quite ignore the glances Botticelli is giving my way. I have briefly talked to them but I have mostly spent my time with Leonardo who has grown more conversational than the last time we have seen each other.

Botticelli and I have yet to talk about the kiss we shared but I doubt we will ever get a chance to. It's only a few days before Giuliano's birthday and as promised, I'll leave.

When we arrive in Florence, I decided to go to the cupola. Though I keep telling everyone that I'm ready, a small part of me screams for me not to go. It must have been because of seeing him, but I cannot let myself waver.

It's difficult enough to leave Aunt Simona, Semiramide, and Franzia. I cannot let my heart persuade my mind to stay anymore.

"I was told that you are leaving soon."

I turn to see Botticelli standing by the staircase, keeping his distance from me. "Yes, I have been planning on it for a while now."

He then slowly walks towards me and stands next to me. "I heard that too."

Even when he wouldn't say it, I already have a feeling that he wanted to talk about it. "I would have told you, but I have never heard anything from you since you left."

Botticelli then looks down as he nods. "Yes, I know. It was a mistake. It was difficult to let you know what was going on when I'm with someone who has completely enchanted by you."

Not knowing what to say, I remained quiet for a while and finally decided to leave. "I better go."

As I turn around, Botticelli took my hand and stop me from going any further. "If you would let me, please hear my explanation."

With my eyes welling up in tears, I responded. "I waited, Botticelli. I waited even before you left, you never said anything. I waited longer even when I stopped seeing you in the city, wondering where you could be. I waited for so long and got nothing. You chose not to explain. It's best if you let me go."

His hand slowly retracted from mine and I descended the stairs as my tears fall to my cheeks with agonizing pain in my chest.