Europe / Florence / Florence (Palazzo Medici Riccardi): June 23rd, 2020.
It was a beautiful afternoon for the world.
The sun had risen over florence like a wealthy man taking credit for a city he had not built, the clouds moved lazily across the sky without a single concern for taxes, disease or family drama, and mankind went about their daily routines with smiles on their faces at the beauty of the city, but also sad looks on their faces at the horror of it whether it be financially, emotionally or physically.
Yet if you were to look closely in florence.
To be more specific.
Inside of palazzo medici riccardi.
You could see something very interesting happening.
A duke succeeding.
For once.
(Romeo's POV)
Romeo de' medici V sat behind his private desk with his gold cane leaning against the edge of it and his phone held in one hand.
His dark brown eyes moved across the screen.
MEDICI HOUSE ANNOUNCES SIX-MONTH COVID RELIEF FOR FLORENTINE FAMILIES.
He scrolled.
DUKE ROMEO DE' MEDICI V INVESTS IN ITALIAN MEDICAL SUPPLY COMPANY AMID PANDEMIC.
Another.
FLORENCE ANNOUNCES ECONOMIC RELIEF AS EUROPE CONTINUES COVID-19 RECOVERY.
Romeo smiled and said with a snicker "Hah."
Across from him sat sofia ricci, his communications director, with a tablet resting in her lap.
"The vatican story is still circulating, your grace, but engagement has dropped considerably since this morning." Said sofia calmly.
Romeo looked up and asked with squinted eyes "How considerably."
"Enough that several outlets have moved it away from their primary coverage." Said sofia with a serious look on her face.
Romeo leaned backward.
There it was.
Not gone.
Buried.
Exactly as planned.
"We don't need the public to love us." Said romeo calmly.
Sofia waited.
Romeo smiled and said with a wave of his right hand "We only need them looking somewhere else."
Sofia nodded and said calmly as he scrolled on her tablet "The santoro biomedica announcement has helped. They confirmed the investment publicly thirty minutes ago."
"Two million dollars well spent." Said romeo with a smile.
Hopefully.
Five million dollars.
That was what remained of the family's liquid fortune before the investment.
Five.
Million.
The medici family.
Five million fucking dollars.
Romeo still felt insulted every time he thought about it.
But nobody outside the family needed to know that.
There was wealth.
And then there was the appearance of wealth.
Human beings had spent thousands of years proving they were surprisingly bad at telling the difference.
Romeo picked up another paper.
The six month rent relief program.
No immediate eviction.
No immediate seizure.
Deferred payments.
Extended repayment agreements.
Interest.
Collateral where appropriate.
Future labor arrangements where legally necessary.
Romeo smiled.
Mercy.
Beautiful thing.
Especially when it came with paperwork.
Sofia looked at him and said "There is some criticism over the repayment provisions."
"From who." Asked romeo Immediately.
"Tenant advocates." Said sofia with a sigh as she turned the tablet toward him.
HOUSE MEDICI: THE FRAUD OF THE CENTURY.
Romeo looked confused and said "Who."
Sofia stared at him.
Romeo waved one hand and said with a sigh "Never mind."
He picked up his phone again.
Another notification appeared.
A photograph of medical supply workers standing beside boxes carrying the medici insignia.
Romeo smiled wider.
His father had been right.
No.
Romeo's smile weakened.
He corrected himself.
Romeo had been right.
His father had merely recognized it.
That sounded much better.
Now…that sounds like my son.
Gian's voice remained inside of his head.
Romeo's fingers tightened slightly around the phone.
Approval.
Such a small thing.
Such an irritatingly satisfying thing.
"Your grace." Said sofia, adjusting her throat.
Romeo looked at her.
"The palace photographers are waiting downstairs. They want several photographs of you signing the relief decree." Said sofia calmly while getting up from the sofa.
Romeo immediately stood while saying with a smile "Good."
He grabbed his cane.
*TAK*
Then stopped.
"Make sure the medical boxes are visible, also bring a random document to make it look believable." Said romeo while adjusting his cuff and bringing out the medici arrogance with his eyes lowering themselves.
Sofia nodded and asked calmly "And children."
The room was silent for a moment.
"Yes, the poor ones." Said romeo calmly with a smirk.
Sofia stared at him.
Romeo raised one eyebrow and said with a sigh and shrug "They look better beside charity. I would have used my connections to contacted the trafficking ring if epstein hadn't disappeared last year."
There was a moment of silence.
Sofia slowly nodded and said with a nonchalant tone "Of course, your grace."
Romeo walked toward the door.
Then stopped again.
"And sofia." Said romeo from out of nowhere.
"Yes." Said sofia Immediately while looking up at the back of his head.
Romeo was silent for a moment and said "Make sure my name is used…also come to my bed chambers tonight, be discreet so the duchess is unaware."
Sofia nodded and said with nonchalance "Understood, your grace."
Romeo left.
TIMESKIP: An hour later.
*CLICK*
*CLICK*
*CLICK*
Camera flashes filled one of the palace halls while romeo sat behind a polished table with several documents in front of him.
He signed the first.
*CLICK*
Turned slightly.
*CLICK*
Smiled.
*CLICK*
A elderly florentine woman stood beside him holding an envelope containing temporary housing relief information.
Romeo placed one hand gently over hers.
*CLICK*
"Thank you, your grace." Said the woman emotionally.
Romeo smiled beautifully and said with fake sincerity "You are florentine."
The cameras continued flashing.
"You are family." Said romeo with a gentle and gracious tone.
*CLICK*
The woman looked like she might cry.
Romeo looked like he might invoice her later.
*CLICK*
Several children stood nearby with their parents.
Romeo rose and shook hands.
Medical workers entered.
More photographs.
More smiles.
More announcements.
More cameras.
And slowly.
Very slowly.
Rome appeared to be disappearing.
Not literally.
Unfortunately.
The pope remained alive.
But the headlines were changing.
That was enough.
TIMESKIP: A hour later.
Romeo walked through the palace hallway with his gold cane tapping against the marble floor.
*TAK*
*TAK*
*TAK*
His phone buzzed.
*BRRRR*
He looked down.
One of the larger Italian newspapers had replaced its vatican headline entirely.
COVID RELIEF IN FLORENCE: MEDICI HOUSE ANNOUNCES SIX-MONTH ECONOMIC PLAN.
Romeo stopped walking.
Read it.
Then read it again.
His lips slowly spread.
"Hahaha."
A passing servant looked toward him.
Romeo immediately stopped laughing.
The servant lowered her head and said "Your grace."
Romeo nodded and continued walking.
There were moments in life when a man simply knew.
He had done it.
Not fixed everything.
No.
Romeo was not stupid.
But the bleeding had slowed.
The vatican had attempted to humiliate him.
Instead.
People were talking about masks.
Rent.
Hospitals.
Jobs.
Money.
Romeo.
His father had approved.
His plan was working.
His city still belonged to him.
His title still belonged to him.
Life was beautiful.
Then bartholomew appeared.
Unfortunately.
The seven foot captain-general walked from the opposite direction with a folder held beneath one arm.
Romeo's smile disappeared.
Bartholomew stopped several feet away.
"Your grace." Said bartholomew calmly.
Romeo stopped and said calmly with lowered arrogant eyes "Bartholomew."
Silence.
Romeo looked at the folder and asked "What is it."
"Updated guard assignments, nothing for you to be concerned about." Said bartholomew calmly while handing it over.
Romeo grabbed and opened it.
His eyes moved down the page.
Then stopped.
"Why were additional guards assigned to the eastern residence." Asked romeo calmly.
Bartholomew stared down at him for a moment and said calmly "For security."
Romeo slowly looked up and said with a tight jaw "For my aunt."
"Yes." Said bartholomew calmly.
Romeo chuckled and said "Four."
Bartholomew remained silent.
Romeo closed the folder and said with a wave of his right hand "Remove two."
"No." Said bartholomew instantly.
Romeo blinked.
The hallway became quiet.
"What did you say." Asked romeo with confusion.
Bartholomew stared down at him for a moment and said calmly "I said no."
Romeo slowly smiled. Not because it was funny. Because anger looked better on him when it smiled first.
"Perhaps you have forgotten who is duke." Said romeo with a smile.
"I haven't." Said bartholomew Immediately.
"Then remove them." Said romeo with a stern tone.
"No." Said bartholomew calmly.
Romeo stared up at him.
Bartholomew stared back down at him.
The grand hall was silent.
Romeo laughed softly "Hah."
He stepped closer.
"You wear my uniform." Said romeo calmly.
Bartholomew said nothing.
"You command my guards." Said romeo calmly.
Silence.
"You live in my family's palace." Said romeo calmly.
Bartholomew's jaw tightened slightly.
Romeo noticed and said with the corner of his mouth rising slightly "And yet every time that old hag breathes incorrectly, you run to protect her."
Bartholomew's expression hardened as he said
"Watch yourself."
Romeo's eyebrows rose and said "Watch myself."
Bartholomew remained silent.
Romeo looked around the hallway as though expecting someone else to explain the disrespect.
Nobody volunteered.
Romeo looked back at him and said with fake concern "You seem confused lately."
"I'm not. I'm merely doing the duty I earned. Not inherited." Said bartholomew calmly.
"I believe you are…despite your mother being the former duchess." Said romeo while tapping his cane.
*TAK*
Bartholomew's eyes darkened.
Romeo smiled and said "There is a reason that word comes first and tainted comes second."
Bartholomew stepped closer.
Romeo did not move.
"What exactly are you trying to say." Asked bartholomew calmly.
Romeo stared upward at him.
He hated that.
Romeo was six foot five.
Six foot five was tall.
Then this bastard had decided to become architecture.
Romeo smiled and said with a smirk "I am saying your loyalty has always been misplaced."
Bartholomew stared down at him.
"Perhaps that's what happens when a man spends his entire life trying to prove tainted blood belongs somewhere." Said romeo with a sigh and shrug.
Silence.
Bartholomew's face changed.
Barely.
Enough.
Romeo saw it.
"Your mother embarrassed this family before you were even born." Said romeo with a sigh as he shook his head.
Bartholomew clenched his jaw and said calmly with cold eyes "Little bitch boy."
Romeo's eyes widened slightly.
No title.
Interesting.
"Be careful." Said bartholomew calmly.
Romeo chuckled and said with his arms spread grandly "Or what."
Bartholomew said nothing.
Romeo pointed at him with the cane and said "Exactly."
He shoved the folder against bartholomew's chest.
"Remove the guards." Said romeo calmly.
Then walked past him.
*TAK*
*TAK*
*TAK*
Bartholomew remained behind him.
Romeo smiled.
Of course.
Big body.
Big uniform.
Big reputation.
Still obedient.
Romeo approached the grand staircase.
His phone buzzed again.
*BRRRR*
Romeo looked down.
Another article.
MEDICI RELIEF PLAN RECEIVES POSITIVE EARLY RESPONSE.
Romeo smiled and said without looking back "Perhaps after you remove those guards you can find something useful to do besides protecting your mutilated mother."
Silence.
Romeo shook his head and started making his way down it.
Behind him.
Footsteps.
Romeo stopped.
His smile remained.
He slowly turned.
Bartholomew stood several feet away.
His face was calm.
Romeo chuckled and said "What."
Bartholomew walked closer.
Romeo stared at him.
"What." Asked romeo again.
Bartholomew stopped.
Romeo raised one eyebrow and asked as they creased together "Have you finally found courage."
Bartholomew looked toward the staircase.
Then back at him.
Romeo's smile weakened and said "What are you looking at."
Bartholomew said nothing.
Romeo frowned and said loudly with anger "I asked you a…"
Bartholomew shoved him.
*SHOVE*
Romeo's eyes widened as he said loudly "What the fu…"
*BAM*
His back slammed against the stone steps.
Then.
*THUD*
*CRACK*
*BAM*
Pain exploded through his body.
Romeo rolled.
His cane flew from his hand.
*CLANG*
His phone bounced down beside him.
"AHHHHH." Said romeo loudly in pain as his shoulder struck another stair.
*BAM*
His head followed.
*THUD*
Romeo reached for the railing.
Missed.
His leg folded beneath him.
*CRACK*
"AHHHHHHHH." Said romeo, screaming at the top of his lungs in agony.
Then.
*BAM*
Romeo hit the bottom.
Hard.
Silence.
For one moment.
Nothing moved.
Then the palace exploded.
"YOUR GRACE."
"OH MY GOD."
"CALL AN AMBULANCE."
"GET THE DOCTOR."
Romeo groaned.
Blood filled his mouth.
His leg looked wrong.
Very wrong.
He tried to move it.
Pain ripped through him.
"AHHH."
"Don't move him." Shouted a guard.
Romeo barely heard him.
His dark brown eyes slowly lifted.
Up the staircase.
Bartholomew stood at the top.
Looking down.
Romeo stared at him.
Bartholomew stared back.
No smile.
No panic.
Nothing.
Romeo's lips trembled with rage as he said "You…"
Bartholomew turned.
And walked away.
Romeo's eyes widened and said loudly "BAR…"
Pain stopped the rest.
People surrounded him.
Hands touched his neck.
His chest.
His head.
Someone screamed for towels.
Someone else called for gian.
Romeo stared at the ceiling.
His phone lay nearby.
The screen was shattered.
Still glowing.
MEDICI RELIEF PLAN RECEIVES POSITIVE EARLY RESPONSE.
Romeo stared at it.
His plan had worked.
The vatican story was sinking.
The investment was moving.
The relief program was public.
His father had approved.
For one beautiful afternoon.
Romeo de' medici V had proven everyone wrong.
Then bartholomew pushed him down the fucking stairs.
What a wonderful fucking day it was.
…
Europe / Italy / Florence (Careggi University Hospital): Later that evening.
*BEEP*
*BEEP*
*BEEP*
Romeo slowly opened his eyes.
White ceiling.
White walls.
Machines.
Pain.
A lot of pain.
His left leg was immobilized.
Bandages wrapped around his head.
His ribs screamed every time he breathed.
Romeo stared upward.
Silent.
Then his eyes narrowed.
Bartholomew.
The monitor beside him continued.
*BEEP*
*BEEP*
Romeo's hand slowly tightened against the blanket.
His lips curled.
Not into a smile.
Something uglier.
The masked dance was over.
And somebody had finally stopped dancing.
…
THE END…