Chapter 15 Chapter Fourteen

"He's got a lot to admire, Alexandra. He's both dead, so you'll be the mistress of your own family. He's gentle, he's a good poet, he's a patron of the arts, and he's a good connoisseur." Even the hands on her knees were excited, and there was still a day and a night before we saw each other again. "It sounds like he's still a diamond king, why isn't he married?" "I believe he's thrown himself into his writing. Two of his brothers died recently, leaving no descendants. Their family is very prestigious, and he needs to make a successor."

"He needs a son?" "yes." "That's why he wants a wife?" "Yes, but I think he might want a wife too." "He didn't want to." "People change, Alexandra." "He's old." "Older, yes. It's not always a disadvantage though. I thought you were the only one in the family who understood that." I sat on the bench and looked at the wood carvings on it. "What do you think of him, mother?" "Alexandra, I don't know him very well. Their family is well-known, and from this point of view, you are very well matched. As for the rest, I can only tell you that he watched at Protila's wedding. When it comes to you, I proposed marriage to your father in a few weeks. He is not from our circle, but he is polite and sincere. I heard that although he supports studies, he will not involve himself in power struggles. Considering the current situation, it may be wise to betroth you to him. Otherwise, he is a stranger to you and me."

"Are there any rumors about him? What does Tommaso say?" "Your brother always vilified everyone. Funny though, now I'm wondering why he didn't vilify him. I don't know if they know each other. But, Alexandra, this man is 48 years old, from now on , he has to take responsibility for his life, there is no doubt about it.” "Men live, women wait." "Oh, Alexandra, you always pretend to be deep," she said softly, the same voice she used to calm my turbulent heart a thousand times, "it's not that bad. You'll know what to do .Maybe he'll indulge in his hobbies, like you."

"So this marriage looks perfect?" "Maybe you will be satisfied instead. You know, there are still many things you don't understand, although you find it incredible now." We smiled at each other and reached a tacit understanding.The virtues I don't have—the list is long: demureness, meekness, modesty, shyness—she tolerates them all in private, so long as I don't embarrass her in public.She taught me as hard as she could, and I studied hard, really. I wonder if mother and daughter talk like this when they are about to get married; if so, what will we talk about on the wedding night?I try not to think about these things.I saw myself waking up from a strange bed one day in the future, with a strange man lying next to me, and I greeted him with open arms...

"I want Ilila as a dowry," I said. "Yes. He'll have his own servants, but I'm sure he'll try to make you feel at home. Your father talked to him about it, and he's very keen." The conversation stopped for a long time, it was too hot. "Do you agree with our decision, Alexandra?" Mom asked softly. "I don't know, it was so sudden." "You decide. Your father says the French army is likely to invade within a month. If that happens, there won't be much time to prepare for the wedding." "But I guess the whole point of the wedding is to show our status to the rest of the Florentines. Now doesn't seem like the time."

"True. Although your dad thinks that's all right given the current atmosphere. But I can't believe you'd really like to dress up for weeks and parade down the street with everyone looking at you." It occurred to me how dreadful it would be if this man who knew me almost as well as I did not live with me!Although she may not be willing to admit it. "Oh, Mom. If I had a choice, I'd rather stay here, study and paint, and never marry. But..." I said firmly, "I know it's impossible. So since I have to choose someone , might as well just pick him. I think he'll..." I hesitated, "I think he'd be nice. If I'm wrong, he's old and he'll probably die soon, and I'll be free gone."

"Ah! Even if you're joking, don't talk nonsense about it." Her voice was stern. "He's not that old. Besides, you know, widowhood doesn't give you any freedom at all. You might as well go to a convent now." I looked at her, had she ever faced such a choice? "You know I still have dreams," I sighed. "I want to have a place where I can do whatever I want while adding to the glory of God." "If there was such a convent, Alexandra, at least half the women in the city would want to go there," she said sarcastically. .I am sure your fiancé would also like to have the wedding sooner. We are too late to order a dowry box which means we have to use a second hand box, or an heirloom. If he mentions, what would you like the box to have painted on Woolen cloth?"

I thought about it and said: "I don't mind drawing anything, as long as it's not the girl in Nastacchio's story. She was bitten by a dog and her intestines were ripped out. It's too tragic. I hope the artistry is strong." You can enjoy it." I thought of that strange bed in that strange house again, and suddenly all my courage disappeared. "When I get married and leave here, who am I going to talk to?" I said sourly. She looked shaken, and I knew it would upset her too. "Oh my dear Alexandra, you can talk to God and you have to talk to him. It's easier to talk to God when you're alone. He'll listen, he will, just as he listens I say the same. He will help you talk to your husband. Then you will become a good wife and mother. It's not all pain, I promise you." She paused and said, "I won't let you do that Yes." I think she really believed what she said.

So that night, she told her father that the marriage contract between the two families was established that week. At the same time, it was also agreed that both parties would prepare the dowry within one month, and the wedding would be held on the day the engagement was completed.All this would have been better if it hadn't happened, because on the fifth day after our conversation, Charles VIII broke his promise not to attack Florence, crossed the border of Tuscany, captured Phi Picciano, and sacked the entire city. castle, and massacred all guarding soldiers.