15. Benedetto
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
BENEDETTO
Leaning back in my chair, I swirled the rich red wine in my glass. The small study was dimly lit, the scent of burning cedar infusing the air. Lorenzo sat across from me, his expression uncharacteristically serious as he leaned forward.
"You need to take this seriously," he said, keeping his voice low.
I nodded, my face expressionless. "Why? I’ll be gone on my own business and someone else will grab the emperor’s wreath. I don’t want it, Lorenzo. That’s if the gossip is true."
Lorenzo shook his head, his gaze level. "It's more than gossip, Bene. This isn't just bad luck or isolated incidents. De Felice, de Ricci, even the de Pavone family, they're all connected by blood to the emperor. And they're dropping like flies. Both those before you in the line of succession, and those behind too. If you don't watch the game, you could join them."
I studied him closely. He was genuinely worried. And Lorenzo was not easily spooked. If he was this concerned, I needed to take care.
I set my wine glass down on the polished wooden table between us. "What are you suggesting, Lorenzo?"
"I'm not suggesting anything...yet. But you have to admit, it's mighty strange. Noble families with imperial blood suddenly dying off one by one? Something's not right. Someone who’d like to see you on the throne. And we both know who I’m talking about."
Mother.
I drummed my fingers on the chair's armrest, mulling over his words. The implications were troubling, to say the least. If she was targeting those close to inheriting from the emperor...
"Have you spoken to anyone else about this? Shared your suspicions?" I asked, fixing him with a penetrating stare.
Lorenzo shifted uncomfortably. "No, of course not. You're the only one I trust with this, Bene. But you need to decide what you’re going to do before it's too late."
Before I'm next. I filled in silently. With each death, I was moving up in the line of succession, getting closer to a throne I never wanted. One that would paint an even bigger target on my back for those who wanted the prize for someone else.
I rose to my feet abruptly. "Leave it with me. I'll do some discreet talking, see what I can do. In the meantime, keep this to yourself. Dead gods only know who could be listening."
Lorenzo nodded grimly as he also stood. "Watch your back, Bene," he said. "I've got a bad feeling about all this. A real bad feeling."
That makes two of us. I clapped him on the shoulder, but I kept my expression neutral as I walked him to the door. A cold unease settled in my gut. The game had just gotten a lot more deadly, and I needed to figure out the rules to protect my wife, even if I didn’t keep her.
I stepped out of the study, the door clicking shut behind me with an ominous finality. The hallway stretched before me, dimly lit by flickering sconces. Faint strains of women’s voices in conversation and laughter drifted from the distant dining room, a jarring contrast to the grim conversation I'd just left.
Pausing, I ran a hand through my hair, Lorenzo's words echoing in my mind. Systematically removing the emperor's bloodline. The implications settled like a lead weight in my chest. If he was right, this was no mere political ploy. This was a calculated extermination. And with each death, the noose tightened a little more around my own neck. It could come down to accept the throne or die.
Luna. Her name flashed through my thoughts, bringing with it a strange twist of concern. She was tangled up in this now, whether she realized it or not. Her father's imperial blood, diluted as it might be, put her in the crosshairs just as surely as my own lineage did.
And any child she might bear by me…
I shook my head, pushing away the unwanted worry.
Straightening my shoulders, I strode down the hallway. I had appearances to maintain, a role to play. My carefully crafted facade was our best defense.
But even as I prepared to join the party, my mind raced with questions.
Why was she making her move? And being so blatant about it?
The answers remained frustratingly out of reach. But one thing was certain - I couldn't do this alone. As much as it galled me to admit it, I needed allies. And loath as I was to drag her into this dangerous dance, Luna might just be the unexpected partner I needed to navigate this dance.
Absent gods keep you . The irony of the blessing was not lost on me. Because if I couldn't find a way to outmaneuver my mother, even the gods themselves wouldn't be able to save me from the fate that awaited.
With that chilling thought, I plastered on a smile and stepped into the dining room, ready to play my part in the grand charade.
I straightened my borrowed coat and adjusted my cuffs. My fingers were steady, but there was a tightness in my jaw. I needed to push the conversation with Lorenzo out of my mind for now. The dinner party was filled with people who would scrutinize my every move and expression, especially how close I was now to the throne. I had to be on my guard.
Be the mask, Benedetto . No one here can know what's going through your mind. Play the role they expect and figure out the rest later.
As I turned to head toward the dining room, I nearly collided with Luna. She had just stepped out of a nearby room, her gown a deep burgundy that complemented the flickering candlelight. She was momentarily caught off guard, but she recovered quickly, offering me a coy smile.
"Did you get lost, Benedetto?" she asked lightly, tilting her head as she looked up at me. "Or were you just hiding from the party?"
I gave her a tight smile. "Just gathering my thoughts. But I see you're enjoying yourself already."
Luna's smile widened, her grey eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, I am. Your friends are quite charming. One of the ladies was just telling me about the last time you were here. Something about a fight over a game of cards?"
She was digging, I realized, feeling a mix of annoyance and reluctant admiration. The lady in question had been quite happy with my attentions after the fight, and upset when I dropped her, having obtained the scrolls I’d wanted.
Was she jealous?
I forced a laugh, the sound hollow even to my own ears. "Ah, yes. A little disagreement between friends. Nothing to worry about."
Luna raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying my deflection. "If you say so," she said, her tone laced with skepticism. "But I do hope you're not planning on starting any fights tonight. It would be a shame to ruin such a lovely party."
I gritted my teeth, my patience wearing thin. "I assure you, my vixen, I have no intention of causing a scene."
At least, not the kind you’re thinking about.
Luna studied me for a moment. I met her stare unflinchingly. Finally, she nodded, seemingly satisfied with what she found.
"Well then," she said brightly, looping her arm through mine, "shall we join the festivities? I'm sure our absence has been noted by now."
I allowed her to lead me into the room, my mind still churning with the implications of Lorenzo's warning. My mother was probably systematically removing the other branches of the emperor's bloodline . And her opposition would be coming for me and mine.
The words echoed in my head again, a grim reminder of the danger that lurked in the shadows.
As we neared the dining room, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses grew louder. I straightened my shoulders, preparing to step into the role of the brooding, menacing nobleman. But even as I donned my mask, I feared the real threat was far closer than anyone realized. And with Luna by my side, the stakes had just gotten even higher.
Luna smiled at me.
"You've adapted quickly," I said. "Almost as if you were born for this life."
Luna gave a soft laugh, her gaze meeting mine. "I could point out I was born to this life, husband . I've lived with your family since I was fourteen. My blood's as good as yours, as they measure it. Even if I wasn't trained when I was young, adapt or die, isn't that what they say? I learned that lesson a long time ago."
She was a survivor. A pang of something that might almost be respect filled me. But that didn't mean I trusted her. Though trust had nothing to do with sex, either.
Was she plotting with Vala? Though she’d been open and explicit about what she wanted from me.
"Shall we, my lady?" I offered her my arm.
Luna raised an eyebrow, clearly recognizing the performative gesture. "You're quite the actor, Benedetto."
I smirked down at her, my eyes cold. "You have no idea."
We swept into the dining room, a picture of marital harmony. The long table was laden with delicacies, the scent of roasted meats and spiced wines filling the air. Guests milled about, their jewels glittering in the candlelight, their laughter ringing out over the gentle strains of music.
After getting drink for both of us, I led Luna to a seat by the wall, pulling out her chair with a gentlemanly air. She settled into it, arranging her skirts with a practiced hand. I took my place beside her, nodding greetings to those nearby.
Play your part . I lifted my glass in a toast to the room at large. Frown, brood, snarl. Let them see only what you want them to see.
Even as I slipped into the familiar rhythm of polite conversation and political maneuvering, my mind was elsewhere.
Fourth in line for the throne. How many of them would like to see me dead before I get any closer?
With Luna by my side, I had to be more careful than ever.
I trusted no one. Not even my own wife. Especially not my own wife.
My mother was one for hard lessons, and I’d been an apt pupil. My brother’s fate had been my graduation.
To cure him I needed to survive. I met Luna's gaze beside me. Survive, take your revenge. Free Francesco. Nothing else matters .