XVII—Luca Aurelius of Lucia

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Of course it’s a good idea!” Luca Aurelius said. “Don’t be daft, Monelicci What are the Florencian’s going to do, start a war because we dropped some eggs on their heads?”

“I don’t know.”

“Ha! Of course you don’t. Just follow my lead.”

“But…” Monelicci said. “Isn’t a stunt like this just a bit… I don’t know—juvenile?”

“Of course it’s juvenile, you fool. That’s why we’re doing it. No harm no foul—right?”

“I suppose so.”

“Now come!”

Together, the two young men carried their eggs down the corridor. Luca was careful not to drop them, or gods forbid, crack them over his own jacket as he weaved his way through other Lucian nobles.

“Oh! Wait for me!” Zuli called.

“Don’t dawdle!” Luca growled, leading the way. When they reached the cross section, he went right. The crowds dissipated here. He led the way past the guards and up the stairs.

“Where are you going?” Zuli asked.

“To the fourth story,” Luca said. “My father comes to the House of Gates often enough, so I know the palace well. Better than anyone, actually.”

“Truly?”

“Indeed. Now follow.”

Leading them down a series of corridors with bright red runners trimmed in gold, they eventually came to a quiet chamber. But the door was locked. “Damn,” Luca swore.

But he was prepared. Giving Zuli his eggs, Luca unsheathed two hidden stiletto daggers from his sleeves and used them to turn the tumbler inside the lock. It only took him a matter of seconds.

“What if someone is occupying these chambers?” Monelicci asked.

“I don’t think so,” Luca said.

“How do you—“ Zuli began, but she was cut off when he opened the door.

Slowly, Luca went into the chamber, just to make sure it wasn’t occupied like the others thought it might be.

It was not.

Perfect.

What they were about to do was not exactly vengeance on those Florencians, but it would bring a certain satisfaction to Luca.

Going straight to the high windows, he unclasped the latch and opened them. Peering down, he could see a balcony one story below them.

“Those are—those are Florencian’s down there?” Zuli asked, her eyes wide.

Smiling, Luca said, “Precisely.”

“How is this possible?” Monelicci asked. “I didn’t know the separate territories had lines that were so staggered.”

“You don’t know the half of it, my friend.”

As two figures on the almost deserted balcony made to go back in, he dropped one of his eggs. It landed on the tiles at their feet, barely missing the man in the blue jacket.

The woman, wearing what looked to be a bright red kimono with black hemlines, jumped back and glanced up.

The man was slower to react.

“Get back!” Luca said. “Do not let them see you.”

“WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING!?” the man called. He was young.

“Oh gods!” Monelicci gasped. “Now we’ve done it.”

“It’s fine,” Luca said.

Now that we’re caught, no sense in hiding like cowards. We Lucians are not cowards, especially when dealing with Florencians!

Leaning back over the window, he said, “Who are you yelling at?”

“You!” the man said, shaking his fist. He started cursing and saying something Luca couldn’t understand, but it looked like he was arguing with the woman. She was trying to calm him.

Perfect!

“He’s really angry,” Zuli said, then giggled.

“My apologies!” Luca called. “Perhaps you should be more aware of your surroundings, Florencian!”

The woman looked up. “That’s enough.”

She took the man in the blue jacket by the shoulders and guided him through the splash of light over the titles and inside.

“Damn!” Luca said. “I was hoping to have more of an exchange than that.”

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Monelicci said again.

Luca rounded on the young lord. He was wearing a green jacket and white trousers. He grabbed the other man by the coat and said, “If you’re going to be such a coward while dealing with Florencians, then maybe you should have stayed home with your mommy!”

Zuli giggled.

Idiot girl giggles at everything.

“I’m sorry, Luca, it’s just…”

Realizing he had overreacted to his friend’s cowardliness, he let go. “It’s nothing,” Luca said.

“What is the meaning of this?”

Zuli gasped and Luca looked up above his friend’s shoulder. It was one of the House of Gates maids.

“What is it to you, maid?” Luca asked. “And I don’t believe I care for your tone either. How dare you speak to me in that condescending manner!”

The red-haired maid walked forward. Oddly she didn’t lose that challenging look in her eyes the way commoners usually faltered.

“Firstly,” the maid said. “My tone is not one of condescension, but of rebuke.”

“You think you can rebuke Lord Luca of House Aurelius?”

The maid glanced at Zuli. “Be silent, you little fool.” At her words and tone, Monelicci’s mouth went slack. It was damned embarrassing. The servant put her hands on her hips. “I am no mere maid!” she said. “I am Lady Emily Desdemona, and your Lord Luca Aurelius here is on equal standing with myself. But seeing as how my father is Lord Vincent Desdemona, I would say I’m actually of somewhat higher standing. Especially since I am part of the High House Maid Society. That’s right—look away.”

“You don’t intimidate me,” Luca said.

“It matters not. You are breaching Florencian territory and you will stop your actions at once!”

I can’t believe I’m being talked down to by a godsdamned maid!

But she wouldn’t back down.

Dammit.

“Do not make me use my powers of authority to force your compliance.”

“Fine,” Luca said. “Let’s be done of this.” He tossed his eggs on the bed where they bounded harmlessly.

The stupid maid would have to carry them back to the kitchens.

“Now let’s get out of here.”

Together the group left the chamber, went back downstairs and mingled with the party, Luca’s face feeling hot all the while from his embarrassment.

I need to find out more about this Emily Desdemona.