Pastorale

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Felix was taken aback by her. "No my dear, not at this very moment. At times yes, but I am fortunate to have friends. Some are like brothers. But now, I am the furthest from alone" he said as he smiled. His eyes searching hers in the moonlight. "I hope I do not feel otherwise for some time". He again pulled her close, this time she resisted less as he kissed her deeply. They walked before he found a spot of beach he liked after skipping a stone into the ocean. "What my dear do you want from life" he asked, staring out to sea.

 

[Potenza]

Felix would have indeed noticed that Francesca was less hesitant to his advances now. At his question her eyes opened a little bit wider, as they had at the opera house, and their dark hue stared at him, seemingly more illuminated by the moonlight as the dusk overtook the day, bringing on the coming of night.

"What do I want from life?" the countess asked, repeating the words of the prince, "That is an interesting question to ask a Torriani. For so long, we were one of the few of the royal houses to not know our true place in the world. The Cornaro worship and adore their Calvinist God. The Grimaldi have their arts and architecture. The Morosoni march with the soldiers and sell their guns. The Visconti used to be content with their wine and their farms, but then they grew greedy, and they took San Salvo from us by force. We Torriani used to be hosts of popes, friends to merchants, and rulers of one of the finest cities in the region. When that was taken from us, we spent little more over the past two centuries than sit in the vineyards the Visconti had banished us to and dwelt on how to get it back. Now that both the Duchy of San Salvo and the nation itself are within our grasps, we can finally discover ourselves. We can finally find what it is we truly need, and take a hold of it."

As she was speaking, her soft fingers were absent mindedly running along Felix's chest, rolling in a circle as they caressed where his pecs would be.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Felix shook his head. "I have never understood nor ever will understand the intrigue that goes on here with your noble families....but I suppose that can be applied to several places. An outsider would never directly understand. I suppose one would have to be immersed in it, no?" Felix paused as he became aware of her finger. Felix pushed her arm away and held her close, he could smell the sweet scent of her hair and he kissed her again. "Come to Karlovia. See my land as I see yours. If you refuse, I will leave; agree and I shall stay...right here...on this beach with you".

 

[Potenza]

The countess knew that Felix was taking in the whiff of the perfume from her neck and the scent of her hair. His kisses were becoming more normal now...it was strange that they were only becoming intimate in the past few days, and yet it seemed as if they had done it for years. Was it because she knew him longer than she knew other men? For so long she had held sway over other men, but here, on this beach, under the moonlight, and the roars of the ocean nearby, it seemed as if he had gained control of her. Why was it? What had this Karlovian prince tapped into that no other man had been able to? As he held her on the beach and "threatened" her with his leave, she looked up at him with dark eyes that glimmered in the moonlight, and a hint of a pouting face like a little girl who wouldn't get her way. Her lips pursed, and finally she whispered:

"Very well...my prince...I will go...but in the meantime, I think we should return to the restaurant. I think they are probably missing us, and worried that we were dissatisfied with the food."

Indeed, back in the restaurant, the waiter was still (what else) waiting nearby the table, and the band was still playing. Gisella had taken a seat in Francesca's spot, taking the small bits of food the countess had left on the plate, mostly greens, and eating the pieces softly. She was staring at the plate for the most part, but on occasion would lift her eyes to smile at the musicians, or to turn over to where Josef was, gazing at him a moment before returning her eyes to the plate.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Felix finished the cooled meal and began to talk to Francesca in an extraordinarily relaxed manner. They discussed sports and their dream getaways. Of course, being royalty, they could travel where they wanted but neither had seen all of the world. There were places they both wanted to visit and they differed on many places. Felix ordered a juice, attempting to avoid more alcohol. They discussed their favorite foods and favorite movies. Felix was known to be a film buff and often invited film critics to his residence to view and discuss movies.

He was casual but was desperately trying not to stare at the beautiful woman. He glanced at his watch and it was indeed getting late. "Madam, perhaps tomorrow we may meet for lunch? I am afraid I must return to Karlovia the day after next. There are matters that must be dealt with at home" he said with a frown.

 

[Potenza]

There were many places Francesca had desired to visit - for so long she had traveled about the lands around Potenza, from the Germanic states to the east to the Empire of Engellex to the north. She desired to travel to other lands, such as historical Arendaal or countries such as the Muslim-dominated Jurzan. She even had interests in Sikandarah - well, before her brother supported the prime minister's egotistical diplomatic policy. As she finished her meal, she of course noticed Felix looking at her - women always noticed those things, of course, even if men thought they were being clever. But she didn't mind.

"Lunch tomorrow sounds marvelous," she replied, patting her red lips with her napkin, "you will have to speak to my people regarding the time and place, but...any time and place you desire, simply summon me, and I shall come." She turned towards her woman, "Gisella..." The young Potenzan aide went away, coming back a few minutes with Francesca's coat, holding it for her as the countess stood up and placed her arms into the sleeves. With a slight curtsey she said farewell to the Karlovian prince, turning and walking out with Gisella following close by.

Outside, Garibaldi, sitting in his car, saw a black vehicle pull up, bearing the markings of the Torriani house. A driver stepped out and walked over, saluting who else but Countess Francesca della Torre and a younger woman as they stepped out of the restaurant. The countess did not meet eye contact with the driver as she stepped in, followed by the younger woman. The car took off not too long after. The Carabinieri officer grinned to himself, saying quietly, "I have you," and taking his notes out, jotting down the time and what he had seen. Count Niccolo di Grimaldi would be very interested in this.