January 1st, 1836 Vatican City, Roma
Frederico Ettore watched from the window of his modest palazzo as hundreds of dimly light lanterns dotted the narrow streets of Vatican City, snaking their way along the busy cobblestone pathways and narrow alleys that twisted and turned between the different city districts. The early morning light had just hit the Apostolic Palazzo before filling the streets with warm rays of sunshine, beckoning the city to life and making the street lights no longer necessary. Turning from the window he took sip of a hot cup of coffee, the hot steam rising off the cup rising up before dissipating in the cool breeze that came through the window. Quietly Frederico crept through the palazzo, making sure to step lightly until he reached the bedroom in which she lay.
His eye’s drifted over her body, tangled amongst the soft sheets of the bed and he stood there for several moments, his cool gaze watching her every move before she finally began to stir.
“Good morning..” she said sheepishly, a warm smile springing to face as she began to rise out of the bed, bringing with her the bed sheets that draped around her.
“Good morning.” He replied, returning the smile before they embraced. “Coffee’s on the table.” He said, nodding into the next room.
After she dressed they walked back into the room where the window was open, a small oakwood table sat centered in the room surrounded by the sounds of the bustling city below. On the table sat a pot of coffee and several sweet buns along with several plates containing sausage, bacon and eggs with a center piece of roses in the table’s center.
“I thought you could use some breakfast.” Frederico said softly, his hands grasping her shoulders before pulling her tight and wrapping his arms around her. From here he could smell the sweet fragrance of perfume that came off her body from the previous night. Her long black hair smelled like honey, and her perfume like freshly picked flowers. Her skin was a soft, golden brown color that felt as smooth as it looked. Breaking away from his grip she turned and he could see her thin, beautiful facial features dominated by her sea green eye’s and soft plump lips, which she pressed against his own rough and grizzly features.
“What brought this on?” she asked, flashing him a coy but sweet smile. “Is it my birthday?” she joked.
Frederico simply smiled and gently shook his head. “No, not quite..”
“Then what’s all this?”
“Can’t we just eat breakfast first?” he asked, waving his hand in a sarcastic motion in which she obliged, fixing her a heaping plate of food and taking a seat across from Frederico’s seat. The two ate their breakfast quietly while Frederico looked over the morning paper he had picked up that morning in market. As usual, he found nothing he liked. The papers we’re slammed as of late with anti-monarchist rabble and liberal poppycock, and it wasn’t just in Roma either, it was all over Italy. Shaking off the anger he felt for such nonsense he told himself that today he wasn’t going to worry about it. Not today.
After they finished their breakfast he lead hear out unto the small balcony that resided just outside the open window. It was just small enough to fit too people but offered a beautiful view of the city and St. Peters Square along with the Basilica. They stood there for a moment before he turned to her and kissed her, his rough facial hair rubbing against her soft and flawless skin.
“What has gotten into you today Frederico Ettore?” she giggled, her arms wrapping around his neck.
“This.”
Slowly he reached into his pants pocket, producing a small box with a golden ring residing inside before forcing himself to one knee despite the pain that shot through his leg.
“Claudia Sergia, would you honor me by being my bride?”
