The Art of Power and Love ( A Medici Masters of Florence the Magnificent fanfic)

Chapter 13

For Lorenzo's betrothal a great joust was planned. It took many weeks to ready it but the result was breathtaking.
It was March, spring was coming and Piazza Santa Croce, the holy cross square, was incredibly crowded.
Everyone was waiting for the groom to appear. But the groom wasn't looking forward to be seen by all those people.
Lorenzo insisted to meet Ginevra before stepping out of the square.
She was probably more nervous than him. Earlier that morning she already met him when he greeted his father, who couldn't join the event due to his illness that forced him into his bed all day, then the young man had to hurry to get ready for his big show. And she stayed talking to Piero and comforting him until he fell asleep and Contessina replaced her. Ginevra felt pity for that strong old woman, who stoically watched her husband dying years before and now was doing the same for her son who was attacked by the same sickness.
When Ginevra stepped out of the palace a clear blue sky welcomed her. It was a lovely day and she prayed it wouldn't turn into a sorrowful one.
All the colors and elegance in the strees and roads were nothing compared to when she found herself in front of Lorenzo.
He walked to meet her and glanced at her with insecurity "How do I look like?".
She hesitated to watch him, then raised a hand to comb better his dark hair while he stared at her mesmerized.
"Let's say like a Greek god?".
He chuckled "Then who are you? Aphrodite?".
She sighed and stepped back "Please, stop".
He grabbed her hands "I'm not married yet. And when I will be, you will tell me it's not convenient. Then if not now, when?".
"This tournament is for your engagement. You can't raise a scandal because of me".
"I won't. Just let me admire you a bit more, so I will win it for you".
He would win it anyway, she thought, it was obvious that the knights were meant to let the groom win.
"There's your Lucrezia as queen of the tournament. Win it for her".
He scoffed at her "You're always so rational.. and cold".
"I just want to protect you as always, Lorenzo. But if you want, you can keep this for good luck".
He took carefully the small handkerchief she handed him "Thank you".
"Be careful, okay? It's meant to be fun, still be careful".
"I will. I will come back" he promised, hoping for more but the other Medici knights came in to announce it was time.
Ginevra helped him wearing the missing parts of his armor. He was definitely the most elegant knight.
She laced around his shoulders his cloak of white and red silk, then he grabbed his shield with a shining diamond in the center of it.
He slightly bowed to her, then joined the other knights to take their horses.
Lorenzo's one was a white charger, that was a gift from the king of Naples, and was covered too with red and white velvet, the colors of the family.
He trotted solemnly under the applauses and cheers from all the excited citizens of Florence.

Ginevra joined the other members of the family on the bleachers where here was the best view for the joust. Sitting on the highest seat was Lucrezia Donati, the noble lady reknown as the most beautiful Florentine.
After bowing to her, the knights took position and started duelling against each other. Lorenzo was always very visible with his red and white colours and the diamond on his shield. The sun seemed shining only to make that precious sparkle.
When he charged his opponent, Ginevra held her breath. The crush was violent but it was his opponent the one who fell from his horse.
Deafening cheers exploded from the crowd while Ginevra sighed with relief and crossed his mother's proud eyes, who was representing the Medici family alongside with teenage Giuliano.
Other knights played in a more violent way that made the women gasp and the men more excited.
Ginevra heard about the lord of Urbino who few months before broke his nose while jousting. She prayed that her master would be saved by any harm.
When it was his turn again her prayers seemed ignored since she jumped up from her seat when Lorenzo was hit by a lance, but then it was his adversary the one who fell and lost.
The crowds turned wild shouting his name and clapping. Ginevra couldn't take her eyes off of the red and white knight, who she supposed was hiding he was hurt. She wished someone ran to help him, but the joust continued and he kept meeting the few opponents left, until he was the only winner.
It seemed that time drastically slowed down for Ginevra. She had to stay still on her seat, she couldn't walk away because of the crowd around her. She could only watch and pray. But in the end, when Lorenzo raised his fist and removed his helmet while people was shouting "Palle! Palle!" referring to the balls of the Medici coat of arms , she was able to breath again and smiled when he solemnly nodded right to her.
But he couldn't reach her. He had to walk to the Queen of the Tournament, Lucrezia Donati, sitting on the most elegant seat that looked like a throne, and to take the first price from her.
Before he could do that, the knights lifted him up while the choirs were chanting his name.
It was a total success.
The people was happy and the Medici on the top of popularity.
Then he reached Lucrezia high on the bleachers and grabbed the silver helmet from her hands. He turned and raised his prize for everyone to see it, shining and reflecting the rays of sun.
The crowd engulfed him again, raised hands and arms made him dangerously slide on the sea of people, then he made a fast speech thanking everyone, dedicating his victory to the city and inviting everyone to join the meals and celebrations. In that way he made people's attention shift to other needs and he was allowed to sneak away.
Ginevra moved with the rest of the family and went back to the palace.