Year 1476

Florence, Italy

Preface

My dearest father has asked me to join him and my mother down in the study. I stand up from my vanity and walk towards the door. I take a look back at my little room. There is a small bed on one side of the room, and across from the bed is where my vanity resides. There are two windows on the opposite of the door. During many of my days I would sit in-front of the windows and take in the activity that went on down below. Friends and family, arriving on a boat to meet up with loved ones, or new employers. Those that came for new jobs looked scared of their surroundings, while the others look relived to be in their loves one’s arms once again. While watching these individuals walk away, a familiar smell always caught my attention. There was a bakery right down the street, and every morning there was an aroma of freshly baked goods.  The owner of the bakery had become a very good family friend, and I looked forward to the days that she would come by. When she did make it over, she always brought a basket full of freshly baked pastries and she and I would drink tea in the court yard while we talked of the day events.

“Are you coming?” My father asks

         I nodded in his direction, and walked slowly out of the room. Never once did I turned back around to look at my room. I followed right behind my father as we walked down to the study. I noticed that most of the candles have yet to be lit. Right as we made it to the study room, the maids had taken their leave of the room and made their way upstairs. This was unusual behavior, but who was I to ask? My mother was sitting at the the writing desk with a quill and parchment, all the while looking somewhat grim. From the look on her face, she seemed engrossed with what she was writing. As I was taking the seat across from her near the fireplace, I noticed the dress she was wearing. Emerald green, gold stitching’s, patterns of the infinity knot on the hem, and of course some sort of fabric that was making her look thinner. I have no clue of what this piece of clothing may be called, but I know one day I must asked her. After examining her dress, I looked up to catch her looking at me. I gave a small smile, but received no smile from her. What could I have done to make her so mad at me?

         My father walks towards me and this catches my eye. He hands me one of mother's fine china. Now I know something is up. You see anytime he has grave news to tell me or mother, he hands us her fine china. Everyone in this house knows, that mother loves her dishware and if broken, she's not happy. As I grab the tea cup, and sit back, my father starts with a story. While he is telling of this story, I have gazed upon the fireplace, and taking sips of my tea. My mind has gone to a different place, and I do not hear his story. This happened a lot of times when I was not pay attention. During his story-telling I heard the word apple.

"Why are we talking about Apples?" I ask. However, no one answered, and father looked at me. 

"Do you understand everything that I have told you?" He asked

"Um, no. Should I understand?" I say

"You will one day. Now let us be gone from this home." His voice bellowed

         Of course hearing him sound this way, started to raise fear within me. "Father are we in danger?" I asked. No one again answered. I was searching answers within his face, and saw nothing. He had a blank stare, and he continued to walk towards the front door. He would stop only to give direction to our staff members.

"Come Victoria" My mother said, while reaching for me. "We must be leaving; it is time to go." 

All I could do was let her wrap her arm around my shoulder and escort me outside. I feel that I will never see this house of ours ever again. What is to come of my family and I?