>>5414239>>5414406>>5414439>>5414459"Can you help walk through the crowd? I believe I can help the Vandimions."
"What, you can pull all those stunts, yet you're afraid of being stomped by the crowd?"
"No offense, but I would rather fight you again than risk getting pushed around amidst an uproar, the first situation sounds much more controllable."
Roderick merely shakes his head, holding back his laughter.
"Strange, I feel like I should be angry about my loss, yet being aware of my chances, it really is exactly as you said..."
"I do hope the boat gig is still up. I believe I can offer you something of value should you ally yourself with Ilos."
"I do not plan on going back on my word." He offers you his shoulder as he takes the rapiers from the table, placing him onto his belt as he makes way up to the balcony.
The crowd is visibly shocked, ecstatic and happy to see you, those who recognize you are either head over heels or with their palms glued to their face -Like Rubinsky is-.
"What do you mean, 'You're our step-brother?'" Magnifico bursts at Serpico, who appears to have received a beating from the family at his recent revelations.
"You can beat me all you want, but the truth is as I've said--"
"QUIET! How could you, even? After we've done everything to care for you and your well being..." Poliziano interrupts him.
"Exactly! Imagine the things going through OUR dear mother's head at the moment."
Serpico wishes to respond, but still feeling obligated to respect the house, he lets himself be dogpilled by his detractor.
"Actually, I am not that surprised." Lady Vandimion seems to respond with dissonant apathy. "Committing adultery and running away from responsibilities sounds exactly something like a weak man such as him would do. Frankly, I don't know whether I should congratulate you for holding yourself in for so long, or to slap him in the face for having no backbone."
If the matriarch is not moved by Serpico's secret being exposed, then who is--
Farnese's beautiful dress is obscured by the sadness in her face, feeling absolutely defeated that after all this time, the man she loved the most during her early years, the one whose mother he killed, was her half-brother.
"Why, Serpico...? Why did you hide this from me?"
Serpico looks away from her tearing eyes, feeling hurt himself from the guilt of holding it all in.
"I always let you know of my darkest secrets! You knew all of me before anyone else, I trusted you to the point of running away with you before ever forgiving Vlad!"
"..."
"WHY DID YOU REFUSE TO TELL ME I KILLED YOUR MOTHER?!"
"...Because I knew being aware of that would forever change our relationship, Lady Farnese... You are free to call me a coward, but I wished not to burn at the stake with her..."
