Chapter 11: Causatum (I)

Lorenzo came to meet her at her home, one of his last few days in Paserta. None of them had yielded anything much, which he was hoping for. Other than Alicia, and perhaps just whatever cousin Francesco wanted him to consider. Though he wasn’t in any hurry, instead he wanted to see what was the limit.

And whether he could truly get away without getting married. It had worked incredibly well, and brought a smile to Lorenzo’s face, being honest with anyone. But also means that he didn’t buy into their wishes.

Lorenzo sat in the carriage, barely able to keep his excitement. He wanted to talk to the Baroness de Florgamo again, and she remained here mostly. Lorenzo heard she rarely went back to her lands, as she was the daughter of a merchant inside Paserta.

He got out of the carriage, into a mid-sized townhouse. Gennaro did the introduction before the servant led him all the way into the parlour inside the townhouse.

“This is where the Signora would like to see you.” The servant told him with a hand over his heart.

Lorenzo nodded, giving them a smile. Inside, the chatter was all in Rancien, but from afar he could scarcely tell. But it made sense, for it was an easier, more standard language. The languages of Itoro varied on region.

Lavinia came forward to meet him first. Both of them having grew up here, hence why they remained intelligible.

“Is your Rancien good?” Lavinia came towards him, before directing him. She wore a powdered wig over her long dark brown hair, with a beauty mark on her right cheek. She changed out of her vivid yellow gown, opting for a pale beige dress. The exact opposite.

“Very. I spent a few months there with a friend,” Lorenzo said. “I had to beg my parents a lot just to go there for a year. Even though Paserta has a good relationship with Rancie.”

Their duke had come from the same royal house that gave Rancie its king, and they had much ties. Though, he admitted it was far from some great journey. He had only gotten just a taste of what Sarponne offered in its writings.

“I imagine, I only see them come down. Most give Paserta a miss, some come because of our library.” Lavinia told him, having entertained enough.

That had been their greatest attraction, and it was just a short half a day’s journey away. Lorenzo and his father liked to come just before the last inch of daylight, settle into their accommodations, and then handle their business the next day. It was often enough, because of the commerce that came between both of them or with their family for amusements here.

“But you can very much join them. I’ll talk to you later.” There was a conversation she had to go back to, as Lavinia went back to talk to a figure. Someone that she admired, given how she listened in.

Lorenzo turned, knowing that he would talk to her later. Now he had to figure it out.

He turned to meet amongst the various guests. All of whom were men of letters.

“You’re the new guest. I can’t imagine why she would. But she picks some interesting people. So, what makes you special?”

Lorenzo smiled. “I don’t think I’m special. I’m here just to learn and listen.”

He didn’t quite know, but he wanted to talk to her.

“You’re quite taken with her. She does that with almost every man.”

“I want to talk to her again, to continue the conversation.”

“I see. She has that gift to keep someone talking.”

“What is your profession?” Lorenzo asked.

“I’m just a simple poet, an observer of society you may call me.” The man’s blonde hair was mostly low, bound into a ponytail. Unlike others, he mostly ditched it for a more Revoan dress. In Rancie and in many of the kingdoms, it was still common to see it.

But he had rebelled because of his own personal preferences.

“Did you visit Revoa?” Lorenzo asked, curious.

The poet shook his head. “No, but I have seen people who did. It’s much easier. Besides, this is more common here.”

“Are you a believer?” He asked.

“No, I’m a child of the enlightenment. I believe in it.” Lorenzo answered him seriously. “Rationality, merit, and reason.”

“What do you think about the revolution?” He asked.

“It’s great that they’re choosing to stand up to Erandel, and their success; I heard the treaty was signed recently.” Lorenzo smiled, happily.

He said. “Yes, the outcome was quite positive, though I’m surprised.”

“I was in Sarponne then. They held a grand celebration. The men of letters rejoiced, the nobles too, at the war’s end.” Lorenzo recounted from his memory.

“I thought it was going to happen, but to see it become real. Nothing is quite certain until they ratified the treaty, which is now.” The writer answered him. “That brings hope. Do you believe in a republic?”

“I’m not sure. The ancient republics were corrupt too. They become an oligarchy. It can be worse to deal with them as compared to the incompetence of one person. I don't think someone should rule based on who their father was,” Lorenzo said. “How are they certain that it won't be a disaster?”

“It's easy to say that his father could stave his worst vices. Great kings can have terrible successors and the other way around,” the man said. “But I don’t think I want to roll the dice every time they die with no recourse.”

“Although it wouldn’t have terms also created a problem of having nothing that lasts? A king for life creates stability, or should it follow more of the Doge of Nexia?”

“The latter would be preferable, because then it is based on merit,” he said. “But that’s the thing, isn’t it?”

“It’s hard to think. Monarchy isn’t ideal, but it has clung on for reasons.” Lorenzo kept his head down.

“Continuity and precedence, although the republics had that Nexia lasted for over a millennium, and the Rovians for nearly five centuries.” The poet told him.

“Although I don’t think there is all that much difference in the lives they lead. They’re all monopolized by someone, or the powerful. Rather than say with the man itself.”

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“So this must be why Lavinia invited you.” The man chuckled, letting loose. “I’m Pasquale Canepa and who are you?”

“Lorenzo de Moreni,” he said, intruding himself. “Why would you say this being why the Baroness invited me?”

The topic puzzled him.

“She just doesn’t choose them at random. Everyone here has something new. And despite your age, for you, it’s something different, isn’t it?” He asked. “Or do you think about the meaning of life?”

“I don’t know, sometimes, but I have more pressing concerns. I have an estate to run, but I can’t say I enjoy it.” Lorenzo looked at him. “But I only desire to live life my way. To have nothing else, and I want others to experience that joy too. The meaning of life for me is the ability to decide your life free from it.”

Pasquale gave him an intrigued look. “I wonder, where did that come from?”

Lorenzo gave a laugh. “It’s just a thought. But that dream is perhaps most applicable in Revoa, to an extent.”

Compared to the restraints placed upon him, he heard and knew of people who went to the new world to become a different person. Their own person rather than the wishes

“So that is why,” he said, drinking. “I can’t disagree. I live life by what I seek, and it’s not wrong to hunger for that either.”

Pasquale gave him a certain smile. “But I think you’re interesting. Have you read some of the philosophy on life?”

“Plenty, but they confronted me with the emptiness of it and defined it on my own.” He looked at him. “And I want something to change.”

“Signora would like to see you.” Gennaro interfered with him.

“I hope to see you around, Signor Canepa.” Lorenzo got up before finding Gennaro, leading him back to Lavinia.

Lavinia gave a laugh. “I got carried away, as one topic lead to another.”

“The same happened to me, too.” Lorenzo answered, with a slight blush. “But I like the salon incredibly.”

“I’m glad, although you’re heading back to Stressa?” She asked.

“When I’m coming again, I’ll send a letter to your address. But I hope we could,” Lorenzo suggested. It would be faster than the once a month letter he got from Placido.

“I wanted to talk to you about something more private.” She arched her eyebrow before going up. Instead of going to the back of the room and down the corridor.

“What is it?”

“My cousin Alicia wanted to see you. But her brother wouldn’t send the letter and insist that she forget about you. So, it’s only by me she can get the message.”

Lavinia looked at him.

“I was hoping you could come by next time I host a salon for her.” Lavinia looked at him in the eyes. “Are you up for it?”

“I was wondering why, I’m not entirely sure, but I would be happy to entertain her.” He saw a reason to. He quite liked her.

“I can’t entirely blame you for what happened. I just didn’t expect Benedetto to worry like that. But he’s not wrong.”

“He is not, but why?”

“She should get the choice to decide, and I said that if there was anyone I see as worthy, as yes.”

“And I meet your standards?” He asked. “For her?”

“It’s personal. She trusts my judgment, since I don’t benefit from it. And I have nothing to gain other than personal satisfaction.” Lavinia smiled before turning to him. “Just like you too when you go around asking people.”

“Yes, it brings me some satisfaction to hear, but I can’t do much can I?” He asked. “I’m not even sure I can bend my will to get anyone to listen to me.”

He gave a laugh, something that he didn’t expect.

“You’re better than most, and you have your whole life ahead of you to think. And at least you’re listening rather than going on about some ideas.” Lavinia assured him.

He smiled. “You’re right. I still have a long time to figure it out.”

“Good, so why do you want to meet her?”

“I guess it’s personal. I loathe to see anyone who hides their own desires. With Signorina Candida, she clearly was hiding her own and trying to fit what her family wants her to be.”

Lavinia nodded. “It’s fine if you don’t like her. I’m fine, even if you push it out of her. So she can figure out what marriage for her will be rather than whatever people tell her it is. Because it’s a profound experience and change, and can become harrowing or euphoric. And fine, even if you find her a friend.”

“Thank you. I’m glad to hear that she has such a good friend in you.”

Lavinia gave a smile. “Let’s go before they really assume you’re here to learn the art of love.”

Lorenzo was more than happy to go inside.

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