Chapter 20 –Cesare Mercurio
Still shattered by the funereal atmosphere of yesterday night, after a hasty breakfast I headed to the apothecary shop to find Iryssa, fearful as I was that she might be in danger. She saw me from the window and signalled me not to step in the shop, and to wait outside for a moment. I nodded my assent, and stood in the fine mist drizzling from the grey heavens, impatiently waiting for my woman to meet me.
After a time that seemed endless Iryssa walked towards me.
“I did not expect you this morning, Cesare”, she said
“Oh Iryssa, but why? I was so anguished when we parted yesterday night, I needed to see with my own eyes that you were safe”, I replied, almost pleadingly
“You must not worry about me, take care of yourself rather”, Iryssa said, with an unusual coolness in her voice
“Your well-being is more important than my…”, I started, but Iryssa interrupted my sentence
“Oh please!”, she exclaimed, “please take good care of yourself! And now I shall apologize, but I must return to the shop. My uncle is waiting for me”, she said
I felt hurt and confused, but my inexcusable conduct the day before had to be punished, of course! I deserved this coolness!
“I am very much aware that yesterday…”, I started
“Don’t say a word, please”, Iryssa interrupted me again, pressing her hand against my arm and then retreating it as if she had been burned. And after this gest, so painful for me to bear, she left with hasty steps, abandoning me in the mirthless morning, with a heart full of doubts, fears and sorrow.