It was a universal fact, that a man possession of a large fortune would be in want of a wife; further yet, a man possession of a modest fortune, brazen charm and an unmitigated ambition , would be in want of a wife, in possession of a title. Upon these merits, did the King of Naples approach him in earnest; in quiet reflection, did Edward mark, Ferdinand would be well-cast, as one of his own off-spring. Perhaps his dear Beatrice felt fondness, for the clearness of health in his cheeky – his fine, cheerful blue eyes. The young man had inherited much of his father’s aspect, his rousing stature, roman nose, and propensity for concocting plans, predicated on foreign support. Long overdue indeed, is our meeting – you make a grand speech, your grace, but is is best, if you are seated. I find the position for suitable, for one to listen.” Charging the young swain to a chair, a servant present a chalice of wine, to both parties – Edward lapsing into silence, soothing his propositions, for a moments pause.
It was an uncomfortable crisis, to discharge the hand of ones daughter; better yet, the hand of a child so oft riddled, on grounds with merit, with notions of her father’s indecency. “Answer me plainly, and know, that my acceptance will not be altered by the stinging nature of veracity – but you are to be my son, and I wish to know you, the better. Is it a union of love, bolstered by ambitious alliances? Or is the the latter, to be later warmed, by the former?” There was no bad feeling, no malice nor rancour, in Edward’s countenance, as he sought in vain the King’s earnest confession; merely, in a man who harboured few sympathetic faculties, a desire to be relived of his daughter, for her betterment, was steadfast. “ Ah, yes …the most beloved subject of Italian unification, is one I approach cautiously – for I admire the Medici, your grace, and whilst I shall be your ally, I do not court their ire. When you unveil your plans in due time, I wish to be kept abreast of how my contributions, shall be deployed; I admire your tenacity, and applaud your efforts. Mark me a cautious, old man, grown warm beneath peace. My child is eager for the union, and the strength of your offers, has convinced me enough – will you manage, however, the trail of broken hearts the death of your bachelorhood, shall bring?”
He heard his own father in his ear as the Young King went to Edward’s feet; a late King who had sternly reminded his son to choose duty over heart, to toughen to the reality of the pitfalls of life and face clarity with sword in hand. He had warned every bride-to-be before him; cautioning them horrid and bare truths — but with meditation and the tune of his heart he was called to Beatrice before any other. With an English alliance to better the Neapolitan people and a true heart, he found himself utterly besotted.
Taking to the other seat, Ferdinand’s smile grew with an eager expression. He had always thought that the King of England, and he were cut from the same cloth; or, so he hoped, for the only other King he had first hand experience with was his father, who had a bolder nose and a bolder sense of ambition and punishment. Taking the offered wine, Ferdinand sipped with ease, allowing the taste to linger on his restless tongue — allowing the aroma to sink into his pores; he would have the fondness indeed mirrored again and again for whenever he was to be with dear Beatrice, in promise to respect what and who she was on her own two feet.
If he were to be his son, to become family to the English court, Ferdinand bowed his head and beamed large enough for even the far-away guards to notice. “I do not pretend to be anything I am not, your grace. I always craved romance, or what was described in the stories waxed to myself and my sister, the now Grand Duchess of Firenze. Though we first met under the guise of what could be and what would stem from it, I find myself utterly bereft at the thought of spending another day without her hand. Love blossoms, your Highness — I am overly proud to say so, for when the announcement rings true I will make sure to boast of it; against all advice from my priest who would consider such declaration playing to the sin of hubris,” Ferdinand laughed, leaning forward to gauge his reaction; in due time after all, Ferdinand would have his own children — his own daughters to give away. So he watched, and made notes, as they talked as if they had known each other for a lifetime.
“As you know, I am allied to the Medici and the grand republic of Firenze. I hope to convince the various states that it would be to the betterment of Italy to come under my roof and protection — with the Papacy as a true and honest neighbour. I would also hope that England would be a grand ally, a talking post to help convince them — to help them see the light. If that failed, then I suppose, I would have to ask for your aid in making such a dream come true. But for now, your grace, I only ask for friendship and mutual loyalty to one another. We may talk about the duty later, after Beatrice finds her feet beside I. For I only worry that she will outshine me; if it was not for the paleness of her skin, she would look at one of my coastlines.”
With his ring-cladded fingers, Ferdinand took his cup, and sipped generously. Nerves still loitered, warning him that the King could turn at any moment. But there he felt a certain understanding between the two — perhaps he saw something of himself in the King of Naples, who had only just spent two years upon the Southern throne. “I would also ask for your trust, if I may be so bold. I would ask you how you have stood the test of time and popularity amongst the English people, and how you became one of the four corners of the various trade routes we bolster… For I have thought long and hard that the Italian States should’ve been included, at least, Naples… We have a lot to give; including perhaps the trade of statues from the Ancient worlds. You know of course, that the keen world of Roman mythology was born upon my shores.”
