Warning: Strong language, mild sexual content, mention of blood
a/n: Hey you guys! So as promised some more David Tennant content for you. Casanova is one of my fave roles he ever played and it always hurts me to see how he ends. So in this story, you get to pick the ending! My retelling will include my OC and at one point of the story, you will be able to choose what happens to her and Casanova. Thank you so much for your support and enjoy (also more Good Omens coming soon hehe)
(Masterlist)
"This dress is itchy, Henriette!" Angela grumbled. She had complained about every single aspect of her look. The hair was too tight, the shoes hurt her feet, the dress was too itchy, and the jewelry was too heavy.
Angela was still learning to navigate girlhood, she was only a few months short of turning sixteen and her older sister, Henriette had been dragging her along to parties and gatherings so she could prepare to enter high society... or at least infiltrate it.
"You're beautiful, Angela, once you look in the mirror you'll be happy I dressed you up in the way I did," Henriette chuckled. "Besides, it was a present from Grimani, the best way to thank him and show your appreciation is to wear it."
"I don't know anybody here, I want to go home!" The girl whined, looking around at all those new faces was very intimidating.
"That is precisely why we're here, so you can know these people and find yourself a good husband in the future."
That's when Angela saw him, a tall gentleman wearing the most beautiful teal jacket that matched his blue eyes. His smile was contagious and his charm poured out of his mouth with every word he said. His features were sharp, but he wasn't intimidating, he looked like the most approachable person in the vicinity.
"He has dimples too..." she breathed to herself.
"Who?" Henriette asked, immediately spotting the man her sister had her eye on. "Angela, he's much too old for you!"
Just as the older sister scolded the younger, the man in question caused a stir, getting himself punched in the face within five minutes of the first conversation he was able to start.
"Grimani! Bugger off!" Angela screamed, not caring how unpolished that made her seem. She rushed to help the gentleman that captured her attention. "Oh dear, you're bleeding! Come here, let me help. What is your name?"
"Giacomo Casanova, may I ask what is yours?" He groaned, accepting her hand. His eyes already traveled around her figure which definitely did not reflect her age. Anyone who laid eyes on her would think she was at least eighteen or twenty.
"Angela D'alvitas, it is a pleasure to meet you," she took him away to a water fountain where she could wash the blood from his face.
"The pleasure is all mine, my lady," Giacomo smirked, trying to look brave despite hurting. "Hope you at least enjoyed the show."
"Oh, I loved it, next time you should punch Grimani back, that would make it even better. He certainly deserves it for squeezing me into this hideous itchy gown."
"Glad to be of service, at least I amuse you."
"Your jacket, that is Chinese silk? It is gorgeous."
"Yes, it is, good eye! And good lips, and good hands, and good..."
"Careful with your words, sir!" Henriette rushed towards them. "My sister might look like a grown woman, but she's only fifteen."
"Sixteen in sixty-eight days!" Angela yelped.
"Jesus Christ! You are fifteen?" Casanova's eyes grew. "I apologize, my lady, I did not mean any disrespect. You just look... more mature than you turn out to be."
Angela gave her sister a death glare. How could she ruin their perfect moment like that? There was nothing the girl desired more at that point than to be disrespected by Casanova.
"He's not even a real gentleman, sister," Henriette quirked an eyebrow knowingly at him. "He might look like one, but it is all pretending."
"I admit it, it's an act," Giacomo sighed, now setting his sights on the older sister, who looked very much like Angela. Same dark hair, same big doll eyes, same tempting cherry lips.
"You must remember that everyone else is also pretending, you just need to lie with conviction," Henriette smiled, fixing his jacket to get her hands under it. "Stand tall, chin up, act better and you will become better. See? Quite the gentleman."
"Quite the lady, your mother is sure to be congratulated for her ability to create beautiful daughters," Giacomo smirked again.
"That is quite enough, goodbye now," Henriette left, dragging her sister along. "Oh, and one more thing... trust no one."
She waved the money she stole from him in the air, it was an old trick she had performed multiple times, being a very skilled pickpocket in her youth.
"That's my purse!" Giacomo shouted.
"Henriette! Give it back! We don't need it!" Angela ran after her sister angrily. "Well thank you for ruining my chances with him!"
"You are a child still," the older sister laughed once they were far away. "When I said you should find a husband, I meant a rich one!"
"I would much rather get a loving one."
"Then you are looking in the wrong place. Did you notice how he looked at us? How he talked? His heart falls in love with a different woman every single day, he is incapable of being loyal to only one."
"I don't believe it... I saw it in his eyes, despite his armor, he is a good and honest man."
"A good, honest, and unwealthy man who can't give you the future you deserve."
"The future I deserve is up to me, sister," Angela said firmly, snatching Giacomo's purse back. "Now I need to find him and give this back."
**
Angela took every opportunity to leave the house. Before, she would much rather stay in and read books, but now all she wanted was to catch a glimpse of Casanova. Even her mother was starting to find her behavior odd.
She went to every party, every dinner, soirée, and social event she could. And in every single one, she simply ignored everyone else, discreetly watching and admiring Giacomo from afar. He barely noticed, busy making his connections.
His popularity was growing, he was gaining more money with his scams that always ended up being more legitimate than he originally planned.
He posed as a lawyer, a doctor, an astrologist, and many other things... the outcome was always the best possible for both parties.
"You know, the Viscount has a son about your age, Angela," Henriette said, gesturing to the boy who sat in the corner looking bored. "He is quite handsome, isn't he?"
"He looks as dull as a butter knife, sister. Besides I am no longer a child, I'm nearly an adult," she smirked, having turned sixteen the week prior.
"Every boy is dull at that age, but he will grow up and if you win over his affection now... maybe your future is secure," Henriette said.
"I bet he wasn't dull at that age," Angela turned to look at Casanova, who was playing violin for a small crowd. "Now if you'll excuse me..."
The young lady made her way to watch more closely and clapped once he was done.
"Good evening, Angela," he smiled when she caught his eye. "Happy birthday, sorry I could not attend your party, I was studying a case."
"That is not a problem, you have been working so hard. That is the mark of a true gentleman," she grinned.
"About that, I caught wind that you have been giving my name to every single person you hear needs any sort of expert," Giacomo chuckled. "Is that true?"
"May be true..."
"You are truly an angel, you know that?" He gently kissed her forehead. "Thank you."
"It's the least I can do after my sister so rudely stole from you... I do apologize on her behalf once again."
"Oh, no apology necessary."
"You are quite amazing with the violin."
"This old thing? I just picked it up, how does it even work?" He joked. "Do you play anything? It's good to start learning when you are still young."
"I am not that young, Giac, I am not a little girl anymore," Angela rolled her eyes. "And yes, I actually play the harp."
"That is a lovely instrument! Very hard to play as well, consider me impressed..."
"You're impressed? You're the one who made your way to the top lying so well that everything you touch turns to gold."
"Not my fault I was born clever. Show me a book, a map, a language, a libretto... I will not just learn it, I'll use it," he smirked.
"That must be how you win over the ladies, I have heard that many of them find themselves gravitating towards you. I do not assume that they only like your looks and cheap innuendos."
"My lines seem to work on them. Besides some other attributes that I might be inclined to tell you about in a year or two."
"You are filthy!" She gaped.
"Ladies seem to like that too!" He laughed.
"Angela! There you are, you keep escaping whenever I try to ask about your dress for the wedding," Grimani called, followed by his bride. "Oh, it's that man again."
Grimani looked at Casanova with such disgust, that one would think he was staring at a pile of rubbish or a full chamber pot.
"Are you following me? People will talk," Giacomo teased.
"You are not that unlucky, this knobhead has been following me all day..." Angela grimaced.
"And here you are, Casanova, flirting with a girl who is barely out of leading strings?" Grimani sneered. "Shame on you."
"No, he isn't. We were only talking and I am old enough to get married if I want to."
"No one treats Miss Angela with more respect than me, I am utterly afraid that my purse might be stolen again if I ever lay a finger on her," Giacomo winked at Henriette, who seemed terrified of her fiancée finding out about her tricks.
"You should surround yourself with better company. This man has the look of a manual worker about him. What is your profession, Casanova?" Grimani asked.
"I am a... Spy," he said and Angela chuckled.
"A spy?"
"Yes, a spy, that's me, the spy. Being a spy I should not announce that I'm a spy, but..."
"But I suppose you can prove it?"
"What? You want me to spy on something?" Giacomo joked, looking intently ahead. "Look there's a canal, there I spied it... look, still there... oh, and again!"
Angela laughed even harder at that and Henriette also could not resist, which filled Giacomo with pride.
"I take it you're laughing at him?" Grimani huffed angrily.
"Absolutely," Henriette nodded sarcastically.
"I did not know the lady was engaged," Giacomo tilted his head.
"Unfortunately," Angela groaned.
"Now that I have your attention, let us talk of the dress," Grimani took both ladies by the hand. "My mother had questions about the colors."
Angela looked back over her shoulder at Giacomo, her heart racing more than it ever has. She was a woman, but the entire world didn't see her as such.
Later that night, when getting herself a glass of champagne while her sister wasn't looking, she heard the most interesting conversation:
"I heard he's courting Angela like a fool," one lady in a blue gown said.
"Casanova? Courting Angela?" her friend in the purple gown seemed amused by the idea.
"Yes, no amount of dedication or wit can help him this time, I fear. From what I heard, he is playing the long game. He's been moving slowly, but it seems every single time they talk, there's the matter of the sister. Her older sister is like a hunting hound, isn't she? Always keeping the girl locked up, she is never allowed to be alone with him."
"I did hear about that... I imagine he will get what he wants one time or another, it is Casanova, after all. He always gets the lady in the end, but I hear this time he's quite persistent. He thinks of nothing else, he is being consumed in desire, can't sleep, can't eat. All because of this lady."
"All because of this lady," Angela repeated to herself with the biggest smile on her face, already planning the next step.
"What exactly did he say, Rocco?" Angela asked, trying to sound as casual as possible while talking to Casanova's only friend and employee.
"Well, he said that he turns into an idiot whenever he's around her. He says he cannot give up because she is so beautiful. She's taken over his head, his blood, and his guts. He can't stop thinking about her and only her."
"He could always find someone else..."
"I told him, but he insists someone else wouldn't be her."
"Oh, poor thing," Angela couldn't help but smile. "Is he home?"
"He is reading, he said he didn't want any..."
"Angela!" Giacomo smiled, standing at the top of the stairs. "I thought I heard your voice! Come on up."
"Interruptions," Rocco mumbled, moving over to allow her to climb the stairs before closing the door.
She sighed, letting her cape fall to the ground and revealing her red dress which made her skin look even paler and her hair look even darker. She knew she was beautiful in that outfit, she felt beautiful.
"Wow, you look like the type of woman someone would write a book about. Raven black hair, red lips like an apple, and skin as white as snow... I should write that down actually," Giacomo chuckled.
"Thank you, Giac," she giggled.
She was embarrassed to ask, who wouldn't be embarrassed? But it seemed the entirety of Venice knew she was being courted except for her. If he truly couldn't sleep or eat, consumed in desire, she had to do something about it.
"So, um- I heard a few things about you," Angela cleared her throat.
"Oh? Filthy gossip as always? If it's bad, it's all true," he joked.
"No, it wasn't bad, I just- I heard about your feelings. Your agony concerning... me."
Giacomo stared at her in confusion, his brows furrowed as he tried to remember ever mentioning anything of the sort.
"You could never bring me agony, angel, you are the kindest person in the city."
"I heard about your courting and..."
"My courting," he narrowed his eyes until he finally understood. "My courting! Yes, I have been courting Angela Tusselo."
Her world suddenly crumbled, how could she be so stupid? Of course he wasn't courting her... Henriette had made it seem like she was only a baby, of course he wanted nothing to do with her!
"Angela Tusselo, the daughter of the priest," she nodded, unable to hide her shock.
"Oh, dear. Did you think I was secretly courting you?"
"I... yes! And I was terrified, because... because I cannot reciprocate your feelings," Angela quickly lied so as to not look foolish.
"Oh really? I always thought you found me quite handsome," Giacomo smirked. "Do you not?"
"I- Everyone finds you handsome, Giac, that is not the point. I just simply cannot like you because I am already promised to another man. The Viscount's son, Elias."
"That boy is as dull as a butter knife."
"Yes, I know. He would not be my first choice, believe me," Angela laughed nervously. "But who knows, maybe I will fall in love with him or maybe I'll manage to rid myself of him. Find a more suitable suitor."
"But not me."
"You are courting Angela Tusselo, why do you care?" She asked, intrigued by his little game.
"I think it's clear as day that I do not plan on marrying her. In fact, I received a visit last night from both her sisters, they kept me company all night in bed."
"You disgust me."
Angela couldn't get another word out without bursting into tears, it was so obvious all Giacomo wanted was to toy with her feelings. Why did she let him get away with it? Because of his looks? His charms? His voice? Well... yes, but not anymore!
She was a catch, she was a young beautiful virgin with a sharp wit and every quality a husband could possibly want from a wife. She deserved better certainly.
So it started, Angela would go to gatherings and parties not to catch a glimpse of Casanova, but in hopes Casanova would catch a glimpse of her in her best dresses and looking absolutely content. Maybe this way he would realize what he'd been missing.
"I am enjoying your new disposition," Henriette smiled when they entered yet another mansion. "Conversing with all the rich and powerful young men to secure yourself a good husband... I'm glad your silly infatuation with you-know-who is gone."
"Is yours gone as well?" Angela asked.
"I do not not what you mean."
Angela scoffed, she knew her sister also had a weak spot for Casanova, just like every woman in Europe. That infuriated her more than anything, to think she had to compete with her own sister...
"Hello, angel," Giacomo approached Angela and gently kissed the back of her hand. "I haven't heard from you, don't tell me you are angry at me. I couldn't bear it."
"I am not, of course not. I have just been a tad busy with my affairs. Why would I be angry?"
"You are right, it must be my own paranoia. I thought you were quite cross with me after I told you about the sisters Tusselo."
"Oh, that thing... Of course not, I know damn well you have slept with half of the women in Italy, there's no reason for me to get worked up over that."
"Half? I believe I had at least three-fourths..." he winked and sipped on his wine.
He scanned the ballroom with restless eyes, he wished to ask something, but he couldn't find the right words, he did not want Angela to think he only came by to talk about that matter. They were friends, weren't they? At least he thought they were, but she had been so distant.
"Tell me what, angel, you see that soprano over there? Rocco thinks that's a boy, a castratto, but that's clearly a girl, right? Come on... that's a girl!"
"I- what? But Bellino was inspected by the Bishop."
"The Bishop's been celibate for over fifty years, he doesn't know the difference anymore. That's a girl, I know girls!"
"Let me guess. You are attracted to him and you are trying to make your attraction justified?"
"Well, it is! Because he- she's a girl!"
"So you admit you are attracted to him?" Henriette approached the pair with a huge smile. "I dare you to find out, Casanova."
"Do not give him any more reason to be stupid, sister," Angela chuckled. "He does that perfectly well on his own. You will end up disgracing yourself, that's what you'll do."
"Sorry, angel... I never turned down a dare."
Over the next few weeks, Giacomo did everything he could to win over Bellino's heart. He paid for his clothes and accommodations, made sure he would perform in the theater, and invited everyone to watch.
Angela simply let it happen, pretending like she was perfectly fine with all the extravagance, smiling politely at the boys who made conversation with her, and gracefully accepting her sister's praise for turning herself around and finally acting like a responsible adult.
But of course she was only human, she couldn't keep appearances forever. One fateful night, the poor girl was sobbing right outside an elegant venue where a banquet was held. She wore her cape and leaned against one of the rough brick walls. How did she manage to become such a lifeless shell?
"What do you want?" Angela wiped her tears when she saw Casanova walking towards her.
"I just came to tell you that you win, the game has turned sour. The boy is a boy and now I disgraced myself just like you said I would."
"Good for you."
"Are you crying? Are you alright?" He lowered her hood and saw her red eyes. "Was it Elias? What did he do?"
"Nothing."
"He must've done something. What has he done? Has he hurt you?"
"Why do you care? Why are you here talking to me? I am nothing to you, Giacomo!" Her tears escaped before she could stop them.
"I thought... we were friends."
"Friends? Lucky me, the only woman in all of Italy that Giacomo Casanova only wants to be friends with! I must be hideous! I must be completely stupid! And now you're in love with that castratto."
"I'm not- I can't- I love him," Giacomo sighed, defeated.
"Then love him, make it worth something... friend."
*
The news that Casanova was engaged to Bellino, who was revealed to be a woman, after all, spread like wildfire. Everyone in Venice knew of them and when Henriette walked into her sister's bedroom to show her the invitation they had gotten for their engagement summer ball, all she heard was the loudest scream she had ever heard in her entire life.
Angela cried for hours, hit her head on the wall, screamed some more, tore to pieces the book Giacomo had given her on her birthday, and then put it back together again, regretting her actions fueled by rage.
After finally regaining her composure, she started to select which dress she would wear for the ball. She asked Grimani for a new one, but ended up choosing one of her sister's gowns, a green one with gold embroidery. She knew there was no hope to win him back now, but she had to show Giac and everyone else she was perfectly fine and did not mind at all that he was marrying someone else.
"You look divine this evening, Angela," Elias took her hand as they danced.
"Only tonight?" She spun around with a bored look.
"Well... n-no. You look divine every day, I just meant-"
"I know what you meant."
"Are you thirsty maybe? Would you like some refreshments?"
"No, my stomach is in a twist."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Would you like me to escort you outside or maybe walk you home?"
The boy wasn't a bad person. Yeah, he was dull, but most boys were. He didn't love Angela by any means, but he was kind to her and held her in high regard. There were worse fates than marrying him and she knew it quite well.
"Look, it's Casanova and his bride!" Elias pointed at the entrance where the couple stood wearing clothes that looked like had just been ripped and glued back together. The two seemed like survivors of a lion attack.
"They look marvelous, don't they?" Henriette asked while they made their way through the crowd.
"Yes," Angela simply said, trying to smile, but the longer she looked, the harder it was to keep acting like everything was fine. She should be the one by his side, his bride. She wondered if she had said something before... maybe things could've turned out differently.
After a few more dances it was obvious the entire city was enamored with Bellino who had a brilliant career ahead of her. Angela couldn't see the appeal, but that might be due to her own bias... Everyone was looking at her except for Henriette and Giacomo, who had a silent conversation about the future.
"I have been meaning to introduce you," Angela interrupted them. "Giacomo, this is Elias. The one I told you about."
"Oh yes, the famous Elias," Giacomo collected himself. "You are one lucky fella, I hope you know that. And I hope you know if you ever do her wrong, I will find a way to make you regret you were born."
"What are you scared of, Giac? That he might be like you?" She mumbled. "Do not pretend to care now because you do not. Now if you'll excuse me..."
Angela had to leave the ballroom, she couldn't breathe, it was like all those feelings, all the small caresses she saw Casanova exchange with Bellino, all of that was being shoved down her throat and she was choking, suffocated by the words she couldn't say.
"Angel!" Giacomo ran after her, pushing Elias out of the way. "Are you feeling well?"
"Do I look well?"
"Uh... did I say something wrong?" He held her hand right before she left the room.
"No, it is not what you said, it is what you didn't say."
"And what do you want me to say?"
"If you need to ask me, the words would have no value."
"Do you- did I hurt your feelings? I thought you were in love with Elias since you have been by his side ever since our last meeting."
"Of course I'm not in love with him, did you look at him? He can't have a conversation that lasts more than five minutes!"
"Are you in love with... me?"
He truly had to ask? How stupid was he?
"No!"
"Are you sure?"
"I am quite sure! I am frustrated, I am tired. I am destined to marry a man I despise, I do not have a choice!" She had to lie, admitting her feelings for him would only make everything more complicated. And if he decided to follow through with the wedding, she feared the humiliation of the rejection might kill her.
"I'm sorry."
"So am I. I am going home."
"Can I have this dance before you go? Please, I would hate to see you go so upset."
"A dance won't change it. When you let go of my hand you will be engaged to Bellino, and I will be promised to Elias. When you let go of my hand the world will keep turning, it won't wait for me... Friend."
Gentlemen, I’m sure we can sort this out amicably. Look at it this way: if you could do what I could do, then you would do it, too. But you can’t, and I can. And I have. And I’ll do it again. So you should be happy for me just a little, tiny bit, don’t you think?
