"We should be going," Speranza says. "Scusate, Leonardo."

"I understand, mia signora," Leo says. He strokes his chin thoughtfully. "However, I think you'll want to stay for a day or two more."

"Why is that?" Ezio asks.

"Carnevale is in two days. You can wear masks, dance, have some fun, and get away from the trouble."

"Carnevale! How could I have forgotten!" Speranza smiles a little. "Of course we'll stay."

Ezio's face falls. "The last time I was at Carnevale..."

Leo shakes his head. "Cristina...right. Scusate."

"Cristina?" she asks.

"A...woman," Ezio says slowly. "I loved her, but she had been married to someone else. I made a mistake, and she told me to leave her alone. She died later."

"Oh..." She bites her lip, suddenly very interested in the floor.

"That was a while ago. Let's go to Carnevale," Ezio says. "Besides, no one will recognize us with the masks."

"Alright! Carnevale it is!" Leo claps his hands together excitedly. "How exciting!"

Speranza catches Ezio's gaze, and the image of Cristina pricks in his mind. He can't let what happened between them mess up anything with this relationship now.

Scusate: Sorry