Death of Alfonso of Aragon, Lucrezia Borgia's second husband
The funeral of Alfonso of Aragon, Lucrezia Borgia's second husband, is taking place in the Basilica of Saint Peter. The atmosphere is thick with grief and suspicion as mourners whisper about the Borgi
Setting
Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City, Rome. The vast interior of the basilica, with its high vaulted ceilings and marble floors, serves as the solemn backdrop for the funeral of Alfonso of Aragon. The altar area is adorned with candles and dark drapery, and the coffin lies in state, surrounded by mourners.
Characters
Lucrezia Borgia
primary
A striking woman in her early 20s with fair skin, delicate features, and golden blonde hair loosely covered by a black veil. Her posture is regal yet weighed down by grief, with dark circles under her blue eyes from sleepless nights.
Cardinal Orsini
primary
A tall, gaunt man in his late fifties with sharp, angular features and piercing dark eyes. His pale complexion contrasts with his thinning silver hair, which is neatly trimmed in accordance with clerical standards. His hands are long-fingered and delicate, often clasped together in prayer or gesturing with calculated precision.
Alfonso of Aragon
secondary
A young man in his early twenties, with a noble bearing even in death. His pale complexion contrasts sharply with the dark silk lining of his coffin. His dark hair is neatly arranged, and his hands are folded over his chest, holding a rosary. His face bears the stillness of death, yet there is a faint trace of the handsome features that once charmed the courts of Italy.
Noblewoman
secondary
A middle-aged Roman noblewoman with a slender, poised build. Her sharp features are framed by dark, veiled hair, and her piercing eyes dart observantly around the room. Her pale skin is slightly flushed from the tension of the occasion.
Guard Captain
background
A middle-aged man of sturdy build, standing at about 5 feet 10 inches tall. His face is weathered with a strong jawline and deep-set eyes that scan the room with vigilance. His dark hair is streaked with gray, tied back in a short queue. A noticeable scar runs from his left temple to his cheekbone, a remnant of past service.
Dialog
Lucrezia Borgia
Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine...
Cardinal Orsini
Let us contemplate how swiftly Fortuna's wheel turns—from nuptial torches to funeral tapers, all within a single year.
Noblewoman
One wonders... does grief weigh heavier when the widow's tears might wash away suspicion?
Lucrezia Borgia
The Lord sees all hearts, Your Eminence. Even those veiled in clerical purple.
Cardinal Orsini
Indeed. And He shall judge whether poison in the cup differs from venom on the tongue.