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Marco darts down a side alley, his heart is pumping frantically.

Marco arrives home at the Acerbi estate, feeling confident that he beat any of his competition back.

He bursts into Francesca's room, panting and sweating. Francesca appears to be still asleep, in the same room you left her in.

"Thank God I'm the first one here!" Marco thinks to himself, trying to catch his breath. He looks over his shoulder, then comes closer to the bed and gently touching her shoulder tries to wake up Francesca.
"Good morning, sunshine! How are you feeling?" - he asks between deep breaths.

Francesca wakes slowly with a soft groan. Her face is swollen and bruised. "Marco? Is it morning so soon? If only I could sleep forever..."

On the side table next to the bed is a bowl of water, a wash towel and a full cup of a green colored tea.

"Oh, don't say that! There are still many good things to happen to you. And it would be a much darker place here without your smile... I'll do everything to keep you safe, I promise!" Marco tries to comfort Francesca.
"I know you don't like to talk about this, but... I need your help. Have you ever met Blasio Soranzo? Do you know his voice? My brother often invites him... do you think it could be him who attacked you?"

She rolls over and scrunches the blankets around herself, facing away from Marco. "Maybe. I mean, I don't know. I never saw 'is face and I was unconscious for 'alf the time.."

She continues speaking to the empty corner of the room. "Blasio is always a nuisance when 'e stays. Always asking for 'is meals made a certain way and I've 'eard 'e gets the other girls change his sheets every night. I just do what 'e says and I don't think 'es taken any particular disliking to me. Blasio never curses at any of us either, as far as I remember, not like the man that attacked me..." She shudders. "I only 'eard the man whispering. Maybe if I 'eard Blasio say the same things I could give you a better answer."

"Meals made in a certain way? What do you mean?"

"Oh, just silly childish things." She muses. "Like never wanting the bread put on the same plate as the other food because it would make it soggy. Or taking all the bones out the chicken or fish, but red meat with bones is okay. After a few times though, I just got used to doing it 'is way and 'e doesn't need to ask much anymore."

Marco's brows raise a bit.
"Oh, such things. It's a bit strange, but... no, I don't know. Anyway, thank you. I will leave you for now. If you need anything, just call me."
Marco leaves the room, but he doesn't really know, where to go next. He is walking the corridors, thinking and scratching his head.