January 1, 1561 A New Arrival

Two years have passed sense my last duchess and now I recently acquired a new Duchess which I am eagerly awaiting her arrival to my estate. This should certainly raise my popularity among the other dukes, when they see her beauty they will envy me even more than the last duchess I had. When the talk of a dowry comes up I will nearly roll onto the floor laughing, as if my nine hundred year old name was not enough to give such a young lady. She is so young and naïve with such a pale fragile neck I hope her training in etiquette is better than my last Duchess. I’d certainly hate for something awful come her way. It would certainly be…a shame

March 23, 1559

The statue of Neptune has arrived in perfect condition; I loved it so much I had Claus of Innsbruck cast it in Bronze to exfoliate the power that Neptune shows when he is taming a sea horse by mere force of his trident. I feel that Neptune and I have much in common when it comes to power over other things. I want the statue ready from when my friend comes over. I’m afraid the Duchess passed away a few days ago, something I often forget, most likely because of how upset I am. It’s a shame my friend could not view my duchess in life; alas he will have the honor of viewing the painting. I eagerly am awaiting his arrival it has been days sense someone has viewed it and I am missing the wondering eyes men have over the painting. I think I have understood what the eyes she was receiving for men were because of their jealous nature towards me and what I own. It was still no excuse for her eyes to wonder, and yet now they are fixed to a painting and I still feel they can wonder if I do not cover them.

March 15, 1559

The week has been brought on very good fortune to me. The rare statue I have been searching for is only a matter of days away. It will look beautiful in the foyer. Everyone will be able to admire the beauty and power it holds. I will not tell you what it is just yet but all in due time. I have also hired a personal drapery specialist to come in and deign a curtain with a silk drawstring to cover the portrait of my dearly beloved duchess. She is beautiful today the way the sun shine through the window and hits her cheeks just that way. I know now when she blushes it’s for me and me alone because I hold the power to cover her eyes. She no longer has to worry about the wondering eyes she posses because I have taken away her temptation to stray away. It is a quite day and the duchess and I have enjoyed a quiet evening together. The servants are the ones who seem dreadful, why I am not sure. I am glad I had the conversation with her when I did because she now listens to me and if she feels the need to disobey it is her who is shunned and cast into darkness. A dear friend is coming over in the days to follow and I anticipate he will want to meet my duchess.