Page 302 - The Grotesque Children's Book

Chapter 40.

Francesco’s First Horoscope

Two weeks after the death of Joanna of Austria, that is to say

April 22, 1578

Ordinarily if a Duke made a “request” for a consultation in one of his private chambers in
a dark secluded corner of the palace, it was a death sentence. Assassins, and not the Duke,
would be waiting in the chamber. But in this case, Doctor Ludovico Valerius was not concerned,
or at least not concerned for his own well-being. Unless I’m a very poor judge of character,
thought Valerius after receiving the summons (which came orally via messenger-servant, rather
than by formal written invitation), the Duke values me and my services and I have nothing to
fear. But still, the final few feet down the final hallway to the door were unlit, cold, and
unnerving. Which is probably the way the Duke likes it. There were two guards standing on
either side of the last door at the end of the corridor so there would be no turning back. Valerius
strode to the door, trying to muffle the thunderous roar of the sound of his swallowing. “Doctor
Ludovico Valerius to see the Duke Francesco. He sent for me.”

From within came a loud bellow. “Valerius! Let him in, let him in!” The guards opened
the door and the doctor stepped inside. He needn’t have worried about assassins, as the Duke
was in a jolly mood, filled with camaraderie.

“I’ve charted my first horoscope!” said Francesco. “Zaccario has been teaching me.
Come look!” Francesco had grasped Valerio by the sleeve and was tugging him over to a desk,
which was littered with pages of scribblings and tables and charts and symbols of half-moons.
“It’s Bianca’s!” said Francesco. “See, look. At exactly midnight yesterday, which was the full
moon, I asked her to describe her health and ask how’s her prognosis in the future. See, doctor,
there’s midnight --” he said, pointing to an intersection of rows and columns -- “and you can see
the burgeoning of Taurus, which influences health of the throat and larynx, exerting some
strength on Pisces, which is Bianca’s sign, and you can see how a few weeks later its influence is
warring as it descends, strike that, I don’t mean ‘warring.’ What’s the word, waning, waxing,
warning. I’m still learning. But how exciting it is to be able to see the future, isn’t it, Doctor?”

“Ehm...” was all that Valerio managed to get out before Francesco barreled on.

“But it’s not good news, I’m afraid! See here, where Taurus’s healing powers are at their
fullest, they’re at the perigee, or is it apogee, anyway, they’re retreating away from Pisces. It’s
Scorpio coming on at that time, and it looks like -- no, Gemini...that’s the symbol Gemini right
there, Doctor. But what am I to do for poor Bianca? I think she’s ill. It’s why I asked you to
come see me. To ask what to do to help her. Valerio, my friend -- I consider you my friend -- I
have no one else to talk to about Bianca. She’s...you can’t tell anyone what I’m about to confide,
Valerius.”

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