«Rigoletto» — The Duke of Mantua

The Duke of Mantua was incredibly distressed: his beauty, his little dove, had been kidnapped, and he hadn't even had the chance to lie with her on the same bed. "If I had been there, if I had heard everything, I would have done anything to save my beloved," he thought. This sounded quite ironic, knowing that the duke would forget about her as soon as he obtained her body.

And then came the clatter of his courtiers, who approached the Duke of Mantua. In response, he raised an eyebrow questioningly and set his wine glass down on the side table.

"Your Grace, we bring you joyful news: we have kidnapped Rigoletto's mistress," declared Marullo.

"We will make Rigoletto a cuckold for his malicious jests, and together we will all see his face and laugh!" the courtiers chorused, bursting into laughter.

"You kidnapped Rigoletto's mistress? When and how?" asked the duke, while in his own thoughts, he was saying, "It must be my sweet one... After all, I know my jester has no mistress; he has a daughter."

"Yesterday we deceived the vile jester by telling him we were kidnapping the Countess Ceprano, and last night, climbing onto the balcony, we kidnapped the beauty."

The Duke of Mantua's eyes widened, a spark igniting in their depths as he realized his servants had kidnapped the jester's daughter, not his non-existent mistress. Rising from his chair in admiration, he said:

"Without delay, show me Rigoletto's mistress."

All the courtiers, seeing how abruptly their duke had become delighted, exchanged surprised glances and chuckled, but nonetheless, Marullo stepped forward and said:

"Then allow me to show you the room where she is kept."

Then Marullo headed towards a separate room, and the Duke of Mantua hurried after him, already anticipating his forthcoming pleasure.

When they reached the door behind which you were sleeping, Marullo bowed and left, and the duke slowly opened the door and saw you in that very dress you wore yesterday. The scarlet-colored blanket created a contrast pleasing to the duke's heart. As he slowly approached you, his gaze involuntarily slid over your soft breasts, flat stomach, and luxurious hips. The duke licked his lips and, stroking your cheek, merely said:

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