"Now that I know, even with my absence from your unlife. That is why I did not expect to find forgiveness here. Only proof of you continuing to walk this earth." He does not often riposte to Cesare's verbal jabs at him, but in this case he really wants to drive home his point.

The closest thing Micheletto has had to a friend, dead? Truly dead? Even taking into account the circumstances of their parting, that would be too much.

"You may threaten me, condemn me, and toss me into walls all you like, sire. But will you answer my question when you are done?"

Only now does Micheletto truly pull away from the vampire, leaning against the wall which Cesare first pushed him up against. "The former, naturally aligned with the Sforza. The Orsini have been wise to remain in hiding." He pauses a beat, then adds as an afterthought, "She missed her connecting flight."