As we arrived in Florence I saw the unimpressed look on Arthur's face. He looked with disdain on the buildings that surrounded everything. I knew Arthur wasn't fond of other countries, he prefers our own. But I wasn't surprised he'd be eager to come to Italy, anything to help our father and be his perfect heir. 

"We arrived at the perfect time, children. I see the Medici," our father gasps. Arthur peaked his head out of the carriage as well as I to glance at the family we've heard so much out. I saw two of the boys frantically walking somewhere, they wasted no time, and I had hoped we wouldn't spend much time in the carriage anymore either, I was exhausted from the trip and needed to rest on a bed away from Arthur and my father. 

"How much longer until we get there?" I ask. 

"We are right near the middle of the city, I made sure of it. We are close to all the bankers that have caught attention."

Arthur turns his attention from the city to our father. "Father, how are we supposed to gain favor when we just arrived? Surely, no one would even consider us for anything." 

"I know men in the Priori that will let us gain favor, with the right persuasion. Don't doubt me, my boy."

"Of course not, I would never doubt you." I rolled my eyes at my brother's ignorance. He would never openly go against my father. As we approached our new home not too long after, I saw talk among men, children running past. Much like the cities in England, they were crowded beyond belief. Father and Arthur got out of the carriage first and Arthur held out his hand to assist me. 

---

Lorenzo and Giuliano had left the Priori from Jacopo's home and both had been discussing what they will do about how they will prove who had tried to murder their father. While Lorenzo had been concentrating on their plans, Giuliano looked around the city getting lost in thought. They had turned the corner to see a carriage parked. An old man stepped out along with a blonde man around their age. He held out his hand and a delicate fair hand took his. Giuliano stopped in his tracks catching Lorenzo's attention. 

"Giuliano, what is it? Why have you stopped?" Lorenzo wondered. He looked to where his brother was staring and gazed at a young girl their age stepping out of the carriage. She had bright blonde hair, an innocent face with devious eyes. Lorenzo felt himself stop breathing, his heart skipped a beat. The girl looked around the city and then made eye contact with the young Medici boy. She gave a light smile before heading inside past her brother and father. It left the two men the choice to go over. As they approached the two men, Arthur and Henry's attention were caught. "Gentlemen. It seems you have just arrived. My name is Lorenzo de Medici, this is my brother Giuliano."

The older man gave a light-hearted smile. "It is an honor to meet you too. I've heard many stories of the Medici."

"All wonderful I hope." Giuliano quips with a chuckle. Arthur puffed out his chest, trying to stand firm as if trying to intimidate the Medici brothers.

"Why of course. My name is Horatio Bucelli and this is my son Alessandro Bucelli, we just arrived from Northern Italy." Henry tells the two, putting a hand on his son's shoulder.

"May I ask who it was that entered your home?" Lorenzo asks pointing towards the door that Anna had retreated into. Henry let out a small laugh. 

"Ah, that is my oldest daughter, Adreana. Adreana! Come here!" He calls out to Anna. 

-

I heard my father call my fake name which felt utterly ridiculous to be called. I took a deep breath and composed myself walking towards the front entrance. I stepped out to see the two Medici boys now more calm than I observed before. 

"Adreana, this is Lorenzo and Giuliano Medici. They've come to welcome us." My father states. Giuliano steps forward first holding out his hand. I stepped forward myself and gave my hand to him accepting a kiss. I could feel my father's excitement over the brothers' attention already being caught. Lorenzo then stepped forward and leaned forward. His hand held mine delicately, unlike his brother. He placed a tender kiss that gave me butterflies without breaking eye contact. 

"It is a pleasure to meet you, madonna Bucelli," Lorenzo tells me. I nod with a smile quietly. It was my family's gaze on my back that I felt that made me say more to the enchanting men in front of me.

"The pleasure is all mine, Messer." I gave a slight curtsey and then turned to my father "shyly". "May I go in now? I'm quite tired by the trip."

My father gave a conniving smile. "Why of course, my dear." I gave a last glance to the boys before heading back in. I let out a sigh once inside and headed to what was to be my chambers now. They were filled with beams of light surprisingly. It was larger than expected as well. It had everything needed which right now was a bed. I needed more sleep for the days to come. 

---

It was later when my father had approached my door. I had been well rested by then and had the energy to deal with my father's antics. "Come in."

He walked in with urgency. "My dear, you were magnificent. The Medici boys were delighted by you. I have a great feeling about Florence." I gave a sigh and turned back to my mirror as I brushed my hair. "What is it, Anna? Is something troubling you?"

"I thought I was Adreana." I snapped. He let out his own sigh and walked forward. 

"You must understand, Anna. This is what is best for our family. What can be best for England if we gain favor with those in power."

"It seems impossible father." I heard the door creak and there stood Arthur as righteous as ever. 

"You wouldn't understand, sister. This is for the men of the household to discuss. You must focus on being a distraction." I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in. He always had to mention that he was in every way superior to me. I could understand clearly what was happening. My father and brother were being fools. And I was to be dragged along with them to "protect" them as my mother had said. Instead of losing my control, I continued to brush my hair and turned away from the two. 

"You're right, I could never understand the matters of men." 

I saw in the corner of my mirror my brother smile. "See Father, even Anna knows. Now, let us go and discuss actual plans." My father didn't say anything and followed my brother out of my chambers. Once the door closed I slammed my brush on the dresser in anger. It was almost humiliating having to be berated by my own brother. 

Downstairs, I heard my father and brother. There was also another man who sounded unfamiliar. As they spoke, I tried to listen better. 

"Pierro Medici was almost killed?" I heard my father gasp out. 

"Shocking, the day we arrived the man was almost murdered on his way home." I hear from my brother. 

"No one knows who did it, his sons have suspicions as well as Jacopo Pazzi. But there is no evidence yet shown to the Priori." The man stated to my father it seemed. I left my room shutting the door quietly so I would not interrupt them. I sneaked down the luxurious stairs towards the door they were behind. 

"And you're sure my son and I will be guaranteed seats in there?" I stood in shock over what I heard. It seemed impossible for them to be able to get in so easily. Unless they had used immoral ways. 

"Of course, trust me, Mister Baron." He had known our true names too. Either my father really did trust this man, or they had something against the man. 

"We are trusting you, but if you were to break this trust, I think the Medici will be unhappy of what we know." My brother threatens. It was terrible to hear them like this. Like animals going for the kill. I felt ashamed to have any part of this. I scurried upstairs once I heard the footsteps approach the door I stood behind.

---

It was the next day that my father and brother said they had urgent business to attend to and ran out of the house. I knew they must be dealing with the Priori now. I took a cloak from my bed and decided to follow them. I stayed in pace, making sure to keep my distance. There they were, stepping inside where the Priori would convene. Surely they could not have gained seats so quickly, Florence was a republic. I went in, seeing an older man standing in the middle. My brother and father did not sit with the men discussing, but in the back. There Lorenzo was standing and apologizing for whatever was done, I did not know. Only a few minutes later the meeting was over. My brother turned back to see me. 

"What are you doing here?" He questioned me. My father had walked off towards a man I didn't know. 

"I wanted to know what you and father were doing. Why are you here?"

"We wanted to stay with the action. Jacopo Pazzi proved he was not responsible for the attempted murder of Pierro Medici."

I see Giuliano Medici march off with his brother following him. That is until he found us. 

"Messer Bucelli, Madonna Bucelli. How nice to see you both. Where is your father?" He asks, his eyes trained on me. I felt my cheeks heat up and I glanced down at my dress, fiddling with the cloak I wore.

"Our father is off speaking with somebody. My sister was just about to leave, I need to find him." He paused and then smirked. "Messer Medici, would you mind escorting my sister to our home? If I wasn't with her I'd be afraid she'd be lost." He let out a fake laugh. I tried my best not to clench my jaw at my brother's words. Lorenzo looked at the smaller boy in shock. 

"If you insist. Come, Madonna Bucelli." He says with a small smile. I reciprocated his smile with my own and followed him out without giving my brother another glance. I followed him out to see Lorenzo's brother, mother, and sister all waiting for him. "Apologies, I ran into the Bucelli's." He tells his family. 

I gave a shy smile to his mother and sister as well as another man that stood with them. I looked over at Giuliano who seemed furious. "Messer Medici." I greeted him. He turned and bowed his head to be polite. 

"Madonna." He started to walk off.

"Where are you going?" His sister asks.

"I need some air." He responds as he continues to walk away. Another man called Lorenzo's name, I turn my head to see him standing with a younger man, most likely his son. 

The voice sounded so familiar, I needed to hear it again. What if that was the man my father spoke to yesterday?

"Everyone, go home. I'll meet you there." He tells his family. He turns to me, "I will be just a second if you don't mind waiting."

"Of course, Messer Medici." I watched him as he walked off towards the man. I glanced around at everybody and walked a bit, hoping to possibly get closer to hear the man once again. I gave polite smiles to people around me and kept striding closer and closer to the three speaking. I had gotten close enough to hear fragments of the conversation. The Pazzi has been saying the Medici bank is insolvent. I'm sure my father would love to hear this information. Something Arthur couldn't provide for him. Although I didn't want much part in my father's plans, if I could find some way to give him something, I would. 

"Madonna Bucelli." I turned quickly being startled from my thoughts. There stood Lorenzo looking more stressed. Of course, he would as his bank and family were possibly in trouble. "I thought you had left." I let out a small laugh. 

"Of course not. I'd love to be accompanied home now if that was alright with you." He nodded his head. 

"Yes, let us go now."

As we walked through the city I made sure to make turns that were longer, to possibly get more out of him, maybe get something for my father or at least help in some way for him. 

"You seem stressed Messer Medici. What seems to be troubling you?" I ask. 

"You may call me Lorenzo. And it is nothing. I don't mean to offend by my silence."

"Well, you may call me Adreana. It seems I have only been here for less than a day and so much has happened. I heard about your father, I am so sorry. I pray for him." I tell him kindly. 

"Thank you, Adreana." Hearing him call me by this name felt so odd. Like I was living another girl's life, a life meant to be living in Florence. Not an English girl deceiving everybody. 

"If you would like to discuss anything I find that I can be a great listener."

"There has just been some trouble recently. And I feel as though there is not much I can do." He let out a sigh as we kept walking. I put a hand to his arm, rubbing it to console.

"I know how you feel. I find myself in the middle of so much and can't do anything." I paused as he stayed silent. "Of course it couldn't compare to your troubles."

"I'm sorry, there's just a lot on my mind. It seems you've arrived in Florence at a troubling time." 

"That is understandable. Don't worry I am not offended." We had approached my home, my father and brother have arrived because of my "short cuts". "Thank you for escorting me home. I hope I wasn't too much of a burden." I say.

"No never. I apologize for my behavior, I am never usually so rude with a beautiful woman." I couldn't help the smile rise on my face. 

"Well, thank you again, Lorenzo." I stepped up on the steps until I seemed high enough. I stood face to face with the tall boy in front of me and gave a chaste kiss to the cheek. I felt the stubble from his beard as I pulled away fast he gazed at me, almost as if entranced. 

"The pleasure was mine." He replied and then I walked into my home looking back at him as he continued to stare. 

---

Lorenzo had gotten to their home before Giuliano which surprised him. He had given his cloak to a servant before finding his mother. 

"Lorenzo, there you are." His mother says looking up at him. "Have you been with that girl the entire time?"

"Yes, her brother requested I walk her home." Lucrezia nodded.

"That was kind of you. What is her name?"

"Adreana Bucelli." Lucrezia furrowed her brows in confusion at the name. 

"I don't know that name or remember her face."

"She arrived yesterday with her family. Her father and brother, Horatio and Alessandro."

"That's odd, where did they come from?" She continues to question her son. 

"Northern Italy from what I was told."

"They aren't noble are they?"

"I'm not sure mother. I haven't been told much."

"She is a beautiful young woman though," Lucrezia tells her son with a knowing smile on her face. It was true, the girl was absolutely beautiful to Lorenzo. She looked so pure and kind. The kiss that she planted on his cheek left quite the impression. But he still had his love, Lucrezia Donati. Husband or not, he was with her. A beautiful young girl he just met would not change anything. At least not everything.

They heard the door close and his sister calls Giuliano's name. There the revelation of what Pierro did is revealed. 

---

I had walked through the door and there my brother and father stood to wait. "We heard you two outside." 

"Your brother convinced the Medici boy to walk you home, that was incredibly smart my boy." I ignored the urge to roll my eyes at my brother and my father's admiration for him. "So what happened, dear?"

"Well for one, I know that the Pazzi has been making claims to the people that the Medici are insolvent." The two looked at each other and then back to me. "It seems the Medici are almost at an end if everything keeps going the same."

"You have been wonderful Anna, truly." 

"She hasn't done much. We still have much to do." Arthur tries to remind our father. He was right though. There was much to be done before we secure our power.

---

Later in the night my father and brother were preparing to leave somewhere. I looked out of my door and saw the man Lorenzo spoke with earlier that day. Soderini. What could my father and brother have over him?

"I must go to the Medici's now. Go to the signoria and speak with him. I have made sure you will soon have seats." 

"Thank you, Soderini. We are grateful." My father says. 

Only two days and my family has managed to climb the social ladder in Florence.

____________

A/N: Thanks for reading! Leave some comments! Who's excited for her to meet Francesco finally? Do you like Lorenzo and Anna?