Previously

"I'm here to see Bianca de Medici."

"She was not expecting visitors." I stood still and gave an innocent smile. I was told my appearance held an innocence, it is my brother who reminds me of the darkness beneath my surface.

"Was she not? Perhaps she forgot. May I go and wait for her, there's a chill."

The servant looked behind them and then nodded tiredly. I step quickly inside and find myself in the grand space. The home was a warm color of brown, as if the Medici family actually liked living there, unlike my own. I heard footsteps coming down the steps and I see Bianca's puffy eyes and her great blue dress. Her look made me shiver in her grief, I didn't know what to expect of the young Medici girl.

---

"You're the Bucelli girl my brother escorted, aren't you? I recognize you."

"Yes, that is me, Adreana." 

"What do you want?"

She finally reached the bottom and approached me carefully, she was taller and looked more regal than me. I felt belittled under her gaze, but I couldn't give her the satisfaction of having any power over me. She needed to feel that I was equal to her. "I wanted to give me and my family's condolences to yours. I know you must be feeling terrible, I know how you've felt. I wanted to offer anything you may want. I'm told I am understanding and a good person to talk to." Bianca still kept a weary eye on me, as if questioning if I really was giving my condolences. I suppose I really wasn't, though I wish that was all.

"Are you?" She crossed her arms over her chest. This could mean she would laugh in my face and throw me out or embrace me as a new companion.

"You must have plenty of friends, but I just arrived here and I only have my family. You seemed so kind when we met. I apologize if I bothered you during this time."

She faltered from her hard exterior and softened a bit. "You said you know how I feel? How so?"

I look around to see if the servants of the home were near. I truly didn't want anyone to listen. If I could escape into the Medici's home from my false life then it was fine with me.

"May we talk somewhere else?"

She nodded and took my wrist. "Let us go to my chambers. My brothers are on a trip, and my mother is somewhere. We can speak there." We ascended to the second floor and approached her room. It was similar to mine, though hers seemed more like a home. I lived there but it wasn't my home, my home was in England with my family and the warmth of memories. 

"Your room is beautiful."

"Thank you. I'm sorry for the mess." It was awkward and formal between us, but I expected no more than that, we only met once, I could not be her closest friend in a few moments.

"I heard much of your father. He seemed like a good man. I'm sorry he had to go so soon." She gave a sad smile and sat down.

"You can sit."

I took my chance and sat beside her. I tried to relax my body, not seem so stiff next to the poor girl. After a moment of silence I spoke, "It was my sister."

"Excuse me?"

"When I said I can relate to you, I meant my sister." This was my chance to take a step into their world and I would take it just like father would want me to. Even with the truth this time. "We were just out one day. I was supposed to watch her, I was the older one. She escaped my sight for one moment and the next thing I knew," I paused remembering the horrid day. It was a matter of moments and in one second it ruined my reputation and the way I viewed everything. "It was an accident. They didn't mean to hurt her." The tears that managed to escape my eyes were real, the story was changed to help, both possibly being more than necessary. I didn't wish to continue more and hoped Bianca would let her walls collapse slowly after hearing a story. 

Bianca stared at me with a deep gaze that frightened me. "That is horrible. At least we can know that my father and your sister are at peace." She reaches for my hand and I knew at that moment, a few tears, a story to relate and my condolences could earn me a spot in her life.

"Yes, they were good. And we can live on knowing they watch over us." I give her a grand smile, almost as grand as their lavish home and clutch onto her hand. "I know our loved ones wouldn't want us to sit and cry day and night for them. If you would have me, I would like if we could spend more time together. Just arriving I have had no time to make friends. I know your brother, and that seems about it!"

"Of course." She chuckled through the tears that escaped her eyes. "How have you liked it in Florence? Is it to your liking? Where are you from?" She wondered.

"It's absolutely lovely." Lie. "Everything has been wonderful." Another lie. "It's only my brother and father with me, we come from Northern Italy." The biggest lie. I wanted to speak about home and how I missed the tulips that mother grew with the servants, the way my brother and sisters would run through our home, and the life that brought me joy.

"What about your mother?" She asked. I froze, usually the lies were easy, but to remember my mother, sitting at home in England was devastating. After seeing my reserved response she took it upon herself, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked, there must be a reason if your mother isn't with you." I had to come up with something, was she dead or did we leave her? What would my father and brother approve of?

"We actually left her home. She wasn't suited for travel. She gets ill."

"Oh, then you must miss her terribly." This was something I didn't have to lie about, I could tell her anything.

"I do, she's the person I am closest to. She always knows what to do, but it's harder when letters are the only way I can hear from her."

"It's how I feel about my mother. She's always there for my brothers and I."

"Are you close with your brothers?" It was a step closer to the bank. Perhaps I could hear some information on their trip if she knew anything, but I doubted it.

"Yes, I love them both. My family means everything to me. What about your brother? Are you two close?" I wanted to laugh, I almost couldn't say a lie because it would just be so ridiculous to think of a reality where my brother and I got along well. To tell her that my brother and I were close was like saying the Pazzi's and the Medici's could put aside their differences. I couldn't tell her this though, I need to relate to her, with a protective brother who wishes me the best as hers do for her.

"Yes. We're quite close. I'm older but he's so... protective."

"That's nice. Neither you or your brother are betrothed to anyone?"

"My mother was lining up lords for me that wanted my hand, but my father suggested I come here with my brother." This was no lie either. It was sadly the truth that the moment I could have been a duchess or a lady, my father whisked me away to Florence.

"I'm sure he just doesn't want to send you off with a man yet." She giggles out. I laughed a bit too, I couldn't tell how forced it was, but I could tell that in time I could truly enjoy her company without being forced to. "Perhaps he wants you to marry a Florentine man?"

"No I don't think he would. He would want me closer to him and home."

"So no man has caught your eye here?" She asked in a slight whisper. We leaned in closer as if maids gossiping about the master.

"The men here are similar to ones at home, both unruly and irritating. I'm not sure how I feel towards them."

"Yes, but there are exceptions." She says coyly.

"You haven't told me, are you betrothed?"

"No, I was engaged to Guglielmo de Pazzi when we were children, then his Uncle changed his mind." The ties between the families were truly intertwined, I could tell as the men were easily entangled with another. Her smile was evident though, any woman with a smile like that was sure to be in love.

"You're in love with this boy aren't you?" I ask with a giggle. She lets out a laugh herself and shyly looks away. 

"I do not know what you mean." 

The two of us could not help but be young girls. Talking about days of being care free, the latest clothing. It was almost as if I chose to befriend the girl on my own free will. 

"You should come to my brother's wedding feast when he and his bride arrive in Florence." Bianca then says.

"Your brother?" I ask. "Which one?"

"Lorenzo. He married recently. A feast will be prepared," she says with a smile. I had to force a smile, I had to let them know. Their plans for me were about to be changed. 

---

There was not much I could provide for my father, Bianca wasn't the one in charge of the bank. Lorenzo was, and Lorenzo had returned from Milan with his brother along with my brother secretly in tow. As much as I could hate him, he was devious and he was able to not be spotted. He had a talent for spying. 

As I stood outside the walls where the men spoke of the republic we are in, I look to my side to see Francesco and his uncle walk out and stand to the side. Cursing myself I looked away hoping it would achieve something, make me invisible to their eyes. 

"Madonna Bucelli." 

A sigh comes out as I turn my head up to look at the man in front of me. He stood tall and confident with a smirk on his face. "Messer Pazzi. What a surprise." 

"I promise I am full of them." He then smiles widely at me. He has a bright smile, it looked to me as if his face was not used to the idea. It should have felt like I was prey beneath him but it was as if I knew that he was opposed to that. 

"I don't doubt that for a second." I knew father wouldn't like this but he made his way to me and spoke to me. There must be a reason. I turned my head and saw Francesco's uncle snidely smirk at us. His gaze made me feel small, like my life had no worth to him. I couldn't help but glance up at the man in front of me again. Maybe there was a reason for his insisting nature upon me. 

"Ignore my uncle. He is interested in anyone's business who isn't his own." I felt a finger on my cheek and slowly my eyes met with Francesco's again. 

"I do not believe I gave you permission to touch me." My hand felt delicate in his as it brushed against his fingers and took them off my face. 

"My apologies. What are you doing out here all alone by the way?" 

"I'm waiting for my father and brother. Why are you still here?" He chuckled and stared back at his uncle who stood idly by. 

"My uncle is arrogant at times. He's ready to boast about his win." He admits to me. 

A furious Lorenzo strides out of the building with Soderini by his side. His eyes were trained ahead of him until Francesco's uncle speaks up to him. "Don't take it personally," he says with a laugh.

"Why must you be against anything that helps the common man?" 

"You weaken the republic, you empower the rabble." Francesco quickly takes my hand and presses a kiss before rushing to his uncle's side. Where were my father and Arthur? Surely they would rather endure this "entertainment" than me. 

"Francesco," Lorenzo greets him and then continues to plead. "The world doesn't have to be this way. We could change it." Francesco glances at his uncle as if he seemed unsure, but then looks to Lorenzo with an indifferent gaze.

"The world is the way it is for a good reason." 

"As long as Florentine families are at each other's throats, it will never be as good as it can be." Lorenzo was right. As long as these families has discourse, there would be someone else there to steal what is theirs. My father was on the ground waiting for this to happen, as these families fought in the clouds with their pride in the way of their senses. 

It was only a moment I could feel eyes trained on me as I see Lorenzo observe me and then continue on his way away from the Pazzi's. 

"Send word to Salviati in Rome." I overhear Jacopo say to Francesco. Their words become harder to hear and I couldn't take the time to move closer in the open. My focused trained on the Pazzi's soon was blocked by my brother's blonde hair and glaring face.

"What are you doing?" He asks. With a roll of my eyes I push him aside to see Francesco standing alone as his uncle walks away out of sight. Arthur looks in my direction to see where I was staring. "Don't be stupid. Father, I thought you told her she shouldn't speak with the Pazzi's." 

My father comes closer and says in a hushed tone, "The Pazzi's are not ones to get close with, my dear. We will never be near with the Medici if we are seen with them." 

"Father, I think you're wrong." Arthur chuckles to himself, as if our father could never be wrong. Our father wasn't hard to please and Arthur was going to see that. Francesco seemed like a smart man, but to my father he seemed dangerous. "This boy flocks to me, I already befriended Bianca de Medici. I don't believe I need to ignore him. It will look suspicious." 

"Father-" 

"We will discuss this at home. We may have more for you, Anna." My father whispers before he turns and goes home. I turn my head back from my father's retreating figure to my tall shadow who still stayed close. His eyes dug holes into mine, it was like I was struck and couldn't move. 

"I do not trust him." Arthur comments as he glares at Francesco. Francesco sees my brother and slowly retreats in the direction of his uncle, but not without a second glance back at me. His figure soon disappeared as well and I was left with my brother.

"Why do you care?" He didn't reply at first, usually without a thought he would insult me but he stayed silent.

"Be careful around that man, Anna," is all he says. "Come, father will want us to follow him." 

As the two of us walked down the busy streets, I couldn't help but remember what I overheard. "Arthur?" 

"What?"

"Jacopo Pazzi told Francesco to send Salviati to Rome. It seems they're trying to achieve something but I do not know what." 

"Lorenzo Medici wants to gain a treaty with Milan again. We have openings in the Vatican but with the Pope, it seems Medici has him wrapped around his finger. And if you are smart, sister, then you will do the same with that Pazzi boy if you plan to go ahead with this scheme." 

I didn't know if this was scheme or a chance for me to freely see Francesco without worry of disappointing father. It certainly took the guilt off each time I felt my heart beat faster for him when he came close.

At home we spoke as if we were in business, like I was the man in the business with them. It felt uplifting and my worth soared, until my brother kept up with his diminishing words. "Lorenzo Medici is a man. All men stray from their wives." Arthur states with a roll of his eyes. 

"Says the man with no wife." I argue. 

"My child, go to this feast. Earn this man's charms."

"But father-" 

"Anna, father does not care what you have to say. You are a woman. Do what is required of you."

My arms crossed over my chest and I could feel my jaw clench. I wanted to show my disappointment, yet it felt like doing that was a crime.

"My dear, you do not understand. We must do the hard work, what you are doing is helping. We are to spy and conceive plots, while you are their destruction from the inside. All you must do is infiltrate in any possible way."

---

The sun shone bright on the square of the feast. Father was pleased that I grew close to Bianca enough to be invited to this feast, yet I could not find joy. I was not a cattle or a girl who can be tossed around for others. Being brought to Florence seemed to make me look useless. 

My eyes catch Bianca as her glaring face glides through the grass towards me. I could not have done anything to her, but perhaps this could give me the opportunity to get closer. It was better than me forcing myself over to him and his friends, so I was ready to listen to this girl's problems. 

"Bianca, what is the matter? You may speak freely with me." 

"My brother. I cannot believe that man." Her glare is trained on him as I meet her aim at Lorenzo. There he stood laughing and conversing with his friends as if he was a king. 

"What did he do to deserve your anger?" 

"Bastiano Soderini. Just because he married someone he did not wish to marry does not mean I should." 

"Which one is he?" I ask as I scan the area for this man even if I know he is the son of Luca Soderini.

"The one who will stare at me every few seconds. It is infuriating, Adreana. I cannot stand for this. My father would never force me to marry someone I do not love."  

"Then you should not." I say simply to her. "If he wishes to marry you off to someone you do not want to then do not do it." I lean in closer. "You wish to marry somebody else don't you?" Bianca could not respond but she slowly nodded. "Do something before you become Soderini's wife." The words she shook her inside it looked as she registered them. I took this to grab her a glass of wine and hand it to her. 

"Thank you, Adreana. You are a true friend. I know what I must do." I could tell she was trusting me, foolish girl. I hope Father would be proud now. I am trying to be their destruction, I can only do so much without ruining myself.

I observed all the women surrounding me. One of them had to be Lorenzo's new wife, I didn't know if it would be a good choice to acquaint myself with her when my family was pushing me to be the wedge in their marriage that just begun. If I was Lorenzo's wife I would not trust the women in Florence. I still do not even as an available supposed Italian woman. 

I felt a grip on my arm as Bianca stood beside me with her glass now on the table. 

"I am going to do it." She whispers as I feel myself being pulled by her. 

"Do what?" I ask, acting stupid. 

"Exactly what you said. I will make myself someone else's before I am made to be Soderini's." I had to pity the girl, she was in love and making a decision based on her heart. Decisions should never be made by the heart, someone always gets hurt. Some thing always goes wrong.

"Lorenzo cannot know I am doing this. No one can, we will be stopped." She says as she takes me out of the square and into the rest of the city. 

"I am honored that you trust me with this, but why me?"

"You came to me after my father died," this girl should not trust me, "and you have been honest with me. I am glad you came to me." I had to force a smile onto my face and comfortingly squeezed her hand on my arm. 

"Go to him, Bianca." Her grin grew larger as she escaped into the city and to find the boy just as stupid for going against their families wishes. I could go home knowing that wheels have begun turning for the chaos in the Florentine families. Lorenzo would not pay attention to her sister on this day, he will never realize what had happened til the morning when it would already be too late. 

___

A/N: Hi guys! Finally got to updating thanks for reading and check out the next chapter that finishes this episode!  Vote and comment! Thanks!!