The small room held the people closest to the two families. Somehow I had managed to make my way into the circle of their trust though I did all I could to create the divide. Now all I could do was stand in a pretty blue dress and watch the girl who considers me a friend wed her beloved. I stop myself from feeling the tears that came into my eyes. The way Bianca and Guglielmo smiled at one another brought warmth to my heart, but I couldn't tell if the tears were that of envy or happiness. 

Lorenzo walks his sister past the small group they invited towards the young groom. As I watched them, I remembered how this could have been me if I had stayed in England with mother. She would have found me a rich husband. Would I have been as happy as the two in front of me? No, but I never planned to be in love and happy, what I had planned was to gain a title and give myself worth. Being like Bianca was not in my plans for my future. Oh, how Florence was changing me and all my plans. Why was I staring at this girl I barely knew and wishing I was in her place?

I stood next to Clarice as the priest joins their hands together and spoke out loud. You could not wipe the smiles off their faces if you tried. I was glad not to have my father or brother there, if only for a while, as to not be told what to do. Bianca had personally invited me, something I could say to Father and brother that would lead me to avoid their incessant voices. 

Their ideas of gaining power were becoming more idiotic as the days went by. Every choice they made seemed to bring them closer to the chaos the Florentine families created but further from their goal of the banks to the Vatican. While they had England's money and hearts, Florence held Vatican's with the tightest hold. They were grown men, capable of bearing any burdens. They decided their own fates. I could not change it if I wanted, as I am not in control of my own fate, I am just being dragged along and that was what irritated me further.

Instead of my family, I focus on the look in their eyes, the love Bianca and Guglielmo share together. Bianca blinks away tears, one rolling down her face. I couldn't help but smile at the couple, their happiness was so easily spread to others. To think that despite everything they were able to conquer whatever came before them and stay in love. They had the courage to stray from their family that I was not sure if I had.

The feeling soon melted when I felt eyes on me and the feeling wouldn't go away. I look around the room, seeing unknown faces among ones I had gotten to know and my eyes soon fell into his. His intense gaze broke through and yet just as quickly Francesco's eyes went away and towards his brother and his now sister in law. Could Bianca be truthful in her previous words? 

The wedding passed and everyone was enjoying themselves, pleasantly talking about whatever came to mind. I stood next to Bianca and held her hands. "It was beautiful, Bianca," I say causing her to smile wider, I didn't even think it was possible. 

"Thank you, Adreana." Bianca reaches forward, hugging me with a tight lock. I could only put my arms around her and smile though the action made me feel more guilt. 

As she turns back to her new husband, I took my chance to flee from her and make my way through the crowd. Everyone was busy with their family and friends, talking about useless little things. Slowly the sound of my steps increased and the voices drained out of my ears as I walked behind a couple and away from the crowd. While they turned to leave I went the opposite direction, straying from the rest of the party. 

I took a deep breath, thinking of my own family. This was not home. This was not my life. In the warm room I wandered towards the window, feeling the sun seeping through the glass onto my face. It's bright rays slowly inched away though, replaced by the clouds. My own identity was like the sun, hiding behind the clouds that were my family and secret. There was no way I could truly be free and release the light. 

"If it isn't Anna..." 

Normally my own name coming from someone's mouth that was not my own family would cause me to feel ill with nausea. But I knew who it was, for the only person from Florence who knew my true name was the shadow standing in the doorway. From the corner of my eyes I could see Francesco lean against the door frame, peering in like a curious boy. He looked quite different than usual, more festive with the purple fabrics that brought the color to his face.

He came in with careful steps as if he knew there was something wrong with me. Perhaps it was the way I was holding myself. I was sure I looked as pale as the spirits.

"I am sure you are ecstatic to see your brother married and happy. Unless seeing it with the Medici girl is an issue." 

I did not make an attempt to move as I finally felt comfort from the heat. Francesco only moved closer, taking large steps until he was a mere distance from me. His grin grew as he crossed his arms. 

"Why do you assume I was unhappy?" 

It caught me off guard, the way he played coy with me. There should have been something I could not trust about him. There were so many reasons to stay away, my family's wishes being one of the first. It should have been the most important to me yet as he stared at me deeply I only wished to speak to him more. 

"Well, I saw you at the ceremony-" 

"I was looking for you." Maybe it was his honesty that drew me towards him. The way he was able to challenge my words with his own. 

"And why is that?" I came closer, drifting away from the window, the light fading from my figure and letting me escape in the shade. 

"You were standing next to Clarice de Medici. I assume that must have been hard." Oh. That was right. He knew nothing of me, only my true name. From his knowledge, the one I gave him, he thought that I was heartbroken by Lorenzo and his marriage. The only thing that upset me was the unknown feeling in my chest as I realized this fact. 

"Oh yes. She is a lovely woman, I have nothing bad to say of her. They are truly a wonderful pair." Francesco sighs, looking back at the dispersing crowd as they continued to fill the main room. No one minded two individuals having a conversation. 

"You say that but something in your eyes tells me you wish nothing but to run. Why not fight?" 

"Are you asking me why I am not fighting for a married man?" I let out a dry chuckle, covering my lifted smile by my hands. He quickly realized his mistake and shook his head. 

"No, I mean that you do not seem like the kind of woman to sit back."

"And what kind of woman am I?" 

This was dangerous. The desire to indulge myself in conversing with him was slowly seeping through the cracks. 

"The kind of woman who is decisive," he takes a step forward, his grin ever growing, "fair and true. A woman I have come to admire." 

"I do not believe I have done anything admirable." What I said was true. I had done nothing to earn any form of trust or admiration since I had come to Florence.  "In truth, I fear that there is nothing admirable about me." I start to take some steps around the room, looking around instead of at him. I do not think I would have the strength to keep speaking if I kept staring into his eyes. 

Among the chatter from far away, the sound of my shoes was hollow on the light wooden floors. The heels struck with a sharpness that I did not have the courage to do myself towards others, even if my family thought I was like that. To them, I was and could be harsh, heartless, or scandalous. Yet to this man, who I do not know as long as those who are my blood, would call me admirable. 

I faced the wall, my fingers touching the edges of the arrows below me. Sharp blades pricking my finger though I only touched them gently. Even with the purest intentions, approaching something so dangerous would only end in the spilling of blood. 

"My brother, when he returned home, explained how his new bride told him how her friend encouraged them to be together." My eyes widen, almost tearing up. Was there a way I was found out? Is this why he is speaking with me right now? I swear I could feel my spirit fall down as I just wanted to close up and hide. As if he could feel the ice that crept up my spine he spoke up. "If you had not said anything I believe that we would not be where we are now. You helped my brother find his happiness. That is all I want for him." 

He cared deeply for this brother. Of course he would. My own relationship with my younger brother ruined all perspective of a love for a sibling. Even with my own younger siblings I felt the shame of deserting them and pushing aside them as well. 

"You're hurt?!" 

I blink away what had glazed over my eyes and saw the dark blood that spread on my fingertips. It was only a prick, but somehow my blood was on the arrow tip. Francesco was by my side, holding my hand with both of his and examining my finger. 

The wound did not hurt at all, I felt barely any pain but a dull sting as he looked closely at it. I've felt worse, a cut was nothing. 

"You should be careful, Anna." I looked up at him, eyeing every part of his face while he focused on my finger. "You confuse me. You speak of yourself as if you are the epitome of evil, yet you are nothing but good. Better than me." 

I let out a laugh that seemed more rude than I intended. For he truly knew little of the truth if he believed I was a better person than he. Someone who cared for his brother's life and for the life of Florence, while I am ordered and destroy. While he put on a front to seem heartless he let his guard down so easily. If only I could keep my guard up and not let it down like him. "What makes you so bad, Francesco?" I finally glance down at my finger and see that the cut really was minor, just the arrow was tarnished. I ignore the sharp edges and grab the arrow with the other hand, taking it from the other arrows that were not defected. 

"I will take that." Francesco snatches it from my hand and chuckles. A smile crawls onto my face and I look away. People are starting to gather again. It would soon be time to leave and time to go back to my father and brother. I was not sure if I was even ready for that or if I wanted more time to be myself, to be near him who let me be myself. "And maybe I can share more about my home as you did with yours."

I had forgotten, I had shared with him the details of my home that were so dear to me. He remembered. 

"I would like that." Once again, my hand felt so comfortable in his that I hadn't noticed he was still cradling my "injured" hand. I slowly release myself from his grip and adjust myself, smoothing out my dress. "I think the guests are gathering. We should go." 

He coughs, as if to settle the air that was building up and nods his head. "Of course." I did not bother to wait and fled the room, crossing paths with Lorenzo who had a curious countenance.  As I turned my head back towards the room I saw Francesco standing in the doorway, the arrow still in his hands while Lorenzo struts up to him. I could not imagine what he was telling Francesco, but when their eyes turned to me my head shifted forward. Was I the subject of their conversation? 

-

Francesco lingers in the doorway, fiddling with the arrow Anna had touched. Watching her golden looks bounce while she rushes with a quick pace made him almost chuckle at the sight. He barely noticed Lorenzo stand next to him, noticing the arrow. "Shot from Cupid's Bow," Lorenzo comments, as it passes from Francesco's hands into his. Lorenzo notices the drop of blood but ignores it when he sees the distant look in the man's eyes.  

"Just missed me." 

Francesco glances back at Anna, finding her eyes in the crowd as she stood with Bianca. Her lips curled upwards, ever so slightly with a look in her eye that he could not describe properly. Either way it was mysterious, beautiful, enchanting to him. Pure. 

"I think."

___

A/N: Hey guys! Finally got a chapter in! I know it's been a while I've just been busy with school and other fics but I finally got a full chapter in. Hope you guys like this, vote and comment :)

So the scene that usually includes Novella where she and Francesco meet has been changed a little  Next chapter you will see what I have planned. I wanted to put out a chapter asap and will update part 3 in a bit when I finish that one. 

Some questions if you'd like

Interested in more backstory with Anna's family? 

Liking Anna and Francesco? 

Who are you looking forward to Anna interacting with more? 

Ready for some more drama? :)