From the highest star

20

Giuliano was waiting for Simonetta leaning against a wall, and when he saw her he moved her where no one could see them
"Giuliano...what if you had been with my husband?"
"When can I see you again?"
"You have to go away..."
"When?"
"Never again..." Simonetta walked past him he stopped her.
"Simonetta don't do this to me..."
"Leave me please"
"Why? Because Vespucci suspects Sandro..."
"No...I won't be responsible for your life being thrown away...you have a wife and child and I have a husband."
"Oh...so you don't love me?"
They looked into each other's eyes, but Simonetta did not answer and walked away.

Medici Palace
Lorenzo was outside the door and Beatrice was with him.
"I always told you Lorenzo...we always told you."
"I wanted peace between our families."
"Peace...what peace Lorenzo, a peace based on hatred, on betrayals, you put Giuliano in second place because you wanted peace, what peace is that? The Medicis will never have peace from the Pazzis," cried the girl.
"I..."
"Never mind...it's better that way" she headed for the room and as she did so Giuliano re-entered the house and Beatrice slammed the door.
"What's going on?"
"Bianca...she's giving birth."
"No, I mean what's going on with Beatrice?"
"Francesco!"
Giuliano looked at his brother.
"Ah...well" Giuliano followed his wife and locked himself in the room with her.
They looked at each other, for a second and then Beatrice pounced on him, kissed him, unbuttoned his shirt there and they threw themselves on the bed, under the covers.

Lucrezia entered the room where her son was arguing with Nori.
"Lorenzo come...you need to be with the family."
"Then convince Nori to do as I say."
Lucrezia looked at the seated man.
"Messer Medici says that...by law...the profits from the alum, are separate from the Papal account, that we can divide them" Nori said.
"You are playing with fire...you may not have proof of his debts, but Jacopo will have used everything he has to grant the loan" replied Tornabuoni.
"Yes because he is convinced that he can get the Papal account...and the most profitable profits from the alum trade" Lorenzo replied
"If you choose to do so, it is only a matter of time before war breaks out between the Pazzi and the Medici."

The next day, the Pope transferred his account to the Pazzi's bank, and new life had sprung up at Palazzo Medici.
But...
Lorenzo kept the alum and it was a low blow for the Pazzi.

Beatrice watched the assembled family through the open door.
Giuliano had left early.
Beatrice walked over to Bianca and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Then she looked at the child who was in Lorenzo's arms.
"Where is your brother Lorenzo?" asked Lucrezia to her son.
Lorenzo shook his head and stood looking out the window at Florence.

23 January 1476
A cry woke Beatrice, the young mother got up and reached the cradle, Giuliano approached her.
"What's the matter," said the boy stretching, and caressing his son.
"The noises coming from the courtyard woke him up, but quiet now he's sleeping".
"I'll go see what's going on."
The boy grabbed his shirt and went out the big door, he went down the stairs and saw Lucrezia and Lorenzo, he adjusted his shirt in his pants.
"What's going on?"
"The Pazzis, it seems, are creating disorder in Citta di Castello, to raise the people against the Gonfalonier."
"For what purpose?" Giuliano asked.
"The town actually...is part of the Papal State...but has been under the protection of Florence for years," Lorenzo replied.
"Their gonfaloniere is corrupt, your father should have gotten rid of him, now he can become a problem" Lucrezia questioned herself.
"I'll go, I'll find out what's going on."
"Are you sure Giuliano?"
"You're not the only Medici"
"For a while I felt like it, how come this desire to make yourself useful"
"Do you doubt my motives?"
"Sandro says you are in love with Simonetta Vespucci" Giuliano looked at his brother.
"There are many and I forget the names".
Replied the boy returning to his room.
"I'm going to Citta di Castello, there are disturbances of the Pazzi".
"I'll go with you" after the girl's words, Giuliano turned and looked at her.
"What are you talking about"
"Please...I have a friend there and I haven't ridden a horse in a long time."
"Besides coming with me do you also want to do it on horseback?"
"Yes...give me some of your pants."
Giuliano smiled and tossed her some pants.
"Fioretta!"
"Yes Messer Medici"
"Beatrice and I are going out, we don't know how long we'll be gone, watch out for Federico and Lorenzo"
"Alright Messere"

City of Castello
Beatrice stopped the horse and Giuliano arrived behind her.
"I let you win on purpose."
"Oh...thank you Messer Medici."
"You look good in your pants you should wear them more often" he said reaching out to her and kissing her.
"Come on now."

Beatrice walked next to Giuliano,she would occasionally, smile at the children or talk to the poor, he was next to Niccolò, the gonfaloniere and behind them, there were a few guards.
"I haven't been able to congratulate you yet Madonna Medici, Federico was your grandfather right?"
"Thank you, yes he was my grandfather, I had a beautiful relationship with him and so I feel closer to him."
"So Giuliano, as you can see no disorder, it is lies sometimes that weaken your support"
"Then there is no need for me, it was a pleasure Niccolò"
"The pleasure is mine, give my regards to Lorenzo and your mother, best wishes again Madonna"
"Thank you Niccolò"
Giuliano continued towards the city gates as everyone began to shout.
"That's the gonfaloniere!" A man threw a stone at Niccolò, Giuliano grabbed Beatrice and headed, covering her, towards the gonfalonier.
"Come Niccolò."

Florence
"My brother has just returned from Città di Castello and he, his wife and the gonfaloniere have escaped an assault,there is unrest, Vitelli and his corrupt associates have put taxes too high on the citizens and the Pope has turned the latter against us"
"Do you have proof?" Francis asked
"Giuliano advised Vitelli to lower taxes and we together with the Ridolfi family under the precious advice of Madonna Beatrice Medici gave money to the poor and comfort to the sick"
"Too little too late...once again Lorenzo and the Medici family have profoundly disappointed us, furthermore I have received news that the papal army is already marching towards the city" continued Francesco.
The head of the Priori stood up.
"He sent his brother to investigate and put an end to the corruption, so tell me, what else could Lorenzo do?"
Jacopo Pazzi stood up.
"Gonfaloniere Petrucci, you should not remain neutral."
"Signor Pazzi, take back these words."
"Not at all, on the contrary I announce that I will stand against you in the next election" everyone shouted and looked at each other.
"We need to choose a gonfalonier who will serve the city, not the Medici family."

Medici Palace
Giuliano ate the rich dishes that came from the palace kitchens.
Beatrice was beside him, there were then, Lucrezia, Clarice, Soderini and Lorenzo.
"We must repay Jacopo with the same coin and play dirty," said the young man to his brother who was at the head of the table.
"I will fight in all ways but only in a legitimate way."
Julian shook his head and lowered it while continuing to eat.
"And how will you do that?" Lucrezia asked
"Jacopo is convinced that the Medici bank is weak after losing the papal accounts, by taking over the Priori he is intent on destroying this family once and for all, we must act quickly, check the votes we have and convince everyone we can" replied the head of the Medici family.
"I will speak with Vespucci" Giuliano continued, everyone raised their faces towards him, Beatrice put down her cutlery.
Giuliano looked at everyone present.
"Alright...but act with caution."

Giuliano went to the Vespucci Palace.
"I thank you Giuliano for this visit, but there was no need, my loyalty to your family is not in question"
"Thank you Messer Vespucci.
"You are most welcome. Give my regards to your brother.
"And you ... your wife.
"Unfortunately, she is not feeling well today.
"Nothing serious, I hope.
"I've sent for a doctor from Padua...I don't want any surprises" Giuliano left the room and waited for Simonetta's lady to join her in her rooms, he leaned over to see if Vespucci was watching and entered Simonetta's room.
Simonetta looked at him.
"Giuliano"
"Don't get up"
"You can't stay here"
"Leave us" the boy said to the servant, he walked over and stroked Simonetta's cheek.
"Giuliano...how come you are here, I don't understand"
"I'm here on behalf of Lorenzo" he replied as he checked that the girl was okay.
"I just returned from Città di Castello" he continued.
"I'm glad you've taken your place among the Medici alongside Lorenzo."
"I can be both a Medici and in love with you, Simonetta" he said as he sat down on the bed next to Vespucci.
The girl, however, stood up.
"That's what you're doing...you're trying to prove it to me."
"Because if not"
"It will never happen Giuliano...why can't you understand it"
"Does what was there matter so little to you that you can put it aside?"
"It was to pass the time, but there is nothing between us, less than nothing...now you have to leave"
"Very well Madonna...forgive the disturbance..." the young man ended the conversation and left.