Working for Francesco Pazzi was the last place she expected to find herself. She expected even less to grow to like the job. Falling for him was the biggest surprise of all.
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Word Count: 1450
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When Bianca and Guglielmo were found, the Medici home became abuzz with activity. I did not have to be within its walls to know the events that transpired.
Bianca raged inside while her family tried to console and contain her.
Meanwhile, Guglielmo never made it indoors. The hired men that had retrieved them kept him outside for a harsh beating that made my skin crawl to witness.
Blow after blow Guglielmo endured, and it was all for love. When my conscience could stand no more, and if not for Francesco, I fled my hiding spot in the shadows and stormed up to the guards.
"That's enough!" I commanded.
They turned, ceasing the beating only because I had distracted them.
"Who are you?" the leader asked.
With my chin held high, I said, "Izabella Pazzi. Why are you beating my cousin? My uncle will not be pleased."
"Because he defiled my master's sister," the man growled. "And we're not finished with him."
As the man turned, about to strike Guglielmo again, I raised my voice and summoned as much arrogance as I possibly could. They would never believe I was noble if I did not speak down to them. "If you strike him one more time, I'll make sure you hang for it. The city already knows Medicis and Pazzis are at each other's throats. Now I have witnessed the brutality by the Medici's hand with my own eyes. Guglielmo bears the physical evidence. Release him now, and I won't go straight to the Priori."
My threat stayed his hand a little longer. Thinking over his options, he chose in the end to do as I said. Guglielmo had committed no crime other than the passion of love. They had no right to beat him, and it painted a bad light for their master.
"Come, cousin," I crooned as the men threw him into my arms. I supported him as best I could, then spirited him away back to his home.
"Who are you?" he rasped as we wove through the back alleys of Florence.
"A friend, but it doesn't matter."
"You and Francesco," he panted. "I think I've seen you with him."
"You mustn't say a word," I pleaded. There would be nothing but trouble if people found out. "Swear to me you won't tell a soul."
"I'll swear it if you tell me who you are and what your relation to my brother is." Even while he bled, his heart was still undyingly loyal to Francesco. The two brothers had a bond I envied. Though very different in manner and aspirations, each would lay down his life for the other.
