Florence, 1429

The streets of Florence were lined with people, all there to pay their final respects to Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici. The former patriarch of the Florentine banking family had died suddenly, his body found in the vineyards he visited every day. As his coffin was carried through the streets, his family members followed solemnly behind. For some, like her brother, Piero, the grief was written on their faces. For others, like herself, grief had been replaced by a straight-faced calm.

Allegra de' Medici could not say that she had been upset upon hearing of the death of her grandfather. The relationship she had with both of her grandparents was civil, at best. It wasn't that they fought - she left that to her brother, Gio - but that Allegra hated the way that they exerted control over their family. Heaven forbid that one of them tried to be happy! The only one who had been lucky in that regard so far was Piero, who happened to love the woman he had been arranged to wed. But, express any kind of happiness or interest and her grandparents would most likely find a way to stop it from happening. They did it to her father, her uncle, and most recently - though not many knew - to her as well.

So, no, Allegra was not sad upon hearing of Giovanni's death. While she prayed for his soul, she couldn't deny the sense of relief that flooded through her. Perhaps now, she could find true happiness once more. Happiness that wouldn't be taken away from her for her grandparents' visions of grandeur. Her father was head of the family now and things were going to be different.

Allegra snapped out of her thoughts when she heard a yell from a crowd, calling Giovanni a tyrant. Piero leapt at the man, practically attacking him for the insult to their grandfather. Gio and her uncle, Lorenzo, moved to grab Piero and drag him back to his place beside his wife, Lucrezia. Her dark eyes glared at the man who had spoken out against her grandfather as the procession continued, Gio back in his place by her side.

"Leave it to Piero to cause a scene," he said.

"He was defending the family honor," Allegra replied. "No one can truly fault him for that. I'm surprised that you didn't do the same."

"Perhaps I would have if they had insulted someone other than our entirely beloved grandfather."

A smirk crossed Allegra's lips, but hung her head so that no one would see it. "Don't let Grandmother hear you," she said. "Or she might have you disinherited."

Gio stifled a laugh, for laughing during such a solemn procession would have been inappropriate. "Father is in charge now," he said. "I think my position in this family is safe and secure."

Allegra snuck a smile at her brother as they climbed the steps into the church. Taking their places in the front, Allegra seated herself in between Lucrezia and Gio. She played with the rosary beads in between her fingers, holding them more for show than for actual prayer. She said a silent prayer once more for the soul of her grandfather, as the priest spoke of how great he had been and about all he had done for Florence. As her father and uncle covered her grandfather's face with a black shroud, Allegra couldn't help but feel as if a huge load had just been lifted from her shoulders. She knew that she was supposed to be mourning her family's loss, but she couldn't bring herself to do so. She was relieved that her grandfather was gone. She couldn't allow anyone to know that, however, especially her grandmother. So, being the dutiful Medici daughter that she was, Allegra retained her calm and straight faced demeanor as she continued to witness the last rites of the Medici patriarch.

"I'm glad that's over. Funerals really don't agree with me."

Allegra glanced at her brother. They were back at home now, enjoying some quiet time before dinner. Their father had gone out once more, though they knew not where. "I don't think that funerals agree with most people, Gio."

Giovanni de' Medici, named for their now deceased grandfather, sighed as he placed himself in one of the chairs in his sister's chambers. He had been nicknamed Gio at a young age so that people could differentiate between the two members of the Medici family. "Nevertheless, now we can begin to move on," he said. "Go back to living life."

"You mean after our period of mourning is over?"

Gio rolled his eyes. "I've mourned enough," he said. "Leave that to Grandmother, provided she can summon some sort of emotion to the surface of her being."

Allegra smiled. "No doubt she's upset with Piero for his outburst during the procession."

"She'll reprimand him, I'm sure. it's only a matter of time."

A rumble of thunder sounded, causing the two Medici siblings to look towards the window. Rain hit the glass and lightning flashed and both of them were glad they didn't have to sleep out in the rain.

"I do hope Cosimo isn't caught in this somewhere," a voice said.

Allegra and Gio turned to see their sister-in-law coming into the room. Lucrezia dei Tornabuoni had been Allegra's best friend since childhood, as well as being from a Florentine noble family herself, so it had only been natural when a marriage had been brokered between her and Allegra's older brother, Piero.

"He'll be caught in it when he decides to come home," Gio replied. "How is my brother?"

"Still upset, but fine," Lucrezia said. "He'll meet us downstairs for dinner, of course."

"Speaking of which, I am sure that we are expected down there soon," Allegra said, standing. "We wouldn't want Grandmother to get upset if we are late."

"Before we go down," Lucrezia said. "I have something to ask you."

"Of course," Allegra said.

She was quiet for a moment. "Now that your grandfather is dead," Lucrezia began. "Will you search for him?"

Gio's eyes automatically went to his sister. "That's right," he said. "You can try and find him now. Grandfather isn't here to stop you."

Allegra looked down. She wasn't entirely shocked by the question, but she was not expecting it to come so fast. "It's been so long," she said. "Too long, probably."

"Oh, you mustn't give up hope, Allegra," Lucrezia said, taking her sister-in-law's hands in her own. "Yes, much time has passed, but it's not impossible to believe that you can have what was taken from you."

Allegra tried to smile, but failed to hide the tears that the memories created. "We mustn't be late for dinner."

Lucrezia and Gio watched as Allegra left the room. "Give her time," Gio said. "I'm sure that she will come round."

"I hope she isn't upset with me for bringing it up."

Gio shook his head. "She's not," he assured her. "I promise you. Come, let's head down for dinner."

Lucrezia nodded and allowed Gio to escort her down to where the family gathered to eat.

Flashback – Florence, 1427

Very rarely was Allegra ever summoned to her grandfather's study. As she walked the familiar halls of her family's home, she braced herself for whatever conversation might be coming. Emilia opened the door for her and she stepped inside. She found both of her grandparents sitting there, poising themselves as if they were royalty.

"Allegra," Giovanni said. He motioned to a seat in front of him and his wife, as Emilia closed the door behind their granddaughter. "Please, be seated."

Allegra did not move and did not say a word. Giovanni stared at her for a moment and Piccarda sighed. "We heard of your adventure the day before last," Piccarda said. "Going riding by yourself out in the countryside."

"I didn't try and keep it a secret."

"You should know that behavior such as that is unacceptable," Piccarda continued. "Did you not consider the scandal that such behavior could cause? Young women, such as you, should not go anywhere unescorted."

"I don't care if a scandal occurred. If I were a member of the lower classes, no one would care if I had an escort or not," Allegra replied. "You won't let me mourn my loss here. I needed to do it somewhere."

"Your loss?" Giovanni repeated. "You mean that boy?"

"I loved him," Allegra said. "He made me happy and you took him from me."

"You don't know what love is," Giovanni said. "You're too young. You need to be focusing on a match worthy of your name."

Allegra remained silent, but Piccarda and Giovanni both noticed her nails digging into the palms of her hands. "Remember who you are, Allegra," Piccarda said. "Being a Medici means that there are higher standards that must be upheld."

"And, apparently, being a Medici means that you have to be miserable as well."

Giovanni almost laughed. "Miserable?" He said. "I had no idea that you were so miserable here, with your beautiful clothes, jewels, and home."

This time, Piccarda and Giovanni could actually see their granddaughter bite her tongue. They had to give her credit: though she was angry, she was trying to control her temper.

"You will come to realize, in time, that what we did was for the best," Giovanni continued.

"For you, perhaps," Allegra said. "Not for me."

Shouts could be heard from behind the closed door. Allegra turned when the door burst open, hit the wall with a loud bang, and revealed a very angry Cosimo.

"What is the meaning of this?" Cosimo demanded.

"We were merely voicing our displeasure to Allegra about the events of the other day," Piccarda said, as Cosimo entered the room and stood beside his daughter. "Nothing you need concern yourself with."

"Anything regarding my daughter concerns me," Cosimo said. "You have no right to chastise her as if she was your child."

"Someone has to because we know you certainly won't," Giovanni said. "Allegra must realize the wrong she has done."

"She did nothing wrong," Cosimo said. He glanced at his daughter, who was now staring at the floor as if she was pretending she couldn't hear what they were saying. "She is my daughter and if I thought that she had done something wrong, I would do something about it."

"Nevertheless, someone had to say something," Piccarda said. "Let us not talk of that any longer. We have other matters to discuss."

"What other matters?" Cosimo asked.

"Matters in regards to Allegra's future," Piccarda replied. "We have received an offer for Allegra's hand in marriage."

Allegra raised her head and stared straight at her grandparents. Cosimo glanced at his daughter before speaking to his parents. "From whom?"

"Rinaldo Albizzi has made an offer for a union between Allegra and his son, Ormanno," Giovanni replied.

"Out of the question!" Cosimo practically shouted at the same time as Allegra yelled "No!"

"It would bury whatever ill will might still be present between our families," Giovanni said. "It would bring more noble blood into this family, which certainly couldn't hurt things."

"It could serve as a way for Albizzi to gain information about this family," Cosimo said.

"It's an offer we at least need to consider," Giovanni said.

"I will not send my daughter into the home of my greatest enemy," Cosimo said.

"We haven't said yes," Piccarda reminded her son. "But, Allegra hasn't had any other suitors, so we need to at least consider Rinaldo's offer."

Allegra shook her head and rolled her eyes. "So, you'll marry me off to the first person who asks?"

"It's better than having you run off with a peasant!" Piccarda spat.

Allegra's fists clenched and Cosimo put a hand on her shoulder, afraid that she might actually lash out at Piccarda. "This conversation is over," he said. "Come, Allegra."

Allegra glared at her grandparents before letting her father lead her from Giovanni's study. "Father, you won't let them marry me off to Ormanno, will you?" She asked, once they were out of ear shot.

"Of course not," Cosimo assured her. "I don't know what Albizzi is playing at but hell will freeze over before I let you marry into that family." He stopped and turned Allegra so that she was facing him. "We will continue searching for Vincenzo," he said. "I would rather see you married to him and happy than married to someone for your grandparents' benefit. But, if we can't find him..."

"I know, Father," Allegra said. "I'll have to marry someone for the sake of the family. I understand."

Cosimo brought his daughter into his embrace. "Don't worry, my light," he said. "I will never make you marry someone who you don't love."

Contessina de' Bardi was standing at the window, watching the rain and the lightning, as her family began to gather for dinner. Her husband still had yet to return home and she hoped that he was alright wherever he was. Allegra sighed as she took her seat beside her grandmother, and watched as her brothers and Lucrezia followed in behind her. Piero still looked visibly upset, which of course warranted a comment from the Medici matriarch.

"Piero, are you quite alright?"** Piccarda de Bueri asked her grandson.

"I'm fine, Grandmother,"** Piero de' Medici replied.

"Then stop making a spectacle of yourself with those tears,"** Piccarda said. "Your grandfather would want you to show strength!"**

Gio rolled his eyes as Piero took his seat next to his wife. "He's allowed to mourn Grandfather in whatever way he chooses, Grandmother."

Piccarda shot her grandson a glare. "I did not ask for your opinion, Giovanni."

"Consider it a gift," Gio replied, returning the glare.

"Gio, that's enough," Contessina chided her son. Lorenzo entered the room and put his hands on Piero's shoulders for a moment before taking his seat at the table.

"He's inherited much from you, Contessina," Piccarda commented, staring at Gio as she spoke. Gio's fists clenched at the slight jab at his mother. Contessina had been known for being too opinionated, at least for a woman, in the past. Gio was the same way and was not afraid about who he shared his opinion with.

"You both should be more like your sister," Piccarda continued. She turned to look at her granddaughter, who was taking a sip of wine. "She knows how to hold herself as a Medici should."

Allegra refused to look at her grandmother, refused to put that pretend smile on her face. Instead, she stared straight ahead as Contessina put her hand on Allegra's shoulder before taking her seat at the end of the table. Allegra was proud to be a Medici - all of her siblings were - but there were always limits.

"Where is my son?"** Piccarda asked, changing the topic of conversation.

"He went out this morning,"** Contessina replied.

"I said where is he?"**

"He had a meeting this morning,"** Lorenzo de' Medici clarified. "Marco Bello's gone out to look for him."**

"Missing dinner,"** Piccarda shook her head. "His father's been in the grave not one day and already he's neglecting his family."**

Gio couldn't stop himself. "My father has never neglected his family."

"Gio!" Contessina exclaimed, as her son received another glare from Piccarda. "I won't say it again!"

Allegra smiled at her brother as their grandmother ignored his comment and stabbed two pieces of meat with her knife to put them on her plate. Though the rest of the meal was eaten mostly in silence, Allegra could already tell that things were not going to be as they once were.

Disclaimer: Allegra de' Medici is the only character that is actually 100% mine. Also, any lines that you see with two stars (**) next to them means that these are quotes taken directly from the show.

Giovanni de' Medici, who I have taken the liberty of nicknaming "Gio", did actually exist in real life. He was Cosimo and Contessina's son and the younger brother of Piero. So, he is not technically an "original character", even though he was not present in the actual TV show. He's a historical figure that I wanted to try and fit into the show's "universe".

I know that Allegra's history with her grandparents mirrors that of Cosimo's history with them, but there is a reason for that which will become more evident later on.

Thanks for reading the first chapter! Please read and review!