the lord

leonardo de medici. lord of the medici. florence. xxv.

[vaememes]

° ✧ GAME OF THRONES PROMPTS. PART I.

possible triggers, read/reblog with caution.

SEASON ONE :

❛ Nine years! Why have I not seen you? ❜ ❛ Where the hell have you been? ❜ ❛ Would you please shut up! ❜ ❛ Take me to your crypt, I want to pay my respects. ❜ ❛ Surely, the dead can wait. ❜ ❛ Did I offend you? Sorry. ❜ ❛ What the hell do you know about being a bastard? ❜ ❛ I heard you the first time. ❜ ❛ It’s no mercy, letting a child linger in such pain. ❜ ❛ I just want to stand on top of the Wall and pissoff the edge of the world! ❜ ❛ Give me a good, clean death any day. ❜ ❛ What good will my sympathies do them? ❜ ❛ Your absence has already been noted. ❜ ❛ One word and I hit you again. ❜ ❛ I’ve half a mind to leave them all behind and keep moving. ❜ ❛ You’re too hard on yourself. You always have been. ❜ ❛ I swear, if I weren’t your king/queen, you’d have hit me already. ❜ ❛ Trust me, that’s not the worst thing. ❜ ❛ Tell me we’re not speaking of this. ❜ ❛ Oh, it’s unspeakable to you? ❜ ❛ Look at me and tell me what you see. ❜ ❛ You broke my nose, bastard! ❜ ❛ I wonder how long it’d take you to hit! ❜ ❛ They hate me because I'm better than they are! ❜ ❛ Glad to see you’re protecting the Throne. ❜ ❛ It must be strange for you, coming into this room. ❜ ❛ But you just stood there and watched. ❜ ❛ Is that what you tell yourself at night? ❜ ❛ How could you let this happen?! ❜ ❛ I received a slightly warmer welcome on my last visit. ❜ ❛ Do you remember anything about what happened? ❜ ❛ Why are you here? ❜ ❛ I have a gift for you. ❜ ❛ Will I really be able to ride? ❜ ❛ Is this some kind of trick? ❜ ❛ Piss on that! I wanna hit somebody! ❜ ❛ You do move quietly. ❜ ❛ You’re speaking of murdering a child. ❜ ❛ You will dishonor yourself forever if you do this. ❜ ❛ I felt something for you once, you know. ❜ ❛ Does that make you feel better, or worse? ❜ ❛ You wish to confess your crimes? ❜ ❛ My crimes and sins are beyond counting. ❜ ❛ I’m good at convincing others to do violence for me. ❜ ❛ What do you think you’re doing?! ❜ ❛ I have that right, same as you. ❜

SEASON TWO :

❛ We looked for you on the battlefield, but you were nowhere to be found! ❜ ❛ I…I’ve been here, ruling the kingdoms! ❜ ❛ I’m glad you’re not dead. ❜ ❛ Knowledge is power. ❜ ❛ Excuse the interruption. Carry on. ❜ ❛ It’s been a… remarkable journey! ❜ ❛ You brought this on yourself. ❜ ❛ I’ve done nothing. ❜ ❛ Do you understand we’re losing the war?! ❜ ❛ Disappeared? What, in a puff of smoke?! ❜ ❛ Must be hard for you- to be the disappointing child. ❜ ❛ Oh, I trust them with my life- just not with yours. ❜ ❛ Three victories don’t make you a conqueror. ❜ ❛ I won’t need a servant to do my beheading for me! ❜ ❛ I heard you suffered a terrible head wound.  ❜ ❛ I am very good at keepingsecrets for my good friends. ❜ ❛ Who threatened you? ❜ ❛ I understand the way this game is played. ❜ ❛ I’ll have you thrown into the sea! ❜ ❛ I am a pirate- I’m an excellent pirate! ❜ ❛ That’s a promise that always comes true. ❜ ❛ You don’t know how persuasive I am. ❜ ❛ You’re the mosthonest smuggler I ever met. ❜ ❛ You have no need to see this. ❜ ❛ I believe we know how to pour our own wine. ❜ ❛ Maybe I’ll hire this cook of yours. ❜ ❛ I don’t listen to filth. ❜ ❛ I appreciate your loyalty. ❜ ❛ I’ll not have my honour questioned by an imp! ❜ ❛ I just wouldn’t feel safe with you lurking about. ❜ ❛ I command you to arrest this cutthroat! ❜ ❛ Do you hear me?! ❜ ❛ I think there’s more to ruling than that. ❜ ❛ There’s no bigger joke in the world than that. ❜ ❛ What about all the dreams you had that didn't come true? ❜ ❛ Your time with the wolves has made you weak. ❜ ❛ You gave me away if you remember. ❜ ❛ You gave me away like I was some dog you didn’t want anymore. ❜ ❛ You won’t get away with this. ❜ ❛ I’ve decided I don’t like riddles. ❜ ❛ You want to know what side my family fights on? ❜ ❛ You gonna tell me where you’re from? ❜ ❛ You can’t talk to me like that! ❜ ❛ That’s twice I’ve warned you. ❜ ❛ I don’t want you in my tent oneminute more than necessary. ❜ ❛ It would be my pleasure. ❜

SEASON THREE :

❛ You’re wearing the wrong color. ❜ ❛ When I’m free, will I be free to go? ❜ ❛ I'll be free to kill you. ❜ ❛ From now on, you’d better kneel every time I fart. ❜ ❛ You’re telling me you saw… one of them.  ❜ ❛ Did I come to the right place? ❜ ❛ We’ll need to find you a new cloak. ❜ ❛ I need an army. ❜ ❛ It’s too beautiful of a day, to argue. ❜ ❛ I am wondering why you sent for me. ❜ ❛ Have you grown boredprotecting me? ❜ ❛ I’m sure you’ve filled your pockets. ❜ ❛ I don’t loan it out to friends as a favor. ❜ ❛ I don’t even know what I’m paying you now! ❜ ❛ Am I enjoying it? ❜ ❛ I heard how happy you were. ❜ ❛ I gave you real power and authority. ❜ ❛ You brought a whore into my bed. ❜ ❛ Why does everyone assume I want something? ❜ ❛ A little bloody gratitude would be a start. ❜ ❛ So tell me what you want. ❜ ❛ I want what is mine by right. ❜ ❛ The next whore I catch in your bed, I’ll hang. ❜ ❛ I’m not your enemy. ❜ ❛ I’ve never seen anything like it. ❜ ❛ Even the bravest men fear death. ❜ ❛ Tell the good master there is no need. ❜ ❛ Here, I’m done with you. ❜ ❛ How many do you have to sell? ❜ ❛ We don’t get to choose who we love. ❜ ❛ I only want to know what that means. ❜ ❛ Are you frightened, child? ❜ ❛ Tell us the truth. No harm will come to you. ❜ ❛ I have traitor’s blood. ❜ ❛ Please don’t make me say anymore. ❜ ❛ Please, don’t stop the wedding. ❜ ❛ That doesn’t mean they’re not worth helping. ❜ ❛ I have no doubtyou will prove equal to this challenge. ❜ ❛ This is the safest place in the city. ❜ ❛ Any advice for me, on my new position? ❜ ❛ How long will you be gone? ❜ ❛ You don’t have the strength. It would kill you. ❜ ❛ There is another way, a better way. ❜ ❛ The blood of my enemies, not the blood of innocents. ❜ ❛ What’re you doing, leading a mob of peasants? ❜ ❛ I should have killed you! ❜

[themedicix-blog]

caterina-of-florence‌:

‘If only the Duomo could speak, what do you think she’d say first, Leonardo?’ Words served a low twilight drawl of a hum to her brother-in-law, as full moon gaze, near ethereal traipsed up the cream and red cathedral, a beacon against the backdrop of violet and indigo hills. ‘Perhaps she’d laugh, at the number of men who crumble to their knees just to behold her for a moment. Such tiny creatures, our foreign guests must seem, from where the Duomo observes. Like little toys.’ Plush lips tugged into a smirk, hiding a laugh with a refrained sigh. ‘The eternal mistress of Italy, and we’re lucky enough to be her neighbour.’ She smirked, leaning back into her chair before she forced her gaze to his. ‘Oh, come now. Have you found any art around town, brother? I believe a fine fleet of beauty has arrived to our humble city, and I take it upon you to decipher which ones are treasures enough to meet.’ She quirked a mischievous brow, nudging him slightly at the prospect of foreign young ladies. 

his brother had a bride he immediately approved of, not that his opinion was worth much to the medici family themselves. he commended his father on his decision, for caterina was both beautiful and intelligent, and he found in her a woman who would secure their line just as he was beginning to try to do so. he enjoyed hearing her quips, and believed she was perhaps the only woman in florence he did not try to seduce. “a powerful woman, most definitely. i know of few women of whom men would crumble for.” he smirked, leaning back and turning to look at his sister in law. a soft laugh left his lips, and his eyes brightened as she spoke. “i believe my pursuits at the moment should be restricted to arts in the material sense. brother is hardly pleased with my behaviour, and desires i take a wife.” he paused, as though thinking. “perhaps it is time i do my part for the family.”

[themedicix-blog]

demediciblood‌:

“of course not, dear brother,” she grinned, pushing his shoulder the lightest she possibility could. “how can a queen regent not be happy?” she rose an eyebrow to him, she knew her husband should give up the regency for philip, and she should push him to do so, but the tiaras and crowns she was allowed to wear before of it? and the allowance? magnificent. it was the life she had always envisioned herself. and if it came to it, her family had enough money to fund a war. “oh now you must tell me leo.”

his dearest sister and companion was the better version of him. together since their day of birth, he idolised the woman with everything in his heart: she was worthy of royalty, but in his eyes, no man would ever deserve her. “i hear you are essentially queen of france. your husband seems a formidable man.” he only hoped she would be able to handle it. “my lovely valentina, it would be immoral to do so. i wish to hear of your endeavours instead.”

[themedicix-blog]

ofunholiness‌:

           she turned to face the volunteer speaking behind her. a voice she recognized in a trice. impertinent and loud and flirty, of course it was leonardo de medici. she rolled her eyes, cocking her head to the side with a worn smile. why must him always intrude? why must she play kind & polite every time? artemisia wondered if he would ever give up. “go ahead,” the princess said, then remained quiet, listening to his remarks as did the others in the room. there were giggles & mutterings echoing by the time he was finished. well, at least he knew how to be entertaining, she’d give him that. “the second is a lie, of course. i am not the most radiant woman in the room, have you seen the other ladies? each of us a star in our own special way. you gentlemen must be smitten, are you not?” 

          witty as ever, she smirked. some of the gentlemen said aye, while the others nodded and chuckled. artemisia had sucessfully dodged leonardo’s advances and managed not to inspire envy on the women surrounding her, plus amused the men. artemïsia walked towards him, getting only a bit closer enough to lower her tone. “i’ve missed torturing you. not your company.”

“alas ----- torturing me is still being in my company. you must enjoy it to some extent, your highness.” artemisia was certainly one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. leonardo pursued many eligible dames within his own country, and even more elsewhere, but they paled in comparison to the princess. he wondered what drew him to her: after all, there were many as lovely as she, but none treated him the same. her attitudes towards him only made her want him more, and he was unrelenting in his advances. “your turn, artemisia. enlighten me.” he was aware of ears on them, and his manners remained, but he offered her a gentle smirk, hoping she was in a good enough mood to receive him and his many antics.

[osmanblood]

the living de medici’s @themedicix + @mvdici + @caterina-of-florence

[osmanblood]

@themedicix

[themedicix-blog]

annarurik‌:

Growing up the littlest of the children of the Tsar and Tsarina, Anna had the chance to choose what she wanted to learn. Of course, not without the basic knowledge that a Grand Duchess must know. But she had had more lee way than her older brothers, especially the two eldest. Standing next to the Medici lord, she shook her head at his worlds. “Whatever I say shall already been spoken by you, My Lord.” She said politely before leaning over the balcony railing to have a better look at the busy Firenze people moving about. “I take it you are a lover of the art.”   

he nodded. some people may not be as interested in art as him: that was acceptable, and he found no quarrel with it. but he disliked how people could remain ignorant to its beauty, unappreciative in nature: though, he did always adore the finer things in life. “of course, your highness. you cannot live in italy and not appreciate its art. they say the artists of great renown are born here.” he looked at her with a smile, glad to see her have some interest. “do you enjoy it? you do not have to say yes for my sake. i shall not hold it against you, i promise.” he said with a lighthearted tone, arms folded neatly over his chest.

[themedicix-blog]

ofbezukhov‌:

                    florence  was  a  great  beauty.  of  course,  she  felt  that  moscow  &  saint  petersburg  were  equally  as  magnificent  in  their  own  way.  it  was  clear  that  there  was  wealth  in  italy,  everything  gleamed  bright  &  hot  with  the   mid-summers  air.  her  hazel  eyes  took  in  the  grand  infrastructure  around  her,  it  was  clear  that  the  places  had  been  designed  by  people  with  passion            artists  with  souls  full  of  longing  &  desire.  she  wondered  if  they  felt  raw  to  open  up  themselves  so  freely,  to  reveal  their  passion  in  the  paintwork.  she  glanced  over  at  the  man  who  spoke  of  it’s  magnificence,   ❛   it  leaves  me  breathless.  was  it  the  absence  and  longing  for  love  which  made  the  architect  build  something  so  captivating,  or  was  it  a  heart  leaking  open  that  wanted  to  call  out  to  the  heavens?  i  suppose  we  shall never  know.  ❜   

there were few things as wonderful as being in the company of beautiful women. leonardo did not believe this purely for his own pleasure, but he felt joy in seeing such lovely things. it was why he appreciated art so, as well as architecture. one could not dismiss the impact is had on their own selves. eyes remained on the building, and on his beloved florence. it was a place of beauty and he pitied anybody who could not experience it. how lucky he was to grow up here, to know its people, to finance its arts. “you speak poetry, my lady.” was she royalty? it seemed everybody here was, but he feared overexerting himself. “beautiful poetry, of course. i feel the same way. surely it was his overwhelming passion for such magnificence, perhaps he wanted to make something...biblical.”

[themedicix-blog]

oftsarevnas‌:

        Kept away from half of her heritage Tatia couldn’t help but feel anything aside of impressed by everything Florence had to offer, the building, the people, the weather, she found everything to be fascinating. “I am unsure if I can leave to your expectation of interest, but I must admit I find everything around me to be of exquisite beauty, and although I have traveled little in my life, I doubt I will every find a place such as Florence again.” She will return again, she had made herself that promise almost as soon as she had walked, no one would keep her away every again. 

“i am glad for your appreciation, then.” a genuine smile, as was not hard to find on the lips of the medici. although their family was known for violence and was feared by many, he did not find joy in the intimidation of others. the people of florence would appreciate them for their influence, and that is all that mattered to him. “you are from...russia?” brows squinted as he tried to work out the accent. leonardo saw her expensive clothing and her etiquette, but couldn’t be brazen enough to guess who she was. “is it quite beautiful there, too? i have never had the chance to visit, but i speak the language.”

[themedicix-blog]

demediciblood‌:

valentina’s face felt as though it would split into two as she saw her brother’s face for the first time in half a decade. she giggled seeing her older brother bow to her but finally reached out to him. it was one of the many things she missed about home, her family and all the hugs from her siblings. being the third she was between many, and it seemed it was an italian thing as she was sure he hadn’t seen anyone embrace at the french court. 

“not as well as home,” she whispered, squeezing him as tightly as she could before stepping back from him. “i wish to know everything that was happened within the last five years, do not leave anything out!”

he imagined it would be difficult to go to a new court and act a princess. the medici’s were not particularly known for their aristocratic roots: they were bankers, above all, and whilst their father had been very particular in raising them, people knew them as vipers. the blood on their hands often proved it. “you are happy though, aren’t you? i would despair if they were treating you terribly in france.” brows furrowed, he stepped from her, but remained within arms length, as though being close to her could protect her from any harm. “my dear sister, you wish not to know everything. i fear you would scold me for my behaviour.”

[themedicix-blog]

vviltingflovver‌:

speaking  with  men  and  women  alike  is  difficult  for  alice,  but  art  is  one  thing  that  helps  loosen  her  tongue,  makes  her  more  comfortable.  still  nervous  in  her  actions  and  mannerisms,  alice  nods,  a  short  and  affirmative  action.   “  it  is  very  beautiful.  the  detail  is  marvelous.  it  seems  as  if  i  notice  a  new  carving  every  time  i  look  on  it  anew.  ”   she  pauses,  understanding  him.   “  undoubtedly,  some  seem  to  forget  about  the  true  value  and  beauty  of  the  arts.  they  only  care  to  reap  the  esteem  and  standing  owning  it  brings.  ”

whilst leonardo had never visited the english court, alexander had told him enough about it and his family that he could piece it all together. he said he had three sisters: one barely a child, the other loud and demanding, and one quite beautiful and kind. he deduced, from the way she spoke, her clothes and her resemblance to his close friend, that he was meeting the latter. “it is sad, isn’t it? though, i hear of new, up and coming artists within italy, with skill one would not even believe. perhaps people will appreciate it more as it gains popularity.” he paused, eyes on the dome, before he turned his head to look at the young woman at his side. “you are a fan of art, yes?”

[alexandercfengland]

two fools ; an inside look : alexander * leonardo

[themedicix-blog]

alexandercfengland‌:

alexander could only shake his head, laughing simultaneously at the justification leonardo provided. “ah yes, the duke of brittany, that bloke had a thing for excessiveness.” his eyes flitted through the room looking for a place to seat himself as he waited. but on second thought, he decided otherwise and remained standing. the girls had also seemingly woken up, batting their lashes at alexander as if to invite him for a continuation of their fun but he merely shook his head, dismissing them from their place. he watched as they scampered off, barely clad in clothes. by the time they disappeared, leonardo was dressed albeit messily, but 90% more clothed than the moments prior. 

“thank you and it’s good to be back, amico.” he walked alongside leo out of the elaborate villa. “so tell me, what pursuits have you made these days? last I recalled you were pining for a beautiful and well endowed french madam but have your interests strayed elsewhere? in your letters you spoke of marriage,” alexander chuckled, bemused as he couldn’t quite fathom his friend here engaged with a woman who would be capable of restraining his wild antics. “or are you still on and about the prowl for one who shall suit your specific taste?”  

leo thought it would be hard enough to be a proper lord. just because he was one didn’t mean he acted like one --- often he thought of the burden on his older brother, the grand duke, and on continuing the legacy their father left. leonardo could never have that weight upon his shoulders, for banking was far too boring. if one stripped away his hedonism, his interests would lay in the arts, and in worldly affairs, not in loaning money and running the bank of florence. no, that was definitely far too boring for his taste.

he grinned. “few pursuits i’m afraid. ah, yes: she was terribly beautiful, but far too easily pleased. you know i like competition.” women were easy to obtain as a lord, and with his looks, it wasn’t difficult. “i have decided to look into the marriage prospect. after all, my family are becoming tiresome with my antics, and would like for me to bring a respectable dowry into the family. how is the lady of york, my friend?” he teased, a cheeky grin on his face. “i joke, of course. i am trying my absolute hardest to tone down my escapades, with a few...backslides.”

[klaw]

how is “””pretty boy””” supposed to be an insult i’m the prettiest goddamn boy in town

[themedicix-blog]

isabelofyork‌:

                  ❛  it  is  breathtaking.  ❜  isabel  agreed  in  earnest,  one  hand  shielding  her  eyes  from  the  sun  as  she  gazed  up  at  the  cathedral,  her  young  daughter  beside  her mimicking  the  elder.  it  had  been  something  that  isabel  had  been  set  upon  viewing  during  their  sojourn  in  florence,  in  the  memory  of  her  late - father  as  much  for  her  own  satisfaction.  he  had  been  an  admirer  of  architecture,  an  interest  he  had  bestowed  upon  his  eldest  daughter.  ❛  why,  my  lord  de  medici,  i  was  hoping  that  you  may  have  told  me  all  about  it  ––––  i  heard  it  was  built  under  the  instruction  of  your  relative,  no ? ❜

he recognised the woman next to him. although they had never truly crossed paths before, her resemblance to alexander was uncanny, and the accent was a clear giveaway. people whispered about the new queen of england as though she was a witch, a temptress, an incarnation of the devil himself: leonardo wondered why people were so threatened by beautiful women. “it would be my honour, your majesty.” he bowed his head respectfully, then nodded. “in a way. there was a public competition held to see who would build it. my relative supported brunelleschi, you see, who built it. wonderful man, very intelligent. he did so without any centring, as is normal, and built the largest dome in the world today.”

[themedicix-blog]

ofunholiness‌:

       “let’s celebrate we’re not dead yet! isn’t that why we’re gathered here, in a sense? well, i say hallelujah!” artemisia jested, raising a glass of cherry wine cheerfully. everywhere the princess went, she was the life of the party. soon enough the nobles in the room imitated her, toasting and laughing at her sally remark. although she thought it foolish to believe it was indeed all the pope had in mind with this sudden invite, and pitied anyone who trusted that any goodwill would actually come from it. mïsia had known her great uncle fairly well; the blood speaks louder.

      she then crossed the room to approach another, with a sparkle of mischief in her eyes. “i propose a game. we make three statements about ourselves & one of us must decide which is a lie. have i found one brave enough to start it or should i make the honors?”

artemisia had always been the light of the room. whenever leonardo was lucky enough to see her beauty in person, his eyes, and the eyes of those around him, would always land on her. he pursued many a woman in his time, but none so tirelessly rejected his advances like the princess of the holy roman empire. yet, he knew she was amused by it --- he was a plaything to her, and it was a nice change. he did like a woman who could tell him what to do.

as laughs spread, he looked up at the princess from his seat, a light smirk on his lips and eyes filled with interest. “allow me to start, your highness.” head bowed in respect, he then leaned back, thinking. “firstly, it is not a delight to be in your most wondrous presence.” a pause. “secondly, you are the most radiant woman in the room. and finally, you have missed me unbelievable amounts.” alas, to her, two of those would be a lie: but he could only hope she had missed him.

[themedicix-blog]

“a magnificent building, don’t you agree?” leonardo had lived in florence his entire life, yet found himself amazed by its beauty every day. the cathedral always stood out to him, as he was sure it did everybody else: few appreciated the brilliant structure for its architecture, but leo saw it as so ahead of its time that it begged for admiration. head turned to look at his companion as they sat on the balcony of the medici estate, his servants within reach. “do tell me you have something interesting to say about it. all the bankers in this house are such a bore when it comes to the arts.”

[themedicix-blog]

demediciblood‌:

the princess by marriage had not seen her brother since they gave a teary goodbye at the end of their great duchy. now she was returning as a princess and a rank above his. it would be fun to get see him again, and giggle as he had to bow to his younger sister.  and what a treat it would be for valentina to see. she asked around the palace, where is the grand duke of florence? she received a lot of i do not know, highness. but finally a butler said he thought the duke was going for a stroll by the riverside. she picked up her skirts and made heise to the riverside. seeing her brother, her smile grew even larger. she ran over and went to cover his eyes with her hands. “guess who,” she whispered into his ear before setting back and allowing him to see again. // @themedicix

leonardo was many things, but a terrible brother was not one of them. he cared greatly for his family, his sisters especially: treating women with respect was not something he often did, but the care he felt for the two women exceeded that of anybody else. his protection knew no limits, and whilst he knew marriage was inevitable, he feared for it. valentina had been lucky, he believed: a brilliant match, for a brilliant woman. it still pained him for her to be away from home for so long, and so the pope elections were a great treat for him, as he finally got to see his beloved sibling. as he walked along the riverside, deep in intelligent thought, he felt two hands over his eyes. whilst natural instinct was to retaliate, he heard the voice which he would never forget after years of growing up beside her, and grinned. turning swiftly, he eagerly reached to hug her, before stopping himself. “valentina! or should i say ----- your highness?” he bowed with a smirk, knowing she’d enjoy the power he was giving to her, and then he reached for her, this time pulling her into his arms. “i have missed you, my dear sister. i do hope france is treating you well.”