The lecture hall was crowded with students. Kate, hunched over her book, pretended to review notes she no longer needed.

«You’ll do perfectly,» Ludovica encouraged, pulling her away from the pages. «You know it all by heart.»

«You’re right,» Kate admitted, rubbing her temples. «It just weighs a ton,» she joked, referring to the massive tome. «I just can’t seem to focus today.»

«I’ve never seen you this tense. What’s going on?» asked her friend, taking her hand.

Kate wanted to confide in her, but she couldn’t. She squeezed her hand instead. «I just want to get a good grade and then sleep for a week.»

«Then you have nothing to worry about,» Ludovica sighed, trying to lighten the mood. She tugged at her corset with a grimace. «This dress is killing me. My mother insists I wear all these ruffled monstrosities—she says they bring luck.»

«It’s lovely,» Kate lied, trying to reassure her. «And besides,» she nodded toward the other jeweled girls, «you’re hardly the only one.»

Ludovica lowered her gaze. «If only it were just the dress, Kate,» she murmured. «My parents control every part of my life.» She bit her lip, regretting it immediately. «I shouldn’t have said that, sorry.»

«Don’t apologize. I’m your friend—you can speak freely.»

Kate had known Ludovica Van Becker since school and knew how fragile she was beneath all that poise.

«I didn’t even want to enroll here,» Ludovica confessed softly. «My mother told me I had only two choices: become a priestess of the Temple or come here to find a suitable husband.»

She blushed, as if saying it aloud were sinful. «My family is very old-fashioned...»

«And you?» Kate asked. «Do you really want to live by those rules?»

«I have to,» Ludovica whispered, eyes downcast. «What would I gain by rebelling? I’d be disowned. I’d lose my family...»

Kate counted to ten in silence. «My opinion matters little. But if that’s the path you’ve chosen, I hope it makes you happy.»

«I’m sorry,» Ludovica said, dabbing at her cheeks with a handkerchief. «I shouldn’t have lost composure—it was improper.»

«I’m glad you did,» Kate smiled.

«Thank you, Kate,» Ludovica murmured, regaining her composure. Then she turned toward the corridor. «I know I don’t have to ask, but please keep what I told you between us. Beatriz is coming back...»

Kate nodded, waving at their friend trotting toward them, radiant.

«The best of the best, ladies!» announced Beatriz, her golden curls bouncing as she proudly displayed her grade. «Now that we’ve survived this awful exam, we can finally focus on the fabulous events of next week!»

«Bea,» interrupted Ludovica, stifling a laugh, «Kate hasn’t finished yet—and I doubt she wants to talk about parties right now. Right?»

«Katherine?» echoed Beatriz.

«Yes?» Kate replied, distracted.

«Our little countess has her head elsewhere this morning,» Beatriz teased. «Is there a handsome prince involved, perhaps?»

Kate rolled her eyes. «Why is it so hard for you two to believe I’m just nervous about an exam?»

«Because it’s a stupid exam!» Beatriz shot back. «That’s why we’re going to the Gilt tonight.»

Kate raised an eyebrow. The Gilt was a questionable club in the northern quarter of the city.

«We need to have some fun. And you,» she said, pointing at Kate, «definitely need to loosen up—with a nice young man.»

«For heaven’s sake!» scolded Ludovica. «We’re respectable ladies—we don’t do such things.»

«That’s exactly why Cremgaradél gave us places like the Gilt!» Beatriz replied, flicking open her fan. «Top-class entertainment, thick walls, and a wonderful private garden. Trust me, Miss Van Becker, whatever happens at the Gilt stays at the Gilt.»

«And on that note, I think I’ll head to the lectern. I should be next,» Kate said, gathering her things.

«I’m in,» smiled Ludovica.

«Would you take a “maybe”?» tried Kate.

«Absolutely not,» Beatriz said, shaking her head.

«Please, please, please!» begged Beatriz with clasped hands, but Kate was saved by a voice calling her name.

«Your turn,» said Ludovica, who hadn’t left her side all morning. «Your brother couldn’t come? You said he’d be here.»

«He had an appointment. Must’ve been held up,» Kate replied quickly.

«A pity,» murmured Ludovica, blushing. «I’d have liked to see him again.»

Kate glanced at her sideways, surprised.

«I hope that wasn’t inappropriate. Fabrizio is just... well, he’s kind, and he’s—»

«Handsome!» interrupted Beatriz. «What did I miss?»

«Nothing,» replied Kate with a tight smile. «Ludovica was just asking about my brother.»

«Who could blame her!» Beatriz laughed. «I know plenty of girls chasing after Fabrizio. You’re not the jealous little sister, are you?»

«Of course not,» Kate defended herself. She turned to Ludovica. «Is that what you were trying to tell me?»

«Oh yes!» her friend said, relieved.

«I’m glad I made you so happy, but don’t get your hopes up. My brother’s buried in his studies... I doubt he has time for anything else.»

Ludovica sighed. «And yet, last week we met by chance near the Temple gardens, and Fabrizio was so kind to me... he even walked me home.»

Kate felt a chill. Why hadn’t he told her? She tried to stay composed.

«Seems you don’t need my help after all.»

«Oh, but I do! Maybe it meant nothing to him...»

«Don’t take it personally,» Kate forced herself to say. «Fabrizio just has a lot on his mind. But if you really care, go for it—he’d appreciate that.» She laughed inwardly, picturing the scene.

«Agreed!» Beatriz chimed in loudly. «Now, shake off this ridiculous anxiety so we can talk about the Harvest Festival—and tonight!»

Kate moved toward the lectern, but Ludovica caught her again.

«Kate,» she pleaded. «What I feel for your brother has nothing to do with what I confessed earlier.»

«Of course,» Kate nodded. «I know.»

Finally, Ludovica let her go. Kate took her seat and had to try hard not to let all the new emotions tingling beneath her fingertips take control.

When Fabrizio entered, she was still by the lectern, bathed in a light that warmed his heart. A few moments later she returned among her classmates, and as she placed her books away, he watched her in silence, without calling her name.Only when she approached the exit did she see him standing by the door.

«I thought you wouldn’t come,» she said, walking toward him.

«I was held up,» he replied, but there was something in his eyes that unsettled her.«Beatriz, Ludovica,» he greeted with a polite smile.

«What a pleasure to see you again, Fabrizio,» trilled Beatriz. «We’re celebrating tonight at the Gilt, you must come! Bring your friends too.»

«The Gilt?» he answered, turning an inquisitive glance toward Kate, who blushed and looked away.«Of course,» he added then, with a hint of irony.

«Perfect!» cried Beatriz, quickly hushed by a chorus of “shh.”

«Maybe we should step outside...» suggested Ludovica.

Fabrizio opened the door for her. «Please.»

She blushed and almost tripped on her own feet. «You’re always so kind.»

«It’s a pleasure,» he said, amused by her clumsiness.

Kate watched her; passion could really make people blind—was she the same?

They stepped into the corridor, crowded with students and noisy chatter.«Kate, I don’t mean to be rude, but we have to go,» her brother called.

«You’re right, it’s getting late.»

«Oh yes, I must run as well,» said Beatriz. «We have a grand evening ahead, and grand evenings require equally meticulous preparations! See you later, my dears.»

«I’ll join you with my friends,» Fabrizio repeated, locking eyes with his sister, who deliberately avoided his gaze.

«Perfect,» said Ludovica, still blushing. «Then I’ll see you tonight.»

He nodded uncertainly, then waited for them to finally leave.

When the two siblings were alone again, a calm silence settled between them.«Well?» asked Kate.

Fabrizio sighed. «I’m a doctor.»

Kate’s eyes widened, then she laughed with joy. «I’m so proud of you!»

He lifted her in an embrace, sharing his excitement, then set her down, his expression turning serious again.«That’s exactly what we need to talk about. Things aren’t that simple.»

«I’ve never seen you discouraged,» she said.

«It’s different, Kate. It’s no longer just about me.»

A group of students exited the classroom; Fabrizio took her bag and gestured for her to follow.«Better talk elsewhere. Mama and Papa won’t be home before three,» he said, checking his watch.

«Grandfather’s watch?» she noted.

«Time is money...» he began.

«...but there’s no money that can buy it,» she finished, and they both laughed.«He truly was a nonconformist.»

«And when he escaped beyond the walls? We didn’t see him for weeks, and he never told anyone where he’d gone or what he’d done.» Fabrizio smiled at the memory.

«Good heavens, yes. Papa hated those whims of his, but he always protected him. If the guards had found out...»

«They wouldn’t have done anything, Katie. He was old and rich,» he scoffed. «Papa only did it because he didn’t want anyone tarnishing our name.»

«You’re always too hard on him.»«Are you acting as his lawyer now?» he teased. «Isn’t it enough being the favorite daughter?»

Kate laughed, though she knew how much truth lay in those words.«I’m only saying not everything he does is wrong,» she shrugged.

«And I’m only reminding you how our father acts in certain situations,» he replied, weighing her bag in his hands. «How many books did you bring?»

Kate ignored him and walked ahead. That conflict between her brother and her father hurt her more than she wanted to admit—but more than that, she felt guilty toward both, for loving each of them too much.

They passed the statue of Erebo, and as they descended the steps, they found themselves along the grassy avenue of the university, where yellow and brown leaves piled along the path.«The Gilt, huh?» Fabrizio said dryly. «Didn’t think you were that bold.»

«Places like that are usually more your style, aren’t they? Do you think the private garden will suit your second rendezvous with Ludovica Van Becker?» she teased.

He laughed. «I bet Beatriz is behind this too. I don’t know if she told you, but she’s a regular. I’ll invite Larry tonight—he’ll be glad to see her again.»

«Are you dodging my provocation?»

«All this because we walked together once?»

Kate quickened her pace. «You know what? I don’t care. Introduce me to someone tonight, and I’ll have fun too,» she challenged. «Beatriz practically forced me, but now I think accepting was an excellent idea.»

«The Gilt isn’t a good place,» he warned.

«And yet you go there.»

Fabrizio stopped and grabbed her arm. «I’ve been there a couple of times because my friends wanted to. And, to be clear, I’m going only so you’re not there alone with someone like Beatriz.»

«I don’t need to be watched,» Kate pulled free and kept walking.

Fabrizio spread his arms, exasperated. «You act like a child.»

«Maybe because you enjoy playing the father with me.»

«You know that’s not true.»

«Then stop giving me orders.»

«I never have,» he sighed, defeated. «Do as you wish.»

«Good.»

«Good.»

When they arrived, the driver opened the car door.«Good morning, Martin,» Fabrizio greeted, giving him a pat on the shoulder. «At ease.»

«Miss, Sir,» replied the chauffeur stiffly.

«Thank you for your patience,» added Kate, stepping in.«

My duty, Miss.»

The car drove down the Avenue of Oranges and turned toward the city, gliding past rivers of cyclamens. Cremgaradél opened before them—its intricate quarters and rooftops glittering in the sun.

After another curve, amid the grand villas of the rich district, the Ranieri Estate appeared.In the courtyard, the butler and a maid awaited them.

«Welcome back, Sir, Miss. Shall I have luncheon served in half an hour?»

«Later, Bremson,» said Fabrizio. «My sister and I will take a walk in the garden.»

«Certainly, Sir.»

They thanked him, and passing under the stone archway, they walked toward the lawns.