The Vescari estate, midnight. Rain falls heavily outside. Lightning cracks across the marble floors through tall windows. Antonio is in his private study, seated behind his desk, staring down at a spread of intelligence reports, family trees, and surveillance photos — all of them focused on one name: Valentina Moretti.

Antonio stands alone, his hands behind his back, staring at a framed photograph of Bianca and Adriano from their wedding day.

He doesn’t look angry. He looks surgical.

There’s a knock. His consigliere, Dante, steps in. "You called for me, sir?" Antonio didn't turn. "Yes. I want everything we have on Valentina Moretti — Adriano’s younger sister. Movements. Friends. Habits. Weaknesses." Dante swallowed unsure. "She’s been kept out of public reach. Adriano guards her like—"

"—like she’s still innocent. Exactly why she matters." Antonio sat his glass down. "Adriano is strong. He’s gotten too comfortable. Domestic. Distracted. Bianca was supposed to weaken him. Instead, she made him stronger. I need leverage... something to remind him where the leash is." Dante looked at him carefully. "And marrying his sister will do that?"

Antonio turned with a cold amused smirk. "It will bind him. Bleed him from two sides. Let him rage — what will he do? Attack the man who shares a table with his sister? He chose peace once. Let’s see if he chooses it again... when I’m the one in his bloodline."

Antonio refilled his glass and mumbled silently to himself. "Besides... every king needs a queen. And every queen needs to understand who holds the sword."

His men had texted her for weeks to lure her out. And soon he had a date with her. She got to a restaurant and sat down at the imposing table. But as she looked up, she saw the trap instantly.

"Hello, little farfalla." He poured them both a glass of wine. "We have something to discuss. Your brother seems happy. A bit too happy if you asked me. And you will help me to keep him in line. I give you a choice. Be free of their regime and be a queen on my side. I want you to marry me willingly or I will make you either way."