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As we reach the end of the barriers, I feel a surge of relief washes over me, followed by a wave of awe. There, encased in a glass cabinet, sits half of a blue diamond shaped like a heart – one so big it could fill my palm as I imagine holding it.
The gem seems to emit its own light, casting a gentle glow on its surroundings. Its beauty and rarity leave me speechless, my mind struggling to comprehend the immense value of what lies before me.
"Rafaele, this is…" my father loses all words, his voice filled with wonder.
"Unbelievable," I whisper, unable to tear my eyes away from the gem. Its surface sparkles like a sea of stars, each facet reflecting the light in a mesmerizing dance. My heart races with excitement and fear, instinctively knowing that this object has the power to change our lives forever – or destroy them.
Never, in a million years, would I have imagined such a thing of beauty to exist. This is the kind of stone country that would go to war for.
Rafaele stands beside us, watching our reactions with a mixture of pride and caution. "Remember," he says, his voice low and serious, "this diamond is a treasure beyond measure but also a dangerous secret. You must protect it at all costs." And there, for the first time, I glimpse concern on his face.
“We will, I swear by it,” I say, without a second thought, still mesmerized. But then, I stop when I look back at what brought us here. “But, Rafaele,” I gasp. “If this diamond lies here, what are we to steal tomorrow?”
“You see, this diamond isn’t whole,” Rafaele points at its curvature through the glass. “There’s a missing half to this precious beauty. Once we have what Fiero has, we can, at last, complete the Heart of Italy.”
“But Rafaele,” my father interjects. “If you already have the half of something so very precious, shouldn’t it be enough?”
“No,” Rafaele roars, slamming his hand on his thigh. “It’s my family’s legacy. As for how it reached Fiero Cremaschi, I cannot say. This diamond has existed in our family’s annals for thousands of years, and now, I want to bring that part of history to a close and take back what was stolen from us. Do you understand what it is to know something so precious belongs to you somewhere out there?”
I nod several times at him as if I’m seeing this man for the first time – seeing his heart – it’s torn. As I stare back at the blue heart, its beauty both captivating and haunting, I can't help but think about the risks he has taken, the enemies he has faced, and the unknown challenges that lie ahead.
With each passing moment, the diamond's allure grows stronger, pulling me deeper into its spell.
"Rafaele," I say, my voice barely audible, "how can something so beautiful have been kept such a secret all this time?"
He looks at me, his eyes dark and unreadable. "That, Romola, is a question as old as time itself. Beauty often hides the deadliest of secrets. And I aim to keep it that way."
As we stand there, the three of us locked in a fragile alliance forged by desire and danger, I know that our fortunes are irrevocably intertwined. I gaze upon the heart-shaped diamond, its brilliance reflected in my wide-set gray eyes. Will you bring us fortune and happiness, or will you lead us down a path of darkness and destruction?
The diamond's blue light casts a serene glow on our faces, changing light with the way we move around it, and I feel a mix of awe and dread. My father's eyes widen as he struggles to find the words to express his disbelief. "I've never seen anything like this," he whispers, his voice trembling with emotion.
A faint smile plays on Rafaele’s lips, and for a moment, I am stunned by how genuine his smile is. Not a threatening smile, not a manipulative smile – a sincere smile.
“It is said to have divine origins, the ‘Heart of Italy’.”
"Divine origins?" I ask, at the same time my father exclaims: “Heart of Italy?” We stare at the heart-shaped diamond again in complete silence. After everything that has happened today, I am convinced that there's more to its beauty than meets the eye.
Rafaele nods, his dark blue eyes taking on an enigmatic glint. "Legend has it that the gods themselves crafted this diamond. And to imagine that the second half was lost for centuries, only to be found... here in Rome, in Fiero’s hands,” he clucks his tongue in sheer disbelief.
My father considers this tale for a moment before shaking his head slightly. "We should consult someone who can establish its value. I know a man who could do it just by looking at a photo."
"No!" Rafaele exclaims, his face turning deadly serious. "Revealing its existence would put us all in grave danger. The fewer people who know about it, the better."
His warning is chilling. I try to imagine what lengths people might go to possess such a priceless artifact, and the potential consequences become a terrifying burden in my soul. In that instant, I understand why Rafaele is so adamant about keeping the diamond a secret.
"Rafaele's right, Father," I say, placing a hand on his arm. "We need to be careful. This gem carries a heavy burden along with its beauty."
My father sighs, his shoulders slumping in resignation. "I suppose you're right, Romola. We must be cautious."
The weight of Rafaele's warning lingers in the air, casting a shadow over the remarkable gem that has brought us together. I can see his dark blue eyes flicker with concern as he assesses our expressions. For what: greed? Deceit?
Whatever it is, he doesn’t find it because when he speaks again, his voice is firm but gentler than before. "It is time for you must leave the compound now. There is that upcoming masquerade party tomorrow night. Take the day tomorrow to dress up, choose your disguise well, and return here in the afternoon for further instructions."
"Well," my father replies cautiously, “can you show Romola what you have in mind for our costumes?” Father nods at me. “She and Serafina are usually the ones who design and sew our outfits for performances, I’m afraid,” he now addresses Rafaele with a half-smile. “I am terrible with these things.” He gives a soft laugh that turns into a loud coughing episode.
“Oh,” Rafaele shakes his head and turns to me with a frown. “That won’t do. The guests at tomorrow’s event are billionaires and politicians. Anything out of place, even as simple as a cheap tie, will raise eyebrows. Look here,” he takes me aside, pulling out his phone to show me elaborate designs for clothes I could never afford.
“But we own nothing like those,” I panic, staring at the immaculate dresses he shows me.
