Marcello strode into the hallway, his presence commanding as always, only to be met by a wide-eyed, visibly shaken Benedetto.

“Y-You can hand her to me, Prince,” Benedetto stammered, stepping forward, clearly alarmed by the girl’s condition.

But Marcello didn’t relinquish her.

“Lead the way to her room,” he ordered, voice clipped and cold.

It took a second for Benedetto to snap out of his daze before he turned and began leading the way through the long corridors.

When they ...