The next night arrived cloaked in silence, and Azzurra knew Marcello would soon return to his quarters like clockwork to take his usual late shower. Though he rarely spent time in the room, for the past three nights he had come in briefly, just long enough to rinse off before disappearing again.

Cesario was already fast asleep, his soft snores echoing gently through the dim room. Azzurra stood by the door, ear pressed tightly against the wood, straining to catch even the faintest trace of ...