Bianca took three elegant steps toward him, fully expecting him to call her name.

"Rosalia," Giovanni voiced smoothly into the microphone.

The courtyard went dead silent for a fraction of a second before erupting into a frenzy of frantic whispering.

"Who is Rosalia?"

"Who the hell is Rosalia?"

"Is she from a hidden family?"

Rosa’s breath entirely caught in her throat. Her cheeks flushed a deep, burning crimson as hundreds of eyes violently snapped toward her. Her mind spun into total chaos—Giovanni hadn't warned her about any of this. Everything was moving entirely too fast. Shyness and panic rooted her to the spot, making her unable to move.

Seeing her...