A quiet morning in northern Lombardy, inside Valdombra Palace in Milan. Light, intermittent showers of June rain fell softly, announcing the beginning of a new season .In the grand dining hall of the towering palace, built in regal architectural style, Adriano di Falconi, the Grand Duke and ruler of Lombardy, sat having breakfast beside his mother, the Dowager Duchess Beatrice.
"Set the wedding date four months from now. I need an heir."
He took a sip of his coffee as he spoke, his tone calm and devoid of emotion, as though discussing nothing more than an ordinary daily matter.
"A wise choice."
Beatrice replied with interest.
"I will begin the arrangements today and contact Marquis Valdieri."
She gave no particular weight to her son's tone, continuing with measured composure.
"I have already spoken with the High Priest. The wedding ceremony and all related details require no consultation with me. Prepare everything as you see fit."
"Understood."
Adriano rose, signaling the end of breakfast, and headed toward his study accompanied by his aides. As he passed through the vast palace corridor, he paused briefly before one of the windows overlooking the stone balconies. What was he gazing at? Raindrops sliding down the glass… were they, in some way, a sign of love?
Days later, a letter arrived at the palace from the Marchioness of Valdieri in Genoa, the family of Adriano's fiancée. The letter stated that Eleonora di Valdieri would soon relocate to Lombardy, a common tradition for a betrothed bride before the wedding, in preparation for the ceremonies. And so, Valdombra Palace prepared to receive the future wife of the Grand Duke, the lady who would one day be known as the Duchess of Lombardy.
Adriano, twenty-six years old, was an exceptionally handsome man; black hair like the night sky, cold blue eyes, fair skin, sharply captivating features, a powerful build, and a height that surpassed most men. His cold demeanor and rigid conduct made him the object of admiration for young noblewomen and a silent desire in their hearts. Ladies competed fiercely for the position of Grand Duchess, ensuring their presence at any event he attended, yet every attempt ended in the same response, a calm, decisive refusal, devoid of courtesy.
When his engagement to Eleonora di Valdieri was announced three years earlier, rumors spread that he had reserved his heart for her alone. Eleonora was the only and beloved daughter of Marquis Valdieri, twenty-two years old, an elegant, beautiful, and intelligent young woman. Her chestnut hair, blue eyes, fair complexion, and tall, graceful figure were matched by a cool composure that made her a model among high society ladies. No noblewoman dared diminish her status as the future Grand Duchess; she had proven her worth and asserted her dominance over elite social circles with calculated ease.
The three-year engagement between Adriano and Eleonora was marked by mutual respect. Adriano was an upright and honorable man who treated his fiancée in a manner befitting her position. The only thing absent from their relationship… was passion. But passion, in Adriano's lexicon, was an illusion that clouded judgment. Likewise, Eleonora had not chosen her husband out of fleeting emotion; marriage, to her, was a means of securing status and achieving higher gains. In this, they were perfectly aligned.
Yet… is it not said that the most beautiful things in the world are felt by the heart? Alas for those who feel nothing at all.
Weeks later, the day arrived for Eleonora's arrival with her entourage and maids. When the carriage stopped at the palace entrance, she saw through the window the Dowager Duchess and Adriano standing in wait. The carriage door opened. Eleonora stepped down with confident strides and approached to greet her hosts with her customary elegance.
"My greetings, Your Highness. My greetings, Madam."
"Welcome, Lady Eleonora."
Adriano said with formal calm.
"Welcome, my dear Eleonora."
Beatrice added with a faint smile.
"I hope your journey was comfortable."
"Thank you, Mother. Thanks to His Highness's kindness, I arrived in comfort."
The three entered the palace together, and Eleonora was escorted to the most luxurious guest chamber prepared especially for her.
Later, Adriano headed to his study, accompanied by his first aide.
"Alberto, what of the report I requested?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Regarding the railway project, here it is."
"Good. After the wedding, we will begin the project. Place it at the top of my agenda."
Alberto, the Grand Duke di Falconi's first aide, was a man of remarkable intelligence and talent, born of common stock. Adriano had discovered him personally and brought him into his service, valuing competence over lineage. Adriano selected his aides based on merit and ability, earning genuine loyalty from the common people despite the silent reservations of some noble houses. He believed that a successful ruler surrounded himself with competence… then allowed it to act.
Alongside his military strength, Adriano excelled in negotiation, distinguished by his ability to persuade adversaries with sharp wisdom and keen insight. The railway project was not merely a means to improve life between territories, but an instrument of quiet control—psychological, gradual, unseen.
"To know one's enemy is good, but to know oneself is better."
This principle was the secret of his advancement in every arena. His true strength lay not in the sword alone, but in control, over himself first, then over others, and over everything.
In Eleonora's chamber, her personal maid, Igritta, was arranging her hair.
"My lady, only one month remains until your wedding. Do you not feel excited?"
"The matter is settled. I will be the Grand Duchess."
"I meant… your relationship with His Highness. Will you not try to win his heart? As you know, some nobles take mistresses…"
"Igritta, the Grand Duke will not do that."
Eleonora replied coolly.
"Do you know why he chose me as his wife?"
"Because you are of ancient noble lineage, intelligent and elegant?"
"In part. But more importantly, our inclinations are aligned. We do not waste effort on trivial things."
"But my lady… Lady Lia is...."
A knock interrupted them.
"Come in."
"My lady, Lady Sofia from Rosalina Boutique is here."
Eleonora nodded.
"Very well. Show her to the sitting room."
Rosalina Boutique was the most renowned among high society ladies, famed for its luxurious evening and wedding gowns, hats, gloves, and cloaks. Eleonora's wedding dress fitting had been scheduled six months earlier, and Sofia had come today to confirm the final measurements.
"My greetings, my lady. I hope your day is pleasant."
"Welcome, Lady Sofia. Let us begin, time is precious."
Measurements began amid words of praise.
"Magnificent! Though I have designed your dresses since your debut, you have retained the same slender figure."
"She truly is the jewel of high society!"
Igritta exclaimed enthusiastically.
"The Grand Duchess's wedding dress will be the fashion of the season."
Sofia added with a smile.
"Diamond powder on fine silk… an irresistible combination."
A rare and costly technique in which diamonds are ground and dusted onto fabric to give it a luminous sheen instead of setting traditional stones.
"Thank you for your efforts, Lady Sofia."
"The honor is mine. I cannot imagine my joy seeing you wear my masterpiece."
Guests soon began arriving at the adjoining palace reserved for visitors, relatives of the bride and groom, lords of the provinces and their families. The occasion was royal in every sense of the word. And then, the wedding day arrived.
Eleonora donned her breathtaking gown; a design that highlighted the body's curves with refinement, a square neckline, elegant sleeves, every movement reflecting the glow of powdered diamonds. Her hair was meticulously styled; a diamond tiara and necklace, gloves, shoes, and a veil embroidered with silver beads completed the look. She finished with the scent of lilac.
"You look like a goddess of beauty."
Igritta said.
"Everyone will be dazzled by you… His Highness first."
Lia, her cousin, entered the room.
"You look stunning. He will surely be enchanted."
"I hope you experience that feeling one day, Lia."
Lia's face stiffened for a moment, then she smiled.
"If not with someone like His Highness, I doubt it."
Eleonora smiled faintly, with mild disdain.
"I do not believe he has an equal. Now, it is time."
After Lia left the room, Igritta shut the door behind her with restrained force.
"How rude she is!"
Eleonora did not respond immediately. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, the diamond crown upon her head, the gown shimmering as though made to be seen from the sky itself.
"It is amusing, Igritta."
She said coolly.
"To covet what one cannot possess. That is the difference between her and me."
She turned slowly, her voice growing firmer.
"Everything here is mine, the position… the man… and even this palace."
Her words were not mere arrogance, but a conviction that had grown with her since childhood. For Lia, her cousin, had harbored a deep-seated envy toward her for years, envy that turned into rivalry, then into a twisted desire to steal what Eleonora possessed. It had gone so far as to attempt to seduce Adriano himself.
Months earlier, during one of Eleonora's visits to the Grand Duchy, Lia had slipped late at night into the study wing. She wore a dress unsuitable for a visit, for the hour, or for the place.
[Your Highness…]
She said in a soft, pleading voice.
[I came to warn you. My sister does not love you. She is engaged to you only for the title. I fear that....]
Adriano's cold voice cut her off.
[Stop.]
He lifted his head from the papers and looked at her once, a single glance sufficient to freeze the blood in her veins.
[Do you believe yourself entitled to enter my study at night, dressed like this, and make such claims?]
She stepped forward, but his voice hardened.
[Leave at once. If you do not, I will summon the servants to throw you out myself.]
Lia froze, then turned and fled, fear and humiliation in her wake. Only one person knew of the incident, Alberto, Adriano's first aide, who had been passing through the adjacent corridor that night. Adriano kept the matter in silence. He neither exposed nor punished her. He stored it away… as leverage for a suitable time.
For in his world, knowledge was power, and silence a weapon.
And so, all stood on the threshold of a perfect wedding, between a man who did not believe in emotion, and a woman who believed in control, unaware that something, a single drop of water, was preparing to shake rocks carved by generations.