A short message from the author:
First of all, I would like to apologize for any errors and/or inaccuracies in the translation. I'm just an Italian girl who dreams a little big, maybe too much, and who hopes to be able to share this story beyond language barriers. If you wish, feel free to report your corrections; as native speakers you are immensely valuable for the success of this work. Thanks in advance for your understanding, happy reading!
Always yours,
Naomi✨

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"Haven't you ever danced?"
"No, you know well that my presence is not welcome at high society gatherings. I am aware of the lowness of my social rank, if that's what you were referring to."
"Would you like to try?"
He held out his hand to her, perhaps expecting a little more enthusiasm.
"You have totally ignored my words. I have never wanted to participate in any salon, they are frivolities whose usefulness I don't understand, other than that of finding a so-called "good match". It is one of the many absurdities of your world: still using dancing as a means of shackling a young nobleman with a glance."
He continued to smile, not at all affected by the acidity of her words.
"I wasn't referring to this type of dance; a dance can be much more."

She looked into his eyes for an instant, and then turned to observe the stars, lost in that ink-painted sky, which was the backdrop to the immense silent room.
She spoke as if to herself, recalling the images to which her imagination had taken her so many times, as she read.
"In many novels the dance is represented as a romantic gesture, an instant of profound understanding between two people, but I fear that this is just a dream... The reality is very different."

She turned to look at him again, catching an indescribable glow in her eyes:
"How can you be sure if you've never tried?"
His hand was still there, ready to drag her into a vortex of emotions unknown. Her mind told her to run away, to have nothing to do with that beast that was turning her soul upside down, but her heart pushed her with all the strength in the world to clasp those fingers in hers, to live what until now she had only dreamed of. What did she have to lose, after all?

And so she finally let her fingers slowly slide across that open palm. In an instant his hand closed around hers, while his light grip encircled her left side, breaking her breath.
"Are you ready?"
They were so terribly close, yet she didn't want to break away; she had never felt that way, nor could she have put into words what she felt at that moment.
"I'm afraid so..."
Her voice had now become only a whisper, a few inches away from that perfect smile that she had hated with all her being.

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This was just the prologue to the story, a glimpse of what awaits you. Soon we will go back in time, far from the moment just described... But I really hope I have aroused your curiosity! I look forward to your impressions...🤭

I take advantage of this small space to share with you a special gift from a unique friend, who is madly passionate (almost as much as myself🤣) about the characters in this story and moved me with her extraordinary imagination... To my beloved artist and crazy friend AsiatheWallflower is dedicated a huge thank you!
You will never cease to amaze me... ✨