Bellezza resounded to the sound of laughter, music, and merry-making. The Piazza Maddalena was full of dancers. The men wore masks too, as well as women, unmarried or not. Beautifully dressed men and women danced around the square. The party didn't stop until midnight because of the joyous celebration they're having. Nighttime came and the Piazza was still alive with music and joy. Streets, even gondolas, were brightly lit with colorful lanterns of different sizes and shapes.

But the big party was at the Duchessa's Palazzo. Men and women twirled around the dance floor, showing off their elaborate clothes and exotic masks.

Arianna and Luciano whirled around the floor together, creating a circle of space round them as the crowd gave way to make room for the Duchessa wide swirling skirts.

Rodolfo was standing at a corner, watching the most romantic couple occupy almost the whole floor. Just then, a woman in a green silk dress came up to him and asked for a dance. He smiled and gladly accepted the invitation.

"I'm so proud of my daughter," Silvia glanced at Arianna happily dancing with Luciano.

"Me too."

The couple circled the floor towards Arianna and Luciano. Arianna glanced at the coming couple then recognized the woman with violet eyes.

"Mother, she came!" she whispered. Luciano saw them too and was surprised.

"Let's go outside," Rodolfo whispered to the two. They immediately exited the room and found themselves the Palazzo's garden. There they sat in a long bench under a tree farther away enough for them to be in private.

"Oh mother, I'm so glad you came!" Arianna exclaimed. She hugged her mother tightly more than ever.

"Why in the world wouldn't I be here today," Silvia added with a smile. Rodolfo came up to them and hugged his family.

What a happy family. Luciano thought, smiling to himself

"I'm sorry your parents couldn't be here," Arianna said in a soft voice. Luciano became stiff for a moment then immediately comforted himself.

"It's okay. It doesn't matter as long as we're together," Luciano said in an assuring reply. Arianna Smiled and gave him a tight hug.

"We're going to give you a private moment together okay? We're just going to stay inside with Leonora and Dottore," Rodolfo said with a twinkle in his dark eyes. Luciano understood what that meant.

"Let's go," he grabbed Silvia by the waist and led back inside.

The sky was brightly lit by clusters of stars that made it look romantic to look at. The wind blew softly through the trees and plants and made Arianna's hair fly over Luciano's face a bit. He giggled a bit but Arianna didn't notice it.

"Your hair smells nice," Luciano said smiling, absorbed by the scent of her hair.

That was the time that she noticed her hair flying across Luciano's face. She turned bright red then pulled her hair into the other side of her face.

"Sorry," she mumbled still blushing.

"It's okay," he replied, still smiling. "Do you want to take a walk?"

"Sure," she gladly agreed to walk with him.

They walked passed by a circular-shaped fountain with a figure of the Maddalena in the middle, her long hair almost touching the water. There were benches around the fountain and there they sat on a bench that's facing north.

"What a day!" Luciano exclaimed as they sat. He stretched his arms like he just woke up and put his arm around Arianna's shoulders.

"Yeah," Arianna agreed. She leaned her head on Luciano's shoulder that made them look so romantic.

"Did you have fun?" Luciano asked after a few moments. "I meant, when we danced together."

Arianna tilted her head a bit and replied, "Of course I had." Luciano chuckled in amazement at her reply.

Arianna looked at Luciano curiously with her eyebrows raised.

"What's so funny?" she asked

"You know that I'm a terrible dancer. But with the help of Dr. Dethridge, I improved a little. Still, I didn't perfect it yet. I was a bit embarrassed because you usually dance with professionals," he cutely pouted like a child that didn't get what he wants. Arianna giggled at this and lay down on his lap.

"So what? It doesn't matter," she answered, "As long as you're my partner," she added sweetly.

Luciano grinned at her then unexpectedly tickled her at her waist that caused her to jump up squealing.

"Luciano!" she exclaimed, putting her hands on her waist.

Luciano giggled at her for a while then jumped up at Arianna and hugged a 'sorry' hug at her.

"It's just a joke," Luciano excused. Arianna crossed her arms in front of her, ignoring what Luciano was saying. Just then, he spotted a small plant box filled with roses. He remembered what usually happen in romantic movies in his world, especially when they take a walk around or wanted a girl to cheer up. He quietly picked one and hid it behind his back for a while.

Arianna glanced back at Luciano. She was surprised at what Luciano held out in his hand in front of her.

"Sorry this is all I could give you right now," he excused softly. He blushed bright red and faced the ground.

Arianna took it from his hand and smelled its sweet scent. She looked back at Luciano, still looking at the ground. She tilted his head with her forefinger gently and smiled a comforting smile.

"Don't be sorry," she took another sniff on the flower, "I love it, Luciano. Thank you."

"I'm glad you liked it," he added a smile

Unexpectedly, Arianna was able to have revenge on Luciano. She abruptly tickled Luciano then ran away as fast as her heels could carry her. Luciano shrieked a little then began running after Arianna.

Arianna was a yards away from Luciano. She hid behind a tall tree near the Palazzo.

Luciano was out of breath from the run he had. He searched every tree where Arianna could possibly hide. He scratched his head whenever he doesn't find her, then turning to another tree.

Arianna tried to prevent from giggling. Luciano was only three meters away from her. Just then, the wind blew softly then a small leaf came to her nose that caused her to sneeze. She quickly covered her mouth, expecting Luciano to find her any moment…

Luciano suddenly heard a soft sneeze coming from a tree near the Palazzo. He raised his eyebrows with a smirk, then trying to locate where the sneeze exactly came from.

Arianna knew she would be found immediately if she won't go to another hiding place. She first checked if the coast was clear for her to change place. Just when she was about to crawl out, Luciano took hold of her waist then lost balanced that caused them both to roll on the floor together. They were both giggling on the floor tickling each other.

"Hey! Quit it," Arianna said giggling. They both stopped, but still lying on the ground.

"Gotcha," Luciano said, tapping Arianna's nose tip. Arianna still held the flower. Luciano wrapped his arms around her then watched the stars twinkling in the sky.

A/N: Sorry it's short. It was late night when I made this chapter and I wanted to sleep. Please review!!