"Ah, Fiore Perfetto." My mother sighed as she tied up my hair as I sat at my dresser. "Everyday you're becoming more and more like a lady. And soon to be married to a nobleman, just like a told you. I couldn't wish for anything better for you."

I smiled and squeezed her hand. Soon to be married? Unlikely. It'd been so long since the topic had first arisen and Federico had never mentioned it once, and when Claudia brought it up, he brushed it away like it was nothing. At this rate, I was just some nobleman's plaything.

"He does love you, you know." She said, as if reading my thoughts.

"I know. But maybe he just doesn't want to marry me. I'm not a noblewoman, imagine the slander he'd get when the other rich families find out."

"They'd see too young people very much in love and nothing more. Don't doubt the love you share, it's more powerful than you know."

I nodded. My mother had a way with words like no other. She was wise beyond her years and always found the right thing to say.

"Now stand up and let's see that dress on you."

I stood and turned from side to side, making the skirt sway. It was another beautiful dress that my mother had got for me, this year it was not wasted. It was a dark blue, nearly black, covered in silver embroidery. The neckline was kept modest this time, a good choice for dinner with Auditore household.

"Ah, Bella." She sighed, stepping towards me and pulling me into her arms. "You've grown so much, I remember when you were so small, spitting at the dresses because you couldn't run in them."

"I was in a tough place last year." I laughed, hugging her back.

"And now look at you, a beautiful young lady about to spend the evening having dinner with her future family."

My stomach turned at the thought of the Auditores as my future family, not in disgust, but in excitement. No, that would never happen unless Federico proposed and even that was a long shot. Oh, why was this so difficult?

She walked me to the door and watched me go as I left the brothel and followed the setting sun to the Auditore home. Ezio met me at the door and offered an arm with a simple greeting of 'ciao'. I took it and commented on the formality of the occasion.

"Mother insisted." He said, leading me inside. "She wanted to treat you like royalty and she knew it would be a bowl of pasta and like it if Federico arranged things."

I laughed. "She'd be right, tell her thank you from me."

"Tell her yourself." Ezio signalled to his mother who approached us as she came out of her husband's office.

"Ah, Elisabetta, how good it is to see you, and happy birthday!" She kissed me on both cheeks and took my arm from Ezio.

"And Ezio, go and wash up for dinner, I don't want you being late... Again." Maria called after her son who waved goodbye as he skipped away, thankful to be rid of his chaperone duties.

"It is wonderful to see you too and thank you for all the preparations, Ezio was just telling me how much you've been doing for me."

"Anything for you dear, it's good to spoil a girl who appreciates it."

"Hey!" Called Claudia from the other room.

"You're too kind, my birthday has never been that big of a deal so this is quite new to me, to be honest."

"Well it's your nineteenth, you're a young woman who deserves to be fussed over." She squeezed my hand.

I smiled, thanking her. Whether Federico decided to marry me or not, Maria Auditore had practically become my second mother already.

We approached the dining room and Giovanni, Federico, Petruccio and Claudia stood as we entered. Very formal.

"Buonasera(good evening), Elisabetta and happy birthday!" Giovanni greeted me and signalled to a seat beside Federico.

"Buonasera, sir." I smiled and gave a dignified bow to him as I took my place.

"Buonasera, Bella." Federico smiled and kissed me. He seemed slightly flustered, reddening as our lips met. I supposed it was just nerves, it was the first time the whole family had been together since Terriani's attack but all the same, I found his hand under the table and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Are you alright?" I whispered as I discreetly took a drink.

He nodded but didn't say a word. Maybe there was something wrong.

"Madre, Ezio's late again!" Claudia complained, slumping in her chair.

"I know," Maria sighed. "I'll make sure he'll clear up instead of Annetta, the poor girl's always tidying up after that ungrateful child."

As if on cue, their maid, Annetta, arrived laden with food. She quickly set it down before rushing out to get the rest. I was amazed at her grace, walking quickly, nearly running but never even dropping a morsel of food.

"Grazie, Annetta." We said as she put down the last plate. She smiled and said "godere(enjoy)," before breezing out again.

Ezio bolted in, almost knocking Annetta over.

"Ezio!" Maria scolded as he apologised to their startled maid.

"Mi dispiace, Madre." Ezio took his seat on the other side of Federico, grinning to the both of us. "And buonasera, Elisa, happy birthday!"

"Buonasera, Ezio." I smiled back and the family began to eat, now that everyone was present.

The food was extraordinary, much better than the scraps that I could tussle up. I made a mental note to compliment Annetta.

Conversation went on, all the Auditores commenting on their day. Claudia and Petruccio had lessons which they both found incredibly boring, complaining about their languages and mathematics.

"But, Claudia, you're so good at it!" Maria commented. It was well known that the Auditores were as intelligent as they were mischievous.

Claudia groaned and returned to her food. The conversation turned to their parents, Giovanni was continuing with his work, picking up Federico's slack who received a dark look from his father.

Suddenly, Giovanni stood.

"Mi dispiace, I must leave. Business to attend to I'm afraid."

"Aw, so soon, Padre?" Petruccio whined.

"No worries, Gio." Maria gave a gentle smile. "Go, finish the job."

He bowed and left, apologising again for leaving so early.

"This is your fault you know." Claudia said to Federico after her father was out of earshot.

"Me? What did I do?"

"Nothing, that's the problem! Father has to leave early because you didn't do the work you're meant to, so he has to do it."

"Hush, Claudia." Maria said, calming the argument between her children. "It's not Federico's fault, there's other business your father must finish."

There was something about this family, I thought, something not quite right. First Federico, now Maria. They're hiding something.

Dinner continued despite Giovanni's absence and after the main course, an elegant fruit dessert was brought out. I was practically full already, not used to eating so much but I managed to eat the delicious fruit that was laid out.

Ezio began to cough as dinner finished, causing a raised eyebrow from the rest of us.

"Are you well, Ezio?" Maria asked.

"Yes, I'm fine." He coughed again and kicked his brother who glared at him.

"Do it then," Ezio hissed.

Then, Federico took my hand and knelt to the floor.

"About time!" Claudia gasped as Ezio passed his brother the ring box.

"Elisabetta, I love you with all my heart. Will you do me the honour of being my wife?" Federico was nearly shaking, almost stumbling over his words as he did when we first confessed our feelings for each other.

"Of course, you idiot!" I laughed and grabbed his face, pulling it into a kiss.

He put the ring on my finger, a silver band with an inscription on it. My heart thumped as I read it, hardly believing it was happening.

'You have my heart.' It read.