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"It was a very great sacrifice to make," Ysabel said with a sigh, "but one must always do one's—-" The rest of her words disappeared in her husband's kiss, and when Massimo lifted his head, the soft, dreamy look on Ysabel's face made it quite clear that sacrifice was the last thing on her mind where her husband was concerned.

Potenziana cleared her throat. "As for my other announcement..." She nodded at the direction of her personal assistant, saying, "Cattleya here has asked for my permission to become Ezio's bride."

Ezio nearly jerked out of his seat.What the fuck?

"And I said yes."

Cattleya's expression remained serene even as she became the subject of everyone's stunned scrutiny.

Ezio's dark, enigmatic eyes focused on Cattleya. "Did I hearnonnacorrectly?" he asked quietly. "Didyoutruly ask her to marry me?"

"Yes."

Gazelle was in absolute awe. The girl sounded socalm!She had never imagined Cattleya could do such a thing, but it was definitely inspiring! She could only hope she would be just as...proactive,if she were to ever be so lucky to find a man to fall in love with.

Her gaze then switched back to her brother, who was now staring at Cattleya like the other girl was the most infuriating puzzle he had to solve. It was so not like Ezio to reveal his emotions like this, and maybe...maybe it was because of this theirnonnahad agreed to the marriage?

Ezio could not believe that was all Cattleya had to say. Not once had she ever expressed any interest in him, and in the years they had known each other, there were even times when her words and actions seemed to suggest that she did not evenlikehim as a person.

So why in hell had Cattleya asked for his grandmother's permission to become his bride—-and more importantly, what reason didLa Stregahave for accepting?

What the hell was happening?

The End