Chapter 9 - The Wedding at the Lake
Two months later.
The midsummer sun shone brilliantly over Lake Como, painting the waters in a dazzling shade of cobalt blue.
Villa Duca had been transformed into a fairy-tale garden. Hundreds of white roses, pale blue hydrangeas, and trailing ivy covered the stone terraces, the marble archways, and the grand staircase leading down to the lake shore.
Over two hundred guests filled the white linen seating area—not just regional political leaders, international art patrons, and syndicate captains who had sworn loyalty to the new, peaceful Duca alliance, but local villagers, orphanage directors, and workers from the new Duca Foundation.
Standing at the altar under a canopy of white roses was Lorenzo. He looked magnificent in a custom black tuxedo, his dark hair styled neatly, his posture proud and unshakeable. Standing beside him as his best man was Marco, wearing a matching dark suit.
The string quartet began to play the gentle, soaring melodies of Canon in D.
The crowd stood up.
Walking down the rose-petal aisle first was Mia, wearing a delicate pink tulle dress with a flower crown perched on her dark curls. She carried a basket of rose petals, throwing them with enthusiastic inaccuracy left and right, followed closely by Pippo, who wore a small black bow tie clipped to his leather collar.
And then came Elena.
A collective gasp swept through the crowd.
She was breathtaking. She wore a hand-embroidered Italian lace gown with a long silk train that trailed gracefully behind her. Her veil swept soft against her shoulders, and her bouquet of white peonies trembled slightly in her hands.
Lorenzo’s breath caught in his throat. His dark eyes burned with an intense, overwhelming love that made his chest swell to bursting.
Elena walked up the aisle, her gaze locked onto his, until she stood directly before him at the altar.
Lorenzo reached out, taking her soft hands in his, leaning down to whisper, "You are the most beautiful woman in the world."
Elena beamed, her eyes shining with joyful tears. "And you are my world, Lorenzo."
The local bishop stepped forward, reading the sacred vows of marriage.
When the moment arrived, Lorenzo placed a heavy platinum band onto Elena’s finger, promising to love, honor, and protect her for all the days of his life. Elena placed a matching band onto his finger, swearing her eternal devotion.
"By the authority vested in me," the bishop announced with a warm, beaming smile, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
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Lorenzo didn't hesitate. He pulled Elena into his arms, dipping her slightly as he kissed her deeply, while the entire crowd erupted into roaring applause, cheers, and joyous celebration.
Mia ran up to them, throwing her arms around Lorenzo’s legs. Lorenzo reached down, lifting his new daughter into his arms, holding both Elena and Mia tight against his chest as white rose petals rained down upon them under the golden Italian sun.
