Chapter 14: The Silver Labyrinth
The Palazzo della Luna was not merely a hotel; it was a monument to the kind of wealth that didn't need to shout to be heard. As Élise stood in the center of her suite, the silence was broken only by the distant, rhythmic tolling of a cathedral bell somewhere in the heart of Florence. The room was draped in heavy, cream-colored silks and scented with the faint, lingering aroma of beeswax and ancient stone.
On the bed lay a garment bag that had appeared while she was at the briefing. When she unzipped it, the rustle of the fabric sounded like a secret being whispered. It was a gown of obsidian crepe, high-necked and sleeveless, with a dramatic slit that began just above the knee. It was the definition of "quiet luxury"—the kind of dress that didn't demand attention but commanded it once it was given.
