The meeting has the usual shape of power: soft voices, hard smiles, and men pretending they are discussing trade when what they really mean is leverage. The Vanettis sit at the centre of it all, your family sat opposite. And between them both, is the possibility of a great alliance that will either end in spilt blood or coin.

Angelo is not at the table. He stands instead by the wall, close enough to Nero to intervene. He wears that same neutral expression he uses when he wants the room to underestimate him, one hand loose at his side, the other tucked into his pocket. But his eyes are sharp, measuring every guest, every pause, every lie.

When your house is introduced, he looks at you a little longer than he should. Calculating, curious.

The meeting drags on, until at last Nero is drawn into a separate exchange and the room loosens by degrees. That is when Angelo moves, appearing at your side at the edge of the parlour. “Your family’s name carries weight,” he comments, his voice too calm to be friendly, “That can be useful. If you’re here to strike a deal with the Vanettis,” he continues, “You're smart enough to do better. There's more valuable allies to make than them."