Emilia met with Luca again the next night, this time in a small café on the outskirts of town. He was already there, sipping a cup of coffee and watching her as she walked in.
"Good evening, Miss Emilia," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I see you're still interested in learning more about the Valois family."
Emilia nodded, taking a seat across from him. "I am," she said, her voice firm. "I want to know everything."
Luca smiled, his eyes glinting in the dim light of the café. "Very well," he said. "But first, you must understand that the Valois family is not just a legend. They are real, and they are still alive today."
Emilia's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I mean that the Valois family's bloodline is still intact," Luca replied, his voice low and smooth. "And I'm here to tell you that you are a part of it."
Emilia's mind reeled as she processed Luca's words. She had always known that she was adopted, but she had never suspected that she was connected to the Valois family.
"How is that possible?" she asked, her voice shaking.
Luca leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers. "You see, Miss Emilia, the Valois family has a long history of... shall we say, 'arranging' marriages and alliances. And sometimes, these arrangements involved adopting children from other families."
Emilia's eyes widened in shock. "You're saying that I'm a Valois?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Luca nodded, his eyes glinting in the dim light of the café. "Yes, Miss Emilia. You are a direct descendant of the Valois family. And that means that you have a certain... legacy to uphold."
As Emilia listened to Luca's words, she felt a sense of trepidation. She knew that she was taking a risk, getting involved with the Valois family. But she also knew that she couldn't turn her back on her heritage.
And so, with a sense of determination, Emilia agreed to learn more about her family's dark past. She knew that it wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to face whatever lay ahead.