With a prolonged clearing of his throat, the head of the jury captures everyone's attention. "Well, I'm sure there will be no reason to exclude you from the funding," he says with an approving nod.
Immediately, thunderous applause erupts again. The people in this room don't know us, yet they cheer us on as if their hearts are just as invested in the future of the estate as ours.
"My God, I think we did it," Hanna says, looking stunned.
I wrap my arms around her, lift her up, and spin her around. A liberated cheer escapes her lips, and I feel that from now on, things will only get better.
"This calls for a celebration," Camilla announces joyfully. Suddenly, they—Pietro, Alessia, and a blond woman I've never seen before—are right beside us.
Carefully, I put Hanna back down and stroke her forehead. Now that we can finally be together, I never want to let her go again. "What do you think?"
Hanna's eyes shine. "Definitely."
With Hanna in my arms and the unending jubilation of the audience, I leave the hall. I don't leave her side all the way back to Collina da sogno, and when we arrive there, I don't waste time asking for my father's permission. I simply take him with us to the Ristorante to celebrate.
The next hours are spent exactly where I belong—among the people who mean the most to me.
At the side of the woman who saved me from myself.
Late in the evening, I call for silence and raise my wineglass. "To Hanna."
Hanna's friend Elina lets out an enthusiastic whistle. Camilla and Alessia applaud while Pietro smirks knowingly, and I can already guess what he's thinking.
He was right. About everything.
"To both of you," he calls out loudly, and the others immediately join in. Even my father nods imperceptibly.
"And may all your wishes come true," Camilla adds, her eyes glistening with tears.
They will. I've never been more certain of anything in my life.
Confidently, I turn to Hanna and pull her into my arms. "What colors do our wishes have?" I ask her even though I already know the answer.
Her lips curve into a relieved smile. "All the colors of this world."
