Antonio

**Spoiler Warning:** This page has been edited since the release of *Kingdom of the Feared*. Proceed with caution.

## Appearances

### Appears in

*Kingdom of the Wicked*
*Kingdom of the Cursed*
*Kingdom of the Feared*

**Antonio Vincenzu Bernardo** was the newest member of the holy brotherhood at the monastery in Palermo, and grew up next door to the di Carlo family. Emilia used to dream about marrying him one day.

## Biography

### Early Life

He grew up next door to the di Carlo family. He is three years older than the twins. When they were young Emilia used a truth spell on Antonio to see if he returned her feelings and was ecstatic to discover he did. However, Antonio's life changed dramatically when his mother suddenly died last summer. Afterwards, he surprised everyone by leaving home and starting a religious life. Focusing on strict rules helped him grieve. Emilia is happy that he is feeling better, even though it means they will never be together as Antonio is now a member of the holy brotherhood, which involves taking a vow of chastity.

### *Kingdom of the Wicked*

Antonio arrives at the di Carlo family home to bring Emilia to the monastery where she cooks the brotherhood dinner once or twice a month on behalf of the family restaurant. While they prepare the brother's meal together, Emilia asks him about the trip he has just returned from. Heretics had come to Palermo from the Friuli district after the Inquisition and have been telling fantastical tales. Antonio was sent to stop them. Antonio tells Emilia he will be leaving in a couple days to continue "dispelling more superstitious rumors." Suddenly, they hear a sound. Then a cloak-covered person enters the kitchen scaring them. Antonio attempts to "banish the demon" with his rosary, and Vittoria reveals it's only her. Emilia tells her it was not funny.

Antonio comes across Emilia and Wrath in the monastery chamber where Vittoria died. Emilia and Wrath were there trying to determine if someone summoned one of the Wicked. Emilia quickly leads Antonio away from Wrath. Antonio immediately goes to the di Carlo family home and speaks with Nicoletta to see if Emilia is okay. Emilia confronts him about going to her family instead of coming to her. He tells her he did it because after he met her and Wrath in the monastery chamber, he learned another girl was murdered and he wanted to make sure it wasn't her.

Later, Emilia is led to believe that Antonio is the murderer she and Wrath have been searching for. Antonio claims he murdered the witches because an angel told him to, and that he was fulfilling his duties to the brotherhood and mankind. He believed witches are evil, and that he was doing the right thing. He believes a witch killed his mother after he sought help for his mother who was severely ill.

### *Kingdom of the Cursed*

Antonio is being held prisoner in House Wrath. The Matron has been giving him tonic to break the enchantment that's been cast on him. He asks to see Emilia. When she comes to his room, he is no longer full of hatred. Emilia is furious to find him comfortably lounging in a chair with a book and a warm drink.

Emilia sees Antonio through a mirror, where he is locked in a cell by Vittoria.

### *Kingdom of the Feared*

At the beginning of the book, Antonio is still locked in a cell by Vittoria. Emilia and Envy are locked in a cell next to him. Antonio tells them that he wasn't the witch murderer, but was convinced by Vittoria to pretend to be the killer in order to cover for her crimes. He was influenced by what the believed was an angel who had told him if he did this he would see his mother again.

Suddenly, Vittoria and Domenico arrive. Vittoria rips his heart out of Antonio's chest, saying now he's with his mother just like she said. Emilia begs her to bring him back to life but Vittoria refuses. Emilia is heartbroken from his death, feeling is was not justified and unnecessarily cruel.

## Appearance

Antonio is young and handsome at twenty-one years old. His eyes are the color of melted chocolate, his lips always hint at a sweet smile, and he has a flop of brown hair that's just long enough to fall over his brow. He has a deep voice. Many women find him attractive. His arms are surprisingly muscular. Antonio wears the robes of the brotherhood, and keeps a wooden rosary hidden underneath them.

## Personality

At first, Antonio appears to be kind, polite, and protective. He is nothing but caring with Emilia, going as far as to try and protect her when Vittoria scares them both in the monastery basement. He is a devout man, extremely devoted to the cause of the brotherhood and to his religion. When Antonio is revealed to be the murderer, it is made clear that he killed the *streghes* because he was influenced by someone pretending to be an angel. This further proves his devotion to the cause of the brotherhood, as well as his own desire to be important in it.

Later, Antonio's personality has drastically changed. He has a deep rooted hatred for witches, not only because he believes them to be evil, but because he claims one killed his mother after he sought help when she was ill. He has become a smaller and more broken version of himself, though he still believes in the cause his angel, now revealed to have been Vittoria, set him on.

## Relationships

### Emilia di Carlo

Antonio and Emilia grew up together. Emilia has been infatuated with him since they were children, and is deeply disappointed when he joins the brotherhood, which involves a vow of chastity and making it impossible for him to ever marry. Despite this, Emilia still pines after him. The two of them have a friendly relationship up until Emilia learns it was him who had been murdering the young witches, including her sister Vittoria. Emilia is heartbroken over his death, and believes he deserved a better ending.