V I

appen this evening, and

It's all going to happen tonight. The day I've

the ground for a second, a small smile appearin

cold and ruthless, but he is good and what he does. A successful businessman who has amassed an insane amount of wealth. He knows

de up my mind." He answers me, and

lly be my chance to change things around here, to change the way people look at me. As the D

t the hands of my stepmother either. It's a chanc

to me. In fact, there is a coldness around him, colder than usual, and a dissatisfaction on his face that is too distinct to ign

deeply and walking right past me without another word. I am left stunned as I watch him walk away, having expected him to at least give

y and emotionally for what is to come. Even if he hasn't given me any words of encouragement, it doesn't take away from the fact that he is en

they are done and leave me to my lonesome, I step back and take a long look in the mirror, admiring how lovely I look. I am dressed in a long mermaid black dress with a slight stopping just at my knee, the dress being one that accentuates eac

tinuing to mentally prepare myself to walk out that door. After toni

me, I finally make my way downstairs, following the soft

to me, and it's as if the room goes silent despite the music still playing. They are in awe, and they fail to hide it. It gives me a bit of a confidence boost as I s

ted about livi

e, no one I could count on, and I hated it. But as quickly as those thoughts com

er Victor standing together. I find them already staring at me, not

I reach them. Lucia immediately gives me

" She tells me, and I can still feel

y watch as the smile disappears from her face complet

t bothering to give me a response. I remain with my brother and eye him

image of a princeling rehearsed for his crown. "I wouldn't get ahead of myself if I were you." I narrow my eyes, letting silence answer h

w almost immediately that my f

, their heads turning in unison as Ettore Costanzo strides into the hall. He is dressed in black, a silv

e has been untouchable, a fortress of discipline and fear. And tonight,

ehind me to steady them, n

e is there, the music in the room stops immediately; e

my father declares, his voice resonant, echoing against the marble and

e bre

as Don of this family," he continues, "and a

quickly smothered. I stand taller, my puls

heart stutters. For the briefest second, it feels like his eyes catch mine, lingering and acknowled

pressing hard against my ribs. It's happe

ial, heavy with finality, "that I announce the one who

in a deep breath, preparing myself, ready to meet t

his voice like a thunderclap in the room, "as my

ws down, and

n with smug pride, his chest swelling as he accepts the crown I had been sharpening

ound of something t