Days passed, yet Lorenzo's absence echoed through every corner of the Romano estate.
Every time Alessia sat behind her father's desk, her eyes drifted toward the window — waiting for someone who might never return.
But she couldn't afford to stay lost in her emotions.
Not now.
She adjusted the gold ring on her finger — a symbol of her authority — and opened the folder her father had left for her. Inside were names, locations, alliances… and debts owed to the Romano family.
If war was coming, she would be ready this time.
Her father's voice broke the silence. "You've been quiet lately."
"I've been thinking," she replied, her tone calm but firm. "About how to keep this family standing. About who's truly loyal."
He studied her carefully, then nodded. "You're becoming more like your mother every day."
Alessia smiled faintly, hiding the ache in her chest.
If only he knew how hard she was fighting inside — torn between love and loyalty, heart and duty.
That night, alone in her room, she spread maps and documents across her table. Red marks traced supply routes, black ink circled names she suspected of betrayal. She wrote notes in the corner of each page — code words only she understood.
Her phone buzzed. A message.
"Still awake, Queen?"
Her heart skipped. She knew that number.
Her fingers hesitated before replying. "You shouldn't text me."
"Can't help it. I said I'd come back, didn't I?"
She bit her lip, her heart both racing and aching. "Don't risk it. Too many eyes are watching now."
After a pause, another message came.
"Then let them watch. I only move when you tell me to."
She stared at the screen, realizing something she hadn't before — Lorenzo wasn't her weakness. He was part of her strength now, whether her father liked it or not.
She leaned back, whispering to herself,
"If I'm the queen in this game, then I'll use every piece I have — even him."
As the clock ticked past midnight, Alessia drafted her first plan — one that would protect her family's name, expose the traitors, and still keep Lorenzo close enough to watch, guide, and maybe, just maybe… love.