Page 318 of The Devil's Fire

“Nonna, do you know what Althaia loves to call me?”

My eyes slowly widened.

“Il Diavolo, because of the unimaginable things I do to her -”

“Let’s go, shall we?” I said loudly to drown out his voice as I sent him a glare, to which he responded with a wink.

“Yes, but let me see you first.” Nonna had me do a small spin. “Beautiful, dear!” She had a satisfied look on her face while giving an approving nod.

“Of course she is! My son has excellent taste.” Eleonora complimented me as well, having me slightly blush.

“That’s my woman. Have fun, baby.” Damiano kissed the top of my head.

“Will do!” I smiled before we got inside the SUV. It was his father’s men who were driving, but Giovanni and Luca were following in a different car.

“Eleonora, you mentioned I now have an image to uphold. It made me wonder what exactly is expected of me as a wife?” I asked.

“Traditionally, you would take care of your home and your children; to be a good housewife.” Nonna answered.

“That was more in our days, madre.” Eleonora smiled and then looked at me. “It would be up to you and Damiano and whatever you agree upon. Ask him what he expects of you, and you tell him what you expect of him as well. It goes both ways, and most importantly, that you’re both content with your decisions.”

“And of course, your loyalty to him, but we will get to it soon, dear.” Nonna added, and I nodded as I thought about what they said.

It looked like we were the last ones to arrive as we stood at the top of a long staircase overlooking the ballroom. Attention quickly shifted to us when Nonna took a couple of steps ahead, standing tall with her head held high, overseeing them like a Queen with her subjects below.

The power radiated from her as if you could feel it just by the way she carried herself. Eleonora’s words made even more sense as I watched them present themselves with their mere presence. Not a single word needed to be said; it made you almost want to bow down to them in pure respect.

It was beyond incredible.

Nonna was the first to descend the stairs, and we followed closely behind as a show of respect for her status as the matriarch.

“Do you understand now, Althaia?” Eleonora asked with her usual warm smile.

“I do. I have never seen anything like this before.” I was still in awe, but nervous at the same time. What if I couldn’t present myself the same way they had?

“You will learn how to with time.” She assured me as if she had read my thoughts.

As we descended the stairs, we got ambushed, or at least it felt that way, when a group of women eagerly approached to greet Nonna and Eleonora. It was almost a mirror of the experience I had with Damiano at the auction.

However, I didn’t mind greeting and talking to them as I was introduced as Damiano’s soon-to-be wife. They gave surprised looks, and a few raised their brows, scrutinizing me from top to bottom. I didn’t pay much attention to them. Instead, I observed Nonna and Eleonora, from how they talked and how they continued to carry themselves.

“Excuse us for a moment.” Eleonora smiled and led me away from the group while Nonna was still conversing with some of the older women.

I let out a breath as we had already been here for a while, greeting and talking to what felt like at least a hundred people.

“Sometimes they just don’t know when to give you a chance to breathe.” She chuckled and grabbed two glasses of champagne, handing me one, which I took gratefully.

“It is quite overwhelming, to be honest.” I admitted.

“It will get easier.”

“May I ask how long you’ve been doing this?” I asked as we strolled, admiring the art on the walls.

“As long as I can remember! But it mattered more once I married Riccardo. I was nineteen and had Damiano when I was just barely twenty.”

“That’s… young.” I looked at her in surprise.

“We were young and in love. You have seen how Riccardo’s mother is; very traditional and had us married as soon as possible.” Eleonora said with amusement.

---