Page 11 of His Cursed Heart

The second thing makes my legs tremble and my breathing slow.

A tall brunette man, in a three-piece suit than makes him look forbidden, a straight position that gives you the impression he’s part of the military, black hair styled almost better than mine and a beard that looks too good for him.

Everette Keaton Moretti.

My future husband.

My demise.

Seeing him after so many years make me question

my tries to forget the horrible memories that haunted me at night.

Your heart is safe here. You are safe here.

Your heart is safe here. You are safe here.

After I calm myself, I walk in the hall like I own everybody. I won’t let some stupid thoughts and feelings ruin the person I’ve become.

The Empress’s gold mask tries to stare into my empty soul. This woman always amazes me.

And while I don’t like anyone (I’m making an exception for Venus and Vincent), I always admired The Empress.

The line of women that carries the most powerful character into the mafia world. The scariest person in our world. Everyone respects her, listen to her. No one knows who she is, who was the first Empress that started this legacy, what started her to become this amazing thing.

She made sure she has a legacy; the firstborn daughter will take the throne.

Right now, she could be sixty, or twenty. But no matter what, she will always be the most protected woman on this earth. She created her own army with loyal soldiers.

“Congratulation on the engagement, miss Luciano.” Her robotic voice says. “I’m amazed at what I see.”

I take her hand in mine without interrupting the eye contact. I'm no longer a scared girl looking down at an observation, but my body’s warmth gets higher.

“I want to say I’m amazed by your mask but it’s the same as five years ago.” Her robotic laugh is so fucking horrible that I have to cover my ears, but it’s good to know she knows how to joke.

Even that I didn’t really joke. Like for real, she could get another mask. The water lily still shines brightly on the left side of her face, but the gold is no longer as prominent as it once was.

"What happened to little Althea, alas, I'd say I’ll miss her, but I don't like lying." I try to smile but it feels foreign. If you know how to behave around her, you will realize that she is a very sociable person.

I feel the green eyes eyeing me angry and I look at his clenched jaw that I could cut paper in it.

We look into each other eyes while the world seems to fade around us. What is he thinking? Is he guilty that he didn’t protect my sister like he promised me?

Did he ever saw the desperation I had in my eyes when he visited with my sister?

“I’ll leave you two love birds alone.” Now it’s not the time, you royal woman.

The silence between us is louder than the whole hall. He looks at me like he wants me gone, and I look at him like he is my salvation.

For a short period, he will be. Keaton will finally make me leave the cursed mansion that I’ve been living in for the past twenty-three years.

“Althea.” His hoarse voice makes me shiver.

“Keaton.” I hold his eyes as I move slowly, standing right in front of him.

“You look…different.” His eyes move all over me.

“Thank you for the observation.” I say coldly.

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