Serena's POV
The first time I saw the Valeri estate, I was struck by how cold it looked. Not in the way of temperature but in it's ambience and atmosphere. It had been a while, I could barely remember it now but I remembered how it had sent chills through me. But for some reason, the estate seemed even gloomier today. Or maybe it was my own emotions seeping into reality.
Iron gate yawned open like the mouth of a beast, armed guards flanked the black SUVs that carried me, silent and starting forward. We rode down the driveway, the greenery that I was sure was put there to give off a welcome feel instead seemed cold and hostile. The car rolled to a final stop in front of the doors. My palms were slick with sweat despite the cold leather seat beneath me as I waited for the chauffeur to open the door. I clutched my mother's necklace tightly as if it could save me, as if it could anchor me to a world that no longer made sense.
This was it.
The moment the Rossi and the Valeri feud would end, not with a ceasefire or with justice but with a marriage, my marriage to Lorenzo Valeri.
I had heard rumors, many stories about the Valeri family. From outsiders as well as members of my own family. Scary stories about our ruthless and cruel rivals but I was comforted to remember that when I met Lorenzo he was nothing like those stories. He had seemed gentle, different... the rumors were he was a diplomatic prince. He ran a good amount of the Valeri family affairs and could be ruthless but he would never resort to violence unless it was absolutely necessary and that gave me the slightest bit of comfort. The rumors also said he seemed to hate this life as much as I did so bonus points, I guess.
Two men opened the doors in sync. I stepped out, spine straight, head high just like mama had taught me. They would never smell fear on me. A woman approached, her hair was in a tight bun on top her head, funeral black dress, a tight serious expression on her face. She looked like the kind of person who had seen too many wars to care about the casualties if the wrinkles on her face was anything to go by. She didn't speak, just gestured for me to follow and I did.
Click click click
The sound of my own heels on the marble floor, echoed like gunshots in the eerily silent corridor. I scanned the halls as we moved, blood colored carpet, oil paintings of dead eyed ancestors staring down at me like I was a stain on their legacy and maybe I was. I wondered what they would have said if they had been here today to witness this. Nothing good definitely, the feud between the two families stretched on as far back as decades from what I knew.
Someone coughed, the sound reverberating down the hallway and it pulled me out of my thoughts. Something was wrong. Where was the welcome party? Where was Lorenzo? Why did the cold and impersonal Valeri estate feel even more eery and gloomy today? And more importantly, why were there whispers following me down the hall?
I looked over my shoulder, two young girls, workers, quickly averted their gaze, disappearing into the shadows. Staffs hurried down the side halls, staying well out of our path but tension hung in the air like smoke before a fire. The woman led me to a drawing room, the door closed behind me with a heavy bang, silence. I glanced to my side, two of my father's men, who came with me from home, still stood by my side, that gave me a bit of reassurance.
I looked around the room, a group of men stood waiting, stern suits, grim faces, the Valeri men. They stood in a half circle exuding an imposing aura. And at the center of it all, a man I didn't recognize. He was tall, broad shouldered, dressed in black like death itself with eyes so sharp I felt them slice through me. Not Lorenzo.
I crinkled at all of them in confusion, what were we doing here?
"Where is he?", I asked, voice steady, to mask the confusion I felt.
No one answered.
Then the man in black stepped forward, his voice like gravel soaked in ice.
"Lorenzo Valeri is dead"
My breath caught in my throat.
"What?"
"He passed three days ago", he supplied, no emotions, like he was just stating the facts.
"Car accident..", he continued but I was no longer present with him.
My mind had descended into chaos, Lorenzo dead? What was I to do now? I thought about my family, my father, the words he told me before I left, the treaty, how would the treaty go on now?
A beat of silence then the black suited man dropped another bomb.
"The treaty stands, the marriage proceeds"
I looked up at him sharply. What was he talking about?
My knees wobbled but I held onto the edge of a chair to stand firm.
"To who?", I asked.
He looked at me and in his eyes I thought I saw a crack of emotion but I didn't know what, anger? hatred? I couldn't tell.
Then he said it.
"Me"
He said it with so much confidence and force, my knees almost gave way, the room seemed to tilt but I gripped the back of a chair to stay upright, refusing to show weakness.
I looked around the room, glancing at the woman who had led me here, her expression remained the same, tight and serious.
"And who the hell are you?", I asked, forcing my voice to stay steady.
He stepped closer, voice low and commanding.
"I'm Damian Valeri, second son of the Valeri family, Lorenzo's younger brother...", he paused.
A sinister gleam in his eyes.
"... and as of tonight, your husband"