Duke and Duchess

The inside of Lorenzo's mansion was nothing less than a Palace, with guards lined up at the right side and the left side, the walls were long-heightened, painted red, with gold print on them. Pillars were standing tall proudly to support this mansion. Chandeliers hung from the painted ceilings, the paintings on the ceilings were done by the ones who mastered the art, the artists were from all over Italy and days were spent completing the paintings. Sculptures of the previous Armani were made and placed in the exquisite lobby including Lorenzo's elder brother, his brother's son and his elder son Lionel too. Guests who came in couldn't get their eyes off the beauty of the Palace.

If you go straight, a door opens into the most beautiful room of the mansion where Lorenzo is sitting at a table waiting for his son to arrive. Greetings and gifts were coming more like pouring inside along with the elites who bought them. The walls and roof were of glass showing the star-filled sky and the bright full moon, reflecting on the Sicilian sea. This was a beautiful advantage of the mansion on being at the edge of the cliff. Round dinner tables were set with silk table runners, expensive crockery was made only for the Armani family, with extravagant decorations all over the room. Guests were chattering,

"The decorations are just according to Lorenzo's high standard."

"It has to be after all his son is becoming the new Mafia King."

"True, he made many efforts for this. I mean killed many-"

"Hold your words, these words can be your last too."

Ladies were all dressed with the best fit in their closest, especially ones who were of Leonardo's age. After all, who does it want to become the partner of the new King and share the power and wealth, which were in abundance for Armani?

Edmondson and Katherine arrived inside and as soon as they came many officials gathered around Edmondson and took him with them, Edmondson headed over heels to get that prestige which he worked for many years.

"Sir Edmondson it's a pleasure please come and sit with us."

"Sir I would appreciate it if you sit with us."

"I think sir would like to sit with us."

"Oh please gentleman doesn't be like this I'm afraid I couldn't sit with any of you because I am to sit with Lorenzo as his consigliere."

"Yes, sir you may go."

"Huh, look at them running behind Edmondson like puppies. They all are betraying him but he is too blind to see. Well the one who dies with sugar, poison is not needed." Katherine said while showing bitterness in her tone. She put on a fake smile and went to meet the wives of the elites.

"Hi ladies! How are you all?" Katherine asked pretending to become an elite herself.

"We are fine." They said while sneering at Katherine.

"You look nice," Katherine said in an arrogant voice.

"Nice?" The lady's eyebrow raised.

"Yes, I mean not all can afford a limited edition gown like mine." She said proudly.

Well, sweetheart! Please don't mind but my gown is the only one, specially customised by the best designer in London just for me. You won't find this anywhere!" The lady said while smiling sarcastically.

"You are always the soul of the party." A lady said in a pleasing voice.

'Hmm, I know." She said while flashing her ring.

"My goodness! Your ring is-"

"One of a kind." She said proudly.

"Yes, I haven't seen such a big diamond in my life."

"Ha, these are just some everyday random gifts my husband gives me." She said and all the ladies gathered around her.

"I have some treasures too but I don't think I have to show them off."

"If you'll have then what's the point of not showing off."

The ladies laughed mocking Katherine which made her infuriated but before she could utter a word, Rosanne along with Eliza entered the beautiful room. Her fair colour was gleaming brightly as if the light was coming out of her. Her flared, silk, laced, the red gown was looking ethereal on her. That gown was swiping from the marble stairs effortlessly, lace went on like a veil of delicate flowers from her collarbone to her thin arms and as the ended on her wrist her diamond bracelet shined bright like a star. The rose flower headband in her silky, smooth, bouncy, wavy, light-curled, princess-like hair made her look like an elegant rose. Everyone was stunned by her beauty, it was like she was the centre of attention, the lady who was showing off her apparel had her jaw dropped at Rosanne's beauty. Every person even the waiters were awestruck by Rosanne's look which was like a duchess.

"Wow." The lady said.

"Huh?" The others looked at her in shock because she never showed the importance to anyone rather than herself. Katherine's eyes were burning with jealousy showing the condition of her heart.

"I think someone is jealous," Eliza said to Rosanne while pointing at Katherine. Katherine, Rosanne and Eliza know each other before. She is always with Edmondson all the time, they are also aware of her hostile nature towards Katherine. Katherine hates Rosanne because Rosanne is better than herself and is the one with praise,

Edmondson looked at Rosanne and was about to come to lend her his hand but just then From one door of the room a guard called,

"Stand up in the honour of the king."

Leonardo came and everyone stood up in his honour. The young man in his twenties was looking very charming. He wore a designer tuxedo, and premium shoes and his scent could be sensed from a mile away. He was looking like the heir of this kingdom.

But, from the other door which was right in front of the first one opened and came in Samuel. Samuel was looking like a very handsome Duke, his diamond cuffs were glittering brightly, and his tuxedo was telling about how it was the finest of all present in the room. His shoes shine blinded others and he swiped his aesthetically veiny and elongated hand on the side of his hair. People suddenly turned their eyes toward Samuel and were adored by his charm. The heartbeat of the ladies was racing, everybody in the room was paused and there was pin-drop silence. It was clear who stole the show, Leonardo frowned by seeing who was the one who made the crowd silent with his aura. Lorenzo understood with just one look that this was none other than Romeo Romano known locally as Duke of Cambridge. Lorenzo judged by his elite look that whatever he heard about him was correct and his evil mind came up with a plan which made him smirk. He stood up and said,

"Ladies and gentlemen! I appreciate that you came here and became a part of my celebration. This night is one of the most beautiful in the Armani mansion. With me is my son, Leonardo who is the soon-to-be King. It is said that one should know when is the right time to leave his throne. And I am wise enough to know my time. My son, who has been with me in many of my missions, has to lead them to show his capability. I assure you that my son is the one who will make our friendship even stronger. Tonight for Leonardo Armani." He said and the halls were filled with the voice of applause.

"I thank my father, for trusting me and thinking that I am capable of this position. I will do my best to meet his expectations and bring a revolution." Everybody clapped tirelessly for Leonardo's honour. The night just began many more things were left before the sunrise.

"Oh Mr Romeo pleasure to see you here," Mario said.

"Same here Mr Mario." Samuel (Romeo replied).

"You have good taste I must say," Mario said while looking at Romeo's tuxedo.

"Grazier signor! It's my pleasure to come, after all, I was to meet some important and diligent people." Romeo said while signing towards his actual business here.

"Oh yes, sure!" Mr Mario Giovanni took Samuel to his partners.

"Can I have a moment, gentlemen? This is Mr Romeo Romano." Mario introduced Samuel to his partners.

"Oh! The Duke of Cambridge I see. I'm Vincent." Vincent said in a pleasant tone and put his hand forward.

"Nice to meet you Mr Vincent . Seems like you know much about me". Samuel said while shaking his hand warmly.

"Not just Vincent everyone here knows you. You just came here two weeks ago and are doing much to be called this. I mean you are paying the heavy loans for those poor people, you're getting them employed, even you have started building a school for their education on your owned land. It's not an easy task in a kingdom which is ruled by the Mafia." Mario said amusingly while proudly smiling.

"Oh please! I don't like to hear my praise. We as humans are sent by God as appointed leaders and I'm just doing my job." Samuel said in his deep husky tone.

"That's just because you are down to earth. "

"I think it's a wise decision to choose you as our leader, we need a just and down-to-earth leader who understands the ground problems well instead of ordering the death sentences of innocents and feeding on their flesh," Vincent said in a serious tone.

"Where there is life, there is hope," Samuel said in a serious tone.

"Mr Romeo right?" Someone called from behind Samuel, but Samuel can know in a jiffy by the hoarse tone who he was. He sighed and turned towards Edmondson.

'Yes, I am. So?" Samuel said while his face showed hatred for Edmondson and so was his tone.

'I'm sure you know me, nice to meet you." Edmondson said while his chin and his arrogance raised he put his hand forward.

"I don't think so, who are you?" Samuel asked with a dashing attitude, which shocked Edmondson's arrogance and his hand remained in the air, he quickly lowered it and said.

"I'm Edmondson... Edmondson Brown, Lorenzo's consigliere." Edmondson said proudly.

"Hmm, let's see when," Samuel said sarcastically.

"Huh?" Edmondson flinched,

"When the seat is vacant and seeds of betrayal are sowed, it's a matter to be feared from," Samuel said while looking straight into Edmondson's eyes daringly.

"I couldn't understand what are you saying," Edmondson asked in a confused tone.

"You very well do." Samuel nodded and his eyes became angered.

"Hmm, sir- " Lorenzo's guard came.

"Yes, I'm coming," Edmondson said while straightening his collar.

"No sir actually, Mr Lorenzo is calling Romeo Romano." The guard said hesitantly.

"That's me," Samuel said while smiling.

"Please sir come with me." The guard said.

"Excuse me," Samuel said while smirking and excusing him from the jaw-dropped Edmondson Brown. Samuel slide his hair and went past Edmondson in style. Edmondson looked at him going being shocked,

"A man who came two weeks ago is being called from Lorenzo. He is not someone ordinary for sure, Lorenzo neglected me because of him." Edmondson's eyes burned with anger.

"Sir? Have you met Mr Francis?" Katherine came from behind and asked Edmondson.

"I will okay? Mind your own business". Edmondson shrugged Katherine off and went away with anger.

"What's wrong with this man?" Katherine said while rolling her eyes as she turned a waitress accidentally bumped into her.

"What are you blind?" Katherine scolded the waitress angrily.

"I'm so sorry." The waitress said while apologising.

"You're sorry? " Katherine's blood was boiling with anger,

"I'm sorry mam?" the waitress said while her voice became teary.

" You know how expensive this gown was," Katherine said aggressively.

" I'm sorry mam, I will try to pay for it ." the waitress said innocently.

" Even if you earn your entire life you still can't pay for it, "Katherine said while showing her fake superiority.

" Sorry, mam." The waitress cried.

"Huh?" Katherine raised her hand in the air and the waitress tightly shut her eyes in fear. But Rosanne held Katherine's hand tightly.

" Don't you dare to raise your hand on innocents?" Rosanne said while her eyes widened in anger.

"Huh?" Katherine flinched and so did the waiter.

" If one person is ashamed of her act then let go of it. Why are you showing your superiority over the helpless? " Rosanne said while Eliza herself was shocked for a moment to see the anger Rosanne had in her eyes for Katherine, in these years Rosanne has never been this angry.

"Leave my hand you-" Rosanne left her hand and pointed a finger by saying,

"I have been patient with you so far, I won't be now. So be within your limit." Rosanne warned Katherine while looking right into her eyes like a fearless tigress.

"I will see you," Katherine said while trying to cover up her insult.

"I will be waiting for it," Rosanne said while glaring at Katherine, Katherine left from there.

"Are you okay?" Rosanne asked the waitress politely.

" Yes, ma'am thank you." The waitress said.

" No problem," Rosanne said and smiled kindly at the waitress. The waitress left as someone called her.

" Wow Rosanne, you were like a tigress," Eliza said amazed.

" Sometimes people need to be reminded that others are human too and deserve equal respect," Rosanne said politely.

"Ms Rosanne you encompass as beautiful a heart as your appearance. " the lady who showed off said impressed.

" Thank you," Rosanne said.

" Mind joining us for the dinner?" She asked.

" Yes sure," Rosanne replied.

"Ugh! What do that women think she is? I'm more beautiful, more talented, richer than her and yet she wins how? She is stressing my nerves now and I know how to get rid of such things." Katherine said while standing on the balcony and saying in anger and hate.