☆Chapter 35: When the Queen Falls☆

The Beginning of Chaos.

"Nonno… I don't feel good."

Seraphina's voice was soft, almost fragile, as she clutched her stomach and leaned against the couch. Her usually bright eyes were dull, and her cheeks were flushed a worrying shade of pink.

Nonno's smile dropped.

"Bambina?" His voice trembled as he placed the back of his hand on her forehead.

Warm. Too warm.

"Sera, tesoro, are you okay?"

"I think… I'm sick."

Nonno froze.

For a man who had witnessed countless assassinations, negotiated deals with ruthless mafiosos, and walked through literal gunfire without blinking— this?

This was his worst nightmare.

☆☆☆

The alarm bells ring

"MATTEO! LUCIAN!"

Nonno's panicked shout echoed through the De Luca mansion. Within seconds, Matteo and Lucian were rushing into the room.

"What happened?" Matteo demanded, eyes scanning the room for danger.

"Is she hurt?" Lucian's voice cracked as he knelt beside Seraphina.

"She's burning up." Nonno's voice was shaky.

"Burning up?" Matteo's eyes widened.

Lucian face paled.

"Sick?" Matteo whispered, as if saying the word aloud would curse them all.

"Sick." Nonno nodded gravely.

A dead silence filled the room.

"WHAT DO WE DO?!"

Panic erupted.

☆☆☆

Matteo paced back and forth, muttering to himself.

"We need a doctor. A specialist. No—several specialists."

Lucian was googling every possible symptom.

"What if it's appendicitis? Or pneumonia? Or worse—"

"Stop panicking!" Nonno snapped, though his own hands trembled.

"Call Lorenzo. Now."

"Right!"

Lucian fumbled for his phone, his fingers slipping as he dialed.

☆☆☆

Lorenzo was in a meeting when his phone vibrated.

One glance at the caller ID and the world stopped.

"Lucian? I told you, dont call me unless Serafina—"

"Sir…" Lucian's voice shook.

Lorenzo stood up immediately, his expression darkening.

"What happened?"

"It's Seraphina… she's sick."

Lorenzo's blood ran cold.

"I'm on my way."

He didn't say another word. The meeting was forgotten.

☆☆☆

Lorenzo burst through the mansion doors, his cold aura sending chills through everyone's spine.

"Where is she?"

"Living room."

Lorenzo stormed in, his eyes immediately landing on Seraphina, who was curled up on the couch, looking small and fragile.

"Papa…?"

"I'm here."

His voice softened instantly as he knelt beside her, brushing her sweaty bangs away from her forehead.

"What happened?"

"She just said she wasn't feeling well." Nonno's voice was tight.

"We've never… taken care of someone sick before." Matteo mumbled, looking almost embarrassed.

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

"Why didn't you call the doctor?"

"We didn't know which one." Lucian's voices was barely above a whisper.

Lorenzo stood up, his eyes cold and deadly.

"I want the best pediatrician in the country here in fifteen minutes."

"On it." Matteo disappeared in a flash.

☆☆☆

While waiting for the doctor, everyone was hovering around Seraphina like mother hens.

Nonno kept wiping her forehead with a damp cloth.

Matteo stood guard by the door as if a virus could be shot.

Lucian paced nervously, glancing at Seraphina every few seconds.

Lorenzo…

Lorenzo never left her side.

"Papa… I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

"I just have a fever."

"Fevers can be deadly."

Seraphina blinked.

"Papa… I'm not dying."

"You're staying in bed until I say otherwise."

"That's not fair."

"Life isn't fair."

☆☆☆

When the doctor finally arrived, the man was practically dragged inside by Matteo.

"Check her. Now."

The poor doctor fumbled with his equipment, nearly dropping his stethoscope under Lorenzo's intense glare.

After a thorough check-up, the doctor finally sighed in relief.

"It's just a common fever."

"Just a fever?" Lorenzo's voice was dangerously low.

"Yes, Mr. De Luca. Nothing serious. Just rest and hydration. She'll be fine in a few days."

Everyone visibly relaxed.

But Lorenzo?

Still on high alert.

"You're staying."

"Sir?"

"You're not leaving until she's fully recovered."

The doctor gulped.

"O-Of course."

☆☆☆

The next few days were…

Interesting.

Lorenzo suspended all work, choosing to personally monitor Seraphina's condition.

Nonno tried to offer help, but Lorenzo refused.

Matteo and Lucian? Banished from the sickroom after they caused too much commotion.

Lorenzo hovered like a hawk.

"Drink this."

"Papa, I don't like the taste."

"Drink it anyway."

"I'm not thirsty."

"Drink. It."

Seraphina pouted.

"You're worse than Nonno."

"Good."

"I want ice cream."

"No."

"But—"

"No sweets."

"Please?"

Lorenzo's resolve cracked… just a little.

"Fine. But after you finish your soup."

☆☆☆

By the end of the third day, Seraphina was back to her usual self.

"I told you I wasn't dying."

Lorenzo gave her a look.

"Next time, I'm putting you in a bubble."

"Papa, that's ridiculous."

"I don't care."

"You can't protect me from everything."

"Watch me."

Seraphina smiled softly, her eyes filled with warmth.

"You're the best, Papa."

Lorenzo's expression softened.

"And you're my everything, piccola."

For once, Lorenzo allowed himself a small smile.

But deep down…

He was already planning on hiring another dozen guards and doctors to be stationed near Serafina's room.