☆Chapter 36: The Calm Before the Storm☆
The Princess Grows Up
"One week," Nonno murmured, his gaze fixed on Seraphina as she stood by the grand balcony overlooking the De Luca estate.
The afternoon sun bathed her in a warm glow, highlighting the grace that had settled into her over the years. Eighteen. In just one week, she would officially step into adulthood—a De Luca through and through.
"She's grown…" Matteo stood beside him, arms crossed, eyes reflecting a mixture of awe and fear.
"Too much," Nonno sighed, shaking his head with a half-smile. "But I wouldn't have it any other way."
Seraphina wasn't the mischievous little girl who pranked guards and sneaked out anymore.
No.
Now, she was a young woman who commanded respect with a single glance.
Her once playful eyes could now turn cold and calculating, mirroring the man who had raised her.
Lorenzo De Luca.
Her every move carried the grace of a predator, her words laced with the sharpness of someone who had been forged by the world of the underworld.
"She's still dangerous, though," Matteo muttered under his breath.
Nonno's eyes twinkled.
"Of course she is."
"But in a different way now," Matteo added, his tone serious.
Seraphina had perfected her role as a De Luca. She no longer needed to sneak around—she had mastered the art of manipulation, negotiation, and power.
She was no longer just Lorenzo's daughter.
She was Seraphina De Luca.
☆☆☆
"I heard Romano's business was sold at half its worth last week," Lucian murmured as he sparred with Matteo in the backyard.
"Yeah." Matteo ducked, narrowly avoiding Lucian's strike. "And the next day, the buyer mysteriously disappeared."
"Seraphina?" Lucian's lips curled.
"Who else?"
Lucian stopped mid-motion, letting out a low whistle.
"And to think…" His gaze flickered toward Seraphina, who was calmly reading a book in the shade, her posture perfectly poised.
"She used to get in trouble for stealing Lorenzo's car keys."
"Now, she's stealing entire businesses and breaking families without lifting a finger." Matteo chuckled darkly.
Lucian grimaced.
"She's scary."
"Welcome to the club, kid."
☆☆☆
"Nonnooooo!"
The sweet tone echoed through the mansion as Seraphina glided down the staircase, her steps light and graceful.
But Nonno and Matteo froze in place.
"She wants something," Matteo muttered.
Nonno's lips twitched.
"Of course she does."
Seraphina appeared before them, her expression innocent but her aura dangerous.
"Nonno, I need a favor," she said, her voice silky sweet.
Nonno arched an eyebrow.
"How much will it cost me this time?"
Seraphina's smile widened.
"A couple million, give or take."
"A couple million?" Matteo coughed. "You could just ask Lorenzo for money, you know?"
Seraphina tilted her head.
"Why would I ask Papa when Nonno enjoys spoiling me?"
"You've turned that into an art," Matteo muttered.
Nonno sighed dramatically but his eyes twinkled.
"What is it this time, dolcezza?"
"A new gallery space."
Matteo blinked.
"Gallery? Since when did you get into art?"
"It's not for me. It's for charity," Seraphina said, her expression innocent, but her eyes dangerous.
Matteo narrowed his gaze.
"You're using charity as an excuse for something, aren't you?"
"Would I do that?" Seraphina batted her lashes.
"Yes."
"You're not wrong," Nonno chuckled, patting her head.
"Fine. I'll make the arrangements. But if your father finds out—"
"Papa won't care."
"Yes, he will."
"Not if I tell him I'm doing it to 'improve my public image,'" she said with a mischievous smile.
Nonno and Matteo exchanged glances.
"She's a monster," Matteo muttered.
"A charming one," Nonno said proudly.
☆☆☆
Lorenzo watched silently from the shadows as Seraphina handled her latest business transaction.
Her movements were fluid, her voice calm yet commanding.
The men in the room hung onto her every word.
Negotiation. Control. Power.
Seraphina exuded them all effortlessly.
She was more than ready.
Yet…
"Papa…"
His stoic expression softened when Seraphina appeared in front of him, her cold aura melting into something softer.
"Can I have Nonno's gallery for my charity?"
Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.
"What's the real reason?"
"Does it matter?"
Lorenzo's lips twitched.
"No. But I still want to know."
Seraphina's smile was sweet.
"It's just business, Papa."
Lorenzo sighed.
"You're impossible."
"I learned from the best."
☆☆☆
Later that night, Nonno, Matteo, and Lucian watched as Lorenzo and Seraphina walked in sync, their movements mirroring one another.
"They're terrifying," Lucian murmured.
"More like two sides of the same coin," Matteo said, grinning.
"The De Luca heir and her father."
"A monster and his legacy," Nonno added, eyes twinkling with pride.
Yet despite all her power, all her growth, Seraphina was still…
"Nonno!"
"Papa!"
"I'm hungry!"
"Coming, dolcezza," Nonno chuckled.
"What do you want?" Lorenzo's voice was already giving in.
And just like that, Seraphina De Luca, heir of the most feared family in the underworld, was still the spoiled princess of her father and grandfather.
Always.