Chapter One: The Blood Princess
Gianna De Luca gazed out of the ornate window of her family’s palatial estate, watching the golden rays of the setting sun cast a warm glow over the sprawling city below. Her mother’s voice echoed in her mind, a familiar refrain from her childhood that had shaped her perception of herself.
“You are a princess, Gianna,” her mother would say, her voice soft yet commanding. “Never forget who you are and what you represent.”
As Gianna grew older, she came to understand the true meaning behind those words. She wasn’t just any princess; she was a blood princess, born into one of the most powerful mafia families in the city. Her father, Don Luca De Luca, ruled with an iron fist, commanding respect and fear in equal measure.
When she was just ten years old, their mother passed away, leaving Gianna and her sister Adrianna to navigate the treacherous world of the mafia on their own. Their father never assumed the role of a caring father. Instead, he viewed them as assets and commodities to be traded and sold for profit, rather than daughters to be cherished and protected.
Gianna’s thoughts drifted to her younger sister, Adrianna, who shared her burden of being born into this dangerous life. They had grown up amidst whispers of deals struck in shadows, of alliances forged with blood, and of enemies who would stop at nothing to see their family fall.
From a young age, they were groomed to fulfill roles as future wives of powerful men, where their value hinged on beauty and compliance. Education and friendships beyond family were luxuries denied to them due to their father's strict control. In the mafia's realm, such women had no voice, expected to conform silently, their dreams stifled under societal expectations. They were akin to beautiful captives in a gilded cage, admired outwardly but devoid of true freedom or self-expression.
Unlike her sister, Gianna had long accepted her fate. She knew she wouldn’t marry for love like the heroines in the fairy tales she used to read secretly. Instead, she would be bound to a man chosen by her father, a union forged for power, not passion.
Tonight, however, everything changed. A peace settlement was on the horizon, brokered by her father and their long-standing rival, the Romano family. The terms were simple yet unprecedented—Gianna would marry Nico Romano in place of her sister, Adrianna.
Five days had passed since the scene in her father’s study, where the fate of her sister Adrianna had been sealed with a wedding to Romano. Gianna couldn’t shake off the feeling of helplessness and anger that had consumed her during that confrontation. She knew she couldn’t stand by and watch her sister be sacrificed for a fragile peace.
Standing by Adrianna’s side, Gianna had tried to reason with their father, her voice trembling with a mixture of defiance and desperation. “But she just turned 18,” Gianna had pleaded, hoping her father would reconsider his decision.
“Silence!” Don Luca De Luca had thundered, his voice echoing off the walls of the opulent study. “This decision is already made.”
Feeling the weight of responsibility and determination, Gianna had made a bold declaration. “I will marry him instead,” she had said, her voice steady despite the chaos swirling inside her.
But her father’s response had been swift and dismissive. “No,” he had declared, his tone final. “You are too soft and delicate. You will marry Alesso, one of my trusted friends.”
One thing remained clear—she would never marry Alesso, the disgusting old man her father had chosen for her. The very thought of it filled her with disgust and revulsion, strengthening her resolve to defy her father’s expectations and carve her own path, no matter the consequences.
Gianna’s shout of protest had fallen on deaf ears as she turned and stormed out of the room, her heart heavy with frustration and defiance. Adrianna, who had witnessed the entire exchange, had remained silent but resolute. “I would rather kill myself than do as you say,” she had whispered before quietly walking away.
As Gianna raced down the grand staircase, her mind racing with a myriad of emotions, she stumbled and fell at the feet of the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked up, meeting his intense gaze with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
He was a vision of strength and charisma, with dark, tousled hair that framed his chiseled features. His piercing blue eyes seemed to hold a world of secrets, and the slight stubble on his jawline only added to his rugged appeal. Dressed in a tailored suit that accentuated his muscular frame, he exuded an air of confidence and authority that was impossible to ignore.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still as Gianna took in the sight before her
As Gianna gathered herself from the fall, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of frustration directed at the man standing before her. “You could have helped me, you know,” she remarked sharply, her voice tinged with irritation.
Nico Romano, a dangerous mafia boss whose reputation preceded him, met her gaze with a cool indifference that only served to fuel her annoyance. “You didn’t look like you needed help,” he replied casually, his tone devoid of any sympathy or concern.
Gianna narrowed her eyes at him, refusing to be intimidated by his formidable presence. She knew all too well of his ruthless nature, of the stories that painted him as a man without a heart. But she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her cower before him like so many others.
Before she could say anything else, her father suddenly appeared, his anger palpable as he forcefully grabbed her wrist. “What are you doing here?” he demanded, his voice laced with fury.
Nico, sensing the tension in the air, intervened with a menacing tone. “Let her go,” he commanded, his voice brooking no argument. “I will not repeat myself. I don’t tolerate disrespect against women.”
Waves of anger radiated off Nico’s imposing figure, his demeanor sending a clear message of authority and power. But instead of feeling scared, Gianna found herself intrigued and strangely turned on by his unwavering confidence.
With a defiant glance at her father, Gianna withdrew her wrist from his grasp and walked away. She needed to change for the upcoming dinner with Nico Romano, but her encounter with him had left her unsettled yet strangely captivated.
As she made her way to her room, Gianna overheard snippets of conversation between Nico and her father. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized the implications of their discussion. Nico was expressing his desire to marry her instead of Adrianna, despite the initial arrangement.
Her father tried to argue, to assert his control over the situation, but Gianna felt a sudden surge of determination and defiance. Turning back to face them, she spoke with unwavering resolve. “I will do it,” she declared, her voice echoing through the hallway. “I will marry him.”