Silence filled the room.
Aria DeLuca froze in her seat, her lips parting in shock.
Marriage.
The word echoed in her mind, heavy and suffocating.
She had once dreamed of marrying Victor Draven—of spending her life with him out of love. But now, hearing those words from him in this situation left a bitter taste in her mouth.
This wasn't love.
This was business.
Victor Draven slipped one hand into his pocket, his expression calm, almost indifferent—as if he hadn't just turned her world upside down.
"Not willing?" he asked, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Aria's fingers curled into her palms, her nails pressing into her skin. She knew she had no other choice but to accept his proposal, but she couldn't accept so easily. Accepting immediately would make her look desperate.
She took a deep breath.
"I… I'll think about it," she whispered.
His gaze remained steady, unreadable.
"You have twenty-four hours," he said coldly.
Then he turned and strode out, leaving her alone with the weight of his proposal.
****
Aria DeLuca's chest fell and rose unevenly. The words felt like knives in her throat.
"I agree," she said finally, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay strong.
"I'll marry you."
Victor Draven looked up from his documents, a glimpse of surprise flashing through his deep, black eyes.
"So fast?"
…. Three hours earlier
Aria DeLuca sat on the wooden chair in the balcony, her hair blown backwards by the breeze.
Was there any other choice other than accepting Victor Draven's proposal?
She stood to her feet and walked to the railing, resting her arms on it as she looked down from above.
Seeing the desolate first floor, her eyes turned teary. The once noisy, bustling and lively atmosphere had now turned like this.
Her determination to seek revenge deepened.
Her mind was preoccupied with her own thoughts, her eyes fixated on a distant point. Just when she was about to doze off, her phone rang, shattering the silent atmosphere.
She had barely picked up the call when the noise came from the other end.
"Madam, you need to do something,"a panicked voice said, "Leon Vasiliev is causing trouble. He's trying to take the Boss's corpse!"
"What?" Aria DeLuca jumped to her feet, her eyes widening in anger.
After everything he had done, he still dared to claim the corpse?
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
Without hesitation, she grabbed her bag and car key and rushed down the stairs. She slid into her red sports car and sped out of the compound.
***
Obsidian Crown's Headquarters….
The two largest clan in the city stood face to face, separated by only a thin sheet of marble flooring— and pride.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Leon Vasiliev stood on one side, a cigar resting lazily between his fingers. Smoke covered his sharp features, as if even the air obeyed him.
On the other side stood the men of the Obsidian Crown.
Waiting.
Watching.
Calculating.
Leon exhaled slowly.
"Thirty minutes," he said, his voice smooth, almost amused. "That's how long I gave you."
His eyes swept across the hall, his eyes filled with amusement.
"And yet… no heir."
A murmur rippled in the hall before dying instantly.
The corpse of the former boss lay in the glass casket— the proof that power has definitely shifted.
Leon tilted his head slightly.
"No heir means no successor," he continued calmly, "but I'm ready to provide Obsidian Crown the protection it needs."
Protection.
The word sounded like a threat.
Just then, the iron gate opened, followed by the sound of approaching steps of a heel clicking against the marble floor.
Everyone turned towsrds the source of the sound.
Aria DeLuca walked in, her face pale but steady. She walked to stand in front of the Obsidian Crown, giving them a sign of reassurance before turning to meet Leon.
"You dare to show up here?" she said coldly.
Leon Vasiliev's lips curved.
"My condolences," he replied mockingly. "But grief has nothing to do with power, Miss DeLuca."
She gritted her teeth, clenching her fist in anger.
"Before your arrival, I had promised to take over the Obsidian Crown and give it protection," he said with innocence, "or what do you think—"
"You…" she burned with anger, her trembling finger pointing at him.
Leon flickered his cigarettes butt into the ashtray, and strode towards her. He leaned towards her's ear."You can't protect a throne you haven't inherited," he murmured, "and a kingdom without and heir… becomes a territory."
Aria's face turned paler and paler. Her spine stiffened, even so her pulse pounded violently in her ears. Leon stepped back, a small smile spreading on his lips.
"I have a party to attend, so there will no bloodshed," he said, "But I'll be back soon."
After giving the Obsidian Crown a last glance, he walked away, followed by his men.
Aria lost balance, but the men quickly caught her, helping her to stand.
"Madam, what will we do now?" One asked.
She rubbed her throbbing temples, her mind messed up.
She checked the time.
Twenty minutes left.
Victor Draven was waiting for her.
"I'll be back soon, I need to go sort somethings out," she said before rushing out.
"Will our clan really be taken over by the Nightfall Dominions?" One whispered.
But the others didn't respond, and everyone went their seperate ways to keep themselves busy.
****
Back at the Wolf's den estate
Victor Draven sat behind his expansive desk, his hand scribbling on the documents while his secretary reported to him.
"Just as you've said, Leon has appeared at the Obsidian Crown's headquarters," Darek whispered, his eyes filled with admiration for his boss. "Miss DeLuca should appear soon."
A sly smile tugged at the edge of Victor's lips, one that he himself didn't notice.
"You may leave," he said.
"Yes boss," Darek said with a deep bow before stepping out.
Shortly after the door was closed, the door creaked open again, and Aria DeLuca walked in with hurried steps, stopping in front of the desk.
"I'll marry you."