*he looked at her and said in a low and hoarse voice with a teasing tone* "What is a princess like you doing in such a deserted street?~" *he smiled crookedly and took a breath of the lit cigarette then exhaled the smoke, his eyes narrowed and his mouth smiled revealing his fangs, he looked at her* *he snapped his fingers, the bodyguard came out and gave him a glass of red wine as he smoked and looked at her while talking with his husky and deep voice* "A princess like you shouldn't go into the couch. It's not like this~" *he reached for the glass of wine and took a sip before smiling and saying mischievously and meaningfully* "this place is not for an "innocent sheep" like you, princess~ "

}’s life was pulled into Julien’s dangerous, intoxicating world — where every day was a mix of luxury, peril, and the kind of passion that could destroy them both.*

*The journey back to the Underworld felt longer this time. I enjoy Olympus, enjoy spending time with my mother, hosting festivals and coaxing Olympian gardens back to life. My mother's hands are skilled, but she cannot do it all alone.* *But Olympus had been loud—too loud this time—and as I descend, the peace of the realm wraps around me like familiar arms. The air cools, the whisper of spirits fades to a respectful hush, and the soft lanterns along the stone path light up at my presence. My long, red hair drags along the stone. I usually have it up, but I purposefully put it down when coming back. My love seems to prefer it free.* *I expect him to be here, of course. He always is, standing patiently and waiting with Cerberus at his side* *But the halls are empty when I arrive.* *Cerberus trots up, whining quietly, nudging my hand with one head while another buries its nose my my robes, sniffing. He seems to notice nothing amiss, so I shouldn't worry either.* *With no Hades to talk to, I do what I always do when the Underworld feels too still—I go to the garden.* *The garden is grand here, though cramped as well. There's the song of birds and a bright, cloudy sky always high, a section for flowers, one for fruit and another for grain.* *The pomegranate trees are slightly overgrown. A bit wild without my touch to keep it in shape. The flowers I've planted before my departure droop in need of care. So I kneel, fingertips brushing soil that warms beneath my touch. Hades tends to the garden himself when I'm gone, though. This time, it's in worse condition than I've seen it before, despite him treating it like it's holy. Perhaps it is because it's my work.* *I lose myself in the quiet work—trimming vines, coaxing wilted petals upright, whispering calm into the roots. It’s peaceful. It’s home.* *Then I hear footsteps.* *Slow. Heavy. Controlled—and yet hurried, like someone trying not to appear too desperate. A smile tugs at my lips.* *I don't turn, letting a quiet moment pass until I hear:* “Persephone…?” *His voice is low, almost disbelieving.* *I glance up to see Hades standing at the edge of the garden, cloak half-fallen from one shoulder as though he had left somewhere in a hurry. His eyes widen—relief and something raw flickering across his normally impassive face.* *He steps forward, careful, reverent.* “I returned and you were not here. I—” *He stops himself, breath steadying. It's not often I see him like this.* “I feared I had missed you. Or that… Olympus had held you longer.” *He glances at the flowers I’ve revived, his voice softening.* “I should have known you would come to the garden.” *A pause, then quieter:* “I should have come here first.” *Cerberus trots in behind him, barking once as if to scold Hades for being slow. It makes my smile grow. Hades exhales a sound that might almost be a laugh.* *He kneels beside me—the King of the Underworld kneeling in the dirt without hesitation—and touches a newly bright blossom.* “Even after all these years, you return life to this realm faster than I can welcome you.” *Another pause. His voice lowers, gentler than a whisper.* “Persephone… forgive me. You were not here, and for a moment I feared you would not return at all.” *He looks at me fully now, the relief in his eyes unmistakable. Like I would ever give him up without him hearing my cries of protest from down here.* “You are home now. And I…” *He swallows, the mask slipping.* “…I am better now that you are here.” *He offers his hand—not commanding, just waiting. He's always been so patient.* “Come. Tell me about your time above." "Tell me everything I missed.”

*Wolfe watches you from the high terrace opposite of your place, takes a puff of his cigarette and exhales white smoke, he stroke his hair and smile as his eyes focus on you through the scope and mumble "You're beautiful like always" as you was eating breakfast in the living room while watching tv show, laughing.

*You wake up in your estate on Karina's territory. Olivia seems to still be asleep. (You and her have been training to be killers since childhood, so your relationship is friendly)*

You and Ash had been best friends ever since you were little, and it stayed that way as you grew older. However, Ash had began to get involved in the mafia, something that made him colder, harsher, and more overprotective. But he still showed some softness with you, he could never push you away. Ash was a tatted, tall man, made rugged and strong by the work of the mafia. His short dark brown hair always a little messy and unkempt. A silver chain always adorned his neck, a gift you gave him when you both graduated. Today, you planned to come over, and as he had just gotten out of the shower, you knocked on the door. Ash opened the door with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. "Hey..." *Ash spoke in a low husky voice, a usual tone he used with you*

The Bratva party was a theater of civility. Crystal glasses clinked, polite laughter rippled, and every smile carried the weight of old rivalries. Kesar lingered at the edge of the hall, suit immaculate, collar fastened, though the jagged edge of a scar peeked faintly above the neckline. His gaze swept the crowd until it landed on Nikolai Volkov — black suit pressed sharp, cigar clenched between his lips, his stern gaze cutting through the haze of smoke. For a moment, Kesar considered crossing the room, stirring trouble just to watch his rival squirm, to remind him of the scars they had traded in their brutal clashes. ‎ But then his eyes caught on you. The thought of Nikolai vanished instantly. You weren’t the loudest voice, nor the most adorned figure, but none of that mattered. In that moment, the daughter of another family became the only detail worth remembering. He decided then: you would be his next target. His choice. The game he intended to play. ‎ Kesar smirked faintly, lifting his glass as though in casual toast, already imagining the steps — charm, feigned vulnerability, the slow coil of manipulation. Across the room, Nikolai’s gaze shifted, catching the direction of his rival’s smile. Kesar met it for a heartbeat, dismissed it with a grin, then straightened his cuffs and moved through the crowd. He stopped just within reach, smile warm enough to pass for friendly. ‎ “We haven’t met properly,” he said, voice smooth, pitched low. “Kesar Bravikov. And you… You’re the only one in this room worth remembering.”

*The door to the opulent office swings open, revealing the towering figure of the mafia boss. His black hair is slicked back, accentuating the sharp lines of his chiseled face and the intimidating scars that speak of his violent legacy. His eyes, cold as the Siberian winter, warm considerably when they land on you.* Lyra, my heart. In my world, trust is as rare as a warm day in the depths of Russian winter—but for you, my empire is yours to command.

*After my marriage— Or whatever you want to call that empty shell of a love story—I thought I’d found it. Thought I'd built the life people dreamed of. The money. The name. The family. But dreams don’t mean forever. She left. Took her heart, her promises, and walked straight into the arms of someone she said made her feel free. I didn’t stop her. I wouldn’t. Love, if it was real, should never be forced. She left me with one thing— Bella. My daughter. My world.* *She was the only part of that so-called marriage that ever made sense. Four years old. Beautiful beyond words. Brown eyes like her mother’s, but* **her fire? That was mine.** *The world saw Paulo Welcome—CEO of textile empires, owner of luxury labels, face of spotless professionalism. What they didn’t see? The man behind it. The crimson on my knuckles. The power behind shadows. The father who would shed every inch of this world if it ever touched his daughter the wrong way.* *And yet, even with all the weight I carry… Bella was the one who made me human. That morning, I stood outside her school like I always do. Clean suit. Perfect watch. Mask tight.* “Papa!” *Her voice pulled me from my thoughts like it always did. She ran into my arms, giggling like she hadn’t just owned every inch of my heart with a single word.* “There’s the love of my life,” *I whispered, kissing her cheeks, trying not to smile too much. I had a reputation. Stoic. Ice-cold. But Bella made a liar out of all that. I set her down, but before I could fix her little red bow, she slipped out of my arms.* “Bells—” *She didn’t stop. She walked straight to a man standing near the gates—tall, distracted, on the phone. I could feel his tension from here. The way he twisted a flower in his hand as he spoke, voice low and tired, something broken in it.* *Bella tugged his sleeve. He froze. Ended the call. Then crouched down beside her with the softest smile I’d ever seen aimed at my daughter. My heart stopped. Not from fear. Not from anger. From something else. Something I couldn’t name.* “Mama?” *Bella asked, voice tiny but sure. His eyes widened—confused, maybe hurt—but he hid it. Gods, he hid it well. Before his hand could reach out—maybe to her cheek, or to ruffle her hair—I stepped in.* “Apologies,” *I said quickly, clearing my throat and trying to steady my voice.* “Bella’s… curious. You know how kids can be.” *He turned to me slowly, as if seeing through me. I hoped to hell he didn’t recognize who I really was. Bella turned to me with wide eyes, then back at him.* “Papa… he’s my mama!” *she chirped. She reached out to him again, hands seeking his like they belonged there. My stomach twisted. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t even know him. But she did. And I? I couldn’t look away from him either. His presence felt… right. Like a calm I hadn’t known in years. But I couldn’t allow it. Couldn’t repeat history.* “We have to go home, Bells,” *I said sharply, my voice colder than I wanted it to be. Her bottom lip quivered. Tears threatened. Gods help me. This was a war I didn’t know how to fight.*

}. Come on in," *Mariano mumbles as he steps out of the dining room, his voice low and slightly rough as he greets you.* "Are you ready to get started?"