Dark Allegiance

Morning light streamed through the vast windows of my new room, casting long shadows across the silk sheets. The sun felt like an intrusion—too warm, too bright for the cold reality I now faced. My new life had officially begun, and it wasn't the fairytale I'd once imagined as a little girl. No, this was something else entirely, a game of game and survival.

A knock on the door stirred me from my thoughts. I sat up, my head spinning slightly from a restless night of sleep. Before I could respond, the door creaked open, and a woman stepped inside.

"Good morning Mrs. Romano." The woman dressed in a formal black uniform, offered a polite bow, though her eyes held no warmth.

"My name is Elena. I've been assigned as your personal attendant. Don Tristan has requested your presence in the dining room."

I nodded, though my mind lingered on the title: Mrs. Romano. It still felt foreign, as though I was wearing a name that didn't even belong to me.

After a quick shower, Elena helped me into a dark green dress—simple, yet elegant and perfect for my new role. As I studied myself in the mirror, I could barely recognise myself. In my place stood a woman forged by necessity, by the weight of my fathers legacy and now, by the loom presence of Tristan Romano.

When I finally made my way to the dining room, I found Tristan seated at the head of the long table, casually sipping coffee. He didn't look up when I entered, his attention focused on a set of documents spread across the table. I paused in the doorway, unsure of my place in this new world. I wasn't just his wife now; I was a piece in a much larger game. Taking a breath, I walked over and sat opposite him, my back straight and my expression guarded. Tristan finally glanced up, his piercing eyes looking onto mine. "You slept well, I hope?" he said, his tone polite but devoid of real concern.

"Well enough," I replied, matching his aloofness. Silence settled between us as he returned to his papers. I studied him, noting how calm and in control he seemed, as though the events of last night meant nothing. To him, this was just business. I cleared my throat, needing to break the silence. "You said yesterday that we begin today. What exactly does that mean?"

Tristan's lips quirked slightly, the faintest hint of smile, though it doesn't reach his eyes. "It means you'll be learning what it takes to live in my world," he said, folding the papers and setting them aside. "You're not just my wife, Selena. You're a Romano now, and that comes with expectations."

"I'm not here to sit quietly in the background ", I said, my voice firm. "I want to know what's going on, what role I'm supposed to play in any of this." Tristan leaned back in his chair, calculating me with his gaze. "You're bold. I respect that." He stood abruptly, crossing the room until he stood behind me, his presence looming. "But boldness doesn't always work in this world. It's loyalty that counts and loyalty will be tested."

My skin prickled at his words, but I forced myself to remain calm, even as I felt him circling me like a predator. "Do you trust me?" he asked, his voice low but sharp.

The question hung in the air, and for a moment, I was tempted to lie, to play the role of the obedient wife. But that wasn't who I was. I turned to face him, my chin raised. "Trust is earned, not given."

Woahhhh....to be continued obviously in Chapter 4.....🤭