Dario's departure left Sebastian with a surge of uncertainties swirling in his head. The long-awaited moment had arrived for him to keep the promises he made to his father and Larisa. Lost in thought, he stood by the window, hands in his pocket, reminiscing about the first time he met Larisa.
Flashback
The living room was filled with the sound of chatter as everyone sat on the settee around the round centre table, guarded by the Genovese and Sherian's bodyguards. Sebastian's father was deep in conversation with Tobias, while his mother chatted away with Larisa's stepmother.
Nina savoured the taste of the red wine on her tongue, her lips curling up as she watched Mia's eyes linger on Sebastian.
"Larisa is here,"
The conversation was abruptly cut short as Sebastian tilted his head towards the staircase. Larisa descended the stairs, her heels echoing with every click against the wooden steps. Her knee-length black dress clung to her body, accentuating her figure.
Her dark hair cascaded down her back, creating a striking contrast against her pale, porcelain skin. Even the carefully applied makeup couldn't conceal the fear that lingered in her eyes. She discreetly glanced at Sebastian, her eyes catching the stern expression etched on his face.
His eyes bore into her, devoid of warmth or interest, leaving only a sense of distant curiosity.
"Anton, this is my precious daughter!"
Larisa was astonished by the compassionate side of her merciless father, as he enveloped her shoulder and propelled her forward, as though she were a commodity about to be auctioned. Fear coursed through her veins, causing sweat to bead on her forehead and her heart to race.
Tobias cast a proud glance in her direction. "Larisa is dear to me. She is reminiscent of someone I hold close to my heart." He gazed into her eyes and then shifted his gaze to Anton. "I hope you keep my princess happy."
"Of course," Anton responded with a smile stretched on his lips.
"Larisa, this is Sebastian." As Tobias gestured towards Sebastian, her eyes followed his movement until they landed on Sebastian.
Sebastian observes her gulp nervously, and a smirk of amusement crosses his face. Luca stood up and sauntered over to Larisa and Sebastian took note of her deliberate retreat as Luca enfolded her in his arms, but his gaze was soon fixated on Luca's hand, tightly clenching her tiny waist and eliciting a pained expression from her.
"My sister is the prettiest. I'll beat the shit out of you if you ever troubled her!" He chuckled and everyone laughed except for Larisa, her nanny, and Sebastian.
"Sebastian!" Sebastian's attention was drawn to his father by Anton's meaningful glance. "Why are you so quiet?"
"Can I speak to Larisa in private?"
"Sure," Anton quickly supported him and turned to Tobias. "Would you mind if they spend some time alone?"
Sebastian's lips formed a thin line as he grew increasingly annoyed. "What era are we living in?" He mentally rolled his eyes and shifted his focus to Tobias.
"Of course not!" Tobias smiled. "Larisa, take him to our vineyard."
"No," Sebastian cut him off. "I'd like to see Larisa's room."
As soon as he spoke, a hush fell over the room, and everyone's attention was on him. "The bedroom of a person reveals a great deal about their personality and character. Likes and dislikes. If we're going to get married, I'd like to know her better."
Tobias was impressed. "Sure."
Sebastian rose to his feet, buttoning up his matte black jacket, and motioned for Larisa to lead the way. She glanced at her father, who gave her an approving nod.
Sebastian trailed behind Larisa as they ascended the stairs and crossed room after room until they arrived at the last room on the second level. "I'm sorry. My room is a mess right now." With an awkward smile, she reached out her hand to open the door.
He walked inside after her, and the sound of his footsteps echoed through the empty space. Although the room was spic and span, it was not spacious enough to house a Mafia princess. Even the servants and the guards at the Genovese mansion had bigger places for themselves.
As Sebastian strolled inside her room, Larisa nervously stood in the corner, biting her lips.
"So painting is your thing, huh?" Sebastian stopped in front of the canvas, covered with a cloth, and stole a glance at Larisa.
She nodded subtly while smiling. "May I have a look?" He raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"Umm... I don't think it's good enough..." Her cheeks turned red as she fumbled. No one had ever been as interested in her life as Sebastian was.
"I insist,"
"Okay," she mumbled in a low voice and made her way to him, taking off the cover of her canvas. Sebastian's gaze was transfixed on her latest creation while Larisa maintained a fixed stare on the floor.
"You're right, it's not good enough. It's gorgeous!" Sebastian's gaze was fixed on the lovers in the painting, who stood amidst a scene of blood and chaos.
Larisa gazed up at him with a look of surprise. She felt a surge of confidence within her, and her voice trembled only slightly as she spoke. "I saw them in my dream. The woman in his arms died saving him and yet she was happy to sacrifice herself for her lover."
Sebastian leans against the dresser for support and crosses his legs. "Who is the other woman standing at a distance and watching them? I bet she killed her. She's holding a gun."
Larisa couldn't help but chuckle. "I don't know! But she seemed important to be included. The painting was incomplete without her. And I was right because everyone is asking about her." She answered, but her smile died the moment her green eyes met with Sebastian's black eyes.
"So, Larisa, what do you expect from your life? Have you been treated well so far? Is there something you are dying to do pretty badly?"
Larisa was taken aback, feeling vulnerable as she let her guard down around Sebastian, her lips trembling in response. Sebastian noticed her eyes were brimming with unshed tears. "It's okay if you don't want to...."
"I aspire to go to an art school in Australia."
Sebastian maintained his gaze on her as she persisted. "But I know I won't be allowed to step out of this territory. My father arranged this marriage without my consent, and now I'll be imprisoned in the walls of Genovese's estate, where I will be expected to stand beside you quietly and carry on the family line."
Sebastian's lips moved silently as he mulled over his thoughts. "It's okay. I have come to terms with my fate and am at peace. I know my opinion doesn't matter." She said, and he looked down at the floor, lost in thought.
The long silence made Larisa's eyebrow crease in confusion and concern. "Seb...Sebastian?" His coal-black eyes locked onto hers as he looked up at her. "Are you alright?"
"How about if I provide you with the chance to achieve your long-awaited dream?"
Larisa stared at him blankly and it took her some moment to register his words. "I won't believe you." She chuckled. "I have never been the recipient of such an act. Why would you care about me?"
"Because you're going to be my wife." His words cut through her rambling, bringing her back to reality. "Once we take our vows, I want you to understand the weight of stepping into the role of my queen," he said firmly. "And that's only possible once you fulfil your lifelong dream."
"But no one would agree to it!"
"That's my call! You needn't concern yourself with it." He rose to his feet and said firmly.
"I don't trust you," Words involuntarily escaped her lips, and she slapped her mouth shut.
Sebastian's expression remained stoic as he gazed into her widened eyes. "I am sorry! I didn't mean to say out so loud." Hastily, she cast her gaze downward towards the floor, revealing the timid girl concealed beneath the guise of a Mafia princess.
He found pleasure in the notion of exerting dominance over her, yet it provided no satisfaction to overpower someone so feeble like her. He wanted someone to challenge him head-on.
Larisa watched intently as he carefully removed the black mamba ring from his index finger and handed it to her. "This is a token of my promise. Once I give my word, I stand by it, and Genovese is renowned for their loyalty."
She blinked her eyes innocently and reached out to take it. "Goodbye." He turned, and the sound of his footsteps echoed as he walked out of her room, leaving her spellbound.
Flashback ends
In a moment of reflection, Sebastian drew a deep breath, his nostrils flaring as he recalled the horrific memory of what happened next to his father.
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