As Viktor's private jet touched down on the Moscow runway, the temperature outside was well below freezing. Everything was covered in white snow. As the jet door opened, a fleet of expensive luxury cars was seen lined up in front.
Standing before the cars was a stunning yet fierce woman Viktor's sister, Anna. She was wearing an expensive fur coat and dark sunglasses.
As Viktor descended with Alia, Anna stepped forward. Her gait exuded elegance and power. A mysterious smirk played on her lips the moment she saw Alia.
Anna: (In a deep, sharp voice) "Welcome back, brother. And is this the girl who caused such a stir in Seoul?"
Anna walked right up to Alia, inspecting her meticulously. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to try and read all of Alia's secrets.
Anna: "Alia, right? Remember, this is Russia. Here, blood and honor are worth more than any contract. I hope you can prove yourself worthy of my brother."
Alia didn't flinch; she looked Anna directly in the eye. She realized that her journey in Russia would be far from easy. Anna took Viktor's daughter into her arms with affection, but her gaze remained wary toward Alia.
Viktor placed a hand on Alia's shoulder, signaling her to get into the car. As Alia sat inside the expensive Rolls Royce, she realized that the snow of Russia was far colder and more mysterious than the rain of Seoul. Alia was not one to be intimidated. Seeing Anna's royal attitude, she gave a slight smirk. Adjusting her coat collar and looking Anna straight in the eye, she spoke in a sharp tone:
Alia: "Cut the drama, Anna. You know very well who I am. Did you forget your old 'Bhabhi' (Sister-in-law) so soon? No need to show off so much."
At Alia's direct and bold reply, Anna's serious facade instantly crumbled. She burst into laughter and gave Alia a quick hug and a light peck on the cheek. Her sword-sharp temperament turned friendly in an instant.
Anna: "Oh come on, I was just kidding! I was just testing your fire. Sry, Bhabhi, I couldn't resist the urge to tease you a bit!"
Viktor stood by, breathing a sigh of relief. He knew Anna loved a bit of drama, but he hadn't expected her to yield so quickly to Alia's courage.
Anna grabbed Alia's hand and pulled her toward the car, saying, "Let's go home now. I've had special Russian dishes prepared for you. And I'm tired of hearing Anashia's stories from Seoul; now I want to hear the real version from you!"
Alia and Anna sat in the car together. In the cold Russian evening, the banter between the two women sparked a new chemistry. Between Anna's 'Sorry' and Alia's sternness, the atmosphere lightened up even before they reached the Russian palace. As the car moved through the snow-covered roads toward the massive Russian palace, Alia fell into a deep sleep, resting her head on Viktor's shoulder. Exhausted from the long flight and the mental stress of the past few days, her body finally gave in. Viktor pulled a blanket over her and held her tenderly.
Night turned into morning. The soft golden Russian sunlight hit Alia's face through the window. At that exact moment, the vibration of her phone woke her up—Anashia was calling.
Alia was surprised. Why would the man she left behind in the rain in Seoul call so early? As she picked up, Anashia's familiar yet somewhat serious voice came through.
Anashia: (On the phone) "Have you arrived? Seoul is unusually quiet today, Alia. I just wanted to see if you're surviving the biting cold of Russia."
Alia glanced at Viktor from the corner of her eye. Viktor was still looking through files, but the sound of the call had made him alert.
Alia: (In a low voice) "Anashia? You called this early? Is everything okay?"
Anashia: "Everything is fine. I just wanted to remind you the contract may be over, but the dangers surrounding you are not. Tell Viktor to make sure Anna doesn't get too clever."
Alia felt a chill at his words. Why was Anashia warning her about Anna? Viktor snatched the phone from Alia's hand and turned on the speaker.
Viktor: "Anashia, mind your own business. Alia is in my domain now; you don't need to worry about her."
Anashia let out a mysterious laugh and hung up without a word. The sweet morning sun suddenly felt very ominous to Alia. The Russian palace was now clearly visible right ahead. After the mysterious call from Anashia, a tense silence filled the car, but Alia broke it with a soft, confident smile, murmuring, "Hummm..." Her smile reflected a newfound sense of belonging, showing she was ready for whatever Russia had in store.
Viktor looked at her, captivated by her smile. As they stepped out of the car in front of the grand estate, he took her hand and said:
Viktor: "Come, before we go inside for breakfast, I have a gift for you. It's an old tradition for entering this Russian palace."
Alia raised an eyebrow, expecting jewelry or something precious. Instead, Viktor pulled a silver-engraved gun from his coat. Before Alia could react, Viktor pointed it toward the sky and fired three consecutive shots.
Viktor: "This is our rule, Alia. When a new Queen steps into this palace, the sky must witness that her protection is now the responsibility of the Mafia Lord."
The sound of the gunshots echoed through the snow-capped mountains. Anna stood on the balcony, clapping her hands at the display. Viktor then handed the smoking gun to Alia.
Viktor: "Now, it's your turn. Tell the sky that you aren't here by anyone's mercy, but by your own strength."
Without a moment's hesitation, Alia took the gun. In a perfectly professional stance, she aimed upward and fired a flawless shot. The vibration caused snow to fall from the nearby trees. Viktor watched her, utterly impressed.
Alia: "That was a fascinating gift before breakfast, Viktor. Now, let's go see if Russian food is as spicy as I am!"
Laughing, they walked toward the massive palace doors where Anna and Viktor's daughter were waiting to welcome them. Alia's new life in Russia began exactly like this with the scent of gunpowder and the aura of royalty. Alia didn't hand the gun back to Viktor; instead, she gave a mysterious smirk. With lightning speed, she pulled her favorite black gun from her inner jacket pocket. Both Viktor and Anna watched in surprise.
Alia: "You followed your tradition, now watch my style. I have a gift too, just like yours—but a bit different."
Alia didn't just fire into the empty sky. She turned around and aimed at a small ice sculpture perched atop the palace gate. She closed her eyes for a split second, then spun around and fired two consecutive shots without even looking.
One bullet hit the exact center of the sculpture, while the other clipped a dry branch nearby, calculating the wind resistance perfectly. It was a stunning display of her agent training. The gunshots cracked like a whip in the silent Russian morning.
Alia: (Holstering her gun with a flick) "I didn't come to Russia to be a queen, Viktor; I came to be your dragon. My rule is—I don't just make noise, I hit the mark."
Viktor stood stunned for a moment before bursting into loud laughter. He gave Alia a deep kiss on her forehead.
Viktor: "Brilliant! Anashia was right, you are more dangerous than a fireball."
Anna came running down, clapping her hands. She patted Alia on the back and said, "Bravo, Bhabhi! Your fire is exactly what's needed to melt the ice of Russia. Now come, let's celebrate your sharpshooting at the breakfast table!"
Alia walked into the palace with her head held high and an aura of authority. She made it clear that in Russia, she wouldn't live in anyone's shadow she was there to rule on her own terms. When Viktor saw Alia showing off her power like a true Mafia Queen, he couldn't restrain himself. He suddenly picked her up in his arms.
Taken by surprise, Alia wrapped her arms around Viktor's neck, but her fire didn't dim. Even while being carried, she glared at him with narrowed eyes.
Alia: "Hey! Put me down! What is this behavior in front of everyone? Am I a child that you're carrying me around like this?"
Viktor smirked and started walking toward the palace interior.
Viktor: "Not a child, but definitely my stubborn Queen. And I won't put you down; I'm taking you to the breakfast table just like this today."
And just like that, their typical bickering started all over again. Anna and Viktor's daughter were laughing behind them, but there was no sign of these two stopping their argument.
Alia: "Viktor, you're crossing the line! You just stepped on Russian soil and you're already trying to dominate me? I'll pull that gun out again!"
Viktor: "Give it a try! My grip is much stronger than your bullets. Now stop arguing; your face has turned beet red in this Moscow cold."
Alia: "My face isn't red from the cold, it's red because of your insolence! Put me down!"
Ignoring her protests, Viktor carried Alia into the massive dining hall. Alia kept hitting his chest and scolding him, while Viktor thoroughly enjoyed the moment. The palace staff watched in awe as their stern Mafia Boss laughed while being scolded by a Bengali girl.
The first morning in Russia thus blossomed with a strange mix of love and playful bickering. It was 2 AM, the dead of night. The entire Russian palace was submerged in silence. Outside, a freezing wind was howling. Alia stood alone on the balcony. In the gusty wind, her long hair flew wildly, and her veil fluttered behind her like wings.
Under the moonlight, the jewelry on her hands was shining (Chik Chik). She was wearing a stylish top, which was slightly shifting at the chest due to the wind. Ignoring it, Alia remained lost in thought, staring at the sky.
Suddenly, in this solitude, memories of the past flooded back. The blood-stained days in Seoul and Anashia's mysterious farewell. Becoming emotional, Alia began to sing a melancholic song (Odaya). Her voice merged with the whistling wind, creating a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere.
At that moment, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind. Without looking, Alia knew it was Viktor.
Viktor: "What are you doing out here in this cold so late? And this song... who is it for?"
Alia stopped singing and turned toward him. Her eyes were still glistening with tears.
Alia: "It's for no one, Viktor. I'm just saying goodbye to my old self. I want this wind to wash away all my pain."
Viktor touched her cheek. The wind grew stronger, but in Viktor's embrace, Alia found a strange warmth. That dark Russian night, filled with the melody of Alia's song, birthed a new mystery.