Hearing Viktor's chilling voice, Alia didn't back down for a second. She kept her gaze fixed downward toward the expensive carpet. As she shifted, the golden anklet on her foot let out a subtle chime, breaking the silence of the room. The glint of the gold anklet seemed to amplify her royal aura.
But a moment later, she lifted her head. Knowing exactly what was on Viktor's phone screen, she didn't falter and started arguing back.
Alia: (In a sharp voice) "If you can send spies to watch me, then you have no right to question who I talk to in my own garden. Am I your prisoner?"
Alia took a step forward, the sound of her anklet becoming even clearer.
Alia: "Yes, Marco came. He may be the Lord of Italy, but he is part of a painful memory I left behind. Just because he touched me doesn't mean I've lost my existence. Are you so weak, Viktor, that you got scared just by seeing a photo?"
At Alia's direct defiance, Viktor threw his phone onto the sofa. He stood up, his tall frame looming over Alia like a massive shadow.
Viktor: (Gritting his teeth) "It's not fear, Alia; it's called possession. When someone else touches what is mine, I cut those hands off. Whether it's the Lord of Italy Hearing Viktor's terrifyingly serious words about possession, Alia didn't get scared; instead, she suddenly burst into a fit of laughter There was no fear in that laugh only mockery and a touch of madness. The sound of her golden anklets mingled with her laughter, creating a strange echo in the room.
Still laughing, she stepped even closer to Viktor, looking into his eyes with a tone of disdain
Alia: "Yeah? What did you say? You'll cut off his hands? Oh God, Viktor, are you crazy (Tumi ki pagol)? Do you really think this era still runs on swords and blood?"
Alia gently touched Viktor's clenched jaw with her hand, the remnants of her laughter still sparkling in her eyes.
Alia: "Look at this man's antics! With just a simple touch, you're making your mafia empire's throne tremble. What Marco did was just a farewell. But seeing this primitive jealousy of yours makes me laugh. You are truly a madman!"
Viktor was caught off guard by Alia's unexpected laughter. Where he expected her to apologize or be terrified, her mocking laughter left him unsettled. It was as if her laughter signaled that even Viktor's most fearsome side had now become a form of entertainment to her.
Viktor's angry gaze remained fixed on Alia's laughing face. He realized that scaring this girl was no longer an option; she had learned to enjoy even his madness. Viktor's gaze darkened instantly. He grabbed Alia's laughing face between his firm palms. His fingers pressed into the soft skin of her cheeks, but his eyes held a strange and terrifying obsession.
In a low, heavy voice, Viktor whispered
Viktor: "What am I? You said it just now... Madman (Unmad)? Do you even know what the word 'madman' really means, Alia?"
Alia wasn't fazed by Viktor's aggressive stance in the slightest. Looking directly into his eyes, she gave a defiant reply with a smirk
Alia: "Of course I know (Jani). Why wouldn't I? This blood, this power struggle, and your devastating sense of possession it's all just another name for madness. Is today my first introduction to your insanity?"
Alia moved her face even closer to Viktor's, her warm breath brushing against his lips.
Alia: "Only a madman can burn down his own empire just by seeing a simple photograph. and I am the queen of that very madman, aren't I? I recognize the devil inside you perfectly, Viktor."
Viktor's jaw tightened. He pulled her even closer, as if he wanted to feel every beat of her heart. In the freezing Russian night, the only sound in the room was the breathing of two "mad" souls one drunk on power, and the other brave enough to defy it. Viktor's pupils froze like ice instantly. There was no longer anger in his voice; instead, a chill had settled in that was more terrifying than death itself. He gripped Alia's chin tighter and whispered into her ear
Viktor: "Then should I end you, Alia? Should I kill you? So that no one else ever dares to touch you? So that you remain still and quiet, belonging only to me forever?"
Alia didn't move an inch even after hearing these extreme words. Her devilish smile only seemed to widen. Keeping her steady gaze on Viktor's eyes, she threw back a calm challenge
Alia: "Kill me? If you kill me, you lose, Viktor. Because you can't rule a dead Alia; you can't keep her in your possession. If you kill me, you lose the only companion of your madness."
Alia twisted Viktor's shirt collar around her finger and looked into his eyes
Alia: "You know that if I die, your empire will become a graveyard. So don't try to scare me with talk of death. Instead, tell me can this 'mad' Viktor survive even a moment without his Queen?"
A storm surged inside Viktor. It was Alia's fearless nature that consistently made him weak. He realized that threatening her with death was futile, for she had become a living volcano herself. Alia didn't want to stand there for another moment. To escape the terrifying obsession in Viktor's eyes and the pressure of his heated breath, she tried to brush past him.
Alia: (In a serious tone) "Let me go. I'm going to the washroomEnough of your madness."
Just as Alia took a step, Viktor suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her (Hat dhore tene ne) back toward him. Alia's body crashed hard against Viktor's firm chest. Her golden anklets chimed loudly at the sudden jolt.
Viktor wrapped one arm tightly around Alia's waist, ensuring she couldn't move. With his other hand, he brushed aside her messy hair and let his warm breath fall on her neck.
Viktor: (In a very low voice) "You won't take a single step out of this room before I finish speaking, Alia. I'm a madman you said it yourself. And a madman doesn't let his prey go that easily."
Alia placed her hands on Viktor's chest, trying to push him away, but his iron-like grip didn't loosen.
Alia: "Viktor! I said let me go! Are you going to use physical force on me now?"
Viktor: "It's not force, Alia; it's my right. Whether you go to the washroom or to hell wherever you go, my shadow will follow you. Especially after that Italian Lord's touch, I can't let you out of my sight even for a second."
In the silent Russian night, the tension inside the room was at its peak. Viktor's stubbornness and Alia's fearless gaze combined to signal the beginning of a new conflict. Seeing Viktor's iron-like grip and his use of force, Alia lost all composure. Instead of fear, intense hatred and disdain flashed in her eyes. Staring directly into Viktor's eyes, she spoke in an incredibly bitter tone
Alia: "You are nothing but an animal Viktor! You might have human blood in your veins, but there's only a beast living inside you. One that only understands possession and dominance, but doesn't know how to respect."
Alia tried to wrench herself free with a sudden jerk, her voice becoming even sharper.
Alia: "Does being a Mafia Lord mean being an animal? Do you think you've won by trapping me like this? With your primal strength, you might be able to imprison my body, but my heart will never be yours. You are nothing but an uncivilized beast!"
Hearing Alia call him an 'animal,' Viktor's jaw tightened. He began to seethe with rage, but Alia didn't stop. She tried to shove him away with both hands against his chest and repeated
Alia: "Let me go! I can't stand the touch of an animal anymore!"
A devastating flame ignited in Viktor's eyes. He pulled Alia even closer, his voice turning more terrifying than a whisper.
Viktor: "An animal? Yes, you're right, Alia. I am an animal. And you know, when an animal becomes feral over its mate, it follows no rules in this world." Alia's patience had finally reached its breaking point. Viktor's animalistic stubbornness and his constant attempts to restrain her drove her into a frenzy. Shaking with rage, she screamed.
Alia: "Enough, Viktor! Do not break the dam of my patience What you are doing will not end well. I will not tolerate this filth for another second!"
Just as Viktor was about to say something more, Alia used all her strength to land a resounding slap (Alia jore thabbor mare) across his cheek. The sound of the slap echoed through the silent room like the crack of a whip.
Alia's hand stung from the impact. Viktor's head snapped to the side, and the red marks of her fingers began to appear clearly on his fair skin. Alia was panting, her eyes burning like an active volcano.
Alia: (Panting) "Didn't I tell you not to test my patience? Now, let me go!"
Viktor remained still for a moment. The air in the room seemed to freeze for a second. He slowly turned his face back toward Alia. In his eyes, there was a coldness even more terrifying than rage like a sleeping volcano just waiting to erupt. In this Russian mafia empire, no one had ever dared to raise a hand against Viktor. After receiving that sharp slap, a demonic calm settled over Viktor's face. He traced the marks of Alia's fingers on his cheek. Then, he moved very slowly toward her, his voice now as cold as ice.
Viktor: "My father was right, Alia. I'm the one who realized it too late. The source of your audacity and arrogance is your family. So, from now on, all your contact with your family is cut off Alia felt as if the ground had slipped from beneath her feet. Her blood ran cold.
Viktor: (With a cruel laugh) "Yes, you heard me right. From today, you won't be able to speak to anyone outside these palace walls. Your parents, your sister no contact with anyone. I will isolate you completely from the outside world. Let's see where your fire goes then!"
Alia cried out
Alia: "No! You can't do this, Viktor! What is my family's fault? Take your anger out on me, but don't take them away!"
Viktor: "I can do anything, Alia. You called me an animal, didn't you? Now see the true form of that beast. You tested my patience; now suffer the consequences. From today, you are just a bird trapped within these four walls without wings and without a sky."
Alia realized that her one slap had awakened the terrifying dictator within Viktor. This threat of separation from her family instilled a deep fear in Alia's fearless heart for the very first time.