The night in Milan didn't feel like night.
It felt like a warning.
Cold wind slipped through the cracked windows of the estate, carrying with it the distant hum of the city… and something darker. Something watching.
Aria stood alone in the corridor, fingers brushing against the wall as if grounding herself in reality.
But reality had already shattered.
She wasn't the same girl anymore.
Not after the blood.
Not after the truth.
Not after him.
---
Raiden watched her from the shadows.
Silent. Still. Dangerous.
There was something different about her now.
The fear was still there—but it no longer controlled her.
And that… scared him.
Because fearless people in his world didn't survive.
They burned.
---
"Stop watching me like I'm going to break," Aria said without turning.
Raiden stepped forward slowly.
"You already did," he replied.
She turned then, eyes meeting his.
"And yet… I'm still here."
That hit deeper than any bullet.
---
Before he could respond—
A loud crash echoed through the estate.
Glass shattered.
A gunshot rang out.
Then another.
---
"Stay behind me," Raiden snapped instantly, pulling her close.
But Aria didn't hide this time.
She stepped beside him.
"Together," she said.
---
Men stormed the lower floor.
Black suits. Masks. Precision.
Il Principe's men.
---
Raiden moved like death itself.
Cold. Fast. Merciless.
One shot.
One body.
Another.
Aria's heart pounded—but her hands didn't shake this time.
She remembered.
Breath steady.
Trigger firm.
She fired.
---
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Deadly.
---
Then—
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
---
A slow, mocking applause echoed from the entrance.
Both of them froze.
A man stepped into the light.
Elegant. Calm. Smiling like sin itself.
---
Il Principe.
---
"Well done," he said smoothly. "You learn fast, Aria."
Her chest tightened.
"You wanted me?" she said, voice steady despite the storm inside her.
His smile widened.
"I always want what belongs to me."
---
Raiden stepped in front of her instantly.
"She's not yours."
---
Il Principe tilted his head.
"No?" he chuckled softly. "Then why does her bloodline lead straight to me?"
---
Silence.
Sharp.
Explosive.
---
Aria's breath caught.
"What… does that mean?"
---
Raiden's jaw clenched.
But Il Principe answered first.
"Oh, he didn't tell you?" he smirked.
"Your father didn't just fight us, Aria…"
He stepped closer.
"He worked for me."
---
Everything stopped.
---
"No," she whispered.
---
Raiden's silence was the real answer.
---
Her heart cracked.
"Raiden… tell me he's lying."
---
But Raiden didn't speak.
Didn't move.
Didn't deny it.
---
And that was enough.
---
Something inside her broke.
Again.
But this time…
It didn't hurt.
It turned cold.
---
Il Principe smiled.
"There it is… the truth."
He extended his hand.
"Come with me, Aria. And I'll show you who you really are."
---
Raiden moved instantly, grabbing her wrist.
"You're not going anywhere."
---
For a moment—
Just a moment—
She was caught between them.
Two devils.
Two truths.
Two worlds.
---
Then—
She pulled her hand away.
---
But not toward Raiden.
---
Silence shattered.
---
Raiden's voice dropped, dangerous… broken.
"Aria."
---
She didn't look at him.
Because if she did—
She might choose him.
---
"I need the truth," she whispered.
---
Il Principe smiled.
Raiden's world cracked.
---
And just like that—
The war changed.
---
End of Chapter 35