THE HEIR’S BRIDE

"This is a bad idea and I know it", Elsa thought as she smoothed a stray strand of her brown black hair into place. “How did I let them convince me to do this”. Her fingers trembling ever so slightly. . She tilted her head and looked at her reflection. The crimson-red dress sparkled with tiny crystals as she moved. She looked exactly how her father wanted:elegant, composed, and obedient. But to her, she felt like a doll dressed up for a show. As she glanced at herself, she didn’t see Elsa. She saw the Moretti daughter She pressed her palms against the cool surface of the vanity, trying to steady her breath. She didn’t want to cry. Not here, not now. A soft knock interrupted her thoughts, the door creaked open, and her mother stepped in. “Elsa,” Rosa Moretti said gently, closing the door behind her. “You’ll ruin your hair if you keep touching it.” Elsa dropped her hands into her lap, her fingers knotting together. “I needed a moment.” Rosa’s gaze softened as she crossed the room, her silk dress whispering against the marble. She was as graceful as ever, with a beauty that had faded only slightly with age, though her eyes carried the weight of decades of compromise. “You’re perfect,” Rosa said, as though she, too, had long ago accepted the weight of their family’s legacy. “And you’re nervous,” placing a hand on Elsa’s shoulder. It wasn’t a question. “Wouldn’t you be? He’s twice my age, Mama. And I don’t even know him.” Rosa’s fingers tightened slightly, “Victor De Luca is a powerful man. He will protect you.” “But who will protect me from him?” Elsa whispered, her voice barely audible. Her mother didn’t answer. Instead, she crouched down beside Elsa, smoothing a hand over the hem of her dress. “This is not about what you want, my love. It’s about the family. "You’ve always known this day would come,” she said reassuringly before walking out the door. Elsa wanted to scream, to argue, to ask why it had to be her. But the words her father had spoken echoed louder than her defiance. "This is your duty." She sat back holding back tears “Elsa, they’re waiting for you downstairs,” her older sister, Claudia, said from the doorway, her tone clipped. “Papa doesn’t like being kept waiting.” “I’ll be down soon,” Elsa replied, Claudia lingered for a moment. “You should be grateful,” she said finally. This alliance will keep us all safe. It’s an honor.” Elsa didn’t reply, as Claudia’s footsteps retreated down the hall.” Grateful. The word felt like a slap. How could she be grateful when her life was no longer her own? Behind her, the sound of footsteps drew closer. Her brother Marco appeared in the doorway, his expression guarded. “Papa wants to see you, everyone is waiting” he said simply, his tone giving nothing away. Elsa turned, meeting his gaze. For a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of pity in his dark eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it had come. “Of course,” she said, keeping her voice steady even though her stomach was in knots. Marco stepped aside, and she walked past him, her chin held high. The engagement party was already going on when Elsa walked into the big ballroom. Her heart was beating fast. People were laughing, talking, and glasses were clinking. But as soon as she entered, the noise went down. Everyone turned to look at her. Their eyes followed her with every step she took, and it made her feel even more nervous. Still, she kept walking with her head up. A man in a tuxedo approached her, a polite but distant smile on his lips. "Miss Moretti, your father is expecting you," he said, offering his arm. Elsa nodded, she followed him through the crowd. Each eye seemed to follow her, and she wanted nothing more than to disappear. When they finally reached her father, Elsa’s breath caught as her eyes fell on Victor De Luca, the man she was promised to. Tall and broad-shouldered, his graying hair and sharp features gave him a commanding presence. Victor De Luca was a man she had known for years. His graying hair gave him an air of authority. But Elsa’s gaze was swiftly diverted to the man standing at his side. “Elsa,” her father’s voice cut through the haze of her thoughts. “Come, greet Victor and his son.” Elsa forced a smile, lowering her head slightly. “It’s an honor, Mr. De Luca.” She stood before them, and though she exchanged pleasantries with Victor, her attention was stolen by the cold presence beside him. Alex De Luca. His eyes, dark and unreadable, scanned her with a dismissive coolness that sent a shiver down her spine. His jaw was sharp, his features chiseled, and he stood with a casual air, as though the entire room, no, the entire world was beneath him. He didn’t offer a handshake or even say hello. Instead, he looked her up and down slowly, as if he was checking if she was good enough. The way he stared made her feel small, like she didn’t matter at all. It was clear he wasn’t impressed, and that only made her feel worse. Then, finally, his lips curled into a smirk. “Well,” Alex said, his voice a slow, deliberate drawl. “Isn’t this charming?” She forced herself to speak, keeping her voice steady despite the flood of irritation rising in her chest. “Yes, I’m sure it is.” Alex raised an eyebrow, not looking impressed. “I don’t think we’ve met,” he said as he leaned in a little, coming just close enough to make Elsa feel uncomfortable, like he was invading her space. “But I’m sure we’ll fix that soon.” There was nothing polite in his words, only the unsettling certainty of someone used to getting what he wanted. “Yes,” she replied, her voice almost a whisper. “I’m sure.” Her father, oblivious to the tension between them, clapped Victor on the back and led him away. Alex, clearly enjoying the discomfort he had caused, stood back slightly, folding his arms across his chest, and continued to study her as though she were nothing more than an object for his amusement. As her father called her over to join him and Victor, Elsa could feel Alex’s eyes on her back. The weight of his stare burned into her skin, and she fought the urge to look back at him. As she moved away, her thoughts spun, a mix of confusion and frustration clouding her mind. How could her life be so intricately entwined with someone like him? Elsa realized she wasn’t just walking into a marriage. She was stepping into a world of power, manipulation, and ruthlessness. A world ruled by men like Alex. And the worst part? She was stuck there, with no way out.