Blood and Embrace

"I think this looks good on you," the makeup artist said with a smile on her face. The bride stared at her reflection as if she were looking at a stranger. The white wedding gown hugged her figure perfectly. The beautiful pendant resting on her shoulders made her look like she had stepped out of a fairy tale. Every strand of her dark hair had been carefully pinned into place. Her makeup was flawless. She looked beautiful.She just didn't look happy. Without saying a word, she gave a small nod, signaling the makeup artist to continue. The woman hesitated for a second before reaching for the finishing spray. Most brides she had worked with couldn't stop smiling. Some cried from excitement. Others couldn't stop talking about their future husbands. This bride,She hadn't smiled once. "It's my wedding day yet it feels like I'm walking into a prison instead of a marriage."The thought settled heavily in her chest. She slowly closed her eyes as the final touches were made. A gentle knock interrupted the silence "Come in," the makeup artist answered. The door opened slightly"I was asked to check if the bride is ready." "We're done," the makeup artist replied. The assistant looked toward the bride before lowering her head respectfully. "They're waiting downstairs." No response came. The bride simply rose from the chair, smoothing the wrinkles from her dress. Every step toward the door felt heavier than the last. Just as she reached the door, another voice stopped her. "My lady"She turned. The makeup artist smiled awkwardly. "You really do look beautiful." For the first time that morning, the bride smiled. It wasn't a happy smile It was the kind people wore when they had already accepted their fate. "Thank you."Her voice was soft. Then she walked away. The Moretti mansion had never looked so alive,hundreds of guests dressed in designer suits and expensive gowns. Classical music drifted through the halls while waiters moved between the crowd carrying silver trays filled with champagne. Every smile in the room looked genuine.Almost every smile. Because behind the laughter... Everyone knew why they were really here. "This isn't a wedding." "It's a peace treaty." The whisper spread quietly through the guests. "It had to happen." "The war has gone on for too long." "I heard three warehouses were burned down last month." "And nearly twenty men were killed." "Both families have lost enough." The conversations stopped the moment a group of elegantly dressed men entered the hall. Respect followed them like a shadow No one dared raise their voices. One elderly man adjusted his suit before speaking. "The Moretti family has arrived." Instantly, the room became quieter. A middle aged man walked forward with confidence carved into every step. Despite the smile on his face, exhaustion lingered in his eyes. Years of protecting a family had left invisible scars no expensive suit could hide. Beside him walked a graceful woman whose elegance hadn't faded with age,Mrs moretti Her gaze wandered around the room before settling on the grand staircase. "Is she ready?" she asked quietly. The assistant nodded. "They're bringing her down." The woman released a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding."I just want today to end." Her husband heard her. "So do I." Neither of them smiled afterward. Outside the mansion A line of black luxury vehicles rolled through the gates. Every conversation inside the hall died instantly. "They're here." The words traveled faster than the cars themselves. Security guards immediately straightened their posture. Even the photographers instinctively stepped backward. The first vehicle stopped. Then another and about two more vehicles Several men stepped out first. Each wore a perfectly tailored black suit with an expression that warned everyone to keep their distance. One guest leaned toward another. "I've heard they never travel without at least twenty bodyguards." "The Romanos?" "They trust no one." The final car door opened. A pair of polished black shoes touched the ground. Silence swallowed the entire entrance. The man adjusted the sleeve of his suit before calmly looking toward the mansion. His expression revealed nothing. One of the bodyguards stepped closer. "Everything has been secured." The man simply nodded. His calmness somehow frightened people more than anger ever could. "Is that him?" Someone whispered. Another person answered without taking their eyes off him. "The only son" "The future of the Romano empire." No one dared say anything else. Because everyone already knew his reputation. A man who never acted without thinking. LORENZO ROMANO He began walking toward the entrance. Every step was measured. The guards followed several feet behind him. No one walked beside him and that's because it wasn't allowed Upstairs, The bride stood behind a pair of closed double doors. Music echoed faintly from below. She could hear the guests,their laughter. She could even hear the photographers calling instructions. Everything sounded so normal Yet nothing about today was normal. A familiar voice spoke behind her. "Are you ready?" She turned slowly. Her father stood there. For a second,He wasn't the head of the Moretti family but simply a father looking at his daughter in a wedding dress. His eyes became slightly red."You look just like your mother did." She forced a smile. "I wish today were different." "I wish too daughter" Silence stood between them. Then he gently offered his arm. She stared at it. If she accepted it There would be no turning back. After several long seconds She slipped her hand around his arm. The doors slowly opened. Every guest rose to their feet. The music grew louder. Hundreds of eyes turned toward the staircase. The bride finally took her first step. Down below The groom lifted his gaze. For the very first time Their eyes met.