The Dark Duchess

Alessia POV I stood beside my father, Don Slayer as we surveyed the empire. We do this once in a while and I'm always happy to walk around the empire with my father. My mother died after giving birth to me and my father and I had been the apple of each other's eyes. The Italian sun cast a golden glow over the sprawling estate, but I knew the darkness that lurked beneath. My father had built this empire and his clan on blood, sweat and tears. I smiled remembering how my father handled and trained me. I can literally spar with a man and win him. That's how much my father wants me to carry the empire's legacy but I have my own path I want to take. If my father is alive then everything should be fine right? "Alessia, you're my legacy" he said, his voice low and gravely. "One day, you'll take over the family business" I nodded, feeling a weight if responsibility settled upon me. I'd always known this was my fate, but a part of me longed for freedom. My father's empire was a prison I had been in since I was born, funny how I did not even know what the world outside looks like and I have never had a friend like any other child would do. This empire is one that came with expectations and danger. As we walked, I couldn't help the feeling of being trapped. My father was grooming me to be just like him, ruthless and calculating which I already am. My father gripped my shoulder and I turned to him. "You're strong, Alessia. You will make a great leader" he said. I forced a smile, hiding my true feelings. I knew my father loved me but he also saw me as a tool, a means to an end. I was the future of the Slayer empire, and I'd do whatever it took to protect it. Little did I know that my world is about to be crushed down to zero, my father will never tell me his worries, he seems to know he is dying soon but I had no idea. Though part of me rebels against the idea bound to this life. I'd heard stories of the outside world, of people living freely, making their own choice..it was a tantalizing prospect, one I'd never known. But I'm sure I'll know how the outside world feels soon. As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the estate, my father gestured to me to follow him. We walked back to the mansion, the sound of gravel crunching beneath our feet is the only sound breaking the silence. Inside, the mansion was bustling with activity. Our men were preparing for something, their faces set with determination. My father's advisors were gathered in the study, discussing strategies and plans. My father had been receiving threats for some few weeks now. I got to know about this when I picked up the mail from the empire male house some days ago. He did not want me to panic so he did not let me know but curiosity made me sneak into his office at night three days ago to know what was going on. Is that what they are preparing for? Or is something going to happen to the empire. I was in the dark and I knew nothing about what they were doing. After the meeting with my father's advisors, I gently walked into my father's office while staring at the bunch of documents on the table. The world is hard to understand even when you are strong, you have to be smart with it. I sat before my father who stare at me. “Alessia, do you have something to tell me?” My father asked gently, I stare at him for like five minutes before clearing throat to talk. “I saw the threatening letter” My father's expression changed, his eyes narrowing slightly as he leaned back in his chair. "You shouldn't have seen that," he said, his voice low and lean. I swallowed hard, feeling a mix of fear and defiance. "I was curious," I said, trying to sound calm. My father sighed, rubbing his temples. "I didn't want you to worry about this Alessia. It's not something you need to concern yourself with" But I was already concerned, I had seen the letter, I knew that our empire is in danger. I also knew my father was trying to protect me, but I couldn't help feeling like I needed to become more involved. "Father, you trained me to be like this, I have never been on a mission with you all, all you always tell me is this legacy will be in your hand, I want to get involve father" I said standing up, my father stood up with me his eyes pouring fire into my soul, he is angry but I don't give a damn about that right now. "Who is it?" I asked, my voice barely above whisper. My father's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with a fierce determination. "It's someone who wants to take what's mine," he said. "But I won't let them. I'll do whatever it takes to protect our empire" Deep down I was scared, I had never faced any war with them before and this will literally be my first. I sigh then bow to my father before walking away to my room. It's already dead in the night and my milk was already placed by my bedside, one of the maids did. I took the milk and stood by the window looking at the outside world of Italy. The world I have never been to throughout my twenty years of living. All of a sudden, I heard noises from outside, I took my gun and walked out of the room cautiously, my face cold. There are dead bodies of our men on the floor and more are still being shot down. Wherever the gun shot is coming from, I have no idea. “Father” I called when I remembered he went to bed earlier than me. I rushed to his room dodging bullets. I swung his room door open and all color drained from my face. Right there in front of me, Don Slayer, my father is bathing in his own pool of blood. “Father!!!”