The Dark Duchess

CHAPTER 2 : BETRAYALS AND LOSS

Alessia POV

I rushed into the room with shaky hands, the gun had already fallen from me as I placed my father's head on my lips. He is still breathing faintly but I'm very sure he is not going to make it but I want a miracle to happen.

“A…less..ia go” my father managed to say but I shook my head, he raised his shaky hand which had an envelope soaked in his blood. My eyes went to the envelope then at him.

“Wal..k your own path” he said before dying in my hand,my heart squeezed, head hot and my bones burning. I lost the only person I ever knew, the only person I ever felt free to talk to, the only person that understood me.

“Father” I called silently before taking the envelope in his hand, I opened it and it read.

**My dear Alessia, I know you have always wanted to get to the outside world, now I'm giving you the privilege, the number below belongs to one of my most trusted allies, flee away from here, don't let any of these cruel people catch you. This is the only thing I can do before I die. I love you Sia**

I finished reading the letter and tears began rolling down my eyes, my father is gone, I've been left on my own. I heard footsteps approaching, I quickly stood up and hid behind to see who while my gun was pointed. The person entered, a tall figure and one of our men.

“You said his daughter is in the empire” the voice said since she can't figure out the face, his back is turned on her. They are looking for her.

“She was, I think she fled” one of their men that had betrayed her father said and within a blink of an eye, he was shot down. The man shot him down and cursed before leaving the room. That's her father's killer. Right then and there, I shattered my dream. I want revenge, I will take revenge on my father. I walk out of the room quietly passing by the body of guards and maid. They are so unfortunate to meet this tragedy.

I moved stealthily through the mansion, avoiding the bodies of our men and the sounds of gunfire. My heart was heavy with grief, but my mind was focused on one thing: survival. I had to get out of there and fast.

I made my way to the garage, hoping to find a car that I could use to escape. As I approached the door, I heard footsteps behind me. I spun around, gun raised, but there was no one there. I pushed the door and slipped inside, my eyes adjusting to the darkness.

I quickly found a car and started the engine, peeling out of the garage as bullets whizzed past me. Thank goodness I forced my father to teach me how to drive. I didn't know who was shooting at me, but I knew I had to get out as fast as possible.

As I drove through the winding roads of Italy, the outside world I have never been, I didn't think of it. The only image in my mind is of my father's lifeless body. I felt a wave of anger and sadness wash over me, but I pushed it aside. I have to focus on survival.

I drove for what felt like hours, finally stopping at a small motel on the outskirts of the town, I was able to know through the sign board. I checked in under a fake name, hoping to lay low for a while. Thank goodness father made one fake ID for me.

I sat in my room staring at my father's bloody letter that he left me, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. I would find out who had killed my father and I would make them pay. I would use every resource at my disposal to track them down and bring them to torture.

I looked at the number on the letter, the one my father had said belonged to one of his most trusted allies. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I could trust this person. But I had no other choice. I picked up and dialed the number, waiting for someone to answer.

"Hello?" A voice said on the other end of the line. Cold and hush.

"It's Alessia," I said, my voice shaking slightly. I didn't know what to say aside from that, he must know me since he is one of my father's allies.

"Don Slayer's daughter. My father is dead, and I need your help"

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment I wondered if I had made a mistake. But then, the voice spoke again.

"Alessia, sorry to hear about your father. I'll do everything I can to help you. Where are you"

I took a deep breath, feeling relieved. Maybe just maybe, I would be able to get through this after all. "I'm in a motel on the outskirts of the town," I said. "I don't know what to do next"

"I'm speaking with you from New York City, I will order a flight for you, early tomorrow morning you will join the flight and the ticket will be delivered to you" he said. "Just stay safe and take care of yourself" he added before hanging the call. Rude!

The following morning came as fast as I felt it was. I heard a knock on my door and quickly went there but found no one, then sighted a letter on the floor and took it. It's my ticket file to New York City.

“Oh” I mouthed before going into the bathroom to have a quick bath. I had no laugages with me so I just checked out and headed straight to the airport through the car map.

I stepped out of the car and walked into the airport, I checked in with the airport attendant and in thirty minutes, the flight to New York City began.

I'm starting a new life in 48 hours!