CHAPTER 125: THE PROPHECY

The courtyard lights shuddered as if the mansion itself recoiled from the old man’s presence.

Galiver stood unmoving, framed by fog and moonlight, the black envelope gleaming in his hand like a weapon.

Alessia’s pulse hammered in her ears. The man smelled of soil and smoke — as if he had crawled from his own grave to deliver this message.

Luca stepped forward, his expression unreadable, his aura tightening into something dangerous. The guards raised their guns, waiting for a single nod.

He gave none.

"Lower your weapons," Luca ordered, his voice calm, but it cut through the air like a blade.

"But sir.... " Fredo his personal body guard tried to speak

"I said lower them." Luca said in a commanding tone.

The guards obeyed. The night seemed to hold its breath.

Galiver’s lips curved faintly. "Still commanding death with a whisper, I see. You haven’t changed, Don Luca."

Luca’s jaw tensed. "And you shouldn’t be standing here, Galiver. You died eleven years ago. I buried you myself."

The old man’s smile deepened. "Ah... Then it seems the grave didn’t want me either."

Alessia shivered. The man’s voice carried the kind of chill that slid under your skin and stayed there.

"What do you want?" Luca demanded.

Galiver held out the black envelope. "Not what I want, Morano. What the world beneath demands."

Luca didn’t move. "Speak plainly."

"I came to deliver a prophecy, like I told you earlier," Galiver said. His voice grew heavier, each word dragging like iron chains. "One that begins with your woman, and ends with your bloodline."

Alessia stiffened. "Me?"

Galiver’s eyes... a piercing gray — shifted toward her.

For a heartbeat, the world seemed to tilt. "You carry something ancient inside you, child. The book recognized it. That is why it let you live."

Luca’s hand shot out, grabbing Galiver by the collar. "You stay the hell away from my woman."

The old man didn’t flinch. "If I meant harm, she would already be gone."

Luca shoved him back, eyes blazing. "You have ten seconds to explain before I end whatever life you have borrowed."

Galiver adjusted his coat and exhaled slowly. "Then listen well, Don Luca. The prophecy was sealed centuries ago, written in the blood of the first Morano, and hidden within the black book your woman just found."

Alessia’s heart sank. "The same one I left in the ruins?"

Galiver nodded. "Yes. That book was never meant for mortal hands. It’s a key — to a contract older than any empire your family built."

Luca’s gaze darkened. "What contract?"

"The contract of dominion," Galiver said. "The one that bound your ancestors to power and death in equal measure. Every heir who bears the name Morano inherits a curse — and a crown."

Silence fell.

Alessia whispered, "A curse?"

Galiver turned toward her. "The curse of the black throne. The Morano who breaks it will either save the bloodline... or end it forever."

Luca’s jaw flexed. "You came back from the dead to tell bedtime stories? , My late father told me before his dismissal..."

Galiver chuckled softly. "Mock it if you wish. But the signs have already begun. The moment she touched the book, the curse reawakened. The air you breathe in this mansion now belongs to it."

As if on cue, a low rumble echoed through the ground — faint but undeniable. The chandeliers above swayed gently.

Luca’s expression didn’t waver. "I’ve dealt with curses, Galiver. I destroy them."

The old man shook his head slowly. "Not this one, Don Luca. This time, the curse wears your own face."

A hush spread through the courtyard. Even the fog seemed to thicken, holding its breath.

Then Galiver opened the black envelope. Inside was a single blood-red card. The seal glowed faintly in the moonlight — the Morano crest burned into the wax.

Luca snatched it and tore it open. His eyes scanned the text — then froze.

"What is it?" Alessia asked.

He didn’t answer at first. His knuckles whitened as he crushed the letter in his fist.

"Luca..."

He looked up, voice cold. "It’s a summons from the Council."

Alessia frowned. "What Council?"

Galiver’s eyes gleamed. "The Council of Shadows. The ones who decide which families live... and which disappear."

The words struck like thunder. Alessia felt her stomach drop.

Luca’s tone was steady, but rage burned beneath it. "No one summons me."

"Not unless the balance has shifted," Galiver said quietly. "You have broken too many unspoken laws, the other families are uneasy. And now that the prophecy has reawakened... they want the throne decided."

Alessia’s voice trembled. "Throne? What throne?"

Galiver turned to her, his gaze heavy with pity. "The one your husband never wanted, but was born to inherit — the Black Throne of the underworld."

Her breath caught.

Luca’s silence said enough.

Galiver stepped closer. "In three nights, Don Luca, the Council will gather in Palermo. You will either claim your right... or the Morano name will be erased from history."

The old man’s eyes softened for the first time. "This is not just about power It’s about blood. Your bloodline is thinning. The curse will not wait much longer."

Luca’s teeth clenched. "If this is your idea of a threat.... "

"It’s not a threat," Galiver interrupt. It’s a warning."

Then, before anyone could blink, his figure began to fade - dissolving into smoke and dust until his voice lingered...

"Remember, Don Luca... the one who sits on the throne will lose the one he loves most."

And then he was gone.

The courtyard fell silent. The coffin behind him crumbled into ashes.

Only the scent of grave dust remained.

*********

Inside, Alessia sat beside the fire, staring at the flames, her fingers knotted tightly.

Luca stood by the window, back turned, his reflection fractured in the glass.

"You are quiet," she whispered.

He didn’t respond.

"Tell me what you are thinking." Alessia said softly.

He exhaled slowly, shoulders tense. "I’m thinking that bastard was right about one thing. The Council won’t wait. If they want the throne decided, they will force it — through blood."

Her brows furrowed. "What happens if you refuse?"

"They will come for me," he said simply. "And everyone tied to my name."

"Including me." Alessia asked.

He turned, his eyes dark and resolute. "Especially you."

Alessia swallowed hard. "Then we face them together."

He shook his head. "No. I won’t let them use you as leverage."

"Luca... " she said

"No." His tone left no room for argument. "You don’t know what these men are capable of. They don’t kill for power ... they kill for entertainment."

Her eyes glistened. "And you think I will just hide while they destroy you?"

He stepped closer, cupping her face roughly but tenderly. "If loving you means becoming their enemy, I will burn their whole empire down."

Her breath trembled. "You already did."

A faint smirk tugged his lips. "Then I will finish what I started."

The fire cracked between them.

Then Luca pulled her closer, his lips brushing her temple. "You will stay inside the estate, No one leaves, Not Daisy, not the guards, not you."

"But.... " she tried to argue

"That’s an order, Alessia." luca said.

Something inside her broke, but she nodded.

"Fine. But if you walk into that Council alone, don’t expect me to sit here quietly."

He looked down at her, his expression softening. "You’re the only one who ever dared talk to me like that."luca said to her.

"Someone has to remind you you’re human." she added.

He chuckled lowly, then caught her chin, pressing a slow, grounding kiss to her lips. "And someone has to remind you that loving me comes with war."

When he pulled away, the warmth in his eyes was replaced by the cold fire of strategy.

"I will leave at dawn," he said. "But before I do, I need to make sure this mansion becomes a fortress."

********

By midnight, the Morano estate buzzed with quiet chaos. Guards doubled at every exit. Cars rolled in from the private docks.

Daisy entered Luca’s office, clutching a folder. "The men are ready. Palermo’s route is clear, but... there’s a problem."

Luca didn’t look up from the map he was studying. "What kind?"

"Bianca." Daisy responded.

The name froze the room.

Romeo stiffened near the doorway.

Luca’s tone dropped. "What about her?"

Daisy hesitated, glancing at Romeo. "She’s back."

His heart skipped. "What?"

"She showed up at the southern gate," Daisy said, voice trembling. "Covered in blood. She said... she has something you need to see."

Luca’s eyes darkened like a storm. "Where is she now?"

"In the west wing. The medics are tending to her."

He started to move, but Romeo blocked him. "Don’t Don luca. It’s Bianca..... she’s dangerous."

"I know exactly how dangerous she is," Luca said evenly. "That’s why I’m not letting her out of my sight again."

Daisy’s voice lowered. "There’s something else. She kept saying a name... over and over."

"What name?" Luca asked.

Daisy’s lips trembled. "Làpátàsodà Vàlká."

Romeo froze. The world tilted.

Luca’s eyes flicked to her ... sharp, searching. "làpátàsodá Vàlká ?"

Daisy nodded. "She said she’s coming for her and that she’s not the same woman anymore."

A chill swept through the room.

Luca turned away, gripping the edge of his desk until the wood creaked. "Get her cleaned up. I will deal with her in the morning."

"Yes, sir." Daisy hurried out.

When the door shut, Romeo said, "Luca... what if old witch really.... "

"she’s alive," Luca cut in, his voice low. "But if Bianca’s involved, it means she’s walking straight into whatever this prophecy is."

He met his cold gaze — the same darkness in his eyes that had once made empires tremble. "And I’m done letting fate write our story."

********

The wind howled outside as the clock struck three.

The estate was silent , very silent.

Alessia lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts tangled in fear and longing. Somewhere down the hall, she could feel Luca’s presence, pacing, planning, plotting the war ahead.

Then.... A scream shattered the quiet.

She bolted upright.

Another scream — sharp, terrified, feminine. Daisy’s voice.

Alessia rushed into the corridor, barefoot, heart pounding. The hall lights flickered wildly as she neared the west wing.

The guards were gone. The door to the infirmary hung open.

Inside, Bianca sat upright on the prisoners bed — her white dress soaked in blood. But it wasn’t her wounds that froze Alessia’s breath.

It was what Bianca held.

A folded parchment. Glowing faintly red.

Bianca’s lips curled into a trembling smile. "she’s here."

"Who?" Alessia whispered.

Bianca’s voice cracked with eerie calm. "The witch Larissa and làpátàsodá Vàlká...."

Then the parchment burst into flames.

The window shattered — and a shadow moved outside.

A tall, cloaked figure stood under the moonlight, his eyes burning with something not human.

And when he lifted his head, Alessia’s world stopped.

"Valká ..." she breathed.

She smiled — but it wasn’t the sisterly warmth she remembered. It was colder, sharper.

"Hello, Alessia," she said softly. "Did you really think destiny would let you leave without me?"

The lights went out.

And the Morano estate plunged into darkness once again...