SERAFINA MORETTI

Serafina cuts a striking figure with her dark, wavy hair framing, piercing green eyes, and a physique sculpted by years of relentless training.

Her character melds sharp intellect with unwavering independence and a fierce loyalty to her family's storied legacy.

Raised under the formidable shadow of her influential father, she deftly maneuvers through the perilous realm of organized crime, blending cunning strategy with undeniable charisma.

Beneath her steely exterior, Serafina grapples with the ache of unrequited love for Lucien Beauchene. His enigmatic charm and complex depths draw her in.

Beyond her mastery in combat, sharpshooting, and shrewd business sense, Serafina strives to reconcile her dual identities: a formidable mafia operative and a woman yearning for a profound connection with Lucien.

Low alcohol tolerance and wants to dance on the table when drunk.

LUCIEN BEAUCHENE

Lucien Beauchene, aged 30, stands as the poised heir to the French Mafia, known for his sharp intellect and unwavering loyalty. 

His commanding presence, complemented by piercing blue eyes and a muscular frame, reflects a blend of strength and charisma.

Raised within the Beauchene dynasty, Lucien was groomed from youth to lead with a mix of criminal savvy and business acumen. 

Yet, beneath his calculated façade lies a man driven by profound care, especially for Serafina.

From their early years, he watched over her with a protective instinct that transcends mere duty.

His commitment to Serafina is not just strategic; it's personal. His readiness to act decisively, even before their marriage, underscores a depth of feeling that goes beyond the shadows of their clandestine world. 

For Lucien, she represents more than an alliance; she's a person he's willing to protect at any cost.

Also, he drinks cold coffee to cope up with sadness.

Other Characters:

 Michele Moretti : Serafina's stepbrother.

Maria Moretti : Serafina's mother.

Tommaso Moretti : Serafina's father

Luca Marchetti : Serafina's right-hand man.

Raphael Laurent : Lucien's right-hand man.

Salvatore Beauchene : Lucien's younger brother.

Charles Beauchene : Lucien's father.

Madeline Beauchene : Lucien's mother

Eleanor Walton : Lucien's girlfriend.

Lilliana Zanetti : Serafina's best friend.

Gabriella Silvestro : Serafina's best friend.

Coming to you on August 4, 2024.

Trigger Warnings:

Violence

Sexual Content

Substance Abuse

Manipulation and Coercion

Emotional Turmoil

Strong language

._.Playlist._.

"You're Not Sorry" Taylor Swift

"I Did Something Bad" Taylor Swift

"Illicit Affairs" Taylor Swift

"The Way I Loved You" Taylor Swift

"You Belong With Me" Taylor Swift

"Mad Woman" Taylor Swift

"All Too Well" Taylor Swift

"Don't Blame Me" Taylor Swift

"Teardrops on My Guitar" Taylor Swift

"The Story of Us" Taylor Swift

"Blue Jeans" Lana Del Ray

"Serial Killer" Lana Del Ray

"Love" Lana Del Ray

"Summertime Sadness" Lana Del Ray

"Young and Beautiful" Lana Del Ray

"Brooklyn Baby"  Lana Del Ray

"Sad Girl" Lana Del Ray

"Gods & Monsters" Lana Del Ray

"Call Out My Name" The Weeknd

"Can't Feel My Face" The Weeknd

"In the Night" The Weeknd

"Crush Culture" Conan Gray

"Astronomy" Conan Gray

"The Cut That Always Bleeds" Conan Gray

"Comfort Crowd" Conan Gray

"Lookalike" Conan Gray

"Movies" Conan Gray

"Checkmate" Conan Gray

"Heather" Conan Gray

Around 6 to 7 chapters will be posted per month. 

Your lovely writer believes in edging.

...Troupes ...

Arranged Marriage

Unrequited Love

Love Triangle

Enemies to Lovers (Subverted)

Broken Heroine

Dark Romance

Tragic Past

Emotional Distance

Forced Proximity

Internal Struggle

Forbidden Desire

Grief and Loss

Power Dynamics

Miscommunication/Secrets

Revenge

...Dedication ...

...To the dreamers and the fighters,...

For those who navigate the fine line between duty and desire, excelling in their craft even when love seems just out of reach. 

This is for the Serafinas of the world, who may not always find luck in love but always find strength in themselves.

In every story, there are those who make sacrifices and those who keep fighting, even when their dreams seem out of reach. 

I wrote this for those of you who keep fighting against all odds. I hope you can keep finding the strength within yourselves to overcome whatever obstacles you face. 

...Keep dreaming, and keep fighting....

...SERAFINA...

Early twilight painted the sky in shades of orange and pink, creating a paradoxical cover for this dark land.

The cold October breeze signaled the approach of autumn. I had always harbored a soft spot for autumn. I loved its paradoxical nature—it was chill, yet it brought warmth and comfort.

Loved ones drew closer, seeking solace in each other's company.

But for me, autumn meant longing for something more—a yearning for the freedom that always seemed just out of reach.

While I had material wealth, it was the freedom of choice that the less fortunate seemed to possess.

It was the power to shape one's destiny, to make decisions without societal or familial constraints.

But in my world, fate was predetermined. Individual rights held little value.

As the product of a fateful marriage, I was a pawn in a power game played by two influential families.

My life belonged to those who sought to control and manipulate it. I was merely a commodity to be traded, married off, or discarded at will.

Within the Mafia world, there were two paths for girls—the Warriors and the Wives. The Warriors were trained to fight from an early age, wielding knives at eight and guns by fifteen.

The Wives were groomed for grace, poise, and charm, playing with Barbie at eight and learning etiquette at fifteen. But I defied these roles.

I was a mix of both Warriors and Wives, shaped by circumstances beyond my control.

Raised without my parents' guidance, I navigated the Mafia world alone. I had a soft heart that yearned for love and compassion, but my hands were stained with the blood of those who crossed my path.

My first kill was a turning point, a memory so vivid and raw that it remained etched in my mind like a scar. I was 15, just a girl by most standards, but the rage boiling inside me was anything but juvenile.

I remember, the air was heavy with the scent of rain, and the storm clouds had gathered ominously, mirroring the storm brewing within me .

My father had always been a easy going person, a trait that often was a bad advantage for him in our dangerous world. 

And hence he fell prey to betrayal. And that night, betrayal had come in the form of a trusted associate—a man who had dared to poison him.

I had watched as him as he writhed in agony, the poison coursing through his veins, and the sight had awakened something dark and primal within me. 

The doctors had managed to save him, but the damage had been done. 

The man responsible had to pay.

I and Michele, found him hiding in a rundown warehouse on the outskirts of town. He was a coward, trembling at the sight of us, but my heart was cold, her mind focused on one thing—revenge.

As I approached him, the memory of my father's pain fueled my anger. 

The man pleaded, begged for mercy, but  fifteen year old Serafina was beyond hearing. 

Her hand gripped the knife with a steadiness that surprised her. 

She was only 15, but she felt like she had lived a hundred lifetimes in that moment.

"You tried to kill my father," I hissed, my voice low and menacing. "You thought you could get away with it?"

He tried to speak, but I silenced him with a swift slash of the blade. 

Blood spattered across my face, warm and sticky, but I didn't flinch. 

I felt nothing but a cold satisfaction as I watched the life drain from his eyes.

I was no longer just a girl; I was a killer. And in the Mafia world, that was the only way to survive.

I was an enigma in a world that thrived on power and control.

Despite my defiance, my family hadn't disowned me. They knew that severing ties with me would mean my father's death.

My father, once an average Mafia member, had risen to become a powerful caporegime in the past six months.

It was thanks to a mission I led during the summer that brought him recognition. In return, he promised to find me a suitable husband, a reward that felt more like a punishment.

At twenty years old, I had already made a name for myself in the Mafia world.

While my peers dealt with university dramas and crushes, I was immersed in a world of bloodshed and violence.

My education extended beyond textbooks; it was a deadly curriculum that taught me the art of killing.

Amidst the darkness, one person shone like a beacon of light—Lucien Moreau, known as "The Prince" in the underworld. Tall and charismatic, he ruled his Mafia empire with a firm hand. His otherworldly beauty left women ranging from 19 to 69 soaked, and I was no exception.

Lucien's father and mine had been friends since their early days in the Mafia.

While Lucien's father built his realm through determination, my father's path was marred by gambling losses. 

Six months ago, my father's fortunes changed, and he became a capo. All thanks to my deeds.

Lucien had been a constant presence in my life since childhood. He took me to parks and fairs, allowing me to experience normalcy amidst chaos.

But he also taught me the dark arts—blades, firearms, and lethal skills. He was my confidant, mentor, and a source of warmth that transcended traditional familial relationships.

With each passing day, my feelings for Lucien deepened, blossoming into something forbidden yet undeniable.

He  was everything she wasn't. Where I was fire, he was ice, calm and composed even in the most chaotic situations. 

His mere presence had a way of soothing the storm inside me, a storm that had been brewing for years in the world of bloodshed and power plays. 

He was the one person who saw me, truly saw me, beyond the façade I had to wear as a Mafia princess.

He made me feel... safe. Not in the traditional sense, because there was nothing safe about Lucien or the world we lived in. 

But when I was with him, I felt like she could let her guard down, even if just for a moment. 

In his eyes, I wasn't just the Moretti heiress, destined for a life of arranged marriages and power struggles. 

I was Serafina, the girl who loved the crisp autumn air, who longed for freedom, who had a soft heart hidden beneath layers of steel.

He had taught me how to survive in a world that would me her up and spit me out if I showed any sign of weakness. 

And yet, with him, she didn't have to be strong all the time. With Lucien, I could be vulnerable, even if just in the privacy of my thoughts.

His eyes softens when he looks at me, the rare moments when the walls he kept so carefully constructed would come down. 

It was in those moments that I felt a warmth I couldn't find anywhere else. 

A warmth that made my heart ache with a longing so deep, it terrified me. 

I loved him with a ferocity that matched the rage I felt when she thought of losing him. 

And that was the scariest part—loving someone in a world where love was a weakness.

But with Lucien, love didn't feel like a weakness. 

It felt like strength, like something pure and powerful that could cut through the darkness of our lives. 

He calls me his "Perle," his pearl, and every time he did, it was like he was reminding me of my worth, of the beauty he saw in me even when I couldn't see it myself.

When he looked at me, it was like he could see right through to my soul, and in those moments, I feel like I was more than just a weapon, more than just a pawn in a deadly game. 

Lucien made me feel alive, in a way that nothing else did. He made me want to fight for something more than just survival. 

He made me believe that maybe, just maybe, there was a future for us, a future where we could be together without the weight of our families' expectations hanging over our heads.

But that future was as uncertain as everything else in their world. 

For now, all I had were these stolen moments, these memories of him that I clung to like a lifeline. 

Because no matter how dark things got, no matter how many bodies I had to bury, Lucien was the light that kept me going. 

He was my strength, my weakness, my everything. And that terrified me more than anything else.

Because in our world, love was dangerous. And loving Lucien? That was the most dangerous thing of all.

I still remember the tender moment when he kissed my cheek, his eyes filled with pride as I stood first in my class.

He had become more than just my Polaris; he was my forbidden love, simmering beneath the surface, yearning for release.

I sat cocooned in my silk blankets, gazing out at the tranquil scene outside. 

Lush green mountains, a beautiful sky, acres of meadows, and a serene pond a few meters away from the mansion.

Yet this tranquil scenery did nothing to soothe my mind. I was exhausted. Exhausted as fuck.

The previous night had been filled with tension as we received news of Russian spies infiltrating one of our drug stash houses.

Glancing at the clock, I realized it was almost 6 AM—a reminder that the world outside was awakening. I shook off the drowsiness and prepared myself for another day at university.

As I made my way to the garage, I saw a tall figure leaning against a sleek black Audi. 

It was Lucien.

Sometimes, he would drive me to the university and I'd happily spend the rest of the day, giggling on the 45-minute drive.

I enjoyed watching him as he sat beside me, his face a balm for my tiredness.

With a skip in my step, I approached his car. "Good morning," I greeted him with a smile.

"Morning, Perle," he responded, returning the smile. "Let's get you to university before you're late," he suggested, gesturing toward the open car door.

"Of course," I agreed, eagerly sliding into the passenger seat.

As the engine roared to life, he turned his attention to me. "So, what are your plans for your birthday?" he inquired, his eyes filled with genuine interest.

"Nothing much," I sighed, feeling a sense of resignation. "It's just another birthday, after all."

"Don't be so dismissive, Perle," he chided gently. "It's supposed to be fun turning 21. How can we not celebrate it in grand style, darling?"

I shrugged, uncertain. "I don't know. Birthdays have never been a big deal for me." Birthdays are just a celebration for surpassing your death date every year.

There is nothing so special about it. Life and death are seconds apart in my world. But also, turning twenty-one meant entering a new chapter of my life—one that would inevitably lead to marriage.

"Well, this one should be," he insisted, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "We'll make sure it's unforgettable."

Our conversation drifted to his work, and he shared the latest updates from the underworld.

He spoke of the thriving weed supply, the success of illicit businesses, and the safety of all things illegal under his watchful eye.

Every word he uttered seemed to wrap me in a sense of calm and security, offering respite from the harsh realities of my world.

Just as usual, his words faded away in the background and my focus lingered only on his face and his soul. Dressed in a sharp, three-piece silver suit with a thin blue tie, he exuded an aura of power and sophistication.

The suit clung to his body like a second skin, accentuating his every contour. He could have easily graced the covers of fashion magazines as a supermodel if he wasn't a mobster.

As the car came to a stop, I knew it was time to go. Reluctantly, I tore my gaze away from him and mustered a smile. "I should go now," I said, my voice tinged with renewed energy.

"Yes, have a good day," he replied, his eyes filled with warmth. "Good day, Perle," he called after me as I stepped out of the car, his words lingering in the air.

The day unfolded in its usual routine, with classes and interactions with friends and acquaintances.

During university hours, I spent time with Cynthus, a handsome gay man who had become a close friend.

After my lectures, I visited my usual café, studying for the upcoming exams. Some days, I'd be so exhausted or tangled into webs of meetings and preparations that studying was impossible.

Even if I had exams the next day, I'd be in one of my clubs negotiating a drug deal or attending a party full of fake smiles and grey lies.

So, whatever limited time I got for studying, I'd give it my best shot.

Finally, after spending my whole afternoon at the café, I called my driver, and he took me back to my house. As I entered, I was greeted by my mom.

She greeted me with a simple "Good evening," to which I responded with a nod and a soft "Good evening."

"Freshen up, I need to talk to you, Serafina."

As I headed to my room, I couldn't help but reflect on my life and surroundings. My mother's voice was a constant in my world, yet I felt like a stranger in my own home.

The mansion, with all its grandeur, felt like a cage. Every ornate detail, every lavish room, was a reminder of the life I was trapped in.

I longed for simplicity, for a life where I could make my own choices, where my worth wasn't determined by my family's legacy or the blood on my hands.

I freshened up and changed into something comfortable, letting out a sigh as I looked at myself in the mirror.

My reflection stared back, eyes tired but defiant.

I wasn't just a Mafia princess; I was Lady Moretti—strong, capable, and longing for freedom.

When I returned to the living room, my mother was waiting, her expression unreadable. "Sit," she said, her tone softer than usual.

I sat down, bracing myself for whatever she had to say.

SERAFINA

The room felt powerful, a constant reminder of her authority in our family.

"Why did it take you so long, Serafina?" she asked impatiently.

I approached her cautiously, trying not to make her angrier. "I'm sorry, mother. I was talking to Michele," I replied politely.

She narrowed her eyes, studying me closely. "You need to manage your time better, Sera. Small talk can wait. We have more important things to discuss."

I braced myself for the lecture that usually followed our conversations. But deep down, I wondered if there was more to life than just the Mafia world. Was there a way to break free from the restrictions that bound me?

My mother's intense gaze interrupted my thoughts. "Your twenty-first birthday is coming up, Sera," she stated matter-of-factly. "And you know it's a crucial milestone for our family."

I nodded, understanding the importance of turning twenty-one. It meant I would be pushed into the world of arranged marriages and alliances, where others decided my future.

"We have found a suitable match for you," she continued, her voice lacking emotion. "He comes from a respected Mafia family with power and influence." She smirked.

Silence filled the room as I processed her words. Another pawn in the game of power, forced to marry someone I didn't know.

It was a destiny the women had reluctantly accepted, but deep down, they longed for a say in their own life.

But, I am Serafina Moretti. I reluctantly shape my destiny.

"I don't give a flying fudge to it, mom. I get to marry when I want, and I choose whom I will marry."

"Seraf-"

I cut her short, "Save that explanation for father, mom."

Saying this I left

The following days were filled with melancholia. The only best things my days had were the car rides with Lucien or girly gossip with Gabby and Lilly.

***

Today we were discussing a crucial strategy for our upcoming drug deal. The tension was palpable in the room, and I was sitting there with my veins popping out. My father won't listen. The plan he and his old men are suggesting is shit.

It's like giving open ground to the law to come and get us. No covers at all. Because of their outdated techniques, last time my brother was shot and nearly arrested.

"No, Serafina," my father said firmly, his voice echoing through the room.

"What I am suggesting is the best."

I clenched my fists under the table, struggling to keep my composure.

"Father, if we don't adapt, we'll be exposed. My plan minimizes that risk. Last time, because of the same plan as this, Fratelllo was shot and nearly caught."

His eyes hardened. "Enough. Your brother was caught because of his mistake. He didn't take the cue, and he was caught. My decision is final."

"It's easy for you to say so because you have never been on the ground with the enemies surrounding you. You don't know the tension a soldier has there; it's easy for you to make loose plans, get people killed, then pay condolences to their family and move on.

Saying this, I got up.

"I don't give a damn about your plan. My men won't be a part of this."

I left the meeting abruptly, the tension unresolved. I stormed out of the room, my frustration boiling over.

As I stepped into the hallway, I saw Lucien standing outside the mansion, just as we had agreed.

His presence for me was the ultimate solace.

Without a word, I walked straight to him and wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his chest.

He hugged me back, his arms strong and comforting around me.

"Hey," he whispered softly. "It's okay."

I didn't respond; I just held onto him, letting in his warmth and steadiness.

I just held him in complete silence. Only the sound of chirping birds and the distant rustling of the leaves, were creating a soothing background music.

Breathe Serafina.

I breathed in his Iris scent, which soothed my frayed nerves.

..."𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑙? 𝐼𝑡'𝑠 𝑠𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔."...

..."𝑀𝑦 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑢𝑚𝑒. 𝐼𝑡𝑠 𝐵𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑡 𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑠 540. 𝐷𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑖𝑡?''...

..." 𝑁𝑜. 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑠𝑒. 𝑀𝑦 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑡 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑠𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠."...

..."𝐼𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑜?''...

...''𝑌𝑒𝑠.''...

..."𝑆𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙?"...

..."𝑂𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝐼𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑒."...

After a few moments, I pulled back and looked up at him, grateful for his silent support.

"Let's get out of here," I said quietly.

Lucien nodded, understanding without needing to ask. 

We left the mansion and drove to the beach, the salty breeze and crashing waves providing a much-needed escape from the tension of the day.

We walked along the shore, the sand cooling beneath our feet. The water glowed golden as the sun began to set.

For a while, we just walked in silence, letting the serenity of the beach wash over us.

I couldn't help but admire Lucien's calm demeanor. 

He had this way of making everything feel less complicated, even when my world was spinning out of control.

I glanced at him, wondering how he managed to stay so composed amidst the chaos of our lives.

As we continued walking along the shore, I remembered a time when family dinners were filled with laughter and warmth, before the weight of the Mafia world turned them cold and distant.

The memory of my father's rare, genuine smiles felt like a distant dream.

After he became a Capo, everything changed.

Lucien, sensing my shift in mood, gently squeezed my hand. "You okay?"

I nodded, but the truth was, I wasn't. The beach, with its soothing sounds and tranquil setting, only made me more aware of how far I was from the life I once imagined. 

I thought about the arranged marriage and the loss of freedom that awaited me.

"You know," I said, my voice wavering, "sometimes I wonder if there's a way out of this. If there's a way to be more than just a pawn in this game."

Lucien stopped and looked at me with a seriousness I rarely saw. "I wish I could give you a simple answer, but I know that's not how this world works. All I can promise is that I'll be by your side, no matter what."

He pulled me close, and I felt the warmth of his body against mine. "You're stronger than you know, Serafina. And maybe, just maybe, we can find a way to change things together."

After a while, he spoke. "You want to talk about it?"

I sighed, kicking at a seashell. "It's my father. He doesn't trust my judgment. Every time I try to prove myself, he shuts me down. And the fact I've already proved myself to him, doing the most undreamable thing for him and yet he still shadows my thoughts"

Lucien stopped and turned to face me, his eyes filled with understanding. "It's tough, being in that position. But he does it because he cares, even if it doesn't feel like it. When I was your age, after my 16th kill my father thought I was finally worthy of something to do in this world. So cheer up, we have a very long way to go"

"Killed my 30th man yesterday... Isn't that enough?"

He acted surprised for a second and let out a laugh.

"Damn woman, you should be a mobster already.''

"Exactly, I have the responsibilities of a mobster but not its title.'', I scoffed.

I looked out at the horizon, the endless expanse of the ocean reflecting my turmoil.

"I just want him to see that I'm capable, that I can handle more responsibility."

He reached out and took my hand, his touch grounding me.

"He will, Perle. You're strong and smart. It's just going to take time."

We continued walking, the conversation flowing more easily now. 

We talked about our dreams, our fears, and the weight of the lives we were born into.

Lucien shared stories from his childhood, and I found myself laughing, the tension slowly melting away. He always has a story about him to tell whenever we meet.

His tales are never ending.

"You know," Lucien said, a smile playing on his lips, "when I was a kid, I used to think I would grow up to be a race car driver. My mom had to hide my toy cars because I'd race them down the stairs."

I laughed, picturing a young Lucien causing chaos with his toy cars. "I can totally see that. Did you ever get into trouble?"

"All the time," he admitted, grinning. "But it was worth it. Those were the days when everything seemed so simple."

I looked at him, admiring the way the fading light played on his features.

"You've always been driven, haven't you?"

He nodded, his expression turning thoughtful. "I guess so. But it's different now. There's so much at stake."

I felt a pang of sympathy, understanding all too well the pressures he faced.

"It's hard, isn't it? Balancing what we want with what we have to do."

"Yeah," he said softly. "But it helps to have someone who understands.

"We continued walking, the conversation shifting to lighter topics.

We reminisced about the places we used to go as children, the mischievous adventures we had, and the dreams we had shared.

As the sky darkened and the stars began to appear, we sat down on the sand, the cool night air wrapping around us.

I leaned against Lucien, feeling more at peace than I had in a long time.

"Thank you," I said softly. "For being here, for understanding. Always."

He smiled, his arm around my shoulders. "Always, Perle. I'm here for you, no matter what."

He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from my face.

"You're strong, resilient, and passionate. And I admire you for that."

"Take things easy and you'll be fine. And if they are not, we can shoot whoever that bothers you in their head."

"Even it is my father?''

"Yes if he hurts my precious Pearl."

His words were like a balm to my wounded pride, and I found myself leaning into his touch, seeking comfort.

"You know," I said, breaking the comfortable silence, "I think we should do this more often."

Lucien looked at me, his expression soft. "I'd like that. It's nice to get away from everything and just be ourselves for a while."

I nodded, feeling a sense of contentment I hadn't felt in a long time.

As we walked back to the car, I realized that this night had been a turning point.

It was a reminder that, no matter how complicated our lives became, we still had each other.

And in that moment, that was enough. We sat on the hood of the car, staring out at the waves. I took a deep breath and decided to share something that had been weighing on my mind.

"Lucien," I began hesitantly, "my mother talked to me about marriage yesterday."

He turned to look at me, curiosity and concern in his eyes. "Oh? What did she say?"

I shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "Just the usual. She thinks it's time I settled down, find someone to marry. You know, for the sake of alliances and all that. She said they have found someone for me. But I don't know if I want to marry him or not. I am leaning more towards the 'no' side. What if he is a very old guy? And his children are of my age?"

"That's a nightmare.", he laughed.

"I mean I have to accept whatever happens, its not like the deal can be compromised. I just feel that... I should get the chance to fall in love and make someone fall for me. I want that freedom."

He kept staring at me the whole time I was speaking.

He is the only one who makes me feel heard.

In this world where even loud screams are turned a deaf ear, he doesn't let my whisper go unheard.

"If you don't like your husband, try to call the marriage off."

"What if nobody listens?", I asked him.

"La nuit va tomber pour toi, mon ami. Le prince parlera.", he laughed.

Night will fall for you, my friend. The prince will speak.

The rhythm of the waves was soothing, a gentle reminder that even in our chaotic lives, there were moments of calm.

"Let's build something," Lucien suggested, breaking the silence with a playful grin. "Something to take our minds off everything."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Like what?"

He grabbed a nearby stick and began drawing in the sand. "How about a sandcastle? It's been years since I last made one, and I'm curious to see if I still have it in me."

Mind you, as playful as he is now, he is deadlier than this in the battlefield.

I chuckled at the thought. "You're on. But let's make it a bit more interesting. How about we build the most elaborate sandcastle we can and see who can come up with the best story about it?"

Lucien's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Deal."

We set to work, the soft, cool sand slipping through our fingers as we sculpted towers and walls. Lucien's concentration was intense, and I couldn't help but smile at his determined expression. I found myself lost in the simplicity of the task, the worries of the day fading as we built our sandy fortress.

As we worked, we chatted and laughed, sharing stories and childhood memories. Lucien recounted his mischievous adventures with toy cars, and I told him about the time I attempted to bake a cake for my father's birthday, only for it to turn into a disaster.

Our laughter echoed over the beach, mingling with the sound of the waves. The sandcastle slowly took shape, a testament to our shared effort. The sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon with hues of orange and pink.

Finally, we stepped back to admire our creation: a sprawling castle with turrets, a moat, and even a tiny bridge. It wasn't perfect, but it was ours.

"It's a masterpiece," Lucien declared, surveying our work with satisfaction.

I laughed and nudged him playfully. "I think we make a pretty good team."

He looked at me with a tender expression. "Yeah, we do. Sometimes it's nice to step away from all the chaos and just be ourselves."

We sat down beside the sandcastle, the cool breeze brushing against our faces. As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, I felt a sense of peace I hadn't experienced in a long time.

"This is exactly what I needed," I admitted, leaning against him.

Lucien wrapped his arm around my shoulders, his warmth a comforting presence. "Me too. It's moments like these that remind me what really matters."

We sat in companionable silence, the sounds of the beach a gentle backdrop to our shared contentment.

For a brief moment, the weight of our responsibilities and worries felt lighter, and the world seemed a little more manageable.