Forbidden Bonds of Blood & Love
Episode 𝟑 ~Finally home: A wisℎ came true
Authyy~
i hope you all are fine
**The iron gates groan open as Asteria steps onto the long stone pathway leading to the mansion. She clutches her old bag, her heart pounding. The estate is enormous-too perfect**
Asteria (fl/orphan)
*mesmerized* wow...so big
Zaiden Giovanni (Fl's adopted-dad)
*warm smile* Welcome, Asteria, from today onward, this will be your home
Asteria (fl/orphan)
*hesitant* Home?
(She doesn't know what that word truly means.)
Zaiden Giovanni (Fl's adopted-dad)
come inside.
**He leads her through the grand double doors. The entrance breathtaking-marble floors, crysta, andeliers, and walls, lined with paintings. Asteria shifts uncomfortably, feeling out of place.**
**Two figures approach-a tall, older man in a crisp black suit and a woman with a warm but formal expression.**
Zaiden Giovanni (Fl's adopted-dad)
*gesturing to the older man* This is Mr. Whitmore, the butler of Giovanni Manor
Mr. Whitmore (butler)
*bowing slightly* A pleasure, Miss Asteria. Should you require anything, do not hesitate to ask.
Asteria (fl/orphan)
*awkwardly* Uh... nice to meet you?
Zaiden Giovanni (Fl's adopted-dad)
*gesturing to the woman* And this is Mrs. Hawthorne, the housekeeper.
Mrs. Hawthorne (housekeeper)
*smiling gently* "Welcome, dear. We've prepared a room for you.
Asteria (fl/orphan)
*glancing at Zaiden* So... what exactly am I supposed to do here?"
Zaiden Giovanni (Fl's adopted-dad)
*calmly* Live. This is your home from now on.
**Asteria stares at him, unsure what to say. For the first time in her life, she isn't being asked to take care of anyone else. No younger children to feed, no bedtime stories to tell. Just... her. It feels strange. Almost too good to be true.**
Mrs. Hawthorne (housekeeper)
*gently* Come, dear. Let me show you your room
Asteria (fl/orphan)
**hesitates for a second before following, casting one last glance at Zaiden. The mansion is beautiful, but she can't shake the feeling that something more lies beneath its perfect surface...**
Mrs. Hawthorne (housekeeper)
This is your room *gesture towards the room*
Asteria (fl/orphan)
*went inside*
Asteria (fl/orphan)
it's pretty *mesmerized*
Mrs. Hawthorne (housekeeper)
*smile gently* freshen up...I'll call you when the dinner is ready...nd call me if you need anything *left*
Mrs. Hawthorne (housekeeper)
*knock knock* Young miss Asteria, the dinner is ready. please come downstairs.
Asteria (fl/orphan)
ok. I am coming...
*wears it and went downstairs and sat on the chair*
**Asteria sits stiffly at the long dining table, the golden candelabras casting a warm glow over the polished wood. The room is eerily quiet except for the soft clinking of silverware being set. She's never eaten in such a grand setting before, and she can't shake the feeling of being out of place**
**Zaiden takes his seat at the head of the table, his sharp eyes sweeping over her before he turns his attention elsewhere.**
Zaiden Giovanni (Fl's adopted-dad)
Vincenzo. Eryx. Alastor. Luciano. Leonardo
**The heavy double doors swing open, and five young men enter, each distinct yet carrying an air of power and refinement. Asteria's grip tightens around the edge of her napkin**
Vincenzo Giovanni (ml1)
*the eldest, tall and composed, takes the seat to Zaiden's right* Father *His voice is deep, his expression unreadable*
Alastor Giovanni (ml2)
*Sharp-eyed, reserved, adjusting his silver cufflinks before sitting silently*
Eryx Giovanni (ml3)
*Leaning back in his chair with a lazy smirk* Didn't expect company tonight. Who's the girl?
Leonardo Giovanni (ml4)
*Intimidating, tilts his head, studying her with quiet curiosity*
Luciano Giovanni (ml5)
*calm and composed, sharp-eyed*
Asteria (fl/orphan)
*swallows, unsure what to say. The atmosphere is heavy, as if some unspoken rule has been broken by her mere presence at their table?
Zaiden Giovanni (Fl's adopted-dad)
*❄️*This is Asteria and she will be staying here. She is your sister from now on, so treat her accordingly.
Vincenzo Giovanni (ml1)
*after a brief silence, he lifts his wine glass* Welcome, then." *His tone is cold and polite, but his gaze is unreadable*
**One by one, the others nod, though Eryx seems to watch her with amusement, and Leonardo still looks unconvinced. Asteria isn't sure if she's being accepted or tested**
Asteria (fl/orphan)
*quietly* Thank you...
Asteria (fl/orphan)
*picks up her fork, wondering if she just stepped into something far bigger than she ever imagined*
Asteria (fl/orphan)
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Vincenzo Giovanni (ml1)
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Comments
Heulwen
I couldn't put this book down, it had me hooked from the first page.
2025-02-21
1