It was miraculous how the world revolved and changed with every passing moment. The meeting of Mafia Queen Alaina and Rose's parents was cut short due to the magnanimity of the event and then Sierra and Vincent had thought that this might be the first and last time of confrontation with the mafia rulers yet unknown to them it was merely the beginning.

From then onwards Rose was frequently invited to the Axaina palace in Switzerland to celebrate events as common as friendship day and as profound as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Aurora also visited their home in Italy when she was traveling with Ares for he was attaining his education from the place or sometimes with her parents when they were on a vacation.

Days passed into months and months concentrated into years, and over time the bond was strengthened to somewhat consider them having close ties and alliances beyond what was considered professional. Since Aurora favored Rose, it was only natural that the entire circle of her acquaintances held the innocent girl in high regard yet Rose was neither the one to boast nor the person who sought attention thus even the matter of being so close to the only princess of the empire was taken as something that was not meant to be flaunted but preserved.

They were best friends and thus the angel felt her utmost love and devotion to her friend instead of any greed and lust for power.

"I have packed an entire closet of teal colored dresses! A-and the bow-ties that you have suggested, those stickers that mom got from me from Spain.

Ho il mio spazzolino da denti e le ciabatte di pelliccia di ciliegia.... oh Dio, sto avendo un attacco di panico."

(I have my toothbrush and cherry fur slippers .... oh God, I'm having a panic attack)

Rose blabbered in Italian whenever she was nervous, and right now it seemed to be the best time to lose her wits. Her bodyguards driving two cars ahead of her, while two black Phantoms were following her medium-paced car as she was visiting Axaina Palace once again.

They were already within the seven-kilometer radius of the castle and due to the King and Queen being out to Russia, the place was even more tightly sealed thus it required them four check posts to pass inside this inner circle which accessed the necessary protocol of supervising each vehicle through sensors.

"Come se tu fossi mio amico a causa delle tue stupide pantofole... stupido, sono in ritardo perché ci sarà una bufera di neve in arrivo, non perché il mondo sta finendo."

(As if you were my friend because of your stupid slippers ... silly, I'm late because there will be a blizzard coming, not because the world is ending.)

Rose whined not paying attention to the way those words slipped past the lips of the mafia princess, earlier it used to be like a miracle when Rose was most of the time startled with how many languages Aurora could converse in fluently yet now it was like winds blowing past.

"Alright Rose sweety, listen to me, take a deep breath and chant 'I can do this' till you reach my home since now I need to go to my hotel room. The blizzard is going to hit the city in the next seven hours and dad has given strict instructions to the bodyguards to take me to the next city so I need to get going."

"Y-You remain safe alright, eat frequently and cover yourself well, don't let the winter wind get into your body, ah, and turn the heater in full blasts!"

"Yes ma'am!"

The phone was disconnected with a beep and then the holy chant of 'I can do this' began. The most terrifying part was not staying without Aurora, it was more about being alone with her crush.

It was already one year since Rose came to know Ares through the photo in Aurora's box and since then her heart had been unable to relinquish the feeling of liking him. She was not ready at all, not ready to come to see him infront of her.

She wanted him to like her, would he like her? The girl wanted to rip off her silky strands in anxiety and nervousness.

Was it too late to run away? Rose took a shaky breath in when she realized that yes it indeed was, as her guards parked the car infront of Axaina Palace.

She had arrived a day early in Switzerland only to find out that Aurora's flight has been delayed due to blizzards. Although the girl could afford the best hotels in the country but her best friend insisted to live in her house.

And after getting a glimpse of the castle years ago, Rose knew exactly why.

She was a Cattaneo princess and her safety was always at stake but not here...not even a person can breathe without getting it noticed in this place.

The guards were heavily guarding the arena, not even a single car was visible in the route from miles away from here. This was a web impossible to reach unless permitted to...The underworld establishment to the most powerful mafia family, their dream home.

Rose stepped out of the car trembling when a guard came forward bowing respectfully.

"Miss Cattaneo, please, this way." Two bulky men followed the lead taking the suitcases from Rose's hand as their chief led the way.

It was a windy day with dark grey clouds looming over, the intoxicating scent of flowers swirled around the girl whose mouth was gaped open with the magnificence she saw.

White lotuses were floating in the crystal blue lake which had a small wooden bridge that connected two sides.

It looked as if she had been transported to an ancient era. The little girl almost jumped when she saw a pair of black swans in the pond forming the heart shape with their crimson beaks, there were white ones as well, their icy feathers fluttering as they swam from one place to another. Last time these things were not here.

Did they renovate with magic?

Till the time Rose had reached the inside part of the palace grounds she wished she could go out again, Switzerland was known for its coniferous trees yet she had seen an apple orchard and strawberry creepers on her pathway to here. God knows what else was in here.

If previous times were stunning then this was something magnanimous beyond comprehension.

PAST

Rose fiddled with the strap of her backpack, being terrified of the castle grounds. She felt it was a maze and if she got lost she might disappear with a poof. Earlier being surrounded by her best friend she never noticed how scary can this castle could be if one lost their way. The anxiousness on her face was evident and it looked as if she was going to meltdown before a meek 'hello' left her mouth.

The mafia prince was raged, not only the little devil did not come but also left him to take care of god knows which spoiled child of a forsaken clan.

He of course had known about Aurora's best friend but could not help and think that no one was worthy enough to get closer to his precious sister. His entire life has been spent among these clans and he had never met a person who was devoid of greed, they wished for something or the other from him and it might be the same for Aurora yet since his parents approved he too had somewhat of a much better view of this 'best friend' than others.

The angry steps caused Rose to stiffen and look up at the balcony to see the man in complete black with dark ripped jeans and a shirt that was folded up to his biceps only to contract around it making her face flustered like a peach.

ARES

Aurora's brother

Mafia Prince

The person whose picture was shown to every clan to let them know the hierarchy of the rulers but that was not the only picture she had seen of his, not the only side she was made aware of.

He was a god.....her crush.

Before Rose realize that the man she was watching was not a mirage and could cry from nervousness, stormy irises locked with her warm honey ones and the steps halted making her freeze.

Real

He was infront of her.

He saw her...

Ares looked at the girl who he was sure was no older than thirteen, clutching her belongings close like a timid rabbit watching a scene unfold yet being hauntingly unaware of her charm and aura. She was adorable with wide fearful eyes that had a tinge of excitement, she was an angel.

A precious doll

It was like the air got knocked out of his lungs and he was left breathless when she took a step back as he slowly receded down the steps in a haze. The flowery dress made her look like a Disney princess that came straight out of a fairytale. Those tales of elves and fairies all coming to life.

She looked anywhere but at him when he walked toward her, his head bending down to look at her opalescent eyes which now watched his every step keenly. Ares could not tell why but he felt a sudden tinge of pain in his heart, such a precious person, and how come he thought bad of her.

"What is your name doll?" warmth spread bursting in each pore all the while filling it with a sugary sweet feeling when the frail princess relished in the deep voice of Ares.

He gently took her suitcases in one hand while the other palm left feathery touch on hers as he took her small palm leading her into the castle.

"Rose" she whispered biting her teeth into the red flesh of her supple lips, the man said absolutely nothing but smiled as his eyes twinkled.

The hallways were long and well furnished with high almighty ceilings, chandeliers pouring out light, they stopped infront of a door carved with turquoise flowers patterns.

"This will be your room princess, once you get settled down, please come to my room, we need to have a very important discussion." Ares pointed to the door beside her, indicating that it was his personal suite and the matter was serious.

Was it?

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"Not to scare you Rose but you have broken the rules of the palace, even if I want I cannot exempt you from the punishment." Rose stiffened, she was not knowing that there were a set of etiquettes that one had to follow and thus did everything out of instinct.

"W-What did I do? What will I-I do now?"

"When you came inside, you did now bowed down your head infront of me so you have to do it now and then I can decide your punishment."

"p-punishment?" the girl got teary-eyed, she just got here and she actually managed to embarrass herself infront of her crush...

She bowed, soft black hair reflecting light, and the braids bounced down in the process, the heart of the mafia prince broke with how divine Rose was, she did not even challenge him.....that needs to be changed, she should bow to no one, listen to no one......not even him and do whatever she wished for.

His frame emerged closer as he pressed a very light kiss to her scalp making the girl gasp lightly while he arranged her small braids in the process, those luscious hair patterns left a silky texture of touch on his calloused palm.

His body moved away giving her space as the tears that previously gathered in those cocoa pools of innocence were forgotten. Rose hated people coming into her personal space but the way Ares did it, with those kind touches that were devoid of all malice and greed. The way he smiled at her so brightly....was this alright to do?

"What do you love doing in your leisure time?" Rose was in a flustered, dazed state when her mouth automatically replied.

"ballet" as soon as the word left the lips, her eyes widened. She just started learning!

"Then you will dance for me.....that's your punishment princess."

"I c-can't, I d-don't do it well." a palm patted her head softly making her break out from the fear.

"I will not judge you, Rose."

PAST

ROSE 13

ARES 17

The Cattaneo princess remained afraid and wary, people were not always kind, and assuming that everyone was good because they have sweet-talked you can be lethal. For the next few days after she met Ares, Rose maintained a safe distance.

What if he was merely engaging and indulging with her because he was nice and she was his sister's friend but in reality he hated her. What if he was disgusted with her? the thought brought nothing but pain and agony to the innocent girl who felt her heart breaking.

It was morning when she sneaked out after having breakfast, Ares was in a meeting so he had sent a female guard to give Rose a hearty meal of whatever she loved, the black-haired beauty was moved by his kindness and told to thank Ares in return from her side.

When the guards watched the thirteen-year-old girl bouncing in the gardens from one rock to another and plucking red strawberries they turned a blind eye and minded their own business.

Rose was content, she searched the whole garden filled with creepers and plucked the biggest and juiciest of the berries, till now she had a handful of those so she decided to ask a nearby guard for a basket.

"c-can I have something to keep these?...please." the guard bowed when he saw her palm filled and the things overflowing her dainty hand.

The said the blue basket was filled with fruits after an hour and had become too much heavy for her to carry so Rose decided it was best that now she returns to her room and sleep for a while.

The idea sounded perfect and she hummed a euphonious melody while walking as her white frock swayed with the wind.

The breeze was light and the season cloudy, with every inch of the ominous sky being covered with a blanket of clouds Rose stopped at the wooden bridge to look at the reflection of passing clouds in the lake, the swans were nowhere in sight, most likely they were under the bridge in their nest but what attracted the girl most was a big white lotus flower in the middle of the lake.

She looked around and none of the guards were at this inner side of the mansion, the girl who never got into trouble before decided to be a little rebellious that day and went down the bridge, taking off her shoes she dipped her toes in the water to check the temperature.

The artificial lagoon was shallow and was not at all enough to drown her, also her dress would not be dirtied if she would be careful.

The girl stepped her foot inside the water raising her dress above her knees to stop it from getting wet, with cautious baby steps she went further in the middle towards the lotus she wished to have.

When the desired bloom floated near her she was too excited to notice the mud beneath it making her feet slip as she fell down in the mud with a heavy thump. The mafia prince was searching for her when he saw a white visage from far away in the pond and the pretty princess lose her footing, Ares ran towards the girl.

"Rose!" Rose was blank for a moment, all dirtied by mud with soil splashed on her face ,flock all stained, her ears started ringing as soon as she heard Ares's call. She did not even dared to look up as tears filled her eyes.

The water sloshed and Rose trembled in terror, now he would not be nice to her, he would truly hate-

"Baby" Ares cupped her face gently, wiping off the mud on her cheeks and nose.

"Here, don't cry doll. You almost made it there." The man plucked the big white lotus from its floating leaves and kept it infront of Rose, who looked at him in utter surprise, the shame washing away. Those dusty cyans had nothing but concern and longing.

"Y-You got dirty for me?" Her voice was a whisper as she saw his shirt no better than her own dress.

"Absolutely not! I saw a fairy in pond and wished to catch hold of her. My intentions are pure evil." Rose giggled forgetting every little insecurity as Ares spread his arms to welcome her into his hold to take her out of this mess.

_______________________________________________________

"Half of your berries belong to me now." Rose gasped as Ares took a handful of her hardwork washing it in the sink.

Her hair was wet from a fresh bath, clothes new and fresh while Ares changed too. Rose pouted when he also took the lotus from her hand washing its petals, before she could protest he cut down the dark green stem placing the snow lotus on her shiny black head making her look as if she descended from a ancient tale.

A flash made Rose blink in surprise as she realized Ares has taken a photo of hers with the flower at the top of her head which was bigger than her face.

"See, I caught the fairy."

Rose blushed at his compliment while he ate the strawberry appreciating her.

"This one is juicy" She nodded shyly as he kept the berry infront of her mouth as she took a bite.

"You broke the rules again....are you ready to pay for your sins." the girl slowly chewed on the fruit inside her mouth as her cheeks turn pink.

"O-Ok"

"Let me kiss your head then."

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