Chapter 30: The weight of power
Donato dropped to one knee before the king, head bowed in respect.
"Rise," the king said, his voice deep and calm.
"You have served us well, Donato Morano.
Both with your loyalty and your discretion."
Donato stood, meeting the king’s gaze. "It was an honor."
The king nodded. "A man of few words. Just like your father."
Then, with a gesture, he called forth a servant who approached with a small wooden box, polished and heavy-looking.
The king opened it and turned it towards Donato.
"Gold," he said simply. "A token of appreciation. Nothing compared to what lies ahead for you, but still earned."
Donato accepted the box with a slight bow. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Now," the king added, a hint of seriousness returning to his tone, "follow me."
Donato’s heart raced, not from fear but anticipation.
They walked through the ancient corridor of the castle until they reached a black iron door.
No handles. No keyhole. Just a shimmering panel with numbers.
The king stepped forward and pressed a sequence: 3-9-0-1-7-8. A faint beep.
Then a deep click echoed through the silence.
The door creaked open.
Inside, the room was nearly pitch black.
Yet in the center, resting on a pedestal of stone, a faint glow pulsated.
The black book.
Even in its sealed casing, it looked alive. Powerful. Ancient.
Donato stepped closer, and the king reached forward, lifting the glowing container with both hands and offering it to him.
"This is it," the king whispered. "But be warned. It’s locked in a container that mimics the book. Only the fingerprint of the true bearer can open it. Not mine. Not yours ,unless it’s meant to be."
Donato’s eyes widened, but he didn’t hesitate. He took it, holding it with the reverence of a sacred relic.
"Thank you," he murmured, unable to hide the small smile tugging at his lips.
The king’s expression softened. "I hope you know what you’re walking into."
"I don’t," Donato admitted. "But I’ll figure it out."
*****
In their guest room, Enzo was tossing the last of their clothes into a bag, eyes flicking nervously toward the door.
When Donato walked in, he didn’t speak. Not immediately.
Enzo broke the silence. "Did the king give it to you?"
Donato didn’t answer.
"Sir.. Donato."
Still nothing.
Enzo dropped the shirt in his hand. "The book. Do you have it or not?"
Donato finally turned, his voice cold and flat. "Yes. He gave it to me."
Enzo exhaled sharply. Relief mixed with something else in his eyes, greed.
But Donato didn’t give him the chance to get close to it.
He had already tucked the sealed book inside a compact pouch strapped to his chest.
There was no way Enzo would touch it without killing him first.
And he knew Enzo wasn’t brave enough for that.
The door creaked open.
Princess Elowen stood there, her long silver robe swaying with the breeze.
Enzo excused them to have some moments together.
Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes lingered on Donato.
"So," she said softly, "this is goodbye?"
Donato nodded. "It has to be."
She stepped forward and hugged him tightly, pressing her cheek against his chest. "I wish you didn’t have to leave so soon.
But when you return, if you do know that you’ll always have a place here."
Donato pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes. "You’ve given me more than I came for."
She smiled, though her eyes betrayed the sadness beneath. "And maybe... one day, I’ll help you fix what was broken. With the woman you had a child with. Your hidden heir."
Donato’s breath caught. He hadn’t expected her to mention that.
"I haven’t even seen my son," he whispered.
"Then maybe," she said, brushing his cheek with her fingers, "you should start by being the kind of father he needs. And the man she deserves."
A few moments later, they were ready to leave.
The King instructed four guards to escorts them to the edge of the forest, along them was princess elowen.
It was a narrow path, surrounded by thick bush and rocks. According to the map, it led downhill to a nearby city where they could get transport back to Morano territory.
Funny how the journey to find the book had taken a cursed map and a hidden code, but returning was... almost too easy.
Donato adjusted the strap across his chest, ensuring the book was snug against his heart. Enzo carried both of their travel bags, trying to act composed, but Donato noticed the sweat dripping down his neck.
"You sure you can carry that?" Donato asked.
"I’ve carried worse," Enzo muttered, avoiding eye contact.
They began the long walk through the bush.
Behind them, Elowen watched in silence until their figures disappeared into the trees.
*******
Back in Morano
The skies were grey. The mood even darker.
Alessia stood by the tall glass window in the study, arms crossed over her chest, her eyes staring at nothing.
She hadn’t heard from Luca. Not even a message. Luca had been quiet, brooding, and buried in business meetings.
But her heart was somewhere else.
With Lorenzo.
The man she once thought dead... was alive.
And now, he was somewhere—possibly planning to take her back.
She sighed deeply.
Just then, a knock echoed at the door.
A guard entered, giving her a slight nod. "Madam... the men your husband sent to track Lorenzo have returned."
Alessia’s heart skipped.
"Where is Luca?" she asked quickly.
"In his office. He told us to inform you first."
That was odd.
"Bring them in."
The door opened wider, and two guards stepped in.
One of them was bleeding slightly from a cut on his forehead.
"What happened?" Alessia asked, her voice sharp.
"We found Lorenzo," one of them said. "Cornered him. Almost had him... but he escaped. Slipped through a train station before we could intercept."
Alessia’s breath hitched. "So... he’s still out there?"
"Yes, madam. But not far. We’re sure he’ll resurface again."
As the guards stepped out, she reached for her phone.
Just as she began to dial Luca, the door slammed open.
Luca stood there, his jaw clenched, eyes dark with a storm of rage.
"You knew," he growled. "Didn’t you?"
Alessia blinked. "What?"
He strode across the room, tossing something on the floor in front of her. A photo. Of her. And Lorenzo.
Alessia froze.
It was from the day Lorenzo woke up. She had leaned close. Maybe... maybe she’d looked too soft, too familiar.
"Luca, I.... "
"I sent men to get him. Why did you allowed him touch you like that? ," he snapped.
"I just—he appeared out of nowhere! I was in shock.... "
"I don’t want excuses," Luca bit out. "Not when everything around us is falling apart. My brother is missing. Enzo vanished. And now this?"
She stepped forward, tears pricking her eyes. "Luca, I didn’t do anything wrong."
"Then prove it," he said coldly. "Tell me where Lorenzo is."
"I don’t know"
"Then maybe you should start remembering."
His words sliced deeper than any blade.
Before she could respond, Luca’s phone rang. He yanked it out of his pocket and answered, still glaring at her.
He was silent for a moment. Then his expression shifted.
"What?" he barked into the phone. "Say that again."
A beat.
He turned toward Alessia, eyes widen....
Bianca stepped into the room just as Luca ended his call.
The way his voice had dropped low, careful and edged with something unfamiliar, made her paused.
Pretending to be concerned, she tilted her head with practiced curiosity.
"What’s going on?" she asked, voice soft, almost too soft.
Alessia was seated nearby. Her hand gripped the edge of the couch, knuckles white. But the moment Bianca entered, she stepped toward Luca, steady but trembling, as though her body fought every step.
She placed her arm gently on Luca’s shoulder, leaning into him.
He reached around her waist to hold her in place supporting her like a fragile flame about to flicker out.
Alessia’s eyes lingered on the intimate pose for a second too long. "Are you alright?" she asked, but the question was hollow. She wasn’t looking at Bianca.
Her attention remained on Luca, on the arm wrapped around his ex. on the subtle way he shielded her.
Luca’s gaze never left Bianca’s face. His tone was dry. Controlled. Dangerous.
"How’s the baby?"
Bianca blinked, then smiled slowly, smug, with a hand falling protectively to her stomach.
"He or she is fine. Forming well... for you," she said sweetly, eyes locked on his.
Alessia flinched.
It was small. A slight pull of her lips. But Luca noticed. She shifted in his arms, and her hand clenched at her side as a cough escaped her throat, wet, painful, sharp.
He steadied her quickly, concern flashing in his eyes.
"I’m fine," she whispered, though her chest still rose and fell unevenly.
But her silence screamed louder than her words.
Luca held her for a beat longer before turning his attention back to Alessia.
His voice was no longer soft.
Bianca’s smile faded, just slightly.
"I got a bad news on the phone call," Luca said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone again.
He unlocked it.
"What is it?" Alessia asked, trying to peek at the screen.
Luca didn’t answer right away.
He looked up slowly, jaw clenched, his expression unreadable but his silence roaring.
When he finally spoke, his voice was like ice cracking under pressure.
"Donato’s hidden heir..." He paused, eyes flicking briefly toward Alessia.
"He’s been kidnapped."...