Hey everyone! Just a quick note—this novel has longer chapters than my usual, around 2.5 to 6k words per chapter. Because of that, I'll be releasing 3 to 4 chapters a week. If you want to get ahead, though, you can read up to 25 chapters in advance over on my Patreon:
patreon.com/thefanficgod1
Be sure to check out the auxiliary chapter and read the warnings before diving in. Thanks for giving this story a shot, and I hope you enjoy the ride!
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Nero Principe had never been much of a partygoer, but tonight was different. He had just graduated from college with honors, and his friends had convinced him to celebrate with them in style. They had rented a swanky Italian restaurant in a corner of the city to have a quiet dinner by themselves.
Nero was dressed to impress in a tailored black suit, with a crisp white shirt and a black tie. He looked sharp, that was something Old Butler, Nigel, would not let him neglect. He had always preferred quiet nights at home with a good book, but he didn't want to dampen his friends' spirits on this special night.
Nero's girlfriend since high school was Maria, a woman of unwavering loyalty, independence, and strength. She had always been at his side, joining him on outings, having fun, and conversing with his friends. Maria was a brilliant mind, having majored in art with an insatiable curiosity for innovation and discovery. She had the most boundless imagination, and paintings she created were representative of her free soul.
Anthony, on the other hand, had grown up in the harsh streets, surrounded by criminals and violence. Despite his tumultuous past, fate smiled upon him when Nero's Old Butler, Nigel, discovered him and brought him into their home to be Nero's friend and bodyguard when they were both just 14 years old. Even at such a young age, Anthony stood head and shoulders above his peers, wielding incredible strength and a powerful physique. Yet, despite his imposing appearance, Anthony had a love for literature and an affinity for poetry, ultimately leading him to major in the subject during his time at college.
Sofia was a petite and bubbly girl, who had always lacked warmth and protection. Her encounter with Anthony in high school was life-changing, as he had saved her from a group of bullies, and they had been inseparable ever since. Despite her bubbly persona, Sofia was a tech-savvy geek at heart, and had majored in computer science and coding.
Donald, a blonde victim of bullying for most of his life, was on the verge of giving up due to the constant torment. Despite his young age, he was a cripple and had to rely on a cane, which made him an easy target for cruel high school thugs. When Nero first met Donald, he felt pity and immediately offered to help. As they continued to talk, Nero realized that Donald was at a critical stage in his life, and he knew that he had to help him emerge from the darkness, or else he would be plagued with guilt if something were to happen.
Their friendship blossomed, and they eventually attended the same college, although Donald chose to major in medicine. His brilliance, even from a young age, propelled him to become the honor student he is today. His passion for medicine served as his driving force, and he persevered through every obstacle.
Finally, there was Diego, the epitome of suave charm. Despite his ability to woo and charm women with ease, Diego had always been searching for true love, and his luck in that regard had always been elusive. It wasn't until his first year of college that Diego came to realize that his unhappiness stemmed from his suppressed attraction to men. Despite still dating women from time to time, Diego came to terms with his true desires, realizing that the love he had been seeking was with a man.
Across the table, Anthony was recounting one of their high school adventures, his voice booming with laughter as he poked fun at Diego for a failed date that ended with him slipping into a fountain. Diego, naturally, was quick to defend his honor.
"Hey, not everyone can have your brutish charm, Mr. Ant," Diego shot back, flashing his signature grin. "Some of us have to work a little harder to sweep people off their feet."
Anthony smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Or into a fountain. Same difference."
Sofia giggled, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "I don't know, Diego. That fountain stunt might just be your best move yet. It's all about leaving an impression, right?"
"Impression?" Diego laughed, swirling the wine in his glass. "Try soaking wet shoes and bruised pride. But hey, at least the shoes were designer."
Nero couldn't help but chuckle at his friends' banter, even as he remained relatively quiet. It was these moments—this laughter, this lighthearted teasing—that made him appreciate them more. Each of them had their own pasts, their own struggles, but somehow, together, they fit. Maria, sitting beside him, caught his gaze and smiled softly, her fingers brushing his hand under the table.
"It's nice seeing everyone like this," she whispered, her voice gentle amidst the laughter.
"It is," Nero agreed, squeezing her hand lightly. "They've all come a long way."
As the night continued, the conversation moved from reminiscing to toasting each other's achievements. Donald, with his usual quiet demeanor, had been unusually vocal tonight, recounting his recent achievements in medical school.
"I swear," Donald said, his voice steady but with a flicker of pride, "if I have to memorize one more anatomy chart, my brain might revolt. But hey, at least I've got Sofia to blame for keeping me up late with coding puzzles."
Sofia grinned and nudged him. "Hey, consider it brain exercise, Doc. Keeps you sharp for those 2 a.m. surgeries."
"Yeah, because being awake at 2 a.m. is so fun," Donald muttered dryly, earning a round of laughter from the table.
These people—his people—had been through hell and back, yet here they were, stronger than ever. Each of them carried their own weight, their own stories, but they had chosen to stick by his side.
By the time the night began winding down, they had shared everything from food to stories, from laughter to teasing. As Nero stood to leave, offering his hand to Maria, Diego couldn't help but flash a grin in their direction.
"Leaving already, boss? You've barely had time to hear about my other fountain story."
"I think one fountain disaster is enough for tonight, Diego," Nero replied, smirking slightly. "Besides, you don't need me around to keep embarrassing yourself."
Diego clutched his chest in mock hurt. "Ouch, straight for the heart. I expected more chivalry from you, Nero."
Maria laughed, shaking her head as she squeezed Nero's hand. "You'll survive, Diego. We'll get you a towel next time."
As they said their goodbyes, Anthony raised his glass one last time, his voice deep and steady. "To us. We've made it through the worst and come out stronger. Here's to whatever comes next."
Sofia lifted her glass too, her grin playful. "And to Diego's next date. Hopefully not near any large bodies of water."
The group erupted into laughter, and with a final clink of glasses, Nero and Maria stepped out into the cool night air.
Nero led Maria to his car, the sleek black 1964 Aston Martin DB5 parked nearby, its polished surface reflecting the streetlights. As he opened the door for her, she smiled up at him.
"Still keeping the gentleman act, I see," she teased, settling into the passenger seat.
"Only for you," Nero replied, sliding into the driver's seat and starting the engine. The soft purr of the Aston filled the quiet street as they drove off, leaving the restaurant and the laughter behind them.
Maria rested her head on Nero's shoulder as they cruised through the city, the lights casting a soft glow on the streets. "You know, I never get tired of hearing everyone's stories," she said quietly, her voice a gentle murmur against the hum of the engine.
Nero smiled, his hand gently resting on hers. "Even when Anthony recounts them for the hundredth time?"
Maria chuckled softly, her voice tender. "Especially then. His retellings are always so poetic."
Nero Principe was born into a powerful family in the criminal underworld of New York. His father, a high-ranking member of the Maggia, refused to submit to Kingpin, which ultimately led to the downfall of his family. Nero's parents and siblings were all killed, but a loyal butler named Nigel managed to save him as a baby and took him away to Cambridge, where he was raised in secret.
Growing up, Nigel taught Nero the ways of the Maggia, instilling in him a strong sense of discipline, honor, and loyalty. Despite his traumatic past, Nero grew up to be a capable and intelligent young man, with a deep desire for revenge against Kingpin and those who had wronged his family.
Nigel had taught him manners, discipline, and a dress code that mostly consisted of suits. Nero's family history had always been a source of pride and pain for him, and he was determined to reclaim their place of power in the criminal underworld.
Shaking his head, Nero focused on the woman next to him. Tonight was special in more ways than one. It marked a significant milestone in their relationship. Tonight, they would finally take the next step of their love and consummate their relationship. In high school, Nigel had instilled in Nero a sense of chivalry and respect for women, which had guided him to wait until he found the right person to share such an intimate moment with.
To them, love was something that went beyond physical attraction. It was a metaphysical connection that bound them together, something that was meant to last. They had observed their peers around them indulging in momentary pleasures, but Nero and Maria knew they were different. They shared a deep bond of trust and mutual understanding that was founded upon their shared values and beliefs.
Though they had lusted after each other for years, their willpower and trust in one another had kept them from crossing that threshold. But tonight, the time had come for them to take that step forward, to express their love in a physical way.
As Nero and Maria stood before each other, bathed in the soft light of candles, they could feel the air around them thickening with the weight of their anticipation. Nero took Maria's hand in his, his eyes meeting hers in a silent understanding.
"I've waited for this moment for so long," Nero whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "But before we proceed, I want you to know how much I love you."
Maria smiled, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "I love you too, Nero," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
With a gentle touch, Nero leaned in and pressed his lips against Maria's, his heart swelling with joy and passion. And in that moment, they knew that they had made the right decision to wait, for their love was something far more profound than any fleeting physical pleasure.
As they kissed and their hands explored each other's bodies, Nero's mind suddenly went blank for a single second. In the next, his focus returned, and he pulled back to look into Maria's eyes with love and confusion. Memories flooded his mind, images of their time together, of the love they had shared. As he gazed upon the beautiful woman before him, tears welled up in his eyes. Tears were for another life he lived, one that wasn't as fortunate as him.
Nero Prince was a young man who lived a tragic life on Earth. Born into a family that was plagued by problems and strife, he was never truly loved or cared for by his parents. Growing up, Nero was always insecure and awkward, never really knowing where he fit in. He tried to escape from reality by indulging in fiction worlds, trying to forget his real world.
As he got older, Nero began to seek love and acknowledgement from those around him. He thought he had found it in his so-called friends, but they too were only using him for their own gain. They would take advantage of Nero's good nature and naivete, leaving him feeling even more alone and vulnerable.
Then, just when Nero thought he had found true love and happiness, his girlfriend betrayed him. The pain and heartbreak were more than he could bear. He felt like he had been betrayed by everyone he had ever known and loved. In his despair, Nero turned to drugs and alcohol, hoping to find some sort of solace.
But it was all in vain. The pain was too much, and Nero eventually succumbed to his grief. He died alone and unloved, a tragic figure in a world that never truly understood him.
"Baby, what's wrong?" Maria asked, concern lacing her voice as she brushed a tear from his cheek.
Nero swallowed hard, trying to make sense of the sudden flood of emotion. "I just... I realized how lucky I am," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "In another life, I wasn't this lucky."
Maria kissed him softly, her hand resting on his chest. "You are lucky. And so am I. Whatever's going on in that head of yours... we're here now. Together."
In that brief moment, he had come to understand everything - that another soul who had died in another world had been reborn in his body, but since he was still alive, the memories of that soul merged with his It was a strange and disorienting feeling, made him love the woman staring at him with love even more. As he felt the pain of the soul, desperation and anguish of betrayal he felt…
But then, a sense of reassurance filled his heart. Nero focused on this feeling, letting it wash over him, and he knew then that he had to do whatever he could to make Maria happy. This woman was loving him deeply, and he would honor that love by giving her the life she deserved. And maybe, if he lived a happy life, the lost soul would feel happy too.
With a newfound determination, Nero pulled Maria close once more, their bodies entwined in a passionate embrace. As they continued to kiss, he began to pour all of his love and his soul into their connection, hoping that she could feel the intensity of his desire.
And as the night wore on, Nero found himself lost in the depths of their passion, caught up in a whirlwind of sensation and emotion that left him feeling alive and reborn. It was as if this love had given him a new lease on life, a reason to keep going, to keep fighting, no matter what challenges lay ahead.