The house were drowned in shadows, a sea of men in black standing tall, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. A low murmur rippled through the crowd, then rose into a deafening roar—cheers erupting like thunder as he stepped forward. Their prince had returned.
Amidst the celebration, the sharp crack of gunfire shattered the night. Not in violence, but in tribute. Muzzles flared, sending bullets soaring into the sky, their echoes bouncing off the towering buildings. The air buzzed with raw energy, a mix of loyalty, power, and the unmistakable scent of gunpowder.
HE stood at the heart of it all, his gaze cold, unreadable. This was his kingdom. And tonight, it was alive with the sound of his name.
Soon the world will know of his return
I never thought a forced marriage would lead me here—standing over my husband's greatest secret." Lisa said seeing the scene in front of her.
Six Months Ago...
Morning
A young man in his early twenties stood before a mirror, adjusting the black coat over his crisp white shirt. His brown eyes, sharp and calculating, examined his reflection as he smoothed his neatly trimmed black mid-faded hair.
"This will do," he muttered, reaching for a comb to perfect his look.
Just then, a voice called from behind.
"Edward."
A tall, blonde-haired man entered the room. His hair was styled in a tapered-fade, and his striking brown eyes mirrored Edward's. His suit fit perfectly, tailored to exude effortless confidence.
"Are you ready?" "It's time to go", the blonde said, leaning against the door-frame.
Edward adjusted his cuffs before nodding. "Yeah, Carl. Let's go."
The two men stepped out of their apartment and hailed a taxi. Today was a special day—their best friend Chris was getting married.
Little did they know, unseen eyes were watching their every move.
---
At the Wedding Hall
The grand wedding hall buzzed with life. Laughter, the soft hum of conversation, and the gentle melody of a live orchestra filled the air. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting a golden glow over the elegantly dressed guests.
As Edward and Carl arrived, they took their seats near the front.
Carl, ever the flirt, immediately scanned the crowd, his lips curling into a smirk.
"Bro, so many beautiful girls here today," he whispered, nudging Edward.
Edward, however, wasn't paying attention. His gaze was locked on the entrance as their friend, Chris, entered with his family, greeting guests one by one. The moment Chris spotted them, his face lit up, and he strode over with a grin.
"When did you guys get here?" Chris asked, pulling Edward in for a handshake and a quick hug.
"About thirty minutes ago," Edward answered, stepping aside as Carl embraced their friend.
Chris let out a nervous sigh, rubbing his hands together. "Man, I'm so nervous."
Carl scoffed. "Relax, bro. You're getting married, not going to war."
Chris chuckled but leaned in, lowering his voice. "Can I ask you guys something?"
"Sure," they both answered.
Chris smirked. "Whose wedding is it?"
"Yours, obviously! 'Why?'" they replied in unison.
Chris glanced around before grinning. "Then stop stealing my spotlight. Look around—people are glaring at you two."
Edward's eyes scanned the room, and sure enough, there was tension in the air. Women whispered behind their hands, men watched warily, and some older guests frowned in their direction.
It was Carl's fault. His arrogant charm, effortless smirk, and commanding presence always drew attention.
"Dude, should I kick you out of the hall?" Edward teased.
Carl feigned innocence. "What? What did I do?"
"They're staring at you, man!"
Carl shrugged, unbothered. "Not my fault God made me this handsome."
Chris shook his head, laughing. "Alright, I should go. My bride's about to arrive."
As Chris left, Edward and Carl settled into their seats.
---
A hush fell over the hall.
Lilly, the bride, entered gracefully, her white gown flowing like liquid silk. She walked arm in arm with her father, her face glowing with happiness.
"Damn, Chris is lucky," Carl murmured.
Edward nodded. "Yeah, very lucky."
But his focus wasn't on Lilly.
At that moment, he saw her.
A girl in a flowing red dress moved behind the bride's entourage. Her long hair cascaded down her back like waves of silk. The dress covered her entire body, but her presence alone commanded attention.
Edward's breath hitched.
"She looks like a princess straight out of a fairy tale"
The world around him blurred. His pulse pounded in his ears as he watched her glide across the room, her posture poised, her expression unreadable.
His hands clenched into fists.
"God, she's perfect. I'd give my life for her without a second thought."
Carl noticed Edward's dazed expression and smacked him on the head. "Snap out of it, lover boy."
Edward barely heard him.
For the first time in his life, he believed in love at first sight.
---
Unbeknownst to them, two men in black suits stood near the exit, their expressions unreadable.
One of them held a phone to his ear.
"Sir, we have eyes on the target."
A deep voice responded at the other end. "Proceed on my command."
But the man suddenly stiffened. His sharp gaze locked onto Edward and Carl, his knuckles tightening around the phone.
"Sir, we have a problem."
A long pause. "What problem?"
The man clenched his jaw. "Someone from the De Luca family is here."
Silence.
Then—
"Oh god. Are you sure?"
"Yes, sir. It's him."
A sharp inhale from the other end.
"Abort the mission. Now."
The call ended.
The two men exchanged tense glances.
They came here for one reason. But his presence changed everything.
And now, they had to rethink everything.
-
In the hall
Edward's eyes scanned the room. He hadn't seen the girl in red again.
"Still looking for her?" Carl smirked, sipping his whiskey.
Edward didn't answer.
Just then, Chris and Lilly approached.
"Hey guys," Chris greeted.
"Hey, man," they replied.
"Lilly, these are my best friends, Carl and Edward," Chris introduced them.
Lilly smiled warmly and shook their hands. "Nice to meet you both."
"Same here," Edward responded absently. His gaze flickered across the room.
There.
She was standing near a balcony, bathed in the golden glow of the chandeliers. The red dress clung to her slender frame, and as she laughed at something, it was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard.
"I have to talk to her," Edward thought.
But before he could move, Chris clapped him on the back.
"See you guys at the after-party. Be on time!"
Edward nodded, but by the time he turned back, she was gone.
---
Outside, under the cover of night, the two men in black suits stood beside a sleek black car.
One lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly. "That was close."
The other adjusted his tie, his expression hard. "We'll have to find another way."
A third man leaned against the car, arms crossed. "And what about him?"
The man with the cigarette smirked.
"Edward? He has no idea what's coming for him."
The third man's gaze darkened.
"Good. Then let's keep it that way."
They stepped into the car, disappearing into the night.
Inside the wedding hall, Edward still searched for the girl in red.
Unaware that his world was about to change forever.