Throne of underworld

Morning spread across the De Rossi estate, filling the vast grounds with warm sunlight. The mansion stood behind towering iron gates and high stone walls, its grand façade lined with tall windows, wide columns, and large marble steps leading to the main entrance. Thick trees and carefully maintained gardens surrounded the property, keeping the estate hidden from the outside world.

A long private driveway curved toward the mansion, where several luxury vehicles were already parked beneath the covered portico. The entire property was massive and imposing, making it clear that the De Rossi estate was more than just a home. It was a place built to protect one of the city's most powerful families.

Inside, the mansion was just as impressive. Marble floors stretched through the spacious halls, while tall windows allowed the morning light to fill the rooms. Elegant chandeliers hung from the ceilings, and every part of the house reflected the family's wealth and influence. There were private offices, large sitting rooms, a library, and more bedrooms than the family could ever need.

Yet despite its size, the mansion never felt empty.

There was always something happening inside. Maids moved quietly through the halls carrying fresh linens, attendants arranged flowers, and chefs prepared breakfast in the kitchen. Outside, gardeners worked among the flower beds while guards kept watch around the property. Drivers waited beneath the covered entrance, ready whenever a member of the family needed to leave.

It was a routine the household knew well.

At the center of it all was Alessandro De Rossi, the head of the family and the man responsible for carrying the De Rossi name forward. His presence could be felt throughout the estate, even when he was nowhere to be seen.

Outside the walls of his home, Alessandro was known as the Underworld King. His name carried weight throughout the underworld, and the people who knew him understood that his authority was not something to challenge lightly. He was respected for his power, feared by his enemies, and trusted by those who had earned his loyalty.

But inside the estate, things were different.

Here, he was simply a husband and a father.

That morning, Alessandro was in his private office with his wife, Lucia Celeste Cortez-De Rossi. Several documents were spread across the large desk between them as they went over matters concerning the family's businesses.

Lucia picked up one of the reports and scanned through the figures.

"What about the investment in Milan?" she asked.

Alessandro leaned back slightly in his chair. "I'm still waiting for the final numbers. I'll have them reviewed before we make a decision." Lucia nodded and placed the report back on the desk.

"And the meetings next week?"

"I'll handle them."

She looked at him for a moment before giving him a small smile.

"You always say that."

"And I always do."

Lucia laughed quietly, and for a brief moment, the seriousness of their work disappeared.

They had spent years working side by side. They understood the responsibilities that came with their name, and neither of them was a stranger to long meetings, difficult decisions, or the constant pressure of protecting everything they had built. Still, mornings like this reminded them that their life was not only about business. Occasionally, it was simply about being together.

Beyond the office, the rest of the mansion continued with its usual rhythm. The head butler moved through the main hall, checking that everything was in order, while the head matron directed the household staff. In the kitchen, chefs and their assistants worked on breakfast, and the smell of freshly prepared food slowly spread through the corridors.

The guards remained at their posts, watching the estate without disturbing the family's routine.

To the De Rossi’s, their presence was nothing unusual.

It was simply part of life.

That morning, however, the estate was a little livelier than usual because several members of Lucia's family had also arrived.

Lucia had always remained close to her siblings, despite the responsibilities that came with their own lives and businesses. Her younger brother, Enzo Cortez, had already settled into one of the smaller offices with his wife, Valerie Marcelli-Cortez.

Several investment reports were spread across the table in front of them.

Enzo studied one of the pages carefully.

"The numbers from the last quarter are better than expected."

Valerie looked over the report and smiled. "Then maybe you can stop worrying."

Enzo glanced at her.

"I don't worry."

She raised an eyebrow.

"You've been staring at the same page for ten minutes."

A quiet laugh escaped him.

"Fine. Maybe a little."

Valerie shook her head, amused.

Before they could continue, the door opened and their son, Lorenzo, stepped inside with his phone in his hand.

"Mom, Dad. The meeting was moved to this afternoon."

Valerie looked up.

"Again?"

Lorenzo nodded. "Apparently."

Enzo sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"Then we'll deal with it later."

Lorenzo smiled before glancing toward the hallway.

"Is Aunt Lucia still with Uncle Alessandro?"

"Probably," Valerie answered. "They're always working."

"Sounds about right," Lorenzo said with a small laugh.

He left the room a moment later, already checking the messages on his phone.

Not far away, Livia Cortez was preparing for her own day. As a corporate lawyer, she had grown used to carrying work with her wherever she went. A folder filled with legal documents rested on the table in front of her as she reviewed one last page.

She closed the folder and looked toward the window.

For once, there was no immediate meeting waiting for her.

She smiled to herself.

Maybe she could actually enjoy breakfast with the family.

Down another hallway, Lucia's younger sister, Serena Cortez-Laurent, was already busy with her own work.

Fabric samples, sketches, and photographs covered a large table in front of her. As the founder and creative director of her own luxury fashion brand, Serena was used to turning even a quiet morning into a working day.

Her husband, Sebastian Laurent, stood nearby, looking through documents related to one of Laurent Holdings Group's property projects.

Serena picked up a fabric sample and held it out.

"What do you think?"

Sebastian looked at it.

"It's beautiful."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You're supposed to tell me if you actually like it."

"I do like it."

"You answered too quickly."

Sebastian smiled.

"Because I knew you'd ask me again."

Serena laughed and shook her head.

"You know me too well."

"I've had years of practice."

Their conversation was interrupted when their daughter, Elise, walked past the doorway carrying a folder filled with sketches.

"Morning."

Serena turned toward her.

"Already working?"

Elise smiled.

"Someone has to."

Sebastian chuckled.

"She gets that from you."

Elise continued down the hallway, already focused on whatever project was waiting for her.

A few moments later, her brother Nico appeared from the opposite direction. He had just finished a call regarding an international business matter.

"Is breakfast ready?"

Serena glanced toward the clock.

"Almost."

Nico sighed dramatically.

"Finally."

Elise looked back at him.

"You've been working since six."

"And I'm hungry because of it."

The small exchange earned a laugh from Serena.

It was an ordinary family moment, the kind that happened often whenever the extended family gathered at the estate.

Despite their influence, wealth, and responsibilities, they still teased one another, complained about work, and found reasons to laugh.

And somewhere in the middle of all that activity, one little member of the family had quietly become the center of everyone's attention.

Athena De Rossi.

At ten months old, Athena was the youngest member of the immediate De Rossi family, and she had quickly become everyone's favorite little presence in the household.

Her personal maid stayed close throughout the day, making sure she was comfortable, safe, and never left unattended.

That morning, Athena sat comfortably in a soft cushioned chair near one of the bright windows. Several pillows supported her small body while a colorful toy rested in front of her.

She reached for it with one tiny hand.

Her fingers brushed against the toy, but she couldn't quite grab it.

Athena tried again.

This time, she succeeded.

A delighted little squeal escaped her.

Her personal maid smiled.

"There you go, little one."

Athena stared at the toy before shaking it excitedly in her hands. She babbled happily to herself, completely fascinated by it.

Her maid gently adjusted the blanket around her.

"Careful."

Athena looked up at her.

For a moment, she simply stared before reaching out and grabbing the woman's finger with her tiny hand.

The maid smiled warmly.

"You're getting stronger every day."

Athena answered with another cheerful babble before letting go and turning her attention back to the toy.

She knew nothing about the De Rossi name.

She knew nothing about the family's businesses, enemies, alliances, or the dangers that existed beyond the estate's walls.

All she knew was that she was surrounded by people who loved her.

And for now, that was enough.

As Athena continued playing, the rest of the family carried on with their morning.

Fabio De Rossi was busy handling business matters while his wife, Elvira, spent part of the morning in one of the private rooms where she kept her antique collection. Xyrinne divided her time between her creative work and family, while Franz balanced his medical responsibilities with the businesses he managed.

Diana De Rossi-Santiago was occupied with matters concerning the estate, while her husband, Cassian Santiago, handled his own business responsibilities and family connections. Their daughter, Sienna, was already working on plans for her growing music career while continuing to build her businesses.

The mansion seemed to move effortlessly around them.

A maid would pass through the hallway carrying fresh towels.

Someone would call for the butler.

A driver would arrive at the entrance.

A guard would quietly speak to another before returning to his post.

Laughter could be heard from one of the sitting rooms, followed by the sound of footsteps crossing the marble floor.

Nothing about it seemed extraordinary.

But that was what made the morning special.

It felt normal.

It felt safe.

Eventually, several members of the family began gathering for breakfast. Conversations drifted naturally from one subject to another. Business was mentioned, but no one stayed on it for long.

Serena teased Enzo about being too serious. Livia reminded Lorenzo about something he had forgotten. Elise showed Sienna one of her designs, and the two began discussing it while Sebastian listened nearby.

Across the table, Fabio and Alessandro exchanged a few quiet words about an upcoming meeting while Lucia listened.

For once, the conversation wasn't about enemies or threats.

It was simply family.

Athena sat safely nearby with her maid, occasionally making little sounds whenever someone caught her attention.

When Alessandro looked in her direction, Athena immediately smiled.

His expression softened.

"There she is."

Lucia followed his gaze.

"Our little troublemaker."

Athena babbled as if she understood.

The people around the table laughed.

It was such a simple moment.

Yet somehow, it made the enormous mansion feel less like the home of a powerful crime family and more like an ordinary family home.

After breakfast, the family slowly returned to their own routines.

The mansion remained busy, but the noise gradually became softer.

Beyond the main gardens, hidden behind thick greenery and carefully arranged trees, was a secluded part of the estate that few people knew about.

The secret garden was tucked away from the main paths and had become a favorite place for the younger members of the family a quiet corner where they could escape the formal atmosphere of the mansion and enjoy a little time away from everyone else.

That morning, Giovanni and Viviana De Rossi were spending time there.

Giovanni sat beneath the shade of an old tree while Viviana wandered slowly among the flowers.

For once, there were no business meetings waiting for them.

No urgent family discussions.

No responsibilities demanding their attention.

Just peace.

Viviana glanced toward the mansion in the distance.

"The estate has been unusually quiet today."

Giovanni looked up at her and gave a faint smile.

"Quiet isn't always a bad thing."

She smiled softly.

"For a family like ours, moments of peace are something to appreciate."

Giovanni nodded.

They both knew how rare moments like this could be.

Their family had spent generations building a life surrounded by power, influence, wealth, and responsibility. Peace was never something they could take for granted.

So, they simply enjoyed it while they could.

Back inside the mansion, Athena's laughter echoed down the corridor.

Her maid had picked up a small stuffed toy and was gently moving it in front of her.

Athena immediately reached for it.

The maid moved it slightly farther away.

Athena made a tiny impatient sound.

"Alright, alright," the maid laughed. "Here you go."

She handed the toy back.

Athena pulled it close and hugged it against herself, letting out a happy little giggle.

Her maid smiled as she watched her.

For a moment, the De Rossi family had nothing to worry about.

There were no enemies at their gates.

No urgent matters demanding their attention.

No warning signs.

No reason for anyone to believe that anything was about to change.

They were simply together, enjoying the home their family had built and protected for generations.

Alessandro and Lucia were working side by side.

Lucia's siblings and their families filled the estate with familiar voices.

The rest of the De Rossi family continued with their own lives.

Giovanni and Viviana enjoyed the quiet of the secret garden.

And little Athena played peacefully inside the mansion, surrounded by people who loved her.

Everything felt normal.

Everything felt safe.

It was the kind of morning no one believed they would ever miss. But none of them knew how soon that peaceful morning would become a memory. A memory they would spend years wishing they could return to. Inside the mansion, the day continued as usual. Laughter came from one of the sitting rooms. Footsteps passed through the halls. Staff members continued with their work, and the guards remained at their posts outside, the gates stayed closed.

The cars remained beneath the covered portico.

The gardens stayed quiet beneath the morning sun.

The De Rossi family had no reason to be afraid.

They had no reason to believe that their lives were about to change.

For one last moment, everything was exactly as it should have been.

They were together.

They were safe.

And they had no idea that before the day was over, something would happen that would change the De Rossi family forever.