Throne of underworld

A month had passed since that quiet morning at the De Rossi Estate, and the mansion had returned to its usual rhythm. Yet that morning, there was a little more energy in the halls, a little more laughter among the staff, and a little more warmth in the air.

Athena Sofia De Rossi was now eight months old.

Lucia had decided to celebrate the milestone with the family not with a lavish public event, but with a private gathering where the De Rossi and Cortez families could spend the day together. It was a simple occasion, but in a family like theirs, even simple celebrations had a way of becoming memorable.

By late morning, the estate was ready.

Lavender and white flowers decorated the grand living hall, their soft colors complementing the elegant interior of the mansion. Ribbons were arranged along the staircase, while the dining area had been prepared for the family's meal. Outside, the gardens had been carefully arranged with tables and comfortable seating beneath the trees.

The household staff moved quietly from room to room, carrying trays, arranging flowers, and making final preparations. In the kitchen, the chefs worked on the family's meal and desserts, while the head butler kept everything running smoothly and the head matron made sure the maids had finished their assigned tasks.

Upstairs, Athena's personal maid was having a harder time keeping her little charge still.

"Hold still, little princess."

Athena immediately reached for the ribbon in her maid's hand.

The maid laughed softly and moved it out of reach.

"You always want whatever I'm holding."

Athena answered with a string of cheerful babbles, her little hands still reaching.

The bedroom door opened, and Lucia stepped inside.

Her expression softened the moment she saw her daughter.

"There you are."

Athena recognized her mother's voice and immediately turned toward her, moving her arms excitedly.

Lucia crossed the room and lifted her into her arms, kissing her cheek.

"Eight months already," she murmured.

Athena reached up and touched her mother's face.

Lucia smiled. "You don't even know what I'm talking about, do you?"

A quiet laugh came from the doorway.

"She knows exactly what you're saying."

Lucia looked over.

Alessandro stood there, watching the two of them with a faint smile.

"Of course you would say that."

He walked closer and gently took Athena's tiny hand in his.

"Are you ready to see everyone, little princess?"

Athena responded with another enthusiastic babble.

Alessandro smiled.

"I'll take that as a yes."

By noon, the first members of the family had begun arriving.

Giovanni and Viviana entered the mansion together. Viviana barely had time to greet Lucia before asking the question everyone already expected.

"Where's my granddaughter?"

"Upstairs," Lucia answered.

Viviana's face immediately brightened. "Then why are we still standing here?"

Giovanni chuckled as they headed upstairs.

Before long, the De Rossi side of the family had gathered throughout the mansion. Fabio and Elvira arrived together, followed by Xyrinne and Franz. Diana and Cassian joined them, and Sienna arrived soon afterward.

The mansion, which had been quiet only an hour earlier, was now filled with familiar voices and laughter.

Then the Cortez family began to arrive.

Enzo Cortez was among the first. Even during a family gathering, he carried the composed air of someone accustomed to managing important investments and financial interests. He had spent years overseeing the Cortez family's ventures and helping guide their long-term business decisions.

Valerie Marcelli-Cortez arrived soon after, elegant and confident. As a businesswoman, she had built and managed her own luxury lifestyle and hospitality company, overseeing its properties, operations, and growing ventures.

Serena Cortez-Laurent arrived with Sebastian Laurent. Serena carried herself with the confidence of a woman deeply involved in her own work as a luxury fashion entrepreneur. As the founder and creative director of her fashion brand, she was involved in everything from its designs and collections to its overall creative direction.

Sebastian possessed a quieter kind of authority. As Chairman of Laurent Holdings Group, he oversaw the family's real-estate investments, property developments, and luxury projects. His position had also given him strong connections with influential lawyers, business leaders, and other prominent figures.

Their children arrived with them.

Lorenzo Cortez greeted the family with an easy smile. His work as a Corporate Relations Executive kept him closely involved with major shareholders, investors, and corporate partners. He handled important meetings and negotiations, helping maintain the Cortez family's relationships throughout the business world.

Livia Cortez arrived beside him, composed and observant. As a Corporate Lawyer, she handled the family's legal and corporate affairs, reviewing contracts and agreements while working closely with lawyers, investors, and business partners to protect the family's interests.

Elise Laurent was immediately drawn to the decorations.

She paused near the dining area, quietly taking in the details with the trained eye of an art director. Alongside overseeing creative projects for the Laurent family's lifestyle and luxury ventures, she also ran her own creative business.

Nico Laurent, meanwhile, greeted the family before joining the conversations around the room. His work as an International Business Consultant often brought him into different markets, where he advised the Laurent family on international ventures and helped establish partnerships with companies and investors.

Despite their different responsibilities, none of them had come to the estate that day for business.

They had come for Athena.

When Lucia finally brought her daughter downstairs, several conversations stopped at once.

Athena looked around the room, her wide eyes moving from one familiar face to another.

Viviana smiled immediately.

"There she is."

Athena recognized her grandmother and reached toward her.

Viviana took her carefully into her arms, her expression instantly softening.

"My little princess."

Athena's attention shifted to the necklace around Viviana's neck. Her tiny fingers reached for it.

Viviana laughed.

"Still curious about everything."

Giovanni stood beside them, watching with amusement.

"She's a De Rossi."

Viviana looked at him.

"That explains nothing."

"It explains everything."

The family laughed.

One by one, the relatives gathered around Athena.

Xyrinne leaned closer and made a playful expression.

Athena stared at her for a moment before breaking into a delighted giggle.

Xyrinne smiled triumphantly. "She likes me."

Franz, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow.

"Or she just finds your face funny."

Xyrinne turned toward him.

"Do you want to hold her?"

Franz immediately shook his head.

"I didn't say anything."

The laughter around them grew louder

Athena continued babbling, seemingly unconcerned with the attention surrounding her. She reached for sleeves, ribbons, and anything else her little hands could find.

Elise smiled as she watched her.

"She's adorable."

Nico nodded. "Everyone already knows."

Lorenzo laughed. "She's only eight months old and she's already running the entire family."

Livia glanced toward Alessandro.

"I think her father might have something to do with that."

Alessandro raised an eyebrow.

"Something?"

Lucia laughed.

"Definitely something."

For a moment, the room felt lighter than usual.

There were no business negotiations, no serious discussions, and no concerns about the world beyond the estate.

There was only family.

Later, everyone gathered around the dining table.

A small cake sat at the center, decorated in lavender and white with Athena's name written across the top.

Lucia held Athena securely while Alessandro stood beside them.

When the family began to sing, Athena stared at the candles with wide, curious eyes. The flickering flames seemed to fascinate her, and her little hands moved excitedly in Lucia's arms.

When the song ended, everyone applauded.

Athena startled at the sudden sound, then broke into a bright giggle.

The entire table laughed with her.

Alessandro looked down at his daughter.

"Happy eight months, little princess."

Lucia glanced at him with a smile.

"Eight months."

He nodded. "Still feels like yesterday."

Lucia looked at Athena.

"It does."

Athena, apparently finished with the emotional moment, reached toward the cake.

Lucia laughed.

"I think she has other priorities."

Alessandro followed her gaze.

"Definitely."

When they gave Athena a small taste of the cake, she immediately grabbed at it with her tiny fingers.

Viviana laughed from across the table.

"Well, that's one way to celebrate."

Elvira smiled.

"I think she likes it."

Athena continued happily exploring the cake between her fingers, completely unaware of the laughter surrounding her.

For once, the powerful families gathered around that table weren't talking about investments, properties, negotiations, or business.

They were simply watching a baby enjoy her cake.

And somehow, that was enough.

Later that afternoon, the family moved into the gardens.

The sunlight filtered through the trees as conversations continued across the estate. Some gathered beneath the shade while others walked along the garden paths, enjoying the rare opportunity to simply spend time together.

Lucia sat with Athena in her arms, while Alessandro remained beside them.

A short distance away, Giovanni watched his family.

Viviana joined him.

"Look at them," she said quietly.

Giovanni's gaze moved across the garden before settling on Athena.

"This is what the legacy is for."

Viviana smiled. "The children?"

"The family."

His expression softened as he watched his grandchildren.

"Everything we've built will eventually belong to them."

Viviana rested a hand against his arm.

"And they'll protect it."

Giovanni nodded.

He believed that with complete certainty.

He believed the family was strong enough to protect everything they had built. He believed the estate was secure, the De Rossi name was powerful, and the people he loved would remain together.

For now, there was no reason for him to believe otherwise.

In Lucia's arms, Athena reached toward the sunlight filtering through the leaves.

She knew nothing about the family name she carried.

Nothing about the businesses, properties, power, or influence surrounding her.

She knew only the warmth of her mother's arms, the sound of her father's voice, and the familiar faces of the people who loved her.

For Athena, that was her entire world.

And for the De Rossi and Cortez families, she was more than the youngest child.

She was part of the future.

She was part of the legacy.

As the afternoon faded into evening and the lights of the estate slowly came on, the family remained together, enjoying the last quiet moments of the celebration.

No one noticed how precious the ordinary moments were.

No one imagined that the life they were so certain would remain unchanged was already moving toward a future none of them could see.

For that day, however, they were simply a family together.

And that was enough.