Chapter 13 - THE GIFT ON THE VANITY
When Elena descended the spiral staircase, she found Marcus waiting at the base with a large, embossed black box tied with a dark crimson ribbon.
"Don Rossi requested this be delivered to your suite before tonight," Marcus said, his voice neutral, though his sharp eyes studied her with newly minted caution. "You are to wear the contents this evening."
Elena accepted the heavy box with a furrowed brow. "What is tonight, Marcus?"
"A private gathering of the capos in the grand banquet hall. The Don requires his personal attendant to be present at his side." Marcus bowed curtly and departed down the long corridor, leaving her alone with the package.
Elena carried the box up to her modest room on the upper wing. Unlacing the silk ribbon, she lifted the lid. Nestled inside layers of black tissue paper was a stunning evening gown of deep emerald silk, simple in its cut yet unmistakably haute couture, designed to drape fluidly over her silhouette while maintaining an air of untouchable elegance.
Beneath the fabric lay a smaller velvet jewel case. Elena’s breath caught as she opened it.
Resting on black velvet was a delicate white-gold chain bearing an antique silver pendant—the stylized roaring lion insignia of the Rossi family crest. It was not a trinket given to ordinary staff; it was an unmistakable mark of protection. A declaration to anyone in the underworld that the bearer belonged under the personal shield of Don Luca Rossi.
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She touched the cool metal with trembling fingertips. He wasn't merely keeping her as his assistant; he was publicly branding her as untouchable. But in a world ruled by blood and betrayal, being close to the king also made one the primary target for his enemies.
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