Chapter Sixty -Seven
The distraction of the firelights and blast had distracted all the guests on the basilica’s grounds, and the family was shepherded into the church for safety while Lorenzo was left bewildered. He had lost his audience and was left holding only straws. He had no idea what to do again. He had planned so carefully to expose Alless for who he truly was, but now he just felt dispirited.
The gods were truly unkind to him. He was a fugitive and disfigured, and now his carefully laid plans are in ruins about him. He swiftly dashed away in the cover of darkness, avoiding the security personnel stationed all around the basilica; after all, he was also one of their kinds.
Luckily, the guardians who had taken him away had not destroyed his powers. Maybe because he was also a member of the royal family. Lorenzo sat, a lone figure in the white tents on the basilica grounds, wondering at how Alless had completely destroyed his life, or was he the one that brought the misfortune on himself? Either way, Alless was the root cause, and he can never forgive him, not even in his seventh lifetime.
They will remain sworn enemies for all eternity. Lifting his hand, he gingerly touched his left ear, touching the stump where his ear had been. It didn't hurt anymore, but it was a daily reminder that he must have his revenge on Alless.
Alless, now celebrating his wedding and soon to embark on a honeymoon, was oblivious to the brewing storm of hatred and resentment that Lorenzo harbored. In the shadows, Lorenzo plotted his next move, his mind racing with schemes to dismantle Alless's newfound happiness. He knew he had to strike when least expected, when Alless and Scarlet least anticipated danger.
As dawn broke over the basilica, Lorenzo slipped away under the cover of darkness, evading the vigilant eyes of the security personnel. His mind was consumed with thoughts of retribution and of the sweet taste of vengeance that he swore would one day be his.
In the distant corridors of power, rumors swirled of Lorenzo's reappearance and his vow of eternal enmity towards Alless. Some whispered of a dark pact he had made, invoking ancient powers to aid in his quest for revenge. Others dismissed him as a madman, driven to madness by his obsession with bringing Alless to ruin.
Alless and Scarlet, despite the chaos of their wedding day, found solace in each other's company as they prepared for their long-awaited honeymoon. The Basilica incident had left them both shaken, but their love for each other remained strong amidst the turmoil. They had chosen a secluded island in the Mediterranean for their getaway, a place far from the prying eyes and the whispers of social media and haters.
As they packed their bags, Alless couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. The sudden fire and explosion had been too convenient, too perfectly timed, to be mere happenstance. He glanced at Scarlet, her radiant smile a stark contrast to the tension in his mind. She was oblivious to his concerns, lost in dreams of their upcoming adventure.
And so, as Lorenzo disappeared into the shadows, nursing his wounds and plotting his next move, the stage was set for a confrontation that would test the bonds of love and loyalty. The gods, indifferent to mortal affairs, watched with interest as fate wove its intricate tapestry of destiny. The tale of Alless and Lorenzo, intertwined in a dance of hatred and revenge, continued to unfold, each step leading inevitably towards a reckoning that would shake the foundations of
Meanwhile, Alless and Scarlet basked in the bliss of their honeymoon, oblivious to the looming threat on the horizon. They wandered hand in hand through picturesque landscapes, their laughter mingling with the gentle whispers of the wind. Yet beneath the tranquil surface, a storm brewed, a storm named Lorenzo, gathering strength with each passing day.
Alless and Scarlet's honeymoon, a brief respite in the grand theater of life, would soon come to an end. Little did they know, as they danced under the moonlit sky, that darkness lurked in the corners of the city, waiting patiently for its moment to strike.
Lorenzo, on the other hand, watched from the shadows, his disfigured face contorted in bitterness. His meticulously crafted plans to expose Alless had crumbled in the chaos of the basilica. Now, he lurked on the outskirts of the city, nursing his wounds and plotting his next move.
Back in the city, whispers of conspiracy swirled among the clans. The fire at the basilica had sparked rumors of sabotage and of enemies lurking within the city’s walls. Alless and Scarlet's departure for their honeymoon seemed to many like an attempt to escape the growing unrest, though their closest allies knew better.
In their secluded villa on the Mediterranean island, Alless and Scarlet reveled in the peace and serenity of their surroundings. Away from the pressures of royalty and the schemes of ambitious clansmen, they found joy in simple pleasures—a stroll along the sandy beach at sunset, dinners under the stars, and quiet moments of intimacy. Even in their happiness, they missed their children and wished they had brought them along.
So daily video calls became their routine for every evening before bed, and the children were always excited to see their parents. James especially missed his father. The bond between them had grown with the intimacy of their mature conversations, which no one was aware of.
Yet, even in paradise, Alless couldn't completely relax. He knew that the threat to his clan and his marriage loomed large. Lorenzo's vendetta against him was far from over, and the shadows of conspiracy darkened with each passing day.
Back in Verona, Lorenzo bided his time, gathering allies among those discontent with Alless, especially his business partners from where he had been an executive. His disfigurement fueled his rage, his bitterness gnawing at his soul. He knew he had to strike again to shatter the illusion of peace that surrounded Alless and Scarlet, Will he suceed in destroying him and taking everything that was his?