The Dragos ⬇️

The Bonferronis ⬇️

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(Arie's POV)

          I sat on the bench, staring at another grave just a couple days after burying Fred. This time, it was my son. My blood, my flesh who left just like the one in my womb. I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later, and as much as I tried to prepare myself for the inevitable, nothing would ever make the pain digestible. My heart was in a billion pieces, impossible to ever piece back together, and I didn't know if I ever wanted to do so.

          The people who knew about Alon returned for another funeral and paid respects to me and my little boy. Simi aunty was devastated just like the rest, but it all seemed as though I was watching a show. I was just an audience to the things transpiring around me, not having the energy to say or do anything. A living ghost would be a good word to describe me at this point. Even the kids seemed to notice something was off with me. Although they were questioning about Alon and Fred, Ashton and Harry made sure to not let the sorrow affect the kids.

          The concept of death was still a new idea for them. They didn't fully understand it and didn't even know what was going on at Fred's burial. For them, it was a gathering in a park with big stones. Once they found out that their dear Freddie was never coming back, they'd be hysterical, and the loss of their brother at the same time would only make it worse.

          Ashton along with Leo, Gus, and Federigo acted as pallbearers who carried Alon's casket to his grave. Every member of the Bonferroni and Drago family gathered in California to attend the funeral of a child they didn't know, but since the kid had their king's blood in his veins, they were obligated to come. Despite being weak and drained of energy, Aria, Leo's aunt who had been poisoned, made an appearance during the ceremony and told me how sorry she was for my loss. She was a kind one in the platoon of royal assholes, but her words meant nothing to me. No matter what anyone said, nothing was ever going to soothe the agony I was in.

          With her hand intertwined with mine, Sophie let me rest my head on her shoulder when we arrived at a banquet hall at one of Leo's hotels in the city for the funeral reception. I didn't see why it was necessary. It wasn't like the majority of the people here knew my little boy, but as I said, I didn't have the energy to say or do anything. I watched Leo's cousins eat and drink. They weren't as wild as they were back in Italy, however, I did hear some of them debate who Alon would've been like, the Bonferronis or the Dragos. Too bad they never got to find out.

          Lucian was everyone's shiny new toy. He received the attention that of a celebrity and he was notably overwhelmed with the tall bodies talking sweetly to him. After all, he was going to be their future king someday. Evelina, Arabelle, and Athena acted as a barrier to an extent, trying to keep the vultures from their nephew, but even they were captivated by the beautiful boy who only had his little eyes set on Athena.

          Ana, on the other hand, enjoyed every bit of attention she received. She ordered grown men around and had them carry her like a queen. She also spent a lot of time playing with Bruno, Arabelle's son, and Elisa who was the daughter of Aurora, Ray's older sister. Unlike Lucian, Ana was infatuated with Eros instead. Maybe it was the tattoos. I didn't know. Zeus and Roman's unnamed dog chased each other around the tables and under the chairs.

          Amidst all that, Ashton glued himself to the bar and sulked, drowning himself in alcohol. Everyone awarded me looks of pity every other minute which I could care less about. Leo remained reserved since the passing and allowed no emotion to faze him. He only spoke to bark orders at people to get things done and stood next to his father and paternal uncle. Amelia didn't grace us with her presence which was understandable. She was busy mourning the loss of her own son.

And Mike... Well, he made an appearance at the funeral but didn't come up to me to offer any condolences, whereas Valentina did. Hell, he didn't even meet my eyes. Whether it was out of shame or anger, I wasn't sure. Nevertheless, he didn't stick around long enough for me to find out.

          I let my numb eyes wander around and look at Verona who sat in the corner with Aria. She watched Lucian tentatively with a stoic expression but kept her distance. She just seemed too timid to approach him or even say hi to the boy. When Marsilia was around, her fear was much more visible. Thankfully, that woman left for Italy right after the burial.

          As I closed my eyes, I shunned all the noise around me and thought of Alon again. The billions of pieces of my pathetic heart were shattering even more as I replayed that day in my head once again. I was able to finally hold him fully at that moment, but it came after the price of his life was paid. His tiny body was limp, his smile forever killed, leaving a scar on my mind and tattered soul. My chest ached from his memories. His dream to play in the park with Ana and Lucian and get all dirty for once without a worry never came true among many other hopes he had.

I couldn't help the soft mewl of distress that left my throat. Soph squeezed my hand and rubbed my arm in an effort to comfort me, but it was a waste. I didn't need hugs, comforting words, or sympathy of any kind. I needed to scream out at the world and sob the days away, but with the kids around, I was trying to hold it all in. However, the more I tried to push it all down, the more the noose around my neck tightened and suffocated me.

"Can I have a moment with her, please?" Leo's voice forced my eyes open, compelling me to look at him as a tear slipped down my cheek. He wiped it gently with his thumb and took a seat next to me around the table. Sophie complied and gave us some privacy. "How are you feeling?" he asked in the softest tone.

          Turning my gaze away, I gave him my silent answer and watched Sophie embrace Harry who was trying to keep it together herself.

          Suddenly, I felt Leo's warm, large hand rest upon mine and squeeze gently. "Arie, talk to me, please."

          I huffed then swallowed down my saliva to wet my parched throat. "You already know how I'm feeling, Leo."

Forcing my gaze away once again, I noticed Lucian punching one of Leo's cousin in the balls out of anger. If I wasn't wrong, it was Marco, Leo's maternal uncle's youngest son. Unfazed, I watched people laugh at Marco as Lucian was distanced from the man by Arabelle.

"Arie." Leo's thumb caressed the back of my hand lovingly. "I..." He sighed defeatedly at the loss of words, not knowing what to say.

As I continued keeping an eye on the kids, I couldn't help the tears that emerged and dissipated just like that. "I want you to take the kids."

"What?" Leo asked incredulously.

"You heard me." I inhaled sharply and turned to him. "Take the kids. I can't take care of them like this."

Leo's brows pinched together as he shook his head. "You were ready to rip my head off a couple of days ago if I took them from you."

"Alon was still breathing at that time, but not anymore, so take them. I'm in no position to care for them right now. I've barely even spoken to them since and they keep looking at me as if they're scared of me."

"And you think this is the best solution?"

I shrugged, turning my head away to watch Lucian drag himself in my direction. "I need time."

"Like forever?" I could hear the hint of frustration in his voice. "If I remember correctly, that's what you said to me. You needed forever back then too."

The heat in my body rose with his words, compelling me to turn back and bark, "I need time to fucking mourn my son and fiancé."

"I know you do but it's a matter of how long! You pushed me away after Wendy and that's fine, but these are your kids. You think they'll survive without you?" His tone was hostile, his features vicious, but he immediately got his wild emotions under control and took a deep breath. "I didn't spend as much time with Alon as you did, but he was my son too, and it hurts to lose him just hours after I finally met him." His eyes glinted with tears for a split second before he blinked them away as quickly as I did. "I wish I could mourn him and Wren too, but I don't have the privilege of doing so, Arie, and I'm sorry you lost him and Freddie. I really am. If I could do something about it, I would. You think I enjoy seeing you in pain like this?"

"I'm not in pain, I'm dying inside, Leo. I never imagined myself burying two of the most important people in my life in the same week, and it's killing me."

The eye contact we held grew stronger with sadness and thicker with the pain that almost broke the barrier my tears were collecting behind. Every inch of my face hurt. Hell, my entire body felt as though it was being stomped on by thousands of elephants, but I had to keep a straight face through the suffering. As far as I could tell, he was in the same pathetic state.

Breaking the gaze, I noticed everyone's attention focused on us. Some looked away and some continued staring. Lucian was among the latter who stood at a close distance and, presumably, witnessed the heated conversation between me and his father.

Forcing the frown off my face, I motioned Lucian to come hither. "Come here."

Lucian seemed reluctant, his little blue eyes gawking at me with uncertainty. Ana rushed toward me breathlessly, pushing past the awestruck boy. "Arie mom, I-I-I..." She buried her sweaty face in my lap and dropped her dead weight to the ground tirelessly before I picked her up and situated her on my lap.

"Breathe." I fixed her sweaty bangs and faced Lucian once again. "Come here."

Lucian finally trudged forward slowly. "Mamma, where is Alon?"

With a sigh of despair, I put Ana on her feet and took their hands in mine. I had been thinking about telling them, but I still wasn't prepared. "Remember when I told you that Alon may have to leave one day?"

They nodded.

"Um..." I cleared my throat. "So, he had to leave."

"Already?" Ana's small brows furrowed as she pouted in sadness. "But I didn't get to say goodbye."

"So, he's dead?" Lucian's voice grew meek with distress as his lips quivered. He was always my smart little boy, but I hoped to explain all this as a metaphor.

"Does that mean he's coming back?" Ana chirped innocently.

I shook my head that was already pounding with pain. "No, baby, but don't worry. Freddie is with him." Biting the inside of my cheek, I stifle the whimper that almost slipped. "They're both gonna be fine."

Lucian hugged me and let out a cry as Ana watched, still unsure of what was happening, but to witness Lucian cry, she embraced me and sobbed herself. A foul taste erupted in my mouth to have both of my remaining kids cry in my arms when I was barely holding my emotions back. I glanced to the side at Leo, but even he couldn't watch the kids like that.

"Hey, it's going to be okay. You know why?" I mutter, forcing them both to pull back and look at me. I seated Ana on my lap once again and held Lucian's hand as he wiped his tears with his other one. "Because you're both going to a castle."

"I don't wanna go to a castle!" Lucian rebelled.

"A real castle?" Ana asked softly.

"Yes! Uncle Ashton and I were there when you guys were staying with Auntie Harry. It's big and beautiful. You know what that means?"

          Ana pointed to herself. "I'm a real pincess?"

          "Yes, which means you will have to make big decisions for your people. You can't fail them by giving any bad advice. It's gonna be very tough, but a strong princess like you can handle it, right?"

          Ana nodded quietly, sniffling. She rested her little head on my shoulder, her small fingers fidgeting with the velvet button on my black dress.

          Lucian stepped forth with his sad eyes and held the hem of my dress tightly. "I don't wanna go anywhere."

          "Luci," I sighed his name, wiping the tears from his flushed cheeks. "You need to go with your daddy. He can get you anything in the world including the Power Wheels that you want."

          "He is not my daddy, you are! I don't want Power Wheels!" His chin quivered as a tear toppled over his lid. "I want you, mamma." He immediately wrapped his arms around me and released a sob that shattered my already broken heart into more pieces. "Please, don't make me go."

          I couldn't stop the silent tears that crawled down my face in an effort to break me. Leo watched me with the same sadness in his eyes as Lucian. "Don't do this, Arie," he advised me with a shake of his head.

          I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to calm my nerves a bit before I pulled away and forced Lucian to look at me. His eyes and face were red, his cheeks smothered in tears that also soaked my dress.

          "Listen to me carefully, okay?" With shaky fingers, I wiped his cheeks clean. "You need to go there to take care of Ana as her big brother. Trust me, it's a very beautiful country. And I promise you won't be there for long. Only a week or two. Mamma just needs to do something, and it's not fair that Uncle Ashton and I got to see the castle and you guys didn't."

          He sniffled. "But..."

          "You're my good boy, Luci. You both are my strong babies." I glanced at Ana and gave her a quick peck on the forehead. "You both need to take care of each other until I come to get you. Auntie Sophie and Harry will be going with you, so you'll be fine."

Leo sighed audibly as though he was relieved. I rose up from my chair with Leo and placed Ana on her feet when I noticed Verona standing closer to us. She approached me with a frown on her face. "Arie, you can't send them with us. You need to come yourself."

"I can't." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "He's your son too. You should get to know him without me, and I'm willing to co-parent with you two." I glanced at Leo and nudged Lucian in his direction. "Do not consider this my defeat. I need them back here in two weeks. If not, I'll come for everyone in your family."

"You sure you want to be alone?" Leo questioned. "Just come with us."

"I can't," I retorted quickly. "I need the two weeks to mourn and get it out of me as much as I can before I get back to being a mom to them. And for fuck's sake, get Mike to grow a pair and talk to Ana. If he had no intention of even looking at her, he shouldn't have gotten mad like a little bitch."

          Ana scoffed and crossed her slim arms over her chest. "Little bitch."

***

ONE WEEK LATER

(Leo's POV)

Verona was seated on the edge of the bed in a red gown Athena had provided for the occasion. She looked breathtaking, but the expression of sadness she fostered was disheartening. It had been a week since my son's funeral and the loss didn't feel any less bitter. I still had to get Verona to open up to me completely. I knew something was eating her up and she kept watching her back ever since we got back to Italy and in the palace.

I sat beside her and took her hand in mine. "I know there's something you're not telling me."

She cracked a meek smile and turned her head to face me. "Like?"

"You tell me. What are you so scared of?"

          She directed her gaze out our balcony to watch a bird dip its feet in the birdbath. "Everything," she whispered softly and gulped. "I don't wish to be queen, but I realize it is necessary for Lucian. I'm willing to do anything for his safety."

          "Is that what you fear? His safety?"

          "Don't you?" she questioned, sparing me a stern glance. "If your enemies get to him, your empire will crumble with his life at stake."

          "Tesoro." Cupping her face, I turned my body to face her properly. "When I say he'll be safe, I mean it. No one knows about his existence but the people here, and I'm keeping an eye on everyone to make sure they don't open their mouths. They know not to, so relax. No one will lay a finger on him. Ever."

          Verona nodded and looked away once again, urging me to drop my hold on her. "How is Arie? Is she coming for the ceremony?"

          I shook my head. "I don't think she will be coming."

          Verona sighed. "She should be here."

          "She's stubborn, Verona. No one can force her to do anything she doesn't want to do."

          She looked at me with hopeful eyes. "I know someone who can."

          I scoffed. "Athena? No. She has done enough by hiding the existence of my kids, including Mariana and Wendy." I rose from the bed and buttoned my suit jacket. "I don't think Mike will be forgiving her for that anytime soon."

"You know she'd do anything for you and Michael. She just has an unapologetic way of doing things."

"I admire it, but when she uses her tactics on us, it doesn't feel good." I placed a quick peck on the top of her head. "I will see you downstairs, okay? Zee will accompany you."

I left the room and sent Zee inside to guard Verona while I pulled out my phone and dialed Arie's number once again. She hadn't picked up all day. It was noon in California now, and I imagined her being up at this point. Thankfully, she finally picked up.

"Hello?" Her voice was raspy and almost sore.

"Hey." I cleared the lump in my throat. "How are you?"

"Well," she sighed, "I haven't killed myself yet, so I guess I'm fine."

Releasing a solemn exhale, I rubbed the worry lines on my forehead. "Arie, please..."

"Leo, I'm at work. I picked up to tell you to stop calling. I'm fine. Zaya is keeping a close eye on me. I will get back to you when I can. Goodbye!"

She hung up just as quickly and left me with another daunting feeling as Mike assumed his position beside me.

"You ready?" he asked.

I nodded, walking in the direction of Federigo's room. "When are you going to talk to Mariana?"

He groaned audibly. "How do you expect me to bond with her when she calls me a bitch and runs?"

I chuckled. Mariana was a feisty little girl like Arie. I didn't know Wendy well, but I can render a guess that the girls got this fire from her. "She's your daughter after all. Deal with it and get her to talk to you at least. Lucian and I are on a good page. Verona hasn't talked to him yet. She said she'll do it tonight."

"I'm gonna try again."

As we approached my father's room, I instructed Mike to wait outside as I knocked on the door. "May I come in?"

I waited a couple of seconds until I heard a soft 'yes' from the other side. After entering, I closed the door and looked at Mother who was seated on the edge of the bed, putting on a pair of heels. I had finally gained the courage to face her after Wren's death and I wasn't leaving without speaking with her.

"Hello, Mother," I greeted, taking a step forth. "Can I talk to you?"

          She nodded without sparing me a glance and continued trying to slide her foot into the heel.

          "How are you feeling?" I asked, stepping forward in efforts to catch her glance, but the struggle with her heel became a battle for her frenzy fingers. I knelt before her, stopping her hands from ruining the nice shoe. "Allow me." I slid her foot into the heel and placed her leg down before doing the same to the other.

          When I peered up in hopes of meeting her eyes, I was turned down by her gaze glued to a painting on the wall.

          "Am I not worthy enough to even have you look at me at all?" I uttered, my chest squeezing as her face formed with pain, her eyes still intact on the artwork.

          "I lost my son, Leo."

          "Because of me, I know." I hung my low as shame and guilt ran a full course through my body, rendering me the little boy I was when Lina was born, heartbroken and lost after the losses. "Whatever your punishment is, I accept, Mother."

I felt her hand reluctantly rest on my head as her somber sigh filled the large room. "What I said at the hospital was wrong of me to accuse you and your father of. I was angry then, but I'm only mourning now. It was Wren's decision to take the bullet for you."

          "I wish he hadn't." I rested my forehead against her knees, feeling my cold exterior tremble with all the emotions that had been accumulating inside ever since the first tragedy struck me. By now, there was too much inside that I was barely holding back. "It should've been me. He'd be happy with his wife and the child on the way, and I would be out of my misery."

"Look at me." She finally forced my eyes up to meet hers. They were full of desolation and tears as she cupped my face. "Losing you wouldn't have been any better. You're my son too, Leo." Her tears dripped from her chin and splattered on my hands that rested on her lap. "We can't escape the inevitable."

          "We can't," I agreed, allowing my features to drown in agony. "Losing people doesn't get any easier. We bury the bodies of the people we care about and march into the next day by locking the emotions in a cage where no one can ever see, and..." The quivering breath that exited my mouth choked back the words that were to be uttered with the release of the mournful droplets that cascaded down my cheeks, cracking open the dreadful cage of absolute pain and misery. "I don't know how much longer I can keep it barred."

"Oh, Leo." She gently wiped my tears. "You're in pain, my dear."

Slowly, I laid my head in her lap and kept my eyes on the setting sun that painted the sky in an orange shade. "They got away with shooting my brother. Then my son, whom I just met, died." Tears swept down the side of my face and soaked into her dress despite my efforts to hold them back. "I promised to get him out of there, but everyone I come into contact with gets ruined." I buried my face in her lap and cried, unable to catch a breath. My entire body betrayed me with a tremble. "Mamma left. Brother is dead, son too. Verona lost her family and suffered. And Arie, she's barely holding herself together. Next thing I know, it's one of you I have to bury, and I don't think I can do it anymore."

I felt her rest her head on top of mine and weep with me. "Everyone is busy consoling themselves and each other, but no one asks about you," she muttered, hugging my head closer. "I'm so sorry, my sweet boy."

"I can't do this, Mother," I whimpered, clutching onto her legs like a child. "I'm incapable."

"No, you're not." She lifted her head and then raised mine. "You're the only one capable enough to handle all this. You were born a king and were shaped into a man who would be immune to such tragedies. Your siblings could never handle it the way you do and neither could your cousins. You have surpassed your own father in many ways. Built this empire higher than ever and protected everyone, but you can't keep them safe at all times because of the decisions they choose to make and mistakes you could never see coming, so stop blaming yourself for everything bad that has happened. You're the only one who can rule this empire with a rational mind."

"At the cost of my heart?"

"It's a price you pay," Federigo's sudden voice forced me to brush my tears away and hide my face from his scrutiny. "We have all paid it, and you will have to pay a bigger one than any of us. You're in deeper than I ever was and have been faced with many difficulties over a short amount of time, handling it better than any of us could. But you carry your mother's sense of guilt and it will kill you, boy, if you don't get rid of it."

          "I can't help it, father." I kept my head low and shoved my emotions back into the cage, locking it up once again. I couldn't let myself be in this position again.

          "Alzati (Stand up)!"

          After a curt exhale, I got up on my feet and faced the man who put his hand to the side of my neck and spoke, "I've made you into a man who can get through such tragedies without crumbling. If you fall, we all fall. You cannot let the throne get back into the clutches of your nonna. She will erase the Bonferroni name and force us to the ground. It's not only about you, it's about all of us. You know what to do. Crown the girl and we will secure the empire with your heir."

          "I know, father."

          "Kill your emotions, boy. They're not needed. Not today, not ever. They're for the weak, and you're not weak!"

***

          The ceremony had begun. The members of the royal family were seated on one side of the aisle in the throne room while the Bonferronis and others were situated on the opposite side. Red ropes lined either side of the aisle and kept them contained. Mounted on the main wall high above the throne, encased in glass were crowns of the king and queen that had been worn by every Drago ruler. The crown I wore was made by my father with the start of the Bonferroni rule.

          Verona and I stood beside each other at the landing of the few marble steps with the pope and Nonna. Recitations were read in Italian by the holy man to mark the ascension of the new queen after nineteen years.

          Nonna should've been enraged, but she was eagerly assisting with the ceremony and doing everything the pope said to complete her duties as the former queen who was to crown the next. She had a plan, and no matter what happened, I couldn't let her complete it.

          With my mind preoccupied, the long ceremony breezed past me quickly. It was finally time to crown the next queen. On the pope's instructions, Verona knelt while Nonna carried the crown over. With a malicious smile, Nonna placed the bejeweled ornament on Verona's head and declared her queen in front of all.

          I helped Verona stand back up. Her hand trembled uncontrollably in mine which worried me. "Calm down, Tesoro," I whispered, turning around with her to look at the crowd who knelt before us in respect to the king and the new queen. "There's nothing to worry about anymore."

          Hails and cheers erupted among the guards and the family, praising the new member of the royalty. This was a long time coming and now it was done. I had imagined Arie in this position once, but that was just a wild imagination after all. Alas...

          After the hollers died down, Verona and I were motioned to take our rightful seats on our respective thrones beside each other. Verona's face was in the least bit happy. She seemed scared than usual and kept her gaze a bit lowered with her chin still high.

          "As the new queen," Nonna suddenly spoke in Italian to gather everyone's attention, "Verona has a few words to share."

          Verona shuddered a little and rose from the seat hesitantly, her royal regalia cape dragging behind her as she stepped forward. I nodded to Vince immediately, making sure he was ready to take down any unwanted surprises Nonna pulled out.

          I abandoned the throne and stood beside Verona as support. I didn't know what words Nonna was referring to. She may have manipulated Verona, which I wouldn't doubt, but to do what was my concern.

          After tangling my hand with hers, Verona finally gained the courage to speak up. "I, Verona Bonferroni, as your new ruling queen, wish to have," she paused briefly to push down the lump in her throat and continued, "Marsilia Drago thrown in the dungeon for her atrocities against the family."

          "What?" I gaped at Verona in disbelief while the family let out a shocking gasp. Whatever I thought would happen, this was the last thing I'd expect Verona to do.

          "Cosa (What)?" Nonna gawked at the new queen in bewilderment and pure rage before she came toward her and strangled Verona's wrist in a tight grip. "Sporca puttana (Dirty whore)!"

"Don't you dare!" I spat, yanking her hold off Verona and standing between them.

"Verona, cosa diavolo stai facendo (Verona, what the hell are you doing)?" Zietta came forth to rebel against Verona's order.

"Zietta, per favore (Auntie, please)," Verona said, shakily. "Credimi (Trust me)."

"She can't do that!" someone on the Drago side rebelled in support of my grandmother.

"Yes, she can," Federigo chimed in, coming up front to stand with Verona. "As the queen, her orders are to be obeyed, and they're within reason."

I waved my hand, ushering men closer. "You heard the queen. Take this woman away."

The guards were reluctant to even budge. After a hard look from me and Federigo, they marched closer and surrounded Nonna, but didn't touch her in fear of her wrath. She shoved me aside to peer at Verona with her ferocious eyes and viciously clenched jaw.

"You won't live to see another sun," Nonna threatened before willingly stomping away with the men.

———————————————————

What did you guys think about Arie's decision to send the kids with Leo?

Will Arie be able to handle the sorrow well?

What did you guys think about Leo's tearful conversation with Amelia?

Who expected Verona to throw Marsilia in the dungeon?

And drumroll.......

We are finally gonna have Verona's POV in the next chapter! Who's excited?

It's gonna be a big chapter that I'm really looking forward to writing. I wrote over 2000 words or so of it monthsssss ago and the time is finally here. Hopefully it doesn't take me long since I already have some of it written in a physical book.

What do you guys think Verona's POV will be about?

Also, the fiction awards 2019 is open for nominations. If you enjoyed any of my books, I would appreciate your vote there. Although it is a long shot, it's worth a try 😂 even though we might not get in top 100. ❤️

Thoughts on Verona?

Leo?

Or Arie?

Further comments and questions are always welcome ❤️

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Much love ❤️
~Reet