Hearing Alia's sharp yet elegant response, Victor's father the head of the family laughed out loud for the first time. Dimitri, who had tried to humiliate Alia, sat in silence, flushing with embarrassment.
The old Lord set his silver spoon down and sat up straight. There was a newfound respect in his eyes as he looked at Alia. He spoke:
"Well said! I didn't realize Victor was ruling alongside a tigress. Alia, my child... the way you speak reminds me of the days thirty years ago when this very grace was our greatest pride."
While everyone listened in shock, the Lord made a surprising proposal:
"My child, be ready this afternoon. You are coming with me to a certain place. I am going to introduce you to a person who holds the true keys to the history of this empire and its power. If you can win them over, no one will ever dare to question your title as 'Godmother' again."
Victor looked at his father with suspicion. He knew his father didn't take people places lightly. He asked in a low voice, "Father, are you talking about 'The Elder'?"
His father merely nodded mysteriously. He turned back to Alia. "Victor will not accompany us. Today, it will just be me and my daughter-in-law. Alia, are you willing to come with me?"
Alia glanced at Victor. He gave her a subtle, reassuring nod. Alia replied with absolute composure:
"Of course, Father. I will go wherever you lead. I am ready."
Under the table, Dimitri clenched his fists. He realized that his father was about to introduce Alia to a secret source of power or a legacy that was beyond his reach.As evening approached, Alia dressed with royal elegance. She wore a deep navy blue velvet gown that accentuated her nobility. But just as she was about to leave the room, her youngest child burst into a loud, frantic cry.
The child's wailing felt like an ominous omen. He clutched onto Alia's dress, refusing to let go. Alia's maternal heart ached. She picked him up and tried to soothe him, but nothing seemed to work today.
Victor stood by the door, watching the scene. He stepped forward and took the child into his strong arms. The boy buried his face in his father's chest, but his sobbing didn't stop. Seeing the worry in Alia's eyes, Victor gently touched her forehead.
Victor said:
"Go, Alia. It's crucial that you go with Father. The child is my responsibility. Mother and I will take care of him. Just remember—whose wife you are and whose Godmother you have become. Don't be afraid."
Alia took a deep breath and kissed the child's forehead. Her heart remained in the room, but duty called.
Outside, a black classic Mercedes was waiting. Victor's father, the old Lord, was waiting inside. Alia walked down and took her seat in the car. As the vehicle passed the main gates and disappeared into the mist, Alia looked through the window and saw Dimitri watching them from the second-floor balcony with a twisted, sinister expression.
Inside the car, there was dead silence. After a while, the Lord broke it:
"Do you feel bad for the child? He cried, didn't he? Remember, Alia, the cries of royal children are not just tears it is their first lesson in war. The person you are about to meet today will not want to see your tears; he will want to see the fire in your eyes."The car moved away from the city toward a desolate mountain path. The surroundings were buried in deep snow, with pine trees bowing under the weight of the ice. After an hour, a massive snow-covered hidden fortress emerged through the mist.
The architecture was a reminder of ancient Russian royal traditions. As the car reached the main gate, Alia was stunned to see rows upon rows of bodyguards. Clad in long black coats and armed with advanced weaponry, their faces were etched with stone-cold discipline. As the car entered, they all bowed mechanically in unison.
The old Lord gestured for Alia to step out. As she walked across the snow, the rustle of her gown echoed in the silent fortress. Passing through the lines of guards, they entered a vast hall.
At the far end, by a roaring fireplace, a man sat in a massive chair with his back turned. His face wasn't visible, but the silver head of his cane shimmered in the firelight.
Victor's father spoke in an exceptionally humble tone:
"Your Eminence, I have brought my daughter-in-law, Alia. The woman you expressed the desire to see as the next 'Godmother' of Russia."
The mysterious man slowly turned his chair. His white hair and sharp eyes seemed to pierce through Alia's soul. Alia noticed his pupils were grey like ice.
He took a few steps toward her. The guards stood breathless. He lifted Alia's chin and whispered:
"There is nobility in your blood, yes... but is there cruelty in your heart that can melt even this ice? Do you know how many souls are buried beneath this fortress for daring to betray me?"
Alia didn't flinch. She looked into the old man's eyes and said calmly:
"Your Eminence, for those who love, I am this snow. But for those who betray, I am the fire that turns everything to ash."
A sinister yet satisfied smile spread across the old man's face.Just as the old man was about to respond to Alia's bold answer, the massive, heavy doors of the fortress swung open. Along with a gust of freezing wind, an exceptionally handsome young man entered.
Snowflakes clung to his long black overcoat. His face bore a royal sternness, but his eyes held a strange, cunning spark. Upon seeing him, the bodyguards in the hall immediately bowed their heads. The old man smiled faintly and addressed Alia:
"Let me introduce you, Alia. This is my grandson Alexei. The next heir to this fortress and the head of our intelligence network. He is here today to witness your oath."
Alexei walked slowly toward Alia. He was as tall as Victor, but his personality possessed a chilling allure. He scanned Alia from head to toe and then turned to the old man:
"Grandfather, are you certain this woman is the blood heir capable of handling our family's secret duties? Before she takes the oath, has she been told the darkest truth of this mafia world?"
The old man turned solemn. Staring into the fireplace, he said:
"Alia, the power of our lineage rests upon a Secret Oath. Once you take this oath, you can never return to being an ordinary person. You must promise to protect this empire at the cost of your most precious possession. Are you ready for that oath? Or would you rather go back to the palace and remain just Victor's housewife?"
Alexei stood there, as if challenging her. There was a mocking glint in his eyes, as if he expected Alia to back down in fear.At the old man's words, the ground seemed to vanish from beneath Alia's feet. The fireplace flared up as if reacting to the tension. The old man tapped his silver cane against the floor and spoke:
"It was all a masterfully crafted plan, Alia. What you believe is not the truth. Victor at 35 and you at 32 those are just numbers on paper. In reality, you are 26 and Victor is 28."
Alia stammered in shock, "What? What are you saying? How is that even possible?"
The old man stepped closer, his voice dropping to a mysterious whisper:
"Your engagement took place eight years ago. You were 18, and Victor was 20. Your age was legally inflated so that you could join the CIA prematurely. With your sharp intellect and noble lineage, they wanted you in the field immediately. You were the most secretive 'undercover agent' of this royal bloodline."
Alia stood paralyzed. Faint, blurred memories began to flood her mind—firearms training, encrypted codes, and missions she thought were just dreams. She whispered:
"But... I have retired from that life. I am just Victor's wife and a mother to my child now."
The old man gave a chilling smile.
"I know you are retired. But no one truly 'retires' from the CIA or this lineage. You were planted there for a specific purpose to control the entire Russian underworld from the inside. Your arrival here today as 'Godmother' isn't a coincidence, Alia; it's the climax of that old plan."
The handsome Alexei smirked. He leaned in and whispered:
"Understand now? The 'normal' life you thought you had was just a script. Your true power lies in your blood and the training you tried to forget."Alia stood frozen for a few moments. Her life over the last few years flashed before her eyes like a cinematic flashback. The peace and ordinary life she had chased were merely preparations for a grand war.
Alexei stepped closer and held out a sharp golden dagger toward her. The old man spoke in a grave voice:
"Draw a drop of blood from your left palm and offer it to this fire, Alia. This oath will transform you from ordinary Alia into 'Godmother Alia'. It is the union of your former CIA persona and your current royal nobility."
Alia realized there was no turning back. If she retreated, Victor would lose his father's support, and Dimitri would easily eliminate them. For the safety of her child, she had to seize the ultimate power of this dark world.
Alia didn't let her hand tremble for a second. She snatched the dagger from Alexei's hand. Her eyes now held the sharp edge of a veteran CIA agent. Without a word, she sliced her palm and flicked the blood into the flames.
The fire roared, turning a mystical shade of blue. Alia took the oath in a firm, resolute voice:
"I, Alia, swear by this blood I will protect the secrets of this lineage. My intellect and my ruthlessness will be the shield of this empire. From this day on, anyone who stands against this family will not face a mere mafia wife, but the wrath of a 'Godmother'."
The old man smiled with satisfaction. Alexei bowed before her and said, "Welcome to the real world of 'The Lady Boss'."
Just as the oath concluded, Alia's phone vibrated. A message from Victor flashed on the screen:
"Is the oath taken? Come back to the palace; Dimitri is trying to make a move."When Alia arrived back at the palace, there was a new authority in her stride. It was as if both her dormant CIA agent persona and her royal Godmother self had awakened at once. She marched straight into the hall where Dimitri was arguing with Victor, likely rehearsing some sinister scheme.
Without a single word of introduction, Alia walked up to Dimitri. Before he could even process her presence
'A resounding slap!'
The sound of that slap echoed through the silent hall. Dimitri stood frozen, clutching his cheek in shock and humiliation. Victor watched with wide eyes, seeing a lethal coldness in Alia's gaze that he had never witnessed before.
Alia pointed a finger directly at Dimitri's face and spoke in a calm but bone-chilling voice:
"Don't forget your boundaries, Dimitri. I've given you plenty of chances as a brother, but from now on, I am not just your sister-in-law or some ordinary woman. Mind your own business and focus on your work. Remember, something is coming for you in the near future that is beyond your wildest imagination. And believe me, it won't be anything good for you."
Dimitri was trembling with rage, but seeing the strange, unshakable stillness in Alia's eyes, he took a step back. He realized he didn't know this Alia. There was a power behind her that he couldn't fathom.
Victor stepped up to Alia and placed a hand on her shoulder. He looked at Dimitri with a smirk and said, "I warned you, didn't I? Now you've seen the proof firsthand."
Alia glanced at Victor and signaled, "Let's go, I need to check on the children." They left Dimitri standing there, utterly humiliated, and headed upstairs.As Dimitri stood there clutching his cheek in humiliation, a burst of laughter erupted from a corner of the hall. Victor's two sisters, who were always watching from the shadows, could no longer contain themselves. They were thoroughly enjoying Dimitri's downfall.
At the same time, the eldest brother, who was usually very somber, also had a smirk playing on his lips. He looked at Dimitri, shook his head, and took a sip of his drink while chuckling. His laughter sent a clear message he too had wanted someone to put Dimitri in his place.
The elder sister said through her laughter:
"Wow, Dimitri! Now I see why Victor is so proud of Alia. That arrogant look on your face right now is priceless."
The younger sister added:
"Brother, didn't you say Alia was weak? It seems like one slap from her has knocked all the schemes out of your head!"
Unable to bear the mockery and humiliation, Dimitri stormed out of the hall like a madman. The sound of his heavy footsteps reflected his desperate rage.
Victor looked at his sisters and smirked, then guided Alia upstairs with a hand around her waist. He whispered into her ear:
"You did something today that no one in this house has ever dared to do. My sisters and eldest brother will now see you as the true matriarch of this home. But be careful Dimitri will act like a wounded snake now."
Alia paused on the stairs. She looked down and saw the eldest brother still watching her with that supportive smile. She realized his laughter wasn't just for fun; it was a silent endorsement of her power.