The room was eerily silent, as Stefano Ricci sat behind his desk calmly gazing at the documents placed on his table. Oddly, the atmosphere was thickly filled with tension, anticipation and anger as the rest of his brothers joined.

"Have we confirmed the origin of this sensitive information, brother?" Damon clicked his tongue in annoyance. The Ricci family was always known to be a household of devils. A family with cruel wicked traits passed down the generational hereditary tree. But, what the others didn't know was, the rarity of a princess being born in the Ricci family. It was extremely rare that the last three generations were filled with only male children. The possibility of a female child was extremely rare, that their mere existence was said to be treasured.

"The information we have received isn't from any credible sources Dam," Vincent continued with a sigh. "We either need to take time with a thorough investigation or confirm it ourselves by going for a direct visit."

A loud bang was heard as Leonardo struck his fists on the solid teak desk. The youngest sibling's face was distorted with agitation and anger.

"It's pathetic to know we can't gather source information, despite having power. Looks like we are still inadequate. Just like how we were, before ten years," Leonardo seethed in anger, as wisps of helplessness were seen in his eyes.

"Haven't I taught you enough about patience? Calm down," Damon commented, flicking his younger brother on the forehead.

Stefano closed his eyes, and leaned back on his chair, muting the conversation in the room, as his thoughts drifted back to the last time he saw his mother.

************

A young Vincent rushed to his room, eyes brimming with tears.

"Brother, you need to stop her. She is...leaving..us," he incoherently cried out.

Looking at the streak of tears falling freely from the younger boy, Stefano rushed and kneeled beside him. He tried to coax his brother with a hug and constant pats just like how his father used to soothe him.

"There you go. You need to calm down and tell me slowly. What happened, Vin?"Stefano questioned the younger boy, as he held him close.

"Mom...Mother..is leaving us, Stef," he replied in a broken tone.

A harsh light shone in Stefano's eyes as soon as he heard the statement. The young boy knew this was right around the corner, but he didn't expect it to happen so soon. Their so-called mother didn't particularly enjoy the arranged marriage that was forced down her throat. She also possessed a strong hatred towards the Ricci blood. Being the eldest in the house, he had already deduced the condition of their family. But his brothers were clueless, especially the younger ones who were deeply craving for the mother's love.

Love was always a funny factor. Stefano never grasped the meaning of love as his mother continuously emphasised the factor that she didn't birth him out of love.

"You stay here, let me go and talk with our mother," Stefano whispered comfortingly to Vincent.

With a slight nod, Stefano edged towards the kitchen where his mother's shrill voice was heard

She was standing near the backdoor, with her arms folded, glaring at his father.

"You cannot control me anymore. Armano. For all I care, you can kill your children. With this filthy blood running in their veins, I would never consider them to be mine. Nor would I ever step into this house again," she spat out.

"Did you see the odd look your first spawn has in his eyes? The crazy bloodthirsty look? There is no cure for this blood. It is better to kill them and end this cursed blood tree. I can't love you or your crazed children. My life with the Ferreros would at least be peaceful, after all, they aren't as bloodthirsty as your spawns, " she laughed out coldly.

Armano shot a bleak look at her. "I turned a blind eye, when you were being a snake and fraternising with the enemy, I continued to ignore your outright disrespect towards me and this family. But there is a limit... " he paused."...A limit to your audacity. No one talks about my children and gets away with it," he tugged on her hair harshly with a knife to her throat.

A chilling crazed laugh resonated along the walls of the kitchen. "Noone will ever love this family. You will end up losing every little thing that you hold on to."Her sharp words cut through the young Stefano's heart, as he held back his tears. He also noticed the weak look, that his father, had in his eyes as his hold weakened on the knife.

With a hard shove, Janet pushed him away.

"Do not follow me. One scratch and the Ferrero would initiate an attack," she hissed threateningly and fled the house in a frenzy with a suitcase.

She never looked back.

There wasn't an ounce of guilt, sadness or worry on her face.

At that moment, the whole world came tumbling down for the Ricci family. As days passed, the entire family along with their kingdom were crushed under the power of Ferreros, as their father drunk to oblivion every day.

************

The wailing cries of his younger siblings, the blank face of Vincent and the helpless look on his father kept flashing in his head as he opened his eyes to come across the annoying faces of his younger siblings still arguing over something nonessential.

"Keep your voices down," Stefano commented as his fingers pressed on his forehead in agitation.

With his stern voice, the room returned to its silence. All the brothers calmed down and looked at their Don for his final decision.

"At least one of us needs to make a trip personally, to confirm and stabilise the situation. Vincent, take the lead and plan a direct visit as soon as possible. Also, escort our precious guest along with you," Stefano commanded offhandedly. But, everyone knew the gravity of the situation.

If she truly was a Ricci princess, things were going to change. That too, very soon.

A harsh knock on the door brought them out of the silence. Under Stefano's command, Anthony was dragged inside the room, flanked by two guards on either side.

His body looked frail and exhausted, in front of the four evil brothers. The look of surrender was seen clearly in Anthony's eyes as he submitted to the Don and his brothers.

*********************************************************************

The petite girl curled against the hospital bed, gradually opened her bright emerald eyes, as she looked around the hospital room in a panic. Her heartbeat monitor went high, causing an alarm to sound as the doctors rushed into the room.

"Child, you need to calm down," the doctor repeated the phase to pacify her. Alas, none was registering in her brain, as her mind was too shocked by all the events that happened.

"Father is... arrested? Father is...arrested," she slowly repeated the words inside her brain to process the information, as a look of disbelief was plastered on her face. 'Father is in prison, and he won't be there to hurt me anymore,' these words echoed in her mind.

A slow reluctant smile spread on her face as her heart began calming down, much effectively. Fear vanished with the feeling of a slight hope budding in her heart.

***************************************************************

(1210 words)

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Life had been tough for the past few months, and I couldn't come on Wattpad nor find enough time to write a new chapter. But, things are finally getting better, and I'm back with a new chapter.

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