003

Seraphina’s POV

The moment I got out of the dungeon, I let out a deep breath I hadn't realized I was holding before rushing towards the servants quarters.

Marta was right there, shivering and looking like she was ready to faint.

Yeah, you guessed right. She was my favorite maid, and unfortunately, fortunately, the maid I had chosen to use to get to my Nathan.

“The dress. Now,” I whispered.

I took off the maid's uniform in one swift motion, slipping my silk night robe back on as I shoved the uniform back into Marta's trembling hands. “If my father finds out I was in there, I'll make sure he finds out you've been slimming from the wine cellar. Do we have an agreement?”

That was the only threat I had on Marta whenever I wanted to do sneaky, dangerous things that involved my father's presence.

Marta nodded so hard that her teeth wobbled. “Yes, Signorina Serafina.”

I slipped out of the quarters after making sure no guards were in line and hurried back to my wing of the villa, my heart pounding in my chest.

I made it to my bed, threw myself into the bed, and let out a long, shaky breath.

A slow, proud smile spread wide across my face, and my hand hugged my chest tightly with a giggle.

My Nathaniel.

I could reminisce all day at the size of the cock on my hand. I started cheesing at the ceiling, my chest tight with that thrill I hadn't felt in years.

I had a crush on him since I was a teenager, back when he was dating my Aunt Lisa. I used to watch them from the corners of the grand staircase with jealousy, and I used to have stupid fantasies about our love life and the moment he would slam my back against the wall and lift my legs up—like I had read in most erotica novels.

Aunt Lisa was dead now, but Nathan… Nathan was finally under my roof, after years of patient wait.

I pulled my tablet from under the pillow and pulled up the feed of the CCTV camera I had planted. I watched him on the screen, his body slumped against the wall.

I was drooling over the rise and fall of his chest until a knock at the door made me bolt upright.

I shoved the tablet under the duvet just as the door opened.

“Sera, darling,” my father said, stepping into the room, looking impossibly elegant as always and dressed in his favorite dark suit despite the late hour.

“Sera, darling.”

I smiled sweetly despite my racing heart. “Hi, papa.”

He approached the bed slowly with a genuine smile. “I barely saw you today.”

I forced a small sigh dramatically. “Studying.”

More like studying your prisoner’s bulgy cock on my tablet.

“You know how much I want to do well this session.”

He beamed, patting my knee. “That’s my girl. How much longer are you staying? I know you missed the city.”

Missed the city? Papa, I might like your domain more now.

“I'll stay for a little while,” I said, leaning my head on his shoulder. “I like being near you.”

And just like that, his expression turned serious, and I already expected it anyway. “I won't be around much, Sera. I have business in the lower levels, and I want you to stay in your room, or at least this wing. Don't go wandering. It's for your safety.”

I rolled my eyes, giving him a playful nudge. “Stop treating me like a baby, Papa! I'm turning twenty-two this year. I think I can manage to stay out of trouble.”

He laughed, kissing my forehead before standing up. He tucked the covers around me and switched off the light. “Goodnight, principessa.”

Immediately the door clicked shut, and I whipped the tablet back out.

Nathan was already drifting into an exhausted sleep on the screen, and I leaned down and pecked the glass right over his face.

“Goodnight, my love,” I whispered.

****!

The next morning, I was back in the kitchen before the cook even arrived. I swapped positions with Marta again, putting on the maid's dress and grabbing the tray of food.

When I entered the dungeon, Nathan looked so pale but better than yesterday when I saw him. I set the tray down and tried to catch his eyes, offering a spoonful of porridge.

“You look a bit better today,” I said, trying to spark up a convo. “Your color is coming back to your cheeks.”

Nathan didn't react or even look at the food. “Why are you doing this?” He whispered. “Why the kindness?”

I was taken aback for a minute before clearing my throat.

“Maybe I just don't like seeing people suffer,” I said softly, reaching out to wipe a stray drop of water from his chin.

He jerked his head back, his eyes suddenly turning into anger. He looked at me in that way he didn't look at me when I first walked into the place yesterday, and he went eerily silent.

Until I felt the sweat starting to prickle at my hairline.

“I remember you," he whispered, his voice gaining a terrifying strength. “Your face… I knew it was oddly familiar last night.”

I froze, the spoon trembling in my hand.

“Six years ago, at the fundraiser in Rome,” Nathan said, his gaze boring into mine as my heart beat. “You were the girl in the library. Lisa's niece.”

My breath seized, and I tried to pull back, to regain the “maid” persona, but it was like no matter what I did, he had already caught me.

“You're not a maid,” he spat, his eyes filled with shock and sudden realization. “You're Seraphina. You're Alessandro's daughter.”

And suddenly, it felt like a lump got stuck in my throat because I couldn't speak or move.

“Does your father know you're here?!” he barked, the chains dangling as he moved forward. "Does he know his daughter is down here playing house with his prisoner?!"