Chapter 1: The Wedding

CELESTINA 

It’s my wedding day and everyone was looking forward to the union between the two families who used to be enemies. 

The two families which were divided by hatred and bloodshed, is now to be sealed in the most ironic way, a marriage. 

They say I’m the fortunate one, the golden child of Carson, the girl destined for grandeur. 

But behind closed doors, the truth is ugly. 

My father sees me as nothing more than a pawn—a perfectly sculpted vase to be placed on display, traded for his insatiable thirst for power.

Not long ago, I was married into the Savelli family, standing at the altar with Hector, a man I once believed would protect me. 

But promises turn hollow when betrayal strikes. 

Hector’s deception cut through me like a blade, and as quickly as I became his wife, I was cast aside. 

After my father knew what happened, he immediately came to the Savelli and annulled our marriage,  leaving behind whispers of scandal and eyes full of judgment.

When our marriage dissolved as quickly as it began, the world rejoiced in my disgrace.  

Savelli, who was furious, did everything they could to ruin me. My name, my reputation, my whole existence. 

They wanted to see me crumble, to watch me fall into pieces under the weight of their schemes.

But none of it mattered to me.

In fact, I welcomed it. 

Every whisper, every rumor, every lie that painted me as someone unworthy felt free. 

Because the truth was, the more tarnished my reputation became, the further I slipped from my father’s grasp.

For a fleeting moment, I thought freedom was my reward for breaking my marriage to him. 

How foolish… 

And now, here I stand again, clutching a bouquet so tightly that it makes my knuckles white. 

My heart pounds, not with excitement, but with dread. 

This wedding isn’t for love. It’s a chess move, orchestrated by the man who calls himself my father, Carson Valeztina. 

Now, I stand here, poised to wed the enemy of  my father. 

The murmurs on the other side of the door grow louder. 

Two families once drenched in blood and hatred, now gather under the pretense of unity. 

The irony is suffocating. The bouquet trembles in my grip as I hear the ceremonial music begin.

The doors creak open, revealing a sea of faces, watching and expecting me to arrive. 

My father’s gaze pierces through the crowd, a silent command to walk, to obey. 

I lift my chin, wearing the mask of a dutiful daughter, and take the first step into this cold, gilded prison.

At the end of the aisle I saw Sevastian Ortega standing and waiting for me. A devil in a perfectly tailored suit. 

His dark eyes meet mine, and I swear they glimmer with amusement, as if he knows exactly what this marriage means for me. 

For him, it’s another strategic move to approach my father, however, for me, it’s survival.

A life and death situation. Because marrying him feels like walking on thin ice and waiting for my death to come. 

As we finally reached the end of the aisle. Sevastian extended a hand, and my father guided me to take his hand. 

The warmth of his skin contrasts the icy grip of my own. He leans closer, his breath brushing against my ear.

“You look beautiful,” he murmurs, his voice a blend of silk and steel. “What a  shame you’re just wasted on this lovely wedding facade."

I pull back slightly, meeting his gaze with defiance. “We all play our roles, don’t we?”

His smirk deepens, but there’s something unreadable in his expression. 

The priest begins the ceremony, but I barely hear the words. 

My mind races with questions, doubts, and the bitter taste of inevitability.

I didn't even pay any attention to listen to Priest blabbering until Sevastian held my hands and recited his part. 

“I, Sevastian Ortega, take you, Celestina Valeztina, as my wife.” He leans in slightly, his lips curling into a smirk meant only for me. “To honor and protect you, until death do us part.”

The way he says death sends a chill through me, but I lift my chin, meeting his gaze with resistance. 

If this marriage is a game, then I’ll be damned if I don’t play to win.

Because all they thought I’m more than an empty vase.

A smirk painted my lips. They just don’t know what I’m capable of, I am indeed a pawn however, my father created a powerful one that can destroy them. 

I saw the priest turn to me, his voice warm but formal as he prompted, “Celestina, repeat after me.”

My fingers trembled in Dante’s grip, not because I’m afraid of him but because I can’t wait to fool him in his game he set.  

I steadied my hand, as I lifted my gaze to meet his. 

The weight of his smirk, the arrogance simmering in his dark eyes, only fueled the fire rising in me. 

This wasn’t a vow, it was a marriage out of displeasure. 

“I, Celestina Valeztina,” I began, my voice steady, even sweet, “take you, Sevastian Ortega, as my husband.” My lips curved into a smile so delicate it could have seen everyone that I was in love with this devil in front of me.  

“To honor and cherish you.” My pause was deliberate, my eyes locking onto his. “Until death do us part.” I added, while pressing each word in the last sentence I said. 

Dante’s smirk deepened, as if he understood the venom I’d carefully laced into my words. 

When the priest called for the exchange of rings, I took his hand and slid the ring onto his finger with painstaking care. 

I glanced up at him, my voice so soft only he could hear.

“Consider this your shackle, amore mio. Let’s see how well you wear it.”

His hand tightened around mine as he slid the ring onto my finger in turn, leaning in just enough that his breath brushed my cheek. 

“Oh, I’ll wear it well,” he murmured, his tone is like a cunning wolf, waiting to devour his prey. “But you, cara mia... Let’s hope you don’t break. Because the Ortega family doesn’t take kindly to porcelain dolls who think they can shatter and walk away unscathed.”

I didn’t flinch. 

My own smile was serene, perfectly poised for the watching crowd. “And I hope you’re prepared,” I murmured back, my tone syrupy sweet, “because even porcelain can cut when it breaks.”

His hand tightened over mine just enough to make my pulse race not with fear, but with fury. 

“Careful, wife,” he said, his voice so low it could have been mistaken for a lover’s sweet nothing. “You wouldn’t want to start this marriage with a fight you can’t win.”

I tilted my head toward him, the perfect picture of a blushing bride. “Don’t mistake me for a fragile soft wife,” I whispered. “I won’t fall apart just because you say a few clever words. I’ve been playing this game a lot longer than you think.”

His smirk was faint, but it reached his eyes, making them gleam with something dangerous. 

“Oh, I’m counting on it,” he replied. “This wouldn’t be any fun if you broke too easily.”

We both stopped from spitting some daggers when we heard the priest's voice booming through the hall. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

The applause that followed the declaration of our union was deafening, but it barely registered over the static in my mind. 

Sevastian turned to me, his expression unreadable save for the glint of mischief in his eyes.

“Ready to taste your poison and die?” he murmured, his voice low enough for only me to hear.

I tilted my head slightly, my practiced smile never faltering. “Oh, I’m ready to accept it and die with you.” I replied, my tone as sweet as honey but just as sticky.

He cupped my face with a gentleness that didn’t match the cold in his gaze, he leaned slowly as if savoring the moment until his lips met mine. 

It was soft on the surface but beneath, hidden the true message where the kiss was full of dominance. 

I felt the smirk that ghosted his lips against mine, his unspoken challenge were clear, telling me to submit.

But I pressed back, tilting up to meet him, my lips curving into a smile against his. 

My silent answer was defiant, never.

As he pulled back, his hand lingered on my jaw, his thumb brushing over my cheek with mock tenderness. 

“Well played, cara mia. But don’t forget, every queen falls eventually.” His voice was a low whisper meant only for me.

I raised my brow, my smile growing sharper. “And every king loses his head when he underestimates his queen.”

The loud applause echoed in the hall. Sevastian turned us to face the crowd, his arm slipping around my waist in a possessive hold. 

To the audience, we were the perfect couple, bound by power and loyalty. But the reality is, we’re just pointing a gun in each other’s head.

As we stepped down the aisle, his grip tightened just enough to make a statement. “Careful, Celestina, you've tied yourself to a devil. Pray you can keep up.”

I tilted my head slightly, letting my smile bloom for the crowd. “And you’ve married the owner of hell, Sevastian. Pray you survive.”