Loyalty

"Off limits? Why? All the wealthiest girls were on your list, but she was not included. I knew something was going on. Tell me the reason." Aciel ranted.

Martin was caught off guard. Aciel's face was dark and looked scary. The rebellious boy suddenly became ruthless and cunning in Martin's eyes—an image of a Mafia Boss.

"Aciel, I'm just following your father's orders. I am not the right person to tell you about it.

Aciel frowned. He wanted to grab Martin's neck and strangle him to make him confess, but he had so much respect for the man who helped his father.

"Your position as the current Consigliere saved you today, Martin. I won't ask any further, but I don't think father will tell me about it either. I want to remind you of our agreement with my marriage. I could choose someone If I found a girl that interests me. And that was the Antonov princess. I will not marry any other woman but her." Aciel said in a serious tone.

Martin didn't answer. He didn't expect Aciel to choose the girl from the Antonov Clan. She was never included on the list because of a certain reason. Aciel's father was confident that his son wouldn't be interested in Xylia, but they were wrong.

"Did you already fall for that girl?" Martin asked.

"Fall?" Aciel chuckled. "Do you think I'm a person who would fall for anyone? The Antonov is the wealthiest clan in the country. We need their money to strengthen the family's power. When I become the boss, I want to make ties with the most influential family. I don't need some middle-class girl as my wife."

Aciel had a point. The De Silva Clan's power became stronger with the help of the other clans who joined them. Aciel's mother, a princess of another country, was one of them. Even though she was just a mistress, it still made the clan stronger.

Martin sighed. He was about to say something when someone barged in. It was Aciel's uncle. The man took care of the kid ever since he was six. Martin had no grudge toward the man, but he felt like he wanted the position of the Mafia Boss for himself and he was just using Aciel to get what he wanted.

"Uncle, what brings you here?" Aciel asked politely.

"I was nearby so I thought I would drop by. You never visit me, you punk!"

Aciel laughed. "I'm okay. You worry too much about me. I told you I'll be great."

Aciel's uncle smiled then turned to Martin. His mood suddenly changed seeing the Consigliere in the penthouse.

"Martin, are you forcing my son again to marry some girl?"

Martin frowned. Son? When did he start calling Aciel his son? The man was ordered to be Aciel's babysitter. That's all.

"Antonio, you do know that it's my duty to find a suitable woman for the next boss. It's for the clan's sake." Martin answered.

"Yeah. Yeah. I am well aware of that. I just don't want Aciel to be pressured with marriage. He's still young. He could play with a lot of women before tying the knot."

Aciel laughed. "I can still play with them even after marriage. I don't intend to settle for one."

Martin didn't join in the conversation. The women of the Mafia Clan were never treated like a princess. They were just pawns to strengthen the clan's power. Nothing more, nothing less. But for Martin, they were still a valuable member of the clan.

Aciel's uncle had no plans of leaving so Martin left the two after half an hour of listening to the man's annoying laughter. Aciel let him, but before leaving the penthouse, Martin handed something to him.

"Don't tell your father."

Aciel's eyes followed Martin until the car left. On his palm was a small USB device. Aciel was sure that inside that small chip was the reason he can't choose the Antonov princess.

"Aciel, this girl is the heiress to the Antonov empire, right?" His uncle asked when he came back to the penthouse.

He took the photo of Xylia and sat down on the couch. He never had any interest in any woman before. But it didn't mean he liked her.

"Yeah. And I want her to be my wife. She's a good choice for our family to gain power, but Martin said she's off-limits. Do you know why?" He asked.

His uncle stared at him as if he was making sure he had heard him right.

"Uncle?"

"Oh yeah. I-I know the reason."

"Can you tell me? Martin didn't say a word about it. He said he's not the right person to answer me."

His uncle sighed. "Aciel, the Antonov women had been off-limits for decades. No men from our clan had married a woman from that clan."

"Why? I want to know why. Uncle, if the reason is acceptable, then I wouldn't dare to have her." Aciel answered.

The middle-aged man sighed again. "Your father will kill me."

Aciel smirked. "I am the future Mafia Boss. I know your loyalty is with me and not with my father, right?

Aciel's uncle was surprised. It was true that he was not really fond of his older brother, and the reason he voted Aciel as the next Mafia boss was to take control of the clan. He shook his head and laughed.

" I didn't expect you will see through me. You really are special my dear nephew."

Aciel chuckled. "Well, I was forced to take over the clan and strengthen its power. I'm getting bored, so I decided to be serious about it. And I want her to make my life more fun."

"Are you sure that's your only reason? Are you not—"

"Oh, come on! I need a woman with a good reputation and a lot of money. That's all. I don't have time for romance." He answered.

His uncle was not satisfied with his answer, but he didn't ask any further. He raised his both hands–a sign of surrender.