~~

Regina POV

I sneered, looking at the bunch of weaklings that were all injured, and some were even knocked out.

Debol-- {Weakli--}

I shook my head. Not the time, not the place.

With narrowed eyes, I thought through how I could get these people, the 'strongest' and the 'best of the best' in this Mafia to live to their names. I mean, come on. I've been here for less than two hours, and I've already got all of them beneath me. And I'm not even tired.

I'm not bragging, I'm mostly just complaining. I know that I'm hard to defeat, yeah, but even my people back at our Mafia could at least make me break a sweat. But them?

Oh, and let's not forget, the only training I ever had in all these five years was in the small gym at the penthouse. They should be able to beat me by then. I already know that they aren't holding back, they're already sweating buckets, for fuck's sake!

With my fingers massaging the bridge of my nose, I exhaled in disappointment.

I don't even have the exact words to complain about this anymore.

Well, nothing good will come out of complaints, anyway. Plus, I'm not here to just observe them, I'm here to train them. As to why, well, that's easy. To gain things. Their fear, respect, and blinded loyalty.

How to do that? Interaction.

They have to see me doing what they're doing, regardless of my position, if the whole squadron is doing it, I should be, too. Of course, with a little twist.

They run fifty laps? I'll run a hundred. Exercising for an hour? I'll go for two. There's a test of endurance? I'll continue until I drop.

That way, I'll gain all I want without a hitch. They'll fear me for my strong, unbending training session, they'll respect me for doing it with them, plus more, and their loyalty by showing them that with me, they can get stronger.

Why am I doing this? Well, why not? After all, since I'll be the queen, I'm The one they'll have to serve. If I don't horde them all now, they will rebel when I'm seated on my throne.

And when others will see their improvement, they'll also develop the same traits I want, which brings them all to my side, for my bidding.

This isn't my family's legacy, so I'll have to build from scratch to get them to follow my orders. I don't want them to be forced to do it just because they were ordered to by the king, but I stead, for them to do what I want because they don't doubt me.

Of course, this doesn't mean I will be forgiving. After all, I'm Queen Bloodlust. But, unfortunately, I will have to practice with this piece of shit thing called 'mercy'. What a pain.

~~

They all left after I told them that we'll start the actual training tomorrow. They'll need the small pre-break. As I was walking around this seemingly training room in their headquarters, a room caught my attention.

I walked towards it and opened the door. What I saw inside confirmed my guess.

A shooting range.

I gulped.

Going to the wall where a bunch of guns was on display for those to practice on, I stared at them, not touching one. Inhaling as if to gain courage, I reached out and took one which seemed to be already loaded.

Taking another deep breath I cocked it, feeling the familiar rush whenever I held a gun. Aiming towards the target on the other side of the room, I closed one eye. I was about to shoot, but then...

With warmth in his eyes, a single gunshot resounded, embedding itself in his head. His eyes that held pride for me, forgiveness, and love were soon filled with nothingness. With soullessness. With lifelessness.

Bang!

The gun fell out of my grip, falling to the floor and accidentally going off. I slowly went into a squatting position, lifting my trembling hands to my head as I clutched it.

I felt nauseous, just holding the gun reminded me of how my f-father was k-killed. Just like that.

Letting out a slow breath, I held myself back together. Come on, Regina, now isn't the time to have a meltdown. You endured for almost five years, what's another few months?

With that thought, I slowly rose, closing my eyes and breathing deeply. When I reopened them, I felt all the previous emotions gone, stuck in a bottle where I caged them.

Now... Now isn't the time to let yourselves loose, my wrath. Just wait, it won't take long for your revenge.

And with that, I left the room, not caring about the gun that was left lying on the floor.

~~

"Regina~, come on! We still need to prepare the venue for the wedding, the guest list, the food, and," He gasped dramatically, "The cake!"

"You do it, then," I replied, busy making his coffee.

"What? No! The woman is the one who has to do tha-" He stopped short at my glare. "I mean, both partners are the ones who have to do that, not just one!"

I rolled my eyes, passing the poisonous caffeine in front of him, "Not interested. You go and do all that by yourself."

"Oh, come on! At least accompany me to buy your gown?" He almost begged.

I paused, saying, "I already have one."

My words caused him to sputter out the coffee that was already in his mouth, making me cringe in disgust and disappointment. Damn, what a waste.

"W-what? How?! When?! Where?! Who?!"

I thought it through. Should I tell him? Oh, what the heck.

"I made a personal request to someone I know who's a famous designer. I had it requested yesterday, and I spoke to him when I ran away from your measly spies. How could I let them tell you of my plans, of course." I lied, but he doesn't need to know that.

Technically, it's only a half-lie, since I have my gown already. And I do know a famous designer, but it was more of a blackmail than a request, but the details aren't important.

Cavillor made a mixed expression between excitement and disgruntlement. "Fine," He said, rather reluctantly, "But, at least give me a clue about your dress!"

I didn't even stop myself from rolling my eyes. He looks more like a five-year-old rather than a mature guy.

"Fine," I conceded. A clue won't hurt. "It's not the usual color for a wedding gown. That's all I'm telling."

He pouted, sipping his drink begrudgingly, "That's not even helpful."

~~

Let me just say, these past years without being in charge, I easily succumbed to pressure. I know, what a disgrace to my old name and reputation.

Maybe that is why I'm here at the mall, shopping -for real this time- with an actual guard dog beside me. Oh, did I forget to mention that this particular guard dog had his arm around my waist and is glaring at every male specimen that dare to look at me?

Well, yes. Not only that, I think he even growled once or twice... A dog.

Where can I buy a leash? Better yet, a muzzle.

"Regina, let's go here!" He said, pulling me to where he wanted. Victoria's Secret.

I rose an eyebrow. "Seriously, Cav? I have enough lingerie as is."

He whined, "But there's almost close to none!"

"Yeah, because you keep tearing them apart right after you see me in them!"

"I... W-well, what else would be their purpose?!"

I threw my hands in the air, giving up. Just a few more months, Regina. Just a few more fucking months.

Without another word, I walked away, despite his protests. No way in hell am I going to go in there, with him especially, and buy hundreds of lingerie with people looking. It's good enough that they don't recognize me, or him, but it doesn't help with not getting any attention since his possessive alpha male actions don't help in keeping us in the background.

"Come on, Reg! Lingerie is very needed after our marriage! Our wedding night, hello?!"

I snapped, not turning my head to him, "After? Please, do tell me what the hell is the difference between now and after? It's the same, but just with official papers!"

Silence.

My leftover pride refuses to let me be the one to yield to this quietness first, so we both stay standing there awkwardly in the middle of the mall. Also, I refuse to let these strangers who are staring weirdly at us aggravate me. Nope, not in the least.

Gah! No, Regina! Now is not the time to create mass murder. Wait a few more months, my dearest bloodlust. Wait, and your desire shall be quenched.

Suddenly, I felt a pair of arms enclosing me. What was more shocking was how my body never reacted against it, like it was used to him already.

Nah, it's probably because he's too harmless. For me, that is.

"It might be the same for you, but not for me." He whispers in my ear.

I don't respond, either to his actions or to his words.

Cavillor continued, undeterred by my lack of response, "In some ways, you're right. This marriage is what's making things official, and that's what I love most about the wedding. We're about to make it official to the world that we are married. That we are one."

He sighed, before placing his chin now placed on my shoulder as he was hugging me from behind.

"The most difference is that now, I can actively and positively call you my 'wife'. You'll be Mrs. Regina Flare. Hmm," He suddenly looked thoughtful, then said with a grin, "'Queen Flare'! I think I'll like that new title for you more than your current."

I shot him a sideward glare due to our position. I love my current title 'Queen Bloodlust' enough, thank you.

Catching me off guard, he attacked me by placing a chaste kiss on my lips, making me glare at him for the public display of affection.

What is this, high school?!

Grinning widely, he suddenly stated, shocking the hell out of me, "I love you."

I couldn't help my eyes widen.

What.

"I love you."

WHAT.

Still smiling widely as if he won the lottery, my shocked, numb body was dragged without a single effort to wherever needed.

Wait, wait, wait. Isn't he supposed to give me an explanation?!

"What's that look for? Come on, let's eat. I'm famished." He said without looking at me or my still shell-shocked self.

~~

THIRD PERSON POV

Another round of bullets was used up, all shot directly at the target.

A slow clapping was suddenly heard in the almost empty shooting arena, making the one holding the gun slowly lower his weapon, eyes not looking at the other newly come who had made the sudden sound.

"Wow, as expected of the Italian Mafia's best sharpshooter." The person suddenly made a sound of fake realization, "Oh, my bad. I meant the traitor of the ex-Italian Mafia. That's better; has a nice ring to it, don't you think, Angelo Romano?"

The traitor made no actions to show hostility toward the statement that was targeted at him and continued to fix up his things. Neither did he do anything to correct his name that was purposely spoken wrong.

The person taunting Angelo continued, "So, tell me. How much were you offered to betray your Mafia? Betrayal is heavily frowned upon in any mafias that you ever enter, you know."

'You think I don't know that?' Angelo thought but never word it.

"Hmm, double your money from your original Mafia? Maybe triple, or perhaps four times the amount? How will we know that you will never sell us out as you did with them? Oh wait, we don't."

Inhaling, Angelo finally addressed the person, "How may I help you, Mr. Charles?"

The person, also known as Zachary Charles, sneered, hearing the hidden sarcasm in the seemingly polite statement. "What? Just because you now have my position, you think you're better than me? Than anyone here?"

"I am not doing anything that can prove you right to your accusations, Mr. Charles," Angelo replied, still calm as ever.

Zachary ignored him. "Don't forget, you now have my past position as the best sharpshooter just because you betrayed. Unlike some of us who had to climb up ranks from the lowest." He said, jabbing a finger at Angelo's chest.

With them being so close, Angelo said to him in a low voice, "Well, if you went from below to highest, then I believe that you are pretty aware of the punishments given to those who disrespect someone who has a higher position than them. And, now that I am higher than you are like you previously said, then doesn't this position mean you are currently disrespecting me?"

Zachary stayed quiet.

"This world, Mr. Charles, is a dog-eat-dog world. It's kill or be killed. Either stomp down, or be stomped on, and honestly, I'd rather not be the one on the latter." Angelo continued.

He then stepped away, then walked towards the door, not minding the frozen Zachary. Right before he exited the door, Angelo added something as an afterthought that stayed in Zachary's mind.

"What is your choice?"

~~

"So, what do you think of roses?"

"Too cliché."

"Yeah, you're right... How about chrysanthemums?"

"Too ordinary."

"How is that... Never mind. What about--"

"Cav, stop asking me all this! I'm tired from all the training for your incompetent subordinates!" Regina snapped, annoyed at her fiancé's constant questions.

Cavillor whined, "If you didn't force me to let you do that, you didn't need to anyway! Now, come on and help me with the wedding arrangements!"

"Tsk." Regina ignored him.

A silence ensued before it was ruined again by Cavillor.

"Regina."

Ignore.

"Regina."

Ignore.

"Regina."

Ignore.

"My darling fiancé which is the sweetest angel in the world that I love with my whole hea--"

"What the fuck do you want?! Geez." Regina snapped, glaring daggers at the bored and carefree-looking make, while she was aggravated and tired.

Those men, she had to admit, had some skills. She could've easily taken care of them if it were years ago, but now, the five years had taken a toll on her, since she barely had any training at this time. Sparring with those men one by one wasn't so hard, but when she had to take them all at once was when she couldn't help but tire out. Yes, she won, but at the cost of almost being drained out of energy.

Not to mention, she always did twice the things that she ordered her new men to do.

As she did those things, the people that she trained truly couldn't help but admire and respect her, as well as fear and hate her. She appeared to be showing off at first, flaunting how good she was since she was doing twice the tasks, but when they saw her determination, they realized that she wasn't doing this to show off, but to train for herself.

They realized this when even though no one was looking at her, she still did her training.

And so, true to her plans, she managed to gain the fear, respect and blinded loyalty that she wanted from these men. The only thing left was for them to flaunt their strengths, which in turn will make others notice and doubt her. And when they do, she'll take those men under her wing, and teach them what she did to the first batch.

In the meantime, though, she was still waiting for the water to boil. With this annoying mutt.

"Cuddle me and tell me I'm pretty," Cavillor said shamelessly, wanting the love of his life to coddle him like a spoiled child.

Regina raised a brow, but didn't comment anything nor move from her position.

Taking the initiative, Cavillor scooted nearer to her and did to Regina what he wanted to be done to himself as if it was Regina who made the request, and not the other way around.

Snuggling comfortably, Cavillor placed his chin on Regina's shoulder, which seemed to be his favorite thing to do -aside from some other certain things- and enjoyed the time with Regina.

Sensing that the blonde mutt wanted to say something, Regina called his name, "Cav?"

Cavillor unconsciously smiled at the nickname. "Yeah?"

"What're you thinking about?"

This time, Cavillor gave a wide smile. "Our future daughter's name."

Regina choked.

"W-what?! Why in the world are you thinking about those kinds of things? We aren't even married, yet you're already thinking of children's names?! Also, how are you so sure that it's going to be a girl?" She narrowed her eyes.

Cavillor hummed, "Hmm, I just know. And I want a girl, especially if she'll look exactly like you. A mini Regina! So, what do you think about Daisy?"

Regina made a face of dissatisfaction. "How innocent. Wouldn't do wonders for a child of people whose names mean 'queen' and 'critical'."

"Then... Tempest?"

"Now that's too wild."

Cavillor hummed again, furrowing his eyebrows while thinking of the perfect name for his future little princess. She is going to be spoiled heavily by him.

Suddenly his face brightened up, a sign that he had thought of something.

"I got it! Let's name her Ember!"

Regina looked at him questioningly. "Ember?"

"Yeah!" Cavillor nodded, "Isn't it cool? My last name is Flare, and yours is Luciano, which vaguely means light. So, if we name our little girl Ember she'll shine brighter than the fucking sun!"

Regina raised a brow and looked away, as if in a daze. "But I like something else." She said without thinking. When she realized what she had said, her eyes widened and her mouth clamped close.

However, it was too late.

Cavillor's eyes shined bright, as he leaned more and more into her personal space, looking like an energized bunny. "So you have thought about a name! Tell me!"

Regina glared at him, and when he realized what was wrong in his statement, he immediately corrected himself, "I mean, please tell me. As a request, of course! Not a demand or an order..."

He knew that his little nightmare hated being ordered around.

Complying, Regina confessed, "I want her to be named..."

"Yeah?" Cavillor commented impatiently. The suspense was killing him.

"... Umbra."

Blinking, Cavillor looked at Regina thoughtfully. Umbra? Why that name? Plus, it sounded very similar to the one he chose. What did it mean anyway?

Seeing his confused gaze, Regina explained with a fond smile. "Umbra means shadow over the moon. While your chosen name means light and heat of the fire, mine means darkness and cold of the moon."

"Of course, you just had to choose something opposite to what I had in thought," Cavillor muttered, rolling his eyes. Then, he smiled wistfully, "I like it anyway. Umbra. Umbra Luciano-Flare."

Regina looked at him in shock. "You want to add my surname?"

"Of course!" Cavillor said proudly but didn't explain. And despite Regina's curiosity, she didn't probe deeper.

'Umbra or Ember, huh?'

Suddenly, Cavillor said out of the blue, "Now, let's continue the wedding preparations!"

"Ugh!!" She stood up, groaning, and walked over to the drawer beside their bed in which they were occupying. Cavillor looked at her curiously while she was searching around.

"Uh, what are you doing?" He asked apprehensively.

Taking out a roll of duct tape, Regina answered, "Duct tape can't fix someone with a heavy case of annoying-ness..." Suddenly, she stretched it far and looked at Cavillor with a dark expression that gave him chills, "But it can muffle it."

"GAAAH! STAY AWAY FROM ME!!!"

"STAY STILL YOU LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT!!!"

Ah, what a beautiful romance. (๑¯ω¯๑)

~~

Far from the two who were immersed in each other's presence, in a dark alley somewhere, a transaction was being made.

A transaction heavily frowned upon.

"What will this benefit me with?"