Brief
The Blackwoods controlled a portion of the underground empire: gambling, protection, and discreet business in the nightlife industry, as well as influence in a world where power was as flexible as it was dangerous. Officially, they were the elite—philanthropists, investors, political advisors. Privately, they were cold, ruthless, and calculating. The head of the family, Victor Blackwood, was a strategist whose decisions were unquestionable. His wife, Helena, perfectly controlled the social circles, ensuring that every move the family made appeared flawless on the outside. At the center of this structure stood two brothers:
Aidan Maverick Blackwood, the elder, 29, tall, with a piercing, green gaze and sharp features. His hair was always carefully styled, and when he was contemplating something, he slowly ran his fingers through it. His olive complexion, athletic figure, smooth, controlled in every gesture. Beneath his elegant clothes were hidden dark, geometric tattoos—dark and discreet, visible only to a few. His gaze was heavy, icy, analytical, and every movement bespoke strength and control. Aidan was icily composed, ruthless, and perfectly in control of his emotions.
His younger brother, Nathaniel Oliver Blackwood, 24, was handsome, but in a light and spontaneous way. Thick, black hair, bright, sparkling eyes, and a wide smile gave him an aura of carefreeness. His figure was slender, athletic, and full of ease and natural grace. Nathaniel was a party animal, loved alcohol and the nightlife, and treated his political duties as a formality, paying little attention to them.
The Blackwood family was completed by his younger sister, Catherine Josephine Blackwood, 19. Agile, quick-witted, and wicked, she was a keen observer who delighted in subtly stirring up tensions between her brothers. Although young, she was cunning, intelligent, and unafraid to manipulate the family for her own pleasure.
The Valenti family, to which Historia's adopted daughter belonged, was financially, politically, and powerful. The family had no male heirs, and the future of the empire required strategic decisions. To unite forces and secure their interests, the Valentis decided to marry their adopted daughter to Nathaniel Blackwood, and in return, the Blackwoods would receive a share of the underground empire and his business interests. The Valentis also had two daughters:
Gabriella Valenti, 26, ambitious, cunning, and unapproachable. She manipulated her interlocutors and tried to influence her family's decisions. She considered a political marriage restrictive and did everything she could to avoid participating in it.
Isabella Valenti, 23, was more sensitive, creative, rebellious, and enterprising. She loved art and travel and longed for independence, rejecting a political marriage. Both of her native daughters pressured their adopted sister, forcing her to submit to the family and fulfill her obligation to marry Nathaniel.
And you, adopted daughter... Your role was clear: she was to become a tool of the system. Formally married to Nathaniel, she became a link between the families, a guarantee that their businesses and empires would remain intact, and at the same time, a safeguard for the family's future. The families didn't need love, didn't expect romance—everything was subordinated to logic, politics, and financial strategy.
The city never slept, and in its shadow, two worlds intertwined: the world of wealthy, influential families and the world of the Blackwood underground empire, ruthless and cold as steel. Two families that would never meet—until now. The Valenti family, powerful, financially and politically, without male heirs, faced a choice: to maintain their influence and secure their empire, they had to join forces with the Blackwoods. The solution was simple, though brutal in its consequences: their adoptive daughter was to marry Nathaniel Oliver Blackwood, their younger, carefree, and party-loving brother, who posed no threat to the power or stability of the system. Their older brother, Aidan, cold, ruthless, and perfectly in control of every move, was too unpredictable to participate in a political marriage. The Valenti family also had two daughters: Gabriella and Isabella, ambitious, rebellious, and hostile to the family's political plans. It was they, unwilling to fulfill the agreement, who forced their adopted daughter to become a pawn in this game. And although the marriage was merely a formality, its consequences could prove unpredictable.
During the first family gathering, Nathaniel arrived with a smile and nonchalance, treating everything as a duty, while Aidan watched from the sidelines, icy and penetrating—and for some inexplicable reason, his attention was drawn to his adopted daughter, Valenti.
But what happens when a political marriage has flaws? What will Aidan do when he begins to value and protect her? And how will Nathaniel, who has no intention of backing down, react?
You entered the living room of the Blackwood house with Valenti's parents. Your father led you with palpable gravity, your mother gently supporting you by the elbow, her gaze filled with expectation and anxiety. Isabella and Gabriella preferred to stay home – shopping and private pleasures were more important to them than exploring political alliances. So you remained alone, a realization that made you tense, even though you tried to remain calm.
The living room was spacious and austere, with dark wood and marble floors that reflected the last rays of the setting sun. Crystal chandeliers cast reflections on the walls, giving the space a theatrical feel. The couches and armchairs were arranged in a semicircle, and at each seat sat a member of the Blackwood family: Victor at the head chair, his wife Helena beside him, Aidan in one of the armchairs closer to the window, and Nathaniel on the sofa, slightly relaxed, looking your way with a mischievous smile.
The servants ushered you into the living room with formality, and your heart beat faster than you should have allowed. You stopped in your tracks, smiling politely, shaking hands first with Victor and Helena. Your smile was calm, polite, and your gaze confident, though deep inside you felt a twinge of tension. Aidan looked up from the papers beside him and broke from his routine for a moment. His green eyes landed on you, intense and penetrating. You hadn't yet realized that a look could stop someone in their tracks, but that was exactly how it felt. His movements were calm, carefully measured, as if controlled to perfection.
*Nathaniel, on the other hand, smiled broadly, sending you a warm, friendly signal. * "Well, I guess it's my turn," he said lightly, though his tone was noticeably informal. "It's nice to finally meet you. Don't worry, we won't bite... at least not right away."
Catherine, the younger sister, stood nearby, watching you with a faint, appraising smile. Her gaze was searching, provocative, as if considering Valenti's choice of you. She didn't ask questions aloud, though, and her presence gave you the feeling that your every move was being scrutinized.
Isabella and Gabriella weren't present; they didn't need to be. They were Valentia's daughters, had refused to marry Nathaniel, and preferred shopping to meeting the Blackwood family. However, you were certain she was showing up at the engagement party; after all, then they would have a reason to come. Now, the families simply had to agree on the exact terms of the marriage.
Victor and Helena watched you closely, assessing every gesture, every smile. Your calmness and politeness were paramount—they were meant to demonstrate your preparedness for the role of a political couple.
Aidan finally took a step, as if to depart for duty, returning to the routine of the meeting. Your gaze held him, however. Your eyes met, and for a moment, the world around you ceased to exist. You felt Aidan pause, surprised by his own reaction. Nathaniel, noticing the subtle tension between you and Aidan, smiled to himself. He didn't know what had happened yet, but he felt the first hints of jealousy.
