Morning arrived peacefully.The Ricci estate awakened as it always did.Servants prepared breakfast.Guards changed shifts.
Mentors gathered in the training courtyard.
Everything appeared normal.
Only one man knew...A storm was approaching.
Marco Ricci.
Inside his private study...
The black folder bearing the symbol of the serpent remained open on his desk.
Marco stood silently before the window.
His expression was unreadable. A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
Antonio entered first.Victor followed behind him.Both immediately noticed Marco's unusually serious expression.
Victor spoke first.
"The report is true?"
Marco nodded once.
"It is."
Antonio frowned.
"I thought the Black Serpents disappeared years ago."
"They were supposed to."
Marco replied quietly.
"But hatred has a way of surviving."
He slowly closed the folder.
"They've begun investigating Aria."
Victor's expression darkened.
"Do they know her identity?"
"Not completely."
