Morning arrived, and the Moscow sky cleared up. The heavy curtains were drawn back, allowing the golden morning sun to spill onto the dining table. After the unbearable agony of last night, Alia was feeling much more refreshed. Although there was still a hint of paleness on her face, she was able to sit and have breakfast comfortably.
The scene at the dining table today was a perfect reflection of the Petrov family:
Alia & Anna: Anna sat right next to Alia, personally serving food onto her plate. She kept asking, "Do you feel better now? I was so worried hearing you cry last night."
Viktor's Presence: Viktor wasn't in uniform today; he wore a comfortable black casual shirt. He kept glancing at Alia, the guilt from yesterday having transformed into deep affection. He was making sure she was eating properly.
Stepanovich & Anna Petrov: Viktor's father sat at the head of the table. Although his eyes were on the newspaper, he occasionally looked at Alia with a gentle smile. Viktor's mother, Anna Petrov, was supervising everyone and subtly gesturing to Viktor to keep an eye on Alia.
Anna (Sister): "Brother, don't let Alia go anywhere today. She'll just rest all day, and I'll keep her company."
Viktor: (In a grave but soft tone) "Yes, she has no work today. I'll even keep her phone away. Today, she will just relax as the Princess of the Petrov family."
Alia gave a faint smile and took a sip of hot tea. Seeing the love and care from everyone in the family, her pain seemed to vanish. She realized that even within this harsh mafia empire, there was a beautiful world where she wasn't just a Mafia Queen, but the beloved daughter of the house.Amidst the cheerful atmosphere at the breakfast table, Viktor's sudden announcement caught everyone by surprise. Shaking a lock of his long white hair, Viktor spoke quite seriously.
Viktor: "I've decided that in a month, I'm going to cut this long hair. I've been maintaining it for a long time; I want to go for a short cut now."
Alia, holding her teacup in one hand, gestured toward Viktor's hair with the other. Her eyes clearly showed her disapproval.
Alia: "Why, Viktor? This hair is your signature look. Do you even know how regal and mysterious it makes you look? Why the sudden need to cut it?"
Just then, Anna seized the opportunity to start her usual mischief. Spreading jam on her bread, she gave a wide grin and looked at Viktor.
Anna: "Oh, let him cut it, Bhabhi! Do it, Brother cut it right now. You already look like a Monkey all day; at least if you cut your hair, we'll be able to recognize you as our brother!"
A burst of laughter broke out at the table at Anna's comment. Even the grave Stepanovich smiled faintly while taking a sip of his coffee.
Viktor: (Glareing at Anna) "Anna, do you want me to tie you up and hang you in the garden all day? Remember, I'm your elder brother and your boss!"
Anna: "You might be the boss, but don't try to play hero in front of the mirror. Alia Bhabhi tolerates this because she loves you, I don't!"
Alia finally burst out laughing and squeezed Viktor's hand.
Alia: "Ignore her, Viktor, she's just joking. But seriously, I don't want you to cut your hair. To me, the 'Black Gryphon' is incomplete without the elegance of this white hair."
Viktor looked at Alia, and his gaze softened. Alia's request carried more weight than Anna's mockery. He realized that perhaps he should rethink the decision to cut his hair. The calm atmosphere at the dining table instantly turned into cheerful chaos at Anna's remark. But the most surprising thing happened when Viktor's father, Stepanovich, reacted.
The man who is usually as grave as stone, whose very presence makes the Russian underworld tremble, could not hold back his laughter at Anna's comment.
Stepanovich: (Laughing out loud) "Hahahaha! Anna is absolutely right. Viktor, to be honest, sometimes when you leave your hair falling over your face like that, you really do look like a stubborn monkey. I've been thinking this for a long time, but I never dared to say it!"
Viktor was completely stunned to hear such words from his father. He never imagined that his father would join in with Anna. Viktor stared at his father with wide blue eyes, unable to believe his own father was teasing him.
However, at that very moment, Viktor's mother, Anna Petrov, changed the mood. She placed her spoon on her plate with a serious expression and looked at everyone with her royal, stern gaze.
Viktor's Mother: (In a sharp tone) "That's enough! Have you forgotten whose son he is? He is the heir to the Petrov empire and my son. I do not appreciate these crude jokes about him at all."
She turned to Viktor, speaking in a voice filled with maternal affection yet firm authority—
Viktor's Mother: "Viktor, don't listen to anyone. This hair is what makes you unique. In this hair, you look like a lion, not a monkey. And Stepanovich... have you become a child like Anna? Laughing at your own son like this?"
Hearing the mother's scolding, both Anna and Stepanovich fell silent. Anna bit her tongue and tried to hide behind Alia. Viktor, finally feeling relieved, sat up straight.
Viktor: (Looking at his mother) "Did you hear that, Father? Mother is right. At least one person in this house has the eye of a jeweler to recognize a diamond!"
Alia enjoyed the whole scene. She realized that whether it's a mafia legacy or a regular family mothers always place their sons above everything else. She smilingly tucked a lock of Viktor's hair into place, siding with his mother. The cheerful atmosphere at the breakfast table suddenly turned into a heavy silence. Viktor's mother, Anna Petrov, took a sip from her glass and looked at Alia and Viktor with calm but piercing eyes. Her next words felt like molten lead in Alia's ears.
Anna Petrov: "You two are so busy with your own world and romance that you've forgotten your eldest child, that third daughter of yours. Do you have any idea what's happening in her life?"
Alia and Viktor looked at each other, their faces filled with utter shock. Viktor frowned and asked, "Why, Mother? She was busy abroad with studies and family business. What happened?"
Viktor's mother gave a crooked smile and looked directly into Alia's eyes. As a mother herself, she spoke with a tone of slight insult and reproach.
Anna Petrov: "How would you know? You have no track of her! Your eldest daughter is already married. We took full responsibility for her because you weren't there. As a mother, Alia, you should have been by her side on such a big day, but neither of you was present."
Hearing this, the spoon fell from Alia's hand onto the plate. Her heart skipped a beat. Her eldest daughter got married and she didn't even know? A wave of intense guilt and sadness washed over her.
Alia: (In a trembling voice) "Married... already? Mother, how is this possible? She didn't even tell us once!"
Anna Petrov: (Sternly) "Why would she? When she needed you, you were busy with your mafia games and personal lives. She felt alone. So, as her guardians, we arranged everything. Being a mother isn't just about giving birth, Alia; you have to be there. You two have failed miserably as parents."
Viktor's face turned red with anger and humiliation. He couldn't believe his own daughter had made such a huge decision without informing him, and that his parents had supported it. But his mother's blunt truths were shattering him inside.
Alia lowered her head, trying to hide her tears. Anna Petrov's insulting words reminded her that in the struggle to be an Empress, she had perhaps remained just an 'absent mother' to her child. The joyful morning at the table was instantly replaced by a cloud of regret and sorrow. The tense atmosphere at the dining table took an extreme turn. Viktor's mother, Anna Petrov, frowned and looked at Viktor and Alia as if she were trying to unravel a hidden secret.
Anna Petrov: "Let me ask you something—what is your original age? I see you two getting younger by the day! Your third child is already married, yet you look like you're still in your twenties. Is this magic or something else?"
Hearing this, Viktor's father, Stepanovich, took a long sip of his coffee. A mysterious glint appeared in his eyes. He knew exactly why their age seemed to have stalled—perhaps it was a secret lab, a special treatment, or their unique lifestyle. But he remained silent, simply enjoying the scene.
Alia had been enduring the insults silently, but this personal dig about their age and her mother-in-law's constant interference finally broke her patience. She sat up straight and, looking directly into her mother-in-law's eyes, spoke in a cold and clear voice.
Alia: "Mother, what our age is or why we look young is entirely our personal matter. There's no need for you to worry so much about it. As a mother-in-law, you respect us, and we respect you—but it is absolutely not right for you to poke your nose into our personal lives like this."
The entire table fell silent at Alia's blunt and courageous response. Anna (the sister) didn't even dare look up from her plate. Viktor looked at Alia in surprise, as he had rarely seen her stand up to his mother so directly.
Hearing Alia's stern words, Viktor's mother went completely silent. She never imagined that despite being unwell, Alia would protest with such fire. Without another word, she stood up with a grave face and headed toward her room.
Stepanovich gave Alia a very subtle smile, noticed only by her and Viktor. It was as if he were mentally applauding her strength. The silence at the table signaled that the reign of the house was now firmly in the hands of the new Queen.