chapter 1 - The Hidden Queen

Crimson Hearts: The Mafia Queen & The Ice Violet King

The world feared two names.

The Valentine Family.

The richest and most powerful mafia family in existence.

Then came the Volkov Family, only second to the Valentines, yet just as terrifying.

No one dared challenge either family.

But there was one person whose face remained a mystery.

The youngest Valentine.

The legendary...

Mafia Queen.

Ice Crimson Queen.

Rumors spread through every mafia organization.

> "She defeated an entire syndicate at sixteen."

> "She's the No.1 hacker."

> "She's the deadliest assassin alive."

> "She owns Angel Network."

No one knew which rumor was true.

The only thing everyone agreed on...

Never become her enemy.

---

Inside the enormous Valentine mansion...

A girl lazily lay upside down on the sofa.

Long crimson-red hair spilled onto the cushions.

Bright crimson eyes stared at the ceiling.

Hazel Valentine sighed dramatically.

"I'm bored."

Ivan Valentine looked up from his paperwork.

"You've been bored for exactly... three minutes."

Emily laughed.

"You'll survive."

"I won't."

"You will."

"I absolutely won't."

Marcus smirked.

"Want me to assign you fifty reports?"

Hazel slowly turned toward him.

"Marcus..."

"Yes?"

"I hope your coffee betrays you tomorrow."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Marcus blinked.

"...That's oddly specific."

Oliver laughed so hard he almost dropped his drink.

Alex shook his head.

"Our little sister is roasting people before breakfast again."

Killiam grinned.

"She's improving."

Thevan folded his arms.

"She's always been like this."

Hazel proudly placed both hands on her hips.

"Talent."

Ivan rubbed his forehead.

"I raised a menace."

Emily smiled.

"We raised a masterpiece."

Hazel dramatically pointed at her mother.

"See? Mother understands true art."

---

Meanwhile...

The Volkov Mansion.

Lucian Volkov was quietly reading mission files.

Arthur entered.

"Hazel roasted Marcus again."

Lucian smiled without looking up.

"What did she say this time?"

Arthur chuckled.

"She wished his coffee would betray him."

Lucian finally laughed.

"Classic Haze."

Cassius walked in.

"Brother."

"Hm?"

"When are you confessing?"

Lucian froze.

"..."

Layla appeared behind Cassius.

"Exactly."

Arthur crossed his arms.

"It's been years."

Lyra nodded.

"We're waiting."

Lucian calmly stood up.

"I have business."

Cassius laughed.

"He escaped."

Layla sighed dramatically.

"The strongest assassin fears one girl."

Lucian muttered while leaving...

"...She's different."

---

A few hours later...

The Volkov family arrived at the Valentine mansion.

Before anyone knocked...

The door opened.

Hazel stood there with crossed arms.

"You're late."

Lucian raised an eyebrow.

"By..."

He checked his watch.

"...thirty seconds."

Hazel nodded.

"Exactly."

Lucian sighed.

"Unforgivable."

Hazel nodded again.

"I'll forgive you."

Lucian smiled.

"How generous."

Everyone inside exchanged amused looks.

Emily whispered,

"They're already acting like an old married couple."

Both Hazel and Lucian answered at the exact same time.

"We heard that."

Silence.

Everyone stared.

Hazel blinked.

Lucian blinked.

Then both looked at each other.

"..."

"..."

Marcus laughed first.

Then Oliver.

Then Cassius.

Soon everyone was laughing.

Hazel looked at Lucian.

"Lucy."

"Hm?"

"They're weird."

Lucian nodded seriously.

"Very."

Arthur sighed.

"We're surrounded by two idiots."

Hazel gasped dramatically.

"Excuse me."

"I have an IQ of 298."

Lucian added,

"And mine is 296."

Cassius shrugged.

"Yet somehow neither of you can confess your feelings."

The room instantly became silent.

Hazel nearly choked on her juice.

Lucian coughed into his fist.

Both avoided eye contact.

The adults hid their smiles.

The siblings tried not to laugh.

Mission accomplished.

---

Just then...

A phone vibrated.

Hazel looked at the screen.

Her playful expression disappeared.

Lucian noticed immediately.

"Haze?"

She stood.

"Angel Network detected human trafficking connected to the Black Serpent Organization."

Lucian's violet eyes turned icy.

"Shadow Company found the same target."

Ivan slowly stood.

Arthur did the same.

Every smile in the room vanished.

The atmosphere became freezing.

Hazel's crimson eyes glowed with determination.

Lucian loaded his pistol.

Hazel smirked.

"Lucy."

"Yes, Haze?"

"Wanna ruin some criminals' day?"

Lucian returned the smirk.

"I thought you'd never ask."

The Mafia Queen...

And the Ice Violet King...

Were going hunting.

End of Chapter 1

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