Chapter 5 - Sibling Will Be Siblings

Crimson Hearts: The Mafia Queen & The Ice Violet King

The morning after the charity gala...

The Valentine Mansion was unusually quiet.

For exactly...

Five seconds.

Then—

"GOOD MORNING, LOVE BIRDS!"

Killiam's voice echoed through the dining hall.

Hazel, who had just taken a sip of her coffee, nearly choked.

"...Excuse me?"

Oliver grinned from ear to ear.

"So... how was the moonlight dance?"

Marcus adjusted his glasses with a smirk.

"I heard it was quite romantic."

Alex nodded dramatically.

"Very elegant."

Hazel slowly looked at each of her brothers.

"...Who told you?"

Killiam pointed toward the television.

"That did."

Everyone turned.

On the entertainment news was a blurry photograph of Hazel and Lucian dancing on the balcony.

The headline read:

'Mystery Beauty Seen Dancing with the Young Volkov Heir.'

Hazel closed her eyes.

"...Wonderful."

---

Just then, the Volkov family arrived for breakfast.

Cassius walked in, saw the news, and burst into laughter.

"Oh, this is priceless!"

Layla covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

Lucian calmly looked at the screen.

"...That's a terrible camera angle."

Hazel stared at him.

"That's your concern?"

"It could've been a better picture."

Hazel sighed.

"I can't believe you."

---

Killiam leaned forward with a mischievous grin.

"So, little sister..."

Hazel looked at him.

"...What?"

"When's the wedding?"

Silence.

Hazel blinked once.

Twice.

Then smiled.

"Oh, Killiam."

He grinned confidently.

"Yes?"

"I hope every biscuit you dip into tea breaks and falls into the cup."

The dining room exploded with laughter.

Killiam clutched his chest.

"That's cruel!"

Hazel nodded.

"I learned from the best."

---

Oliver wasn't finished.

"So, did Lucy hold your hand the whole dance?"

Hazel smiled sweetly.

"Oliver."

"Yes?"

"I hope your phone battery stays at one percent forever."

Oliver gasped.

"...Monster."

---

Alex laughed.

"You're blushing."

Hazel looked at him.

"Alex."

"Hm?"

"I hope every sock you wear slowly slides down into your shoe."

Alex immediately looked offended.

"That's illegal."

"No."

"It's justice."

Even Ivan chuckled.

---

Marcus couldn't resist.

"So... should we call him brother-in-law?"

Hazel smiled.

"Marcus."

He instantly became nervous.

"...Why are you smiling?"

"I hope every important meeting you attend starts with your microphone unmuted while you're talking to yourself."

The room fell silent.

Then everyone burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Marcus covered his face.

"...I apologize."

"Accepted."

---

Only one brother remained quiet.

Thevan sat calmly, drinking his coffee without saying a word.

Hazel walked over and wrapped her arms around his shoulders from behind.

Thevan looked up.

"What?"

Hazel smiled warmly.

"You're my best big brother."

The room went silent.

Killiam pointed at himself dramatically.

"Excuse me?"

Oliver frowned.

"What about us?"

Alex looked heartbroken.

"I changed your laptop wallpaper for you!"

"You replaced it with a potato."

"It was a cool potato."

Marcus sighed.

"I helped you with your business reports."

Hazel nodded.

"You did."

Killiam folded his arms.

"So why him?"

Hazel rested her chin on Thevan's shoulder.

"Because..."

"He didn't tease me."

Thevan took another sip of coffee.

"I enjoy living."

Lucian quietly nodded in agreement.

"A wise decision."

Hazel grinned.

"See? Lucy understands."

Cassius laughed.

"You two really think alike."

---

Killiam dramatically fell onto the sofa.

"This is favoritism!"

Hazel looked at him innocently.

"No."

"It definitely is."

"It's called consequences."

Everyone laughed again.

Even Thevan let out a faint smile.

Emily smiled at the sight of all six of her children together.

Arthur quietly whispered to Ivan,

"No matter how dangerous they are..."

Ivan looked around the room filled with laughter.

"...They're still just a family."

Ivan smiled.

"And I wouldn't have it any other way."

At that moment, Hazel's phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen.

Her playful smile vanished.

Lucian noticed instantly.

"Haze?"

She turned the phone toward him.

On the screen was a single message from an unknown sender.

> Enjoy your happiness while it lasts, Ice Crimson Queen. The game has only just begun.

Lucian's violet eyes turned ice-cold.

Hazel calmly locked her phone.

"They've made the first move."

Lucian stood beside her.

"Then we'll make the last."

The smiles in the room faded as every member of the Valentine and Volkov families realized one thing.

The Crimson Crown was no longer hiding.

They were coming for the people the Ice Crimson Queen and the Ice Violet King loved most.

End of Chapter 5

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