Belladonna Queen POV
Chapter One: The Queen Leaves Home
Belladonna’s POV
The hardest part about leaving home wasn’t the distance.
It wasn’t the new campus.
It wasn’t the pressure of becoming the next Donna.
It was realizing that for the first time in my life…
My family couldn’t come with me.
---
The estate was louder than usual that morning.
Not because anyone was excited.
Because everyone was trying to pretend they weren’t emotional.
I stood in front of the giant entrance, my bags packed beside me, wearing an outfit that was half college student and half Mafia queen.
A simple black outfit.
My favorite jewelry.
The necklace my fathers gave me.
The ring my grandfather made for me.
And the confidence everyone spent my entire life teaching me to have.
But inside?
I was nervous.
---
"Daddy."
King turned immediately.
No matter how old I got, he still looked at me like I was the little girl who used to run into his arms.
"You ready, Princess?"
I forced a small smile.
"Yeah."
He looked at me carefully.
He knew me too well.
"You don't sound ready."
I looked away.
"I'm fine."
Quinton walked over and wrapped an arm around me.
"You know you can't lie to us, right?"
I sighed.
"My girlfriend couldn't come."
The room went quiet.
Everyone knew how much I wanted her there.
My first day.
My first step into my own life.
I wanted someone beside me who wasn't my family.
Someone who saw me as Belladonna.
Not the Mafia princess.
---
Ace noticed before anyone else.
He always did.
My older brother walked over and bumped my shoulder gently.
"Come on."
I looked at him.
"Where?"
"Walk with me."
---
We stepped away from everyone.
Ace leaned against one of the cars.
"You really like her."
I looked down.
"Yeah."
He nodded.
"And you're hurt she isn't here."
I swallowed.
"Everyone else is always there."
Ace's expression softened.
"That's because everyone else knows what you mean to them."
I looked at him.
"What if she doesn't?"
Ace shook his head.
"Bell."
I looked at him.
"You can't spend your life proving you're worth showing up for."
His words hit harder than I expected.
"You're our little sister."
He smiled.
"But you're also the future queen."
I laughed softly.
"That sounds like something Dad would say."
"Because he's right."
---
Ace pulled me into a hug.
"Don't let anyone make you feel small."
I hugged him back.
"Thank you."
"Always."
---
I got into my car a few minutes later.
Everyone stood outside watching me leave.
My fathers.
My brothers.
My grandfather.
My godfathers.
My family.
The people who built me.
I waved before pulling away.
---
The second I got onto the road, I connected my phone.
One of my favorite songs started playing.
Recommended song: “Toxic” by Kehlani
The beat filled the car, matching the storm of emotions I had been trying to ignore.
I drove with one hand on the wheel, staring at the road ahead.
I wanted to be excited.
I wanted to feel free.
But my heart felt heavy.
---
My phone rang.
Her name appeared.
I hesitated.
Then answered.
"Hey."
"You're already on your way?"
Her voice sounded annoyed.
I frowned.
"Yeah. It's my first day."
"I know."
Silence.
I waited.
Then she sighed.
"You really couldn't wait?"
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.
"Wait for what?"
"For me."
I looked out the window.
"You couldn't come."
"I had things to do."
"And I had my first day."
The silence between us felt louder than the music.
---
"You always choose your family."
My chest tightened.
"That's not fair."
"Isn't it?"
I shook my head.
"No. My family has always been there for me."
"And I haven't?"
I didn't answer fast enough.
That was the problem.
---
The argument continued.
Not screaming.
Not dramatic.
Just two people who cared about each other saying things that hurt.
Things they couldn't take back.
I hated that the conversation felt familiar.
Like we were constantly trying to prove who cared more.
---
"I just wanted you here."
My voice cracked slightly.
"Not because you're supposed to be."
"Because I wanted you beside me."
There was silence.
Then:
"I'll call you later."
The call ended.
---
I sat there for a moment.
The song kept playing.
And I realized something.
Love wasn't supposed to make me feel like I was asking for too much.
---
When I finally reached campus, I took a deep breath.
This was my new life.
Not just King's daughter.
Not just Quinton's daughter.
Not just Belladonna Queen, Mafia princess.
Me.
---
Ariana found me almost immediately.
"There she is!"
I smiled.
My best friend ran over and hugged me.
"You're actually here."
I laughed.
"Yeah."
She looked around.
"Ready?"
I looked at the campus.
Students everywhere.
New faces.
New opportunities.
"Kind of."
Ariana smiled.
"That's enough."
---
We spent the morning walking around campus, finding our classes and learning where everything was.
For once, nobody knew who I was.
Nobody looked at me because of my last name.
And honestly?
It felt nice.
---
During our first class, we met Matilda.
She sat beside us, looking completely focused.
She had confidence that immediately caught my attention.
"You two are in business?"
Ariana nodded.
"Yeah."
Matilda smiled.
"Me too."
I looked at her.
"Really?"
She nodded.
"I'm also studying sports management."
Ariana raised an eyebrow.
"You look like you could be."
Matilda laughed.
"I box."
That caught my attention.
"You do?"
"Yeah."
She smiled.
"Been doing it for years."
---
There was something different about Matilda.
She wasn't impressed by my name.
She didn't ask about my family.
She didn't treat me like someone important.
She treated me like a person.
And I liked that.
---
By the end of the day, I sat on the campus lawn with Ariana and Matilda.
Three girls who had just met.
Three different lives.
Three different stories.
And somehow...
I felt like this was the beginning of something.
---
My phone buzzed.
A message from King.
Proud of you, Princess.
Then one from Quin.
Remember who you are.
I smiled.
Because no matter where I went...
I carried them with me.
But college was mine.
My choices.
My future.
My crown.
And I was ready to prove that Belladonna Queen wasn't just protected by a powerful family.
I was powerful too.
