the serpent. | marina

[gamemaker 💀 hades lochlan]

Many do not know what it really means to run an empire. Few have all the parts necessary to do so successfully- even my own offspring disappointed me there. My eldest, for instance. For all her vainglorious bravado and passion, she's really rather dull and far too sentimental for her own good. Led by her emotions too much, that one- got it from me, if you'd believe it. Another me. One who died long, long ago. People saw how similar she acted to her father, and it was true that she shared his brazenness and his bullheadedness- but the passion?

There was a time when I was just the same: ruled by my beating heart, outrageously demanding to be heard, and wanted, and understood in a room full of people who couldn't care less. I grew up. She never has. Which is a pity, really, since I had other children who weren't given the chance to.

Elena was too young and too kind, and frankly, if not for Sebastien, I'd just as soon wait until my granddaughter comes of age and pass everything down to her. But, again, Jacinta's inability to have a stable relationship means that I have not gotten to see Violet in over two years now.

But again, Sebastien has always had a sensible head on his shoulders, a real knack for the business side of things. Though his ambition impresses me, his eagerness to be in charge does frighten me. I believe there is nothing he wouldn't do, not if his name was being asked of him. That is why, if I am being honest, it's him who I called first.

My marriage was over long, long ago. The small things, the things which didn't seem to matter, they added up over time until there were just too many. And though we fell off as lovers some years ago, we always found a way to be good business partners. He was a lovely and charismatic face, calling shots and steering the way. I was the lips in his ear. I did quietly what he did loudly and I let my life become all about elevating his. And I was happy to do so, because it was my duty as a wife and as a mother and, most importantly, as a Salazar. Until the mother fucker cheated on me. And then I decided it'd be easier if he was just dead.

So I started doing what I did best: planting those little seeds of doubt into my son's ear, mentioning offhand how much more common Valentino's mistakes were becoming, how he was getting slower on he draw, how he needed Sebastien to step up and be more of a leader. I'm not proud to say it, but I weaponized the affair as well. Cried and said I was at a loss for what to do. How could I stay and contrarywise, how could I leave a man like Valentino? With all the power and influence- imagine all the horrible things that could've happened to Sebastien's poor dear mother if she took such a risk...

I raised him right, that is all I'll say.

Once everyone else is gone from the cemetery where my husband is buried, I press a gloved hand to my son's shoulder, and then I hug him. It's strange- even now, even as a fully grown adult, his hair smells the same as when he was a little boy who wasn't yet ashamed to crawl into my lap when his sisters wouldn't play with him.

"I love you, son."

The truth is that he isn't ready. It's too late now to do anything else, but that's okay. I was never a good mother, but I am good at this. I pull a ring from my clutch: a silver band etched to look like snake scales, with a giant pear-shaped emerald at the top.

"This ring belonged to your father, and his father before him. It's yours now. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

I hug him again.

"All of it." I whisper.