Killian didn’t want to reveal his identity as a mafia boss in front of Emily.
As a typical noblewoman, she would surely fear or look down on the mafia like everyone else.
There was no need to remind a woman who had married him out of financial necessity that she had, in fact, married into the mafia.
But Emily blinked her big eyes and waited patiently for him to introduce the two men who had approached their table. Killian swallowed a sigh and finally spoke.
“…They’re my subordinates.”
The two who had come to greet them—Nox and Chambers—were high-ranking officers in the organization. Both were tall, well-dressed, and handsome.
Nox, in particular, had known Killian since childhood. He was one of the few people who could treat Killian casually and was, to put it kindly, a bit unhinged.
Emily, relieved that the mafia men didn’t look threatening, greeted them politely.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Emily Starr.”
Though she was shy, she clearly enunciated her name and looked them in the eye, giving off a confident impression. Nox’s eyes lit up with curiosity.
“I’m Nox, and the guy with glasses here is Chambers. He looks smart because of the glasses, but don’t be fooled—he’s not that bright.”
Despite his silver hair and scholarly appearance, Chambers was more skilled in combat than intellect, just as Nox said.
“I’m still smarter than you, Nox.”
“That’s true.”
Nox didn’t deny it and laughed, taking the seat next to Emily. Chambers, more reserved, naturally sat beside Killian.
Killian began to rise to shoo them away, but Emily gently waved her hand.
“It’s fine.”
Though the situation was a bit awkward, she wasn’t displeased. In fact, she found it oddly amusing.
No one around Emily ever spoke so bluntly. Nobles always wore the same polite masks.
“You’re far too kind. You’re really too good for someone like him.”
Killian nearly responded to Nox’s jab but stopped himself. Feeding into his antics would only encourage him.
“I thought he was joking when he said he’d marry the Lady of the fallen Sinopé family. Who’d have thought he’d actually go through with it?”
Silence fell over the table. Killian instantly regretted not shutting Nox up.
“…You’ve known me for years?”
Did that mean he had his eye on her long before he sent the marriage proposal? Confusion flickered across Emily’s face.
Killian hesitated, wondering how to explain it.
If he said that a mafia boss had been interested in her for eight years, wouldn’t that be completely creepy?
Thankfully, Chambers stepped in to cover for him.
“Lord Killian has long intended to marry a noble lady. Of those considered, you were the most likely candidate.”
Emily gave an ambiguous smile at that. So that was the reason for their marriage.
“Ah, I see. You needed someone with noble lineage.”
So much for being grateful. Neither of them was doing Killian any favors.
“Chambers.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Take Nox and return to your table.”
Chambers didn’t quite understand why Killian was angry—after all, he thought he had helped—but he nodded after seeing the dangerous glint in Killian’s eyes.
“Well then, we’ll take our leave.”
But Nox, slower to catch on, leaned lazily on the table and didn’t move.
“Nox, please stand up.”
“Huh? But I’ve still got more to say!”
Chambers finally forced him up and interlaced their fingers—a move Nox absolutely hated and rendered him powerless.
“I’ll walk away on my own, just let go of my hand!”
“No can do.”
“Just punch me instead, you jerk! Everyone’s staring!”
“Ever thought it’s because you’re being loud?”
“Dammit!”
Their bickering continued until they left the restaurant.
Watching the whole show, Emily blinked up at Killian.
“Will you be introducing me to the rest of your subordinates too?”
Killian deliberately ignored her sparkling eyes and replied firmly:
“No. Absolutely not.”
This much headache was enough for one day.
Unfortunately, he had no idea that an even bigger headache would arrive the next day.
After spending the whole day with Emily, Killian was busy catching up on his work from early the next morning. Emily, also moving about from early on, had dozed off at her desk.
“Um… madam…”
A servant gently called to Emily, not daring to shake her awake and instead repeating her name quietly a few times.
“I must’ve nodded off. What is it?”
“You have a visitor.”
“A visitor? For me?”
There weren’t many people who would come to see Emily, so she was understandably puzzled.
“Well… It’s the young master’s nephew.”
At that, Emily remembered something. Killian’s nephew—Johann—was the one who, in the original story, left the Starr family after Daniel was named heir and formed his own organization.
In the end, he was a tragic character who died after being shot by Daniel’s subordinate.
Straightening her hair and smoothing her wrinkled skirt, Emily felt oddly anxious as she made her way down to the reception room.
When she opened the door, the boy sitting on the sofa stood up immediately.
“Hello, Auntie.”
He looked to be around seven years old. Johann had light brown hair with a golden tint and bright green eyes. He was a handsome, clever-looking boy with rosy cheeks that made him look even more adorable.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
In truth, Johann wasn’t Killian’s blood nephew. He was the son of a man who had treated Killian like a younger brother. After that man’s death, Johann had been entrusted to Killian’s care.
Johann knew this, which meant he might’ve felt threatened by Killian’s recent marriage.
“Did you come to the wedding?”
“No. Uncle didn’t invite me.”
“Oh my, why would he do that?”
“I think… he was worried I’d make you uncomfortable.”
Looking at the crestfallen child, Emily felt a twinge of pity, completely separate from her knowledge of the original story.
“Not at all. Don’t ever think that. So, where are you staying now?”
“I’m living at a boarding school.”
Emily tilted her head.
“Aren’t you still a bit young for that?”
“It’s okay. There are other kids my age too.”
“Still, I can’t help but worry.”
Her genuine concern seemed to warm Johann.
“So… did you come all this way from school by yourself?”
She was shocked that a seven-year-old had made his way alone from a boarding school to this mansion. Clearly, he was no ordinary child.
“It’s the holiday break. I sent Uncle a letter, but I guess he didn’t get it.”
“I haven’t heard anything either, so maybe the letter was lost. You’ll stay here for the break, right?”
“If it’s inconvenient, I can find another place.”
Still sitting properly with his hands on his knees, Johann looked at her anxiously.
“No, it’s not inconvenient at all. I’d love for you to stay.”
Only then did a bright smile bloom on the boy’s face.
“Thank you so much!”
Emily smiled back warmly and patted his head.
Later, when the butler rushed in after hearing that Emily was with Johann, his expression twisted in disbelief.
That arrogant little brat pretending to be pure and innocent in front of Lady Emily—unbelievable.
By the time Killian returned home, having heard the news, Johann had already finished eating and was having tea with Emily in the garden.
“This is ridiculous.”
Killian’s face hardened as he watched them from afar.
“My thoughts exactly,” Giovanni muttered beside him, clearly just as disturbed.
Johann was eating a cream puff, custard smeared on his lips as he giggled. Emily laughed along and gently wiped his mouth.
Killian and Giovanni could both bet Johann had done it on purpose.
“Aren’t you going over there?”
“I am.”
By the time Killian entered the garden, Emily and Johann were laughing like old friends.
“You’re home early.”
Emily noticed him first and greeted him. Johann, still laughing a moment ago, straightened up with a polite expression.
“Uncle, it’s been a while.”
“Indeed. Dropping by without notice, huh?”
Emily frowned at Killian’s curt tone. No wonder Johann grew up twisted in the original story.
She jumped in to explain on Johann’s behalf.
“He sent you a letter, but you must not have received it. His school’s on break.”
Clearly, Killian had never gotten the letter.
And clearly, Johann had never sent one. They could’ve bet their other wrist on that. But what could Killian do? Picking a fight in front of Emily would only make him look bad.
“Kid, let’s have a quick word.”
At that, Johann jumped down from his chair and hurried to Emily’s side.
“I rode the carriage for so long today that I’m really tired. Emily said she’d sing me a lullaby. Can we talk tomorrow if it’s not urgent?”
“…Emily?”
Killian’s brow twitched at the overly familiar way the boy called her.
“…A lullaby?”
Giovanni muttered behind him, frowning.
“I told him he could call me by name.”
Emily had completely fallen for the kid’s trick. A shadow of dismay passed over both men’s faces.
“Johann’s tired today, so let’s talk tomorrow. Or you can tell me instead.”
“Then we’ll head to our room now, yes?”
Johann had already latched onto Emily’s hand, smiling sweetly.
“…Fine. Tomorrow, then.”
“Goodnight.”
For some reason, Killian felt like the unwanted guest between them. Emily and Johann walked off arm in arm, cheerful as could be.
At this rate, dealing with that sly little brat might be worse than dealing with scatterbrained Nox.
“Should I summon Nox?”
Even Giovanni seemed to think that was a better alternative. But Killian grimaced.
“That would be a different kind of headache. Try something else first.”
“Yes, sir.”
Killian climbed the stairs to his study, rubbing his temples.
At least tomorrow was the second lesson he’d promised Emily.
He muttered grimly to himself.
‘I have to find a way to get rid of that little brat….
