TQV 15

Chapter 15

Emily’s eyes slowly traveled upward from the towel that had fallen to the floor.

She had only ever seen Killian fully dressed before, so she had only imagined what he might look like underneath. Now, she saw him in the flesh.

Broad shoulders, a wide chest, perfectly sculpted abs like chiseled marble, thick sides, muscular thighs she had once felt before, a firm backside, and then…

Gasping, Emily covered her mouth with both hands.

“Ack, no—this isn’t right!”

She quickly covered her eyes and shouted, “H-Hurry up and put something on!”

Killian, just as startled as she was, hurriedly moved after a moment’s pause, picked up the towel, and wrapped it around his lower half.

“I’m covered now.”

At his words, Emily cautiously peeked through her fingers. Even with only his lower half barely concealed, she felt faint all over again.

She slowly crawled onto the couch in the room and sat down.

Holy thoughts. Think holy thoughts!

As she tried to recall the god she believed in, her thoughts wandered to a statue of a male deity she’d once seen. That was it—Killian’s body was just like the statues in the temple, perfectly proportioned and sculpted.

‘No! I shouldn’t be thinking like this!’

Just when Emily was struggling to suppress her increasingly inappropriate thoughts, Killian sat across from her.

With the full view of his exposed skin filling her vision, Emily feared she might do something impulsive and forced herself to speak.

“Could you… sit somewhere else?”

After a moment of hesitation, Killian moved to the far end of the couch beside her.

‘I didn’t mean right here!’

With Killian freshly showered and the scent of him so close, Emily began to suspect he was torturing her on purpose.

But Killian had misunderstood. He thought her request came from not wanting to see his face, and in a slightly dispirited tone, he asked,

“So… what brings you to this room?”

“I accidentally opened the secret passage. What about you?”

“The bathroom in my room is under repair.”

“Alvin did mention it to me… I must have forgotten.”

After that, the conversation stalled.

It was awkward enough seeing each other for the first time since their cold war, but under these circumstances, it was impossible to have a proper talk.

“Anyway, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to see you naked.”

Emily tossed out a hasty apology and was ready to leave. But Killian, looking like he had something on his mind, pressed his lips together.

Just as Emily was about to rise from her seat after waiting several seconds for him to speak, Killian urgently called her.

“Emily.”

It had been a while since he’d called her name. Though her feelings toward him hadn’t completely healed, her heart fluttered helplessly.

She sat back down, and Killian, still staring at the floor, finally spoke.

“I should be the one to apologize… I’m sorry it took me so long.”

His apology took Emily by surprise.

“I judged you just because you were alone with the crown prince. I acted on my assumptions. I’m sorry I didn’t fully understand the situation—and that I scared you.”

It was far more sincere and courteous than she had expected. Hearing his genuine remorse, the feelings of hurt and resentment she’d held onto melted away in an instant.

“You did it because you were worried about me?”

“Yes, I was.”

Emily replied with a small, playful pout. “Okay, I understand.”

Killian, encouraged by her response, slowly lifted his head and met her gaze.

“Does that mean you forgive me?”

Emily nodded with a soft smile. Killian, almost mesmerized by that smile, quickly turned his head away.

Emily wasn’t the only one struggling here. Her thin chemise was too tempting for him as well.

The room felt like it was heating up. Convinced something truly dangerous might happen if she stayed, Emily pinched her thigh and stood up.

“Well then, I’ll go get some sleep.”

“Yes… me too.”

Without even making proper eye contact, the two awkwardly parted ways and returned to their rooms.

That night felt particularly long.

*

Johan had been thinking for several days.

He was someone who typically didn’t care about upsetting or offending others. But the fact that he had hurt Emily genuinely weighed on his conscience.

Guilt didn’t really suit Johan, but living with Emily had taught him new emotions—even that one.

Swallowing his pride, Johan knocked on Killian’s study door. From inside came the voice, “Come in.”

Expecting it to be Giovanni or Alvin, Killian glanced down when no one seemed to be entering.

There was a round little head barely visible under the desk.

“Kid, what are you doing here?”

“Is that all you ever say to me when you see me?”

Killian thought back on his behavior. Come to think of it, that was usually the first thing out of his mouth when he saw Johan.

“My apologies. But I’m still curious why you’re here.”

‘Ugh, forget it. Why even try?’

Johan sighed and walked over to the couch opposite Killian’s desk, plopping down.

“Apologize to Emily. It was my fault.”

Killian raised an eyebrow. “What fault?”

“I thought you’d figured it out by now. I sent a fake letter to the crown prince.”

It was rare for Johan to admit wrongdoing so openly. Killian smiled approvingly and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket.

“Here. I’ll return this.”

“So you were the one who took it!”

Johan darted over, snatched the handkerchief from Killian’s hand, and stuffed it back into his pocket—shooting a glare at Killian for good measure.

“You still need to clean up your own mess, though.”

“Ugh, fine.”

“But before that, let’s agree on a story.”

“What story?”

“Come closer.”

Johan leaned in and listened to Killian’s advice, nodding as he heard it. It wasn’t a bad plan for him either.

That evening, for the first time in a while, the three of them sat together at the dinner table.

“Emily, I’m sorry.”

Before the food arrived, Johan spoke.

“Sorry for what?”

“The letter from the crown prince… I read it first and wrote the reply myself.”

“What?”

The unexpected confession made Emily drop her fork onto the table. Fearing she might look at him with disappointment, Johan rushed to explain.

“I’m just a commoner—I don’t get to meet royalty. I really wanted to see the crown prince up close.”

A modified version of Killian’s suggestion.

“So you sent that invitation because you were curious about what he looked like?”

“Yes…”

As expected, Emily didn’t get mad. Instead, she looked at him with pity.

“You should’ve told me sooner.”

“I’m really sorry.”

When Johan looked like he was about to cry, Emily made a firm decision.

“It’s okay. Next time, we’ll go greet the crown prince together.”

This time, Killian dropped his fork.

Damn it, I shouldn’t have let him use that story.

Still, peace returned to the mansion.

And soon, the day everyone in the Star family—except Emily—had been eagerly awaiting finally arrived: Johan’s first day of school.

“What the hell is this crap?!”

Looking over his sports day registration form, Johan cursed out loud. Instead of checking off “three-legged race with mother,” someone had marked “four-legged race with parents.”

“Uncle.”

He stormed over to Killian and waved the form in front of his face.

“Did you mess with my registration?”

Johan’s energy was intense. Killian took the form, folded it neatly, and tucked it back into Johan’s pocket.

“In the mafia, it’s only fair to get revenge in equal measure.”

“You did this awful thing just for revenge?!”

Johan had absolutely no desire for any kind of physical contact with Killian. Some might scoff and say it didn’t count as skinship—but they didn’t know him.

With his obsessive cleanliness, Johan had never linked arms or held hands with his academy friends. Only Emily was the exception.

Still, Killian looked him dead in the eye and said firmly,

“Exactly. So take responsibility for your actions from now on.”

“But I gave you back the handkerchief and helped you make up with Emily!”

Johan huffed. Killian almost nodded with an “ah,” but caught himself just in time. He couldn’t let himself owe this kid anything more.

“…Mafia revenge always comes back twice as hard.”

“You totally just made that up!”

“Ridiculous. Giovanni, did I just make that up?”

Giovanni was an excellent assistant. Before Killian had even finished speaking, he had already jotted it down in his notebook. He confidently opened it and showed Johan the “Mafia Rules” section.

“It’s not a lie, kid. It’s always been a rule.”

There it was: Rule #113 of the Mafia—clear as day. Johan, unaware it had only just been added, trembled with frustration.

“This is insane…”

“Now back to your seat.”

“But Uncle…”

Still fuming, Johan crossed his arms and looked up at Killian.

“Can you really say there wasn’t a single selfish motive behind this? Like… maybe wanting to hold Emily’s hand or put your arm around her? Is that why you messed with my form?”

As expected, the kid hit the nail on the head. Killian simply ruffled Johan’s hair instead of replying.

“Shut your mouth and focus on getting first place.”