Chapter 33
The market was bustling with people since it was the weekend. The flower market, in particular, was a popular date spot for couples.
Amidst these lovey-dovey couples, Emily and Killian walked side by side with a sense of awkwardness between them.
“Good afternoon, Lord Killian.”
It became even more awkward when people recognized him and bowed politely while sneaking glances at the two.
“May I offer a bouquet to the lady?”
At that moment, a shop owner approached and carefully held out a bouquet of freesias.
“Oh my, thank you.”
Now that she thought about it, Emily had never received flowers since getting married. Killian, remembering that as well, had a stiff expression on his face.
He had paid off her debts, reclaimed the Synope mansion, and bought everything needed for the wedding—but no matter how hard he tried to recall, he couldn’t remember ever giving her a personal gift.
He had once handed her a bundle of jewelry from a jeweler, but Emily must have considered those as part of her social duties. She hadn’t shown any particularly memorable reaction.
“Give me the list of things you said you needed earlier.”
Killian quickly pressed Emily.
“Pardon?”
Emily, puzzled, handed him the note she had written earlier. Killian immediately showed the list to the shop owner.
“Send everything on this list to Stargha.”
“Yes, sir! Right away!”
The shopkeeper, thrilled by the unexpected order after gifting a flower, eagerly began setting aside pots for packing.
Killian, having followed the merchant into the shop almost without realizing it, glanced around and pointed to a striking blue flower.
“Also, wrap up a bunch of those.”
“You mean delphiniums?”
As he had mentioned in the carriage, Killian knew nothing about flowers. He had simply chosen them because their color resembled Emily’s eyes.
The merchant, receiving no reply from Killian, simply smiled slyly and began wrapping the delphiniums beautifully.
“Great choice. These are perfect for gifting between lovers.”
“Why’s that?”
“They mean ‘I will make you happy.’”
I will make you happy…
Killian walked out of the shop, holding the bouquet of delphiniums that the shopkeeper had wrapped, feeling conflicted. He looked at Emily, who was still joyfully smelling the freesias.
Seeing her like that made his heart ache in an unfamiliar way.
Emily noticed him and approached.
“What are these flowers?”
Killian, suddenly shy about handing them over, avoided her eyes and replied in a deliberately calm voice.
“They’re called delphiniums. I… got them for you.”
“Oh my, thank you so much.”
Emily interrupted him with a bright smile and took the flowers. Her delight exceeded his expectations, leaving Killian feeling bashful.
“It’s nothing, really.”
“What do you mean nothing? The freesias were already plenty, and now these too. That shopkeeper is so kind.”
Emily naturally assumed the delphiniums had also been a gift from the shopkeeper. Just then, she spotted the merchant near the entrance.
“These pots will all be delivered to Stargha, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Then could you send these bouquets along with them? I think they’d look lovely decorating the terrace.”
The shopkeeper looked deeply moved.
“To have them displayed on your terrace, my lady, is a great honor.”
“The flowers are all fresh and beautiful. I really love the ones you gave me. I’ll be sure to come again.”
“I’ll give you even more freebies next time you visit!”
Killian felt like interrupting to say, Actually, the delphiniums were from me, but the moment had passed.
“Come again soon!”
Killian trudged behind the cheerful Emily with a heavy heart.
Since they had bought everything they needed from a single shop, there was no point in browsing further. If Alvin had seen this, he would’ve scolded him for his utter lack of tact.
“Oh? Killian.”
A man recognized Killian and approached them—it was Endymion, the heir to the Gotio family and one of its leading figures.
“The lady with you must be the new mistress of Stargha.”
“Hello.”
Seeing that Endymion was friendly with Killian, Emily greeted him politely.
“Still, fancy running into Killian here of all places. They say marriage changes a man, and I guess it’s true.”
Sensing Emily’s gaze, Killian quickly changed the subject.
“What brings you here?”
“I wanted to buy some flowers for my girlfriend. Maria, say hello.”
At that, a petite woman who had been hidden behind Endymion’s broad frame stepped forward. With her delicate features, she had an aura that made you want to protect her.
“Hello.”
Maria greeted Killian, then exchanged a knowing glance with Emily.
“You two know each other?” Endymion asked, noticing the exchange.
“We attend the same temple, so I recognize her face,” Maria replied.
Emily was a noble, and Maria a commoner, so they hadn’t spoken before, but their faces were familiar.
“It’s nice to see you here.”
Emily smiled and glanced at Maria’s neck. The woman wore an extravagant diamond necklace with an opal pendant—quite a contrast from her modest temple image.
“Well then, since we all know each other, why not head to the club and talk more comfortably?”
Killian looked to Emily, silently asking if she was okay with that. She nodded, indicating she didn’t mind. The four of them then headed to Club Tar, which Endymion managed, and were shown to the best seats.
Inside the dimly lit club, Maria’s necklace sparkled even more brightly, and Endymion looked proud.
“Do you like the necklace?” he asked, tapping her nose affectionately.
Maria shyly smiled without a word and leaned into his chest.
Embarrassed by their unabashed public affection, Emily and Killian averted their eyes and pretended not to notice.
“Well, we’re going to talk business now. Ladies, would you mind sitting at another table?”
Endymion looked at Maria and Emily as he spoke. Maria turned to Emily.
“Madam, shall we move to the next table? If you’re okay with that.”
Maria seemed unsure if Emily, being a noble, would be uncomfortable socializing with her.
“Sure. Let’s sit over there.”
Since the men were going to talk about mafia business anyway, sitting with Maria made more sense.
Besides, Emily had no reason to feel uncomfortable with her—she had always mingled freely with commoners in the territory.
Once the women moved, Killian and Endymion began their real conversation.
“You got the letter, right?”
Killian nodded.
“My father doesn’t have much time left.”
To the average person, Vito Gotio may not have seemed like a good father, but Endymion respected him. He looked deeply troubled now.
Killian didn’t know how to comfort others well. He simply clinked his glass against Endymion’s silently.
“But now, someone claiming to be my father’s son has appeared.”
A man named Sam, one of the Capos in the Gotio family, had come forward, claiming to be Vito’s illegitimate child—right as Vito was on his deathbed. It was causing a stir over the succession.
“Is it certain that he’s Vito’s son?”
“My father’s unconscious, so we don’t know. But…”
Endymion struggled to continue, his lips moving without sound before he downed more liquor. Since it concerned his father’s honor, it was hard for him to speak openly.
“So it’s probably true.”
Endymion eventually nodded at Killian’s firm tone.
“There’s a photo of the man as a child, being held by my father and mother.”
Anyone would have believed they were a family in that picture, and that tormented Endymion.
“What’s the mood like inside the family?”
Sam was a competent Capo and had a good reputation within the organization. When word got out that he might be Vito’s son, many were shaken—and some began leaning toward him.
“He’s doing this now because he wants the successor position.”
“But weren’t you already confirmed as the heir?”
“I’m not sure. My father’s will is to be announced at the funeral.”
“Vito sees you as his successor. Don’t worry too much.”
“That’s comforting. Thanks. But if anything happens at the funeral, please side with me.”
Killian much preferred Endymion as head of the Gotio family over Sam.
“I will.”
Only then did Endymion’s expression ease.
“By the way, you still avoiding the drug trade?”
“Not really my style.”
“It’s profitable, though. Shame.”
“I’m doing fine with my current businesses.”
Endymion chuckled, resigned, and stood up.
“Let’s see what the ladies are up to.”
While the two men had been talking, Emily and Maria had been watching a singer perform.
“Enjoying the show?”
Endymion came up behind Maria and kissed her cheek.
“Yes. You hired a great singer.”
“Getting praise from you feels great.”
He kissed her other cheek.
“Are you finished talking?”
“Yeah, shall we head out?”
Maria glanced at Emily, silently asking if she would come along.
To be honest, Emily found Maria a great conversation partner—intelligent and surprisingly witty.
But compared to the affectionate couple, she and Killian felt cold and distant by contrast.
“We’re going to head back now.”
Killian, not catching the tone of her refusal, fidgeted nervously. He thought she was upset at being left alone with a stranger in an unfamiliar place.
“There’s a great restaurant nearby. Shame we can’t go today. Next time, then.”
Endymion, already assured of Killian’s support, let them go without issue.
“Take care, Maria.”
“It was a pleasure to meet you.”
Emily and Maria shared a brief hug goodbye.
Killian, still checking Emily’s mood, quickly escorted her to the carriage.
