Chapter 42
Even the Starr Family had a consigliere.
A consigliere is an advisor within the family, someone consulted on organizational matters. In other words, a person in that position had to be intelligent and worthy of respect.
“Then why is someone like you our consigliere?”
Knox asked him, eyes full of curiosity, as he drank with Pete at the Delina House.
“I’m telling you, it’s ridiculous.”
Leaning back arrogantly in his chair with one leg crossed over the other, he spoke with a haughty air.
“You must think it’s funny that I hang around with you and Chambers, but you’re making a huge mistake.”
His name was Pete Donahue.
While most consigliares were middle-aged and considerably older, Pete was only 32—a relatively young age. Part of the reason was the Starr Family’s short history.
Pete’s appearance was fairly average, but he was tall and well-built, and his dimples made him charming when he smiled. His good manners made him popular with women, unlike the other taciturn members of the organization.
Although he often seemed idle—enough to make Knox question him—his business acumen and sharp mind had greatly contributed to the growth of Delina House, a fact that couldn’t be ignored.
“By the way, have you met the lady of the house?”
“I only caught a glimpse at the wedding. Didn’t get a proper look. The boss was wrapped up tight anyway.”
Clicking his tongue, Pete straightened up and asked again.
“You’ve seen her often, right?”
“Of course. You know how close we are, don’t you?”
Pete frowned at Knox’s cocky reply.
“I’ve said it many times: just because you’ve exchanged a few words doesn’t mean you’re friends.”
“Don’t underestimate me. Ask the lady herself! She knows how close we are.”
“Well, that aside. Where’s Giovanni? I have something to tell him while the boss and I are away in the Sinope territory.”
Kilian wasn’t ignorant about business, but to finish things faster, he decided to take Pete along. Pete, curious about what kind of person the lady was, readily agreed.
“Giovanni isn’t in Delina, so tell me. I’ll pass it along.”
“To you?”
Pete laughed heartily as if he’d just heard a funny story and patted Knox on the shoulder.
“What’s that? Feeling offended?”
Knox shrugged off his hand and shook his shoulder.
“Please. You can’t even remember past two sentences properly.”
“Ha! Let’s test that! See if I can memorize it or not.”
“I don’t have time to play with you like this.”
“Whatever you say.”
Ignoring Knox’s protests, Pete quickly headed toward the Starr Family headquarters. It seemed faster to find Giovanni himself than to ask him.
Meanwhile, Emily was thrilled at the thought of finally visiting the Sinope estate.
She was eager to see the maid and butler who had been diligently managing the mansion in her absence, as well as Grandma Juliette, Toto, and the other people of the estate.
Not to mention the valley filled with ripe raspberries, the fountains where children played until dusk, the hills overlooking Sinope—there wasn’t a single thing she didn’t miss.
By the time she finished packing gifts for the townspeople, her luggage was piled high.
“Lady, is this all the luggage?”
Ivan, who had already gone up and down the stairs several times, asked, catching his breath.
“Yes. It was hard carrying all this, wasn’t it?”
“Haha, not at all. A man like me doesn’t tire from something like this.”
Pretending it wasn’t a struggle, Ivan wiped the sweat from his chin.
“Ivan,”
Roxy tapped his shoulder lightly, expressionless.
“What is it?”
“I’ll be going downstairs anyway, so I’ll take this.”
“Don’t bother. How heavy can it be? You can’t lift it.”
“Really?”
Roxy casually snatched the bag from Ivan with one hand and swung it over her shoulder.
“The carriage is out front, right?”
“Uh, uh? Y-yes…”
Ivan stared blankly as Roxy walked off effortlessly.
“Lady… call me if you need any help carrying things.”
“I will.”
As Ivan gave a weary salute and trudged out, someone knocked at the door again.
“Lady!”
Alvin entered with a cheerful smile, a stark contrast to Ivan’s previous presence.
“You seem happy.”
“This is your first trip together, isn’t it?”
“It feels more like business than a trip.”
Alvin ignored Emily’s words and continued with his impressions.
“Though it’s a bit warm to travel, summer trips have their own charm, don’t they?”
“Summer trips usually go from hot to cool, but Sinope is hotter than here.”
“And!”
Alvin quickly interrupted Emily.
“It’s where you grew up. This trip will surely mean a lot to the Marquis too.”
For some reason, Emily felt she should agree with him.
“Just imagining you walking down the hometown path makes my heart swell.”
“Aren’t you coming along?”
Alvin looked disappointed, wishing he could witness the scene.
“I have to stay here, but the next cleverest person will assist you and the master.”
“Who? Someone I know?”
Emily asked thoughtfully. Alvin shook his head.
“You probably haven’t met them yet.”
“Would it be awkward if we don’t meet before going? Should I invite them for dinner?”
“Great idea! I’ll inform His Excellency immediately.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“Don’t worry.”
Humming a tune, Alvin left the room briskly. Once he was gone, Cezanne quietly approached Emily.
“Lady, will the maid assisting you on this trip not be coming?”
Cezanne’s cheeks were unusually flushed as she asked.
“I haven’t decided yet… Cezanne, would you like to come?”
“Eh? Really?”
Cezanne’s voice trembled slightly. Emily found her reaction fascinating.
“You’ve wanted to go to Sinope that badly?”
“Yes!”
Cezanne nodded quickly, as if to confirm.
“I see… You’re the first person around me who’s said they wanted to visit Sinope.”
Realizing her earlier comment seemed dismissive, Emily hurriedly added:
“Of course, Sinope is incredibly beautiful, but not many people truly appreciate it.”
“I… do! I’m one of those who does.”
“Really? Then start packing gradually. I’ll definitely take you.”
Cezanne’s face lit up at Emily’s words.
“And…”
Hesitant, Cezanne glanced at Emily before speaking.
“From listening to your conversation with Alvin, it seems guests will come for dinner. May I serve the tea?”
“Uh? Sure.”
“Thank you! I’ll make it delicious.”
‘Cezanne isn’t acting like herself today,’ Emily thought, watching the shy but proactive girl curiously.
That evening, Kilian, after receiving Alvin’s message, headed to the mansion with Pete.
“Don’t mention you’re a consigliere in front of the lady.”
“Or should I hide the fact I’m in the mafia altogether?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Sure.”
Pete looked at Kilian incredulously.
“Why are you so flustered in front of the lady? Is that great noblewoman looking down on us for being in the mafia?”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
Kilian hesitated, then spoke:
“She might get scared.”
“I can’t stand this.”
Pete shivered as if creeped out.
“What kind of person is she to make the boss react this way?”
“Quiet. Don’t speak carelessly there, or you’ll regret it.”
“Yes, yes. Feels like I’m about to choke on my food.”
Listening to Kilian’s warning, they soon arrived at the Starr mansion. Standing in front of it made them inexplicably nervous.
“Welcome.”
Emily, who came to greet them, wore a graceful beige-gold dress. Her neatly styled hair and elegant posture were typical of a noble lady.
“Thank you for inviting me to dinner. I’m Pete Donahue.”
Pete bowed politely, greeting Emily with gentlemanly manners. Behind Emily, Cezanne also appeared.
“Hello, Donahue. I’ll take your coat.”
“Cezanne, long time no see. How have you been?”
Cezanne shyly avoided eye contact.
“I’m well. How about you, Donahue?”
“Doing fine, as always.”
Emily observed the two curiously, now understanding why Cezanne wanted to join this trip.
“But, Donahue, are you part of the mafia?”
Emily’s question made both Kilian and Pete stop in their tracks as they headed toward the dining room.
“What do you mean, Lady?”
Because of his prior conversation with Kilian, Pete tried to feign ignorance.
“You’ve known Cezanne for a long time, and the wolf emblem on your cufflinks….”
‘He noticed that,’ Pete fiddled with his cufflinks, feeling Kilian’s sharp gaze beside him.
“Ah! And at the wedding, I think I saw you among the Black Legion.”
Realizing denying it was useless, Pete admitted it.
“You have a keen eye, Lady.”
“I was just speaking what I saw.”
Emily didn’t seem overly concerned about Pete being in the mafia.
Relieved, Pete and Kilian continued toward the dining room.
Once seated, Mayo came out to explain the course menu. Seeing him, Pete raised his hand in greeting.
“Hello!”
His dimpled smile clearly pleased Mayo, though Mayo’s expression darkened upon seeing Pete.
“What is he doing here…?”
