Chapter 55
Emily bit her lip nervously as she watched his expression. She felt she had explained clearly enough why she had pretended to remarry, but Killian’s expression remained rather displeased.
“So, you pretended to remarry an Eloise devotee just to get in there?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Emily nodded emphatically. Everything fit together now, so there was no need for further confirmation. Killian swallowed a sigh and moved on.
“…Please, don’t do such dangerous things again.”
He was still jealous of Emily’s imaginary spouse, and the feeling made her feel a bit self-conscious.
“I understand. I promise.”
Finally freed from misunderstanding, her heart felt lighter, and she looked around.
“By the way, what about the orange juice…?”
The two glasses of orange juice Killian had bought were now lying on the ground, spilled.
“Oh.”
Being unable to drink, Emily felt even thirstier than before. As Killian awkwardly prepared to buy more juice, the merchants began wheeling carts around, selling alcohol as evening fell.
“Shall we have some alcohol instead of juice?”
The cherry wine, a must-have at Vincent’s summer festival, was a cocktail with crushed cherries at the bottom and a single cherry floating on top.
Before long, people were holding one or two glasses of cherry wine.
A merchant passing by their side seemed to hear Emily and handed her a glass.
“That’ll be three pennies.”
Killian chuckled and paid. He didn’t mind, since they were going to drink anyway, and it would spoil the newly brightened atmosphere if he hesitated over three pennies.
“Have you tried it before?”
“No, I haven’t.”
He had never had the leisure to enjoy festivals, and whimsical drinks like cherry wine weren’t really his taste.
Emily took a sip first, then, saying it was delicious, encouraged him to drink as well.
However, it was too sweet for Killian’s liking.
Meanwhile, soft music began playing in the square, and couples started dancing hand in hand.
Feeling cheerful from the drink, Emily suddenly grabbed his hand.
“Shall we dance too?”
Surprised by Emily taking the initiative, Killian lowered his gaze to hide his astonishment. Surely, his expression must have looked strange.
Seeing him like that, Emily laughed brightly and led him along.
They slowly walked into the crowd together.
As Emily placed her hand on his waist, Killian, initially awkward, gradually matched her rhythm.
At some point, their eyes locked, drawing them closer.
Since returning from Sinope, Emily realized that in focusing solely on survival, she had overlooked what truly mattered.
She found herself liking him more and more.
She liked that he was strong toward others but gentle with her.
She liked that he got jealous. She liked that he fulfilled her requests unconditionally.
“He might be struggling because of the difference in social status. Unless you approach him first, he might not know how to treat you.”
If the nanny’s words were true, Emily didn’t want to hide her feelings. She wanted to believe that she, now, was different from the Emily in the original story.
‘Should I use the alcohol as courage to make a move?’
Before Killian could fully register it, the warmth of her lips touched his and then pulled away.
Startled by Emily’s sudden kiss, Killian froze, every movement halting.
Her large, shyly smiling eyes stared at him. Reading Emily’s unspoken expectation, Killian had no choice but to respond.
He kissed her as if entranced. Perhaps warmed by the alcohol, her lips felt hot and inviting.
Though Killian’s hand tugged firmly at the back of her head, Emily’s lips were soft. The taste of sticky cherries lingered, too sweet to resist.
As their breathing quickened, Emily gently tapped his shoulder. While calming her, Killian continued, their tongues entwining.
Their breaths mingled, punctuated by soft, low moans.
Finally, Emily pushed him away, and their lips separated.
The strikingly handsome man gazed at her with heated eyes. Emily’s heart raced under Killian’s intense stare.
When the music stopped, Killian’s consciousness slowly returned.
‘What have I done?’
It was a moment he had dreamed of but never dared to wish for. Yet Killian could not yet admit that he had fallen in love.
Emily felt gloomy all day.
It seemed they had taken a step forward the night before, but an invisible wall had somehow grown between them.
Even though they usually dined together, today he had even informed her he would be home late.
‘What could possibly be the problem?’ Emily wondered. She had first felt confused, then sad, and now she was beginning to get angry.
“You stole my first kiss, you bad man!”
Just one kiss and he had changed, as if carrying all the troubles of the world—it annoyed her.
“Hmph, see if you can manage life alone now!”
Emily stomped down to the dining room, and Mayo, flustered, hurried out to meet her.
“Milady, you’re eating earlier than usual today.”
“There’s no one to wait for. Can’t I eat a bit earlier?”
“Ha ha, of course. We’ll have it ready immediately.”
Mayo swallowed nervously, noticing the stern side of Emily he hadn’t seen in a while.
“What’s the matter, Mayo?”
Other servants gathered around, curious.
“I don’t know… Milady is in a very bad mood.”
Hearing this, Roxy asked butler Alvin.
“You two arrived late last night. How was the atmosphere then?”
“Then?”
Alvin rubbed his chin, trying to recall. Killian had escorted Emily as usual, then each went to their rooms. Nothing particularly noteworthy…
“That’s all?”
“Yeah.”
The disappointed faces then turned toward Celie.
“And you, Celie? You served Milady at dawn yesterday.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Celie recalled: Milady had come in flushed, washed, changed clothes, and slept. Nothing seemed to upset her.
“…….”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah, that’s it.”
Sezanne, who had been quiet, spoke up.
“Wasn’t this morning a bit strange?”
“What do you mean?”
“Even when Milady spoke to Killian, he only gave short answers and seemed to avoid her.”
Alvin nodded in agreement.
“Now that I think about it, Sir left work free today but came to the office suddenly.”
“Do you mean… the boss is avoiding Milady?”
Ivan’s jaw dropped. The idea of the boss snubbing Milady was unimaginable.
“Something is definitely wrong.”
The uneasy moods of the masters worried the servants.
Meanwhile, Killian was equally frustrated.
“Why are you in such a bad mood? Did you fight with your wife?”
Nox plopped down in front of him.
“No response, so I guess you did.”
Clicking his tongue, Killian called a waiter.
“Bring me a bottle of malt whiskey, any kind.”
“Yes, sir.”
The waiter glanced around, then brought the most expensive bottle.
Seeing the brand, Nox grabbed his collar.
“Do you think we’re fools?”
“S-Sorry! I’ll bring another one.”
“Bring it properly this time.”
The waiter returned with a reasonably priced whiskey and hurried to another table.
“Finally, you should’ve given this in the first place.”
Nox popped the cork and looked at Killian.
“Now, tell me. What’s the problem?”
“I didn’t call you to discuss problems. Just shut up and drink.”
“Come on! Don’t be shy, tell me everything.”
Nox crossed his legs, leaning back confidently.
“Is this a marital issue? I’m not good at that.”
“No, just drink.”
“Then why did you call me? Surely not to sulk alone.”
With no answer, Nox frowned.
“No answer… I thought marriage would improve your mood, but you’re still impossible.”
Munching the snacks, Nox continued unsolicited advice.
“If that gentle lady fought with you, it’s 100% your fault. You really don’t know how to win a woman’s heart.”
Killian ran his hand through his hair wearily.
“We didn’t fight.”
He poured whiskey into his glass, silence following. Nox sighed and asked a meaningful question.
“Do you regret getting married?”
Killian didn’t answer.
At that time, he had only thought of keeping her close to protect Emily. But now, he didn’t know what would truly be best for her. He feared his feelings might grow stronger.
“What are you so afraid of? You have nothing to fear.”
“Not when it comes to my own life.”
The problem now was that Emily was involved in his life.
“Idiot.”
Nox cursed at Killian, drinking.
“Killian!”
Giovanni burst into their drinking area.
“What’s the matter?”
“There’s been a murder in our district.”
Nox jumped up.
“What? One of our people?”
Giovanni’s voice carried despair.
“The victim… was a member of the Giuliano family.”
