Meanwhile, Emily, having left the chapel, headed to 82 Granville Street with John. She was so hurried in the carriage that she didn't even realize she'd lost her hat.
“John, thank you for coming with me.”
“No. You need me to find out his baptismal record.”
In a world where genetic testing is scarce, there is one way to uncover the secret of Sam's birth.
The goal is to find out Sam's baptismal record.
Emily, who knows from Sam and John's conversation in the book that he is not a Carpathian, immediately researches his mother's religion.
As expected, Sam's mother was a believer of Eluaz, and this was quite a boon.
Usually, when a child is baptized in any temple, they record it on a list, and not only the child's name but also the parents' names are written.
However, unlike other places, Eloise only had to write the names of the biological father and mother, regardless of whether the parents remarried or were born out of an affair.
This is because no falsehood should be mixed in at the sacred moment of making one's first confession of faith.
If Sam had been baptized in the Temple of Eluaz, they would know for sure who his biological father was.
Arriving at the temple, they approached a man sweeping the floor and greeted him.
"Hello."
The sight of the mother and son, with their striking appearance, was inevitably appealing. He greeted them with a very kind demeanor.
“Welcome, what brings you here?”
“My new husband is an Eluazian, so I’m trying to convert too.”
“Oh my! Really? That’s an excellent choice.”
Emily smiled shyly at the woman's compliment and introduced John as well.
“But my child is seven years old. Can he also be baptized as an infant?”
John looked up, blinking his big eyes.
"Ah..."
The man looked very embarrassed and explained cautiously.
“There is no case of a child this big being baptized as an infant.”
“I guess so, right?”
When Emily made a regretful expression, the man felt uneasy, as if he had committed a sin.
“If a child is born between you and your husband who remarries later, I guess I will have no choice but to receive it then.”
“Yes, yes! That’s right!”
She was determined to make it happen. Even though it wasn't even within her jurisdiction, she was determined.
“I’m curious about how infant baptism is conducted at Eluaz... Do all babies baptized here have their baptisms recorded?”
"Yes, at Eluaz, they even write the name of the child being baptized in gold thread. Would you like me to show you?"
“Then thank you very much.”
As they followed the man into the inner space, they came across a space that looked like a small library.
“Ordinary believers are not allowed to enter, but I am in charge of cleaning, so I have special access.”
The man proudly opened the door and said.
“That’s truly incredible. Are there even records of baptized children here?”
“Yes. Would you like to come this way?”
They followed the man and saw that the books were arranged alphabetically.
“It’s made of cloth instead of paper, and it’s embroidered with gold thread.”
“I see. Can I take it out and take a look?”
"Sure."
Emily handed one to John and took one out herself, pretending to look through it.
"Seeing this makes me want to have a second child soon. I'm looking forward to the baptism of my baby someday."
"Right? If the child resembles you, the child will be really pretty. Like the little gentleman behind your skirt right now."
"Thank you."
When all the work was done, John signaled by pulling up her skirt from behind.
“I’m worried I might have taken up too much of your time while you were cleaning.”
Emily put the book back on her shelf and looked apologetic.
"You're welcome."
“I’ll come with my husband next time.”
“Thank you for showing my mom and me the library.”
When John also greeted them politely, he happily escorted them out of the temple.
"Goodbye!"
The man who turned around to see them off clapped his hands as if sighing.
"I didn't ask what her husband's name was! Has anyone recently remarried?"
Je regretted not asking, but the carriage had already left. Inside, John chuckled and waved a piece of cloth.
<Toddler: Sam Lansky
Father: Charles Lansky
Mother: Nora Lansky>
It was the harvest he had secretly cut with a knife while hiding behind Emily's skirt just a moment ago.
“How did you find it so quickly?”
"It wasn't that difficult. At the Academy, I always got first place when I looked up words in the dictionary."
At John's bravado, Emily relaxed slightly and laughed.
“Are we going back to the funeral now?”
“Yeah, I have to tell them about Sam.”
“Once Endymion safely becomes the boss of Gottio, the first thing he should do is thank Emily.”
“As long as my peace is not broken, that is enough.”
Emily said, taking the cloth from John.
As Maria turned her eyes to the entrance of the chapel, the door to the chapel slowly opened with perfect timing.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the door with curious faces, and Killian, who was sitting on a chair, suddenly stood up.
“Emily.”
Killian ran towards Emily with an urgent look on his face and grabbed her shoulders.
“Why on earth did you come back here?”
Emily showed Killian what she was holding in her hand.
“This is proof that Sam is not Vito Gottio’s son.”
Maria, who had been watching them from afar, was relieved that Emily had appeared at the right time and spoke to the Gottio executives again.
"The late Gottio was indeed Sam Lansky's godfather. And it was only because he was the son of his close friend, Charles Lansky, that he was unable to act so forcefully."
Emily spread out the baptismal list in front of them, listing Sam and his parents.
"Look. If he were Gottio's son, he would never have been baptized in the Temple of Eluaz. And you all know that he cannot be named after his biological father."
The faces of those present at the funeral were dumbfounded as the two men spoke with such clear evidence.
“Did Sam really trick us?”
After a long silence, one of the Gottio executives spoke with a suppressed voice.
“It’s unbelievable. To be fooled by that child’s tricks.”
Sam's face turned blue as he heard them talking.
“Oh, no...”
Sam continued to mutter as if he were crazy, as if he really believed that he was Vito Gottio's son.
"I don't know who Charles Lansky is. I've never even seen his face. My father is Vito. I'm Sam Gottio!"
Charles Lansky, Vito Gottio's friend and henchman, was shot and killed in Vito's stead. To repay his friend's kindness, Vito generously supported his wife and children.
Sam couldn't help but mistake Vito, who cared for him as if he were his own father, for his own father. He seemed to believe it was simply because he was an illegitimate child that he couldn't proudly introduce himself to others.
“Take him and go.”
At Endymion's words, the two men standing behind him dragged Sam out of the chapel.
After ordering Sam's treatment, he stood before the Gottio executives again. They bowed their heads, perhaps feeling sorry for hurting Endymion.
“What should we do with those who rebelled together?”
“I have no face.”
Above all, they committed the crime at the funeral of someone they once trusted and followed as their boss. Looking back, it was almost as if they were possessed by something.
Endymion sighed as he looked at their desperate expressions.
“But come to think of it, it was my fault too.”
“Lord Endymion...”
"Without you, Gottio's fate is uncertain. How about giving each of us a chance?"
Some people were moved by those words and sobbed, wiping away their tears.
"I acknowledge all the shortcomings you mentioned. From now on, I will protect the organization as if it were my own life."
Endymion's sincere words slowly moved the hearts of all the executives.
Endymion unconditionally cut the ropes that bound them, one by one. When he untied the last remaining man, they bowed to their boss in a show of respect.
It was a declaration that he would return to the Gottio family.
“It’s quite touching.”
Messina, who had been watching them from afar, said, rubbing her chin.
“And why doesn’t it seem like each family boss has a good wife?”
“Didn’t Messina have a good husband, too?”
“Shut up, that’s not something you should say.”
Jed pouted his lips in displeasure at Messina's words.
“Why on earth won’t you admit it?”
"Anyway, we're done sightseeing, so let's go back. We need to do what we have to do."
“Thank you for reminding me that I have work to do.”
“Stop being sarcastic, yes?”
Messina, who had been arguing with Jed, left the chapel with Emily in her eyes once again.
Everything was settled, but one question remained unanswered.
“But what happened to those two?”
Killian and Endymion looked as if they were dying of curiosity.
“What is it?”
“How did you know about Sam’s plan, and how did you find out the secret of his birth?”
Maria pretended not to know when Endymion questioned her.
"Well?"
“Emily, are you really not going to tell me?”
Killian also asked Emily, urging her on.
“There is just something like that.”
“If not now, then when else would a woman come forward?”
Emily and Maria locked eyes and smiled.
“John, thank you for coming with me.”
“No. You need me to find out his baptismal record.”
In a world where genetic testing is scarce, there is one way to uncover the secret of Sam's birth.
The goal is to find out Sam's baptismal record.
Emily, who knows from Sam and John's conversation in the book that he is not a Carpathian, immediately researches his mother's religion.
As expected, Sam's mother was a believer of Eluaz, and this was quite a boon.
Usually, when a child is baptized in any temple, they record it on a list, and not only the child's name but also the parents' names are written.
However, unlike other places, Eloise only had to write the names of the biological father and mother, regardless of whether the parents remarried or were born out of an affair.
This is because no falsehood should be mixed in at the sacred moment of making one's first confession of faith.
If Sam had been baptized in the Temple of Eluaz, they would know for sure who his biological father was.
Arriving at the temple, they approached a man sweeping the floor and greeted him.
"Hello."
The sight of the mother and son, with their striking appearance, was inevitably appealing. He greeted them with a very kind demeanor.
“Welcome, what brings you here?”
“My new husband is an Eluazian, so I’m trying to convert too.”
“Oh my! Really? That’s an excellent choice.”
Emily smiled shyly at the woman's compliment and introduced John as well.
“But my child is seven years old. Can he also be baptized as an infant?”
John looked up, blinking his big eyes.
"Ah..."
The man looked very embarrassed and explained cautiously.
“There is no case of a child this big being baptized as an infant.”
“I guess so, right?”
When Emily made a regretful expression, the man felt uneasy, as if he had committed a sin.
“If a child is born between you and your husband who remarries later, I guess I will have no choice but to receive it then.”
“Yes, yes! That’s right!”
She was determined to make it happen. Even though it wasn't even within her jurisdiction, she was determined.
“I’m curious about how infant baptism is conducted at Eluaz... Do all babies baptized here have their baptisms recorded?”
"Yes, at Eluaz, they even write the name of the child being baptized in gold thread. Would you like me to show you?"
“Then thank you very much.”
As they followed the man into the inner space, they came across a space that looked like a small library.
“Ordinary believers are not allowed to enter, but I am in charge of cleaning, so I have special access.”
The man proudly opened the door and said.
“That’s truly incredible. Are there even records of baptized children here?”
“Yes. Would you like to come this way?”
They followed the man and saw that the books were arranged alphabetically.
“It’s made of cloth instead of paper, and it’s embroidered with gold thread.”
“I see. Can I take it out and take a look?”
"Sure."
Emily handed one to John and took one out herself, pretending to look through it.
"Seeing this makes me want to have a second child soon. I'm looking forward to the baptism of my baby someday."
"Right? If the child resembles you, the child will be really pretty. Like the little gentleman behind your skirt right now."
"Thank you."
When all the work was done, John signaled by pulling up her skirt from behind.
“I’m worried I might have taken up too much of your time while you were cleaning.”
Emily put the book back on her shelf and looked apologetic.
"You're welcome."
“I’ll come with my husband next time.”
“Thank you for showing my mom and me the library.”
When John also greeted them politely, he happily escorted them out of the temple.
"Goodbye!"
The man who turned around to see them off clapped his hands as if sighing.
"I didn't ask what her husband's name was! Has anyone recently remarried?"
Je regretted not asking, but the carriage had already left. Inside, John chuckled and waved a piece of cloth.
<Toddler: Sam Lansky
Father: Charles Lansky
Mother: Nora Lansky>
It was the harvest he had secretly cut with a knife while hiding behind Emily's skirt just a moment ago.
“How did you find it so quickly?”
"It wasn't that difficult. At the Academy, I always got first place when I looked up words in the dictionary."
At John's bravado, Emily relaxed slightly and laughed.
“Are we going back to the funeral now?”
“Yeah, I have to tell them about Sam.”
“Once Endymion safely becomes the boss of Gottio, the first thing he should do is thank Emily.”
“As long as my peace is not broken, that is enough.”
Emily said, taking the cloth from John.
***
As Maria turned her eyes to the entrance of the chapel, the door to the chapel slowly opened with perfect timing.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the door with curious faces, and Killian, who was sitting on a chair, suddenly stood up.
“Emily.”
Killian ran towards Emily with an urgent look on his face and grabbed her shoulders.
“Why on earth did you come back here?”
Emily showed Killian what she was holding in her hand.
“This is proof that Sam is not Vito Gottio’s son.”
Maria, who had been watching them from afar, was relieved that Emily had appeared at the right time and spoke to the Gottio executives again.
"The late Gottio was indeed Sam Lansky's godfather. And it was only because he was the son of his close friend, Charles Lansky, that he was unable to act so forcefully."
Emily spread out the baptismal list in front of them, listing Sam and his parents.
"Look. If he were Gottio's son, he would never have been baptized in the Temple of Eluaz. And you all know that he cannot be named after his biological father."
The faces of those present at the funeral were dumbfounded as the two men spoke with such clear evidence.
“Did Sam really trick us?”
After a long silence, one of the Gottio executives spoke with a suppressed voice.
“It’s unbelievable. To be fooled by that child’s tricks.”
Sam's face turned blue as he heard them talking.
“Oh, no...”
Sam continued to mutter as if he were crazy, as if he really believed that he was Vito Gottio's son.
"I don't know who Charles Lansky is. I've never even seen his face. My father is Vito. I'm Sam Gottio!"
Charles Lansky, Vito Gottio's friend and henchman, was shot and killed in Vito's stead. To repay his friend's kindness, Vito generously supported his wife and children.
Sam couldn't help but mistake Vito, who cared for him as if he were his own father, for his own father. He seemed to believe it was simply because he was an illegitimate child that he couldn't proudly introduce himself to others.
“Take him and go.”
At Endymion's words, the two men standing behind him dragged Sam out of the chapel.
After ordering Sam's treatment, he stood before the Gottio executives again. They bowed their heads, perhaps feeling sorry for hurting Endymion.
“What should we do with those who rebelled together?”
“I have no face.”
Above all, they committed the crime at the funeral of someone they once trusted and followed as their boss. Looking back, it was almost as if they were possessed by something.
Endymion sighed as he looked at their desperate expressions.
“But come to think of it, it was my fault too.”
“Lord Endymion...”
"Without you, Gottio's fate is uncertain. How about giving each of us a chance?"
Some people were moved by those words and sobbed, wiping away their tears.
"I acknowledge all the shortcomings you mentioned. From now on, I will protect the organization as if it were my own life."
Endymion's sincere words slowly moved the hearts of all the executives.
Endymion unconditionally cut the ropes that bound them, one by one. When he untied the last remaining man, they bowed to their boss in a show of respect.
It was a declaration that he would return to the Gottio family.
“It’s quite touching.”
Messina, who had been watching them from afar, said, rubbing her chin.
“And why doesn’t it seem like each family boss has a good wife?”
“Didn’t Messina have a good husband, too?”
“Shut up, that’s not something you should say.”
Jed pouted his lips in displeasure at Messina's words.
“Why on earth won’t you admit it?”
"Anyway, we're done sightseeing, so let's go back. We need to do what we have to do."
“Thank you for reminding me that I have work to do.”
“Stop being sarcastic, yes?”
Messina, who had been arguing with Jed, left the chapel with Emily in her eyes once again.
Everything was settled, but one question remained unanswered.
“But what happened to those two?”
Killian and Endymion looked as if they were dying of curiosity.
“What is it?”
“How did you know about Sam’s plan, and how did you find out the secret of his birth?”
Maria pretended not to know when Endymion questioned her.
"Well?"
“Emily, are you really not going to tell me?”
Killian also asked Emily, urging her on.
“There is just something like that.”
“If not now, then when else would a woman come forward?”
Emily and Maria locked eyes and smiled.
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