Messina asked Emily.
“Come to think of it, is this your first time seeing my face?”
"Yes."
Although they exchanged greetings at the funeral, it was almost like seeing her for the first time since she was wearing a veil.
"How is it?"
"Yes?"
“How does it feel to see my face like this?”
When Emily looked flustered, Killian answered instead.
“Red-haired woman.”
Messina frowned at the careless remark.
“What are you saying, Killian?”
"That's my first impression of you. I guess everyone is probably similar."
“You are really unlucky.”
“I didn’t mean to belittle your appearance, so why should I have to hear that?”
“I am not a person who can be defined in such simple and ordinary language!”
"You should have thought that way yourself. Why did you ask for other people's opinions? That's also a nuisance."
Jed, who had been quietly listening to Killian, asked him.
“So, what was your first impression of Madame Starr?”
"Yes, that's right! I'm curious too. Tell me your first impression of your wife."
Messina grumbled and urged Killian on.
Killian's question brought back memories of his first meeting with Emily.
Therefore...
***
Killian, who had been living a wandering life with gypsies, came to live at Emily's estate with the help of the Count when he was 16 years old.
During the day, he hid on an artificial island in the middle of Lake Sinope, and at night, he came out on a boat and ate food that the Count had someone prepare for him.
Since he was only free to roam at night, he rarely encountered Emily.
Then one day, as usual, Killian was going out to get food at night when he heard the sound of someone crossing the garden and hurriedly hid in the bushes.
“Is it really tonight?”
A girl's clear voice was heard.
“Yes, it is said that if you throw this heart-shaped stone into the Citr River on the night of the full moon, you will marry your ideal type.”
The person with her appeared to be her maid.
“My ideal type is really picky.”
The maid next to the girl burst out laughing at her words.
“That’s because you read too many romance novels.”
“Still, I wish I could marry a man like Lord Cain.”
Lord Cain was the male protagonist of a romance novel she had been reading recently.
Every time she read a new novel, the girl's ideal type changed.
“The Count will definitely let you marry someone yiu likes.”
“Even a commoner?”
“If it’s someone you truly love.”
"I wonder if that's really true? If I bring anyone in front of Dad, he'll probably reject them all."
“That’s true.”
Once again, the maid's clear laughter was heard.
From what he heard, the woman called Miss seemed to be Emily, the daughter of Count Sinope.
The rumor that Count Sinope doted on his only daughter was very well known.
Sixteen-year-old Killian couldn't contain his curiosity and peeked his head out.
The bright moonlight was shining on Emily's face.
Killian stood frozen in place, staring at Emily, forgetting that he had to hide himself.
Although she still had a youthful air, she was a beautiful and enchanting girl.
In particular, the kind smile in her large eyes gave off a warm feeling that made anyone feel good about her.
If Killian had just been a child of an ordinary noble family, wouldn't he have been able to dance with a girl like that?
He also indulged in various sweet fantasies.
Fortunately, Emily and the maid did not notice him and passed him by.
Killian, his face flushed with embarrassment at his actions, slumped back behind the bushes. He let out a hollow laugh, as if reproaching himself for his previous actions.
Since then, Killian has often unintentionally spied on Emily.
The cheerful, noble lady was not at all overbearing towards her subordinates and was kind to everyone.
She seemed to have a pleasant, grassy scent as she mingled with the villagers. Yet, it was surprising how she never lost her dignity.
Killian felt his heart refreshed and softened when he saw her.
Emily slowly seeped into Killian's heart.
***
He thought I would never see Emily again after he fled to the capital...
Killian still felt like he was dreaming when he thought of Emily sitting next to him.
“Hey, Killian.”
Messina called him, frowning.
"If you don't want to answer, just say so. Don't make things awkward by holding onto unnecessary weight."
Only then did Killian look around.
Emily was looking at Killian with an expression of inward anticipation.
Killian spoke in a nonchalant, indifferent tone, just as he had spoken of his first impression of Messina earlier.
“She was beautiful.”
Emily's face turned red at Killian's nonchalant attitude.
Messina, who had never seen Killian like this before, gaped in surprise.
“What? It’s just a red-haired woman.”
Chili, who was serving in the dining room, got excited and immediately sent a signal to the others.
Clear air! Clear air!
After eating dessert, the adults and the children each had their own time.
John gritted his teeth as he spent unwanted alone time with Lucas.
'I won't leave you alone, Uncle.'
He clearly said he would take responsibility for Lucas, but then left, saying he had something to talk about with the adults.
"John, what's with your expression? You should look happy when you're playing with me."
“Will I be happy playing with you?”
John shook his head as if he could hear all the noise.
“Your uncle and aunt seem to get along well.”
“So what.”
John was even burdened by Lucas's interest in his family.
“No, I think Emily isn’t living as unhappy a life as I thought.”
“Hey! Who the hell do you call Emily?”
“I told you I had permission.”
“Even if you ask permission, don’t call her. And who are you to be talking nonsense about Emily being unhappy?”
“I meant it well, but if you keep ticking like this, I won’t stay still either.”
“What if you don’t stay still?”
Lucas smirked at John with that mischievous, polite expression on his face.
“I’m going to cry so loudly here. So loud that Emily can hear.”
“What is this son of a bitch saying?”
“And when the adults get together, I’ll say you hit me.”
"What?"
That was absolutely not possible. Emily would surely be disappointed in him. John was furious, but Lucas's threats forced him to keep quiet.
“It’s my first time coming to a friend’s house to play, and it’s fun.”
'You sound like a friend.'
John wanted to say something to Lucas again, but he couldn't help but keep quiet for fear of causing a real commotion.
Lucas burst out laughing when he noticed that John was grumbling inwardly.
“John, I think you have a cuter side than I thought.”
John looked at Lucas with a chewed expression.
"But what's your purpose in coming to my house? I don't think you came here simply to pickle my groceries."
“That’s right.”
"What?"
“You have a knack for teasing.”
John now looked liberated. Lucas was more of a troublemaker than he'd thought.
“John, but I’m talking about the Starr family.”
“What are you trying to say now?”
John glared at Lucas.
"Are you sure this is a safe family? Are you sure there aren't any traitors?"
"You're really good at making excuses. Why are you suddenly bringing up our family? It's so annoying?"
“Our family and the other families are all from the same clan, but you are not.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. We’re all the same clan.”
"No. Your uncle, the leader, isn't from the same clan. It's because your father registered him that Uncle Claude's people started following him."
"If you don't know, please shut up. We're closer than blood relatives. I get sick of watching you from the sidelines."
“There will definitely be people who are dissatisfied.”
As much as he hated to admit it, Lucas wasn't wrong.
It was all thanks to Killian that the Starr family became one of the four major mafia families, but it was John's father, Claude, who was able to gather the people he needed.
The foundation of the Starr family was all Claude's people.
Now that he thinks about it, what family does his uncle come from? John suddenly wondered.
He never once wondered about Killian's family because he thought of him as family.
Anyway, the family's power during his father's time was minimal.
It was strange that someone with Killian's level of skill could have easily expanded his power with his own family.
Killian suddenly fell from the sky, without a hometown or even his real name or surname.
John looked at Lucas with resentment, who had caused him such trouble.
“Hey guys~.”
At that moment, Messina came into the room where the children were looking for Lucas.
“Did you have fun?”
“Yes, it was quite fun. I want to come here often.”
John, standing behind Lucas as he spoke, had an expression on his face that said he would kill him if he came again.
“Well, okay. We should come over next time, and then we should go home.”
People were so observant that he couldn't stay here.
'Starr Family, these are so exclusive, exclusive.'
If she tried to talk to Emily, she would watch her with her eyes wide open, so she couldn't even say a word.
“Go ahead, Lucas. We’ll see you at school.”
John said goodbye to Lucas with the brightest expression he had ever seen.
Lucas felt a pang of disgust at the sight, but he decided to let it slide since he had been the one teasing him more today.
“It’s a shame you had to go like this.”
Emily said to Messina and Jed.
“We feel sorry too, but there’s nothing we can do.”
'Because of those losers.'
Messina swallowed her words and smiled.
“Can I come and play again next time?”
Messina met Killian's eyes and asked.
'Next time I come here, I'll be coming as your enemy, Killian.'
'I will thoroughly uncover your secrets, Messina.'
Killian also did not avoid Messina and met her gaze.
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