Emily and Killian had lunch together as promised.
Those who were quick to notice made room for them. After dinner, the two walked along the paths around their lodgings.
Emily felt a sense of security at the familiar warmth and scent next to her.
Perhaps it was because Grandma Juliet had told her the day before that the two were compatible that she felt that way even more.
“When are you going to tell your story?”
Emily had been wondering what he would say all night long.
“Is it okay if I start by telling you about my childhood?”
"Sure."
Killian swallowed a sigh at Emily's expectant look.
The two people first found a bench and sat down.
He still didn't want to bring it up because he thought Emily would leave if he told her this story.
But he couldn't avoid it any longer.
Killian's mouth opened heavily as he made his decision.
“Actually, my last name is not ‘Starr’.”
“I know. It’s the surname you received when you were appointed Marquis.”
Before that, the Starr family was called 'Thresius', meaning they owned the 3rd district of Fortua.
“So, have you heard of the Velvet family?”
It was a family forgotten in history, but it was also a family that could never be forgotten.
“Velvet...”
Emily looked up at Killian with a look of doubt in her eyes.
Killian nodded and began to speak.
The Vancent Empire had been ruled by the Cornier family for generations.
However, the Cornier lineage was effectively cut off when the Princess, the last descendant of the Cornier family, married the Emperor of the Robert Empire for love.
The Emperor of Vancent was old and ill and had no more descendants, so he planned to pass the throne to a close relative.
At that time, the leading candidates for the next Emperors were the Duke of Velvet and the Duke of Manfredi.
Duke Velvet was the commander of the First Knights of the Imperial Guard and was also popular among the people of the empire due to his outstanding character.
Duke Manfredi also achieved many brilliant achievements, just like Duke Velvet, but he also caused many problems due to his impulsive and hot-tempered personality.
Above all, the Emperor was offended by the fact that his ambition was too great.
So, after much deliberation, the Emperor writes a will to pass the throne on to the Duke of Velvet.
When the Emperor wrote his will, he had witnesses in the temple, so the Pope and high priests also knew its contents.
However, Duke Manfredi, who was already coveting the throne, had colluded with them by making huge donations to the temple.
Duke Manfredi, who learned of the contents of the will through them, was furious that his efforts had been in vain, and eventually planned to wipe out the Velvet family before they could inherit the throne.
The Duke of Velvet had no idea that he would become the next Emperor, nor that Duke Manfredi was making such plans.
So, he readily accepted the invitation of Duke Manfredi, who was also his sixth cousin, and visited his estate with his family.
But the people who actually waited for them on their journey were armed knights.
The Duke of Velvet and his knights were unable to fully demonstrate their abilities due to the sudden surprise attack, and their forces were divided because they also had to protect the Duchess and the young master.
The standoff lasted for several hours.
But in the end, Duke Velvet, who had lost all strength, was unable to withstand the enemies rushing at him at the same time and fell.
The carriage in which the Duchess was riding was also chased away while trying to escape and soon fell off a cliff.
The entire empire was plunged into mourning at the news of the deaths of the Duke and Duchess of Velvet.
An investigation into the truth began, but even that was hushed up when the Emperor died.
Meanwhile, the Pope immediately announced that Duke Manfredi would be crowned the new Emperor.
It was right after the new Emperor ascended the throne that Adrian, the young master of the Velvet family who had been reported missing, returned safely to the mansion.
In the carriage that was falling off the cliff, the Duchess of Velvet wrapped her whole body around her son to cushion the shock.
Everyone was happy to see the Duke return, but one person, Emperor Manfredi, could not bear to see a descendant of the Velvet family alive.
So he asked his vassal, Count Sinope, to take care of it.
But Count Sinope, who had a young daughter, could not bring himself to kill the innocent boy.
He released the boy into a deserted mountain, hoping he would survive.
“Run away. Forget your name and your family, and never return here again.”
Emily, who had been shaking with shock throughout the story, finally burst into tears after hearing it all.
The little boy from that sad and painful story was right before her eyes.
Killian took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped Emily's tears.
“Your father’s saving my life doesn’t end here.”
Killian, left to survive alone and thrown into a harsh and cruel world, wanders the streets penniless, hanging out with beggar children.
He grew up rough, stealing to survive and fighting with neighborhood thugs who would pick fights.
Count Sinope came to find Killian when he was 14 years old.
Someone had reported to the Emperor that a descendant of the Velvet family seemed to be alive.
If they discovered that Killian was alive, the Sinope family that had allowed him to escape could have been branded traitors, and the entire family could have been executed.
Count Sinope, who was afraid that the Emperor might find Killian first, moved quickly and succeeded in finding him.
“It’s been a while. Do you remember me?”
There was no way she could forget the face of the man who had told her to run away.
As Killian nodded, Count Sinope suggested that he go to his estate.
"Your life is in danger again. Come to the Sinope territory and hide. Once the situation improves, I will prepare for your escape to the Robert Empire."
So Killian ended up living on an artificial island in the lake of the Sinope Mansion.
Emily's eyes widened at the story.
“I had no idea you were hiding in there.”
“Even if a problem arose, he probably hid it from his family because he thought he would take responsibility for it on his own.”
Emily bit her lip to suppress her sadness.
“So... how long did you stay in there?”
“After about three years, I went to the capital.”
“Didn’t our father send you to the Robert Empire?”
Killian shook his head.
"It was difficult to move without the Emperor's attention, so I spent a long time hiding in the Sinope territory. I even got into an accident there..."
“Accident?”
“Anyway... I didn’t want to bother the Count any longer, so I went to the capital without saying anything.”
Killian's life back in the capital was not easy.
He met a mafia organization and its members through a gangster friend he had when he was young, and he became involved there, changing his name to Killian and becoming active there.
But at the time, Killian was just a quasi-member of the organization and not a full-fledged mafia member, so he was just a piece of shit to be thrown away when he was no longer needed.
In the end, he ended up going to jail in their place after things went wrong while he was cleaning up after the mafia.
That was the reason why the Count, who had tried to find Killian, who had disappeared from the Sinope territory, could not find him.
Anyway, Killian meets a man there named 'Claude', who has a small mafia organization.
Claude, who had become close to Killian there, even told him to come visit him after his release, saying that he would provide for him until he settled down after his release.
After completing his one-year imprisonment, Killian was released from prison at the age of 18. Thanks to his relationship with Claude, he started working at the Granville racecourse, which he ran.
Claude, who had no intention of turning Killian into a mafia member at first, discovered by chance that he actually possessed S-class magical powers.
Claude wanted to develop that ability, but there was nothing he could do for a young orphan with a criminal record.
So Claude taught him how to handle a gun, and Killian earned the title of 'Hitman' at the young age of nineteen.
After Claude's death, he took over the organization he led at the age of twenty-two and became the youngest and most outstanding boss ever.
In just two short years, it became one of the four major mafias operating from its headquarters in the capital.
“Around that time, I heard the news that Count and Lady Sinope had passed away.”
Killian believed that his work was connected to the death of Count Sinope.
So, he donated some of the wealth he had accumulated to the royal family to seek revenge for the destruction of his family and the death of his benefactor, and obtained the status of a Marquis.
“And I needed the status of a Marquis to marry you.”
It was not only because she was receiving ridiculous proposals, but also because she wanted to protect and watch over him in case the Emperor was after her.
“So, does that mean my parents didn’t die in an accident?”
Killian nodded cautiously at Emily's question.
“I intend to take revenge on the Emperor.”
Emily looked at Killian with a surprised expression.
“Are you trying to rebel?”
"Yes."
If things go wrong, everyone around him, including her, will be executed for treason.
That's why, as Killian's feelings for Emily deepened, he couldn't bring her into this.
“That’s why I wanted to divorce you.”
“Can I go to my room? I need to rest for a bit.”
After hearing the truth about Killian and Emily that was unknown in the original, it became even harder to sit still.
Those who were quick to notice made room for them. After dinner, the two walked along the paths around their lodgings.
Emily felt a sense of security at the familiar warmth and scent next to her.
Perhaps it was because Grandma Juliet had told her the day before that the two were compatible that she felt that way even more.
“When are you going to tell your story?”
Emily had been wondering what he would say all night long.
“Is it okay if I start by telling you about my childhood?”
"Sure."
Killian swallowed a sigh at Emily's expectant look.
The two people first found a bench and sat down.
He still didn't want to bring it up because he thought Emily would leave if he told her this story.
But he couldn't avoid it any longer.
Killian's mouth opened heavily as he made his decision.
“Actually, my last name is not ‘Starr’.”
“I know. It’s the surname you received when you were appointed Marquis.”
Before that, the Starr family was called 'Thresius', meaning they owned the 3rd district of Fortua.
“So, have you heard of the Velvet family?”
It was a family forgotten in history, but it was also a family that could never be forgotten.
“Velvet...”
Emily looked up at Killian with a look of doubt in her eyes.
Killian nodded and began to speak.
***
The Vancent Empire had been ruled by the Cornier family for generations.
However, the Cornier lineage was effectively cut off when the Princess, the last descendant of the Cornier family, married the Emperor of the Robert Empire for love.
The Emperor of Vancent was old and ill and had no more descendants, so he planned to pass the throne to a close relative.
At that time, the leading candidates for the next Emperors were the Duke of Velvet and the Duke of Manfredi.
Duke Velvet was the commander of the First Knights of the Imperial Guard and was also popular among the people of the empire due to his outstanding character.
Duke Manfredi also achieved many brilliant achievements, just like Duke Velvet, but he also caused many problems due to his impulsive and hot-tempered personality.
Above all, the Emperor was offended by the fact that his ambition was too great.
So, after much deliberation, the Emperor writes a will to pass the throne on to the Duke of Velvet.
When the Emperor wrote his will, he had witnesses in the temple, so the Pope and high priests also knew its contents.
However, Duke Manfredi, who was already coveting the throne, had colluded with them by making huge donations to the temple.
Duke Manfredi, who learned of the contents of the will through them, was furious that his efforts had been in vain, and eventually planned to wipe out the Velvet family before they could inherit the throne.
The Duke of Velvet had no idea that he would become the next Emperor, nor that Duke Manfredi was making such plans.
So, he readily accepted the invitation of Duke Manfredi, who was also his sixth cousin, and visited his estate with his family.
But the people who actually waited for them on their journey were armed knights.
The Duke of Velvet and his knights were unable to fully demonstrate their abilities due to the sudden surprise attack, and their forces were divided because they also had to protect the Duchess and the young master.
The standoff lasted for several hours.
But in the end, Duke Velvet, who had lost all strength, was unable to withstand the enemies rushing at him at the same time and fell.
The carriage in which the Duchess was riding was also chased away while trying to escape and soon fell off a cliff.
The entire empire was plunged into mourning at the news of the deaths of the Duke and Duchess of Velvet.
An investigation into the truth began, but even that was hushed up when the Emperor died.
Meanwhile, the Pope immediately announced that Duke Manfredi would be crowned the new Emperor.
It was right after the new Emperor ascended the throne that Adrian, the young master of the Velvet family who had been reported missing, returned safely to the mansion.
In the carriage that was falling off the cliff, the Duchess of Velvet wrapped her whole body around her son to cushion the shock.
Everyone was happy to see the Duke return, but one person, Emperor Manfredi, could not bear to see a descendant of the Velvet family alive.
So he asked his vassal, Count Sinope, to take care of it.
But Count Sinope, who had a young daughter, could not bring himself to kill the innocent boy.
He released the boy into a deserted mountain, hoping he would survive.
***
“Run away. Forget your name and your family, and never return here again.”
Emily, who had been shaking with shock throughout the story, finally burst into tears after hearing it all.
The little boy from that sad and painful story was right before her eyes.
Killian took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped Emily's tears.
“Your father’s saving my life doesn’t end here.”
***
Killian, left to survive alone and thrown into a harsh and cruel world, wanders the streets penniless, hanging out with beggar children.
He grew up rough, stealing to survive and fighting with neighborhood thugs who would pick fights.
Count Sinope came to find Killian when he was 14 years old.
Someone had reported to the Emperor that a descendant of the Velvet family seemed to be alive.
If they discovered that Killian was alive, the Sinope family that had allowed him to escape could have been branded traitors, and the entire family could have been executed.
Count Sinope, who was afraid that the Emperor might find Killian first, moved quickly and succeeded in finding him.
“It’s been a while. Do you remember me?”
There was no way she could forget the face of the man who had told her to run away.
As Killian nodded, Count Sinope suggested that he go to his estate.
"Your life is in danger again. Come to the Sinope territory and hide. Once the situation improves, I will prepare for your escape to the Robert Empire."
So Killian ended up living on an artificial island in the lake of the Sinope Mansion.
***
Emily's eyes widened at the story.
“I had no idea you were hiding in there.”
“Even if a problem arose, he probably hid it from his family because he thought he would take responsibility for it on his own.”
Emily bit her lip to suppress her sadness.
“So... how long did you stay in there?”
“After about three years, I went to the capital.”
“Didn’t our father send you to the Robert Empire?”
Killian shook his head.
"It was difficult to move without the Emperor's attention, so I spent a long time hiding in the Sinope territory. I even got into an accident there..."
“Accident?”
“Anyway... I didn’t want to bother the Count any longer, so I went to the capital without saying anything.”
***
Killian's life back in the capital was not easy.
He met a mafia organization and its members through a gangster friend he had when he was young, and he became involved there, changing his name to Killian and becoming active there.
But at the time, Killian was just a quasi-member of the organization and not a full-fledged mafia member, so he was just a piece of shit to be thrown away when he was no longer needed.
In the end, he ended up going to jail in their place after things went wrong while he was cleaning up after the mafia.
That was the reason why the Count, who had tried to find Killian, who had disappeared from the Sinope territory, could not find him.
Anyway, Killian meets a man there named 'Claude', who has a small mafia organization.
Claude, who had become close to Killian there, even told him to come visit him after his release, saying that he would provide for him until he settled down after his release.
After completing his one-year imprisonment, Killian was released from prison at the age of 18. Thanks to his relationship with Claude, he started working at the Granville racecourse, which he ran.
Claude, who had no intention of turning Killian into a mafia member at first, discovered by chance that he actually possessed S-class magical powers.
Claude wanted to develop that ability, but there was nothing he could do for a young orphan with a criminal record.
So Claude taught him how to handle a gun, and Killian earned the title of 'Hitman' at the young age of nineteen.
After Claude's death, he took over the organization he led at the age of twenty-two and became the youngest and most outstanding boss ever.
In just two short years, it became one of the four major mafias operating from its headquarters in the capital.
***
“Around that time, I heard the news that Count and Lady Sinope had passed away.”
Killian believed that his work was connected to the death of Count Sinope.
So, he donated some of the wealth he had accumulated to the royal family to seek revenge for the destruction of his family and the death of his benefactor, and obtained the status of a Marquis.
“And I needed the status of a Marquis to marry you.”
It was not only because she was receiving ridiculous proposals, but also because she wanted to protect and watch over him in case the Emperor was after her.
“So, does that mean my parents didn’t die in an accident?”
Killian nodded cautiously at Emily's question.
“I intend to take revenge on the Emperor.”
Emily looked at Killian with a surprised expression.
“Are you trying to rebel?”
"Yes."
If things go wrong, everyone around him, including her, will be executed for treason.
That's why, as Killian's feelings for Emily deepened, he couldn't bring her into this.
“That’s why I wanted to divorce you.”
“Can I go to my room? I need to rest for a bit.”
After hearing the truth about Killian and Emily that was unknown in the original, it became even harder to sit still.
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