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Chapter 121
Thanks to the medicine Painless prepared, Emily slept deeply and woke up later than usual for the first time in a while.
“Madam, are you awake?”
Cézanne handed Emily a cup of water while checking her complexion. Thankfully, she looked much better than before.
“What time is it now?”
“It will be dinner time soon.”
“Already?”
Emily hurried to look out the window. At some point, the sky had turned red.
“Is your headache better?”
“Yes, I think the medicine works well. I feel refreshed.”
“Still, how about a warm cup of tea before your meal?”
“Should I?”
Emily changed into indoor clothes and tidied her hair. Just then, Cézanne entered again carrying a tray.
“The chamomile tea we brought in recently smelled good, so I prepared that.”
“Alright.”
When she poured the hot water over the dried chamomile petals, a soft, sweet fragrance filled the room.
“Do we have honey?”
“No, I only brought milk and sugar.”
“That’s fine too.”
But Cézanne felt disappointed in herself for not matching Emily’s preference.
“No, I’ll bring honey right away.”
Emily tried to stop her, but Cézanne hurried out of the room.
“Lord Alvin?”
Seeing Alvin standing right outside, Cézanne jumped in surprise.
“Why are you standing here?”
“I… have something to tell Madam…”
Hearing their voices, Emily called Alvin inside.
“You look troubled. What happened?”
Alvin walked in hesitantly, and Emily watched him with concern.
“Um… please don’t be too shocked.”
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing serious. I just thought Madam might be startled later, so I wanted to tell you in advance.”
At this point, it didn’t feel like “nothing serious” at all.
“Alright, just say it.”
Cézanne, standing beside Emily, also stared at him impatiently.
“Ahem.”
Alvin cleared his throat and finally forced the words out.
“To be honest… His Excellency was injured.”
“What? How?”
Emily’s expression darkened instantly.
“You don’t need to worry too much. His recovery is fast—he’ll be fine soon.”
“No, I’m asking how he got hurt.”
Alvin scratched his head awkwardly.
“…He was testing a new weapon and got injured.”
Emily stared at him skeptically.
A mafia boss with S-rank mana—getting hurt while testing a weapon? Like a novice?
“And I’m supposed to believe that?”
“I—It’s true!”
Suddenly, Alvin checked his wristwatch.
“Oh my, look at the time.”
His acting was painfully unconvincing.
“Madam, I have something urgent to take care of. I can’t stay long.”
“Is something else going on?”
“It’s nothing Madam needs to worry about. I’m truly sorry, but I must go.”
Emily sensed she wouldn’t get anything more out of him.
“Fine. You may go.”
Alvin dashed out before she could change her mind.
Even after he left, Emily remained silent for a long while. Cézanne cautiously spoke.
“Should I check what’s going on?”
Emily perked up.
“Would you?”
“Yes, I’ll be right back.”
Cézanne easily caught up to Alvin on the first-floor landing.
“Please be honest with me. What happened outside?”
Alvin looked around to make sure nobody was near.
“Ahem. Follow me.”
He took Cézanne to an empty room and shut the door.
“To be frank, Delina House is in ruins right now.”
“What? Someone attacked our organization?”
“Yeah. Those Julianos bastards stormed in.”
Cézanne’s expression hardened.
“…Is everyone safe?”
“Yes. No deaths—just some injuries.”
“Sir Pete visited the mansion earlier…”
Understanding what she was implying, Alvin quickly responded.
“Pete isn’t among the injured.”
Only then did Cézanne’s expression relax somewhat.
“Is Lord Killian badly hurt?”
Asking about the boss’s condition last clearly showed where her real concern was—Pete.
Alvin smirked internally.
“Well, no serious injuries. The problem is… he got hurt on his face.”
“That explains why you told Madam.”
“Yes, she would’ve noticed anyway.”
“But won’t Madam find out about Delina House being destroyed?”
“We put up a sign saying it’s under construction. And the reporters are all on our side; no article will come out.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Anyway, make sure Madam doesn’t learn about this. No need to worry her.”
“For that, Alvin, you acted way too suspiciously.”
Cézanne clicked her tongue, and Alvin scratched his cheek with an awkward laugh.
“Will the boss return to the mansion today?”
“Yes. He said he’ll change clothes at HQ and then come.”
Alvin warned her again.
“I already coordinated the story with the boss through the comm device. You keep quiet too, so Madam doesn’t suspect anything.”
“Yes, understood.”
Cézanne returned to Emily’s room.
“Did you find out what happened?”
Seeing Emily’s anxious face, Cézanne felt a pang of guilt—but she lied as promised.
“Yes. He truly got injured while testing a weapon.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It happens sometimes when he gets distracted during testing.”
Emily tilted her head, unconvinced that Killian would ever make such a rookie mistake.
Feeling the lie was flimsy even to herself, Cézanne hurriedly changed the subject.
“His Excellency will return home soon.”
“Really? Then I should go downstairs.”
Emily wanted to check his face as soon as possible.
As she and Cézanne descended the stairs, they saw Alvin struggling with someone at the entrance.
“What’s going on?”
“Oh! Madam!”
While Alvin flailed in panic, the visitor stepped right inside.
“It’s been a while.”
The person Alvin had tried to block was none other than Prince Kite.
“I heard something happened at Delina House, so I rushed over.”
“What do you mean something happened?”
Prince Kite noticed immediately that Emily had no idea.
Behind her, Alvin and Cézanne frantically waved their arms in an X, signaling him to stay quiet.
“Ah… I heard Delina House is getting renovated, so I got curious and stopped by.”
When Kite delivered the improvised lie, Cézanne and Alvin sighed in relief.
“Renovating? This is the first I’m hearing of it.”
Emily looked disappointed that Killian told her nothing.
Cézanne and Alvin glared at the prince again.
‘How dare you make our Madam look like that!’
Kite raised both hands in surrender. He’d better stop talking.
“He’ll be home soon. Would you like to join us for dinner if you haven’t eaten?”
Thankfully, Emily didn’t press the topic further.
“Then I’d be grateful.”
He followed her to the dining room.
Killian arrived shortly after.
He had tried to cover his injuries, but hiding a swollen bruise and split lip was impossible.
When he entered, Emily’s eyes widened.
“You said you got hurt testing a weapon—why is your lip like that?”
Killian touched the cut on his lip.
“It’s just from being tired.”
“…Is that so?”
Emily now understood clearly.
Everyone was hiding something from her.
For now, she decided to observe quietly.
“You were unwell earlier. Are you alright now?”
“It was nothing. I just took a nap.”
Emily answered lightly, then turned around.
“Mayo?”
“Yes, Madam.”
“His Excellency’s lip is injured. Remove hot or spicy dishes from the menu.”
“Understood.”
Mayo took off his chef’s hat with a dramatic flourish and greeted Prince Kite.
“Since we have an honored guest, I’ll prepare something splendid.”
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
With elegant movements, Mayo put the hat back on and returned to the kitchen.
Killian watched Emily’s face as he sat beside her.
“But Your Highness, what brings you here?”
He looked across at Prince Kite with thinly veiled irritation.
“Delina House is undergoing renovations, isn’t it? I was curious.”
Killian almost blurted out What are you talking about? but stopped when he saw Kite blinking meaningfully.
“…Yes. We’re updating it to… the latest style.”
Killian’s awkward reply made Emily’s eyes narrow.
It was suspicious.
Killian didn’t care about trends.
And in turbulent times like these, why would Delina House be renovated?
Emily was now certain—
Something must have happened there.
She decided to investigate later.
“Dinner is served.”
Having participated in the lie, Alvin nervously carried out the dishes.
Foie gras, caviar, mussels, lamb rack, black truffle dishes—everything luxurious filled the table.
“We must praise the chef. These dishes are remarkable.”
Prince Kite said in admiration.
“I’m glad they’re to your taste. Please eat before they cool.”
At Emily’s words, both men lifted their spoons.
Killian paused briefly as the spoon touched his lips; the wound wasn’t fully healed yet.
“Are you alright?”
Emily looked worried.
“Yes. I’m fine.”
Killian swallowed the soup as if it didn’t bother him at all.
Even if Mayo had served cold soup…
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