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Chapter 68
Time passed, and the day came for Killian to go to Hyperion Academy—the place he had been so reluctant to visit.
Though it was called an educational event, the observation classes at the academy for children of the upper class were essentially another social gathering.
After the observation classes, the children would chatter about each other’s parents.
So, the parents had no choice but to dress just as meticulously as they would for a socialite party.
“Your Highness, I think it would be better to make Krabat a different color here.”
“Do as you see fit.”
Killian was styled with a detached expression. He wondered what all this fuss was for, especially because of that little brat, Johan.
The vest and jacket he wore reflected his taste: the colors were simple, but the satin material embroidered with intricate designs made the outfit look far more expensive than it seemed.
The buttons on his clothes and the matching shoe buckles were, of course, top quality.
“How about this brooch?”
Killian immediately frowned and refused.
“Why put a brooch on too?”
“It’s standard procedure.”
But Thierry, the designer Emily had contracted, was no pushover.
“I think it would be better to reattach the buttons to match this brooch.”
“You mean I have to take off my clothes again?”
“Yes.”
With that decisive statement, Killian irritably took off his jacket once more.
Just when he thought the outfit ordeal was over, the next in line—the hairstylist—entered the room.
“Your Highness, if you want pomade, I think we’ll need to cut your hair a bit. Please have a seat.”
“…….”
Killian realized all too painfully that these observation classes were far more troublesome than he had imagined.
Meanwhile, Emily was about to wear a dress from her wardrobe but, following her designer’s advice, ended up having a new dress tailored.
Among all the dresses she had worn so far, this one used the most lace, but because it was made of the finest, softest lace, it didn’t look frivolous at all.
The material matched Killian’s outfit: a purple satin dress.
“You look truly beautiful, madam.”
Since she was going as a parent, she dressed more maturely than usual, and Emily carried it off gracefully.
Emily was nervous at the thought of appearing before Killian, dressed up to the fullest after a long time.
Once they finished preparing and stepped out of the room, Killian was already waiting at the door to escort her.
Killian was just as, if not more, nervous than Emily.
He hadn’t slept a wink all night, leaving slight shadows under his eyes—but even that added to his charm.
Killian, tense as a boy holding a woman’s hand for the first time, kept sweating in his palms.
Making sure no one noticed, he quickly wiped his hands on his trousers and escorted Emily elegantly.
“Have a good day.”
Alvin, seeing the couple together after so long, was moved and discreetly wiped away tears.
When Emily and Killian boarded the carriage, the driver slowly guided the horse toward Hyperion Academy.
Surprisingly, Killian was the first to speak.
“Did you feel cold last night?”
The rainy season had begun, and heavy rain had fallen the previous night.
In the empire, heating was powered by mana stones, and the Star residence had enough reserves to worry about nothing.
Still, Killian worried that fragile Emily might catch a cold.
“I’m fine. How about you?”
“Me too.”
Emily felt her earlier annoyance melt away at Killian’s concern.
She brushed her finger lightly along the tip of his eyebrow.
“Why are you doing that?”
Startled by his question, Emily paused, then spoke.
“I didn’t ask before because I thought it might be rude, but now I’m curious.”
Killian’s Adam’s apple bobbed nervously as he awaited her question.
“May I ask how you got the scar on your eyebrow?”
“Ah.”
It was a simple enough question to answer comfortably.
“It happened during a fight when I was young.”
Killian touched the scar absentmindedly.
‘Is this the right spot?’
He didn’t often look in the mirror, nor had he ever taken a real interest in it, so his memory was hazy.
It was likely a wound from a fight with a servant while hiding in the Count’s territory, helped by Emily’s father.
Because of that incident, he couldn’t greet the Count and had fled to the capital.
Emily’s eyes sparkled as Killian reminisced; it wasn’t often she had the chance to hear about his childhood.
“Why did you fight?”
That was a tricky question.
The servant had been spreading lowly rumors about Emily, and Killian had punished him—but he couldn’t tell her the truth.
Emily probably didn’t even know that Killian had been hiding in the Count’s territory.
“I don’t quite remember why.”
Killian absentmindedly touched his eyebrow again.
“Does it look bad?”
Emily was startled but shook her head emphatically.
Who could possibly dislike that scar? It didn’t diminish his handsomeness in the slightest.
If anything, the scar gave Killian not just good looks, but an aura of darkness and mystery.
Emily’s immediate denial lifted Killian’s spirits.
As the atmosphere softened, Emily decided to postpone deep conversation for later.
She didn’t want to ask why he avoided her and risk ruining the trip.
‘Better to ask on the way back.’
She shifted her gaze to the peaceful countryside outside, a heavy feeling in her heart.
“Have you ever traveled abroad?”
Killian paused, then answered,
“No.”
Though he had traveled with his father to many countries, telling the truth would have led to more questions about his past.
Emily had assumed he had never traveled abroad.
“Really? I haven’t either.”
She added softly, with a little wish:
“I hope Johan and I can travel abroad with you someday.”
It was a difficult topic for Killian, who was thinking of ending things with her.
But staying silent would make Emily sad.
“If there’s a chance.”
He gave a vague response.
“If we go, how about Calliope for the first trip?”
Calliope sounded fine. Anywhere she wanted was fine, as long as it wasn’t the Robert Empire, where the Crown Prince had studied.
Fortunately, Killian had been there before and could guide them.
‘But I probably won’t maintain married life with Emily until then.’
Still, he nodded wordlessly.
Emily, excited at his vague promise, smiled shyly at the scenery outside.
Hyperion Academy, located on the outskirts of the capital, was soon reached.
The driver smoothly stopped the carriage.
Emily and Killian were the most talked-about celebrities in Vincent lately, and many eyes turned toward them as they stepped down.
Upon hearing the Star Marquises had arrived, the head of Hyperion Academy came out personally to greet them.
“Welcome. It’s an honor to have you here.”
Killian was one of the largest donors to the academy. The principal smiled warmly and shook his hand.
Fortunately, he refrained from saying unnecessary things like how much Killian had suffered in prison or how relieved he was to see him safely.
“It’s my first time meeting Lady Star as well.”
“Yes, nice to meet you.”
Emily greeted him and glanced at the academy grounds.
As one of the most prestigious academies in the empire, it was large and well-maintained.
“Was the journey here inconvenient?”
“No, the roads were fine.”
Seeing the marquises in a good mood, the principal led them to his office, visibly relieved.
While walking, he briefly briefed Killian on the use of donations.
Killian, having already looked into it, didn’t care much but let the principal talk, since they had time.
“Is there anything else you’d like to know?”
Killian stayed silent, so Emily asked instead:
“How is Johan doing at the academy?”
The principal gave a vague smile.
Killian could tell from his expression how Johan’s school life was going.
But the principal tried to sugarcoat it, not wanting to offend them.
“He sometimes says strange things, but he doesn’t cause accidents or disturbances, so don’t worry too much.”
Killian nodded lightly. Strange things… he could imagine what that meant.
Emily, unaware of Johan’s true nature, looked concerned.
“What kind of things… enough to affect school life?”
“Well, it’s hard to explain… you’ll see if you attend class later.”
Emily’s expression darkened further.
“Does he have many friends?”
At that, Killian stared at Emily with a serious expression. How could Johan possibly have friends? The question itself was ridiculous.
The principal tried again to present Johan positively.
“Johan is not the type to be bullied, so don’t worry.”
Killian internally snorted.
‘It’d be lucky if he doesn’t bully anyone.’
“Hmm, the class is about to start.”
Not wanting to say anything further about Johan, the principal quickly called his homeroom teacher.
The homeroom teacher was a handsome man in his late thirties with blond hair.
“This is Murad, Johan’s homeroom teacher and classical languages instructor.”
The principal introduced the Star Marquises to Murad.
“These are Johan’s guardians, the Star Marquises. Please greet them.”
Murad’s face went pale upon hearing that Killian was one of Johan’s guardians.
‘Is he reacting like that because he knows Killian is a mafia?’
Emily tilted her head at Murad’s overreaction.
The principal lightly nudged Murad’s arm, and he finally regained composure to greet them.
“Ah, hello. I’m Murad, Johan’s homeroom teacher.”
“Yes, thank you for teaching Johan.”
“Haha… it’s nothing.”
Even as an empty courtesy, he couldn’t deny it. Fortunately, Emily didn’t notice his reaction at all.
“The class bell will ring soon. I’ll guide you to the classroom.”
Murad wondered why Johan’s guardians were VIPs at the academy.
Unlike Emily, Killian stood silently, exuding a cold, intimidating aura.
‘He’s a mafia and was imprisoned not long ago?’
No wonder Johan was such a devil—his guardian was like that.
Murad glanced at Emily with pity, marveling at how such a delicate lady could endure among devils for so long.
Killian, standing behind Murad, clearly did not approve of the look.
“It’s irritating.”
