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Chapter 92
Emily lay on her bed for a long time after returning to her room, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Tears she hadn’t even realized she was shedding soaked into her pillow.
Her parents had died because they saved her—but she couldn’t bring herself to resent Killian.
The most unfortunate person in all this was Killian himself.
He had been born into a duke’s family and had known nothing but comfort and privilege, yet in an instant, he lost everything and was forced to live at the bottom of society. The thought broke her heart.
Worse yet, the very people who had saved her—his benefactors—had been killed because of him. Everything about his life was steeped in tragedy, and Emily’s chest ached with grief.
She resolved not to direct her anger toward the wrong person. The root of all this misery lay with the current Emperor.
Now she finally understood why Killian hated the temple and despised the imperial family so much.
Emily sat up and wiped away her tears.
Crying over what was already lost would change nothing.
It would be far better to find something she could do—even if it was small.
The more she thought about the Emperor’s greed—how many lives and how much happiness it had stolen—the more her body trembled with fury.
Swallowing her rage, Emily went to the room where Killian was staying.
When she knocked, his voice came from inside.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me, Emily.”
A chair scraped hastily across the floor, and then the door swung open.
Killian looked a little surprised, as though he hadn’t expected her to come.
“Please, come in.”
The faint scent of tobacco lingered in the air, but the room itself was spotless except for the slightly rumpled bedcovers.
He guided Emily to the small table by the window.
Killian studied her tear-reddened eyes with concern.
He felt guilty—he’d told her too much, too soon, before she’d even fully recovered.
“Are you feeling all right?”
“Are you going to ask me that every time we meet?”
Emily let out a soft laugh.
But after having watched her collapse right in front of him once, Killian couldn’t stop himself from worrying. He never wanted to experience that kind of terror again.
“My face just looks bad because I’m tired,” she said, trying to ease the tension in his gaze. “I’m really fine.”
“That’s… a relief.”
“Actually,” she said, her tone suddenly serious, “I came because there’s something I want to say to you.”
Killian tensed, waiting for her next words.
Ever since they’d parted earlier that day, his heart had been sinking lower and lower.
If she told him she wanted to separate from him now, he wouldn’t have been surprised.
After all, the Synope family could have lived peaceful lives if they had never gotten involved with him. If the Emperor’s command to execute him had simply been carried out, none of this would have happened.
He was the man who had taken away Emily’s happiness—and perhaps her future as well.
While these thoughts tormented him, Emily finally spoke.
“I understand now why you wanted to divorce me.”
Her eyes lowered, her voice trembling slightly.
“But… why do you want to be with me again?”
A heavy silence fell between them.
Then Killian spoke quietly.
“You really don’t know the reason?”
Emily lifted her head, and their eyes met—his gaze burning with emotion she couldn’t ignore.
A single tear rolled down her cheek.
Killian’s large hand gently cupped her face, wiping away the tear.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “But I’m selfish enough to admit… I love you.”
His thumb brushed her cheek as he went on.
“I’ve carried you in my heart for so long that mere words like ‘I like you’ can’t possibly describe it.”
Once, he hadn’t even had the courage to acknowledge that love existed.
But now, it had grown too large to hide any longer.
Almost in desperation, he confessed everything.
And as if her heart had been waiting for it, more tears streamed down Emily’s face. She didn’t even know why she was crying so hard—only that she couldn’t stop.
Killian stepped closer and pulled her into his arms, holding her gently as she wept.
When she didn’t push him away, courage stirred in him again.
“Even if it’s hard,” he murmured, “won’t you stay with me?”
He meant it sincerely—if she refused, he would not blame her. He knew how selfish his confession was in light of their circumstances.
But miraculously, Emily nodded through her tears.
“Really?” he asked in disbelief.
“Yes.”
For a fleeting moment, the guilt and despair in Killian’s eyes vanished, replaced by hope.
His voice trembled. “Why… why would you stay by my side?”
Emily wiped her eyes and looked straight at him.
“You really don’t know why?”
Her words mirrored his from moments before.
Killian let out a shaky breath and drew her close again.
Emily loves me too.
The realization made his heart feel like it would burst.
With no one to interrupt, the two held each other tightly, enveloped in warmth and peace.
They hadn’t known that mutual understanding could feel so blissful.
After a long while, Emily composed herself and gently pulled away.
“But… have you finished planning the rebellion?”
The blunt question made Killian flinch before answering.
“Yes. There’s no room for failure.”
Especially now—with Emily beside him—failure was unthinkable.
“And if we do fail,” he added, “I’ll make sure you can escape to the Robert Empire. I’ve already arranged it.”
Emily shook her head firmly.
“Your crimes are mine now. I’m not afraid of anything anymore.”
The thought of the Emperor filled her with burning rage.
“I won’t just sit around doing nothing. Tell me what your plan is.”
Killian was silent for a long time, clearly torn, before speaking.
“I don’t want to drag you into this any further.”
Emily’s expression hardened.
“Why not? Do you think I’ll just get in the way?”
“That’s not it,” he said quickly. “I just don’t want to put you in danger.”
“I was already in danger the moment I chose to be with you.”
Killian’s face darkened again.
Emily took his hand firmly.
“Don’t look like that. I’m here because I chose to be. It’s my decision.”
“But still…”
“When I was kidnapped by the Giuliano organization, I escaped on my own,” she reminded him. “Do you really think I’m that weak?”
Killian slowly shook his head.
“You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known.”
“Exactly. So stop trying to protect me from everything.”
Before he could reply, someone began pounding on the door.
“Killian!”
It was Nox. Killian let out a deep sigh.
Should I be grateful for his timing—or curse it?
Emily reluctantly stood.
“We’ll talk more later.”
“…All right.”
Even as he agreed, Killian’s heart felt heavy.
When Emily opened the door and stepped out, Nox’s eyes widened in surprise.
“This is his room,” Emily said calmly. “I just stopped by to talk.”
“Ah… right.”
Nox nodded, still looking a bit confused.
From inside, Killian’s sharp voice called out, “Nox, come in.”
“I’ll be going to my room then,” Emily said politely before walking down the hall.
Feeling like he had interrupted something very private, Nox entered the room awkwardly—then froze when he saw Killian’s face.
“Whoa, why’s your face so red?”
His confusion quickly gave way to a teasing grin.
“Judging by the look of things, the atmosphere in here was real good, huh?”
Killian glared at him. “You’ve still got enough energy to talk nonsense? Maybe I didn’t hit you hard enough last time.”
Just thinking about how Emily had suffered because of this man made his blood boil.
Under Killian’s deadly stare, Nox swallowed hard and blurted out, “W-wait! But I did bring that old lady here in time—Emily’s fine now because of me!”
That… was true.
Maybe he’d just bury him except for the face.
No—better to bury that loud mouth too.
Completely oblivious to Killian’s murderous thoughts, Nox smirked again.
“So, you two are back together, right?”
At the question, Killian recalled their earlier conversation—and the way she’d held him.
“…Yeah.”
He answered simply, but the faint smile tugging at his lips gave him away.
Nox studied his expression and let out a sly grin.
“So… did you talk to Duke Sadi too?”
“Oh.”
Killian froze. He’d completely forgotten about that.
“Yeah, that duke looked real excited about bringing the lady home,” Nox said with a laugh. “He’s been preparing everything. He’s gonna be heartbroken now.”
