Emily quickly returned to Killian’s side , internally expressing her gratitude once again to Johann, who was waiting at home. She had to disappear quickly before their laughter ceased, as she would have to endure another round of questioning.

“Hmm?”

A question mark appeared on Emily’s face as she approached Killian with a bright smile.

“Hello, Mr. Nox. It’s been a while since I saw you last.”

Nox was standing next to Killian. As always, he greeted Emily with a hearty laugh.

“Yes, it’s been a while, right? I’ve been locked up for the past few days.”

“Ah, yes… .”

‘Incarceration’ was a serious offense by Emily’s standards, but it seemed commonplace in the Mafia world, since Nox spit it out casually.

“But, Madam, this dressed-up appearance of yours is quite different, isn’t it?”

When Nox complimented her dress, Emily wore a proud expression and returned the compliment.

“And you look dashing as well, Nox.”

Nox, unlike his previous image, had neatly combed hair and was dressed immaculately. Many young women were looking at him with interest.

“But how did Nox come here?”

Killian spoke on behalf of Nox in response to her question.

“Do you remember the name Clive?”

As Emily recalled who Clive was, she let out a soft exclamation.

“He was the nobleman who taught you etiquette, right?”

“It’s hard to believe, but Nox is that person.”

A second question mark appeared on Emily’s face. Although they hadn’t seen each other for a long time, in Emily’s eyes, Nox was a person who seemed to need to be taught before teaching others how to behave.

Nox nodded as if he knew what Emily was thinking.

“In fact, my father is Duke Howard. I am the third son who was kicked out after taking over the Clive Territory.”

The Howard Duchy was something Emily couldn’t be ignorant of.

Strictly speaking she was very familiar with Lady Lorena Howard, the Duke’s wife. She memorized all of the 100 major family names of Bancent, and didn’t even consider those not within that category as nobility. To think that such a strict and uptight person’s son was Nox, it seemed there must be an interesting story behind him becoming a mafia member.

“Should I say that only the mafia world can handle my splendor?”

‘No, there doesn’t seem to be any special story. It was my mistake to momentarily consider him seriously’

.“Let me introduce myself again. I am Nox Howard Clive.”

Nox smiled charmingly and kissed Emily’s hand.

“Oh, so you’re Nox Howard Clive.”

“Yes, I introduced myself that way to the family, but they all told me not to be self-proclaimed.” 

Nox seemed to think he had made a clever wordplay and chuckled to himself.

“Let’s stop with the unnecessary talk.”

Killian planned to leave and take Emily with him, but as he turned around Nox blocked their path.

“Hey, hold on. Where are you going?”

“Somewhere you’re not.”

Nox furrowed his eyebrows and made a pitiful expression.

“If you both leave, I’ll have to be alone the whole party without knowing anyone.”

While Emily felt sorry for him, it didn’t mean she wanted to stay with him.

“I bumped into Lady Howard earlier. Maybe if you go to her she’ll introduce you to people?”

“I was disowned by my mother.”

To confirm it was true, Nox waved his hand toward Lady Howard.

“Mom!”

Startled, Mrs. Howard turned in the direction of the sound, saw Nox, and immediately opened her fan to cover her face.

“You saw, right?”

“It would be embarrassing for your grown-up son to call you that at a banquet, even if you didn’t disown him.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Emily remained lost in deep thought while still looking at the cheerful Nox. Why did Lady Howard’s education go to waste to such an extent?

Killian turned to Emily and asked, “Do you want to stay at the party?”

“No, I want to go home now.”

“Great. I’ll arrange the carriage.”

As Killian left to prepare the carriage, Emily was left alone with Nox. Another silence fell between them, Nox spoke first.

“Can I tell you something funny?”

“no.” 

Silence fell between the two again.

***

Translator note: Nox is such a himbo, but he’s OUR himbo so we must protect him at all costs. ~Mae

Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/maetranslations