Chapter 79 Mum And Mr Killion
Back in the capital, Onyx made his way through the alleyways to the guild. He was itching to go into one of the taverns and get drunk, but he had to hold back. There was much work to be done.
‘If Veronia changes her mind or circumstances change, I need to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, and I need to have at least three perfect options waiting in the wings.’
He was walking along, fleshing out the plan in his head. A group of people gathered in front of a notice board caught his eye.
“Wow, so this is the silver-haired healer I’ve heard so much about!”
“But why is the imperial court looking for her?”
“Well, you don’t remember what you just read, so what are you going to do? They’re going to reward the precious lady.”
“Ah. I see. I’ve been forgetting everything I read lately, hahaha.”
Onyx’s eyes narrowed at the mention of a ‘silver-haired healer’, and he pushed through the crowd to the bulletin board to see what it said.
On the bulletin board was a hooded Veronia with long silver hair hanging down. It was so accurate and detailed that anyone who knew Veronia would instantly recognise her.
It also offered a generous reward for information leading to the silver-haired healer. It was enough to keep a commoner entertained for months.
‘At this rate, it won’t be long before they find Veronia.’
As much as he hated to admit it, he had to admit it. It seemed to be true what they say about the Empress, that when she’s serious about a goal, she’ll do whatever it takes.
‘In that case, the Duke of Drea would be the safest bet.’
If Veronia becomes Duchess of Drea, at least she’ll never have to face the Empress one-on-one… At least she won’t have to show her bare face to the Empress unprotected.
‘Veronia is the Duchess of Drea…! Veronia is in love with Killion, with him… Damn it!’
Irritation surged through him as the bitter thought weighed down his head and chest.
Onyx paced quickly, his face flushed red. If he stayed here much longer, he would have a hard time resisting the urge to tear Veronia’s on the bulletin board.
***
That night, in Jediel’s room, Veronia was packing Jediel’s things in a large bag. As she packed, Jediel asked, his hands like ferns.
“So we’re living with Mr Killion from now on?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
The child asked, scratching his head in confusion, and Veronia asked again, worried.
“Do you not like living with him?”
“I don’t hate it, but it’s weird. It’s weird to live with someone who’s not even family.”
“Well, his house is really big and has lots of rooms. I think we’ll be safer there.”
An even bigger question mark appeared across the child’s face. He looked terrified.
“Isn’t it safe here? Isn’t it dangerous? Then Grandma and Grandpa are in danger too.”
“No. I’m not saying it’s dangerous, I’m saying what if.”
“What if?”
Veronia gulped down another sigh at the child’s question. It was no wonder the child didn’t understand when she told him that she’d come to live with Killion, leaving out the essentials.
‘Where do I start and where do I stop…?’
She’d been thinking all day about how to explain to Jediel, but she was still at a loss. She knew she didn’t need to tell him the whole truth, but she knew he needed some explanation.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Veronia looked into Jediel’s eyes and spoke slowly.
“Jediel, listen to me.”
“Yes.”
“You know mum likes you, and mum loves you very much, don’t you?”
“Yes. Me too.”
The child smiled broadly and nodded vigorously.
“And just like that, Mummy likes Mr Killion a lot.”
“You like him?”
“Yes. He likes mum too. And my Jediel likes him even more.”
“Are mum and Mr Killion together?”
“Yes, they are.”
She was glad the child knew the word ‘lovers,’ she thought.
“And what about Ms Espin? Aren’t she and Mr Killion lovers?”
“They were just friends. Just like Mum and Mr Onyx are friends.”
“Aha, mum and Mr Killion are lovers!”
Hehe, Jediel laughed, his mouth hanging open in amusement.
“So mum and Mr Killion are going to be a family?”
“Well, we’re not family right away, because becoming a real family is a bit more complicated. So for now, we’re just going to live together.”
“…”
“If we live together and get along better and get closer, then we can become a real family.”
“Aaah…”
The child’s eyes rolled back and forth as he pondered the complexity of the idea, and then he asked, wide-eyed, if he’d suddenly remembered something.
“If we become a real family,” he said, “does that mean Mr Killion will be Jediel’s dad, and I’ll have a dad?”
“Yes. Mr Killion is going to be our Jediel’s dad.”
“Wow! That’s exciting!”
The child bounced up and down in delight.
“So we can practice playing ball with him every day?”
“Of course. But he’s a busy man, so he won’t be able to do it for long.”
“That’s okay,” said Jediel, “I’ve always heard that the best way to practice is a little bit every day.”
Jediel smiled wryly. His hands got faster and faster as he packed his bag. He stopped suddenly, looked up at Veronia, and asked her a serious question.
“Mum still comes here often to see Grandma and Grandpa, won’t you?”
“Of course I will.”
“Then can I sleep downstairs with Grandma tonight?”
“Of course. Grandma would love that.”
Veronia stroked Jediel’s head.
***
“Mother, I have something to tell you.”
After dinner, Killion stood before his godmother.
The Godmother was surprised by her son’s sudden appearance, which was natural, as this had never happened before. Her heart was pounding in her chest, as if Killion was about to drop a huge bomb.
“What is it?”
The Godmother asked nonchalantly, trying to hide her nervousness, and as she expected, Killion dropped a bombshell in front of her.
“I have a woman in mind, and I’ve asked her to marry me.”
“What? Just like this? What does that mean…”
Stunned for a moment, the godmother stood with her mouth open, unable to speak. Neither her brain nor her facial muscles were working properly.
Killion, meanwhile, spoke naturally.
“It was love at first sight, and I like her a lot.”
“Well, that’s the news this mother has been waiting to hear.”
At last, the Godmother’s creaky brain and facial muscles came back to life. Her eyes lit up with anticipation.
“Is she a young lady I know? What family does she belong to? Couldn’t you have warned her mother?”
“She is a woman whose mother does not know. She is not a young lady of a noble family, but a commoner.”
“What? What are you talking about, a commoner? A commoner? Did I hear you right?”
“Yes, you heard me correctly, mother.”
“…”
The godmother was momentarily at a loss for words. Her mind was racing with the absurdity of it all. The godmother was dizzy with disbelief, not knowing what to make of the situation.
The son in front of her was the scion of the venerable Duke of Drea. It was a family that dared to stand shoulder to shoulder with the imperial family, and had even married a princess. That was in the distant past.
No, there was no need to even mention the family name. The son in front of her was a perfect man, with good looks, brains, swordsmanship, character, and nothing missing.
Not because he was her son, but because that’s what public opinion said. Killion was always at the top of the gossip magazines’ list of men they wanted to date.
He was always number one on the list of men they wanted to marry. Higher than the princes and other high nobles.
‘But… proposing to a commoner? Why…? How is that possible? A duke, a chancellor, a minister, marrying a commoner? It’s not some fantasy fairy tale!’
The godmother was so shocked by this unexpected option that she could barely form words.
Killion continued to speak, unconcerned with his godmother’s condition. He still wore a very nonchalant expression.
“You may have seen it in the papers, the silver-haired healer who saved the child who was hit by a carriage in the festival square.”
“Well, yes. I saw her. She was said to be a very skilful healer. Why are you talking about her now?”
“It’s her. The silver-haired healer.”
“What…?”
She was stunned. Not just any commoner, but a healer? That was even worse. Suddenly, a sharp pain ripped through her head. The godmother frowned and pressed her temples together to endure the pain.
“Her Majesty the Empress is looking for her.”
“Her Majesty the Empress?”
Why the mention of the Empress Dowager again? The godmother was beginning to feel frightened now. Her tightly curled fists were slippery with cold sweat.
