I Became the Abandoned Daughter of an Underworld Boss

Levina spoke in the sternest tone possible.

“Just think of it as the rule of Dark Town.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“I must protect Miss.”

“Haha, understood. You’re really impressive.”

“It’s the same for everyone.”

“Haha…”

Al laughed awkwardly.

He was the strongest magician in the entire empire.

Naturally, he had the power to reduce more than half of Dark Town in the Nea Kingdom, or even the capital, Trisha, to ashes with just a finger.

But he had no intention of flaunting such power to scare people.

Besides that, Al was also confident in physical combat.

In his younger days, he was rather famous as a battle mage.

Therefore, it was quite absurd that Levina, who was almost an ordinary person by his strict standards, carried a weapon.

He could protect them by himself, couldn’t he?

‘Because I’m guarding Dark Town’s lady who will marry Lord Karas. It’s better to be more loved, isn’t it?’

Al had his reasons for supporting Karas and Yuriana’s marriage.

After suffering from the emperor’s relatives, it was better to prevent such tragedies in future generations.

So, Al hoped Dark Town under Asil Litus’s rule would become stronger.

He didn’t want things to go as the incomprehensible Queen Alice wished.

Being Emperor Harun’s closest aide, Al knew the emperor’s true intentions and everything that had happened.

The exclusion of the queen of the Nea Kingdom had already begun.

Two carriages ran without rest, bringing them into the capital.

The view passing by the window was quite different.

Even though it was the same winter, the feeling was different.

“Whoa! It’s bright.”

“Is it?”

“Yes, look at that!”

Asil found it hard to deny his daughter’s words.

It was bright.

It starkly revealed the difference between the capital Trisha and Dark Town.

Even if they lit up all the lamps in Dark Town, people would somehow still say it felt dark.

That was Dark Town’s identity.

Some people even shun brightness, fearing revealing themselves.

Asil lightly ruffled Yuriana’s hair.

Levina would be horrified, saying she had brushed it nicely, but he couldn’t help it.

“Do you like it?”

That was all Asil could say.

How could he say he was sorry for only knowing Dark Town?

“Yes! It’s pretty. Dad, look over there. Snow is sticking to the branches!”

“… snowflakes.”

Since Dark House was surrounded by trees enchanted with magic, such sights were common when it snowed.

But the feeling was different. There, it was a home view, but here it was a sight seen while out.

White, transparent snow was beautiful when seen but ugly and quickly melted when it touched human skin, deforming the crystals.

Just like Alice, who slipped out of his grasp.

If he and Alice had gotten together.

Would she have changed the same way, looking unfamiliar after time passed?

After telling Alice to leave Dark Town forever, he was naturally thinking of her when he came to the capital.

Asil found it amusing while also realizing once again that the current Alice was completely different from the Alice he once knew.

Everything had changed.

Everything would continue to change.

He, Alice, the environment, and people around him. It was natural. It was the way of the world. They had to accept it.

Even tastes, personality, speech, and preferences… everything about a person changed.

‘Ha.’

“Dad, look over there. There’s a snowman!”

“I’ll make you one when we get back.”

“Really? Whoa… Dad, and also over there…!”

This child giggling beside him, pointing constantly outside the carriage.

As long as he had his daughter, it was enough.

Change as much as you want; I’ll accept your whims forever.

Asil smiled gently.

His smile, well, he would get angry if he heard this himself… but lately, he smiled so often it seemed to devalue it.

They arrived at the Fatima Hotel in the center of the capital and came out without even unpacking.

There was still plenty of time until sunset.

“Yuriana…”

Maybe because of the separate carriage ride, Karas already wanted to see Yuriana again.

“Here!”

“You came? What do you want to do… oh.”

Thud!

A small snowball lightly brushed and fell off the end of Karas’s coat.

“Hehehe.”

Somehow Yuriana’s voice came from beside the hotel, not inside.

The boy turned around, laughing.

There, stood Yuriana, proudly holding a tiny snowball she had made.

It was cute. She looked like a moving little snowman. Maybe because of that coat making her look bulkier?

“Are you challenging me to a snowball fight? Yuriana, there’s a lot of snow in the empire too. I’m confident in throwing snowballs.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. We have all four seasons. Shall we start?”

“Okay!”

Karas pretended to play along, deliberately getting hit by all the snowballs Yuriana threw, having a great time.

The adults watched the two having fun from behind.

It was an entirely white and beautiful moment.

Al, having some leisure time, asked Levina slyly.

“Shall we have a snowball fight too?”

“If it were a different kind of snowball fight, I’d do it.”

Zap!

Al retreated as Levina shot him a more intense glare than lightning.

“Haha, just kidding. Just kidding.”

“…”

A moment later.

“Huff, huff…”

Yuriana’s cheeks, reddened from playing, were adorable.

Should they stop now? Playing too much in excitement might give her a cold?

Karas approached the slightly tired Yuriana and whispered.

“Yuriana, I have something to say. How about we start speaking casually to each other?”

“Huh? With Lord Karas?”

“Just call me Karas. There’s a height difference between us, but… just for friends, it’s okay.”

“Oh… but.”

Karas borrowed his uncle’s name, who was probably working hard in the office by now.

“It’s okay. I got permission from His Majesty. He’ll be happy if we become friends.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Just talk comfortably, Yuriana.”

“Hehehe… okay! Karas. I’m really glad we played together today.”

“Me too.”

He was happy to receive her acceptance.

Start as friends and become closer genuinely, that was the plan.

‘I absolutely have no ulterior motives about marriage. I respect Yuriana’s wishes!’

Karas brushed off the snow from Yuriana’s pants rather than his own clothes.

Levina watched the two playing amicably, then glanced at Asil.

‘Hmm… Boss’s mouth definitely smiles when he sees Miss. But his eyes seem to frown strangely. Did I see it right?’

One thing was certain, his expression wasn’t good when he looked at that young and dangerous imperial boy!

Good.

While the boss and the aide silently agreed, Al shamelessly stood between Levina and Asil, crossing his arms and clicking his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk, you’re too wary. If left alone, your relationship would improve. Why are you glaring at each other over every little thing?”

“What do you mean? Improve what?”

Levina flared up, but Al laughed smoothly.

“I can tell. Those two are a perfect match. I’ve made a name for myself with astrology for nearly 30 years.”

“Th-thirty years? Are you that old?”

“I’m forty this year.”

“Gasp!”

“…?”

Asil looked at Al and Levina, wondering why they were talking so well.

This… felt strange.

It was Asil’s instinct, honed by overcoming many crises, giving him a bad feeling.

Levina couldn’t help but be surprised.

She was forty-two this year. Aside from their small age difference, Al looked extremely young.

She thought he was at least as old to be a nephew?

Al winked.

“Hmm, I was forced to marry by my grandfather around my early twenties, but I’ve been alone for a long time since my wife passed away.”

“What…?”

“It means I’m an open man, Lady Levina. A woman’s proactive approach is a good thing.”

Al rarely called Levina by name.

Suddenly saying this while winking and even adding ?

Levina, feeling teased, flared up.

“W-what are you talking about! That’s really absurd…!”

“Haha. Think about it. The empire is a multinational state. The prestige of a family is built by descendants, not determined by ancestral bloodlines.”

Al teased Levina and grinned, which Asil, seeing it all, found absurd.

Anyway, the imperial bastards’ way of speaking…!

He couldn’t draw his sword with the children so close.

Above all, in Dark Town, you had to live by the creed that you handled your own matters.

Therefore, he couldn’t intervene in the quarrel between Levina and Al.

“Dad!”

Just then, Yuriana, with a flushed face from playing in the snow, approached him.

Following her was the imperial boy, who had become even more detestable.

Even though he was innocent, he disliked him without reason.

Hmph!!!

“Did you have fun?”

“Yes. Let’s go downtown now!”

“Catch your breath first, Miss. Drink some water. You’re panting too much.”

“Okay.”

Levina approached Yuriana and subtly took revenge on Al.

She tapped next to his shoe.

A sturdy man like him wouldn’t topple from such mischief.

Since Al wanted to tease Levina more, he briefly considered pretending to fall but decided against it.

A person must distinguish between public and private matters.

‘What a pity. I’ll try it later when we’re alone.’

After a brief rest, they set off for downtown.

Karas and Yuriana were busy having fun and sightseeing.

Karas, like a typical boy, was most interested in the blacksmith’s shop.