I Became the Abandoned Daughter of an Underworld Boss

“Um…”

Just as Levina gathered her courage and stood in front of Yuriana to speak, it happened.

Asil, who had been quietly observing the people, suddenly dashed in that direction.

Levina murmured in surprise.

“Boss?”

‘W-Wait… that’s…!’

Yuriana, who had been hiding behind Levina’s skirt, was startled and opened her eyes wide.

At first, she didn’t know why Asil ran out.

She thought there might be something suspicious, but that wasn’t the case. He ran towards someone!

That white face hiding under a brown robe and hood to get food, with deep dimples and clear eyes. Graceful, pale hands…

‘It’s Alice!’

Both father and daughter were drawn to Alice’s presence, but the first to recognize the living Alice was undoubtedly Asil.

As Yuriana’s heart raced, Asil reached her in a single leap.

In front of his beloved Alice.

At last, she whispered.

“Hello, Guardian of Dark Town.”

“……”

“I can wait here. You don’t have to drag me out.”

Alice’s tone was as dreamy as ever, like a girl lost in a reverie.

Asil’s heart was completely captivated by her.

He had no idea how long he had been waiting for this moment. Why? Because it was like a miracle that would never return…

The man, once again overwhelmed by the fever of love, led her with a choked voice.

“Come here.”

“Ah…”

“Huh…?”

As Levina watched the boss take away someone presumed to be a woman in a brown robe, she was visibly bewildered.

In truth, Asil’s presence wasn’t strictly necessary here. His subordinates were handling the food distribution and could manage the aftermath as well.

But to suddenly leave his daughter and go with someone else?

Though initially shocked by Asil’s sudden action, Levina soon resigned herself to it.

There would be another chance later, and it was burdensome to be alone in such a crowded place with Yuriana anyway.

Levina, preoccupied with looking after Yuriana, hadn’t noticed Alice’s presence. Even though she knew Alice’s face well.

“Miss, it seems the boss had urgent business. Shall we take the back road and return slowly?”

“Mm-hmm.”

‘It’s certainly urgent, yes. The biggest romance of his life. I’d be overflowing with regrets if I missed it.’

Yuriana, easily persuaded, was carried back to the annex by Levina.

Her carefully braided hair, which Asil had touched once, didn’t seem to matter much even though she hadn’t seen him for long.

On the way back, Yuriana asked Levina to undo her hair for comfort.

She also heard the good news that delicious plum juice was left in the Dark House!

She could lazily drink it while sitting on a chair, dangling her feet. Indeed, a rich household’s feast is beneficial for everyone.

While Yuriana was cheerfully heading back to Dark House, Asil had already returned to the main house and was facing Alice.

It felt like a dream, but it was reality.

Alice, who had become Aidan’s wife and queen, took off her hood, revealing her beautiful hair in front of him.

It was surreal to see her calmly seated on the sofa he had occupied until yesterday.

Alice was still a beautiful, dazzling presence.

That light-colored hair, like a flowing wheat field…

‘No. If I lose myself staring at her, it will be hard.’

He subtly averted his gaze, trying to keep his composure as she kept stealing away his rationality.

Even in chaotic Dark Town, Asil didn’t want to covet another man’s woman.

Such a love affair would easily lead to a tragic end and become a nest of resentment.

Alice, smiling, picked up a cup of lemon tea.

“It’s really delicious. Thank you for the treat.”

“……”

“Remember when I said this before? I prefer the sweet, unique taste that lingers on my tongue over the aroma of tea.”

Asil, like a boy guilty of a crime, couldn’t respond to her words.

Knowing he was nervous, Alice smiled lightly.

“Why, I can tell by the taste. You added ginger to this lemon tea, just as I mentioned. For me, right?”

“……”

He still didn’t respond, but Alice continued cheerfully, as if his silence didn’t matter.

“I find it hard to eat something too sour. But strong flavors like mint or basil are also difficult for me. I’m picky, right? This flavor is just perfect. Asil, you remembered.”

Asil’s stiff words forced their way out, likely driven by his duty as Dark Town’s leader rather than his will.

“Why has the esteemed queen of the kingdom come here?”

“Asil…”

“I don’t understand.”

Alice smiled sadly.

The fragrant lemon scent clinging to her lips would have shaken Asil’s heart in the past.

But now, he didn’t rush to her side with fervent courtship or pull out the large ruby ring and jewelry bracelet hidden in his drawer to boast.

He couldn’t even look at her properly.

The shadow of unrequited love still achingly dominated some part of his being.

“Asil…”

“Stop it.”

“Asil?”

Before she could continue speaking, Asil interrupted her sternly.

This wasn’t directed at Alice, but more at himself, a strict self-rebuke.

“You’re no longer a mere guest or temporary librarian of the palace. Does the king know about this? You… the public square gave no sense of an extraordinary presence. Am I to believe the queen came to Dark Town with only a few knights disguised as attendants?”

Alice responded calmly.

“You’re right. I didn’t come alone. Even if I had, I would’ve been safe. Don’t you think so, Asil? You knew… when I crossed Dark Town’s boundary. I trust you to protect me. We are always…”

“Enough!”

Her words were true.

A while ago, a strange carrier pigeon had arrived.

It conveyed that a distinguished guest from the kingdom wished to secretly meet Asil, the leader of Dark Town.

But Asil had refused the message outright.

He never accepted requests without revealing the sender, regardless of the reward.

Dark Town had its own order, despite its anything-goes reputation.

He wrote on the pigeon’s response and sent it back, after which things had been quiet.

And today.

He had already heard about a suspicious carriage with disguised nobles and their followers.

He sensed it immediately. The sender of the pigeon had come in person.

Dark Town dealt with many secretive stories and requests. Checking the identities of those entering and leaving was crucial.

Even with her robe, he couldn’t mistake Alice’s features.

Yet Asil hoped it wasn’t her and decided to wait and see.

He wished she wouldn’t be the one approaching, yet he also hoped it was her.

And… they met. Inevitably, in this Dark House, the comfortable prison he had built.

Alice’s doe-like eyes looked at him, but his gaze didn’t follow.

She spoke defiantly.

“Asil Litus of Dark town would never harm me. Tell me, Asil. Will you scold me for acting on my own? Get angry and throw me out? Hm?”

“Alice…!”

Her words mercilessly dredged up the emotions he had buried.

Asil finally uttered her name.

Only then did she smile.

“Phew, I wanted to hear that name. Asil, you were the one who called me passionately. Weren’t you?”

Without thinking deeply, Asil hastily changed the subject.

“What do you want?”

“What?”

He still couldn’t look at her as if she were a stranger.

Avoiding his struggle to say her name, Asil continued.

“Did you come to entrust something to Dark Town? Speak. If it’s you… I might consider it. No payment necessary. But there’s a condition. Once it’s done, never come here again.”

He didn’t want to torment himself with unnecessary hopes.

The woman who had refused his offer to love only her, rejecting his comfortable prison and escaping.

… there was no way she would change her mind now.

Alice was a queen, and he was the ruler of Dark Town. They should not meet like this.

Even if Alice requested the meeting first, it was not to be.

The Crown Prince who lost his parents and ascended to the throne, now King Aidan, not even worthy of being called a rival.

What would happen to Dark Town if Aidan discovered Asil’s private meeting with Alice?

‘Madness.’

Asil was a formidable individual by personal strength alone.

But he also bore the responsibility of protecting Dark Town, a part of the kingdom. In that regard, he understood and even empathized with King Aidan.

He had no intention of causing unnecessary conflict over feelings that once swept through him.

The burning passion of love that had filled him started to fade naturally.

Like the softly falling rain, the emotions that had filled his heart gradually dissipated. Eternal love rarely existed in this world.

Alice pouted and looked disappointed at his cynical words.