I Became the Abandoned Daughter of an Underworld Boss

“Dad?”

Asil’s tone suddenly became harsh, making me think I had done something terribly wrong.

What was the problem? Was it because I kissed Asil?

Hmm… maybe Asil thought that only Alice, before marriage, could let someone else’s lips touch his cheek…

‘I’ve made a huge mistake. I’ve been too harsh on a pure-hearted guy.’

While Yuriana was making wild guesses.

For some reason, Asil, with an angry expression, began to give instructions.

“I will tell you again later, but when the guests from the Empire arrive, I’ll make a decision. I will try to arrange it so that you can play freely in the annex. If that’s not possible… you might have to go to the kingdom’s hotel with Levina for a while.”

“What?”

How many times had I said today?

“Rest.”

“Dad?”

“You don’t need to see me off. Just go in, take care of yourself, eat, sleep, and play. I will find out about your friend later.”

Asil threw the gray pebble in his hand and stood up.

By coincidence or not, it hit the heart of the Reef Empire’s capital, Lloyd, like a meteorite. It was quite a tense throw.

… and he really left?

‘What… what is this?’

Yuriana was left alone, staring blankly at the map nearby.

She started speculating while looking at the world map.

‘Hmm… let’s think this through. Who could Harun bring that’s around my age?’

Whether he handled the harem matters or not was unknown.

But given the flow of time, one thing was certain.

The chance of Harun giving birth to a newborn baby and bringing it at this urgent moment was 0%. So, only one suspect remained.

‘In that case… it’s definitely Karas! Harun’s nephew!’

Why would Harun bother to bring Karas to the kingdom’s Dark Town?

Yuriana’s face turned pale as she thought hard.

‘No way… could it be?’

Asil’s specialty was managing Dark Town.

Bribery, smuggling, domination, oh… assassination…

Then! The reason Harun was coming to Dark Town, unable to get Alice’s love…

‘He’s planning to secretly… get rid of his nephew…’

Her back went cold.

Yes, logically that seemed reasonable.

Harun had become the emperor safely and finished the matter with the stone tablets, so there was no reason for him to come back to the kingdom.

He could handle everything in the Empire, so why target here? And bringing his troublesome nephew to Dark Town?

Yuriana, who had already assumed Karas’ poisoning was a fact, was suddenly moved.

‘So, Asil wants me to go to the hotel to avoid being involved in Karas’ death? Wow… Asil, you still have a sense of duty towards your bloodline. You’re better than Harun, who shows no mercy. This is why you’re one of the top three male protagonists, not just one of the four!’

She dismissed the thought of her kiss and focused on other matters.

Tap, tap.

The sound of hurried footsteps was heard.

“Miss! Are you here?”

“Levina!”

It was Levina.

“Oh, you were looking at this.”

“Dad gave it to me!”

Levina, who ran over, clapped her hands like an experienced nanny when Yuriana showed off the golden-yellow pebble.

“Whoa, what a beautiful stone.”

“Right? But you know.”

“Yes?”

Yuriana asked as it came to her mind.

“Has dad ever killed someone?”

Levina’s cheerful expression suddenly changed.

“Ah… Miss! Where did you hear such scary things…”

“Tell me. Yes, or no?”

This was Dark Town.

Moreover, Yuriana was allowed to access the main house. She hadn’t been there recently, but she could have heard from someone before.

The dreadful word …

Levina tried to soothe her with a gentle expression.

“Miss, I, Levina, want you to always be a cute and lovely little girl. You’re only six years old, right? The boss also doesn’t want you to grow up too quickly.”

“… yes?”

Levina hugged Yuriana tightly to dispel the eerie feeling trying to torment her.

“I want Miss to live happily and freely. If you grow up safely and don’t want to stay in the Dark Town… I plan to help you live independently outside. I’ve made up my mind.”

Levina no longer wanted to take care of anyone else after Yuriana.

Even if Yuriana grew up, had children, and became a mother. She hoped someone else would be the nanny.

She wanted to spend the rest of her life solely taking care of Yuriana. That was her modest, risky, and grand desire.

Yuriana had become a precious existence to Levina, just like how clothes got wet in a drizzle.

“Okay…”

There was genuine sincerity in Levina’s words.

Feeling guilty yet grateful, Yuriana thought.

This place was within a game. A space where people lived intertwined with another heroine’s life.

But still…

There was love here too, and someone’s earnest life.

A long, desperate life that couldn’t be expressed in a single line.

Levina, who took care of her so kindly.

Levina moved with Yuriana in her arms, smiling a bit sadly.

“Now, it’s time for you to take a nap as promised.”

“Okay…”

“You’re really a good child.”

When Yuriana lay on the bed and her eyelids closed under Levina’s warm hand.

She fell asleep with a smile.

Love was indeed good. She wanted to receive it from anyone. It was worth enough.

* * *

As time passed, Emperor Harun confirmed his visit to Dark Town.

The date was said to be early autumn.

Yuriana, who had been loitering near the main house recently, luckily overheard some strange words. The source was, of course, Dark House, Asil’s closest aides’ murmurs.

She occupied a good spot at the right time and focused on eavesdropping without even breathing.

Behind the winged statue.

‘Hehe, talk more.’

“… so, he’s bringing a cat.”

“A cat?”

“Yes, a cat that pretends to be docile but is ferocious. A dangerous cat that could harm many if it shows its claws even once.”

“Good grief…”

There was no need to listen further. She already knew everything she needed to.

Excited, Yuriana returned to the annex.

“Meow.”

These days, with nothing to do, Lulu had become quite hefty.

Yuriana, who happily hugged the evolving cat, whispered.

“Lulu, a friend is coming for you. Ugh, you’re heavy.”

“… meow?”

Lulu had shorter fur and used to be sleek… but not anymore.

Yuriana guessed that the cats from the Empire would resemble Persian cats.

“Hehe, a cat from the Reef Empire must be graceful. Hmm… Lulu, since you’re a male, if a female friend comes, get along well. Okay?”

“Meow… hiss!”

Lulu, who had been pondering Yuriana’s words, suddenly got angry.

Even if he was cursed and couldn’t mimic human form.

Rupedos, the cat beast, boasted high intelligence. He prided himself on being smarter and sharper than any human.

Though he endured because Yuriana was his master, playing with a real cat(!)? That wouldn’t appeal to him.

Yuriana, who didn’t know anything about beastman, tried to soothe him.

“What’s wrong? You’re a cat. Cats meet cats. Even if you play with humans, newlywed couples should match with cats.”

“Meow! Hiss! Hiss—”

“Lowering your ears and fluffing your fur like that? That’s not good. Your girlfriend will run away. Ferocious guys aren’t popular.”

Yuriana, facing Lulu’s hissing, wasn’t frightened at all, just indifferent.

“Meow!”

“Believe me. How often do you get a chance to meet an exotic girlfriend?”

“Hiss, hiss! Hiss!”

After a few more days of small quarrels with Lulu.

“Ha.”

“…!”

The Emperor of the Reef Empire, Harun, looked back at the boy who was startled by his small sigh.

He looked truly small and fragile.

It was partly because Harun was exceptionally tall and broad-shouldered, but the boy also had issues.

This young boy never lifted his head or straightened his back in front of Harun. But his height actually far surpassed his peers.

It seemed like he had no strengths at all.

Was it intentional, or was he just scared?

Harun’s lips curled in a sneer.

“Are you reluctant to go with me?”

“No, Your Majesty. It’s a misunderstanding.”

Karas’ reply came immediately. Harun stared at his nephew, who looked very different from himself.

The imperial family of the Reef Empire tended to have black hair.

Darker than the abyss, darker than the night sea.

Harun was no exception, but Karas was different.

This eight-year-old nephew of the emperor inherited his mother’s beautiful and radiant blonde hair.

Thus, his white face appeared even paler. Their skin tones were similar, but they looked quite different.

Young Karas was recalling the words his aunt sobbed out last night.

-You must not go!

-Auntie.

-I’ve thought of a way. Break your leg instead. Then you won’t be able to travel far. I will help you! How can you compare an ankle to a life?

-What?

-The emperor… he plans to take you abroad and have someone else kill you!