Make Our Family Great Again – Chapter 4

Vito Felini.

He will be remembered as the most successful boss in the history of this land’s mafia.

From being a mere orphan to the premier executioner of the Five Families. He walked an iconic path that led him from being an executioner to the owner of the Five Families.

Exactly three days after Elena returned to our fold,


Father’s funeral took place. We coordinated with the bereaved family on that end to avoid conflicting with the mayor’s funeral.

“….”

Elena and I had to forget the grudges that piled up over a lifetime, and we needed to appear as a flawless couple in front of others.

“Elena, don’t bow your head too much.”

“…Who do you think is responsible for this?”

Elena replied harshly but complied for the time being. There were remnants of my traces from days ago on her chin.

It was a merciless result.

It was not out of hatred towards her, but a necessary measure to hurry her to the port within a limited timeframe.

Father’s funeral procession was grand.

The procession heading across the city to the funeral home consisted of the following.

Thirteen limousines.

Twelve private cars carrying our associates, separate from the limousines.

Three flower cars positioned at the front, back, and in the middle.

It was only natural for a throng of people to follow the procession, occupying the road.

There were those who paid their respects and showed sorrow at someone’s death, while others just stopped by out of curiosity seeing the crowd.

“….”

The loss of fatherly protection and the families of our associates. Alternatively, just people wanting to garner attention.

They mourned Father’s death and sobbed.

During the funeral procession crossing the city, there were no attacks directed at our family. It’s not that there were no attempts at all.

I can’t know for sure, but rumors suggest that some among Sanchez Family’s officials, led by Eddie Sanchez, had pondered such opinions. Naturally, the one proposing that idea was crushed by Sanchez’s stone fist.

To kill the children who lost their parents during the parents’ funeral?

Even between organizations, there are lines that must not be crossed. No, that would rightly be seen as a fundamental aspect of humanity.

Thanks to those fundamental ethics being upheld, Father’s funeral procession was able to arrive safely at the funeral home.

The coffin containing Father’s body.

Elena and I, along with the remaining caporegimes of families like Lumini, took position on either side of the coffin.

“Let’s go.”

At my words, we began to lift Father’s coffin and transfer it into the funeral home. At the very front, it was Elena and me. There was no more fitting position for the two sole surviving children of Father.

After moving the coffin inside the building, we placed it on a prepared platform.

The staff approached and carefully opened the coffin’s lid, revealing Father’s still form once more.

“….”

Elena.

Upon seeing Father’s motionless body, Elena began to tremble.

“Elena.”

I called her name as I held her hand. For a moment, she tried to shake off my touch but reluctantly held on.

Afterward, Elena and I made our way through the countless chairs in the funeral home. We sat side by side in the two front seats. It was customary for the main family to sit at the front to receive condolences from the guests.

While we were receiving comfort and support from the mourners…

*

Some of the wolves were watching the scene from a distance.

“The young lady seems quieter than I expected.”

“Well, it’s obviously the boss’s funeral.”

The wolves found it quite strange that their little wolf, along with Elena Felini, was not snarling at each other. Two children mourning their beloved parents… or appeared to be just an ordinary couple.

“If only she could behave like this all the time.”

“One can wish. It’s not like I don’t understand her reaction to be fair.”

Giovanni responded to Carso’s remark. Carso was dressed in a black suit that was too tight for his golem frame.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Sarina, think it over. Even if there’s no blood relation, they grew up as siblings together. How would you feel if you married your brother or sister?”

“… I don’t really know since I’m an orphan.”

“What if that marriage was decided because the father worried about dying and wanted to be considerate?”

Despite Sarina’s reply, Carso continued.

“Thinking about it that way, it does feel a bit off.”

Giovanni reacted like that, suggesting that even without blood relation, it was practically incest.

“No, that’s not what I meant. Let’s think from the young lady’s perspective.”

The concern that after his death, the little wolf might push her away. That’s probably what prompted the decision they made.

“How would you feel? Growing to dislike yourself for being inferior to your brother, and in turn, all sorts of thoughts swirling about your better brother.”

“But that’s not Luke’s fault.”

“….”

The golem’s mouth that had been moving non-stop froze at Sarina’s comment.

“Wait, what?”

At Giovanni’s sudden response, all the wolves turned to look in the same direction. At the end of their gaze stood Felicita Marinelli, clad in black garb fittingly for the occasion, unlike usual.

She was the first visitor from the Five Families. Her appearance slightly diluted the somber atmosphere.

Of course, many still mixed grief and awe in their gazes separate from her entrance.

“….”

“….”

Naturally, both Elena and I couldn’t help but react to her arrival.

Felicita approached, passed us, and stood before Father’s coffin, laying down a fully bloomed red rose atop it. Only after that did she turn to us.

“Luke, Elena. I extend my condolences. I wished this wouldn’t have happened.”

“…Thank you.”

Elena was the first to respond, even before I did.

From her expression, it was clear she was displeased with her presence being here as a member of the Five Families. She must think Felicita is quite audacious.

Elena bottled up the surging sorrow and anger deep inside as I started to speak.

Not to mention, I had lost my chance to speak first because of her suspicious behavior last time.

“Thank you, Felicita. Did you come instead of your father?”

“Correct. I’m here in his place. And I also have something to convey to you both.”

Felicita wanted to wrap things up quickly before another mourner approached us.

“Your father has invited you both. You can come together or one at a time; it doesn’t matter as long as the new boss of the Felini Family comes.”

“….”

“Got it. But we have many things to worry about aside from the funeral, so I’ll let you know my answer later.”

Felicita nodded at my words and quickly left the funeral home.

“Armo.”

Elena called Armo, who was nearby.

“Don’t let any of the Five Families folks in here again.”

“…Understood.”

“It doesn’t seem necessary to go that far, does it?”

“No, we can’t let those audacious people in here. And you.”

Elena seemed bothered by my attitude towards Felicita. I had nothing to hide about that.

“Three days ago, Felicita told me that you and Father were in danger.”

“….”

“So, Armo informed Father about it, and Lumini was able to save you and Armo.”

“….”

Elena didn’t seem to readily believe me. And well, I couldn’t blame her.

“Why on earth would the Marinellis…”

“It’s not like all the families of the Five Families are on the same ship.”

“They could be playing tricks on us while being in the same boat.”

Elena’s words, still skeptical, had a point. I just felt my intuition suggesting otherwise.

After Felicita’s visit, the procession of mourners continued. It was quite impressive to see high-ranking officials from Hebili gathering in such numbers.

The vice mayor, temporarily acting in place of the mayor who passed on the same day, also made an appearance.

Aside from Felicita, there were no other mourners representing the Five Families. In fact, it was unusual for Felicita to be there.

We planned to move Father’s coffin to the tomb a few days later. Once today’s funeral schedule was concluded, we returned to the port area.

Lingering too long could lead to some incident where either Elena or I could end up dead, and I wouldn’t be able to face Father after that.

*

While managing the port area, I was at the Lupus Carlton Hotel, where I used as a base.

I was about to gather Elena and the other wolves on the top floor to talk.

“So, what’s the matter?”

Elena looked tired, perhaps from greeting mourners alongside me. The irritation she kept to herself was evident; she didn’t have the energy for it.

“This is a chance to clarify something decisively.”

Saying that, I mentioned again what Felicita had said.

That the boss of the Marinelli Family wanted to meet our family’s new boss.

“…So what? Are you trying to claim you are the boss?”

“No, you are the boss, Elena.”

“….”

“Instead, I’ll be the underboss.”

“….”

That look again. It was clear she thought I’d make her a mere puppet of a boss.

However, the other wolves seemed discontent with my decision as well.

“Brother, don’t you think you are acting too hastily?”

“We can’t keep things ambiguous like this any longer. Elena is the boss, and I am the underboss. If anyone has a problem with that, now’s the time to speak up.”

In response to Giovanni’s question, I continued to clarify my stance.

“….”

None of the wolves objected to me.

“Elena?”

With my name called, Elena fell into thought and remained silent. But she showed no sign of refusal.

“…Alright.”

Elena approached me, nodding. She still wore her black dress, her face pale but her eyes resolute.

She, lost in grief over losing her father and jealousy towards me, solidified her resolve about the future and extended her hand to me.

“Luke.”

As my name was called, I kissed the back of her hand.

“Elena.”

That was the moment when the new boss and underboss of the Felini Family were born.

Then, out of nowhere, letters appeared on the glass window behind Elena. They were clear and vivid, despite the glass not being fogged up.

[Until death separates the two of you.]

What a profoundly meaningful message it was.