The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind - Chapter 40

“… Okay?”
Desian was serious.
“I’m kidding.”
At Desian’s serious question, Citrina denied with a voice mixed with laughter.
“It’s a joke, really. I’m not actually… ”
Desian’s eyebrows raised. It’s a habit he didn’t have in his childhood. Suddenly, she felt the passing of four years.
Citrna whispered quietly,
“I’m grown up too, and you know the gem mine in Count Haley’s estate? He heard that the empire became bustling… ”
Citrina wasn’t around for years. It was because she thought it would be good to get a little clue from Desian about the situation of the Empire.
“…En.”
Desian already knew what Citrina had to say. She continued quietly.
“I was curious about the gemstone mine from Count Haley.”
It was customary for usable gemstones to be auctioned off in the gemstone market. However, the contracted jewelry ateliers and shops were able to receive the gemstones first. So in other words, she wanted to sign a small contract.
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
All she wanted was a high-grade Silmaril. She felt a little complicated.
When she answered Desian, Citrina felt a little puzzled because everytime the word “Silmaril ” came out, the little spirit Gemma, who would fly around her and talk so briskly, was now being deathly quiet.
Without much time to ponder for herself, Desian said.
“Rina, I own Haley’s mine.”
“You? Then the Duke of Pietro that is in full swing within the jewelry business… ”
“I decided to jump in.”
His answer was concise. She already heard the story of the Duke of Pietro running all the streets involving jewels. Strangely, things are going well.
“I want to take a tour of your gem mine. Can you give me permission?”
Neither in the Oslos’s atelier nor in her past life was Citrina able to see a mine in person. She can feel her heart beating.
“It’s dangerous.”
“But… I’d still like to go see it myself. ”
To sign the contract, it was essential to inspect the mine in advance. And with Gemma, Citirina might be able to get a rough idea.
“Then I will accompany you.”
It was an unexpected favor.
‘If I go with Desian, we might be the focus of attention. Will it be okay?’
It was still too early to attract attention. The fact that she was a dwarf’s disciple, and the fact that she knew how to deal with spirits is a card that could only be used later.
“…Yes, let’s go together. In secret.”
“We’ll do what you want.”
“When should we go? Anytime is fine with me. The earlier, the better.”
Desian replied to Citrina’s playful remarks.
“Then how about tomorrow?”
At Desian’s piercing gaze, she was having a hard time opening her mouth to agree.
“Then… We’ll see each other tomorrow?”
In order to end the conversation, she softly asked a question. It seems like the sun was setting and it was time to leave.
‘I think I did a good job not listening to bad rumors about Desian.’
The Desian she saw was the same as the person from her childhood.
In the distance, the musicians for the ball began to play the final song.
“I’ll pick you up.”
Looking at her two dark orbs, Desian said in a calm tone.
“From your house.”
His alluring voice rang somewhere in her ears. For a few seconds, their eyes met.
Citrina opened her mouth and said yes.
“Okay.”
The tension between the two disappeared as if it had never been there. Desian said in a leisure manner.
“Before I leave, I would like to ask you a question.”
“Hm?”
“The day before you left, the last thing I said. Do you remember?”
“Um…”
Citrina thought of what happened four years ago. However, it was impossible to specifically remember what happened.
If it meant anything to Desian, she would like to remember it…
Citrina replied after biting her lips briefly.
“Goodbye?”
Desian gave a low laugh at her cautious answer.
She was immersed in those clear eyes that leaked no answer of what the owner was thinking.
“Not that, Rina.”
Citrina flinched. Desian was looking at her and stood up with a slight smile.
“Let’s go.”
She stood up with a face that showed no sign of lamentation and followed suit.
Gemma looked on strangely, feeling quite shocked.
-Gemma, what is it?
Even if she conversed with her in her head, the spirit was completely silent.
Citrina worried about having to face a high-ranking noble who was above that of a marquis for nothing as she was magnificently escorted home without stopping.
Desian sent her home and watched over her until she closed the door shut. It was pleasant to see her face and eyes that had not changed.
He felt alive after a long time.
Her green eyes captivated him from the start.
Leaning against the wall at the edge of the townhouse, Desian was still lost in thought.
Citrina.
When you come back to me,
I said I wouldn’t miss you.
Citrina seemed to be unable to remember. That memory was special to him, but it would be no wonder that it wasn’t memorable to Citrina.
Nonetheless, his confidence of winning her heart is still at its peak. The sound of his heart constantly beating seemed to ring up both ends of the street.
‘By the way… That spirit was annoying.’
He could see the spirit shivering through the cracks. As soon as their eyes met, he kept his mouth shut to make sure he wouldn’t say what he didn’t want to say, so Citrina wouldn’t doubt his sweetness.