The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind Chapter 29

Imperial palaces sumr ball was held in Lection Hall, one of the most beautiful gardens in the empire. Lection Garden was a place where only the worlds most beautiful flowers were collected and displayed, with a preservation enchantnt to keep them always blooming.

Rumors cant have already spread about our jewelry business.

Citrinas jewelry shop had not yet had its grand opening.

Although her na would soon be creeping around society along with that of her business.

But this isnt enough for the emperor to take notice. Sothings wrong with this.

It was said that the emperor acted like a puppet with Duke Pietro holding his strings, but an emperor was an emperor. Above all, it ant that a barons daughter like her could not refuse.

Citrina quickly ca to grips with the situation.

Lets eat a lot of delicious food since Im here already.

Citrina quietly murmured as she lifted her dress. The touch at her fingertips was silky and smooth.

The elegant silk dress woven with silver threads fit her figure perfectly.

Citrina tried not to think about the shiny diamonds embroidered around the shoulders and waist of the dress. It was too much pressure to have on her mind.

Still, Lection Garden was fairly crowded. For better or worse, Citrina had arrived a bit late.

She made her way over to the food table. Before her eyes was an array of desserts, causing her to feel hungry out of nowhere. As she nibbled on the finger food, the taste spread through her mouth.

Ah, its sweet.

As she was basking in the healing feeling of delicious food, she heard so whispers behind her.

Whos that lady over there?

Its my first ti seeing that lady.

I dont know any ladies below the level of marquess.

The lively conversation between a young noblewoman and nobleman caught her attention. Citrina seed to be the subject of their chatter.

Im also curious why I was called here.

Citrina wondered about her ticket inside. She decided to try and ignore what she had heard.

The server handed her a low alcohol, fruity cocktail.

Thank you.

Youre welco, beautiful lady.

The server smiled and walked past her.

The cocktail was surprisingly to her taste. Sipping her sweet drink and savoring the taste, Citrina missed the next few words between the noblewoman and nobleman.

Wait, wait a mont.

Yes?

The dress that lady is wearing isnt it the only one created by the elf?

No way.

The murmurs grew louder.

It was loud enough that she could not ignore it.

With a few sips of cocktail, Citrina turned to them lightheartedly.

It was then.

At the Lection Garden entrance, the knight posted at the door announced with a trembling voice.

The Duke of Pietro, De, Desian Pietro is entering!

Gasp!

Oh my god, Did I hear wrong.

His Excellency?

A young noblewoman scread. The n stopped talking as their faces paled. So people stepped back slightly.

The sound of sothing shattering filled the air.

In the chaotic situation, only Citrina remained calm.

She was lost in thought.

Desian? That Desian Pietro?

Citrina knew Desian Pietro well.

Desian was as beautiful as ever.

With long eyelashes, prominent cheekbones, and a perfectly delicate face frad by black hair and eyes..

It was a beauty that felt languid and delicate. It was a beauty that affected her view of the world.

Looking at his figure, Citrina felt a bit out of place for a mont.

He should have a bloodstained magic sword in his hands, but its missing?

Instead of a bloodstained sword, he held a bouquet of roses.

There was a phrase in the original work that everyone within a kiloter of Desian would be annihilated. Im sure hes been rehabilitated. Im so proud.

She swelled up with happiness as she thought.

Citrina was so focused on Desians condition that she didnt notice the chilly atmosphere around them.

As Citrina reminisced about the past, Desian was approaching her.

His eyes were clearly focused on her.

Citrina slowly lifted her gaze from his fingertips to et his eyes.

Citrina.

At that mont, Desians blank expression was filled with vivid emotion.

It was unmistakable delight.

He stood in front of her with a big smile on his face.

Citrina returned his gaze and gave a small smile back.

Welco back.

Standing face to face with her, he bent down and whispered affectionately in her ear. It was the sa as when he was with her as a child.

My ear is itchy, Del

Was it because of the close proximity? The hairs on the nape of her neck stood up and her ear itched.

Was it because of her nickna?

Desians smile widened.

anwhile, Citrina who hadnt seen his smile, put a hand on Desians wide shoulder and pushed him away.

He allowed her to push him back with little force. She smiled and spoke again.

Howve you been? I missed you.

Citrina gave a light greeting. Oddly, Desians expression stiffened in that mont.

He was clearly embarrassed. Not that anyone would call him tense.

Citrina smiled blandly and his mind went blank.

I really missed you too.

The man handed her the roses ever so slowly. It was like it was in slow motion.

Is this a welco back ho gift? Thanks, Del

Citrina thought her childhood friend that she had not encountered for a long ti had beco very friendly.

As Desian listened to her speak, he smiled radiantly, which caused her heart to feel as if it was on fire.

A warm wind blew around them.

It was quite a beautiful reunion scene for the two of them.

However, it was different for everyone else.

Truthfully, all of the high ranking nobles that were gathered there thought they were dreaming.

Wha, what is this?

I know.

Duke Desian Pietro was obviously human, but he was treated like an outside existence.

He was known by such nicknas as Blood Crazy Duke, Deaths Ambassador, Iron-blooded Duke, The Only Person Who Survived and Conquered in a Mountain of Bodies and the like.

No one had ever seen him smile. His face was always indifferent, and only smiled at the end of a war.

That, is that a flower?

I think so There was sothing else to be surprised about. That lady had called Desian by his childhood nickna.

This alone was enough to surprise everybody.

The situation was beyond what anyone could grasp as no one knew what was going on.

Despite the others feelings, the reunion of Desian and Citrina in the beautiful garden was affectionate and fantastic.

Citrina whispered to him quietly.

Youve beco the duke, havent you?

Yes, Rina.

Congratulations! Ah, then the previous Duke Pietro

It was a disease, unfortunately.

Desian didnt look completely sad, but he looked a bit depressed.

Citrinas eyes widened in surprise. He was mistreated by the duke who had died. But he was depressed rather than relieved. Desianhad he changed this much?

Has he really beco this nice?

Four years had flown by like an arrow.

Lets find out myself. Ill judge with my own eyes.

She couldnt make heads nor tails of her precious childhood friend.

Desian reached out to her slowly.

You wanted to dance at the Sumr Ball, Rina.

Had she?

Citrina squinted since she couldnt rember exactly.

Id like to dance, but I think talking with you is more important.

The two of us, I think we need to talk.

Citrina laughed under her breath. His eyes beca more hazy as he looked at her.

He reached out to her slowly.

As he ca closer, she slled a familiar cologne. Citrina had forgotten the sll of that cologne for a while.

Oh, it was weird.

The scent at the tip of her nose reminded her of the past.

****

Instead of dancing at the Sumr Ball, Desian escorted Citrina into the deepest part of the garden. There was a quiet and beautiful greenhouse.

A small shadow fell on Desians face from the dense tree above them.

It was a hot sumr, but the temperature inside was refreshing as if it was controlled by magic. Desian was looking at her face.

That gaze was both familiar yet unfamiliar, so Citrina broke the silence by whispering.

I missed you, Del!

too.

Desian replied bluntly to Citrina. However, it didnt feel bad. Rather, she liked the fact that nothing had changed.

Over the past four years she had sotis thought about this. It felt like she was back ho.

To be honest I wanted to watch your success, but you still have things to achieve, right?

The words sohow seed to be an excuse, so Citrina smiled awkwardly.

Desian looked at her face calmly.

He was originally a man who lived in the darkness of the city. Yet the smile on his decadent face seed more harmless than anyone else.

Its enough.

Del, youre always so kind.

Did you enjoy the ball?

Yeah. Ah, were you the one who sent the invitation?

I heard you had co back.

How did you know that?

Citrina nodded. She didnt believe Desian would care about such trifles, but she didnt notice how else he could know she had returned.

Its too fascinating.

She was still a bit curious and had questions left unanswered, but Citrina smiled cheerfully. Desians response was as warm as it used to be.

The last four years had been a tough ti for her. It was fun refining gemstones and dealing with spirits, but it was sotis difficult like pushing through a strong wind.

Citrina felt relieved, as if the spring snow was lting.

Ah, I heard that Duke Pietro is doing a lot of sponsoring. Is it true youve been cleaning up so boroughs?

Silence followed Citrinas words. Desians expression remained the sa. Citrina tilted her head to the side. He whispered quietly.

Yeah, I felt bad for the unfortunates living in those conditions.

Citrina was silent for a bit.

Oh you felt bad?

Yeah.

He looked at her with a harmless expression. His black irises looked like Concord grapes. In essence, he looked quite friendly.

But of course, she had asked because she was curious how well the rehabilitation had went, but this was pretty unexpected.

She couldnt believe he had beco such a person.

Has he beco too nice? Desian has no reason to lie, so it must be true.

Citrina was able to see Desians history of good deeds with her own eyes.

The Desian Pietro in the original work was not one to keep up his public image, so this is too fascinating. Really

Citrina looked at him with curious eyes. It was also gratifying to see that Desian had gained a new, normal life rather than a villainous one thanks to her rehabilitation.

Nice. You did a great job. Everyone seed to be happy.

Listening to your words makes sure, Rina.

Youre sure?

Im sure that Im doing well.

The smile around Desians mouth deepened as he looked at Citrinas face.

Citrina added one more thing.

Really, youre doing well since the four years we last t? And now we are eting again.

There must be a reason why you ca back after four years.

Desian caressed the edge of his teacup. Looking at his elegant fingertips, Citrina nodded and whispered gravely.

Youre the only one who knows, actually, Im here to take over the empires jewelry industry.

As she finished speaking, she t his eyes.

Really?

Desians face was serious.

Just kidding.

In reaction to his serious response, Citrina denied it while laughing.

Its a joke, really. Im not going to do that actually.

Desian raised his eyebrows. It was a habit he didnt have in his childhood.

She felt the passing of those four years all of a sudden.

Citrina whispered softly.

Ive also beco an adult. So have you heard of the gemstone mine found on Count Haileys estate? It has the empire in an uproar.

Citrina lightly touched on the subject. She thought it was better to drop a small hint to Desian about the state of the empire.

Yeah.

Desian already seed to know what Citrina had to say. Citrina spoke calmly.

Im curious about Count Haileys gemstone mine.

It was customary for rough gemstones to go to the gemstone market and be auctioned off. However, jewelry ateliers with a contract got first pick of the stones.

Therefore, she wanted to sign a contract on the mine.

Really?

Yeah, really.

Gemma wanted superior Silmaril from the empire. She was a bit conflicted.

With Desians answer, Citrina felt a bit suspicious.

When talk of Silmaril ca up, Gemma usually flew around and talked excitedly, yet she was now deathly quiet.

Without giving her ti to dwell to deeply, Desian answered.

Rina, I own the Hailey family mine.

You? Then Duke Pietro is earnestly entering the jewelry business.

I decided to dive in seriously.

Desians answer was succinct. She had already heard that Duke Pietro had bought all of the gemstones. Things were going strangely well.

I, Id like to take a look around your jewel mine for a bit. Could you let do that?

Neither at the dwarfs atelier nor in her past life had she seen a jewel mine in person. She could feel her heart fluttering.

Its dangerous.

Well I still want to go there myself.

It was essential to inspect the mine personally before signing a contract. By bringing the spirit Gemma there, she would have a better idea of the mines quality.

Then Ill accompany you.

It was an unexpected kindness.

If Im with Desian, I might draw attention. Is that alright?

It was still too early let others know she had a contract with the dwarf and that she could work with spirits.

Then lets go together in secret. If thats what you want.

When can we go? Any ti is fine with . The sooner, the better.

Desian replied to Citrina mischievous words.

Then how about tomorrow?

With Desians burning gaze, Citrina had a hard ti opening her mouth to reply.

Then will you contact tomorrow?

She asked lightly to put an end to the conversation. It seed like the sun was setting and it was about ti to make her exit.

Im glad I didnt hear any bad rumors about Desian.

The Desian standing next to her was just like what she rembered from childhood.

In the distance, the Sumr Ball musicians began to play the final song of the evening.

Ill take you there.

Looking at her pale cheeks, Desian spoke in a calm tone.

Ill drop you off at ho.

Desian alluring voice seed to resonate in her ears. For a mont, their eyes t.

Citrina opened her mouth and agreed.

Alright.

The tension between the two disappeared as if nothing had happened. Desian spoke offhandedly.

Before we leave, I want to ask you sothing.

Yeah?

The day before you left, the last thing that I said. Do you rember what it was?

Citrina thought back to what happened four years ago. However, it was impossible to recall what had happened after four years in vivid detail.

If it ant sothing to Desian, she should rember

Citrina answered after biting her lip briefly.

Safe travels?

Desian laughed low when he heard her questioning reply.

She was caught in his eyes, which showed no sign of what he was thinking.

Not that, Rina.

Citrina flinched. Desian looked at her and gave a small grin.

Lets go.