The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind

The imperial palace summer ball was always held in the most beautiful of the flower gardens, Lection Pavilion.

Her mind was filled with doubts.

Why did the emperor personally invite me to the summer ball? This glittering dress was even gifted to me.

No matter how much she thought about it, she could not understand the emperors actions. However, she could not decline the invitation.

News about my jewelry shop couldnt have spread yet.

Citrinas jewelry shop was only just opening its doors to customers.

It makes no sense for the emperor to invite me. Something is off.

It was said that the emperor was merely a puppet of Duke Pietro, but he was still the emperor. A barons daughter did not have the authority to reject his invitation.

Citrina was quick to figure out the situation.

Whatever. Lets just eat lots of delicious food.

Citrina muttered to herself as she picked up her dress a bit. The fabric between her fingers was exceptionally soft.

The elegantly woven silk dress shone silver in the light.

Citrina tried not to think about the diamonds embroidered into the bodice up to her shoulders.

The crowd was packed inside Lection Pavilion.

It was a blessing in disguise that Citrina was a little bit late to arrive.

She stood in front of the food table, in the middle of the Pavilion. Her stomach rumbled when she saw the desserts in front of her.

As she bit into some finger food, the flavor spread through her mouth.

Ah, its sweet.

As she was enjoying the food, Citrina heard a voice behind her.

Over there, who is that lady?

This is the first time Ive seen that lady.

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Excuse me.

Yes?

The dress that lady by the entrance is wearing. The elf made it isnt it the only one of its kind?

No way.

The chatter was getting even noisier as people raised their voices.

The cocktail must have gotten to her. Feeling better, Citrina turned away from the crowd when something caught her attention.

At the entrance to Lection Pavilion, an attendant shouted loudly.

Duke Pietro, His Excellency Duke D..Desian Pietro is entering!

Oh my god! Did I hear it wrong?

The duke is here?

A noblewoman screamed. Men stopped talking as their faces turned pale.

Someone stopped the noblewoman from screaming, but the atmosphere remained tense as people scrambled around. Citrina remained calm in the middle of it. She was lost in thought.

Desian? That Desian Pietro?

Citrina knew Desian Pietro well.

As Citrina was lost in memories, that Desian Pietro slowly entered the Pavilion.

As soon as the man himself appeared, the crowd froze as if they had been doused in cold water.

Citrina didnt notice the frozen atmosphere, and instead looked at the duke.

Desian was still beautiful with long eyelashes and outstanding cheekbones.

He had delicate features, black eyes, and black hair.

It was a lazy yet decadent beauty that made even Citrina nervous

Shouldnt there be a bloody sword in his hands?

He was holding a bouquet of roses instead of a sword.

The original Desian could cause everyone within a 1 kilometer radius to freeze.

Im proud of how much hes changed, Citrina thought.

Citrina did not notice the terrified crowd around her.

While Citrina was thinking of the past, Desian came to her side.

His gaze on her was unwavering.

Citrina slowly looked up from what he was holding to make eye contact with him.

Citrina.

The normally expressionless Desian was smiling in delight.

Citrina smiled back at him.

Welcome back, Desian whispered as he bent down to put him mouth next to her ear.

My ear tickles, Del.

Perhaps it was the proximity or the fact that she called his nickname, but Desians smile grew darker.

But to others .

Actually, all of the high ranking nobles around the pair were wondering if they were dreaming.

Is this for real?

While Duke Desian Pietro was human, he was treated as an alien species.

Thats why his nicknames were Blood Crazy Duke, The Picture of Death, Iron-Blooded Duke, The Only One Who Would Come Down the Mountain in the Land of the Dead.

No one saw him smiling. The only time his grim face showed a grin was at the end of a war.

Who knew that Desian Pietro could act so sweet!

He was even holding flowers than the cursed sword he was always carrying!

Those, are those flowers?

I think so

Something else surprised them as well. That lady called Desian by his childhood nickname.

This alone was enough to surprise everyone.

The situation was too much for anyone there to comprehend.

Despite what the others were feeling, Citrina and Desians reunion in the garden was beautiful and fantastic.

*******

Citrina Foluin was sixteen years old when she remembered her past life.

Thanks to her baronial familys fallen circumstances, she had been working to pay off their debt since she was a child.

She worked as a companion to noble children and put up with their petty insults.

But it had grown more serious recently.

She had to deal with the nobles pranks, such as spilling filthy water on her.

Its alright. I can deal with it for the happiness of my family.

Citrina calmly recited these words to herself.

She was doing the same on the day she remembered her past life.

Citrina was ridiculed as a disgrace by the nobility. And now the countess was passing her along to another assignment.

If you work as a playmate for the children of the Pietro Dukedom, its like a death sentence. But you really need the money, right?

Yes.

Dont die and come back alive, okay?

Thankyou. Maam..

Citrina clenched her teeth and answered.

It was easy for a noble lady in a position of power to slight the fallen barons house.

But.

She recalled some disturbing rumors she had heard about the Pietro Dukedom.

Then go ahead, lady.

The title of lady was another offhand insult for someone from a poor house. Citrina smiled at the insult without flinching.

Resolving her situation, Citrina made her way back to the barons place.

She had no idea that this day would change her point of view 180 degrees.