The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind

The way out of the mine was not too rugged. Either Desian had softened the path or the original path was not too treacherous.

Desian seemed to read the hesitation in her words. He whispered low.

The count and his attendants will be out.

Theyll be out?

And well be going to the temporary barracks.

Thats a relief. I was a little nervous about meeting a high ranking aristocrat.

Citrina chuckled as she relaxed after hearing Desians simple answer.

Citrina intended to disguise herself as a common jeweler for the time being. Revealing her connection to the spirits at this time would have a weak impact.

Citrina and Desian walked slowly out of the mine. She couldnt breathe, perhaps because of the aftermath of the magic, and it felt like she had been on a long stroll.

It feels like Ive been walking for a long time. That way is the village.

Right, the peopletheres a lot of them.

Desians expression hardened terribly, but it smoothed out quickly.

Citrina looked at the people standing in the distance in twos and threes. How did the people living near the gemstone mine live?

Its amazing.

In this world, Citrina had lived as a typical fallen aristocrat and was lucky to associate with a duke. Therefore it was natural for her to be curious.

Citrina picked up the pace. The people of the village grew closer one step at a time. However, as she got closer to the crowd, Citrina felt something strange.

The atmosphere is strange.

Really?

Desian flatly asked back. Citrina looked around. The atmosphere was really strange.

First, Citrina saw people attached to the entrance of the city wall standing one by one. They were frozen as if they had seen a phantom. Their faces were bug eyes and they held their arms tight around themselves as if it was the middle of winter rather than summer.

Despite the large crowd, not a single person was talking.

Citrina looked around.

The people arent speaking. Has the time frozen in this village?

Citrina jokingly whispered to Desian. The people frozen to the side of the wall flinched at her words. She almost felt ashamed at this point.

Had she really become a phantom?

No way.

Desian responded lightly, as if her could read her mind. He seemed to read the hesitation in her words. He whispered low.

There are too many people.

Gasp!

sigh.

As soon as Desian finished speaking, the castle was filled with sighs.

Desians face stiffened. At that point, it became apparent to Citrina.

It looks like the rumor about Desians curse are still going around.

How unfair and upsetting would it be for someone as sweet as Desian to experience such rumors?

Citrina was determined. It would be polite to pretend she didnt notice and move on.

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It looks like there are a lot of people. Is it market day, maybe?

Thats possible.

Desian smiled affectionately at Citrinas question. Other people began to have friendly conversations among themselves. People seemed to break apart from the group slowly.

Citrina encountered many more people on the way to the counts estate, but none of them were speaking. The ambiance was quiet, as if it had been muted.

Then there was a sound that broke through the quiet atmosphere. Citrina carefully listened. In front of her was a kid with a muffler tangled around him.

The little kid stared up at Desian and shed tears.

Heuk, heuk.

What should we do? Is something wrong?

The child is crying, Del.

Citrina glanced at Desian. Citrina was indifferent to society, but she liked kids. Therefore, it was impossible for her to leave a young boy crying when he was right in front of her.

Citrina winked at Desian. Desian had a friendly face, as always.

He slowly approached the boy. And he looked down at the boy and said without a hint of tenderness in his voice,

Why are you crying?

Everyone around understood Desians words as Dont cry, be quiet. And thats exactly what Desian meant.

But one person thought differently- Citrina.

She didnt have time to care about his words.

That was because all of her attention was focused on the crying boy.

Citrina bent over, gently wiped the boys eyes and asked.

So why are you crying, kiddo?

hic, hic.

Touched by Citrinas words, the boy started to hiccup.

Citrina bent her knees slowly to be on the boys eye level. The muslin dress touched the dirt.

hic, hic.

Youre getting dirt on your knees, Rina.

Desian didnt mind the boys tears. He had an extremely cool-headed attitude.

Citrina responded resolutely.

Its okay. I can brush it off. Hey kiddo, is your mom here? What about your dad?

D, daddy?

Citrina laughed brightly when the boy spoke. Desian opened his mouth and looked at the boy crookedly.

Yeah. Where are your parents or are you alone?

Citrina sensed that his voice was rather cold.

But without time to dwell on it, the boy hastily answered.

O, over there.

The boy plucked up his courage with all his might and pointed his finger. A commoner man standing a ways away rushed over.

Im guilty of death! P, please let me live. I beg you. Dark Knight.

Theres no need for thanks. Take your kid.

Desian responded, cutting off the mans words. Unlike when he was dealing with Citrina, his voice was cold.

Nevertheless, the commoner lowered his head.

Del, lets go.

Citrina spoke slowly.

Shall we?

Desian stared at her with his large eyes. The expression in those slightly relaxed eyes was mysterious.

I agree with you, Rina.

Desian smiled meekly with a relaxed face.

In the meantime, the boy holding his fathers hand was already quickly running away. They were practically running away.

Citrina began walking again, glancing around.

A large barracks could be seen from afar. It looked like the barracks was lifted straight off of a battlefield.

Thats where the temporary barracks are.

Ah.

As Desian finished speaking, he opened the tent to the barracks. There was no one inside, but there were a few small pieces of Silmaril laid out on a round table.

Citrina moved near the round table. Desian spoke from behind her.

This Silmaril has high mana content.

Can you give it to me even without us signing a contract?

Yeah.

Why are you being so nice?

Citrina asked back jokingly while sitting at a chair facing the round table.

Im always like that for you.

is that so?

It may have been four years, but these words hadnt adapted with the times.

Citrina smiled awkwardly. Desian also slowly walked up and sat in a chair.

After meeting Desians eye, Citrina inspected the Silmaril on the table.

The gemstone size is smaller than I thought.

The gemstone by Desians hand seemed pretty small.

Citrina scrutinized the gemstone. It seemed like a dim light was coming from within

It was difficult for her to determine the value of the gemstone all on her own.

Citrina looked at the gemstone. Recalling the dwarfs technique of analyzing gemstones, she saw that there were about three fine cracks at the center, which confirmed it was a superior piece.

-Gemma, is this alright?

Gemma didnt respond. Citrina wondered if Gemma was very tired. She could only guess.

Gemma wasnt the only one who wasnt speaking. Desian didnt say much until she dropped the Silmaril into the pouch she had prepared.

She looked at Desian sitting across from her at the round table and chose not to disturb his thoughts.

Im sure Desian was shocked too. The people treat him as if he was some type of monster..

Citrina trusted Desian, who was kind to her. Although his wariness of others still remained, his current attitude was not so bad.

Had Citrina stared at Desian too much?

Del, Im curious about something.

What is it?

Hearing Citrinas voice, Desians eyes curled in happiness.

It was unmistakably a friendly and good-natured face. The animosity she had felt earlier was gone.

Citrina spoke lightly.

Im talking about Aaron.

Aaron?

His face hardened once more.

To Oslo-nim

This is Citrina Foluin. I signed a mining contract with Count Hailey.

The owner of the mine has changed from Count Hailey to Duke Pietro. We agreed to terms so that we will receive rough gemstones in return for getting them a bit cheaper. I accepted and it was not a bad offer.

Sooner or later, a party will be held hosted by some of the lower-ranking young nobles. I am going to participate under the name of Dwarf Oslo-nim.

Wishing you endless success,

Citrina Foluin

While Oslo had given her the video ball, its uses were limited. For the moment, the issue of signing contracts would be handled by mail.

Citrina winked at Adilac as she handed the letter to a servant who stood by silently.

Adilac, what do you mean about getting in contact with someone?

Ah, right! Citrina, I got a reply from Lady Estelle!

What did she say?

Citrina asked seriously. When asked, Adilac unfolded a letter with sparkling eyes.

She read the letter out loud.

Its an honor to meet Citrina-nim, who has inherited the dwarfs noble will. I want to meet with her I would like you to attend.

Lady Estelle.

She was also a character from . She was a side character with an interest in jewelry and dresses.

The reason why she was so important is that she served as a bridge between the high ranking nobles and those of lower rank.

And Feinmann in the original work took full advantage of that. He had struggled to find a connection between Estelle and the high ranking aristocrats.

But Citrina didnt need to because she knew the future.

Its good that I dont have to work as hard as Feinmann.

Citrina laughed as she took a sip of warm ginger tea. A warmth began to circulate through her body.

Lady Estelles party is the day after tomorrow, right?

Yes! Citrina, do you have a matching dress?

Ive got one ready.

As soon as she moved into the townhouse, she picked up a ready-to-wear dress. It was a rather plain garment to highlight the accessories.

Ive given the Silmaril to Gemma and looking forward to the party the day after tomorrow.

Citrina relaxed and went over he plans to be a master jeweler in this world.

Possibly the day after tomorrow, much would be decided at Lady Estelles party.