The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind

The days passed uneventfully as they waited for Gemma to wake up and for the information guild to get back to them. Even Elaina, who was sure to have her hands full, was quiet.

Citrina, I was expecting more.

What were you expecting?

Of the canceled requests, only half of them came back.

Adilac whispered sullenly. She was right. Not many of the canceled requests had come back.

Only half returned!

Really?

Yes. I guess its good.

They were lucky.

Youll be able to focus.

Citrina laughed cheerfully. Seeing her smile, Adilac nodded vigorously.

Adilac smiled broadly at Citrinas words. Her face sparkled like a gem.

She hoped that all of these fantastic times were as pleasant for Adilac as they were for her.

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Im going to work really hard. Youll see.

No one can beat a genius who puts in the effort, but today you should rest. Your hands are probably sore.

Crafting with magic also had a price. The more you used it, the more your fingertips would crack.

Adilac was human too. She couldnt help but pay the price.

My handsthey look ugly, right?

Its okay if theyre not pretty. It means you put in a lot of effort.

Citrina gently squeezed Adilacs hand gently. Adilac smiled.

Yes. ThenIll take a break today. Thank you.

Adilac nodded, her voice softening. Citrina slowly let go of Adilacs hand.

Ill close the doors of the atelier then.

Yes.

Citrina! So what are you going to do today?

There was still some time left before the information guild got there, so she should go to the bookstore and purchase the book Diary of a Spiritist that the princess recommended.

With that, Citrina spoke up.

Im going to the bookstore.

Does it have any in-depth details about elementism?

It was a romance novel, so it wouldnt be about spirits. She wondered what could be inside to make the princess recommend the book.

Then should I come with you?

Sure.

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However, reading Diary of a Spiritist would have to wait till later.

-knock knock-

Someone knocked on the atelier door.

Slowly, Citrinas body froze up.

There, staring back at her, was someone she expected to see at some point but had deemed unworthy of seeing before now.

Baron Foluin.

He stared at Citrina.

Its been a long time, my daughter

Since four years ago, I am not your daughter.

For Baroness Foluin, she didnt know her. As for Baron Foluin, Citrina didnt want to use words like pity, compassion, or mercy.

Close the door, Lita.

Lita hesitated, so Citrina took a step closer.

His appearance was extremely shabby. It was typical of a fallen aristocrat. She saw a shabby face and haggard expression.

Ex, excuse me.

The man who had always spoken authoritatively to Citrina was now looking at her with a face she had never seen before.

Im coming in!

It wasnt a question.

The baron pushed his way in, strength coming from his small form.

I have something to say that you need to hear at least.

This was Baron Foluin who had never sought her out.

If he was here, there was a good chance Elaina was behind this.

If she has sent Baron Foluin as her next move, Ill have to deal with him appropriately.

Lita and Adilac quietly set up a seat. Citrina stomped back into the workshop. Following behind her, Baron Foluins eyes scanned the room.

Citrina, this father always knew you would be so successful.

Yes.

Smiling, Baron Foluin waited for more of a response, but Citrina didnt say anything more. Her face was impassive.

Get to the point.

He was taken aback, but he feigned being calm since he had heard it all from Elaina.

S, sure. You grew up into a good kid, but now were in trouble. You must have seen it in the newspaper?

Is that your point?

The baron averted his gaze and lay down the flag.

Are, are you angry that I didnt find you since Ive been busy living? Thats possible. Dont you think so?

He looked around, but no one answered him.

He pulled down his old tattered fedora. Salt and pepper grey hair was visible.

As you know, I have endeavored to raise the name of our family.

In this day and age, fallen aristocrats were treated no differently than the merchant class.

Now he was a noble who had to work.

Baron Foluin had done everything he could to reclaim his lands- small businesses, debt-ridden investments, and finally gambling.

His downfall was gambling. Once he turned to gambling, his life quickly fell apart. His familys life suffered too.

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Yes. Youve been through a lot.

Citrina said sarcastically. The barons wrinkles twitched around the corners of his mouth.

Wellsince then, Ive incurred a few more debts. Citrina, ever since you leftIve made a pretty good living, and there was a place that was willing to lend me some money. And the rest of the debt is coming due.

The way Citrina avoided his gaze was ominous. The baron began to ramble.

So I was wondering if you could help me out a little bit

Citrina cut him off, the weight was heavy on her shoulders.

Get to the conclusion. Youre using my name to pay the debt, thats it.

Alright, Citrina, dear, you speak too harshly. If you want to get into a good house, you must speak softly.

Never mind.

Citrinas tone became even harsher.

Right, he was trying to throw her down into that hole,

Then do this: go bankrupt and sell your noble title.

In the past, Citrina had done practically anything to help out. Things that young noble girls dont do.

He must have thought back to those days-

back to the old Citrina Foluin who would do anything to earn a penny for her family.

I checked, and they say that this atelier is quite expensive and thatif you lent me a bit of your ateliers seal, I can get quite a bit of money. Dont you think so?

To put it another way, he was being extremely obvious.

Do you mean youre going to borrow more funds using the atelier as collateral?

Elaina had set a trap for her. No matter how much she struggled, as long as she was bound by blood, she could never get away from this family.

If the entire Foluin family was stigmatized, Elaina was as likely to be wronged as her. So she was trying to make Citrina suffer by putting the shackles of the family on her.

There was also the matter of Citrina receiving an aristocratic title in her own right.

She would feel pressured to help the family for the sake of her own reputation.

Elaina, reallytoo obvious.

And the same went for Baron Foluin.

Citrina slowly swept her disheveled hair behind her ear.

Youre shameless.

To be frank, she wasnt even angry.

Youre our first daughter, we have high hopes for you, and youve been successful. You should be helping to raise this family.

Baron Foluins face was pale as he handed her a piece of paper.

I have this IOU, so pay it back quickly! [T.L. Note: An IOU is a note saying how much money you owe someone.]

Citrina looked coldly at the barons shouting face.

Dont give me orders in a condescending manner.

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The baron shrank in a hurry as he realized his own position, but it was too late.

I know you wont blink even if I die right here.

Just as the baron had behaved in Elainas Flower Garden.

And Citrina had no intentions of sinking into the pit in order to help her family.

A, apologies. Then you can find someone else. Ive heard youre close to th, the famous duke, and so is my Rina. So perhaps

Baron Foluins Rina must be referring to Elaina.

Citrina looked into the darkened eyes full of expectations and spoke.

Youll never meet anyway, so dont go looking for him.

What do you mean, well never meet?

Because His Excellency Duke Pietro and I are merely patron and client.

Citrina smiled, going back to her gracefulness. She couldnt tell if Elaina would believe this information.

Youre trying to use Baron Foluin to drive a wedge between Desian and me, so Im mixing in a few lies.

It was to get Citrina to constantly ask Desian for unreasonable favors for her family.

At any rate, it was a funny story.

I dont know what was so funny, but Ill leave you to it. Im sure youll pay me back.

You may have gotten a little cheeky, but Im sure you havent forgotten about family ties.

Ah, so Im supposed to pay your debts for what my father did without my consent?

Citrina asked calmly.

Yes!

The barons pretentious expression was funny.

He left the IOU note on the table as he made his way out the door. Citrina didnt see him off gracefully.

She had the IOU in her hand.

Gemma.

-Yeah?

Citrina pulled out a small piece of paper. The destination at the top was Ponem. [T.L. Note: Honestly, I am confused as to what Ponem is. Maybe well find out in a future chapter.]

-I need you to replay the scene from a minute ago and record it for me.

-Oh, okay!

Light began to shimmer around Gemmas body, and a sapphire the size of a fingertip appeared on the table.

-Is this the video sphere?

-Yeah!

The debt had nothing to do with her, but Gemmas ability could solve it.

Though the baron who was already out of the atelier wouldnt know that.

Citrina grinned.

Alright, lets put your mind at ease.