The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind

“A knight’s oath?”
“No, older brother! I think your misunderstanding…”
It felt like Aaron was getting bogged down in many ways. Aaron was like a cute younger brother who was suffering from puppy love. She only wanted to tease him moderately.
So Citrina wanted to stop needling him now.
“It’s really not! I was going to help my older brother- no my friend.”
“Really? That’s really it, Aaron? Didn’t you find someone you like?”
But if he reacted like that she couldn’t help but tease because it’s fun!
She let out a squeal of joy in her heart.
“I won’t give up, so don’t tease me!”
“Then will you do me a favor?”
“What kind of favor? From me?”
“Yeah, from you.”
Aaron’s black mop of hair spun quickly towards Desian and then back.
Citrina also looked towards Desian.
The sharp atmosphere from before had vanished and in its place were soft , harmless eyes and friendly, delicate features. He even looked more like a large dog than a piercing and decadently handsome man.
Citrina once again admired her efforts to change the original work.
“Just listen.”
“Oh, yeah, what is it?”
Aaron looked rather puzzled. It wasn’t the same face he had made when he first came to the atelier which looked like he would do anything she asked.
For some reason, she felt a bit uneasy. Citrina opened her mouth.
“I was also invited to the homecoming party of Her Highness the Princess. You’re going too, right?”
“Probably, but why?”
“Be my sponsor at the party.”
Citrina whispered with her hands together.
But…
Was this her own delusion?
“Oh, uh… then you’re asking me to be your partner?”
She was just asking him to be her sponsor and didn’t need a partner.
However, Citrina chewed her tongue. For an instant, it looked like Aaron’s expression was engulfed in darkness.
Well, that’s how Citrina would describe it.
The expression on Aaron’s face was something like deep despair.
No, even if it’s to be her partner… would the idea of being her partner drive him to despair?
She hadn’t even offered the terms yet.
Citrina pride was hurt a bit. Citrina asked bitterly.
“I’m not asking you to be a real sponsor, just to put your name as my sponsor for a little bit. The duchy has said they will invest in jewels, and of course, there will be a financial reward in return.”
It was a bit burdensome, wasn’t it?
Perhaps she should provide something like the blue diamond as a favor.
Aaron spoke gibberish after Citrina’s coaxing.
“A problem, yeah, there is, no, there isn’t. Buy why, why me???”
“Yeah. I’m curious, Rina.”
Desian, who sat next to Aaron, asked kindly. At Desian’s sweet voice, Aaron abruptly turned pale.
“Because I like you?”
“…What?”
“Um… I heard that you are close to a lot of nobles.”
She couldn’t bear to say the according to the original work, he would be an idol of the empire in the future.
At this point, Citrina knew Aaron would accept her request.
“I don’t have any friends.”
“…What?”
This was different from what was in the original work and the rumors about the knight spread throughout the empire.
Citrina tilted her head to the side.  She saw sweat dripping down Aaron’s forehead.
Aaron seemed rather troubled. Unexpectedly, it was Desian who saved Aaron.
“Aaron, didn’t you have an appointment that day? You seem to have forgotten.”
“Ah, that’s right!, Citrina, I have an urgent appointment on that day.”
‘Seeing how much you wanted the blue diamond, is there someone you want to be your partner?’
Somehow she felt like a mean older sister who had interested with her younger brother’s love life.
‘If Aaron won’t do me the favor, it’s going to mess things up a bit.’
It was at that moment when Citrina was pondering what was the best method.
“Rina.”
“What about me? I can be your sponsor and partner.”
Desian asked in a relaxed manner. Citrina suddenly looked at Desian.
Desian had an extremely dignified and beautiful appearance. Furthermore, he attracted attention wherever he went.
However, he was hounded by rumors about Duke Pietro wherever he went. Obviously, he was a sweet and perfect duke.
That was the only problem.
“You, Del…”
It’s all or nothing.
Either it’s a perfect match or it’s not.
Citrina took a careful look at Desian’s ears, neck, and wrists. Desian’s waxy, pale skin was blushless.
Desian simply followed Citrina’s gaze wherever.
Sometimes such a persistent gaze felt weird.
Citrina cleared her throat. Aaron seemed to have woken up at the sound and rose to his feet.

“Ah! I’ll go out for a moment and look at the jewelry!”
Anyone could tell it was an unnatural excuse to leave.
Watching Aaron’s back as he left, Citrina giggled and called out loud.
“Ask Adilac to show you around, Aaron!”
Someone might have thought there was a fierce beast here on Aaron’s tail.
He looked like a rabbit as he left.
Anyhow, now she was left with Desian. Every time she was left alone with Desian, there was a subtle feeling in the air, a shiver and chill that was unfamiliar.

‘I feel odd when I see Desian.’

Citrina had never felt this was about a person. It somehow felt cramped.
Did he understand how she felt?
Desian called Citrina’s nickname lightly.

“Rina.”
“Yeah?”
Citrina drummed her fingers on the table a couple of times.
Desian Pietro could be the perfect sponsor for her. Borrowing the name of Duke Pietro would be perfect, and she couldn’t force Aaron to do it.
But with Desian, could Citrina stay in control? He was a dangerous man that everyone longed and hoped for, but no one could have.
And above all.

‘It’s like a puzzle where all of the pieces have already been put in order. It’s strange.’
Citrina’s keen intuition was saying something.
His obsessive attitude and all of the acclaim surrounding Duke Pietro were all a bit odd.

“I’ll ask again. Use me.”
“…me, use you?”
“That’s right.”

‘Use you?’

Desian’s reply was concise. But for Citrina, the words caused a huge impact.
She didn’t expect the word ‘use’ to come out of Del’s mouth.
Citrina looked at him. Then his red lips drew into a gentle smile.
Looking at Citrina, Desian whispered repeatedly.

“Use me as you wish.”
With those words, Desian reached out. He slowly rearranged the hair that had fallen in front of Citrina’s ear. She could feel his fingertips tracing through her hair little by little.
His touch was cold, giving her the chills.

“Instead….”
They were facing each other across a small table. So as Desian leaned forward, it was natural for his face to come close.
A whisper trickled between Desian’s teeth.

“Don’t use anyone but me.”
“…What?”
“That’s my condition, Rina.”
It was a condition that was hard to find anywhere else. Desian leaned back leisurely.
Even in this tiny room in a small jewelry atelier, the man was as decadent and beautiful as ever.
Citrina asked, avoiding his gaze.

“Is that the only condition for wearing my jewelry?”
“It’s a difficult condition, Rina.”
It didn’t seem difficult at all.

“It means that neither your partner nor the person you use can be anyone but me.”
Citrina bit her lips. It tasted of blood.
Why was she getting goosebumps on her arms when there is a friendly face and a friendly offer in front of her?
It made no sense.
Nevertheless, Citrina nodded slowly.

“What about it?”
Desian was smiling with that sweet face.
“Yeah. If you help me, I’ll reward you.”
Citrina slowly nodded her head. Something flickered through his eyes.

‘Did something change while I was gone, or….’
In the confusion, only Desian’s eyes met her gaze.
She slowly reflected on Desian’s demeanor four years ago.

And it was then. Aaron opened the door again and rushed in.

“Citrina, you said you made this? Didn’t you? Will it really make love come true?”
In Aaron’s hand was the blue diamond. His expression was stained with embarrassment.

“Why? What if it’s real?”
“I’ll buy it!”
At Aaron’s serious expression, Citrina burst into giggles with a cheerful face.
‘Do you really have someone you like? No way, Elaina?’
No, that couldn’t be.
If Aaron loved Elaina, his attitude wouldn’t be so consistent with Citrina.

“No, I could just give you a spirit packed full of love.”
“Oh? How?”
“I’m psychic.”
Aaron’s expression was tinged with surprise. Citrina looked at his face and smiled.
As Aaron glanced between the jewel and Citrina’s face several times, Desian slowly rose. It was a smooth movement without any fuss.
A shadow slowly fell over Citrina’s face.

“My offer, I’ll take it that you accept it.”
“…Okay, Del. I’ll wait.”
Desian smiled gracefully as if he had everything he could desire. He got up and walked out of the door.
Citrina was lucky enough to have the perfect model. But why was she feeling so ambiguous?
Is it just a simple favor or something else…….