The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind

Desian and Aaron went back together. Citrina sat across from Adilac, feeling awkward.

“Citrina.”
Adilac said with a brooding expression.

“Yes?”
“I stopped by my family’s mansion for a bit and asked about Duke Pietro.”
“Yes, Adilac.”
“But… it’s weird.”
“What is?”
“No one had anything to say. They’re naturally crazy people who would talk about the emperor event when no one is around to listen.”
“…Is that so? Why… would that be?”

Citrina recalled the reactions of people she had noticed so far.

“Yes. Either there’s a nasty rumor going around, or…he’s a really scary person. But judging from the way he treats you, Citrina, he seems like a nice person.”
Citrina also knew why Adilac was confused.
Desian was always kind and friendly in front of Citrina.
It was to such a degree that she felt embarrassed to doubt him.
But, four years had given her greater perspective.

“Is it a water drop, pear-cut, Citrina?”
“Yes. By densely gathering the pear-cut gems, it will look like a thread-style ring.”
“How are you thinking the same thing as me? Are we connected?”

-The connection is with me. What’s up with her?

Gemma had been sitting by Citrina’ side until now, but puffed up her lips and stared at Adilac.
Perhaps Adilac had a new rival of which she was unaware.
However, they had to work faster to meet deadlines.
Citrina’s hands became busy.
Till now, they had quite a lot of free time aside from a few orders.

“What would have happened if I hadn’t met you, Citrina?”
“…I’m sure you would have done well.”

In the original work, Feinmann had sponged off of Adilac and killed Citrina at Desian’s order.
Yet so far, so didn’t know anything about Feinmann.
However, at least one thing was certain. If he was ‘still’ thinking about making money through the jewelry industry, he would show up on the day of the festival. That’s because the festival was originally where Feinmann showed up.
As Citrina was thinking of Viscount Feinmann, she looked at Adilac in front of her.

“Adilac.”
“Yes, Citrina?”
“Could you make a bracelet with simple lines that men could wear?”
“Yes. But, Citrina, men don’t wear jeweled bracelets…so there won’t be any demand.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes, at most, they put mana stones in their pockets. The trend is that men don’t wear accessories.”
Adilac’s eyes were filled with questions.

“Then, Citrina, are you thinking of something?”
“That’s right. So let’s get started.”
“…will it be okay?”
“It would be a good gift for your family too. Let’s give it a try.”
Adilac’s eyes sparkled.
Citrina knew. The Adilac that she knew was a genius craftworker who could take on any challenge. So she had enjoyed her character in the book, and liked being around her these past four years.

“I love it! Come to think about it, my ancestor also said that. He knew about making money rather than leaving opportunities like a ghost left in a drawer. That’s how my family wound up sitting on a nice stack of money. It’s amazing that you have the same mindset as he did!”
“Okay, Adilac, then I’ll draw up a design and bring it to you.”
“Yes! I offered attendant jobs to some people while I was spreading rumors about the diamond, so why haven’t they come for interviews?”
“You have a point.”

Citrina thought of Desian as she answered casually.
She wondered what would work best for Desian’s wrist. It occurred to her that she should take his exact measurements soon.
Citrina slowly started drawing bracelets that would suit him. The picture developed on rough craft paper. Adilac was looking at Citrina with a strange expression.
A straight line would suit him more than something with a curve. Since it had to be eye-catching, she thought silver would be the best material to use.

‘How will it come together?’

In this world, most jewelry was worn by women. Men didn’t buy jewelry. There was a tendency to stay away from it as a fashionable luxury item. If it wasn’t for mana stones embedded into swords, most men wouldn’t even look at gems.
It was a tense challenge.
She thought. In this world, Citrina had constantly made money for someone. [T.L. Note: I think she is referring to her family and working for Elaina’s benefit.]
In her previous life, Citrina had been told to replicate other people’s designs to make money.
But here, she could offer designs of her own making to people who wanted them.
Her heart swelled.
She became preoccupied with the design again. They didn’t have a lot of time.

She had to contact Desian and get his exact wrist measurement, and if they were going to be partners she would need to match him for the dance.
Her hands were busy creating designs for a while. It was okay even if her arm hurt and her wrist ached. Life pulsed through her wrist.
And the time ticked by.

Gemma, who had been sitting comfortably on the Silmaril on the table, jumped to her feet.

-You know something, Citrina?
-What?
-I’m really bored!
-Then what do you want to do?
-Then, can we go outside for a bit?

Come to think of it, she only went back and forth between her house and the jewelry atelier.
Citrina nodded her head with look like ‘oops’. She thought that event though it wasn’t a dog or a cat, the spirit should be taken for a walk.

-Yeah, let’s go.

Citrina took a small pouch, just in case. Inside were several small, uncut gemstones.
Gemma, who had been watching the scene carefully, began to fly around cheerfully.