The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind

These days, Citrina was enduring a hectic time.
The fun times with Desian had passed, and it was time to work on her aspirations.
She lost track of when the princess’ tea party was, or when the duke was going to set out on his quest to the tower.
Dark circles form under Adilac’s eyes, who loved to chatter. The adorable Lita’s cheeks were flushed. And Citrina’s mind wandered briefly.
Finally, the last client of the week, Marquess Fornecia, agreed to let her visit. Lady Estelle accompanied her, as Marquess Fornecia’s ward and the one constantly helping Citrina.

“So, I hear you’ve been invited to the Imperial Opera House?”
“Has the rumor spread already, ma’am?”
“Yes, word has reached this remote marquisate. I heard that you are fond of spirits. I heard they are going to portray the story of the spirits on the opera stage this time. But this old woman wasn’t invited, so I am sad..”
“The marquess is always beautiful and noble, but since the theme of the opera is spirits, I’m sure they thought long and hard about it.”
“Well said.”

Citrina lowered her eyes. Nevertheless, the marquess seemed to be making a point.

“Quite a few people have been invited to the opera.”

Citrina understood the hidden message behind what the marquess was saying. Lady Estelle would also be there.

“Yes. I heard the paladins are coming. Citrina’s younger sister will be among them…”
“… I consider it an honor for my family.”

Citrina didn’t know Elaina’s situation. However, there was no reason to start a feud. The more Elaina grew, the more famous Citrina became, and the more the story of the two sisters would spread.

“You know? It seems the two sisters are quite close.”

Marquess Fornecia’s searching gaze turned to Citrina.

‘How should I answer that?’

Citrina wondered, but she saw no reason to cause trouble.
Soon, she smiled smoothly.

“Of course. Our friendship is as deep as the beautiful aquamarine for you, ma’am.”
“Oh my. I wonder if this aquamarine has a story, like the blue diamond you presented to the princess.”

The marquess’ face brightened dreamily. She looked to have already forgotten the rumors about Citrina and Elaina.
The story of the stunning blue diamond that Citrina had summoned at the princess’ ball had spread like wildfire. So it was only appropriate that Marquess Fornecia, who had everything, should own a jewel with a story.

“The motif of the aquamarine is a blue river. Only the most beautiful gemstones were selected and cut, and an enchantment was added too.”
“What sort of enchantment is this?”

Marquess Fornecia’s eyes narrowed. It was a look of curiosity mixed with some hostility.

“It’s supposed to help you sleep better. It will bring you good dreams, like a dream catcher.”
“A dream catcher. Is there any truth to that statement?”
“Yes. You may call a wizard to inspect it if you wish, ma’am.”
“I will.”

Marquess Fornecia slowly took the aquamarine ring she had requested.
Truthfully, Citrina didn’t know much about Marquess Fornecia.
But in this era, most ladies suffered from insomnia and depression from time to time due to stress and anorexia.
The marquess was a noble with a scrupulous and meticulous personality.
In other words, she had guessed it from her personality.

“Good.”
“They look like the marquess’ beautiful blue eyes!”

Estelle approached and began to flatter her. Marquess Fornecia smiled gracefully. Then she raised her hand to dismiss them.

“The butler will pay the bill. I hope it helps you sleep.”
“Yes, Marquess.”
“The count’s mother, who follows me closely, also suffers from insomnia. If that works, I’ll put her in touch with you.”
“…Thank you for the offer.”

Citrina bowed stiffly, then left with Estelle.

“Citrina-nim, I’m sure the marquess is going to love it.”
“Yes, by the way, I didn’t realize you had a connection to the Marquess of Fornecia.”

Slowly exiting the marquess’ reception room, Citrina and Estelle walked down the hallway together. Citrina and Estelle were followed by Estelle’s two ladies-in-waiting.
The small talk continued as they made their way down the hall and towards the marquess’ front door.

“Ah! Get in the carriage. I’ll take you back to your atelier.”
“I won’t refuse the offer.”

Citrina closed her eyes and smiled. Together they climbed into Estelle’s family carriage.
Citrina looked at Estelle and whispered in a low voice.

“I know it’s a little awkward while we’re in the carriage…but I have a small gift for you, Lady Estelle.”
“For me?”
“Yes. Please accept it. It’s a small token of gratitude for all you have done for me.”

Citrina handed her a small velvet box. It was not an accessory, but a gemstone-a ruby red garnet.

“Did I mention I have a hobby of collecting gems?”
“Yes, in your last letter.”
“That’s right. Thank you, Citrina-nim!”

Estelle hugged while smiling, then let go.
It had been a polite gesture to Estelle, the first person to recognize her. Once Estelle found out that Citrina was an elementist, she seemed to warm up to her more.

“Ah, also, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What?”

Hearing Citrina’s response, Estelle gave a small nod to the lady-in-waiting next to her.
Then, as if on cue, she placed earplugs in her ears. It was very professional. The ladies-in-waiting seemed eerily familiar with Estelle’s confidentiality.
Citrina looked at Estelle again, somewhat sheepishly. Estelle whispered in a low voice.

“I was at a party yesterday and the mood was a little weird.”
“What was the mood like?”

As a young lady, Estelle’s interactions with other noble ladies at parties left her with a thick skin. When she said something bothered her, it was worth listening.
Of course, she couldn’t believe everything and had to take it with a grain of salt.

“At Lady Shangrila’s party, Elaina-nim spoke very highly of Citrina-nim.” [T.L. Note: I kid you not, the character’s name is Shangrila.]
“Really?”

This wasn’t something she expected to hear. Given Elaina’s high-minded nature, she expected her to treat Citrina as if she didn’t exist.
Did her personality change?

“Yes. All of the young ladies there praised Elaina for her deep sisterly love. So I was trying to get close to her because she’s my favorite, um, Citrina’s younger sister. Then all of a sudden at the end of the party, she started handing out these little holy objects….”
“Ah.”

She had expected the handing out of holy objects.
Elaina was a woman who knew how to play every hand she was dealt beautifully. Citrina nodded.

“She said they were objects that contained God’s prophecy. So when someone asked me about spirit liquor, naturally, I thought Lady Citrina would come up in the conversation.”
“…and?”

The air in the carriage was hot. Citrina clutched the cuffs of her sleeves. It made her tense.
This was unpredictable and a little dangerous.
Citrina ran her tongue over her lips.

“She said that only God’s things have blessings.”
“Umm…”

So this was more subtle than Elaina’s normally straightforward way of speaking.
It was strange that this wasn’t the Elaina she knew.

“She said that species used witchcraft. Her attitude was impeccable, and she kept praising you, Citrina. But the praise was well…”

She paused. The lady-in-waiting wearing earplugs deftly produced a fan and moved the fan in front of Estelle’s face. Her complexion returned to its original color.

“Yes, it was odd. Though I don’t think the other ladies noticed. If I seemed to speak badly about Citrina’s younger sister and the paladins, please don’t get me wrong.”

How strange Elaina had behaved, how unlike herself, to make Estelle talk as much as Adilac.
Citrina replied serenely.

“Lady Estelle, thank you for telling me.”

Estelle glanced at the velvet box she handed to her lady-in-waiting. It felt like she was repaying the gift with information.
Looking at the situation, it didn’t seem like she was telling a falsehood. Of course, she couldn’t trust her completely.

“Yes….”

Estelle lengthened her words. It definitely felt like she had a bit more to say.
But unfortunately for Estelle and fortunately for Citrina, the carriage quietly drifted onto Dartrin Street. The conversation came to an end.

“See…you again.”
“Yes. I’ll see you soon, Lady Estelle.”

Citrina gave a crisp bow and slowly stepped out of the carriage. Lady Estelle saw her off. She reached the door of her atelier.
A servant opened the door as soon as he saw Citrina’s face. Seeing his pale complexion, Citrina tilted her head.

“What’s going on?”
“We…have a guest.”

‘An unexpected guest has come to the atelier.’

She quickened her steps. It was rare for nobles to come directly to the atelier, so it must be someone she knew, but she had no idea who that could be.

‘Is it Desian or Aaron?’

That would be the most reasonable explanation.
Entering the atelier with a weird feeling, Citrina was soon overcome by a strange mood.

“Elaina?”
“Citrina!”

It was her younger sister, Elaina, who had earlier spoken to Estelle. She was the one who dominated her thoughts lately, and she directed a smile as delicate as a lily toward Citrina.
Elaina sat at a chair by a round table that Adilac must have arranged for her, and waved at Citrina. She wore the uniform of the paladins.
Citrina couldn’t understand Elaina’s casual attitude, as if they had last met only yesterday.

‘The last time we met, you said you were going to get revenge on me, didn’t you?’

Gritting her teeth, Citrina sat down across from Elaina.

“What’s going on?”
“My older sister didn’t come to find me. Now that I am back home, I thought I would find you. Are you doing well?”
“It’s good to see you again. I’ve been well.”

Citrina’s calm attitude didn’t seem to bother Elaina.

“Mother has been in tears every night since you left. Ever since you left, I’ve dropped out of the academy to take care of our family, and it’s been really hard on all of us. But you’ve done really well. Ah, I don’t blame you.”

Elaina’s speech was theatrical. When she finished, she gave Citrina a small pat on the shoulder.
Elaina glanced over to the shelves. Her gaze was conscious of Lita and Adilac, who were pricking their ears.
Elaina spoke again.

“Ah, but the cost of maintaining a living isn’t enough.”
“…Ah, yes, then I’ll send along enough to live off of. But you know if that man didn’t gamble, they would be able to live peacefully enough, Elaina.”

Elaina’s smile cracked slightly. There was a pension fund for fallen nobles. Citrina also knew that which is why it was so easy for her to turn her back on the baroness. She knew they wouldn’t starve to death if she disappeared.
It was only Elaina’s academy expenses and her father’s gambling that kept Citrina working.

“We’ll be seeing each other at Her Highness’s party, so I wanted to settle any bad feelings.”
“I hope so because I’d also like to settle any grudges.”

Hearing Citrina’s words, Elaina momentarily frowned.
She must have expected a reaction from Citrina, but Citrina didn’t want to give Elaina a big reaction. She’d had enough of that years ago.

“I want to get along with you too. Really, truly.”
“Then why don’t we just get along?”

Elaina smiled and offered her a handshake. Citrina slowly extended her hand. She noticed that Elaina’s long, thin nails were trimmed short as if she had been biting them.

‘I’ll end up in a hostile relationship with Elaina.’

If Elaina tried to get back at her, Citrina would respond in turn. She wasn’t going to put up with it, because then things would wind up just like before.

“Oh, okay. Let’s get along well. Congratulations on becoming a paladin.”

Citrina sacrificing herself for Elaina, and Elaina climbing on Citrina’s back to succeed.
She was done with all that.
Citrina and Elaina’s hands slowly touched. It was a single handshake, light but heavy.

“Thanks, I’m so happy to see you after all these years.”
“Alright.”

Elaina squinted at Citrina’s lack of response.

‘That squint is a habit you have when you are lying.’

It was easy for Citrina to tell that Elaina was lying, even without waking Gemma, who was resting in her pendant.
Citrina knew all of Elaina’s everyday habits because she loved her and truly wanted her to succeed. Elaina didn’t know any of Citrina’s habits.

“Oh, I have to go. See you at Her Highness the princess’s party, and I’ll show you something interesting.”
“Something interesting?”
“Yeah. It’s going to be really interesting.”

With those meaningful words, Elaina rose to her feet. Citrina knew very well what Elaina meant.

‘It means you’re going to screw with me. Maybe it’s because she’s such a blunt person, but it seems hard for her to hint at things.’

Elaina walked away, her hair flying like a heroine who had just punished a supporting villainous character. Citrina watched Elaina’s back.

-clack, clack-
[T.L. Note: It’s the sound of heels clicking on the floor.]

With a paladin’s stately stride, Elaina stalked out of the atelier.
It was a warning of sorts, from Elaina to Citrina. However, it made the warning seem strangely unrealistic. Maybe it was because she already had guessed Elaina’s ideas of revenge.

‘It’s certainly suspicious that her always straightforward attitude has changed.’

Citrina slowly leaned back. As the tension eased, she started to feel drowsy. She would sleep for a minute, and then she would worry about Elaina.
She slowly fell asleep with her chin resting on the table.

“I’m tired too. Right, Lita? How tired must Citrina be? I wonder how tired she is, running all over the place and working so hard…”
“Adilac-nim, do you think Citrina-nim will be okay?”
“It will be okay. I’m sure she has a lot on her mind, so let’s not add to it.”

The super talkative Adilac slowly lay back on the shelf. Having finished the duke’s and the marquess’ orders back to back, it was time for a rest.
But as he looked at Citrina, Lita bit his lip hard. He jumped up as if he had made up his mind.

“I’m going to step out for a moment.”
“Yeah, okay…”

Still laying on her stomach, Adilac replied. The atelier was quiet, with only the sounds of the two women drifting off to sleep.