The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind - Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Paladin Sen was as innocent as his face, and he testified that his letter to Citrina was an ordinary one. Unfortunately, in this world, innocence is not a virtue.
This was true for both Sen and his fellow paladins.
One by one they were brought before the investigation.
And one by one, they began to spill the beans about Genfiros, Toloji, and the Order of Elon.
Those investigating the case conducted their investigations behind the scenes. This was done with the tacit agreement of the Holy Kingdom and the Emperor’s mild approval. And so the events began to flow as quickly as running water.
The evidence provided by Duke Pietro was impeccable. Desian abhorred the idea of Citrina being talked about. To that end, he had invented a suitable crime.
For example, overthrowing the state in order to exterminate other species.
Desian was observing the situation from an interrogation room within the Imperial Palace.

“You’ve done evil things that violate your divine power.”
“I did not.”
“It’s already been revealed. Including everything you did with Genfiros and Elaina-nim, the leaders of the paladins.”
“That can’t be true!”
“It is indeed true, Sir Knight. We have all the evidence.”
The investigators were paid by the duke.
They found pieces of the Order of Elon one after another. Genfiros’s sordid behavior of killing people and turning them into spirits was also laid bare.
All that remained was to bring their deeds to the surface.
Most of the paladins admitted to their wrongdoings, both great and small.
“…He couldn’t have meant to kill all of the other species.”
However, Sen was the only one who spoke up against the situation.

“This is clearly fabricated!”
Unfortunately for Sen, the investigation didn’t go well for him. The emperor who was trying to wield divine power as a weapon was also unhappy.
All of it changed when Genfiros died. But even if Genfiros hadn’t died, things wouldn’t have been much different.
Desian looked at Paladin Sen with emotionless eyes.
Standing behind the investigator, he asked slowly.
“I heard you delivered Elaina Foluin’s letter.”
Desian Pietro had only one question for Sen.
He wanted to know the content of that letter.
Citrina likely wouldn’t show it to him. So the only means of discovery was this route.
“…Yes.”
“What was the contents of the letter?”
“Nothing much. Just a rumor about her patron…Elaina-nim cares about her sister.”
Sen spoke with steady, innocent eyes.
Seeing that expression, Desian smirked.

“I see.”
Desian wondered if Citrina believed in him or if she knew everything already.
A beautiful smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
He wasn’t about to gamble with Citrina’s love.
So he would have to tread carefully.
Desian’s brow narrowed as he thought of Elaina Foluin and the sort of letter she would have sent.
Elaina Foluin was Citrina’s nemesis.
Desian knew this better than anyone. He loved Citrina. He understood the sensation she felt but didn’t have a name for it.
‘It’s irritating.’

Elaina was a sister who remained like an impurity in Citrina’s mind.
Consequently, Desian had Elaina spied on for Citrina’s sake. But so far nothing unusual was reported.
Seeing Desian’s emotionless face, Sen asked quickly.
“But why are you asking about a private letter? It’s not…of interest to you, is it?”
“To me it is.”
Desian briefly cut in.
“I’m interested in it.”
With that, he turned away. He wasn’t obliged to answer anymore.
He could feel Sen’s eyes boring into his back.
Desian didn’t need to read Sen’s memories. That paladin was guileless.
‘How should we dispose of Elaina’s limbs?’
Desian decided to offer mercy to the man who made one wrong choice.
It was better to watch Elaina, his choice, to go down.
He turned away, his face without emotion.
The Pope’s people would come soon. He would have to go meet them.
But at that moment,
There was only one question on his mind.
The contents of Elaina’s letter did not shock Citrina.
Nevertheless,
She knew.

The situation was twofold.
Either Citrina trusted Desian completely, or she knew and was pretending not to know.
Either way, it was bad for him.
Desian couldn’t control Citrina. He couldn’t predict her reactions.
She was his only variable.
Desian slowly turned his back and walked out of the imperial palace. It was not a pleasant situation for him.

****

Meanwhile, Citrina was at the Flang mansion.
Since the Holy Kingdom’s investigators arrived, since Desian interrogated Sen…ever since she had met with Desian she had been here.
Citrina had been at the Flang mansion the entire time. It could have been boring, but Citrina found it rather enjoyable.
First of all, she had brief conversations with Desian in the mornings and evenings using the magic tool he had given her.
And there was also the presence of Adilac, Lita, and the curse master in her mansion.
The curse master came with a short message from Desian.
The woman was escorted by the servants through the mansion doors.
“Hello, Citrina-nim. Duke Pietro sent me. I’m aware that you’ve already spoken to him.”
It was the woman who had made the short remark about the elf’s dress. The woman with the long robe pushed down low over her face.
Citrina looked at her with unfamiliar eyes.

“We’ve met before.”
“Yes. I’ll be staying by your side for a while to protect you, Citrina-nim. Whether I’m the perfect shield or not…I’m not sure yet.”
Those last words were a bit grim. Citrina smiled unflinchingly and spoke.
“Is that so?”
“I’ll be staying for three days if that is what you wish.”
Three days.
So three days and it would all be over. Citrina felt a bit tired. She gave a curt response.

“I’ll be in your care.”
Citrina glanced quickly at the maid.
“Please lead her to a clean room.”
That’s how the curse master began staying in the Flang mansion.
“Please leave your luggage with the maid. We’ll get you a room.”
Citrina winked at the maid. The maid bowed her head stiffly and took the luggage.
At that moment, Gemma perched on Citrina’s shoulder and stared at the new guest.
Gemma flew right up to Citrina’s ear and whispered in a tiny, ear-tickling whisper.

-There’s nothing sinister about her energy! But it feels too clean for a curse master. Is she hiding her aura?
-Why are you suspicious?
-That’s not it. I’m sure that monster picked the right person.
Gemma grumpily replied. Citrina nodded slightly.
Gemma and Desian both approved of this person. She felt like it would be okay to lower her guard a little.

In the Flang mansion, the woman remained still.
It was as if she wasn’t there.
Except once, during a brief tea time with Citrina.
It seemed like the curse master was researching and uncovering something. Therefore, Citrina decided to leave her alone.
Thus began the peculiar co-existence in the mansion.