The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind - Chapter 110

Chapter 110

The next day came. Citrina expected that rumors about the Holy Kingdom would naturally spread.
However, she did not know it would happen today.
The rumors reached Citrina’s ears via Adilac’s footwork. (TL Note: Basically, Adilac gathered the rumors and told Citrina about them.) Adilac knocked on her door, holding a newspaper as big as herself.
“Oh my god! There’s a special edition, Citrina!”
“Special edition?”
“Yes!”
Citrina opened the window. Citrina opened the window and listened to Adilac’s voice as a slightly chilly breeze streamed in from outside the window.
“So, what happened…”
Citrina listened to Adilac’s words as the situation unfolded.
In the newspaper, it was reported that an oracle was issued through a video sphere. It was said to be the will of the gods, declaring the Order of Elon an axis of evil and to be resisted.
There was even an official comment from the Pope of the Holy Kingdom. He made an official statement that he embraces people of all ethnicities and races.
Finally, the Order of Elon has been completely dismantled.
Their projects and members were disclosed in detail. Rumors began to circulate of their attempts to kill people and exterminate other species.
Elaina was exiled from the Empire and repatriated to the Holy Kingdom. She was stripped of her title for attempted murder.
The whole affair was a disgrace to the Holy Kingdom, and it was a bitter one. Citrina listened to the gossip as if it had nothing to do with her.
‘I’ll never see Elaina again.’
Citrina let the memories fly away. The memories blew outside the window and floated away.
‘I wonder what will happen to my family?’
Despite Elaina’s scandal, Citrina and her family hadn’t been affected. Perhaps it was all thanks to Desian’s protection.
“Thanks for the good news, Adilac.”
“My pleasure.”
Adilac shrugged. The bright smile on her face was soothing.
So much had happened and now it was all over.

****

After that, Desian came to the Flang mansion every day.
After Citrina revealed that she knew his true nature, Desian kept that same attitude.
“Rina.”
“Huh?”
“…How are you feeling?”
“I’m good.”
Desian was always by her side, checking on her mood.
They hung out so much it was like they were one person.
Citrina didn’t do much at all. She would end the day stretched out on the couch, chatting with Gemma, sometimes organizing her jewelry, or reading the newspaper.
‘It looks like the duke’s office is here.’
He did his business by her side and spent the night near her.
‘Are you afraid that I’ll be sad, or do you think I’ll disappear…’
Desian was worried, worried about losing her, worried about hurting her.
Citrina nodded inwardly.
‘That’s understandable.’
She leaned back on the couch and yawned. Desian, who was working on paperwork by Citrina’s side, spoke softly. His hands were still on the papers. Writing in his dry cursive, he whispered quietly.
“Rina, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“A favor?”
Desian had never said the word ‘favor’ before.
Citrina let the word slip out, puzzled.
“Yeah. There’s going to be a banquet soon.”
Desian set the quill down on the desk.
It made a clack as it hit the surface.
“A banquet…”
A big event had passed, and it was impossible for the Emperor not to know about it.
In any case, they had defeated the Holy Kingdom.
A banquet was inevitable, and Citrina, reasonably satisfied with their situation, nodded.
“I want you to be my partner at the upcoming banquet.”
Citrina hesitated a moment. People were pretty much aware of their relationship anyway, but was this the right time to announce it?
Desian whispered, realizing she was troubled. His voice was serious, but the words were cute.
“I’ll be nice, okay?”
Desian’s words made Citrina burst out laughing.
It felt like…he wanted to go with her, and he wanted to be complimented. But it felt cute as well.
It seemed like she was quite strict with him, but his sweet words and tender attitude weakened her.
“Yeah. You have to be nice.”
Citrina wasn’t a fan of noisy banquets, but if Desian asked her to, she wouldn’t mind.
‘It’s going to work out well in the future…’
Elaina left, and Citrina didn’t feel good about it.
It was bittersweet.
But apart from that, she also felt sorry for Elaina’s life.
So it was right to overcome these feelings by venting them out slowly.
Perhaps a banquet would be a good diversion, Citrina thought.
“The banquet, when is it?”
“Next week, the date and time are on the invitation, Rina.”
Desian handed her the invitation. The invitation bordered in gold leaf, looked imperial.
Citrina opened it and smiled.
“This is going to be fun, I think.”
“I’m…quite, looking forward to it.”
Beside her, Desian put down his quill pen.
They talked about the banquet. What people would come, what tailcoats and banquet clothes they would wear, whether Aaron would be able to participate…
As the hours passed, one story after another piled up.
Citrina deliberately pushed her thoughts away from Elaina.

****

The emperor had ordered a banquet to be held, but it was up to the empress to send out the invitations.
The empress’s court was so busy that it seemed like they were all flying about. Everyone was on the move.
‘Everyone looks so busy…’
Someone walked into the empress’s palace.
It was Princess Iana.
Princess Iana was a bit nervous as she walked into the Empress Palace. The atmosphere in the palace had been quite tumultuous lately.
There were many stories being told one after another that she didn’t understand.
‘I’ll have to read <Diary of a Spiritist> one more time before my fencing training.’
Come to think of it, she hadn’t even met Citrina in a while…
Now I’m really curious what happened with those two.
“I greet Her Highness, the Princess.”
“Yeah. Where is the empress?”
“Please come in.”
Iana frowned a little. The maids of the Empress’s court, who would have no idea of her state of mind, escorted her in exceedingly politely.

Iana sat across from the Empress over refreshments. She asked in a friendly tone.
“What’s happening?”
“Iana.”
Usually, the empress called her by her nickname, Ina
‘D, did she catch me reading a romance novel?’
The empress had her mouth sealed shut so that no words could leak out!
Iana was rather nervous. The expression on the empress’s face was not so good, with grey hairs poking out around her face. Her complexion was bad.
‘What the hell is going on!’
She hadn’t looked this tired in a long time. Iana clamped her eyes shut for three seconds and opened them again.
“It was His Majesty’s order to hold a banquet, Iana.”
“What? A banquet?”
Suddenly, a banquet?
“That’s right. The mood is not favorable, so he said we should clear the air. Of course, you’re to be married soon, and…”
So it was a banquet to find her marriage partner. Iana tried to force back the words that were about to come out of her mouth.
She didn’t really want to get married.
There wasn’t a man in the world who could meet her standards.
But it would have to do.
She clapped her hand over her mouth to keep it shut and asked in a cheerful tone.
“So, who’s coming to this banquet?”
“Many, many nobles will be attending, Iana, but there is one particular nobleman His Majesty has in mind as your partner.”
Iana wanted to scream, and of course, it wasn’t a shout of joy.
Who the hell could that be?
Please don’t just be a potbellied old man.
No, don’t let him be twelve years her senior.
He doesn’t even need to be the handsome male lead from a romance novel!
Please let it be a guy who fits her type.
‘Please let it be a guy who is my type!’
Iana hurriedly thought a silent prayer. Then she asked in a hushed tone.
“Who is it?”
The Empress took a deep breath as if she were anxious. Iana felt a sense of foreboding flood through her.
C, could he be…bald?
“…His Majesty has in mind the two brothers of the Pietro Duchy, Iana.”
Iana tilted her head to the side. She was trying to determine exactly what the information in her ears meant.
“What?”
“Among them, he has Duke Pietro in mind as your partner.”
“What are you talking about?”
Princess Iana exclaimed, even though she knew it was breaking with protocol.
“Iana, You’re being too noisy.”
“S, sorry. I’m very shocked…”
“You shouldn’t be shocked.”
The Empress let out a long sigh. She, too, was aware of the vicious rumors surrounding Duke Pietro.
She considered her daughter to be as beautiful as a jewel in the snow, which was why Duke Pietro was no match for her.
“…Does it have to be Duke Pietro?”
“Ina, the thing is…”
The Empress let out another long sigh.
“The position of the imperial family could be put in jeopardy if we don’t make an alliance with the duke.
That’s what His Majesty thinks.”
“…I see.”
“Therefore, His Majesty has asked me to arrange a brief meeting with you at the banquet.”
“Then, okay!”
Iana nodded decisively.
“I will be there.”
Iana’s expression was grim.
“I see.”
The Empress stroked her hand across her chest. A small wave of relief and anxiety washed over her like a tidal wave.
“Yes. So don’t worry too much.”
“First, let us prepare for the banquet. I’ve already sent out the invitations, so we can pick out the outfits and…”
“Good.”
Iana tried to calm her racing heart. Iana knew it.
How would things turn out with ‘that’ Duke Pietro!