The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind - Chapter 116

Chapter 116

After a brief refreshments break, Aaron left the Flang mansion but did not return directly to the imperial training grounds. Instead, he made his way to the Pietro ducal residence.
Aaron’s steps were fresh and light as he made his way to the ducal mansion in the capital. Aaron had something to share with his older brother Desian.
‘If I tell him the story of Citrina, he’ll be happy, won’t he?’
A pleasant sense of anticipation crept into his heart.
‘I have a feeling everything will be fine!’
Aaron had no doubt.
All of this was going to be good for Citrina and Desian.
Aaron was soon able to meet Desian. It was one of the priviledges of being a part of the Pietro duchy, but it was also a good thing that Desian wasn’t busy.
Throwing the door to Desian’s office wide open, Aaron shouted, not even closing it.
“I have something to tell you!”
It was loud enough to startle anyone, including Aaron, but Desian wasn’t surprised.

“Talk.”
His eyes were lowered lazily as he looked over documents. Aaron went right up to his desk.
“I had a serious talk with Citrina.”
“What did you talk about?”
Desian’s gaze, seemingly fixed on the papers for what seemed like an eternity, snapped to Aaron. Aaron’s eyes narrowed playfully.
“Yeah, guess what? Guess what we were talking about!”
Desian had no intention of engaging in lazy, lame banter with Aaron, so he cut him off like a knife.
“I’m not curious.”
Desian had no intention of falling for Aaron’s provocation and would have sent him packing if it weren’t for the next sentence.
“You’re going to marry Citrina, right?”
“Yeah.”
Desian’s answer was terse. Hearing the answer, Aaron smiled with satisfaction. Desian’s expression didn’t even falter, even though the question had come out of the blue.
As such, marriage to Citrina would be like a predetermined future for him.
Aaron looked at Desian and said lightly.
“But Citrina doesn’t want to get married right away?”
“I can wait.”
Desian flipped through the papers, one by one. He seemed, on the surface, quite calm.
But Aaron could see it. Desian’s cursive signature on the paperwork is not very neat.
‘You’re upset, aren’t you?’
Aaron smiled impishly at him. Desian lowered his dense eyelashes. His languid expression showed no emotion.

“Are you done talking?”
“Yeah. Citrina wants to be engaged first rather than married right away.”
“…Engaged?”
Desian’s mouth tightened slightly. He was getting nervous. He felt a knot in the pit of his stomach.
“Yeah. But even though I’m telling you, you have to keep it a secret since I’m giving you a chance.”
Desian’s expression twisted slightly. He set the quill pen down on the table. He put away all of his paperwork, apparently done for the day.
Aaron smiled inwardly. Now, Desian took the bait too
“What chance are you giving me?”
Aaron didn’t answer Desian’s question right away. Instead, he put both hands down on the table. His youthful face leaned in closer to Desian.
Desian stared at him, unmoving.
“A chance to propose.”
At the time, Citrina seemed a little confused when talking about marriage. She seemed to be thinking of a future that would happen far off in the distance.
It was as if she had never thought of marrying him, not even once.
It was strange.
The unthinkable seemed to be taking shape in her mind.
Desian was quite pleased with that.

“That’s good.”
Aaron had given him some good information. Desian’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at his brother. He couldn’t put a price on the affection Aaron felt for him.
It was some kind of brotherly love.
Desian thought he knew what it was, very vaguely. But it seemed shapeless and insubstantial.
“I’ll have to think about it.”
Desian pushed himself up. He needed time to analyze this new proposition: a proposal.
Ever since he fell in love with Citrina, he felt like he kept discovering new things.
“Speaking of the proposal, do you want me to give you a hint?”
“A hint?”
Aaron chuckled.
“Yeah. Something Citrina’s been interested in lately.”
Desian’s frown deepened. Desian thought he knew Citrina’s tastes, her feelings, everything.
However…
There must be something he didn’t know.
“What is it?”
“Citrina is looking for new gem mines, specifically citrine.”
“…I happen to know of a gem mine owned by the Pietro Duchy.”

Desian smirked.
“Well, as you said, there are a few gemstone mines discovered by the Pietro Duchy. Right?”
“Yeah, right.”
Desian answered nonchalantly. But Aaron could tell what Desian was thinking right now. His older brother, whose blood was likely to be cold blue, had a tiny smile hanging around his mouth.
That smile would mean Desian is very happy right now.
‘I’m glad you seem pleased, brother.’
Aaron chuckled and turned to leave. It was only Aaron’s guess, but it seemed like there would be some fairly good days ahead.
Desian didn’t see Aaron off; he simply watched his departing back.
‘At times like this, I should thank you.’
Aaron couldn’t hear Desian’s thanks, but perhaps one day Desian would find a way to show his gratitude.

‘A gemstone mine…’
He was far from romantic or loving. His affectionate demeanor was half refined by Aaron, and half flowed naturally from his love for Citrina.
So…
‘I wonder what I should do?’
He picked up the quill again. On the paper, he began to map out a plan. Black letters on white paper, one by one, his blueprint materialized.
At that moment, Harold knocked on his office door. He had called Harold earlier for some paperwork. But now he would be taking on a different task.

“Enter.”
“Your Excellency, you wanted to see me?”
“Right, Harold.”
“How can I help you, Your Excellency?”
“I hear there is a newly discovered crystal mine.”
“Yes, that’s correct, sir.”
“I’d like to check it out.”

He grinned a predatory, hungry smile.
Harold looked at Desian with loyal eyes.

“Understood. I’ll find out about the location right away.”
“And bring the dwarf.”
“The dwarf?”
“Yes, the dwarf Oslo.”

Oslo, the dwarf who had been Citrina’s teacher, would be quite the trump card for Desian.

“I’ll fetch him right now.”

Desian pushed himself up gracefully.
A day, maybe two would be enough time. But preparation for the proposal would be perfect.
For her sake, nothing would be out of place.