The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind - Chapter 121

Chapter 121

When she opened the door to her room with the help of her maid, Desian was already there, ready to go.
Leaning against the wall, eyes closed.
‘Even when he was younger, he’d stand in the hallway when I’d open the door.’
Looking at him, Citrina felt a new sense of déjà vu.
He opened his eyes slowly, his face a little more mature than it had been then.
He whispered in a gravelly voice.

“Today…”
Citrina knew what he was going to say, so she asked playfully.
“Pretty, huh?”
“Yeah. In my eyes, you’re…the prettiest.”
It was nuanced like he was choosing the words with difficulty. Citrina held out her hand to him.
“I’ll give you the honor of escorting the prettiest woman in the world, Del.”
“Gladly.”
He took her hand gently. When their fingers touched, Citrina whispered in a very low voice.
“Today you look…handsome.”
Though whether Desian had heard or not was unknown.
They made their way to Duke Pietro’s flower garden, where the engagement ceremony was to take place.

As they opened the gates to the garden, they were greeted by a snow-white silk carpet that resembled a wedding carpet. The path was lined with flowers.
Harold, the butler, had worked tirelessly to create a beautiful garden for the engagement ceremony.
The orchestra was playing a simple tune, and the guests were gathered around a long rectangular table.
They were munching on finger foods and chatting with each other when the door opened and they all turned toward Citrina and Desian.
‘They’re all here early.’
Only two seats at the front of the table were empty. They were for Citrina and Desian.

“Don’t be nervous, Rina.”
“Yeah, I won’t be nervous.”
She didn’t tremble, didn’t show it, but Desian seemed to know what was on her mind nonetheless.
“Shall we walk together now?”
“Yeah.”
Citrina and Desian looked at each other and smiled. And they walked side by side on the carpet.
Holding onto each other’s hands for what felt like an unusually long time, they finally reached the center of the flower garden.

Desian and Citrina arrived at the table and saw the guests seated on either side. They were all people Citrina loved. Adilac, Lita, Oslo, Iana, and even Aaron.
They were waiting with bated breath for the words of the two who would become officially a couple today.
Hiding her excitement, she glanced at Desian, then at the others.

“I know this is a little different than a typical engagement ceremony, and I know you’re all a little overwhelmed. Thank you, everyone, for coming.”
“Thank you for coming.”
Citrina spoke first, followed by Desian.
‘Everyone must be embarrassed, but I’m so grateful they came.’
Unlike weddings, engagements tended to be a relatively free-flowing affair.
And today’s engagement was even more casual. Desian had honored Citrina’s wishes by keeping the ceremony simple.
The guests stood up and began to speak. The first to speak was Princess Iana. Her nose was red, and her eyes were open as if she had been crying. It looked like she was giving her daughter away in marriage.

“Sniff, you must invite me to the wedding, you must!”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
A handkerchief clutched tightly in her hand, Princess Iana turned to Aaron next. Aaron smiled warmly.
“Really, I’ve been so busy appeasing the princess. I’m glad, Citrina and brother, that we’re a family.”
“…I’m glad, too, Aaron.”
Aaron’s warm eyes turned to Desian as well. Desian was looking at Aaron expressionlessly, but Citrina could tell they were counting on each other.
“Now it’s my turn.”
Adilac rose to her feet, a solemn expression on her face.

“Congratulations, Citrina, when I met you, I trusted you, and I thought you would enjoy the eternal single life with me without any strings attached, but where did that go wrong, ever since we met, I’ve been living a little bit alone…”
As Adilac said that, Lita patted her side. Suddenly, Adilac and Lita seemed to have become best friends.
“Congratulations on your engagement, Citrina-nim!”
“Thanks, Adilac, Lita.”
In the midst of Adilac and Lita’s bickering, Oslo finally bowed his head deeply and offered some heartfelt advice.
“God bless you both, and may you live long…”
“Thank you, Master.”
With that, the guests were done saying their blessings. Now it was time for Citrina and Desian to make the covenant that would make them officially a couple.
A pleasant tingle of nervousness ran through her.

“Citrina and I intend to be together forever.”
“…As a couple, we want to rely on each other.”
Desian’s calm voice and Citrina’s bright one echoed through the flower garden.
And as soon as their simple vows were over, Gemma appeared.

-Citrina, congratulations on your engagement!
Gemma began to scatter the flowers around the garden. Pink petals, the color of Citrina’s dress, began to flutter around them, and Lita gasped in admiration as the flowers fluttered in the breeze.
She wasn’t sure if it was the effect of Gemma’s spell, or if it was just a natural breeze, but a gentle breeze began to blow.
The champagne popped in Harold’s hand. With a loud pop, the cork flew out into the garden.
Happy chatter filled the garden.
It was a beautiful engagement on a late April day when the apple blossoms were in full bloom.
The afternoon engagement ceremony ended breezily and lightly. Citrina and Desian saw off all the guests at the mansion. Desian had always seemed happy these days, but today he was even happier, his dark eyes shining with a gleam of excitement.

‘Desian’s joy is contagious.’
It was a day that made her heart ache as she realized she would never be this happy again.
After dismissing everyone, Citrina reentered the room, feeling like she’d just finished a delightful dinner party. All that remained of the guests was a pile of gifts.
‘Everyone brought such lovely gifts.’
As she unwrapped each gift on the table, Citrina chuckled softly and then sighed.

“You look happy, Rina.”
“Yeah. I’m happy.”
Citrina replied lightly, stopping her unwrapping and looking up at Desian. When their eyes met, Desian smiled broadly. Some people may not think that Desian Pietro and smiling went together well…
But Desian really did smile so sweetly.
Always for her.

“If you’re happy, so am I.”
Desian’s answer was straightforward. He was more pleased to see Citrina’s joy than the gifts they’d given the couple.
“Aaron got us a music box. That’s interesting.”
“He thought it was meaningful.”
It was rare for Desian to slur his words. Citrina looked at him and smiled wryly.
“Yeah. He gave me a music box in the past, so isn’t it a good gift to celebrate?”
She unwrapped the gifts from the guests, some humble, some extravagant. She was happy to see the variety of gifts inside the wrapping paper, but even happier to think of the people who had prepared them.

‘I’m glad to be in such good company.’
Desian watched with an amused expression. Citrina checked out the gift with an odd expression.
Watching her, Desian blurted out.

“Shall we head off on our trip?”
“Yeah!”
Instead of a reception, Citrina and Desian decided to take a quick trip. They packed up their gifts and left.
The sun was already slowly setting. Citrina stood up, thinking that it would be a dark night when they reached their destination.
She thought soberly.
Perhaps she should leave Gemma behind.
The trip might not be…suitable for children.