The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind

o slaughter everything in sight!’
Truthfully, Desian’s notoriety had passed Citrina’s old knowledge about the curse of twins.
The exact image of Duke Desian Pietro in the broker’s mind was blacked out.
The prevailing evaluation of Duke Pietro was that he was an outsider who killed anyone who opposed him.
Wasn’t he the one who took down the dark wizard’s tower?
‘She’s an interesting woman.
She must have lived far away to have avoided word of the rumors.’
Anyway, she said she would like in the townhouse next to the duke.

‘She I have tried to dissuade her more?’
But the broker couldn’t bear to let the deal fall through.
That was because he knew the recent move of Duke Desian Pietro, who was known to be indifferent to everybody.
He was rumored to have cause concussions to the nobles who had tried to speak to him.
‘Yes, I’ll just keep my mouth shut.’
The broker stood on the townhouse’s lawn and looked around.
He thought the landlord said he lived nearby, but where was it? He decided to head to the management office that took care of all of the townhouses on the market.

“Mr.
Porter.”
Right then, someone strode into the yard and called out his name.
It was a tall man in uniform.
He looked like a knight.
The broker, Porter, looked over at him with clouded eyes.

“Ah, yes.”
“I’m the owner of this house.
Nice to meet you.”
This was the only landowner who put a place for sale in the capital’s cold snap.

“Ah, come to think of it, you look exactly the same as the last time I saw you, Mr.
Riner.
They would like to form a contract.”
“Is that right? Really, truly, thank god.”
Riner said, biting the inside of his cheek slightly.
There were thick dark circles under his eyes.
He seemed to be really suffering.
Porter looked at his face and said.

“Yes, I’m happy to act as the intermediary.”
“Ah, yes…I’ve prepared the contract here in advance.
Let’s go in and discuss the contract.
As the owner, I will handle as conveniences for the tenant.’
“Ah, yes.
Yes.”
“Tell them they can move in right away.’
“Yep.”
As the broker, the commission was enough.
Porter accepted the contract.
It seemed he would get a contract fee at this rate.
It was a bit awkward, but he said it was okay.

After all, there was the strange freeze in the capital’s market.
But luckily, Citrina was able to get a house.
It seemed like a strange coincidence, but property sales normalized after Citrina purchased her home.

****

She finally had her own house.
Citrina sat alongside Adilac on the sofa.
Adilac must have been tired as she had fallen asleep.
Citrina closed her eyes.
The real estate contract came together as quick as lightening.
The owner of the townhouse did not show up, but Citrina was told he would take care of most of the conveniences.
‘It was all really good terms.
For the atelier as well as the house.’
The monthly costs were also pretty reasonable.
It didn’t take long to complete the contract and gather the luggage from the .
– What are you going to do now?
-I’m not sure….

Citrina cupped her chin in her hand and pondered.
With a wry face, she opened her mouth.
Come to think of it Gemma, do you know how to do alchemy?
-If I become an intermediate spirit.
All I need is the finest Silmaril! Then, this Gemma nim will become unbeatable.
Gemma’s transparent wings drooped.
Citrina tilted her head to the side.
Looking at Citrina, Gemma stuck out her lips.
-Alright, your current abilities are great, but if you become an intermediate spirit you’re saying they will be even better?
-Yes!
Gemma rose from the stone she was lying on.
Gemma’s fingertips slowly extended.
Gemma’s hands stretched out slowly into beautiful shapes, bit by bit.
-I’ll be able to change stones into jewels.
I can’t wait!
As Citrina looked at Gemma, she crinkled her eyes and laughed.
– I’ll quickly get you the Silmaril and then we can complete our contract, right?
-Yeah!

Gemma smiled brightly at Citrina’s serious tone.
The spirit who had slept for so long was as pure as a child.
Citrina was currently satisfied with this simple life.
With the remaining money, she could put a down payment on the atelier, and design and sell jewelry with them gemstones given to her by the dwarf.
It was the first time in a long time that she felt anticipation for the future.

‘I’m still upset and worried after hearing the rumors about the duke’s curse.
Perhaps… the situation has become twisted again.’
Maybe she should try to gather rumors about the Duke of Pietro.
As Citrina stared at Gemma with her chin in her hand, Adilac woke up.
The maid residing in the house had come to organize all of the luggage.

“Citrina, what’s troubling you?”
“It’s about a close friend…I heard a bad story.”
“I see.”

Adilac sat by her side and worried with her.
How many minutes had passed? Adilac came up with a simple solution.
“But rumors don’t often have any substance.
If you believe in the rumors, won’t you look at your friend with prejudice?”
“It’s a prejudice…..”

Adilac’s words pierced her heart like a sharp blade.
“Yes, my mother once went to see a gold mine at the southern border of the Petrosha Empire, but it was full of trash and no gold to speak of…”
Citrina nodded curtly at Adilac’s long speech.
‘Alright, if we can meet later, let’s judge him in person.’

At least when Citrina had last met with Desian, he had been kind.
“This is definitely better.
I believe in my judgment.”
But just to be sure, should she go and visit the Duke of Pietro?
She wasn’t sure if he would meet with her just because she asked for an audience.
With those complicated thoughts in her mind, she closed her eyes.
And just the next day, she came across and unexpected and peculiar situation.