The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind

Citrina entered Cheyenne Hall, where Lady Estelles party would take place.

-Why are you borrowing the dwarf Oslos name? Borrow my name!

-Well, thats because youre my hidden card.

-I see. I am the hidden card! I am the great hidden card!

Citrina walked calmly, leaving behind Gemmas enthusiastic voice.

Lady Citrina Foluin, right?

Yes.

It had been four years since she had heard that name- the name of a family that Citrina had not sought out. Her family had not looked for Citrina either.

Perhaps the more famous she became, the more they would talk about her family relationship behind her back.

However, that wasnt the case now.

Citrina faced the door. The knight bowed her into the party.

There was a bit of tension. But with confidence that Lady Estelle would not reject her, she entered the ballroom-style Cheyenne Hall. Under the high-domed ceiling, a crystal chandelier adorned the hall.

The orchestra filled the hall with beautiful music, making it feel even more like a ballroom except that no one danced.

A number of ladies were gathered in twos and threes.

Citrina need to meet the host of the party, Lady Estelle, so she took a look around. She had to say hello first and introduce the jewelry.

Lady Citrina Foluin!

Nevertheless, Citrina didnt expect Estelle to call her name out first.

Ive been waiting for you.

She had twinkling eyes and flushed cheeks, with an expectant expression.

Citrina rarely became embarrassed, but this was one of those time. There was no reason for Estelle to wait for her.

Lady Estelle, did you like the dwarf that much?

Lady Estelle, thank you for inviting me to your party.

Nevermind that. Go ahead and eat. Im the host of the party, so I have to go greet the other ladies. I cant stay with you. But

She whispered secretly so only Citrina could hear.

Ill see you in a little bit after making the rounds. I have so many questions.

Im so grateful. Is this about dwarf-nim? [TL Note: I find this such an awkward way to refer to Oslo, but this is literally what they are calling him here.]

No!

Estelle quickly denied it with a red face.

Anyway, I really want to see you.

Estelle frowned.

Citrina was naturally willing to accept. If she built a good relationship with Estelle, that would help her become connected to the lower nobility and make things easier.

But everything was going too smoothly.

Then chat with other people. In about thirty minutes, Ill see you on the balcony to the left of the doors of Cheyenne Hall. Since its summer, its not too chilly out.

Citrina was a bit embarrassed by the extreme warm welcome.

Lady, this is Pontude San Red Wine.

That sounds good.

Citrina nodded and the waiter poured some red wine into her glass. Citrina chewed on her lips as she watched the wine fill the glass.

She was about to drink when someone next to her spoke with a prickly, unlikable voice.

Citrina?

Ah.

You know who I am, dont you?

Who is this?

Seeing her overconfident face, she must know this person.

Citrina squinted her eyes. Memories played through her mind one step at a time.

When I was youngerI played the part of Young Lady Phantemangs playmate [TL Note: I had no idea how to romanize this characters name.]

When she was young, that was one of the only jobs she could do. She helped the tutor with the children to make sure they grew up respectably.

Long time no see, Lady Phantemang.

You remember my name, dont you? I thought youd send a gift to our family once you returned. Youre quite indebted to us.

It wasnt logical, but she spoke with power.

In a way, it was natural for Phantemang to ignore Citrina. The Foluin family were fallen aristocrats that were on the brink of selling their title while the Phantemangs were rising in status. Aristocratic society was all based on power.

I remember that my relationship with Lady Phantemang was cut off after that.

Citrina was always intimidated by Phantemangs sneaky gaze. Viscount Phantemang was not one to treat fallen nobles well.

The employee-employer relationship has ended, so why are you doing this?

Phantemang grinned and laughed at Citrinas subdued greetings!

I heard you became a disciple of the dwarf?

Yes, thats right.

That means you left the empire to work.

Is it a problem that I became a disciple of the dwarf, Oslo?

Citrina brought up Oslos name. From this point of view, attacking Citrina would be attacking Oslo.

In this world, are you really a lady of society?

Inside the beautiful Cheyenne Hall with the soft orchestra music playing, hackles were up. Glancing around, attention was focused on them.

Phantemang was staring down at her.

In recent years, the gentry had begun to look at the work done by lower ranking noble ladies as a disgrace to the aristocracy.

The noble lady of the Phantemang.

Its not a profession involving magic, spirits, or an artistic endeavor, but work involving your hands! Its no aristocratic at all.

-Spirits? Did you call me?

Citrina replied coldly. After all, there were people that would be disrespectful of Citrina whether she put up with it or not.

I dont believe what I do will hurt Lady Phantemang.

She understood Phantemang. However, before Phantemang could open her mouth to retort, Estelle interrupted their conversation.

Whats going on?

Citrinas heart was filled with frustration when she saw Estelle.

I made a mistake like this. I shouldnt have done this at Estelles party.

She shouldnt have focused on recollections of the past

Citrina looked at Estelle to try and repair the situation. But Estelle wasnt looking at Citrina. Instead, she stood by Citrina with a red face, staring at Phantemang.

No, it was more of a glare than a stare.

Lady Phantemang!

Estelle?

Phantemang looked at her with a perplexed face. Estelle and Phantemangs families were close. In other words, they were on good terms on the outside, but she didnt know what they were like behind closed doors.

This kind of behavior is plainly disrespectful.

Now, are you taking Citrina-nims side?

Im not taking any sides, but Lady Phans at fault. I cant forgive a quarrel in Cheyenne Hall.

Ha! Thats ridiculous. Since when have you been so righteous.

I cant stand by, so please leave.

You want me to leave? Me? Not that lady?

Yes.

Estelle issued the order to leave with a cold look.

Phantemang blushed, aghast. She looked around with a bewildered look.

But embarrassingly, so did Citrina as she was stuck in the middle.

There was no reason for Estelle to come to her defense so much.

Ill remember this moment, Lady Estelle and Miss Citrina

Sure.

Citrina answered first, calmly. With a glance at Citrina, Phantemang turned around coldly.

Silence drifted through Cheyenne Hall. It seemed as if people were choosing whether to follow Lady Phantemang or Lady Estelle.

Most struck up a new conversation and continued on as if nothing had ever happened, but a few ladies followed Phantemang out the door with anxious faces.

A while after the situation had been sorted out, the beautiful orchestra music began to flow through the hall once more. Estelle was still with Citrina.

Lady Estelle?

Ah, Citrina-nim, please head to the balcony. The fuss has ended, but Ill clean up a bit first!

Yes, thank you.

But at the same time doubts rose up in Citrinas mind.

Why are you so considerate of me?

Her steps towards the balcony were both light and heavy. She felt a slight tension and dizziness as Estelles intentions were unknown.

Are you Lady Citrina Foluin?

Yes.

The knight opened the heavy doors to the balcony as if Estelle had arranged everything in advance. Citrina picked up the hem of her dress and strode forward.

What is she thinking of

As she looked at the view from the balcony, Citrina was lost in thought. The soft summer wind tickled her cheeks.

The scenery is nice, right?

Citrina heard a refreshing voice behind her. It was Lady Estelle. She heard the ladys steps coming closer.

Yes, I like it.

Dont worry too much about today!

Thank you.

Estelle stood side by side with her and looked out at the scenery.

Citrina, that person is nice.

Right, so dont do anything bad.

-Got it! Im the hidden card! I will hide well!

Inside of the pendant, Gemma fussed about with the phrase hidden card in mind.

In fact, the spirits radar of what it liked and disliked was extremely simple. It liked people who were favorable to their contractor, and disliked people who felt ill-will towards their contractor.

Unable to hear Gemmas voice, Estelle turned away from Citrina.

The conversation took place while gazing outside, standing side-by-side. It was a conversation that took place without looking in each others eyes.

Theres a lot I want to ask, but I think Estelle has a lot to say.

Citrina decided to let Estelle take the lead in the conversation. Estelle continued to speak slowly.

Are you wondering why I sided with Lady Citrina Foluin?

Yes. We dont know each other all that well.

I know Lady Simon, the young lady of the Hailey County, quite well. That person has helped me out a lot. The same goes for my family.

You mean Count Hailey?

Yes, Count Hailey.

It was a familiar name.

Count Hailey.

Hailey County was the place where the mine was located. And the count was the former owner of the mine Desian had recently bought.

Citrina somehow already knew what she was going to say. She was really interested in jewels. Thats why she wasnt bringing up the mine. [t.l. note: not clear who is the subject]

However, Estelle brought it up in a roundabout way.

The counts young lady was lucky enough to visit the imperial palace summer ball the other day and she happened to see Citrina there as well. Well, and that young lady saw you near the counts mine the other day.

A keen and sharp gaze was directed at Citrina.

Yes, thats right.

Andyou were w, with Duke Pietro.

Estelles voice trembled.

It seemed like she was scared to mention the name Duke Pietro.

In response to her quivering voice, Citrina answered briefly.

Yes, thats right.

There was no reason to lie. Up till now, the Desian she knew was a good friend and a big help, so there was no reason to deny being familiar with him.

Rea, Really?

Citrina nodded her head.

Estelle let out a colorful word.

That famous Duke Pietro, you know him? How could you hang out with such a scary person?

What?

Such a scary person?

Citrina was rather taken aback to hear such a diverging story about Desian from what she knew.

It was plain to see.

She thought he did good things and was friendly.

Peopleare they misunderstanding?

That was what first popped into her mind.

The Desian that Citrina knew was a good person.

Though in the original work, , he was infamous throughout the empire.

Whether she could tell how much Citrina was troubled, Estelle answered in a low voice.

Well, I think I made a slip of the tongue.

A slip of the tongue? Is there by any chance some bad rumors going around?

its nothing serious. I dont believe those bad rumors!

It seemed like Estelle couldnt bear to say that it was about the curse of the devil.

if its a bad rumor, do you mean its about the curse of twins? If thats not the caseits suspicious.

The twins curse is terrible but you couldnt fake such a primal expression of terror.

Im sure the bad rumors have just tailed along.

However, she thought it was suspicious, so she didnt think Estelle would talk about it even if she dug further.

Estelle hastily changed the subject.

How do you know each other? Lady Citrina.

He was a childhood friend.

Ha, ha, ha. Tha, thats so?

Estelle smiled awkwardly, avoiding her gaze.

Estelles attitude towards Desian was strained.

Though the Desian Pietro she knew was gentle enough.

Citrina decided to listen and learn little by little.

Then youve had a relationship since those days up till now

Yes. He has been a good person since then. Even now, he is sweet.

She crossed her arms. There was no reason to inflate the rumors or deny them.

Unlike the enthusiasm of their previous conversation, Estelle gulped.

Sweet? Are we talking about someone else you know?