The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind

Estelle slowly started to recall a previous party at the imperial palace that she had attended with Lady Hailey.

Wait, is Duke Pietro even a human being?

He chopped down the rebellious nobles. He literally diced them up and didnt even hide that fact.

Therefore, even the emperor was afraid of Duke Pietro.

I heard the duke cut the neck of a rogue with his magic sword in the imperial palace and it still smells like blood in the palace hall

It was said you could die if you made eye contact with Desian. It wasnt a lie.

Estelle had only once looked Duke Pietro in the eye. It was just a casual glance, and yet she was still filled with bone-chilling fear.

Estelles face turned bright red just thinking about but a few episodes related to Desian.

Lady Estelle?

Yeah?

Shall we go back to talking about Dwarf-nim?

Citrina treated Desians story as if it were light gossip. Estelle looked at her and nodded vacantly.

These days, social circles were full of talk that if you said Duke Pietros name you would die.

Behaving like this drifting off to another topic as if nothing had happened was exhausting.

Perhaps, are you hiding any great powers like Duke Pietro?

Just the thought of it made Estelle feel dizzy.

Thatyou learned jewelry-making from dwarf-nim, correct? Thats what I read in the letter you sent me.

Yes, thats right.

Im really curious.

Her voice certainly felt solemn.

Why was she so curious?

Somethingsmelled a little fishy.

Citrina looked at her expression closely.

Estelle awkwardly laughed and smiled.

Citrina opened her mouth.

If youre curious, Ill visit you on a seperate occasion soon.

Yes, please do! Tell me how you got to know Dwarf-nim.

It seemed that curiosity was overcoming dread.

That was Estelles state at present.

Her eyes began to sparkle like jewelry.

Meanwhile, Citrina bit her lip as she looked at Estelles sparkling eyes.

The first time she got to know about the dwarf was after she regained her memories. However she didnt need to say that.

Citrina opened her mouth.

Estelle gulped down a mouth full of saliva.

I heard about the ateliers reputation and went to visit. It was then that dwarf-nim accepted me as his disciple.

Becoming dwarf-nims disciple means you had to overcome a great ordeal, right? Its not just a matter of being a student

Well, he just accepted me as a disciple.

Citrina laughed softly.

But Estelles complexion grew more pale.

Citrina-nim, um, thank you for visiting my party.

No. Thank you for the invitation.

She had heard about Citrina from Lady Hailey, but it must have been stressful for Estelle to take Citrinas side and support her.

Then write me a seperate letter.

Yes, I will.

Citrina closed her eyes and smiled.

The process had changed, but either way, she had started on the path that Feinmann had created.

thats apparently what Citrina thought.

Early on the morning after meeting with Estelle, Citrina went to work at the jewelry atelier on Dartrin Street. It was extremely peaceful since dawn.

Even though it was daybreak, the atelier was lit up. Citrina Oslo Jewelry Atelier was the only store open on Jewelry Dartrin Street.

Adilac! You woke up early, didnt you?

Yes! How did Estelles party go yesterday? I was so curious that my eyes opened early! So I only ate a salad with bacon for breakfast. I think I have a stomachache because the bacon was undercooked. Ah, look at me.

So then, what happened?

Citrina nodded her head blankly as Adilac spoke a mile a minute.

Lady Estelle said shell check out our ateliers jewelry. Likely, well be able to start distribution soon.

Citrina smiled lightly.

Oh my god!

Its all thanks to Adilacs genius workmanship.

Not at all. Without Citrina recognizing me, I would have gone home in no time.

Adilac smiled brightly and clenched her fists. A pleasant tension seemed to linger throughout her whole body.

Then, then are we really going to succeed?

Yes, I believe so. Were going to be the most famous jewelry atelier in the empire, or even the continent.

Citrinas voice had a strange and trustworthy side. Adilac looked at Citrina with sparkling eyes and nodded.

Citrina seems like a person who definitely knows the future!

Citrina flinched.

That no way, Adilac.

Well, who knows the future. Ah! There was once of my ancestors who also knew the future Ah, wait a minute! Ill tell you the story after I cut some more gems for Lady Estelle, Citrina

Yes. Take your time.

Contrary to Citrinas words, Adilac hurriedly moved her hands across the gemstones surface. A small grouping of light moved across the gemstone.

In this world, magic could be used to craft jewelry.

Citrinas mouth gaped open slightly in admiration. Something distracted her from her appreciation.

You definitely cant know the future, but you do have a different energy from most humans.

A different energy?

-Right, its not completely differentits kind of subtle. I cant explain it in words.

Its not like a soothsayer

Its not as if she didnt have a guess. It may be because she was a person who knew the story of this world, and was therefore free of the constraints of the world.

Citrina whispered quietly to herself.

-Gemma, you need to work, right?

-Im excited! I have something to do too!

-Give me a little luck. This is a lucky saphire necklace.

-Good! Thats easy for this hidden card.

Gemma soon forgot about Citrinas strange conditions. Gemma fluttered around the area.

Citrina, who had forged a small market through Estelle, sat back in her chair looking relieved.

She now had to work on future designs. This was because she had a clear plan.

For example, the empires one and only princess would be returning from academy soon, and she wanted to catch Ianas eye with jewelry.

All I know about Iana is that she likes romance novels.

How could she come into Ianas view?

For now, Citrina had many plans. Starting from now, she was going to test them one-by-one.