Chapter 9

Citrina could not understand. Desian's childhood was not fully explained in the book, but she knows that he lived his life hidden with the machination of the duke and the mage, Tuloji, in perfect coordination.

He had always lived his life like a prison, what is he doing wandering outside? Him being here is quite unexpected.

Desian greeted as he slowly got closer, "Citrina."

"What are you doing in the garden?..." She looked up, her voice gradually dimming.

While she sat on a chair and him standing up, there was a clear difference between them.

"Because I was curious."

Desian's eyes were on her. Receiving such a straight gaze, she couldn't help biting her lips.

She has done nothing but why does it seem like this is straying from the original. Is this a good thing or not?

The strange words of the novel's villain made her have goosebumps.

'I should ask what he was wondering about. Would asking such a question produce good results?'

She didn't know what would happen; she could only count her chances and bet.

"What are you curious about?" After Citrina opened her lips to ask a question, Desian's gaze slowly moved towards it.

Having his eyes on her lips made her nervous. She moisturized/wet her lips with her tongue.

His face was apathetic and cold, she wasn't really expecting an answer. Everything was still too early to expect much, but she couldn't move her gaze.

"I wonder why it's not dark, Citrina."

"That's the kind of answer I most want to hear."

The answer was better than she expected. This was a curious child who was always locked away. A perfect bait to develop/strengthen their relationship.

She doesn't know what this development would lead to, but it's important to open his heart to a brighter and better world. Citrina wanted the light to seep into his life, so his life wouldn't blacken. (t/n: Preventing him from turning evil a.k.a. blackening.)

"Desian, there are many beautiful things in the world, and I'll make you see them."

This was a sign of hope. She wanted to succeed without dying.

Facing her gaze, he replied, "Alright, Citrina."

She stopped for a moment. When he answered, she saw a strange expression that swept over his face.

Will it be alright?

She asked a lot of questions to control the unbridled thoughts in her mind, but not once did he answer. It was because he wanted her to live in order to give her own answers to her own questions.

"We'll meet often in the future."

"Future, is it?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Good job."

'How often will we meet? With the way you sneak out of the basement like this?' It's unknown which direction Desian's curiosity will go.

While she was inwardly rolling her eyes, Desian was looking at her. It was his first time hearing the words 'good job'.

He said, "You too, Citrina, good job."

"Yes." Citrina positively replied, a dimple forming at the side of her mouth.

His sight that was looking at her slowly slid down, as if not knowing what to answer.

Citrina, who was looking at him, looked around. The sun was setting and the weather was getting colder. She could see that the garden was made so that everything going on inside could be seen from the outside, and she could see two people standing on the corridor.

"Desian."

"Yes."

She reflexively stood up and grabbed Desian's arm, then hid their bodies behind the tree. But it would only be a matter of time before they get caught.

"There's a man over there." She exhaled and whispered in a small voice.

It's not just any person; it's a man with a wrinkly face and pointed ears. It's probably the mage, Tuloji, and an old man beside him who appeared to be a manservant.

There were two people having a conversation in an empty hallway.

She felt uncomfortable. She doesn't think Desian noticed there were people nearby.

'Strange'

She slowly loosened her hold on him and looked at him. She waited for him to speak.

"Citrina." Desian laughed.

"I'll go and read a book, I'll be back."

"... a book?"

"Yes," he replied and greeted goodbye as if he was going to do his daily routine. He turned to the door and Citrina watched his retreating back.

Something was changing. Something she doesn't know.

***

Desian went to the basement before Tuloji could. The one who taught him how to hide and become a shadow.

Tuloji visited him after a long time. This was the first time after the event of the meteor shower. There was a strange smile on his face whenever he met with Desian, but he never seemed to look as happy as this.

When he saw his happy face, there was an unexpected irksome feeling flowing through him. It was a different sensation when meeting with Citrina.

"Desian, it's been a long time."

"..."

He didn't answer. Sometimes, when Tuloji was in a good mood he would forcefully teach Desian something. This something would be presumed as witchcraft or black magic.

On the other hand, when he was in a different mood, he would look at Desian and mutter something in a small voice or force him to swallow an unknown pill.

At that time, Desian would experience intense pain in his lungs, like someone digging in it. He would feel strange and absent-minded or sometimes, a huge amount of mana would flow.

And what kind of look would Tuloji look at him?

Bliss.

Yes, it was that of joy. Recalling that kind of face from him, Desian's face was stony and cold.

"You don't answer. Oh, dear."

The mage was not the duke's slave, however, he was the one that made the bracelet on Desian's wrist, a bracelet with magic that deters Desian's ability.

"All right. Let's check the bracelet since it's been a long time."

He was devoted to his job in dismantling Desian's restrained mana. Unlike Aron, who has a smaller amount of mana and was stable, his twin has almost a limitless amount of mana. It was one of the reasons why the duke was afraid of his second son and locked him up.

"But... it's a little strange."

The eyes of the mage were trying to discern the restrainer on Desian's arm. His eyes narrowed and were getting more and more unpleasant.

The manservant asked back in a hurry when he saw the impatient look on the mage's face.

"What's wrong? Can we make a new restrainer?"

"No. No... There is no longer a need for a mana restrainer."

Tuloji's actions became strange. An insidious gleam was in his eyes, clearly displeased. His eyes were glaring.

"Then, will it not go out of control?"

Unlike the mage, the manservant's face was filled with surprise. This is an unexpected occurrence.

"It will just take a while."

Desian just watched them talk about him. Even though they were in the same space, Desian was still perfectly fine, his face expressing endless boredom.

Looking at his figure, Tuloji recalled the past. He felt that Desian Pietro was a golden goose sent down from heaven. His infinite amount of mana was keeping him alive, that's why he abandoned all his misgivings in life. Perhaps, one day, Desian will become his most fascinating murder-machine.

It will be the last. With only this test-subject he found!

'All emotions were removed; it will be my most perfect killer. The most amazing creation I have ever made.'

How many years has he been teaching this test-subject black magic and cultivated Desian into his own murder weapon while avoiding the duke's eyes?

At last, the tip of his goal was visible.

Tuloji's eyes were shining.

"Hah. Why was this kind of catastrophe born in the house of Pietro."

Tuloji's husky voice resounded.

The manservant's trust on the mage was so great he believed his words, 'the twin brothers are cursed.'

"Did you say catastrophe?"

"Will there be a problem..."

"Desian was the best creation I have ever created. This is the best revolution."

Tuloji was spitting spit with his veins popping out, his passionate voice ringing inside the basement.

He made a long speech about the mana, its magic flow, and the restraint on his wrist.

"Hoho. It will soon be the perfect murder-weapon with no emotions."

For Desian, the last sentence from Tuloji was just passing through his ears. Tuloji wasn't a god.

"Ah? Was it not for carrying the command of the duke? What are you talking about...."

The manservant was stupefied. This was not the result he was hoping for.

Desian was listening to the conversation, thought briefly. A perfect killer. Why on earth would he give him such duty?

All of this was making him bored. A thought passed through his mind. It was mild. He met her earlier and felt a moment of comfort.

What was that?

It was something that made him curious. Then he decided to go back to her. He told her he'll just read a book.

So he has to go back.

______________________________________