Chapter 1

The Lection Pavilion is where they hold the royal summer ball.

It is the most beautiful flower pavilion in the empire where only the most beautiful flowers are gathered and displayed. Even magic was casted so the flowers don't wilt.

Thus, the ball became more popular than ever and became a venue where all the nobles could interact. The lower-ranking nobles are not even allowed to enter the Lection Pavilion.

Citrina Foluin stepped inside the garden with a lot of questions in her mind, 'Why did the emperor invite me to the ball held in the Lection Pavilion personally? I had to use one of the best dresses I have.'

No matter how she thinks about it, the emperor's action doesn't make sense, but she just couldn't decline the invitation from the palace.

'My jewelry shop couldn't be the talk of the town yet since it's still being established.'

'The business is expected to open as soon as possible, but that's not enough reason for the emperor to invite me. This means that there are other reasons behind it.'

Although the emperor was just a puppet of Duke of Pietro, he was still the emperor. Citrina thought deeply of the situation.

"Let's just go and eat lots of delicious food," Citrina muttered as she gently lifted her silk dress that perfectly accentuated her figure. She tried her best to not be bothered by the dazzling embroidery around the seams of her waistline going to her shoulders.

She was standing in front of the food table located in the middle of the venue. Her appetite returned when she saw the deserts in front of her. She ate with her fingers and felt soothed while the sweetness spread in her mouth.

She heard voices in the background, one of which asked, "Who is that lady?"

It's my first time seeing her."

"I don't know anyone below the level of a marquis."

The lively conversation between two young ladies caught her attention. It seems like they're talking about her.

'Me too. I'm also curious as of why I was summoned,' Citrina thought. She decided to cool down her nerves with the cocktail the server offered. Not too strong, not too mild, and with a fruity scent.

"Thank you very much."

"You're welcome, beautiful young lady." The server smiled as he walked away.

The cocktail was surprisingly perfect for her taste. As she savors the sweet taste of her drink, she could hear the conversation behind her.

"Wait. Wait a minute."

"What?"

"Isn't that the dress the elf made where only one was produced?"

"Really?"

The conversation was getting harder to ignore as it grew louder.

This time, Citrina was feeling much better. She focused her attention on the knight in front of the entrance. With his trembling voice, he announced, "The Duke of the House Pietro. Duke Desian Pietro."

"Huh? Did I hear it wrong?"

"The Duke?" a young lady screamed. All the people stopped talking as their faces turned pale.

While the people were confused, Citrina was the only one who remained calm and wondered, 'Desian? That Desian Pietro?"

Citrina knew Desian Pietro since four years ago when they met. He was the final villain in this world where she reincarnated. It took much effort and frustration to save him from blackening.

When the handsome young man entered the garden, the atmosphere cooled as if a cold bucket of water was poured on them.

Citrina looked at Desian, who was still as handsome as ever. Long eyelashes and sharp cheekbones like a woman's, a perfectly delicate neck, and a pair of black eyes with the same shade as his hair. As she thought, he was a calamitous beauty that even made her slightly uncomfortable.

His hand, which usually holds a bloody sword, was holding red roses. Initially, whenever Desian appears, everything within a kilometer radius would turn cold.

Citrina, who was familiar with Desian, was oblivious of the surrounding atmosphere. When she came back to her senses, Desian was already close and his gaze were already on her. She looked at what's in his hand and slowly looked at him.

"Citrina." At this moment, there was a happy expression on the seemingly expressionless Duke.

There was a bright smile on his lips as he stood in front of Citrina, who returned his smile. He lowered his lips to her ears and gently whispered as if he's speaking to a child, "It's nice to see you back."

"My ear tickles, Del."

Was it because the distance was too close? Or was it because she called him by his nickname?

The smile on Desian's face grew darker, but Citrina was unaware of it. She gave him a slight push on his stiff broad shoulders, which was surprisingly easy to which she again laughed.

"How are you? I've missed you!"

Citrina lightly greeted. The expression on the Duke's face grew stiff as he grew tense, which was unusual of him, but she was still smiling which eased him up.

"I've also missed you."

He slowly offered the rose in his hands as if it was in slow motion, "A gift for your safe return."

Citrina thought that her childhood friend, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, became very friendly.

When Desian heard her laughter that was brighter than the sun, his heart beat faster.

Warm breeze glazed past them. It was a scene of a beautiful reunion.

All the high-ranking nobles thought this was an illusion. "Is this real?"

"I know, right?"

The Duke Desian Pietro was acting human.

They always treated him as if he was a different entity. He was nicknamed the Blood-crazed Duke, Death Reaper, Iron-hearted Duke, the only one who would survive in the mountains and return alive. He was always indifferent and would be the only one laughing when war ends.

Regardless of what they thought, the reunion between the two was sweet and overwhelming in this beautiful flower pavilion.

***

The time when Citrina became aware of her previous life was when she was 16 years old. She had shed blood and sweat to work for their declining Baron House. She worked as a noble's playmate and often listens to petty insults.

However, things just went worse. One time, thanks to a certain noble, she once overturned the Chinese New Year water, but she was okay with it since it was for the happiness of her family. But on that same day, she was mocked for a long time for being a shame to the nobles and was given a new job by the Countess, her previous employer.

It was a kind gesture.

But it was to be a playmate in the House of Duke Pietro.

"You will die if you become friends with them, but you need urgent money, right?"

"...Yes."

"You must return without instantly dying, okay?"

"Thank you, Countess."

The words the Countess said was a mild insult to a declining Baron house. Citrina smiled and took the insult with no reaction as she pledged to herself.

She went back to the Foluin mansion, not knowing that day would change her life 180 degrees.

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