Chapter 23

It might not have felt that way to Citrina at all, but the Baroness didn’t want Citrina.

However, she just felt sorry for the money that went to Elena.

Her second daughter, Elena, was a dragon from Gaecheon, and Citrina was a child with little hands.

“If Elena is well, we’ll be well, so we have to put up with it a little bit more, she’s… ”

It was the Baroness who spoke out while reading the letter.

The baron put down the champagne he had been drinking, “Should not break the support.”

“Madam, did Citrina send the money? It’s been a while since she went to the duke’s house.” asked the Baron with his red nose since he usually drinks hard. As his forehead laid on the table.

“You’re not even sober.”

*Pong.*

She heard the sound of his head falling down. The baroness replied with an air of aloofness, “Not yet. We used up all the money Citrina left behind, we’ve also used up all the money to sell the manor. So, get your act together. Maybe we should really sell the title.”

It was a time when low aristocratic titles were sold in secret. Wanting to prevent their situation from becoming desperate, squeezed her husband’s body.

“Our, our Elena, our Rina? I haven’t heard from the Academy, but…”

Elena’s nickname, when he called his daughter’s nickname, Rina, his voice was a lot gentler.

Elena Foluin, his smart daughter. She was the only salvation for Baron Foluin, a gambling addict.

“Rina must be busy.”

The Baroness smiled brightly. She was always smiling when she thought of her beloved daughter, Elena.

“If our Rina succeeds, we will also. And all those who ignore me…”

The baron mumbled, as he studied the cards in his hand with bloodshot eyes.

Looking at her husband, the baroness sighed. It was because she felt like she was constantly falling from a bottomless pit.

“I’ll go see Citrina first.” She got up from her seat.

“Take care, Madam.”

The baroness nodded her head as she was cleaning up the brooch on one side of the dress.

For that reason, the Baroness, that is Citrina’s mother, went to the Duke’s manor.

Unfortunately for the Baroness, it wasn’t Citrina who first greeted her.

Upon arriving, the Baroness was met with an unexpected ambush. She certainly thought that if she revealed her identity, she could easily enter inside.

“Please identify yourself.”

But she was mistaken. The first person that greeted the Baroness was, unfortunately, the butler, Heled.

“I’m the mistress of the House of Baron Foluin. I’ve come for my daughter Citrina Foluin.”

“I’m sorry, but the young lady is not here at the moment.” Heled politely bowed his head and replied.

The Baroness, who was met with ambush, turned her head in embarrassment.

“What do you mean not here?”

“She went out for a while.”

“It’s important. I’ll wait until she gets back.”

Heled smiled awkwardly. No matter how ruined the House of Baron Foluin is, it was difficult to send them back without any justifiable reason.

He decided to bring the Baroness to the waiting room and return after a reasonable time.

‘It seemed like Lady Citrina wants to cut off all connections with her family.’

Heled concluded as he looked at the Baroness with a cold gaze.

“Then, please come with me.”

He began escorting the Baroness.

‘I have to send her to the waiting room and ask Lady Citrina of her intention.’

Heled was quite a loyal butler.

***

The day the Baroness came to the Duke’s residence, Citrina was with Desian.

Desian had been quite busy these days. Still, he’s been visiting her frequently for the past few peaceful days.

In fact, they didn’t do anything special together. Citrina was hoping to try out the ‘Rehabilitation Project’ one by one, and Desian kept on giving her something.

“Citrina.”

It was the same today. Knocking on her door, Desian stepped in.

“Huh?”

As she opened the door, she tried to deal with it indifferently.

Desian used to give her various gifts recently. She thought it was a clear sign of Desian’s favor, but…

“Desian, thank you again for today.”

She assumed there would be an expensive and beautiful gift again today, so Citrina thanked the sender first..

“Today as well?”

Desian’s expression became gentler.

Citrina laughed at the thought of expensive mana stones and dresses in her wardrobe. There were even dancing shoes.

‘Did you think I would like that?’

“I feel like you have a gift for me today.”

… I do.”

Desian looked serious. She thought it was cute and couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

‘It feels like I’d live to see a long life seeing the villain being cute like this.’

Why does it feel like he’s the first friend she’s met so far? As if a bird that hatched its shell, always following her. Perhaps the rehabilitation project was creeping into Desian’s system.

“Here is a flower.”

Desian handed roses that were still wet. It’s like they were freshly picked from the garden.

“Roses?”

Come to think of it, Aron was the one who asked her if she liked flowers. Unexpectedly, Desian gave them to her instead of Aron.

“I thought you might like it.”

“Thank you. Come in.”

That’s right, Desian was left standing at the door for too long.

Entering the room with Desian, she first put the roses in a vase that was on the table.

The roses were in full bloom.

Sitting with Desian face to face between a table, it became a natural course in these last few days. The book they were reading yesterday was still on the table.

She opened it and smiled happily as she watched Desian reading the book.

“It’s not something extraordinary, but it’s good.”

“…If you like it.”

She didn’t realize that they were getting closer and closer with each other. It’s just that she was proud of the fact that Desian is now looking like a gentle sheep.

‘I think reading a book is the fastest way to learn.’

When Desian first visited her, Citrina was worried. Meditation, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, kendo (?), etc. She thought of ways that could be best for a person’s physical mental health.

They’ve already tried tea ceremony and meditation but…

‘The tea ceremony was boring, and closing the eyes to meditate failed.’

The way he looked at Citrina, who offered to meditate, and while closing the eyes his gaze came to mind.

A rather obsessed gaze.

It was then.

Desian covered the book and suddenly asked an open question.

“I’m curious about something, Citrina.”

“What is it that you’re curious about?”

Desian glanced at the book. It was a book called . It was a book she picked because the title was very striking to Citrina’s wants.

“It’s in the book you gave me. People give nicknames or whatever to their close friends.”

Desian stared at her with his head slanted.

Citrina felt uncertain inside. He surely remembered the contents of the book.

“Oh, one do give nicknames to people they’re close to. It usually depends on one’s interest and affection.”

Citrina, who finished talking while looking at the Desian, was absorbed in arranging the flowers again.

Desian turned his head and spoke.

“I need it, too.”

“Huh?”

“The evidence of your affection.”

Citrina let the matter pass indifferently. And instead, she decided to give him a nickname.

“Uh, is that so? Since your name is Desian then…”

Citrina touched the rose petals in the vase with her fingertips. It felt as if Desian’s gaze was pouring in from the side.

She was contemplating. Yes, which one is best.

“Let’s say, Del.”

“Del?”

“Yes, Del. What do you think?”

Desian subtly smiled and bursted out in laughter. It was somewhat surprising.

“Then for you…”

Desian leaned forward. Citrina was bowing her head to look at the flowers, and felt his breath come close. A low and husky voice resonates little by little.

“Rina?”

She can feel his face so close. She noticed his gaze getting closer. She was feeling shy.

“That, how…”

‘How did you know my nickname?’

Citrina’s nickname was obviously Rina. But now, it’s just a dead word. No one called her that anymore.

‘It was a nickname that disappeared after Elena asked me to call her Rina.’

After Elena called herself Rina, she wasn’t Rina, but Citrina. No one ever called her with her nickname.

“Can I call you that?”

Desian whispered seriously. Receiving his attention, Citrina briefly pondered.

However, the time to worry was not long.

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