Chapter 29

But!

Unfortunately, Adilak Antigone wasn’t a common name. An ominous premonition spread through her.

“It’s so nice to see you. Oh, I’m so glad someone is using the same room as me. I was so anxious. You see, it’s my first sailing…”

“Oh, I see.”

Citrina nodded as she scrutinized her appearance.

Yes, we can’t be sure yet, Citrina Foluin. If we wait a little longer…

“Oh, are you interested in jewelries? I want to be a jeweler, so I’m on my way to the Drip Empire’s Jewel atelier.”

‘Is there a fishbone in my throat?’

But it was said that he was really mysterious? Who is this person with too many mouths/where the hell did this yapper come from?

‘Yes, calm down, Citrina.’

Even if it was a humongous coincidence, somehow Citrina held onto hope. And she had no intention of letting go of this string of hope.

“… Are you on your way to the jewelry atelier? You must be interested in jewelry.”

Citrina put out the question in a friendly manner.

“Yeah. I’m going to a jewelry atelier.”

“I wanted to learn jewelry, too, but which atelier are you going to?”

“Oh, that’s great! great! I’m going to Ronata, the one who owns the largest jewel atelier in the Drip Empire. Would you like to go together?”

Let’s be clear. Citrina did not speak too much. As soon as she sticks with Adilak, a lot of words will come out.

‘Is there a chance I’ll miss the rolling pumpki- no, Adilak, pass by?’

Citrina smiled and affirmed, “Sure. Let’s go together.”

“Oh! I have a companion. I’m so excited. Shall we drink?”

‘Companion? So fast?’ Citrina laughed awkwardly.

“I would like a glass of soft Kyle.”

It was Adilak clapping at Citrina’s acceptance.

She thought. It seems like things are going strangely well, but what is this subtle feeling that one side of the thread had not been untangled?

After all, she just found out that Adilak was a woman, it was a big shock. Then why will she hide her gender in the future?

At that moment, the ship’s horn rang profoundly. The cruise finally started.

That night, on the deck of the ship.

Citrina tried to enjoy the scenery after a long time. Stars were floating in the night sky.

“Is that why you’re going to the Drip Empire? To improve your abilities?”

“Oh, yes. That is so.”

It’s Adilak Antigone to be precise, except for this one.

Citrina wanted to find out who Adilak was. She carefully asked, “Well, what’s your family relationship like?”

“I have parents and an older brother. Everyone sees me as a mess in the house. Haa…”

“So, is there anyone in your family interested in jewelry?”

At Citrina’s cautious question, Adilak shook her head.

“No. Except for me, everyone is only interested in commerce. So my family really hated that I was born a girl. Commerce is usually a man’s work. So I, too, was urged to dress as a man.”

Little by little, the clues begin to unfold. Citrina listened carefully.

“Yes, I was wondering why I had to change my gender, so I ran out of the house the night the meteor shower fell. Looking at the stars, I made a wish, I wanted to become a talented craftsman. I’m hoping it will come true.”

Citrina doesn’t know why Adilak gave up dressing up as a man. However, Citrina was amazed.

She realized again that there are many different types of families in the world. There is no such thing as a beautiful ideal home.

Adilak spoke again and again while Citrina still sentimentalized.

“Phew. I have a lot of worries. I’m not good with my hands, so I don’t know if he will accept me as a student when arriving at the atelier. I’m glad I’m not being chased, though. I also heard they’re cutting all the jewelries with magic, I wonder if I can do it.”

‘I can’t keep up with you because you talk too much.’

Somehow, Citrina was able to identify the main problem of her unableness to speak.

“In other words, it’s difficult because the future is uncertain, right?”

“Yes! That’s right! Few people understand what I’m saying at once. That’s amazing!”

As expected, people had no idea. Adilak, who will be a master craftsman in the future and able to command the world in the novel, is not at all confident.

“Why do you say you’re not dexterous? You’re going to be a genius.”

Citrina shrugged. She didn’t need to hear more stories of people who would be happy in the future anyway. However, Adilak looked just as funny as her words.

“Me? Hahahahaha! I’ve heard people saying I’m stupid and talkative, but I’ve never heard someone calling me a genius.”

Adilak couldn’t help crouching and laughing to the point of tears.

“Then just believe me. It’s good for your mental health to only believe in good words.”

Citrina said casually. Looking at her, Adilak wiped the tears from her eyes.

“Then I guess I don’t need to wish…”

People seem to be unaware of their infinite possibilities.

“It will be.”

Citrina had her eyes wide open.

“Thank you! Oh, can I tell you a story about how I became interested in jewelry?”

“Yes.”

Citrina looked at her seriously.

“Let’s start with the story of Baron Vag Antigone, the 29th-generation descendant of the Antigone family and my great-great-grandfather.”

Adilak clenched her fist in a tragic tone.

‘Oh, I made a mistake.’

… Citrina overlooked the fact that Adilak Antigone was extremely talkative.

“… So, ancestor Chaneho bought a vineyard, and it was a big hit, so he buried his jewelry and…”

“Oh, you found the buried jewel, right?”

“No! The jewels were kept buried for about a hundred years, so during that hundred years…”

After ten minutes of listening, Adilak’s voice sounded like a lullaby. As she listened to her, Citrina started dazing.

On the night when the gentle wind blew her hair, Citrina dozed off, using Adilak’s voice as a lullaby.

The ship heading for the Drip Empire was getting closer to Sinabro.

The ship was sailing leisurely through the sea.

***

Meanwhile, a week has passed since Citrina left. The Duke of Pietro was going through a period of quiet upheaval.

Rumors spread that the Duke of Pietro was hopeless. Desian, the center of the rumors, quietly and stealthily took over the property of the Duke Pietro.

The game and tide were changing. Everything originated from his original desire. To pull on her, his only underlying desire.

It’s weird.

The more he doesn’t see her, the more desolate and deeper his desires become.

“Sir, the family’s knights have sent word of thanks for today’s meeting.”

Desian nodded his head with an indifferent look. The knight flinched. In fact, it is rumored that the Duke of Pietro is dead.

‘With the knights already down, there’s nothing good going back in time.’

The duke’s knight formation was already destroyed. Knights who claimed to be the Duke’s dogs and questioned his death all died.

The rest, who lost their purpose, succumbed to him. It was an extremely short and natural procedure.

If you don’t want to die, you have no choice but to obey.

Looking at Desian, the knight bowed his head.

Desian looked at the knight’s bowed head. As the center of power tilted, it was funny to see them flocking to the heavy side like bees.

“That, and… I’ve learned about the ship you ordered.”

“Okay.”

“It seems that the cruise has almost reached the Drip Empire. I’ve sent a few escorts to protect.”

“Protect from out of sight.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

The knight left after. Desian did not fully trust the knights who succumbed to the superiority of power.

He held his chin in thought. As to how to protect her completely.

It was Aron who took over the place where the unnamed knight left.

He met Aron a week after Citrina left. Desian’s eyes, looking at his brother without much emotion, became strange.

In Aron’s hand was the sword presented by Citrina. He put his sword on the table.

“Brother.”

“…”

“Citrina’s room smelled good. It had always been. Do you remember?”

Desian had a blunt face.There was not even a single change in his expression.

“But I don’t smell anything anymore, brother.”

The story went round and round. Desian looked into his eyes.

“Tell me what you want to say.”

“I want to be a knight. I want to protect Citrina with the sword she gave me.”

“You don’t have to protect Citrina.”

Desian was his brother. It was amazing that he showed a friendly attitude only to Citrina.

Aron whispered with a small smile.

“Yes. But I still want to go to the Knights Academy.”

“Do whatever you want.”

Desian nodded without much interest. Aron laughed while looking at the sword in his hand. It was the sword Citrina gave.

Looking at the sword, Aron said, “I’m curious how far Citrina has gone to.”

“…”

Desian did not answer.

‘Rina, how far can your feet possibly go?’

I was told she was going to the Drip Empire.

There was no specific information.

What’s certain is that she will live a new life there with new people, where there’s no him.

The desire in his stomach twisted again.

Should I have locked her up then?

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