Chapter 35

Aron struggled to smile.

Desian’s slender finger was tapping on the table at a constant speed, stopping Aron’s words.

“It would be great if Citrina would see us as good people. Brother and I.”

“Right.”

“Yes! Citrina is a good person, so if she sees only good things, she’ll be a lot more attacked.”

Aron, who said the word “good person,” looked down. He saw an unremarkable Peridot on his brother’s desk. Aron laughed and shook his head when he saw it.

Gems.

Maybe he went to the shop where Citrina is and bought it. He must have bought it while hiding his identity.

Why hide his identity?

He could understand somehow. Because Citrina said she wanted to leave, his brother never does what Citrina hates. However, Desian seemed to have no intention of leaving her alone.

His last name would always be seen in all of Citrina’s interaction, but she was blind of everything. So it would be no wonder if Citrina comes to love Desian. Citrina sometimes looked lonely and it’s as if she was in need of love.

“It’s not your job to interfere.”

Desian’s answer was cynical. At his brother’s reply, Aron eye’s twinkled eagain. His mouth let out some unexpected words.

“My brother is too cold.”

“…”

He wouldn’t have bothered answering another word, but since it’s an affair that involves her, Desian couldn’t help raising his eyes.

Desian listened and thought. Over the past time, he has tried. Citrina had him on a leash that strangled him without pain.

“How does one become a kind man? Do tell.”

It was a more appealing proposal than he thought. Desian made eye contact with Aron.

Aron’s eyes were shining with excitement. He seemed to be really enjoying it.

“Hahaha.”

Despite the obvious request, his attitude was arrogant.

Aron couldn’t help thinking, his brother was a natural born ruler, so can he really hide his true nature?

Well…

Perhaps, about half?

After a brief lunch, Desian and Aron immediately went to the common room. As three chairs were still there just like before.

“Bother, first of all, the problem regarding the rumors about you had spread across the continent.”

There were times when rumors were spread in a malicious way. Although in fact, most of the rumours about the young Lord of Pietro were true.

Aron laughed a little. The various things that the Duke Pietro did in order to turn the game over and eliminate the dangers that would harm Citrina.

That did quite a bit in raising Desian’s notoriety.

“Just have to shut their mouths.”

Desian answered simply. To cover the mouth meant death.

Aron smiled and asked.

“My brother’s notoriety is known to many people. So, are you going to kill everyone on the continent?”

“…”

“Now, Citrina is in the dwarf’s Atelier so she’s ignorant of the rumours, but when she comes back to the empire, she’ll know about all the rumors.”

“So what should I do?”

Complex thoughts regarding the situation passed through Desian’s head.

He couldn’t let her go, but during the few times he saw her, she looked happy.

“First, we have to get rid of the rumors, And then change your behavior.”

“Behavior?”

“When we were together, brother’s behavior towards Citrina was great. However, there are still areas that are lacking.”

Aron’s eyes shone. He seemed to be enjoying the situation.

Desian raised his eyebrows. He doesn’t like it. However, he couldn’t stay away from it because Citrina was involved in it.

“Brother, listen carefully. What if Citrina asks what happened to Duke Pietro?”

“Dead.”

Aron’s face turned red. Desian thought for a moment. Citrina hated murder, she said it was terrible.

“Ah, He’s dead.”

Desian corrects his words. Nevertheless, it did not relieve Aron’s frown. He shook his head.

“Brother, a kind man doesn’t say that. First of all, Citrina said murder is a bad thing. She’ll get suspicious that you killed him, even if it is a mistake.”

Desian straightforwardly asked Aron, “Then what should I do?”

“He died not long after he was sick. You should look a little sad when you talk about it.”

Aron demonstrated as his eyes closed half-way. He looked perfectly sad.

Desian’s gaze was on Aron. Can he really do that?

Suddenly, a feeling of skepticism arose.

“Do I… need to do that?”

“Yes.”

“Even if I’m not sad at all?”

“Yes. People usually get sad when their father dies.”

Aron continued with a grin.

“Do not worry. The academy’s vacation is long, and there’s a lot of time before Citrina comes back. In the meantime, you just need to restore your reputation. The Duke of Pietro’s reputation will also increase!”

Aron’s last line was the key. If something bad was said about the Duke of Pietro, it would not be good for him either.

And Aron likes his brother.

“Not bad.”

“Okay. Donate, do good deeds, and start slowly.”

Desian did not care much about the treasuries, but he now knew that he needed some carrots for a strong position.

“Let’s get started.”

Aron laughed.

He did not trust this younger brother of his, but his brother would always reach out to him. This feeling isn’t intense, but it’s strangely subtle.

It’s like the familial love that Aron always says from his mouth.

“How?”

Desian replied, staring at him, “Let’s proceed first with the donation.”

“Are you going to donate?”

“We will also carry out a road-building project.”

A plan was laid out in Desian’s mind.

“Wow… Brother, did you originally think of this plan?”

“No.”

Aron admired Desian’s simple answer.

Desian looked down again on the papers. In order to proceed with a new proposal, the existing project had to be completed.

“Yes. Donate… change your personality a little, and then you’ll be perfect.”

Aron, who was looking at him, smiled and said, “Pretend to be kind, pretend to be an ordinary person.”

Desian’s face hardened.

Aron smiled brightly. It seems that this is the only way he can beat this perfect brother.

“Because everyone is afraid of you.”

“You’re scared?”

He didn’t care about the rumours of him. So he was able to conquer the tower, and the stigma constantly grew. But there’s only one reason that bothers him.

“When you smile at Citrina, you look nice/kind.”

“…don’t you just have to do that to her?”

“To other people, too. You need to loosen your face a little.”

“Why?”

“So that Citrina can misunderstand brother as a ‘kind person’.” (p/r: HAHAHAHA, it’s funny how they really are trying to make her “misunderstand”. kkk)

Desian lowered his eyes. It seems to make sense.

Aron raised his head like a teacher.

“Well… Maybe you should smile with your eyes?”

“With my eyes?”

“Yes. With your eyes.”

Aron smiled as bright as the sun. Desian raised the corner of his mouth as he looked at Aron’s face.

“It’s difficult.”

Aron laughed at his complaint of being difficult until he couldn’t breathe anymore. He can’t believe that his brother was only able to raise a corner.

‘But it would be nice if Citrina could like him with just this.’

Then they will be a perfect family. If Citirna didn’t like it, it couldn’t be helped…

Aron decided to go through the process of making his brother a person worthy of Citrina’s ideal type.

“And, how about sponsoring?”

“Sponsor?”

“Yes. So that some good rumors about my brother can circulate.”

“I can, but.”

Aron looked at him.

“I have something to do before that.”

“Which is?”

Instead of answering Aron’s cautious question, Desian laughed quietly. He knows what Citrina wants and what her dreams are.

So he’s thinking of participating.

In a way that he can hold Citrina in his arms, so that she can come back intact.

“I’m thinking of buying all the mines.” (tn rambling: “Butler, bring me my boots. I’ll go pick some rocks.”)

“… Seriously?”

Aron froze with a frightened face. Desian left the frightened Aron alone, picked up a fountain pen and signed the contract. He spoke in a gentle manner.

“I have already bought all the land on the map famous for their gems.”

So that no one can look at it.

He must be talking about the land, but Aron had goosebumps.

… Citrina would have no idea about this. With a beautiful paddle, his brother was waiting for her.

Aron prayed briefly for Citrina.

Desian’s actions are truly beyond imagination.

***

Naturally, Citrina who is unaware of Desian’s plans, was once again sullen.

Finally, four years had passed since she stayed in Ronata Atelier.

She turned 20 and became an adult.

And the news of the discovery of a large number of gemstone mines in the empire came as soon as she became an adult.

Combined with this and other reasons, Citrina decided to return to Patrosia Empire.

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