Chapter 8

"Citrina, are you okay?"

Citrina turned her head towards Aron when she heard his voice. He briefly pats her hands. It was a gesture of comfort without any other intent.

"Yes."

The former owner of this body remembers the memories and emotions, and from her fingertips, warmth gradually spread.

"I just thought about something..."

"Hm?"

"You told me that you'll give me a ruby, in return, I know what I will give to you."

There was a slight pause.

"What is it?"

Citrina glanced at Aron, who gained a little bit of determination, and spoke vigorously, "I... can be Citrina's family instead."

There was a little bit of hesitation in his voice.

She looked into his eyes filled with innocence and was pure. He may just have made that promise because he's young, but whatever it is, it's a dangerous promise for the future.

'I don't want to put too much hope on Aron, who is all alone.'

There might be a little meaning to his pledge, since he was always alone.

But Citrina needs to think rationally. It's not a good thing to have a special meaning between them because of a spur of the moment.

'What to do?'

She bit her lip. Aron will become the perfect protagonist of this world and will have a happy ending... with Elena.

They'll be happy, so I think I can refuse.

"Uh, if not... Even if you don't want to, I'll wait. Until you're okay with it, I can be the only one who thinks so."

"..."

Watching the boy's eyes, she briefly recalled the past when she gave everything for Elena.

'I want to wear that dress, can I wear it?'

Elena wanted the dress that was gifted to her on her birthday when they could still afford it. When she didn't answer, her mother reprimanded her for being greedy.

'I want to go to the academy... Can I go?'

Elena was more straightforward than Citrina and wanted to experience the bustling world, so their mother gave everything to Elena first.

Remembering the times when Elena got everything first, she bit her lips again.

Even though she's already sixteen years old, she still hasn't debuted to society.

Let's take Elena's first this one time. She has given her sister everything so far, so it'll be fine.

Citrina thought it was a bit bad. The three of them that have no support in this world, a little bit of warmth should be fine, right.

"I... can be your family. I won't be here for a short time though." She replied half-impulsively. As soon as Aron heard her reply, he smiled brightly.

She might not know what to think, but she has a second family now. This moment will probably never be forgotten.

***

The moment she changed Aron's fate, Desian returned to his place after meeting with Cetrina.

The hot midday summer and Cetrina's serene attitude confused him a bit.

"Go in, young master Desian."

The butler opened the door to the basement room with a dry voice.

"For the time being, you will be staying here as per the duke's order."

The meeting between Citrina and Desian ended briefly, that was the duke's intent. He didn't want the public to know that he abuses his son.

Desian has followed the duke's orders so far.

Slowly. Quietly.

'... It's dark.'

He recognized the fact that he once again returned to a helpless and gloomy place from a brightly lit world. It was a feeling he's never felt before. Everything was new.

"Take those books. These are the things that sir Tuloji has given you."

The butler placed a variety of books on the only table in the basement that Tuloji had handed to him.

It seemed like an ancient book, the cover was old. There is also a red band.

Desian just looked at the cover with an expressionless face.

"The duke has commanded young master to master these before sir Tuloji comes back. Please, check."

The butler placed the books down after speaking. His expression held disdain and other kinds of emotions.

When he looked at his face, Desian had a sudden thought, 'Annoying.'

It was a natural expression from him, however this time, it felt different.

The butler has turned away even before Desian can perceive the emotion that he was thinking in his mind. It was the kind of face that doesn't want to move his feet with this person anymore.

*Tuk*

The door closed.

Desian's surroundings became dark for only a candle was lit and only when the wind blows would the light be extinguished.

'I am already used to it.'

He has never felt the connection in this place even though it was all for him. He's in a state where he felt no emotions, only an endless feeling of boredom.

However , he once again recalled the beautiful garden on that summer day.

"Strange."

He slowly looked at the book Tuloji checked one by one.

How to easily kill people, mind manipulation, how to blow them up, cutting, twisting the neck... also, how to acquire a sword and give it a soul.

He read all the books with no change of expression. Tuloji wanted him to read all of this. It wasn't difficult to memorize its contents, just read the books and repeat it in your head.

Everything was so easy that he was starting to get bored again.

'Do I need to meet all of Tuloji's needs?'

Desian remembered the strange green eyes that were indifferent to everything. Those shining bright eyes.

Pretty... it was glowing. Like a star.

That's what he first thought when he recalled that time.

*Jiing*

He felt a ringing in his arm.

He looked at the bangle on his wrist. In recent years, it has become more disturbing.

Desian thought about Tuloji, he was the one who taught him everything, to maintain a certain distance from the people except for the mages of Onum.

But Citrina didn't tell him why she had such a look on her face and tone on her voice. He was curious for the first time.

He slowly put down the book on his hands. There were whispers echoing inside his head on how to control the law and power to easily kill people, however, he could not get rid of the curiosity he's feeling for the first time.

'Just for once, let's go out.'

The door on the basement was not locked, it was simply just closed.

Desian's gaze moved slowly.

With all desires in him nullified, there was somewhere in his heart that wanted to open that door.

What's outside that door?

He lives in an empty world, it's the first time he's ever wondered of something.

He was confident that he'll be able to hide his body, but he has never tried this before.

***

Citrina was wondering what 'family' meant to Aron?

A little while ago, she decided to leave the library.

It was awkward to leave Aron alone, but she still descended on the circular staircase.

The outer residence was as quiet as a cemetery. Did the duke leave? Strangely, there were very few people seen.

She came out of the library with a book in hand.

To get more information about the gems spirits whom she wanted to meet.

After exiting the left side of the annex, she could see the garden. Citrina walked slowly, sitting on a small chair under a tree, feeling cool as the leaves mostly gave shade from the sun.

Leaning on the chair, she opened the book she took from the library.

"The spirit of gems, Jemma."

She easily found the page she wanted to read. This was the era where their race hid. The book only has a rough explanation.

-----

Having a contract with special spirits, such as gem spirits, are made by equivalent exchange.

----

'It's clear that I would be a contractor if Jemma gave me what I wanted.'

Citrina pondered, she can use jewellery as a bait to make a contract. After getting Jemma, she can do a jewellery business. Everything is clear.

She let out a small smile and closed her eyes.

It felt good under the tree garden, where the sunlight and shade were in harmony. She put the book on her lap and let out a small sigh.

The wind swept up, bringing along the heat from the ground. Citrina looked up and saw him. It was Desian.

He was looking at the sun. Black hair, dark eyes, and black clothing. In this beautiful garden, he was like the only person whose soul is free.

He might have noticed Citrini's gaze for he slowly turned to her. They looked at each other at a distance, seemingly close but not.

A staring contest.

"Desian?" Citrina's clear voice ended their staring competition. A beautiful vivid voice rang out which awakened him who was lost in thought.

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