CH 3

Citrina’s pupils trembled slightly.

****

Leaving the baroness behind, Citrina boarded the Duke of Pietro’s carriage.

****

The historic duke’s mansion was elegant and colorful. Crossing through the path and walking along an arched bridge made of marble led to the annex building where the duke’s twin sons lived.

“Citrina-nim is the companion of the two young masters, so you will live in the annex where they reside.”

It was common in this era for low ranked nobles to act as companions to higher ranked nobles. Naturally, the annex would have at least one room for a companion to live.

The butler Harold walked a few feet ahead and explained certain restrictions.

‘I already know all of the contract’s contents, and the main point is to not draw the duke’s attention.’

Citrina walked along as she listened to him carefully.

The path to the annex common room was bright and spacious. Five people could walk side by side along it easily.

‘If the annex is this luxurious, what is the main building where the duke lives like?’

Citrina looked around as she leisurely walked along the marble path.

‘There is a huge difference from Baron Foluin’s residence, like mud compared to marble.’

Citrina was lost in admiration as she passed through a hallway filled with portraits of the duke’s ancestors, beautiful ceramics, and colorful artifacts.

She was brought back to reality as the butler coughed. She stopped walking and looked up at him.

“Hmm, hmm. As you already know, Citrina-nim’s only role is to act perfectly as the two young masters’ companion”

He stopped in front of a white door decorated with gold bands.

“Yes, I know. I memorized all of the contents of the contract.”

“…Ah, yes. This is where Citrina-nim will stay.”

The butler’s eyes widened in surprise before recovering. Passing through a small, ornate door, the butler said briefly.

“I’ll return the luggage you brought after the maid completes an inspection.”

“Yes. When can I meet the young masters?”

The butler took a few steps without answering and then stopped at a fancy door.

“Is it alright to meet them now?”

“Yes, that’s alright.”

“Then let me introduce Young Lord Aaron. As you know, he is one of the twins of the ducal house.”

As she was about to meet the male lead, Aaron Pietro, Citrina reviewed the contents of the novel quickly.

The duke was strangely more obsessed with Desian. She remembered that the duke hit and whipped him.

Probably, Citrina would only have a chance to meet Desian when the duke was out of estate for a while.

After finishing that short thought, Citrina responded.

“… I understand.”

“Then let’s go in.”

The butler opened the door halfway at her answer.

“As I have stated and as was written in the contract, you are not to speak about the duke’s actions. You understand that, right?”

“Yes. I already went through the contract thoroughly.”

Citrina nodded indifferently.

The butler’s words implied, ‘don’t pay attention to how the duke mistreats his twin sons’.

‘I can’t stop the duke’s actions. I am in no position to save anyone besides myself.’

Even if the abused boy was right in front of her, there was nothing she could do to save him. They would wind up dying together if she tried to intervene.

She could not risk her life to help others.

‘Let’s just get along together so that I can live my life after this.’

Citrina shook off her uncomfortable thoughts that clouded her mind.

“Then I hope you two have a nice time.”

As the butler finished speaking, the door opened completely.

Citrina Foluin slowly walked inside.

She was about to meet the male lead, Aaron Pietro.

After Citrina walked fully into the room, Harold shut the door behind her.

-Thud-

Now only the young Aaron and her were alone in the room.

It was time to start to win his favor.