10. Somehow, the Surroundings Seem Strange
The next morning.
Avrilās food preferences were slightly on the odd side.
As a matter of fact, her definition of ādeliciousā didnāt differ that much from other people. At the same time, she also preferred slightly hardened bread, soggy pasta, and soup that had cooled to the point that the tiny bits of fat could be seen.
So far, in her life, Avril hadnāt been able to attend family meals. After everyone had finished their meals, Avril would sit alone in the dining room to eat.
Ever since she started being treated like a servant, sheād eat with Carol and the others. But for some reason, just before her meals, sheād always be asked to run errands. Thus, she didnāt have any opportunities to eat freshly cooked food.
Avril considered the normal breakfast laid before her to be a feast.
āDried and hardened bread, chilled corn soup… Oh, thereās something in the omelet!ā
At the Count Allinghamās house, under the instruction of Corinna, Avrilās omelet was served last. The head chef always saved eggs for Avril, but despite that, if there was even a little something extra it in, sheād consider it a feast.
To be able to have such a luxurious meal in this wonderful palace… Thank you, Duke!
Avril, entwining her fingers in front of her chest, decided to call her temporary residence a āpalace.ā She closed her eyes, thanked Dylan, and subsequently reached for her food.
āItās great! The hardness of the bread is just perfect!ā
The maid in charge of serving Avril watched her, seemingly dismayed. After all, despite having eaten such a disastrous breakfast, Avrilās eyes were beaming.
She was the same maid who was upfront about her dislike towards Avril, the one who requested she refrain from dallying with other men as much as possible yesterday.
Carol, who shouldāve followed Avril from the Count of Allingham house, wasnāt there that day, either. Upon noticing that the maid was tensely eyeing her, Avril set down the bread and spoke.
āExcuse me, have you introduced yourself before?ā
āBy that, are you asking about my name?ā
āYes, since weāll be meeting each other in this palaceāno, not a palace… Anyway, my point is, Iād like to refer to you by name.ā
ā…Okay? My name is Grace.ā
āGrace. Todayās breakfast is excellent. I have penchant for bread of this hardness… Of course, that goes without saying.ā
ā…What?ā
āAfter all, this is a dukeās residence. As one of his servants, having already grasped the tastes of your guest is a given.ā
ā…ā
āGrace, Iām truly grateful that someone like you is beside me. Iād like to thank you for your continued support.ā
ā…!?ā
When Avril bowed deeply, the deeply unnerved Grace bolted out of the dining room.
…Oh my, did I say something strange?
While tilting her head, Avril enjoyed her scrumptious breakfast.
I wonder if I shouldāve acted a bit rotten.
What would Corinna have done in such a situation? As far as Avril could remember, when Corinna was served delicious food, sheād genuinely act happy and wouldnāt lash out against the servants.
Then, I acted correctly as a villainess.
The tea served in the drawing room when she arrived yesterday was cold.
However, the tea served by Grace after breakfast was steaming.
***
āThereās going to be a tea party.ā
After eating, Avril was summoned to the study. She blinked upon hearing Dylanās words.
āA tea party… you mean, that kind of tea party, right? An event where everyone gathers to socialize.ā
āThatās correct. Itās a daytime garden party, instead of a night party where can you come and go. I am clueless about your preferences in dresses, but Iād like you to choose one that befits your title as the Duchess of Lancester.ā
I see. This is related to the contractāāTo cooperate in activities thatāll maintain the dignity of the Duke of Lancester.ā
Avril clenched her fist, determined to give her best.
āDue to the suddenness of the invitation, I canāt order for a custom-made dress. Will you go to the city and pick out a dress?ā
āA, alright.ā
Then, I shall investigate the venue of the tea party, along with the participants, before deciding what is the most suitable dress for the occasionā
āwait, thatās not it!
After nodding steadily, Avril suddenly regained her senses.
Back at the house of Count Allingham, it was Avrilās obligation to perform such preliminary research. She also made arrangements to preserve the dignity of her house. Her stepmother was so utterly senseless, Avrilās grandmother loathed her to the core. However, her father refused to do anything about it.
When she was about to act like usual, she remembered that she had to act like a villainess. As such, she mustnāt adhere to the usual norm. First and foremost, there was no single dress in Corinnaās closet that had low exposure.
In that case, Avrilās next course of action was obvious.
To go shopping with Caro whoās familiar with Corinnaās tastes…!
As she resolved herself to be a villainess, a friendly-looking man appeared before her.
āI shall accompany you, Lady Avril. My name is Chris. Please ask me for anythingābe it for carrying your bags, or to act as your assistant.ā
āWell, Chris, my name is Avril. I shall apologize for the inconvenience beforehand, and also, thank you.ā
Avril spoke with a slight curtsey. Chrisā eyes immediately went wide. Seeing that, Avril immediately realized her mistakes.
No! I shouldāve acted like a villainess, if itās Corinna, if itās her, sheād… uh…
āChris, uhm, about carrying my bags …Iām looking forward to it.ā
ā…O, of course. Alright…ā
When she saw Chris, who couldnāt help but laugh, Avril tilted her head.
***T/N: Lol, the servants served her stale food. Joke on them, she’s into that stuff.
When you get bullied and think you are being treated well … She said the servants took good care of her … So why was she eating sht like that then? Wouldn’t they be like fairygod aunties and uncles giving her delicious food not the sht she gets…
I donāt think sheās forgetful about her plan to act as a villainess, itās more like she canāt get out of habit so she keeps making mistakes subconsciously and the realized it immediately after itās already been done.
So itās more like her years of habit and personality are stronger action wise than memory wise.