Due to the unprecedented uproar of the swapped bride, the wedding ceremony was cancelled.

After bowing to the guests and seeing them off, Dylan and Avril returned to the residence of the Duke of Lancester together. Usually, she would retire to her room right away, but Dylan called her for some reason.

“Avril, can you come to the study?”

“Of course. How may I help you?”

“…I’d like to discuss something with you.”

…How strange, Lord Dylan seems hesitant. What happened?

Thus, she visited Dylan’s study.

On the reception table at the end of the room were two teacups filled with warm tea along with a pure white paper and a fountain pen.

“This is…?”

I think it’s safe to assume that we aren’t just going to enjoy some tea…?

When Avril titled her head in confusion, Dylan smiled wholeheartedly at her.

“Actually… I’d like to adjust our contract.”

“…Adjust?”

“Yes, because some things have changed. Besides, that contact was filled with my selfish requests, it didn’t consider Avril’s opinions. Don’t worry, I won’t change the contract period.”

“I see.”

“After all, I’ll strive to change your mind in two years.”

“Hm?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Accompanied by the carefree Avril, Dylan wrote down the details of the contract with flourish. Avril watched the ink spread across the paper while thinking about the future.

Speaking of the contract period, it should end in two years…

A year had passed since Avril became part of the Duke of Lancester family. She’d gotten accustomed to those happy days—which would inadvertently be over in two years.

At the beginning, she was very much looking forward to that day. After all, what awaited her at the end of the three-year contract period was freedom.

…Even so, her heart sank upon being reminded of that.

Without noticing, Dylan gracefully rewrote the contract.

“Regarding the servants of the Count of Allingham, starting from tomorrow, they’ll be working in this mansion. If you’re still troubled, I’ll also include that in this contract.”

“Oh, don’t worry, your words alone will suffice.”

Dylan smiled at her implicitly telling him that she trusted him.

With Cyril Brandner’s guidance, most of the servants of the Count of Allingham had resigned. Some left to work at the royal capital, while others remained in the territory.

Until the wedding ceremony was completed and the marriage oath was submitted to the government, they’d be on a paid leave until the Duke of Lancester eventually hired them.

Wonderful. With this, I can fulfill my promise to Keira. She won’t be unemployed even if the Count of Allingham collapses.

Avril was relieved. Then, Dylan proceeded to read aloud what he had written.

“‘—to submit a marriage oath and become an official couple.’ There’s no problem with this one, right?”

“N-no, of course not.”

We’re a couple in name only… Come to think of it, there’s something I’d like to confirm with Lord Dylan.

After all, Carol once said that Dylan was obviously in love with her.

Without knowing her true feelings, Dylan went on.

“‘The pair will have separate rooms and won’t interfere with each other’s actions.’”

“Oh… Of course, I agree!”

“I’ll have to apologize, but from now on you’ll be staying in the main residence, and not the palace. Is that alright with you?”

“Hehehe. Since the detached villa is a palace, I consider this place a castle. Of course, I’m alright with that! The servants are also very kind, I love them!”

“…That’s a relief.”

His gentle gaze was unlike the fierce one he showed at the church earlier. Whenever she saw that look on his face, she’d felt at ease and wanted to smile all the time.

I’m accustomed to his warmth, but could this be something else?

…Maybe, it’s like Lord Dylan said—I’m dense.

She reminisced about her past. From the moment her father remarried, her life had been turned upside down.

—She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t frustrated.

Even so, the servants of Count Allingham were all kind to her. Hence why she wasn’t too pessimistic about her future, and she was even able to hope that someday, she might be able to find her own happiness.

At the same time, the concept of “unconditional love” was foreign to Avril.

…Lord Dylan is really kind, but—

—She, who had a taste of happiness, was driven by the desire to know the exact meaning of Carol’s words.

“I’d like to incorporate your opinions into this contract. You can be honest with me.”

“…Uhm, if so—”

Avril timidly pointed to the last rule in the contract.

“It says that when the contract ends, I’ll be compensated and have to leave…”

“I see. Would you like me to specify the amount?”

“No, it’s not like that…”

“…Then, would you like me to shorten the period, instead?”

Dylan had an uneasy look on his face as he asked that, as if he was clinging onto her.

“No, not really…”

Then, Avril took a deep breath.

“…On the contrary, may I ask you to extend the period?”

At that moment, Dylan’s eyes went wide.

---

***T/N: Lol forget being dense or a villainess, ppl might think she’s just a tsundere at this point.

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