77: I Found it
After removing several sheets of papers from the top of the pile, a thick stack appeared. Avril picked it up—
—It’s so heavy!
“[The Mansion’s Design Plan from Three Years Ago]—at first glance, the title sounds strange. However, if you rearrange it in foreign language, it can also be read as [Confidential Client List]. I have no doubt about it.”
“What a crude way to hide it. Wouldn’t this normally be stored in a safe?”
“Lord Dylan, there are many people in this world who don’t like clean up after themselves.”
Come to think of it, Corinna was one of them.
How many times did Avril have to pick up the books and dresses left scattered across the floor when she worked for the Count of Allingham?
...Wait, I don’t have time to think about unnecessary things.
When she flipped through it, there wasn’t a single blueprint for the mansion, only a meaningful list of names. Bullseye.
Apparently, Dylan shared her thoughts. He nodded as he received the list from Avril.
“Once we submit this, they’ll be finished.”
“Then, let’s escape from this mansion right away. We got what we needed.”
“That’s right. Avril, come here.”
Dylan pulled her away by the hand. Unlike when he usually escorted her, his grip was stronger. Just as she noticed that, she heard a commotion from outside.
“First of all, we shouldn’t use the previous door. Instead, let’s use the secret door. It’s over here.”
“At this point in time, I feel like it’d be rude to ask, ‘How did you know there’s a secret door?’ Moreover, we don’t have time.”
“Hehehe. This mansion is not only perfectly identical to the outside one, but also symmetrical. We’re at the center of the mansion, and the room is largely unchanged. I memorized the guide map of the outer mansion when we first arrived at the masquerade ball, so I believe there is another exit somewhere.”
Dylan’s face twitched at her reply.
“…I’ve been wondering about how you solved those riddles and your knowledge of psychology… Come to think of it, weren’t you reading detective novels recently?”
“That’s right. In preparation for today, I’ve read several mystery novels starring a villainess as the protagonist. Afterwards, I supplemented the knowledge I found interesting with books from the study. So far, the development has been similar and not to mention, suspenseful. To be honest with you, I’m truly excited!”
Dylan sighed as he smiled. However, unlike her family, he didn’t do it out of spite, but out of endearment.
“—After all, today, I’m here as a villainess to escort Lord Dylan.”
After saying that, she waded through the unnatural pile of books that had been stacked on the bookshelf.
Then, a secret door emerged. The corridor on the other side of said door was quiet. After exchanging glances, Dylan and Chris quickly and efficiently removed the obstacles from before the door.
Avril placed her hand on the door and smiled.
“As you exit this door, run left, then turn right, left, right, and we’ll exiting frm the first servant-only side door. Do you understand?”
—The three of them ran and escaped safely.
As a result, Avril successfully escorted Dylan to the masquerade ball as a villainess, and even aided him with his mission along the way.
She regretted never having had the chance to dance with Dylan, but there was always next time.
She was Avril, after all. In the near future, she was going to become the Duchess of Lancester.
***T/N: …Seriously what does this story have against tension!?!?!?!
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