When Avril arrived at the main residence of the Duke of Lancester, her jaw dropped.

Although both are magnificent, the main residence of the territory is more luxurious in construction and scale compared to the one in the royal capital. I didn’t expect it to be this different…!

A white palace that was twice the size of the one at the royal capital towered in front of her. At the main entrance was a spectacular sight of dozens of servants lining up to welcome them.

“Welcome home, my lord.”

“““Welcome.”””

“!?!?!”

When the servants exclaimed in perfect unison, Avril almost jumped.

 From the scale of the duchy, the assets it manages, and the history so far, I had expected it to be a royal castle, but I didn’t see this coming. Stepping out for a stroll will be difficult…

After alighting from the carriage, she secretly asked Dylan who was escorting her to the mansion.

“Uh, Lord Dylan, it sure takes a long time to go here from the gate, doesn’t it?”

“That is because the building premises is spacious. If you feel like taking a stroll, you should request a carriage.”

“…I need a carriage to take a stroll!?”

“Tomorrow, I shall bring you to the separate building. Grace, can I ask you to guide her around the main residence?”

“Of course.”

…How excite—no, I mustn’t.

Everyone knew how excited she was, but Lawrence request for Avril to assist Dylan with his mission!

Just as she reminded herself that they weren’t there to have fun, she realized that the gazes of the servants… were cold. At a glance, everyone seemed polite, but there was an unmistakable atmosphere of judgement.

It appears that the rumors regarding ‘Villainess Avril’ have reached this place as well. But compared to when I first arrived at the capital’s residence, in which only Grace to appear before me, this isn’t that bad.

Avril gave them a gentle look before entering the mansion.

As soon as they arrived, Dylan separated from Avril and received a report from the steward regarding what had transpired during his absence.

Avril meanwhile was led to a guestroom. After she had changed into comfortable attire, she looked out the window.

“Wow! The garden of this mansion sure is large! Grace, would you like to accompany me on a stroll?”

“Of course, but… Lady Avril, what’s up with the dress?”

“Hm? Is this no good?”

When she asked out of genuine curiosity, Grace showed an exasperated look.

“I understand it is your favorite dress from when you still lived with your parents, but it’s a bit worn out. I believe it unsuitable for the next duchess.”

“I’m sorry… I thought an easy-to-move-in dress would be perfect for spending time in a place surrounded by nature.”

Avril was wearing a cream-colored dress that she had treasured since the days she lived in the Count of Allingham’s house. Certainly, it was old, but the design wasn’t that outdated.

Grace always indulged Avril’s whims, but today she seemed frustrated for some reason. She spoke while trembling.

“—Or rather, I should have already removed it from the ‘easy-to-move-in dress’ bag, why do you have it…!?”

“Oh, I found it lying in a box at the back of the closet, so I put it back in.”

“…”

So, that’s what happened.

But, I’m here as the next duchess, so what Grace said makes sense. Let’s get changed…

She’d agreed to marry Dylan, so she needed to get her act together. Avril eagerly opened the closet where she just finished hanging the dresses she’d brought earlier, only for Grace to sigh once more.

“I understand. Since we’ll be taking a stroll at the garden, that ‘easy-to-move-in dress’ might be the most suitable, but only for today.”

“Grace…!”

Avril was fond of the kind Grace. When they first met, she greeted her with a broom and served her cold tea, but now, they got along quite well. With that in mind, clearing up the misunderstandings in that place wouldn’t be too difficult.

—Or so she thought.

I got lost.

Not long later, Avril found herself wandering alone among the rose hedges on the spacious premises.

Despite the nice weather, the wind was strong. As a result, Avril’s hat had been blown away, and when Grace went to retrieve it, she didn’t return for a long time. When Avril went to look for her, she got lost.

Usually, I can memorize the path I’m taking with a glance… But this garden is full of flowers and trees, and every path looks the same.

As she walked, she chanced upon the separate building.

Lord Dylan said that he’ll escort and introduce me to the separate building at a later date. I can’t come into contact with the former duke without permission. All right, time to head back—

—Just as she turned around, someone called out to her.

“Hey, I’ve never seen you around before. Are you the new comer?”

The owner of the voice was a maid with her brown hair pulled in a bun. She stared sullenly at Avril while carrying a basket of sheets.

“…S-something like that.”

She was indeed a newcomer—be it to the Duke of Lancester family, or at the main residence.

For the time being, Avril decided to keep that to herself and smiled. In response, the maid put the basket of sheets on the ground and grabbed Avril’s hand.

“I heard that today’s newcomer is a daughter of a relative wearing a cream-colored dress. You’re late! I troubled because there aren’t enough hands to do laundry! Yet here you are, acting all pretty and slacking off!”

“…!?!?”

---

E/N: This reminds me of Rose from the love potion making witch.

***T/N: And Avril will excel at it.

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