91: The Night of the Two (3)
The morning after, Avril woke up to the sound of something falling. The morning sun shone through a gap in the curtains. The night had passed.
It’s so bright… Oh, it’s morning already? Did I hear something just now?
When she sat up and stretched, Avril found herself alone on the spacious bed.
Oh? Lord Dylan isn’t here?
She reached for the spot where Dylan was supposed to have been sleeping. It was still warm.
“Which means, Lord Dylan has only recently awoken.”
“…That’s right.”
“!?”
She heard a voice from beside the bed. When she looked over, she found Dylan. Apparently, the ‘thud’ from before was the sound of Dylan falling off the bed.
“??? Lord Dylan, are you injured? Please wait, I’ll call for someone—”
“—There’s no need.”
Dylan blushed slightly and stood up, softly shaking his head. Then, he asked while clutching his forehead.
“Did I sleep here last night? I can’t believe it… Forgive me.”
“No, the bed is very spacious, so it’s fine. I mean, look!”
She rolled to the side. It took her ten rolls to reach the other end of the bed. Dylan had a distant look in his eyes.
“You’re like a child.”
“…Ah. How embarrassing.”
“However, I (watashi) don’t see Avril as a child. I can’t believe you slept next to me until morning.”
“…”
Lord Dylan no longer uses ‘I (ore)’, In other words, he’s not saying this out of confusion.
I see, now I understand what it means.
She was supposed to be beside herself all night; the pounding of her heart keeping her awake due to sleeping beside her fiancée.
Yet, Avril’s folly was sleeping soundly until the next morning.
But now I know what I should do.
While reflecting on her brazenness, Avril made a proposal.
“Since Lord Dylan seems very tired, I’ll refrain from slipping into the separate building anymore. From today onwards, I shall also assist you with your duties.”
“What kind of conclusion did you arrive to make such a proposal…? Either way, we’ve only just arrived. I don’t want you to overexert yourself. You should try to get acclimated with the mansion.”
“No, I can’t do that. If you consider me a bother, I can just go to another room and help Chris sort the documents…”
When she insisted, Dylan laugh from resignation after a few seconds.
“—Well, it’d be great if Avril could help. I have a few things I want you to look at. Can I ask this of you?”
“Of course, I’ll do my best.”
Not only did he give his permission, he also asked for her help.
I’ll do my best!
Avril rallied herself and then asked,
“While I was taking care of everyone’s laundry in the separate building, I couldn’t help but wonder about something. Why does the former duke surround himself with so many women?”
“I see. It’s similar to a disease. There’s no simple way to explain it. Instead, I simply think of him as a foolish man who can’t cherish a specific person for a long time.”
That’s certainly true.
“As for me, I have Lord Dylan. I can feel that Lord Dylan is only thinking of me, as well. I’m truly grateful that we met.”
“…I see. Why didn’t you say that last night?”
“??? Pardon me?”
Although she spoke of her happiness, Dylan let out a depressed sigh. As she blinked, Chris entered the room.
“…Excuse me. Good morning, Lord Dylan, Lady Avril. Did you sleep well?”
“Good morning, Chris.”
After they had exchanged greetings, Chris smiled and instantly confirmed the situation in the room.
Dylan was wearing the same shirt and slacks as the previous night while Avril was dressed in a cotton nightgown that could hardly be called a nightgown. A stuffed cat laid in the middle of the bed.
“I see. I don’t know what happened… Or rather, I understand that nothing happened. Both of you seem to have slept peacefully, which is wonderful.”
That day, Avril spent time helping Dylan in his study. She was asked to examine a ledger that contained the movement of his assets, along with his income and expenditures.
Accustomed to being made to do the same by her family, the Count of Allingham, things went without a hitch. Nevertheless, she was overwhelmed by the lavish gifts the former duke gave his mistresses
…But something is amiss. Well, it isn’t related to the mission or the management of the Duke of Lancester.
As Avril had an impeccable memory, she titled her head to the side and recalled everything she had seen in the separate building the other day.
***T/N: Lololol Chris y don’t have to call em out like that
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