If it’s Lord Dylan, even if he spots me, I’m sure he won’t say anything…

Probably. Maybe.

Avril wanted Grace to accompany her, but alas, the maid wasn’t allowed to join. As such, she had no choice but to get through it by herself.

“Uh, I’m going to pick some flowers—”

“—What are you talking about? The young master has arrived, and so have the mistresses. The only one absent is the old master. Well, it can’t be helped, considering that the father and son don’t get along well.”

The ONLY good thing is that the old master isn’t here. Otherwise, my cover would’ve been blown away in an instant…

Giving up on escaping, Avril glanced at the window. The mistresses had arrived—the gentle Lucy, and the conspicuous Teresa. Soon, she’d have to welcome them.

The entrance opened. As expected, Dylan stepped in. Unlike usual, he had a stern look on his face. Chris followed behind him.

Hyaa—!

When Avril saw the two gentlemen, she screamed inwardly. She, in as natural way as possible, tried to hide behind the maid who stood next to her.

Avril, who pretended to be calm and composed, heard Dylan’s words.

“The purpose of my visit today is to examine the state of the separate building in the duchy’s main residence. Even though this place originally belongs to the former duke, has anything changed?”

The butler of the separate building responded to Dylan.

“No, nothing in particular. By ‘change’, what exactly are you referring to?”

“Have there been any newcomers, etc. I have no interest in the former duke’s latest conquest, but it’s a different story if someone is up to no good. His Highness the Crown Prince, Lawrence, has also stated his concerns. A scandal may be unfolding within the renowned Duke of Lancester family.”

“…I understand. However, I don’t think there’s any.”

As Dylan settled into the table set, a servant poured him some tea. Avril watched from the corner of the room.

As expected, Lord Dylan seems to have come check on Lady Teresa. I will stay out of the way.

—Before she could do that, however…

“Speaking of a newcomer, we’ve recently hired an excellent laundry maid. She came from a fallen aristocracy. If My Lord so wishes, I can train her so that she may eventually reach the rank of a senior servant in the main house or townhouse.”

! Uh, that’s…?

Please give me a break. Avril cringed when she unexpectedly became the topic of the conversation. But of course, the butler proudly continued.

“—Her name is Clarissa. I believe her impeccable not only with laundry, but in other aspects as well.”

“…I-I see, is that so?”

Dylan’s response was incredibly incoherent. Understandable, because it was his fiancée he was referring to, the future duchess. Additionally, she had also garnered the interest of both the crown prince and the prodigious lady, Alexandra.

I-I feel like it’d be troublesome if it became known that I, the rumored villainess, is actually the laundrymaid…

Dylan didn’t give a clear answer, but he wasn’t as shocked as Avril. After all, he didn’t know that the person in question was present.

Unfortunately, the peace didn’t last. The butler went on with a smile.

“Actually, Clarissa is here with us today. Please introduce yourself.”

“Wait, she’s here?”

!

Seriously, give me a break.

Dylan’s expression became skeptical. Upon seeing that, Avril tried to sneak out of the room, but the maid beside her grabbed her arm.

“Hey, it’s your turn.”

“NonononononoIcan’tIcan’t—”

“What are you doing? Being recommended directly to the young master is a blessing. Just go.”

! What do I do now…?

—With that, Avril was shoved in front of Dylan, her head still hung low.

---

***T/N: HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAH

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