97: I Remember Seeing it
As she clenched her fists and shed tears, Teresa looked the part of a tragic heroine.
Somehow, Avril caught on and understood that she was being framed. She was curious as to how Dylan would respond.
I don’t believe Lord Dylan will suspect me… and that is fascinating in itself. Before I knew it, I came to trust him completely…
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Avril cupped her cheeks. Dylan stared at her gently—a stark contrast from when he was staring at Teresa a moment ago. To add to her embarrassment, it was as if Dylan had seen through her.
In the meantime, Dylan asked Avril.
“I see. Avril, do you remember what Ms. Teresa’s missing emerald ring looks like?”
“I do. It was a simple platinum ring inlaid with an emerald. Despite the standard design, the slightly cloudy texture of the stone looked impressive.”
Teresa, who was listening to Avril’s response, cried out in panic.
“!? How did you answer so precisely? I knew it, you were the one who stole my ring!”
“No, I never did anything like that!”
“Then how are you so familiar with the characteristics of my ring!? You forced me to show you my closet so you could get your hands on my jewelry box! Fortunately for you, the lord is a merciful person, so you’ll only get dismissed. Please confess to your crime.”
Even if you say that…
There was nothing she could do because she hadn’t stolen anything. However, Teresa, who misunderstood Avril’s silence, spoke with a look of pity on her face.
“You should’ve taken the opportunity before the evidence was presented… Poor you. Had you confessed, the lord would’ve shown you mercy… What a foolish girl.”
At that moment, the door of the salon opened. A pale-faced maid entered and made her way towards Teresa. She glanced coldly at her as she asked:
“Did you obtain the evidence?”
“I-I did… I found this… in Clarissa’s room.”
With trembling hands, the maid held out a bundle which contained the emerald ring in question. When the maid claimed that she found it in Clarissa’s room, the salon broke out in an uproar.
Teresa held up the ring and presented it to Dylan.
“My Lord, I had my maid search her room whereupon she found my missing ring. …As I thought, this place is unsafe for me… Even if you were to fire Clarissa, the scar inflicted on me by this incident won’t vanish… Can you please take me as a maid to serve in the main building?”
“I see, so that’s your objective. This was a pretty roundabout way to do it.”
“I-it’s not what you are thinking at all. I was just telling you the truth…”
Flustered, Teresa stammered as if she’d been ridiculed, yet Dylan remained unfazed.
“Unlike the previous duke, I don’t promote my servants into mistresses. Is that acceptable?”
“—! I-I have no intention of—”
“—As my servant, you’ll have to clean, do laundry, serve guests, tend to the garden, and man the boiler room. You’ll also have to undertake the crown prince’s assignments and go undercover. Oh, in regard to that, escaping from ropes will be a required skill. Getting involved with influential figures in the social circles is also part of the routine.”
“? A-are you sure that’s a servant’s job???”
At that point, even the rest of the servants were taken aback by the supposed requirements. Dylan only sighed.
“Hence, no one else can replace my wife.”
After Teresa had been rendered speechless, Chris chimed in.
“I know, right? Lord Dylan’s fiancée is out of this world.”
“Exactly. An ordinary lady would be at a loss here, but look at her. Not only is she unfazed, she has looks as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.”
“I can’t praise her enough for offering her handkerchief to someone who attempted to frame her. Had she done it because she was certain she’d come out ahead, that’d be ruthless of her. However, she genuinely did that out of kindness, causing Lord Dylan to adore her even more.”
“…Chris, that’s enough.”
While everyone else was at a loss, Dylan stood up and snatched the ring from Teresa’s hand before presenting it to Avril.
“Avril, is this the ring?”
“Yes, indeed. This is the one Teresa showed me in her room. The design, color, and rank of the jewel match.”
“…I see.”
Turning crimson, Teresa dauntlessly yelled at Dylan, confronting him.
“What of it!? All that matters is that the ring, which was a gift of the previous master, was found in her room…!”
Certainly, that’s the case for Teresa…
Avril smiled when Dylan gave her the permission to speak.
***T/N: Teresa you sweet summer child
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Chris already tell them indirectly that Avril is Dylan wife but no seem to get it