102: The Whereabouts of Teresa and Clarissa
On the other hand, in the main building, that day’s review meeting was being held in the study. In the middle of the room, a man was hanging his head. He was the owner of the house, Dylan.
“I never thought we’d fail to catch Teresa Pannella.”
After that, when they investigated Teresa’s room, they discovered a hidden compartment at the back of the closet. The simple space, which looked just like any other shelf, contained drugs and a small list of intermediaries.
Both the quantity of drugs and the list were things that could be disposed of in a few seconds in case of an emergency. Perhaps, that was why Teresa asked to go to her room ‘for a bit.’
If nobody knew about the existence of the hidden compartment, she’d probably have gotten rid of them. Who’d have thought that she would end up using a window herself?
Teresa bolted, she ran straight through the spacious garden, climbed the fence, and exited the premises. Although the Duke of Lancester’s residence was located in a remote area, the area around the main residence was a full-fledged town. Therefore, finding passage with a passing horse-drawn carriage wouldn’t be difficult.
The servants weren’t able to climb the wall, so they ended up needing to go around to the gate. By the time they exited, there was no trace of Teresa.
Chris spoke to console his lord.
“I never thought Teresa would do such a thing. She was quick on her feet, too. Knowing her background, I’m sure His Highness Lawrence will understand.”
“Certainly, considering the circumstances, some things couldn’t be helped. Besides, I’m sure His Highness Lawrence will thank Avril either way. If not for her infiltrating the annex, we wouldn’t have chanced upon the evidence. …Still, the fact remains that we let her escape.”
“Lord Dylan…”
“At any rate, Teresa is wanted in this town. Tomorrow, we’ll expand our search to the surrounding areas. I’ll also be taking part.”
“…”
Avril, on the other hand, was listening to the conversation between the two with a curious look on her face.
Prince Lawrence asked Lord Dylan to handle this matter precisely because he trusted Lord Dylan to make a sound decision even if it were a matter related to the Duke of the Lancester family.
The reason Lady Teresa was able to escape was due to a combination of unfortunate circumstances… But Lord Dylan, who is strict even on himself, can’t easily accept it.
Then, she spoke.
“I agree with Lord Dylan’s, but I think we should also understand Prince Lawrence’s underlying motives. He wanted to help you dismantle the ‘lover annex’ of the Duke of Lancester family.”
“…Did Avril notice that?”
“Yes. His Highness’ suspicion that the former duke may be involved in drug dealing could have simply been an excuse to put things into motion.”
Lawrence considered Dylan his younger brother. Therefore, it was obvious to Avril that Lawrence was doing his best to somehow eliminate the friction between Dylan and ‘the old geezer.’
In the study of the townhouse in the royal capital, there were documents summarizing job openings for ladies, such as tutors, new places of service, and monasteries. Even if Dylan didn’t take direct action, considering the former duke’s age, the separate annex might no longer be necessary one day soon.
Dylan must’ve been preparing for it behind the scenes.
“The preparations have been put in place. By aiding in the capture of Lady Teresa, His Highness Lawrence hoped that Lord Dylan would move towards eliminating the separate annex, which had been ailing you for a long time.”
“Maybe that’s true.”
“Besides, I’m really curious about where the real Clarissa has gone.”
When she told him that, Dylan nodded and brought out a document from his desk drawer in the study. Dylan read out what seemed like a resume.
“Clarissa Limington. She is the third daughter of the fallen Viscount of Limington family. At the former duke’s behest, she was hired as a servant in the annex. Incidentally, he seemed to have paid the Limington family several months’ worth of wages in advance.”
“Lord Dylan is also concerned about her, isn’t he?”
“I am. However, it seems that the former duke, her employer, didn’t even know when the exact date of her arrival was supposed to be. He probably didn’t intend to keep her as a mistress.”
“I see…”
However, listening to the stories of the servants, I wouldn’t be surprised if Clarissa felt threatened by the rumors regarding the duke.
During her infiltration, Avril was often told that she’d be able to live an easier life if she became the master’s favorite and was promoted to being a mistress.
In fact, several of his mistresses were said to have obtained their current positions through such circumstances, so it was probably true.
Avril became silent, but Dylan seemed to be thinking the same thing.
“I think she’d have been terrified working in a place where she might be targeted by the Lecherous Old Pervert. She should have been besides herself, so when she learned that Avril had been mistaken for her, she wouldn’t have bothered to report in. …If she truly never intended on working, that is.”
“Indeed…”
I really hope that is the case…
Avril’d never heard any bad rumors pertaining the Viscount of Limington, such as wasteful spending or failed business ventures. In other words, Clarissa must’ve come from a fairly solid family background.
Would a young lady who grew up in such a home break her promise even though she’d received her salary in advance?
For some reason, Avril felt uneasy.
***T/N: The mystery of Clarissa…
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