104: The Villainess Delights in Tea Time (2)
“What’s wrong with that? I can surround myself with concubines however I like.”
“However, not a single present given by the Grand Master could be found in Lady Teresa’s room.”
“That can’t be true. I haven’t given her any jewelry yet… But the dress and shoes she wore wearing were all gifts from me.”
“I wonder about that?”
“You’re so insistent!”
The former duke glared at her as if she were a menace, but Avril didn’t flinch.
“For example, all of the dresses hanging in Lady Teresa’s closet seem to be new products from a popular dress shop in the capital, yet over the past six months, the Grand Master has only given Teresa traditional dresses… Or, to put it nicely, solemn and formal dresses. From the perspective of a stylish lady, many of those dresses would appear old-fashioned.”
“What are you trying to say? Teresa didn’t seem to mind!”
“As of the present, none of the dresses you’ve given her remain. Lady Teresa must’ve sold them and ordered dresses she liked.”
“What nonsense! My sweet Teresa would never do such a thing! As her appearance and cute way of speaking suggests, Teresa is pure and quiet! …More importantly, how do you know about the dresses I gave her?”
Of course, that was because she examined the accounting ledgers of the main residence.
She saw that the former duke had given Teresa many dresses, but when she checked her room, those dresses were nowhere to be found.
The former duke thinks that his mistresses and servants are happily living their lives without any inconveniences, but that may not be the case.
As Avril stared at the former duke, she thought about Clarissa, the maid who never arrived at the Duke of Lancester house.
Regardless of whether he were to give Clarissa a high salary, a private room, or even lavish gifts if she were to become his mistress, there was no way of knowing if that girl was truly happy.
Of course, I’m sure there are many people who are truly happy, but it wouldn’t bode well for them or the former duke to surround themselves with those who aren’t.
Moreover, sadly, the former duke hadn’t even seemed to notice.
The ideal of a ‘pure and meek lady’ imposed by the former duke was nothing but a fantasy. When the realization of how the world viewed him dawned on the former duke, it seemed to trigger memories of his separation and divorce.
At this point, in order to make the former duke realize that he’s forcing his own tastes on them, maybe I should just aggressively say, ‘Don’t give them stupid gifts!’
Avril clenched her fist.
“After entering the territory, Lord Dylan showed me the ledger of the main residence. Although the original purpose was different, I was able to infer various circumstances form the list of presents the former duke has given his mistresses.”
Now, all I have to do is haughtily say, ‘Don’t give them stupid gifts!’
Avril worked herself up, thinking that her role as a villainess would finally reach it climax.
But then, the former duke sneered coldly, as if looking down on her.
“So what if you saw the ledger? Not like a woman could make a sense out of it.”
He made fun of her. Avril rolled her eyes and tittered. She wasn’t surprised, it was just nostalgic. Her own father often said the same to her.
“Well, if that’s what you think, no problem.”
“Are you trying to say that you read and comprehend the ledger yourself?”
“Naturally. A vile girl like me can’t go fully express herself if she’s worried about her family’s financial situation? Only second-rate ones behave in such a way.”
“I see. Y-you have a surprisingly solid way of thinking despite being a bad woman.”
“It’s thanks to Lord Dylan that I’m living happily like this. I am satisfied because the lives of the people of the duchy are fulfilled. Ther would be problems if only the lords were reaping the benefits.”
“…!?”
For some reason, even though the conversation was getting heated, the chance to speak that line never came.
In contrast to Avril, who was starting to get anxious, the former duke seemed to have had a revelation of some sort.
“I see. Based on our conversation so far, are you trying to say that I should treat my estranged mistresses more kindly?”
What?
When the former duke swiftly made that conclusion, Avril tilted her head to the side.
Avril just wanted the former duke to realize that he was forcing his hobbies on Teresa, but how did their conversation develop like that?
Avril didn’t really understand the meaning, but the former duke delivered another blow.
“The things you say and the rumors I heard about you paint you as an incorrigibly evil woman, but your mindset… Well, it’s not that bad.”
“!?”
Wait, did I fail somehow…?
“Rather, isn’t there some kind of mistake with your poor reputation? It would make more sense to say no one knows the true Avril Allingham.”
“!?!?”
When she saw the blush on the former duke’s cheeks, she almost screamed.
For some reason, I feel like he has taken a liking for me…!?
She instinctively looked at Dylan, asking for help. Right on cue, Dylan tightly grasped the hand that Avril had held out.
His expression was full of composure.
***T/N: Ewwww back off EW BACK OFF BACK AWAY BACK OFF FROM MY AVRIL EWWW
Please also consider donating to my ko-fi! It’ll greatly support me in action, no matter the amount!
https://ko-fi.com/antoinettevanessa
Have a Japanese story or the likes (Drama CD, etc.) you’d like to read? Want it to be translated? I’m open for commission!
https://www.fiverr.com/s2/aaab08c14d
Did you like what you read? Was it the worst thing ever? Tell us, please. Let the world know how you feel~