What Grace was referring to was something that happened about half a year after Avril entered the Duke of Lancester.

Around that time, which was when Avril started helping Dylan in his office, she was shown a petition from a certain merchant family. The message read, ‘Due to the recession, we are facing financial difficulties. We’d like a deferral for our taxes.’

Although Dylan wanted to do something about it, there was no effective way to do anything. Then while he was at a loss, Avril, whose abilities, reputation, and words were so contradictory, came to him. In the end, he tried her proposed method.

Avril had read all sorts of materials to help her father with his duties back in the house of Count of Allingham. Due to that, she knew the law had been quietly amended that year, creating a loophole that would allow for exceptions to tax payments, and she advised Dylan to take advantage of it.

As a result, the merchant’s tax payments were postponed and his business recovered. Thanks to this, the new product he was able to release became an incredible hit.

Then, the Duke of Lancester received a large sum of money, which was the least expected outcome of those events.

I was just telling him what I remembered, though… I’m glad I was able to help.

She closed her eyes while reminiscing.

In the first place, that whole performance was for the sake of scaring off the former duke.

“What’s the matter with you? You’ve been acting weird for a while, now.”

“…It’s a shame that the former duke dislikes villainesses.”

“What?”

Lord Dylan was the one who did the final check on the report, but I was the one who created it.

I just needed to search through my memories.

For Avril, it took no effort in the slightest.

“’Report: Management Status of the Duchy of Lancester of the Past Year.’”

“What?”

“‘—As we received a petition from a merchant family regarding the circumstances for the deferral of tax payments, the situation was investigated in detail. As a result of careful examination, tax payments from the duchy will be postponed according to the schedule in the attached table. Judging that it is impossible to pay taxes to the country—‘”

“What are you talking about…?”

The former duke frowned, but when he glanced down at the documents in his hand, he cried out in surprise and froze.

Such was natural for Avril had just recited the text written on the document word for word.

That document is more than 10 pages long. If I only recite part of it, the former duke will think I had memorized it by chance. However, if I recited all 10 pages flawlessly, he’ll definitely be repulsed by me!

Avril was aware that Dylan and his father were completely different people. The former duke would probably be creeped out by Avril and flee whereas Dylan would praise her.

It seems that I was right on the mark.

As Avril began reciting the opening of the fifth page, the flabbergasted former duke raised his hand.

“…Enough.”

“No, it’s not over yet. I need you to hear everything.”

“E-enough… I said it’s enough!”

At his severe command, Avril titled her head as if she didn’t really understand.

Surely, this will prove to be more effective.

As expected, the former duke shoved the stack of documents onto Avril and withdrew.

“A-a villainess sure is something else…”

His voice was low and bitter, yet carried a hint of surprise and amazement. Avril, who took those words as a mockery, smiled.

“? Indeed.”

“…I apologize for this.”

“Please wait. Before that, I’d like you to rescind the dismissal of Grace and Sienna. Although the right to managing personnel belong to Lord Dylan, I’ll be troubled if you continue to behave in this way down the road.”

“!? I-I understand. Have it your way.”

For some reason, the former duke, who was acting suspiciously, turned his back to her and quickly left. Avril finally let out a sigh of relief as she saw him off.

It seems that I was able to protect Lord Dylan’s precious Duke of Lancester family.

Then, Grace muttered to herself.

“Right now, Avril seems like an actual villainess.”

“That’s what happens when I reached the limit of my patience. I apologize if I terrified Grace and Sienna.”

“No, not at all. I personally think that it was quite a refreshing development.”

“I see, I’m glad.”

As Avril was talking to Grace, she met Sienna’s eyes. The maid was staring at her, perplexed. She seemed to have noticed something when she saw Avril’s actions. At the same time, her gaze was full of amusement.

Avril, thinking that the maid was probably taken aback because of her behavior—her villainy, placed her index finger to her mouth and made a ‘Ssst!’ pose.

Then, Sienna nodded firmly, as if to say, ‘Understood!’

Good. Now, the servants in the main residence won’t know that I’ve gone too far as a villainess. Otherwise, they’d hate me for sure, and I wouldn’t be able to serve as the madam of the duke’s house…!

In fact, after the day’s incident, Avril didn’t think she needed to pretend to be a bad girl anymore. She merely did that to overcome the situation, but in reality, she might have killed two birds with one stone.

When she was satisfied, she heard Grace’s exasperated remark.

“…I don’t think Sienna’s nod meant that.”

“Eh?”

“I mean, would Lady Avril’s sister help a servant if she were in trouble?”

“…”

Not a chance.

“Which is why…”

“—I see!?”

In other words, Sienna must’ve understood that Avril wasn’t actually a wicked woman, and stepped in because she wanted to save the two maids.

I must resolve this misconception immediately…!

Avril looked around in panic, but to her chagrin, Sienna had disappeared elsewhere.

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