“…Are you alright?”

“Of course not.”

She answered without a second thought. She could feel it—she was turning completely red!

This can’t compare to when I was hugged in the cabin earlier!

Feeling awkward, she lowered her gaze, but she could feel Dylan laughing through his trembling.

“…Lord Dylan!?”

“Forgive me. You’re too adorable.”

“!? Please don’t laugh. I-I’m also trying my best to escort you.”

“Hence why I’m smiling. You’re adorable. I’m not making fun of you.”

“Ah… T-thank you!?”

Dylan’s outrageous words as he drew nearer almost made her scream, but she decided to thank him anyway. He then placed his index finger to Avril’s lips.

“Don’t speak.”

“!?”

“Look toward the 3 o’clock direction from here.”

Her heart skipped a beat again for a moment, but she knew that wasn’t the time. On the outside, they might appear intimate newlyweds whispering to each other, but in truth, there was tension between the two.

Toward the 3 o’clock—oh, that’s!

“Did you see him? Thomas Edgar is standing by that pillar.”

“Speaking of which, Sir Thomas Edgar was the one who provided us the information.”

There was a familiar-looking man in the 3 o’clock direction from where Avril and Dylan were standing, just in her blind spot.

He was looking around the venue, dressed up for a party. At the masquerade ball, his reddish blond hair was tied in a bun, but today it was loose.

Although Avril didn’t get to see his face at the masquerade ball, she did remember his stature.

I met this man at the masquerade ball when I went to undercover with Lord Dylan! If I remember correctly, Lord Dylan wanted to know his name. I played a game of chess with him and won. As a result, I found out who he was!

Looking back, it was a series of miracles that started with her meeting Corinna’s former lover. She was tempted to recount those events, but now wasn’t the time.

Avril hid in the shadows and caught a glimpse of Thomas before looking up at Dylan.

“That man was present at the masquerade ball where he was suspected of being involved in drug trafficking. Now, he’s on the ship where Lady Teresa, who was involved in drug trafficking, may be taking shelter. Could these mere coincidences?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think so in the slightest.”

Dylan was smiling, yet his voice was stern. Furthermore, Avril had engaged in a conversation with Thomas Edgar at that masquerade ball.

She was wearing a mask, but once she spoke, he might recognize her.

Even though we’re here as Viscount Brough and his wife, the mission is suddenly in danger of failure…!

By the way, there was another reason why Avril had her hair styled up that day, other than because it matched her dress.

It was so that she wouldn’t be mistaken for ‘Avril,’ the villainess played by Corinna. Her dress was also solemn and tidy, so she should be able to avoid being discovered.

Corinna was famous as a bad girl at masquerade balls. Most of her playmates were nobility. Perhaps there’s someone here who knows Corinna—no, ‘Avril Allingham, the bad girl.’ Fortunately, I’ve come up with the perfect countermeasures.

Except, I don’t know much about Thomas Edgar. He seems to be a keen person—or rather, difficult to grasp.

Naturally, the correct answer would be to blend in with the crowd so as not to be seen. However, when she was about to do so, Dylan’s hand, which had been supporting her waist, tightened.

—then.

“Avril, I’d like to apologize beforehand, so I’m sorry if this comes as a surprise to you.”

“?”

Dylan whispered into her ear, and before she knew it, Thomas Edgar had appeared in front of her.

---

Read a month’s worth of chapters ahead on patreon for only $3~

<Previous Chapter

Next Chapter>