The investigation Avril had asked Chris to conduct was concluded surprisingly quick. Could Dylan have already looked into it?

With such a suspicion, Avril arrived at Emilia’s room.  She hadn’t come for any particular reason, like a topic that caught her interest at the tea party earlier. She had simply been called there.

“Your Highness Emilia!”

“Lady Avril!”

Upon being called out to, the princess, who seemed to have been admiring Corinna’s portrait in the center of the room, cried out in delight

My apologies, but it’s awkward. I wish you’d close the curtains…

Of course, there was no way Emilia would understand Avril’s silent plea. Her excited appearance as she ran over to Avril was dazzling.

“I’ve been waiting for you! We could not have a conversation between women when my brother and Marquis Sherard were present!”

“Indeed. I also feel like I might make a mistake when too many people are present.”

“Eh?”

“N-no, it’s nothing.”

Avril had let her guard down and accidentally allowed the truth to slip past her lips. Somehow, she managed to cover it up.

Thankfully, Her Highness Emilia firmly believes me a villainess.

Hence why speaking to her was easy. In fact, the princess was becoming a source of support for Avril who had to play a villainess in a foreign land.

Although, standing before a Portrait of Corinna made Avril feel unbearably guilty and uncomfortable. If only Emilia could close the curtains, then it’d be her domain.

Unfortunately, Emilia seemed to have no intention of doing so. Avril could feel nothing but disappointment.

If only Her Highness Emilia can confirm what Chris investigated for me earlier…!

Thinking this, Avril averted her eyes from Corinna’s Portrait, carefully waiting for the right opportunity to speak.

“I heard that the national exam is a tradition of the Kingdom of Claughton.”

“Oh my! Lady Avril is quite well informed! Yes, an examination is held once every three years!”

“I read this year’s regulations and understood that even foreigners are also eligible to take it… But is His Majesty truly the kind of person who’d allow foreigners to pass?”

Emilia’s garnet-like eyes, the same shade as Listeard’s, briefly widened at Avril’s question. Then, she calmly nodded.

“Indeed. If anything, I believe my brother would rather welcome such individuals. If someone who’s exceptionally talented were to appear, he would ensure they pass the exam and even grant them an important position. For our country which rarely interacts with foreign nations, there is no better opportunity to acquire brilliant minds and knowledge from abroad.”

“…!”

The investigation Avril asked Chris to conduct earlier was about the national exam of the Kingdom of Claughton.

Eligibility to take the exam was clearly not limited to only citizens of the Kingdom of Claughton, but had any foreigners ever actually passed?

Curious, Avril asked Chris to look into the details.

It turned out that several hundred years ago, instances could be found of foreigners passing.  With that precedent in place, the rest depended on Listeard.

“The national exam has a long historical significance. In recent years, our country has shifted towards minimizing interaction with other nations, but the tradition of the exam cannot be changed.”

“I see.”

As she nodded, Emilia’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“Could it be, judging from your questions… do you intent to take our kingdom’s national exam, Lady Avril?!”

“N-no, me…!?”

Taken aback by the unexpected question, Avril was overwhelmed, but Emilia’s enthusiasm showed no signs of subsiding.

“Please, be honest with me! Could something so wonderful truly be happening…?! Could Lady Avril Allingham, who is supposed to belong to no one, become mine—no, excuse me, become a member of our country…?!”

“No, I don’t even know if I’ll pass, and to begin with, I haven’t decided if I’ll actually take the exam or not…”

Avril understood better than anyone else how outrageous taking the national exam just for the prize would be. It would be disrespectful, not only to the applicants who seriously took the exam but also to the king, who was hosting it to improve the country. She couldn’t make such a decision lightly.

Emilia, who should’ve known this, kept pressing forward with full force.

“At the tea party earlier, I saw how seriously you were listening to my brother and Marquis Sherard’s discussion, so I thought—perhaps Lady Avril possesses exceptional talent. Why, you must take the exam. I also ask this of you.”

Faced with the hope that Avril might permanently settle in her county, Emilia’s eyes were completely serious. What should I do? Avril could only let her gaze wander around in distress.

“I am unlikely to pass such an exam. More importantly, I’m Crown Prince Lawrence’s mistress…! If I were to pass and never return to the Kingdom of Branwill, imagine how heartbroken he’d…!”

“There is no need to worry! My older brother will take care of you!”

An even more outrageous suggestion had been proposed. Then, Emilia, who’d been speaking passionately just a second ago, suddenly became sorrowful.

“…You heard what my brother said at the tea party, didn’t you? Our kingdom needs to be forced to change by an outside influence.”

…Your Highness Emilia.

Avril couldn’t stop feeling like she was being swept along by an absurd argument. However, seeing Emilia speak with downcast eyes brought back the memory of the audience chamber.

None of the king’s aides, those who were meant to support the royal family, had offered any assistance when Emilia had started coughing. Nevertheless, Avril couldn’t make such an important decision without consulting Dylan and Lawrence.

“…Might I have some time to consider?”

“No, I’m certain you shall take the exam, Lady Avril. Hence why, allow me to introduce you to my tutor! She’s a truly wonderful person, knowledgeable in many subjects!”

“!?”

How did it come to this?

I understand she wants to help me, and it’s true I considered using the exam to my advantage, but to decide on such an action at my own discretion…!

Completely bewildered, Avril found herself unable to firmly refuse Emilia. Perhaps it was because she felt a certain familiarity with Emilia’s relentless enthusiasm. Just then, a knock came at the door followed by the voice of a lady-in-waiting.

“Your Highness Emilia, may I show in the guest who has been waiting?”

“Perfect timing. Please, do.”

Wait… the guest who has been waiting…?

Avril had thought they’d be sharing tea privately, just the two of them, and so was surprised by the unexpected announcement.

Then, from beyond the door, a completely unforeseen figure appeared.

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