After she finished sharing about what happened in Lady Emilia’s private room, Avril carefully chose her words with her eyes downcast.

“I have more to tell you than that I met your honorable mother.”

“I see.”

“When I was speaking with Lady Anastasia, I had the impression, she must be Lord Dylan’s mother.”

“…”

“She calmly listened to everything I had to say until the end. Lady Emilia believes me a proper villainess and speaks accordingly, but… Lady Anastasia, I felt as though she was looking directly at me, and I became a little uneasy. I thought, perhaps… she could see right through me.”

Anastasia’s calm gaze, gentle yet seeming able to see through one’s true nature, was nerve-wracking for Avril who had come to this country playing the role of a villainess.

However, it wasn’t unpleasant for she realized it brought her a sense of déjà vu. Back when she first met Lord Dylan, he had looked at her the same way.

Incidentally, the moment she realized that, she also found herself wondering just how long Dylan had believed her a villainess.

Avril had thought the truth exposed when Corinna tried to steal her wedding, but perhaps that wasn’t the case. Once she started pondering about it, there would be no end, so she put that question aside.

During our contract marriage, Dylan treated me, a villainess, with kindness. That fact alone is enough.

As she was thinking about that, Dylan softly murmured.

“My mother was that kind of person. And precisely because of that, the former duke distanced himself.”

“I had assumed the same. Because of how Lady Anastasia is, the former duke must have hesitated to approach her. …All I found wonderful about her resembles Lord Dylan very much, I couldn’t help my joy.”

She looked up and gazed into Dylan’s eyes. In those blue eyes which never broke from their usual calm, she could see agitation.

The confusion and joy at suddenly learning that his mother, who he had heard couldn’t leave her family estate, had recovered enough to be able to travel abroad for treatment.

Perhaps he might have felt some disappointed in that he hadn’t been contacted, but his voice gave no hint of agitation.

“Today, Chris said there was something important that needed to be reported, that Avril would convey it later. I thought for sure it’d be tomorrow morning. I never imagined it’d be something like this.”

“Perhaps he was giving me the opportunity to tell you. It’s a wife’s role to be at her husband’s side and support him when he’s about to get upset.”

Dylan smiled at those words. Then, as he averted his gaze with a gesture that made him appear to be looking into the distance, Avril tilted her head without thinking.

Then, hesitantly, Dylan told her.

“—Chris had frequented the Lancester duke’s house as an apprentice from an early age. That’s why my mother loved him as if he were her own.”

That was Avril’s first time hearing the story of how Dylan and Chris met. She listened intently.

“Chris saw everything, how I was hurt by my father’s misdeeds and how my mother’s heart gradually weakened. He’s younger than me, but I can’t look at him in the eye.”

Despite those words, Dylan’s expression showed his complete trust in Chris.

The two, who no doubt shared in their shared resentment toward the former duke, had a bond with a strength different from the kind Dylan had with Lawrence, who cared for him.

I feel like I understand why Chris never refuses a request from Lord Dylan.

Surely, it also draws from his loyalty to Dylan’s mother, who loved him so much. And the presence of someone who cherishes the person important to you, that’s something unbelievably precious, and more joyful than one might imagine.

Avril’s heart was filled with emotion as she comprehended the feelings of Chris who’d always been supporting Dylan.

“I’m truly glad Chris has been by your side.”

“I’m sure Chris thinks the same about you.”

“Huh?”

“Chris is the one who is always the most cheerful when he reports to me about the kind of villainess Avril is.”

Those words made her realize how welcome she was.

At the same time, just how much everyone had been hoping for someone, anyone, who would help Dylan, who was so distrustful of others that he chose to marry a villainess with the worst reputation possible, became clear to her.

I too was blessed with the servants at the Count of Allingham. It’s precisely because of them that I am who I am today. I can only hope it was the same for Lord Dylan.

She already knew Dylan’s circumstances, having heard about them, but this was the first time she’d been able to picture it clearly. That Dylan had not lost his kindness, she couldn’t help but feel the influence of Anastasia and the support of those around him.

As Avril savored her emotions, Dylan spoke to her.

“Honestly, I strongly wish to see my mother, but that is something I cannot say.”

“…Yes, it’s unfortunate, but we can’t deny the possibility that it would interfere with our mission.”

Though concerned about Dylan, who clearly expressed his desire to see his mother, Avril could only nod. Perhaps Dylan sensed her regret, as he gave a soft smile.

“It’s alright. If this mission goes well, I’ll have plenty of time to meet her. Besides, even if she is well enough now to go outside, I know that in my mother’s mind, I’m still frozen as a child. I’ll be fine if I think of this as time to prepare my heart before we meet.”

“Yes, Lady Anastasia said she was going to return to her country by the end of the year.”

“She might remember Chris, too. Maybe you’ll get a glimpse of what we were like when we were children?”

Avril smiled at Dylan’s unusual talkativeness. He wasn’t putting on a strong front, rather the calm tone in which he accepted everything conveyed the years Dylan had spent facing his mother.

Then, following the flow of the conversation, she continued.

“Lord Dylan, I’ve decided to take the national exam of the Kingdom of Claughton.”

“…!?”

Dylan’s voiceless exclamation echoed through the room.

“I decided on it after meeting Her Highness Emilia today. I also heard from Lynn about how those who pass with the highest score are rewarded. To be honest, I believe this is the only way to fulfill Prince Lawrence’s request.”

“You’re… mentioning this now…?”

“I realized at the tea party earlier today, the conventional method won’t work. Whatever it takes, let’s complete this request quickly, return to our kingdom, and then go to visit Lady Anastasia.”

When she emphasized her words to Dylan, who was beginning to gaze off into the distance, he seemed to understand how determined she was. He nodded, albeit reluctantly, as if in approval.

“…I understand. I’ll handle the finer details, so Avril, concentrate on the exam.”

“Thank you very much, Lord Dylan.”

He was such a tolerant and understanding husband. When she thanked him with a shine in her eyes, Dylan expressed a small dissatisfaction.

“…I suppose Lawrence knew this would happen, didn’t he?”

“He truly sees through everything, doesn’t he? He understands you so well, Lord Dylan, I’m honestly a bit envious.”

As she smiled at the bond between the two men, one she didn’t know, Dylan’s lips twisted slightly. Perhaps because of the faint blush coloring his cheeks, he looked almost like a boy.

Then, before she could react, he leaned closer to her again, startling her. His low, melting voice seeped into the depths of her ear.

“Soon, you’ll be the one who understands me best. In fact, I’ve never shown this face to Lawrence.”

“Hieee…”

She was caught so off guard, a strange sound slipped from her mouth.

Even that pitiful reaction, Dylan watched with amusement. Unable to escape his gaze, Avril could only blush.

I’m so happy… It feels like some kind of trap is waiting around the corner…!

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