When Avril closed her eyes, she could immediately see Corinna selfishly causing trouble for everyone in the mansion. At the moment, she felt nothing but gratitude for having lived together since they were young.

“Of- Of course not, for I am not a woman who can easily be met.”

She lifted her head a bit and tried replying with a haughty tone. Corinna had that habit whenever she ordered Avril around. Avril herself was fond of the gesture because it easily let her act like a villainess.

Just as she wondered, Did it work? a strong wind blew.  A single sheet of paper flew from the bundle of textbooks Jeanne was holding.

It rode the wind, fluttering up into the air.

“!”

An expression that read, “oh no,” flashed across the refined Jeanne’s face. Avril leaped before she could think, kicking off the cobblestone.

She firmly grabbed the paper that had been about to blow away and landed with a thud.  Her hair had been disheveled by both the strong wind and the force of her jump, narrowing her field of view, but she didn’t pay it any mind.

“Here you go.”

When Avril handed it over with a gentle smile, Jeanne’s jaw dropped in surprise.

“…Helping another…”

“Ah!?”

Oh no. She must’ve had the same expression as Jeanne did three seconds ago. While she was struggling to try and cover it up, Dylan smoothly stepped in between them.

“My, Lady Avril, what sort of wind is blowing today for you?”

He spoke as if to imply she normally wouldn’t help another. It was a very smart and much appreciated support.

“I merely thought granting my assistance to others now and then wouldn’t hurt.”

“…Even though, you acted reflexively?”

“!?”

Avril’s relief was short-lived. Jeanne’s words pierced deep into her heart.

It’s just as she said! I acted on reflex…!

Even though Avril realized she should’ve responded differently, it was too late. She paled completely, but for some reason, Jeanne didn’t press the matter any further.

Within her sharp gaze was a warmth, one given when looking at a small animal.

“…That was uncouth of me. Please excuse me for it. As it is almost time for registration, I shall take my leave. Let us both do our best, Lady Avril.”

“Y-Yes, Lady Jeanne.”

Feeling that she shouldn’t say anything more, Avril only responded with a polite bow.

Even then, Jeanne looked at her with a warm gaze for some reason.

Wa-Was this really okay? I wonder…

She timidly looked up at Dylan, but he was smiling kindly at her like always. Behind him, Chris maintained his cheerful smile. Everything seemed to be fine.

Relieved, she watched Jeanne as she entered the auditorium. It was now Avril’s designated reception time to register according to her exam number. She took her eyes off the clock and adjusted her mindset before turning to face forward.

“Well then, Lord Dylan, I shall off then.”

“Yes. Please take it easy.”

Dylan had most likely spoken politely because of all the attention on them. When she thought about it, they were in front of the exam hall.

Although it was an exam open to anyone, it was easy to imagine that most of those who advanced to the main exam were the sons and daughters of aristocrats who had been properly educated from an early age.

In other words, there were probably many present who already knew the rumors about the “villainess.” From here on, Corinna reputation would guide Avril forward.

There was no need for her to pretend to be a villainess. She believed that with confidence.

***

Dylan let out a sigh as he watched Avril disappear into the exam hall, but just enough so that those around wouldn’t notice.

“I hope nothing happens.”

At that, Chris, who’d been watching with a cheerful demeanor the whole time, spoke up with a question. “Lord Dylan, you haven’t directly told Lady Avril about the original mission from His Highness Lawrence, have you?”

“…If she gets too enthusiastic and ends up being detained in the Kingdom of Claughton after the mission ends, that’d be a problem.”

“Hahaha, that’s true.”

In fact, Lawrence had sent him a telegram saying, “She no longer needs to seduce him as a villainess. Most likely, that king saw through her on their first meeting.”

However, Dylan knew better than anyone what Avril’s actions until now had lead to. And that young lady named Jeanne, who had spoken to her earlier, had likely also seen through Avril’s true nature.

That was most likely what Lawrence was aiming for, but as her husband, he couldn’t hide his mixed emotions.

“The results of the exam don’t matter.”

“If it’s Lady Avril, she’ll surely achieve the result she desires.”

“…As long as nothing happens, that’s enough.”

To Chris, who had spoken the exact words Dylan had imagined himself, he simply repeated the same thing.

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