For some reason, cheers of “Yeah!” rose up in other parts of the hall. They… seemed to come from the examinees she had met during the examination. Dylan looked at the commotion with an indescribable expression, but he still gave Avril a smile.

“Congratulations on passing. You… worked hard.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

She gave a lady’s bow to the congratulatory voices that could be heard from afar.

With Dylan on her left and Chris on her right, she had to be giving the impression of a villainess no matter how she was looked at. She had never imagined that there’d be so many people cheering someone like her, a villainess.

As the names of the other successful candidates were read aloud, Avril simply relished her happiness.

What a blessing…!

However, her true goal wouldn’t be achieved if everything ended there.  All she’d have accomplished would be having interfered with the neighboring country’s National Examination.

“I believe the problem comes after this.”

“…Indeed.”

The announcement of those who passed, enveloped within commotion and cheers, came to an end.  Following would be the announcements for first place, second place, and third place. Avril was so nervous that she couldn’t breathe.

“I made inquiries with everyone during the exam period. I discovered that those who rank within the top three not only receive a reward from His Majesty the King, but are also given consideration in the assignments. They apparently are more likely to be placed in their desired departments or a prominent department.”

“Well, that’s how such things usually are.”

Most of the successful candidates watching the rankings announcement didn’t seem to seriously be aiming for the top. Only a few of them held their breaths as they waited for the announcement that was about to come.

Among them, Avril saw Jeanne Herzfeld.

Her father is a close aide to His Majesty the King. Lady Jeanne must carry heavy expectations, and they must be difficult to shoulder.

Jeanne had helped Dylan’s mother alongside Avril. As such, she couldn’t help but hope that Jeanne would achieve good results as well. Just as the thought came to her, the announcement for the top three finally began.

“Third place, Audrey Baudriller.”

Applause suddenly erupted.

“—Also in third place, Jeanne Herzfeld.”

…Eh?

Two names were called for some reason.

Avril had assumed that only one name would be called for each position and ended up looking up in surprise. A stir arose among the audience. They seemed to have thought the same. Then, Dylan gasped. Chris’ right arm, which Avril was holding, twitched.

“Second place, Benoit Beniche.”

Even when the name for second was called, the atmosphere in the hall didn’t return to normal due to the confusion over two names being called for third place. No applause followed.

An unnatural silence filled the great hall.

Just earlier, when the successful candidates were being announced, there was an announcement along the lines of, “Due to the success of examinees from foreign countries, the number of successful candidates has been increased.”

What exactly did that mean?

Before Avril could put her answer to words, a name was called.

“—Top ranking candidate, Avril Allingham.”

After a brief moment of silence, a great wave of applause erupted. Everyone was looking at her and offering their congratulations.

Avril hurriedly looked up at Dylan. “Lord Dylan, I—”

Before Dylan could respond, the surrounding shouts drowned out all sound. She knew Dylan was congratulating her from his smile, but the clamor made hearing anything impossible.

“Thank you…very much”

For the time being, she bowed to everyone to show her gratitude. This atmosphere touched her heart far, far more than she’d imagined possible.

I used to be called “creepy” at home for being good at memorizing things. And now, who would have thought such an ability would lead to something like this. Life truly is unpredictable.

As she absent-mindedly stood there, someone tapped her on the shoulder. Turning around, she found Jeanne Herzfeld. Jeanne’s eyes were moist. Her expression was unable to hide her excitement.

As her name had also been called for third place, Avril gave her congratulations.

“Congratulations, Lady Jeanne.”

“And you as well, Lady Avril! I was certain you would pass, but to think you were the top scorer… As expected of you. It’s just as I heard in the rumors during the exam.”

“…”

A chill went down her spine. Just what kind of rumors?

“As for the rumors…”

Even though Avril kept her mouth tightly sealed to avoid saying anything unnecessary, the question must had shown on her face. Jeanne smiled and explained before she could say anything.

“I’ve heard stories here and there about people being helped by a woman with the reputation of a villainess.”

“Be-Being helped!?”

At the surprise, Jeanne continued by saying, “For example,
“There’s the popular story of how someone’s only fountain pen broke. When that person was in trouble, you forcefully, though in an oddly unnatural way, arrange an exchange. There is also the story of another person having stomach problems and being unable to take their following exam. You picked some medicinal herbs from the garden and threw them at the person.”

What does she mean by ‘popular’? While Avril stood dumbfounded, Jeanne cheerfully went on.

“What I personally found truly impressive was the response you gave when someone asked, ‘I want to propose to my lover after the exam, but I’m no good with words.’ You suggested using a line from a famous poem. Not only was it a clever answer that would capture a woman’s heart, but normally, anyone asked such a silly question during the exam would just ignore it. They’d ignore it.”

“Ah?!”

Hearing it from another, Avril understood. All of those actions were nothing like those of a villainess. They were simply acts of helping others.

Avril was shocked by this newly realized fact, but the overly excited Jeanne paid no attention to her emotions.

“Each and every one of those moments speak of a woman’s vast learning. I hear you only came to this country a short time ago, but I have absolutely no doubt about you being the top scorer.”

“V-vast learning… no doubt…”

Avril could only blink in disbelief at the completely unexpected story.  Such was only natural. Avril had spent her three days behaving as a villainess normally would.

Certainly, she could understand why she didn’t seem much like a villainess after hearing Jeanne’s stories, but everyone should had been treating her like one. She never realized her actions were being interpreted in such a way.

It’s true that I, as a villainess, allowed myself to enjoy my time with everyone just a bit. But how did it turn out like this!?

Passing as the top ranking examinee was a joyous occasion.

However, at this rate, before she could request the mining redevelopment rights as her reward from the King, she might be accused of being a liar by Listeard.

No, in the first place, it’s my fault for pretending to be a villainess… But if that does happen, I might even bring trouble for Lord Dylan!

Yet Jeanne, having excitedly conveyed her congratulations, ended the conversation with a, “Truly, congratulations,”and left. This was troubling.

“Lord Dylan…”

Then when she tried to continue in a low voice, “I apologize if they realize I’m not a true villainess,” he placed his index finger against her lips. She understood it to mean, “You don’t need to say anything.” Except, what does he mean by that?

Also, for some reason, that gesture felt very precious. Her heart raced.

Like a married couple… or rather, secret lovers.

At the moment, she needed to be considering what would happen if everyone discovered she wasn’t a villainess. And yet, she had let her mind wander to unrelated thought. Embarrassed, she slightly lowered her face.

Somewhere, with a creak, heavy doors could be heard opening.

“There’s a suspicion of cheating among the successful candidates of the National Examination!”

The one who threw open the heavy doors and shouted was Alois Herzfeld. He was the father of Jeanne, the one who had just congratulated Avril earlier, and the prime minister of this country.

His back which had looked weary when she had first met him was now straight. If anything, he almost seemed to be puffing himself up.

Suspicion of cheating…? The exam was supposed to have been conducted under very strict supervision. Could such a thing even have been possible?

Avril couldn’t make sense of it. Everyone in the great hall was equally bewildered by Alois. He had barged in and was practically spitting with his words. During the midst of all that, he pointed directly at Avril who was tilting her head in confusion.

“That woman—Avril Allingham’s exam answers are under suspicion. Cheating on the national examination is a grave crime. …Seize her at once and interrogate her!”

The heavy doors closed with a sound.

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