218: A Report and Marital Bliss
“…and that is what happened.”
That evening, Avril reported the events of the day to Dylan in the bedroom they shared as husband and wife. The clock had just past ten at night.
The rain that had begun in the evening had turned into a full downpour, and the sound of rain could be heard in the room. Dylan, having closed the curtains, loosened the collar of his nightwear and groaned as he listened to Avril’s story.
“My apologies. So that’s what happened… That guy…”
“This isn’t something Lord Dylan needs to apologize for. Besides, I did think he had a point.”
“He does, which makes this all the more infuriating.”
“As could be expected of the Lord Former Duke.”
Avril sat on the large bed placed in the ducal couple’s bedroom of the main residence. Dylan, having walked over, sat down tight beside her. His expression twisted.
“That man is a fairly capable individual, having managed to serve as the Duke of Lanchester despite also indulging in the terrible ways of playing around. While deepening our relationship with the Brandner Marquis household wouldn’t be bad for us, he must understand what sort of effects that will bring to various places.”
“The Marquis Brandner couple are the flowers of the social world. While they don’t have any blood ties to the royal family, they do have connections with all sorts of other houses.”
Their position seemed to be a complete opposite of the Duke of Lancester household, whose lineage was distinguished yet had its reputation tarnished by the former duke.
The formation of a favorable relationship between the two families was a good development. However, as each had places where they are lacking, this joining of hands would undoubtedly change the power balance in aristocratic society.
The Former Lord Duke must be worried about this. However, I’m sure Lord Dylan didn’t decide to accept Samuel without considering that either.
Dylan sighed, as if confirming Avril’s thoughts.
“Certainly, if the Duke of Lancester household and the Marquis of Brandner household were to draw closer, moves of caution will arise. However, it’ll be immediately clear that there are no significant advantages to our coming together in the current situation. More than that, if we can build a good relationship, my true intention is that I want to rely on them.”
“The state of the Kingdom of Branwill is extremely stable. His Majesty the King’s position is rock solid, and His Highness the Crown Prince is also deeply popular and doesn’t waver. Above all, Lord Dylan is recognized as His Highness the Crown Prince Lawrence’s close confidant. While I do think we should keep the Former Lord Duke’s advice in mind, I don’t think there’s anything we need to be particularly concerned about.”
Should one look far back through history, aristocrats who suddenly gained power and moved to usurp the throne would be revealed.
Even now, factions existed, at least in form. However, within the nation’s current state, those who, rather than opposed the strong authority of Crown Prince Lawrence, the next king, felt fear toward him, was not few.
Incidentally, Avril, who was becoming accustomed to seeing how Dylan was being manipulated by Lawrence from up close, had the same impression. More than fear, she felt sorry for her husband.
Hence, in the peaceful Kingdom of Branwill, there was no need to worry that Dylan Lancester would have such suspicions directed at him. Upon putting that into words, she understood that Dylan chuckled.
“And besides, what of being regarded with caution by other houses? To begin with, wasn’t it that man himself who dropped our reputation before that? He should put himself in our position.”
Avril, realizing he’d spoken sincerely, also laughed.
“Still, I believe that the Former Lord Duke is properly concerned about you, Lord Dylan.”
“Yeah. It’s a troublesome favor though.”
“Yes, that’s true… I’ve decided! How about locking the study while we’re here? The Former Lord Duke does have a history of trying to steal documents, after all.”
At that suggestion, Dylan smiled lightly and turned off the bedside lamp.
Only a small light that illuminated the floor remained.
He then scooped up Avril’s lowered hair and kissed it. The gesture was so natural that Avril’s heart nearly stopped. Yet, even though the action had already been sudden enough, Dylan didn’t stop there.
“If I lock the door, our capable secretary won’t be able to come in.”
“…?! Lord Dylan…?!”
Avril blinked in surprise, but just like that their lips suddenly met. Tension spread throughout her body at the unexpected turn of event.
My…my heart is pounding…
There was a reason for that.
Avril and Dylan had officially been married for half a year, yet immediately after their marriage they had they had received an order from Lawrence to go to the neighboring Kingdom of Claughton.
As a result, they had practically spent that entire half-year living in the Kingdom of Claughton as “the wicked woman who is the Crown Prince’s lover” and “one of the many lovers of said wicked woman.”
This left them with hardly any opportunity to sleep together in the same bed.
After returning from Kingdom of Claughton, Alexandra brought Avril yet another new nightdress and, while pointing at Lawrence, said, “Somehow, I apologize for that man.” Avril more or less understood what she meant.
In other words, we… have never done any of those so-called husband-and-wife activities…
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