221: Doubts
The next day.
“… You’ve come here again?”
After the morning cleaning and a briefing from the head butler regarding today’s schedules for the servants, Avril returned to the mistress’ room, intending to begin her own work.
There, she found Brandon standing beside Samuel, engaged in something. Avril puffed out her
cheeks slightly at the sight of her father-in-law who showed no sign of giving up despite having been refused countless times.
“Lord Dylan hasn’t given you permission to be involved in the management of the duke’s household. Please return to your room.”
“I am offering to help, yet you treated me like a nuisance.”
“I have not gone that far. I am merely stating that your being here is an extraordinary inconvenience”
Brandon’s face twitched at her energetic, cheerful smile.
“Y-you… are you even aware that you’re saying something far crueler in an innocent manner?”
“My sincerest apologies. There are times when what I think simply comes out of my mouth as it is.”
“That just now was intentional, wasn’t it!?”
“Yes. It was intentional!”
Such treatment would normally be unacceptable, especially toward her father-in-law and the former duke. Avril herself would normally refrain from using such language toward those of higher rank, nor would she say such cruel things.
However, this man was Brandon Lancaster— the one who had treated Anastasia coldly and taken Dylan’s mother away from him. Being cold toward him was only natural.
Ever since meeting Samuel, the former Lord Duke has been concerned about us. Perhaps he was reminded of how he had neglected his own family. However, I believe that this and that are separate issues.
Avril thought of Dylan’s mother, Anastasia, who was soothing her heart in the natural-rich Kingdom of Claughton. Her gradual recovery over a long period of time allowed her to recognize Dylan, which overwhelmed him with emotion.
To begin with, Dylan had always acted strong, but he was also a victim of this man. Though they were father and son, and he couldn’t cut ties with the man who once served as the Duke of Lancester, that didn’t mean he had to be forgiven. In her mind, the best course was for everyone to maintain an appropriate distance from each other.
It was the same kind of emotion Avril felt when she was driven out of the Count of Allingham household. If giving up and accepting a situation was required to live, then that was what had to be done. Regardless, no matter how much the environment changed, the anger and sorrow from that time would continue to remain within the heart.
Perhaps the former Lord Duke is doing nothing more than simply keeping watch so that Samuel’s household and the Duke of Lancester don’t grow too close.
While having such thoughts, Avril fixed her gaze on Brandon who was flipping through documents at the mistress’ desk.
Meanwhile, Samuel, who had been observing the two of them, expressed his understanding in a clear and firm tone.
“I don’t know detailed circumstances, but I can understand Lady Avril’s position.”
“Uhm, thank you very much?”
“You must present an image of His Excellency the Duke as someone who isn’t swayed by anything both in public and in private while also attending to the former Lord Duke within the mansion. That must truly be quite difficult.”
Apparently, Samuel was under the impression that Avril needed to play the role of a villainess. Certainly, by considering the circumstances of their first meeting, it made sense. Still, this was a misunderstanding.
“Um, perhaps there’s a misunderstanding. I really do wish to drive out the former Lord Duke… It isn’t what Samuel is thinking. It’s different, different.”
“It’s not a misunderstanding. This villainess, famous even in the royal capital, has brought me terrible suffering.”
“Former Lord Duke?!”
She never imagined Brandon would join in on this conversation. However, he continued in a grave, weighty manner.
“I’ve been severely reprimanded in front of the servants and even had things thrown at me. Come to think of it, I was even made to go to the scene of human trafficking. That led to me being questioned by the police and losing my standing.”
“Lady Avril truly is quite the villainess. I’m intrigued. Surely, former Lord Duke, both you and those around you must have been bewildered.”
“Indeed.”
Although the two seemed to be hitting it off, in reality Samuel was simply helping Avril continue playing the villainess. Also, while what Brandon was saying contained elements of truth, it also included outrageous lies. To begin with, what “bewildered” referred to was unclear.
Above all…
“Former Lord Duke, why do you involve yourself so much with someone who is supposed to be a villainess?”
When she asked him that fundamental question, his response came as a mutter.
“Because I’m bored.”
“Bored?! Is that really the reason you are here…?”
“Yeah, and with the villainess tainted by the royal capital being a pain, I’ll be leaving now. The fifth son of Marquis Brandner can keep her company.”
“Being inexperienced as I am, I’m not up to the task.”
“Hahaha.”
Brandon laughed heartily at Samuel’s calm response and, with that, turned to leave the room. That was when his eyes stopped on the two violins sitting on a well-ventilated shelf. They belonged to Avril and Samuel, placed there so the two of them could play together while preparing for the music festival.
Brandon posed a question.
“Isn’t that… one of the instruments passed down in our family?”
“Yes, the adult one is. I borrowed it from Lord Dylan.”
The former Lord Duke had a look of nostalgia on his face at her reply.
“I’ve used it before as well. Though, I’ve never played together with him.”
Tension seeped into the room as Avril realized he was referring to Dylan. Brandon mentioning Dylan outside of expressing dissatisfaction was rare. However, before it could be addressed, he left the room.
Avril, having remained, muttered to herself.
“What in the world does that man truly want, coming and going from here like this…?
She had been left with unanswered doubts, yet Samuel gave a mature smile, as if to indicate his understanding.
“He is most likely lonely. My mother told me that the former Duke of Lancester conducted himself quite poorly and was spending his old age alone. I haven’t heard the details of his conduct, though.”
“That… you really don’t need to hear those details, alright…?”
In any case, within the room that Brandon had left, Avil turned to face Samuel.
“Please listen, Samuel, it’s not the case that every successive head to the Duke of Lancester likes to play around with women, has a fondness for wicked women, or has eccentric tastes and preferences…?”
“I understand Lady Avril’s position. Unfortunately, that explanation may be a little difficult to believe.”
Avril could only nod at Samuel’s apologetic expression.
“I also thought the same myself as I was saying it…”
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