“—And that’s what happened!”

“That’s terrible.”

Avril’s “report about the former duke’s behavior” to Dylan in their bedroom had become a nightly occurrence.

Once again, Dylan was left holding his head with an apologetic expression at Avril’s animated report.

“The servant I assigned to monitor that man claims to have lost sight of him within the mansion. I personally went to voice my complaints, but he was no longer in the room.”

“As expected of someone who has lived here for so long. He must have a grasp on the movements of all the servants.  How troublesome.”

Avril, drawn in by Dylan, also found herself holding her head.

This was because on both the following day and the day after, Brandon had entered the room Avril and Samuel were using to do nothing but meddle. All the servants in the main mansion were on Avril’s side, but they apparently couldn’t say anything to Brandon. As such, Dylan frequently visited Avril while she was working, but Brandon also timed his arrivals during moments Dylan had appointments scheduled. In the end, she continued being obstructed by him.

On top of that, given that he was giving everyone the slip so he could specifically to go and interfere with her work made Avril want to ask, “What in the world does he want?”  It was by sheer force of will that she kept her composure.

“Still, it’s okay.  As the person entrusted by Lord Dylan during his absence, I will not let the former duke do as he pleases…! Lord Dylan, please devote yourself on your work.”

“No, I will confine him within the annex sealed for dismantlement. I feel sorry for the servants who will have to look after him, but it can’t be helped.”

As Dylan looked like he might stand and leave the bedroom at any moment, Avril hastily and firmly grabbed his arm.

“It’s okay! Please leave it to me.”

“Mya.”

Blue, who ended up getting caught between them, also hung onto Dylan’s arm. Dylan, having been held back by the two of them, sighed out and sat down.

“…Avril, do you have some sort of plan?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t have anything in particular. But as I see him every day, I can somehow tell, he doesn’t have any ill will. Like Samuel said, he’s just really lonely or something like that.”

“Lonely… he brought it upon himself.”

Seeing the corner of her husband’s mouth twist, Avril gave a vigorous nod.

“I think so too… However, as he hasn’t done anything bad other than be a hinderance, in truth we can’t come down too hard on him, or so I believe. Perhaps, that too might have been calculated into his behavior. If rumors about the Duke of Lancester confining the aged former duke were to spread, it wouldn’t leave a very good impression.”

“You’re right. Not everyone in high society is an ally.”

“Yes. Those who have been harming the House of Lancester through slanderous rumors about the former duke might now come to use misunderstandings about Lord Dylan as their new shield. It’ll only get more troublesome.”

Given the Duke of Lanchester’s original position, such rumors shouldn’t have been a concern. However, at the garden party hosted by Alexandra the other day, Avril felt on her own skin that they were being thought of as “Dylan Lanchester, the duke who likes villainesses,” and “a duchess who is an unbelievable villainess.”

Even though quite some time has passed since the succession, that such a misunderstanding hadn’t cleared up was far too unfortunate.

It’d be fine if this were to only remain within our generation, but it’d be terrible if this bad reputation continued on into our children’s generation…!

While having such thoughts, she noticed Blue curled up on the bed, sound asleep.

Until just a moment ago, Blue had been playfully partaking in their conversation, but his sleepiness seemed to have reached its limit. Being by Dylan’s side must have felt comfortable, for he slept with a completely reassured expression.  Dylan stroked Blue while murmuring.

It had likely felt comfortable by Dylan’s side, as it slept with a look of complete peace and tranquility.

 “Why does Blue come and go from here too?”

“I understand why. It’s because being by Lord Dylan’s side is comfortable.”

“…I see.”

Avril looked up at Dylan.  He was smiling at her with a complicated expression.

“I feel the same as well, Lord Dylan?”

“…”

Her husband choked up on his words. Today, once more, a peaceful night wore on.

---

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