I’ve heard that the results of the National Exam Kingdom of Claughton are related to one’s assignment. This means…

“Lady Jeanne, you wished to be involved in diplomacy?”

Jeanne smiled at Avril’s involuntary question.

“Yes. My father was always on the side that forbade involvement with other countries. Having been raised on that side, I, in response, came to let my thoughts wander to matters outside the country.”

“And so you wished to become a diplomat…! As might be expected from Lady Jeanne.”

Emilia, who had been listening to their conversation, spoke with her voice bouncing with joy.

“I, too, have long admired the outside world where Lady Villainess Avril exists…! It’s said that the changes in the Kingdom of Claughton were due to the arrival of the villainess from the Kingdom of Branwill. Lady Avril’s reputation has been rising higher and higher, and the evaluation of the Duke of Lanchester who captured that heart is also high!”

“T-thank you very much?”

Avril tried expressing her thanks for the time being, but most of what had just been said was wrong. Still, as she could hardly deny it, she decided to simply brush it off.

Nevertheless, unbeknownst to her, it seemed that the reputation of “Villainess Avril” had skyrocketed in the neighboring kingdom. She had thought that if she returned home, the fictitious villainess stories brought about by her younger half-sister Corinna would be forgotten, but she seemed to have underestimated them.

Even so, Emilia and Jeanne, though each had differing purposes, brought her delight with their joy at being able to have come to a foreign kingdom. Surely, the two of them would become reliable allies.

As she was thinking such, Emilia, having gradually calmed down from her excitement, took notice of Samuel who stood beside Avril.  Her eyes widened as she inquired.

“…Ara? Who might this child be?”

“This is our first time meeting. I am Samuel Brandner, the fifth son of Marquis Brandner of the Kingdom of Branwill. Pleased to make you acquaintance.”

“M-my… what a courteous beautiful young boy…!”

Emilia blushed at Samuel’s greeting and gave a brisk and vigorous applause. Avril, understanding that feeling from the bottom of her heart, smiled.

“He’s currently staying at our house for etiquette training. He’s a very well-behaved boy, and he has been helping in various ways.”

“Rather, I am the one who is being treated well by Lady Villainess Avril.”

Emilia’s expression brightened even more when Samuel turned his radiant smile towards her.

“You said your name is Samuel, right? I feel like I’ll get along with you. Though you are still a child, you are a follower of Lady Villainess Avril, aren’t you.”

“Indeed. From the moment we met, she was a rare kind of villainess.”

“A rare kind of villainess…! That’s right. While she toys with gentlemen, she’s a champion of justice who despises crooked practices.”

“Her Royal Highness Princess Emilia’s image of a villainess is quite something.”

The conversation was lively. Emilia, however, was fifteen while Samuel was ten. Emilia was supposed to be older, yet somehow Samuel seemed to be the one accommodating her.

Samuel seems to be under the misunderstanding that I am a villainess in public due to some special circumstances, while Her Highness Princess Emilia believes that a villainess who is a mixture of Corinna and my behavior actually exists…!

These two had a rather troublesome misunderstanding about Avril.

Only Jeanne, who was perceptive, had a troubled expression. Nevertheless, given Jeanne’s position, Avril understood that she couldn’t possibly rebuke Emilia.

Jeanna, giving the impression that she wanted to say something, awkwardly let her gaze wander. Still, this is fine. As the two of them are together now, I’ll use this opportunity to correct the misunderstanding.  Thus, Avil began to speak.

“Ano, there seems to be a slight misunderstanding in your perception of…”

At that moment, the sound of a trumpet could be heard from the direction of the first-floor entrance. The concert hall seemed to have opened, and fanfare welcoming the audience was being played. Samuel, who had a firm grasp of the schedule, urged her on.

“Lady Avril, I think would be best for you to go soon. Our guests are arriving, and I need to prepare for the performance.”

“Y-yes, you’re right.”

For now, rather than denying the misconceptions about being a villainess, she should probably prioritize making the music festival a success. Thus, she left the room together with Samuel.

“Let us meet again another time, Your Highness Emilia, Lady Jeanne. We also need to clear up a misunderstanding.”

“When we are like this, Lady Avril doesn’t look at all like the villainess of the rumors! How peculiar…! As expected of you, properly being able to switch between two faces, that of a duchess and a villainess!”

“Yes, first of all, the real me isn’t actually a villainess.”

“My, what an amusing thing you say. As expected of you, to not boast of your own honor.”

Even at her inadvertently spoken confession, Emilia remained unfazed. She didn’t seem to consider the possibility that Avril wasn’t a villainess. Avril’s heart ached. Then, as she left the room and walked down the stairs, she was given an angelic smile by Samuel.

“Lady Avril, the friends you’ve made are also quite interesting and charming.”

“Ugh… That’s my fault. But, Samuel, I really love the part of you where you praise everything in such a positive way.”

The education of the Marquis Brandner family truly was as expected.

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