Avril was surprised, and Clarissa blushed as she explained.

“Yes. When you helped me on the ship, I realized that if I want something, I have to take action myself. So, I went to talk to my former fiancé. I said I wanted to be with him, and asked if he could wait for me as I worked for the Duke of Lancester. He was happy and said he’d pay for the advance payment that my family had received from the Duke of Lancester.”

“Ooh, that’s wonderful!”

I think if Lady Clarissa had told us that she wanted to get married, Lord Dylan would have arranged for her to work for a period of time. That way, she wouldn’t feel inferior and could retire amicably… Nevertheless, I’m glad that her fiancé helped her!

It was unfortunate that Clarissa was kidnapped on the way to the Duke of Lancester, but Avril was glad it didn’t lead to a bad outcome for her life.

“The wedding will be held next month. It’ll be a simple wedding for me, the daughter of a fallen aristocrat, and my fiancé, who has paid off our debts. I can’t invite the duke family to such a wedding, but I wanted to let you know.”

“Congratulations, Lady Clarissa.”

Avril took Clarissa’s hand and congratulated her. Then, she suddenly had an idea.

“If you’ll be having a simple wedding, what about your dress?”

“I sold all of my mother’s dresses at home, and I can’t ask my fiancé to prepare one for me. We plan to hold our wedding in casual attire.”

“…”

Avril also knew the circumstances of Clarissa’s family—the Viscount Limington family. Saddled with debts, they reluctantly sold off their precious daughter to become a servant instead of an apprentice.

It must’ve been very difficult to prepare funds for the wedding. Avril also understood her feelings of not wanting to burden her fiancé any further.

I hope Clarissa finds happiness after all the pain she’s gone through.

Avril looked up at Dylan who was watching the conversation.

“Lord Dylan, I have a request.”

“…Ever since I heard this story from Lady Clarissa at the main house, I had guessed how Avril would respond. You can do as you like.”

Dylan smiled in resignation, and Avril returned the smile.

“Thank you.”

Then, she asked Jesenia, the laundry maid, who happened to be in the same room.

“Jesenia, can you please take out a white box with a ribbon from my closet and give it to Lady Clarissa?”

“? Yes, of course, right away.”

Jesenia, the maid who mistook Avril for Clarissa the first day she arrived, cheerfully brought the white box.

Inside should be the wedding dress that Alexandra had sent from the royal capital the other day.

After Clarissa received the box as a souvenir, she turned to Avril and thanked her many times before leaving.

As Clarissa’s carriage sped along the tree-lined country road, Avril watched her until she disappeared. Dylan, who was beside her, muttered to himself.

“…Is our wedding going to be postponed again?”

Dylan seemed to be staring off into the distance.

This isn’t good, Avril thought, and shook her head frantically.

“No, I already have photos of me in that dress, and I was able to send one to Lord Dylan’s mother. I already have a memory of my own dress, so that’s enough. For the actual ceremony, I’ll wear a ready-made dress that we selected!”

“…I see. I guess that’s Avril-like.”

Even though Dylan gave her permission, she still gave away his gift. She thought she might’ve hurt his feelings. As such, seeing him laugh made her feel relieved.

At the first ceremony, I was embarrassingly attached to the dress. After all, I never thought a day would come when I’d be able to wear a wedding dress made for me…

But now, it’s different. Just the memory of making the dress with Lord Dylan and everyone else is enough.

Just this memory made her so happy that it was almost scary, she thought to herself.

---

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***T/N: AVRIL, WHY WOULD YOU?!?!?!?!?!!

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