“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Emilia Kunzendorf, the younger sister of the king. Good day to you, Lady Avril and Lord Sherard.”

For some reason, Avril froze when her name was called before Dylan’s.

She called my name before Lord Dylan…? Moreover, she knew my name even though I haven’t said it yet…?! Just what is all this about…?

However, Emilia, who introduced herself as the younger sister of the king, continued.

“Due to the policy of our previous ruler, few stories of other kingdoms reach us. We live in a world where our people delight in spreading rumors heard from the few who come into contact with tourists. I’m truly pleased with the arrival of the official delegation.”

Avril looked off into the distance as Emilia spoke enthusiastically and without hesitation.

…She seems to be referring to the anecdote left behind by Corinna during her travels.

She had no doubt Dylan had the same expression on his face. She was relieved that the Kingdom of Claughton didn’t ask her to compensate for the damages that occurred during that vacation. That was the only thing she could think right now.

Emilia continued in a trance, gazing at Avril.

“I…”

But suddenly, something strange happened. Perhaps because she’d been talking too fast, the princess started coughing as she tried to continue.

“Cough, cough…”

Her coughing didn’t subside. On the contrary, she seemed to be in so much pain, she couldn’t speak.

Despite this, the influential figures of the kingdom, who were lined up, didn’t lend a hand or call for anyone. They all looked straight ahead and stood motionless.

Why is no one reaching out to help her?!

Although the king gave her a slight look of concern, he didn’t say anything. It was as if he was worried yet unable to help.

His Majesty the King, who just took the throne through a coup, doesn’t have many allies. If so, Her Highness, who is very well aware of that, showed up here in a perfect formal attire.

Realizing the situation, Avril looked at all their faces. Even though they seemed expressionless, she could sense that they were satisfied with the situation. Even the official who guided them there, who seemed to be a very important person, seemed to grin ever so slightly.

The two live in a glittering world, but they’re both isolated and alone.

Avril’s heart, which until just a moment ago had been overjoyed at being able to spend time with Dylan, had wilted.

Avril was here as a villainess as per Lawrence’s order. As for what she could do…

I have no choice but to play my role so that Princess Emilia can leave this place…!

Having made that decision, Avril took a big step forward to attract attention. She could tell that Dylan, who stood next to her, was shocked. Nevertheless, she was playing the role of a villainess with Alexandra as the example.

Please rest assured.

“I’m Avril Allingham.”

Thank goodness, she managed to avoid the mistake of accidentally introducing herself as the Lancester. At that moment, a strange murmur arose from some of the attendants lined up in the audience chamber.

“Avril Allingham…”

“Isn’t that the name of the villainess who visited about three years ago?”

“What was it again… I heard that she had a tryst with the king’s aide at the time. She got him to give her all his valuables. He was so ashamed, he refused to even do anything about it.”

“Wow.”

She could hear the dizzying muttering. Could they be true?

However, Emilia’s words and their chatter confirmed that Corinna must’ve left behind some incredible anecdotes under Avril’s name.

Considering the orders from Lawrence, doing as she pleased would probably be for the best. That must have been what Lawrence meant when he said, “You’ll understand when you get there.”

So, with all her might, Avril put her hand on her cheek and smiled like a villainess.

“There seems to be a lot of familiar faces here?”

“““!!!”””

The atmosphere around the aides who were curiously getting excited froze.

“The last vacation was so wonderful that I returned in search of something expensive.”

“““!?!?!”””

This time, their faces paled. Now, she was acting like a villainess based on Corinna. Satisfied, she glanced at the princess.

Just as everyone’s attention shifted to Avril, a maid appeared and helped the princess as she left the room. It seemed that Avril had successfully diverted everyone’s attention.

Good.

Avril smiled in relief, and was about to politely request as a villainess, “Please give me something expensive on this stay of mine.”

“…Pfft. Kukukuku… Hahaha!”

King Listeard, who sat on the throne above the stage, suddenly burst out laughing.

It didn’t seem like he’d ever stop laughing, which shocked Avril.

Did something amuse the king?

While she was still trying to figure out what was going on, Dylan stepped in front of her.

“Excuse me. Since we’ve just arrived, can we stop here for now? Let’s continue after dinner.”

“Yes. That would be good. It’s going to be an interesting stay. You can leave now.”

With Listeard’s words, Dylan and Avril gave a formal bow and left the audience chamber.

The attendants, who saw them off, looked at them with a variety of looks—from fearful, to strange, to curious.

I don’t know about the king’s laugh at the end… It was an unexpected greeting, but it seems to have ended safely. I’m glad that Princess Emilia was able to leave as well.

As they returned to the waiting room, she sighed in relief. Dylan patted her on the head. She was glad to be praised, so she naturally smiled in return.

“Is that the expression of a villainess?”

“!”

Avril realized the kind of expression she was about to show, and hastily suppressed her smile.

On the way back, a different civil servant guided her. As expected, they arrived in less than half the time it’d taken to get there.

---

Read 10 weeks of chapters ahead and support Faux on Patreon for only $3~

<Previous Chapter

Next Chapter>