For now, she carried Emilia to the drawing room and listened to her story. Emilia started rambling, declaring, “I’m a fan of the Villainess Avril.”

What is happening?

Uhm, so she means… she admires me or something? No, that doesn’t make sense, she’s calling me a “villainess”…

Emilia blushed and looked away as Avril stared at her blankly.

“I know the story of Villainess Avril, who visited our kingdom three years ago. The stories speak told of how she beguiled countless gentlemen and robbed all of their gold and silver. At that time, I thought, such a craven woman.”

“No, you’re right. I give my sincerest apologies.”

It seemed that Emilia didn’t admire the Villainess Avril after all. Apparently, my apology wasn’t for yesterday’s uncouth behavior, but for the whole Kingdom of Claughton.

Just as she was thinking about getting off the sofa right away to prostrate herself with her forehead on the floor, Emilia gently took her hand.

“However, after hearing the rumors about the incident on the Victoria a few months ago, I changed my mind.”

“What?”

“I heard that Lady Avril, despite being a villainess, took the place of the women who were being held on the ship and saved them.”

“Huh?”

“I was moved by the strength and wisdom of a villainess.”

“?!?!?!”

Avril couldn’t hide her shock at the unexpected flow of the conversation. Emilia’s interpretation was completely off.

Lynn, who was with me on the cruise ship, was from the Kingdom of Claughton. It seems that what Lynn spoke about when she returned ended up reaching Her Highness Emilia?! Even so, how did it go to this direction? No, wait… since she took it as the villainess’ virtues, maybe I’m safe for the time being?

Even as she analyzed it the situation, she couldn’t make sense of it at all. Moreover, she was visiting as a villainess. Strong was one thing, but she’d be extremely troubled if she was described as wise.

Meanwhile, Chris, who often came to her aid, watched over her with a smile. It seemed that she had to do this on her own.

Emilia, however, continued with a dreamy, ecstatic expression on her face.

“My brother knows how much I admire you, Lady Avril, but he doesn’t know why. The royal aids discovering that I am hearing about international matters would be a problem, after all. Your wonder is mine alone to cherish. Then yesterday, when you protected me in the throne room, I was deeply touched. I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”

The fluency and lack of hesitation Emilia spoke with convinced Avril that she wasn’t pretending. Despite that, she could not accept those words as her true feelings in the slightest.

Why? Why isn’t she angry about my improper behavior yesterday…?! This is really not good…

She felt as though her purpose for coming had been overturned. Avril had to convince King Listeard that she was a villainess. However, his sister aware of what happened on the Victoria made things much more difficult.

What should I do…?

While Avril was frozen in confusion, Emilia quickly stood up and reached for the curtain covering the entire wall at the back of the room. Then, with a dramatic pull,

Whoosh!

A heavy cloth fell against the marble floor with a dull thud. Avril, still confused, was left speechless by what she saw. On the wide wall was her face.

Huuuuuh?! What is this?!

The portrait depicted “Avril” wearing a crimson dress that accented her shoulders. With a butterfly shaped mask in one hand and a seductive smile, she presented a seductive gaze to the viewer.

She looked a little younger than Avril, so it must’ve been a portrait of Corinna.

While Avril was shocked, Emilia blushed while looking at the portrait.

“I had a painter create it from the stories I heard from a gentleman who got close to the Villainess Avril. Although, it’s a little different, isn’t it? I guess that’s to be expected, since the parts hidden by the mask were drawn from imagination. I’ll have them fixed right away. I’m sorry for showing you something incomplete.”

“Uhm…”

“The truth is, I have always wanted to visit the Kingdom of Branwill to meet you. After all, obtaining information about the outside world is difficult in this kingdom. However, my health is poor, so I can’t leave this kingdom blessed with an abundance of nature and clean air. I’ve been living my days in sorrow—you can’t imagine how excited I was when I heard that you were coming to visit as an envoy! I was so happy I could die!”

“Uhm!?”

“I heard that you’ll be staying in the Kingdom of Claughton for an extended period to inspect various places. I won’t allow anyone to speak ill of you, the villainess. I’m not in a very strong position myself, but… I’ll protect Lady Avril, even if I have to use my brother, the king, for personal purpose! Please rest assured!”

W-what should I do…?!

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