“—Lord Dylan, I… I’m ve-very bored.”

“““Ha?”””

As Avril hadn’t behaved like a villainess in some time, she was a bit flustered.

Regardless, the voices of Brandon and the Kaluahusband and wife resonated and echoed through the foyer.  Neither could believe their own ears.  Avril continued without flinching.

“I’d much prefer to speak with someone who will praise Lord Dylan more.”

“Avril…?”

As expected, not even Dylan had anticipated this sort of speech and behavior from her.  His eyes widened as the tension he’d been displaying just seconds ago vanished.

“The reason Lord Dylan’s father so freely played around with women was because he neglected his family.  It was easier and more enjoyable for him to be with women for whom he didn’t have to take responsibility.  In the midst of that, Lord Dylan grew into such a fine adult.  That was the fruit of efforts by your mother, Lady Anastasia, and Lord Dylan himself.  To not praise that and instead direct sympathy to the former Lord Duke— I don’t understand the meaning of that!  After all!  The former Lord Duke must have also had plenty of opportunities to change his ways.  Yet instead, he did not turn his eyes towards them.”

Standing next to her dear husband, Avril thought of Anastasia, whom she had met in the Kingdom of Claughton.  Anastasia was a delicate and kind person who broke after being treated far too cruelly.  For the former Lord Duke to come crying with tears now was too audacious of him.

At the same time, Avril felt as though it overlapped with her own situation.

My father, the Count of Allingham, did something similar.  As nothing can be done about it, I’m no longer angry.  Still, when I think of the pain my honorable mother suffered to her heart, I feel no intention of forgiving him no matter what.

This was a part of her heart that she usually kept covered.  Today, however, her tears felt like they would escape.

Dylan was taken aback.  However, the smile that erased his emotions from just moments ago wouldn’t leave her mind.  She couldn’t stay silent when someone she cared about was hurt.

“As I have married into the Duke of Lancester family, I’ll do as I please.  I will not show courtesy to those who aren’t necessary, and above all, Lord Dylan is… ca-captivated by me!  Thus, even if my wishes differ from Lord Dylan’s intentions, I will surely make him obey!  In other words, the former Lord Duke will be driven way by me, the villainess!”

Within the foyer that had instantly fallen silent, the faint, gentle playing of a piano resounded.

The forced smiles of the Kalua husband and wife twisted.  Brandon’s face flushed bright red.  Then, just as everyone present wondered which of them would be the first to lash out,

“She made a sound argument…”

A voice rang out from somewhere, but it didn’t end with that.

“—When she interrupted the conversation between the Kalua husband and wife and the Duke of Lancester, I thought, ‘As expected, she’s a wicked woman unable to discern proper decorum,’ but… her statement was quite sensible, wasn’t it?”

“—Maybe it was that?  When it comes to the former duke, it’s said that he kept many women in a separate building on the estate and indulged in luxury and debauchery.”

“—I heard from someone who entered the building for the dismantling, but despite appearances, he is quite the conscientious type.  Apparently, he presented gifts to all his mistresses equally and kept track of everything in a ledger.”

“—Way toometiculous.”

“Shh.  They’ll hear you.  Please keep it down.”

With such conversations being heard one after another, the eyes of the Kalua husband and wife and Brandon darted about even though their faces had been red with anger just moments ago.  Chris’ murmur reached Avril’s ears.

“Lady Avril is just like a knight.  Even if Lord Dylan had made any disrespectful remarks towards his elders, she sounded as though she were protecting him by claiming it was all due to her own instructions.”

That wasn’t it.  She was merely complaining to them as a villainess.

“Uhm, I—Lord Dylan, I’m sor—”

When she hastily looked up to her side, she saw that Dylan had regained his usual composure. Moreover, he was giving her a gentle smile.

“…That just now made me quite happy.”

“No, that?!”

“Might the flirting be postponed until you’ve returned to the mansion?”

“Mr. Chris?!”

While Avril was turning red at Dylan’s words, she was teased by Chris.

The Kalua husband and wife probably felt they were at a disadvantage as they took in the situation and quickly excused themselves with, “Well then, we will take our leave.”

Avril murmured as she watched them go.

“Why is it everyone we meet at social gatherings hurries off like this …?”

“There is cause from both of us, generally.”

While she made a wry smile at Dylan’s mischievous grin, Brandon hesitantly spoke.

“…I seem to have been a nuisance.  I’m sorry.”

“For what purpose did the former Lord Duke come to the music festival?  You have been quite concerned since the preparations, but you should have repeatedly been told that your involvement this time was unnecessary.”

Brandon’s gaze wandered at Avril’s questioning him in place of Dylan, who didn’t hide his displeasure toward him.  It was to a degree unbefitting of his dignified appearance.

“The Kalua husband and wife just now are quite peculiar.  They firmly believe without any doubt that their own values are superior and are dismissive to youngsters.”

“I’ve heard about them. I presume you were able to deal with them on equal terms because you’re you.”

A sigh mixed in with Dylan’s reply. Brandon went on.

“That’s not all.  There are countless people that will be difficult for you two to associate without an introduction. That is also the very reason why our house has avoided social gatherings.”

Avril and Dylan unintentionally exchanged glances.  Never had she dreamed he would speak such words.

In other words, the former Lord Duke came here intending to help us?  But as knew we were avoiding him, he discreetly mixed in with everyone else…?!

That was troublesome to an extreme degree, and also,

This may be atonement for what has happened until now, but that does not mean that years of animosity can be erased.

Dylan seemed to be thinking the same thing as Avril.

“Did meeting Samuel remind you of your family?”

Brandon’s expression stiffened at the question from his son.

“No, I—”

“I do not want you to involve us in your circumstances out of temporary nostalgia or loneliness.  If your meddlesome behavior goes any further, new arrangements will have to be considered.  I ask that at the very least you do not forget that.”

“!”

Brandon paled.  Dylan likely intended to expel him from the main residence.  Such was understandable.  As the former duke, he wielded a measure of influence, and his mere presence was a reminder of the family’s former ill reputation.  His removal would be for the best.

Despite having been treated terribly since childhood, Lord Dylan was graceful enough to allow the former Lord Duke to remain in the house and do as he pleased.  He needs to understand that.

“I’ll return to the residence for today.  My apologies.”

Avril’s heart grew unsettled upon being bowed to.

Would I be able to forgive my father if he bowed his head like this?

Without even having to think, the answer was no.  After having been treated like a worn-out rag and ignoring her existence, she would be quite bothered if he came to ingratiate himself after their positions were reversed.

What would Lord Dylan say?

As she focused on him, a violin suddenly joined the piano playing in the foyer.  It was a pure classical piece, different from what Dylan and Chris had played earlier.  Everyone quieted at the rich tone laced with a sense of luster and smooth melody.  The performer, whose play could immediately be discerned as well-practiced, was Fernand Brandner.

Within the wide foyer, the attention that had been entirely focused on Avril and her companions turned over to him.  After finishing his piece, Fernand lowered his instrument and relaxed his posture with a smile.  His appearance was just like a playboy’s.

“Everyone of the Lanchester family, today is the music festival.  How about resolving your family matter with music?”

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