42. Being Acknowledged Makes me Happy

Due to security issues, Avril had to move from the detached mansion to the main residency. Since then, Avril’s life had changed a lot—one of them was her meals.

In the spacious dining room of the main residency, Avril sat across from Dylan. Before the lavish meal, Avril spoke timidly.

“…Uhm, Lord Dylan, is it alright for me to be here?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t that be?”

“…Never mind, then. If so, I can be at ease.”

Since Avril wasn’t particularly against the notion, she shook her head.

Most people didn’t know that their marriage was contractual in nature. To everyone else, Dylan’s treatment towards his wife was probably seen as aloofness on his part, since it was a political marriage.

Coming to an understanding, Avril looked around.

…Lord Dylan’s dining room is so crowded.

Waiting for them were eight waiters, four times the number of those actually there to eat. No matter how she looked at it, it felt both unnatural and unsettling.

But if they say this is commonplace for a duke, then I have no choice but to bear with it…

If so, all she had to do was prove her utter villainy to the servants. After all, she was nothing more than a temporary wife, someone who’d be leaving in a little over two years after an amicable divorce.

…A villainess would eat eloquently, yet direct selfish and uncouth remarks to both the waiters and the food.

Where did she learn that? Corinna.

—Thus,

“Hey, you.”

“Yes, Lady Avril?”

Avril made up her mind and put down her silverware. A familiar servant approached her. It was none other than Grace. By the way, Carol was nowhere to be seen.

“Can you re-cook this meat? I’ve since decided that I’ll only eat overcooked, tough, meat.”

“I understand. Since a new portion will need to be prepared, this meat has to be discarded.”

“!?”

I haven’t heard of this!

Avril stared alternately between Grace and the meat on the plate, panicking inside.

“No… Uhm, couldn’t you just—… Grill this meat again? I…”

“That isn’t an option. The food here is made for Lady Avril. Even if you haven’t touched it, the food will have to be remade, and no one is allowed to eat the leftover.”

“—!?! You can’t, such a wasteful thing…!”

“Wasteful?”

While she was aware that her words and deeds contradicted that of a villain, Avril—who grew up as a servant, couldn’t allow such a fine meal to go to waste.

To Grace, who had a crooked smile, Avril tried to apologize.

“I, I actually have no complains about the meat, sorry…”

“Then, exchange it with mine. I haven’t touch it, yet and I had the chef grill it a little more today. I’m sure it’ll suite your palate.”

“!?! But that’s Lord Dylan’s meal!?”

Not only did Avril shriek, all the maids were visibly perturbed. In that country, it was considered discourteous to exchange plates that had been served individually, even if it was between family members. If anything, the act only attested to their closeness as a married couple.

To the flustered and agape Avril, Dylan nonchalantly said.

“It’s fine. Is there any problem?”

“That’s nothing but a problem! I, it’s okay, I’ll just eat mine!”

“…Are you truly alright with that?”

“Yes, look, it’s very tasty!”

Avril hastily sliced the meat and shoved it into her mouth. That way, Dylan would stop trying to trade his meal with her.

…Is it my imagination, or did Lord Dylan just lower his gaze to conceal his laughter?

…Anyway, things shouldn’t have turn out this way!

Thus, she decided to not act like a villain during meals…

After finishing her meal, Avril reflected deeply regarding her uncouth behavior. At that moment, a cart full of sweets was brought into the dining room.

The desserts ranged from a cream-filled cakes full of berries, bright yolk-colored custard pudding, thick gateau chocolate, to colorful fruits, macaroons, cookies, and jelly…

“…This is?”

“I thought we could share in some dessert together, so I had them brought in. You don’t dislike sweets, do you?”

“Since I’m a villainess, I love them very much!”

As a side note, Corinna liked desserts, too. As such, there shouldn’t have been any need for her to put up a front.

How amazing…! Even back when I ate alone, dessert was prepared for me, but these look truly exquisite…!

Avril beamed at the cart, and before she knew it, a forkful of dessert was being held directly in front of her. Surprised, she turned to the owner of the fork. It was none other than Dylan. He, who had been sitting across the large table just a little while ago, had moved beside her.

“…!?”

What the hell is this?!

As she pondered that, Dylan smiled.

“Since you’re a villainess, you should be used to this, right?”

“!?!”

So, it’s “THAT”—!?

Too many unprecedented things had happened at that day’s meal. As the hurdle was too high, Avril wished that they’d give her a break…

…However, if a villainess was expected to be accustomed to such things, then it couldn’t be helped.

But somehow, it’s a bit…

In the corner of her mind, the image of Corinna, who called for a “gigolo,” flashed. While she didn’t get a good look, she had seen Corinna eating cake on top of the gentleman’s lap.

Still, it wasn’t like Avril herself was on Dylan’s lap, so she probably could do that much.

Thus, Avril accepted the presented fork into her mouth. At that moment, Dylan’s hand, which was holding the fork, twitched.

“…It’s delicious.”

After swallowing the cake, Avril smiled. For some reason, Dylan was clutching his forehead. It was important to note that all the eight of the servants had disappeared from the dining room.

“…My apologies. Right now, I’m tormented by an overwhelming sense of guilt.”

“Why? You said it’s normal, so it should be!”

“I know. I started this, but let me say this—you might actually be a bad girl.”

“Well, I am.”

She was satisfied that day.

Happy and content—

—if Avril were to describe her daily life at the Duke of Lancester, those words would be perfect, but she felt that they weren’t enough.

…Rather than simply being happy for the good treatment, it feels like everyone here acknowledges me for who I am.

As she ate dessert side by side with Dylan, savoring that happiness, he told her.

“Avril, I’d like to tell you something at a later date. Will you listen?”

“Of course, you can say anything.”

Within Dylan’s calm expression, a subtle hint of unease could be seen.

As such, I also wish that I can help Lord Dylan who acknowledges this me.