52. The Wedding Preparations Have Begun (2)

 By Antoinette Vanessa March 9, 2023

“—Delicate embroidery, I see…!”

Certainly, Avril preferred the kind of dress Dylan mentioned. For a moment, her heart leaped, but she soon reconsidered.

…Delicately embroidered dresses need to be carefully sewn by craftsmen over time.

Avril, who was unaccustomed to receiving gifts, always worried about the budget. Although she longed for it, she couldn’t bear to finish her sentence. Nevertheless, Dylan seemed satisfied with her reaction and immediately summoned the clerk.

“It’d be a waste if it were only embroidery. Can you show us a sample of the jewels for sewing onto the dress?”

“Understood, please wait.”

…!?!? A dress with jewels… Even if he’s a millionaire, isn’t that too extravagant for me…!?!?

Avril’s expression changed from cheerful to somber in an instant. Even though Dylan said that they should prioritize elegance over flashiness, wouldn’t a jeweled dress be too flashy—!?

Somehow, it reminded her of the dress that Corinna occasionally wore, which revealed her knees.

—Above all else, that dress is definitely going to disappear, isn’t it?

When she pondered while cupping both of her cheeks, Dylan spoke to her. His smile bore a hint of mischief.

“Come to think of it, the other clerks have been gossiping about us for some time now.”

“…?”

Upon hearing that, Avril tried listening in on the conversation between the two clerks. At the edge of the spacious private room, they were conversing while sneaking glances at her.

“…Is she really THAT Lady Avril? The one who’s going to become the Duchess of Lancester? Contrary to the rumors, she’s unexpectedly… naïve?”

“That she is. There were rumors labeling her a villainess, but isn’t she quite nice?”

…!

That’s right, I’m a villainess.

‘I’m worried about the budget, so let’s not proceed with this.’—even if her mouth was torn, that was the exact line she absolutely mustn’t say. If anything, she had to overturn the perspective that labeled her naïve.

…Alright, first of all, this dress is a gift. I should express my gratefulness…!

…But how was she supposed to do that in a not-naïve way?

Thus, Avril turned to Dylan while imagining how her stepsister would behave in the middle of her secret meeting with a gentleman.

“Lord Dylan, I can’t help but notice how odd you’re behaving today. Why are you sitting so far away?”

“…Come to think of it, today, we haven’t done that, have we?”

“…That?”

“Yes, that.”

Dylan, who was also eavesdropping on the clerks, seemed to be going along with Avril.

But what did he mean by ‘that’?

Be it morning greetings, breakfast, their morning stroll, and mopping the front of the entrance—Avril had made sure everything was taken care of.

…Speaking of which, if I want to appear like a non-naive villainess, I need an intimate relationship with someone…

That was the answer Avril arrived at after some difficult mulling.

“Oh, right, we haven’t kissed yet.”

“!?!?”

Dylan, who was smiling mischievously the entire time, froze.

Avril, who thought that it was just child’s play, also froze.

Apparently, she made a big mistake…

This is serious. After all, Lord Dylan just stopped working…

Besides, Dylan was a gentleman. As such, there was no way he’d attempt such a thing in a place like this, let alone without Avril’s consent. Of course, from an outsider’s perspective, it’d seem like an innocent demand, but their marriage was contractual in nature!

Avril had considered that, either. But seeing his reaction made it even more unbearable….

I’m truly… sorry for the mistake.

When Avril was about to prostrate herself before Dylan, he placed his hand on her shoulder. They were sitting together on the sofa. With his hand on her shoulder, he appeared to be hugging her.

Before Avril could look up, Dylan leaned closer, and something brushed against her forehead.

…!?!?

“Will this be enough for today?”

“…!”

—Ki, he just kissed me…! On my forehead…!

That day, Avril’s bangs were styled in a way that they’d curled inwards. Therefore, Dylan’s lips didn’t make any direct contact, but they did touch her bangs—and most of all, her face.

When Avril blankly stared at him, Dylan averted his gaze.

“…And here I thought that as a villainess, Avril would beg for expensive items. Who would’ve thought that you’d ask for a kiss?”

“T-t-there’s that, too!!!”

“Then it’s just right. Feel free to choose.”

“!?!?”

Half-panicked, Avril agreed with whatever he said. The clerk chose to return at that time with a tray of rhinestones in his hands.

…This is definitely expensive!

…But she could no longer back down.

Despite some troubles, the order for Avril’s wedding dress was successfully made. In the end, she had chosen quite an extravagant dress.

There’s no way it’ll suit me.

Nevertheless, the thought that Dylan chose it for her warmed her heart.

It’s his most thoughtful and precious gift ever.

Even though I may have to leave it behind when the contract marriage comes to an end, but…

…Once the dress is finished, I’ll be sure to sear it into my eyes and cherish the memories.

Avril left the private room while being sent off by the unnaturally gentle and kind gazes of the staff. When she recalled what happened earlier, she rubbed her bangs.

…Who’d have thought Lord Dylan would go so far?

I’m sure that from the perspective of the clerks, we looked like an amicable couple rather than a man and a bad girl!?

Only then did she realize that Chris, who always poked fun at her, had been kicked out before she could choose a dress.

It’s a shame…

***

At a later date, a stunned Chris asked.

“What were the two of you doing?”

Apparently, he did watch over them from the entrance of the private room that day.

Avril didn’t know why Dylan was clutching his head.

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