55. The Wedding (2)

Her stepsister emerged from the other side of the door. She had strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes—just like Avril. Corinna’s silky straight hair usually set them apart. But for some reason, her hair was lightly and neatly curled that day.

…With matching hairstyle, it truly becomes difficult to tell us apart.

Well, we have the same father, after all.

Still, is this really okay…?

Just when she was about to ponder something that had naught to do with the situation, Avril suddenly realized.

“Wow, I can’t believe someone would actually wear that dress!”

Her stepsister—Corinna Allingham—who walked through the door, was wearing the dark green dress that had disappeared from the servants’ lounge some time ago…

It was no secret that a few months ago, Avril expressed her desire to wear that dress. After all, as a villainess, she had an image to maintain. Therefore, imagine her relief when Grace informed her that the dress went missing. She was utterly relieved—so much that she accidentally took Grace’s hand in her own and thanked the maid.

“What? Are you referring to this open back? Wonderful and alluring, isn’t it? Thanks to this dress, sneaking in was child’s play. Could it be, this is Avril’s signature dress?”

On the day Alexandra presented that dress, quite a few servants saw it. Therefore, it wouldn’t have been strange for the servants in the church to mistake Corinna for Avril.

When Corinna spun around, Avril flushed.

“I-it’s alright! You don’t have to show it! I know that the back is wide open!”

“W-what’s with you! Isn’t something of this degree normal for the scandalous Avril Allingham?”

“S-scandalous…? Oh, uhm, certainly…”

Corinna triumphantly glared at Avril who had completely failed to become a villain over the past year.

“—Hmph, I was a fool for thinking that after being married off as a villainess, you’d change. Apparently, you’re still the same old incompetent and naïve girl from back then.”

“…”

If anything, I’m grateful at being able to fulfill that role…

A long time had passed since she was subjected to such verbal abuse. Once again, Avril became grateful for her happy life.

“Carol, tie Avril up.”

Eh?

As the unexpected order caught Avril off guard, Carol faltered behind her.

“B-but Lady Corinna, why—”

“—Hurry. People are going to come.”

“E-even if it’s Lady Corinna’s order, this is just—”

Upon seeing Carol’s disobedience, Corinna casually brought out a small piece of paper.

“Carol, this is a train ticket for the territory of Count Allingham. You may go home as soon as this mission is over. You haven’t seen your family in a long time, have you? Unfortunately, it seems that your mother’s chronic illness has taken turn for the worse…”

“M-my mother… Has a chronic illness? But she’s never mentioned anything about that…”

“How foolish. As if a mother could bear to write a letter that’d worry her daughter working so far away in the royal capital…”

“…!”

Carol blanched.

As Avril watched her silently, Carol’s meek voice echoed in her ears.

“…Lady Avril, I’m sorry.”

Thus, her wrists were bound with a rope. For the time being, Avril decided to obey.

Carol is on Corinna’s side. It can’t be helped since she’s been working under her for many years. Not to mention, there’s also her family’s issues.

If anything—

—the actual problem was the rope.

There was a time when Avril was addicted to untying knots.

However, her interest in them didn’t stem from books. Instead, she happened to learn about it when she was locked in a storeroom by her stepmother as a child.

Therefore, she could untie almost any knot. Concealing that talent was honestly difficult for her. She suddenly felt nostalgic over an experience that no ordinary countess would have.

…Ah, as expected, this knot is too easy—!

She twisted both her wrists, leading the rope to splendidly slip off and fall to her feet.

““…””

Avril stared at Carol.

Both were equally concerned.

She sneaked a glance at Corinna, only to see her stepsister wrapping herself around not just one but two good-looking escorts. In a panic, Avril secretly whispered to Carol.

“E-excuse me, Carol. Could you bind me a little tighter?”

“…Just now, I feel like I saw something I shouldn’t have.”

“That’s just your imagination. Anyway, please tie me up—a bit tighter this time.”

“That’s not something someone who’s about to be abducted should say.”

“Well, sorry about that…?”

…As of right now, no one is on my side. While Carol seems to be feeling guilty, but for her own sake, it’s better she obeys.

As she was about to re-tie Avril’s hands, Carol let out a deep sigh. After a brief pause, she whispered quietly to not catch Corinna’s attention.

“…The lord.”

“Eh?”

“…If Lady Avril doesn’t attend the wedding, the lord will be worried.”

“Oh, right. Moreover, there are many guests today, since it’s an important day for the Duke of Lancester. I know you’re worried, but it’s not your responsibility, Carol. So, it’s alright. All you have to think about is your own family.”

“…”

“Carol?”

Carol didn’t reply. Curious, Avril turned around, only to see Carol tearing up while biting her lips.

“…Seriously, w-what’s with you, Lady Avril…”

“You’re worried about your mother, and that’s alright. As you know, Corinna has a wicked personality. Still, after making you go this far, I don’t think she’ll withhold the train ticket from you.”

“No, it’s not that… It’s not about that at all…”

“Hm?”

Apparently, Carol wasn’t crying because she was worried about her mother.

Then why…?

As she pondered, Avril felt a presence behind her.

It was none other than Corinna, who until just a while ago, was wrapping herself around two handsome escorts.

…And for some reason, she seemed really grossed out.

“…You, why are you crying?”

“Carol’s crying because she’s worried about her mother’s illness.”

“That’s obviously not the reason!?”

Normally, Corinna would kick up a fuss, but she was keeping her voice down.

She truly intended to step in as Avril.

On the other hand, Carol had stopped tying Avril. Amidst her confusion, Carol’s determined and unfaltering voice rose up.

“Lady Corinna—I won’t submit to you anymore.”