56. The Wedding (3)

“What did you say…?”

“!?!?”

…Carol—!? What are you doing—!?!?

Corinna raised her voice, which was unusual for her. Unbeknownst to all of them, Avril was the most shocked.

—If she obeyed Corinna, she’d be able to return to the territory of Count Allingham in no time…!

But Carol didn’t flinch. Instead, she firmly declared to Corinna.

“…Lady Corinna, I’ve been serving your family ever since I was 13-years-old. When you were only 8-years-old, I was told to be your maid. For taking care of me, I’m grateful.”

“Exactly. You owe me. Why do you oppose me?”

“What am I to you? A lackey? No, a pawn? Not only was I forced to accompany Lady Avril, I also wasn’t able to send enough money to my family, let alone see them. Over the past few months, it’s only gotten worse. I’m already at my limit.”

Carol…

In spite of Carol’s unyieldingness, Corinna was very much unfazed. Scoffing, she even dismissed without a second thought.

“Yeah, yeah, and here I was about to ask you to help me change into the wedding dress, too. I’ll just do it myself. Anthony, tie them up for me, please?”

The two handsome men proceeded to carry out Corinna’s order. One of them was about to gag Avril with a cloth.

Uhm, this is to prevent me from screaming, isn’t it…?

Avril meekly spoke to Corinna.

“Corinna, before you gag me, there’s something I must tell you.”

“Nice try, except I am well aware that nothing useful ever come out of your mouth!”

“No, it’s for your own sake—mmph…”

Before Avril could finish her words, however, a cloth was stuffed into her mouth.

Judging from the conversation, it was safe to assume that Corinna was trying to switch places with her. But that was the problem—Corinna misunderstood something!

Corinna misunderstands the nature of my relationship with Lord Dylan. She probably thinks that our bond is so fragile, she could get away with impersonating me. Does she know that dress was from Lady Alexandra? If I told her Lady Alexandra knows, then she might not be so rash…

…Even if it was a shame, it was too late.

Thus, Avril and Carole were locked up in the stairwell of the church by Corinna’s henchmen.

***

While I could untie this rope at any time, I don’t think I can win against her henchmen… Therefore, I think it’s the best to stay put until someone saves me…

Besides, Avril was curious about Carol.

To see if she was frightened, Avril turned to look at her, and Carol began to speak.

…For some reason, Avril was the only one gagged. Perhaps, it was because of that reason Corinna mentioned earlier—her words were “nothing useful.”

“…Lady Avril, most assuredly, the lord won’t forgive Lady Corinna for putting you through this. When the opportunity strikes, let’s scream at the top of our lungs and escape.”

“Oghay…”

It’s a shame, Carol doesn’t realize this is just a contract marriage… If I fail to fulfill my obligations to the contract, I might have to pack my bags…

—Suddenly, her chest stung. Perhaps, her heart was stricken at the notion of failing to live up to her expectations. When she saw Avril’s saddened expression, Carol seemed to misunderstand.

“It’ll be alright. Even if I was barely around, I can still see that you’re precious to the lord.”

“Thrue…”

—That’s right.

Certainly, I’m very grateful that he took care of me for the sake of the contract, but…

But what’d happen if Avril failed to fulfill her obligation? Carol’s face twitched as she look at Avril.

“…What’s with that? I’ve been meaning to say this, but isn’t Lady Avril too cold to the lord?”

“…Eh?”

While she had a bad reputation to maintain, she also had to act like a proper wife.

…Had I ever been too cold to Lord Dylan?

Did I make a fatal mistake without knowing it…!?

“Don’t overthink it. Here, let me spell it out for you. For example, the library. It took a lot of work to prepare that, but he still did it even though he could’ve given you a random dress or a piece jewelry instead. Moreover, he also made sure to stock up on your favorite books. I know because I’d clean that library every day. Yet, even to this day, you still failed to notice. I’m beginning to feel sorry for the lord…”

“…!?”

“The day after you made those crepes in the kitchen of the mansion, a cookbook was added to the library. The day after you choose a dress with the lord, an embroidery book. Books are being added so quickly and precisely, the servants were swooning. Have you notice any of that?”

“…!?!?”

—Speaking of which, I did think find it odd that the library had all the books I liked…

“If Lady Corinna would have kicked up a fuss if she were to learn about any of that. So, I lied to her and said that Lady Avril was being neglected. Don’t misunderstand, though. I only did that to protect my peaceful life. Although, I never thought it’d lead to something like this…”

“Iz datz zo…”

—I see, that’s why Corinna decided she could just switch places with me…!

Avril couldn’t conceal her astonishment.

Then, Carol went on.

“…But now I regret everything. Even though it was your opportunity for happiness… You, who’s been miserable until now…”

Carol, who had always been so cold, seemed vulnerable.

Nevertheless, the maid had her own circumstances. Yet, when it came down to it, she didn’t hesitate to betray Corinna. As a result, she was now tied up alongside Avril.

When she thought about it, Avril realized that she wasn’t angry. She even sympathized with Carol who had no choice but to act as she did.

—I can’t believe Carol was thinking that much about me. But still, she misunderstands… Lord Dylan is only kind to me because of the contract…

—…Right?

For the first time, she began to question that.

When that stray male gigolo visited them, Dylan said, “I worry when you’re out of my sight.” As they basked under the sepia glow of the study that night, he took a lock of her hair…

Normally, she wouldn’t have dwelled on it, but after Carol had explained so much to her, her heart began to stir.

At that moment, a certain scene vividly conjured in her mind.

—A few months ago, when they visited the villa near the royal capital. There, she promised to keep the seal of the Duchess of Lancester until the end of her contract.

In the serene autumn garden, two hands were clasped together.

…Wait, I think, I think I understand everything now—

***T/N: Took her being kidnapped and locked up with her old enemy to finally get it...