49. The Duke’s Seal and a Date (2)

 By Antoinette Vanessa February 11, 2023

“Similar to the salon concert hosted by the Marquis Brandner family, it’s a place I once visited with my mother during my childhood.”

Avril merely listened as Dylan continued.

All she knew was that the position of the duchess was currently empty. Even Avril, who had learned various types of information in the Count of Allingham household and carried out miscellaneous duties, didn’t know the internal affairs of the Duke of Lancester.

The former duke rarely appeared in the society. After all, he was a lecherous man who prioritized his hobbies—which was to play around—above anything else.

Apparently, when people spoke about the lecherous old duke who lived in the frontier, they were referring to the former Duke of Lancester. Based on that, Avril decided to ask.

“…Lord Dylan hasn’t gone back to his territory.”

“Are you still curious about that?”

“Indeed. After all, it’s strange that Lord Dylan—who cares a lot about the territory—hasn’t return even though this is the middle of the social season.”

In the beginning, Avril accepted the Duke of Lancester’s offer fully intending of marrying into a remote land. However, the man who was to become her husband—Dylan, didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving the capital despite their relationship remaining contractual in nature.

In other words, he was probably reluctant to visit his territory.

On the other hand, Lord Dylan doesn’t seem to like the city either. He’s always hidden away in the study and only step out for work…

As for the basis of her judgment, it was her own father—the Count of Allingham—who always did as he pleased. Despite being a hopeless family head and father, Avril felt gratitude towards him. After all, he taught her how low people could go.

“My mother was a naïve woman. Despite hailing from a marquis family, she was always a dreamer, perhaps due to being sheltered.”

“…”

Avril nodded wordlessly. She was aware that Dylan was about to reveal important information to her.

Thus, she brought the seal Lawrence had entrusted with her just in case. She had wrapped it in a handkerchief.

“For someone as innocent as my mother, the marriage was nothing but a dream. Nevertheless, to my father, it was just a political one. Not only did he neglect my mother, he also had affairs left and right.”

“Where’s Lord Dylan’s mother now…?”

“After the divorce, she quietly left to recuperating in her parent’s house. She keeps everyone at bay, opting to just seclude herself in her own world.”

“…I see, I finally understand the intentions behind this contract marriage. Lord Dylan, you’re truly a kind person.”

…Lord Dylan doesn’t want to marry so that no one will end up like his mother.

Of course, she couldn’t imagine Dylan acting like the former Duke of Lancester.

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At the same time, that was just how kind he was as a person. He was afraid of making anyone suffer.

Avril, who’d been watching Dylan for the past six months, was delighted by that tiny bit of insight. In response, Dylan stared at Avril with genuine amazement.

“…Avril, you always tell me that I’m kind.”

“Yes, because it’s true?”

“Is that so? Well, I am aware that I give Avril special treatment because I want to be seen as kind.”

Avril blinked at his slightly exasperated tone.

…Isn’t he just fulfilling his end of the bargain?

Then, Avril must do the same, as well. To fulfill the contract, she fished for the handkerchief bearing the seal and handed it to Dylan.

“Lord Dylan, I’d like to return something to you.”

“…The seal, I take it? Didn’t Lawrence hand it to you?”

“That’s correct. I heard that this is something that the lady of the Duke of Lancester should have.”

“Until recently, I saw no use for it. In fact, merely looking at it makes me uncomfortable, so I stashed it away.”

“…!”

—Just looking at it makes him uncomfortable?

Was she supposed to not give it back? At the same time, she couldn’t afford to keep it…

As she contemplated what to do, Dylan placed his hand on top of Avril’s hand, which was clutching the seal.

…!? Uh, what is this about…?

Despite not being in the middle of escorting her, their hands were touching. No one else was around because they were keeping it private. Even Chris was taking a walk near the gate.

Therefore, it should be unnecessary to put up a ruse in order to maintain their image as an amiable couple… Or so she thought.

…Maybe, he’s just covering my hand so he doesn’t have to see the seal?

Then, Dylan interrupted her train of thought—

“—Avril Allingham, I want you to marry me.”

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