The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 102

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 102

But I couldn’t just say it outright.

With my poor way with words, I might say something wrong and cause a misunderstanding.

‘Hmm.’

Instead of answering, I responded by leaning slightly against Lord Claudius.

In that moment, Lord Claudius tensed up as if nervous, stiffening his shoulders,

“Ahem.”

He cleared his throat briefly and began staring intently at the rain pouring outside the cave.

A peaceful silence settled over us.

“…”

“…”

Swoosh—.

Only the sound of rain covering the forest echoed around us.

Lord Claudius and I sat side by side, gazing at the raindrops breaking into white fragments.

Even though the sound of rain was so loud, I strangely felt at peace.

How should I put it, being alone together like this, sharing each other’s warmth.

…It felt as if only Lord Claudius and I remained in the world.

“Come to think of it, when the previous Lord Claudius and his wife were still alive.”

Keeping my gaze fixed on the rain, I quietly spoke up.

“You and Evangeline must have gone out to play a lot, didn’t you?”

Little Lord Claudius and Lady Claudius enjoying adventures outside.

I could imagine Lady Claudius doing that, but Lord Claudius was completely unimaginable…

At my question, Lord Claudius smiled faintly.

“Yes, I suppose we did.”

“You two must have gotten along well from a young age.”

At those words, Lord Claudius looked openly disgusted.

“Got along well? Evangeline and I?”

Well, I can clearly see that Lord Claudius and Lady Claudius are real siblings.

I smiled awkwardly.

At the same time, Lord Claudius relaxed his expression and shrugged his shoulders.

“However, I do feel a bit sorry for Evangeline.”

“Why is that?”

“After our parents passed away, I feel like I neglected Evangeline in many ways.”

At that moment.

A faint shadow fell across Lord Claudius’s handsome face.

“Honestly, right after inheriting the title, I was overwhelmed. I had to somehow maintain the family no matter what.”

“Ah…”

I became a little solemn.

Lord Claudius continued speaking in a deliberately cheerful tone.

“Well, you don’t need to become that serious about it. The retainers around us helped a lot.”

But that was only for a moment.

A voice like a sigh flowed out.

“Of course, the situation wasn’t always easy…”

Huh?

I quietly looked up at Lord Claudius’s profile.

“The Viscount Evans Family made a proposal.”

Lord Claudius’s voice as he continued speaking softly was sharply edged, unlike before.

“They said they would take care of us siblings and govern the family on our behalf until I came of age.”

Wait, aren’t they really scoundrels?

My jaw dropped.

Where do they get off trying to swallow up the ducal house whole?!

Lord Claudius smiled bitterly.

“Of course, the viscount family might have made that proposal with genuine goodwill, but I found it rather distasteful.”

“…So that’s what happened.”

It was the first time.

Hearing Lord Claudius’s intimate story.

I straightened my posture and continued listening attentively to Lord Claudius’s words.

“Evangeline was only six years old at the time, so she must have been lonely in many ways.”

“Lord Claudius.”

“It would have been good if I could have filled our parents’ absence a bit more, but I seemed quite inadequate for Evangeline.”

His blue eyes sank deeply.

“Before I knew it, when I came to my senses, that child had become sharp and lonely.”

Having said that, Lord Claudius quietly looked back at me.

Then he smiled with his eyes.

“That’s why I’m truly grateful to you, Lady.”

“Huh? But I haven’t done anything special.”

“You haven’t done anything special?”

Lord Claudius shook his head and smiled gently.

“Since spending time with Lady Ansi, Evangeline has become much brighter.”

“As I mentioned before, that goes for me as well…”

“Then let’s say that Evangeline and Lady Ansi have had a good influence on each other.”

Lord Claudius lightly shrugged his shoulders.

I closed my mouth for a moment.

There was something oddly concerning about Lord Claudius’s words.

That is…

‘Young child.’

Lord Claudius speaks of Lady Claudius, saying ‘I feel guilty for not properly caring for young Lady Claudius.’

‘But.’

After hesitating for a moment, I carefully spoke up.

“Excuse me, but how old were you at that time, Lord Claudius?”

At my sudden question, Lord Claudius answered faithfully despite his puzzled expression.

“I was ten years old.”

“Then why do you keep calling only Evangeline a young child?”

“Pardon?”

For a moment, Lord Claudius looked caught off guard.

I continued speaking again.

“Whether six or ten years old, you’re equally young.”

“Th-that, Lady Ansi?”

“You were also young at that time, Lord Claudius.”

I narrowed my eyes and drove the point home.

“Not just Evangeline, but you were also a young child who should have been protected, Lord Claudius.”

“…That’s.”

“Rather, inheriting the ducal position at such a young age, maintaining and developing the family itself is an amazing accomplishment.”

I became somewhat sulky and asked Lord Claudius back.

“Aren’t you being too harsh on yourself?”

That’s right.

Inheriting the ducal position at ten years old and making the ducal house prosper unprecedentedly is already amazing.

Why do you keep thinking only about the parts you didn’t do well?

Most importantly.

“Lady Claudius doesn’t resent you at all, Lord Claudius.”

“….”

Lord Claudius seemed at a loss for words, staring blankly at my face.

I concluded my words firmly once again.

“Rather, she’s always worried about you, Lord Claudius.”

At the same time, Lord Claudius burst into loud laughter.

“Ahaha!”

What? Did I say something funny?

Why is he suddenly laughing like that?

I looked at Lord Claudius in bewilderment.

After laughing for a while holding his stomach, Lord Claudius wiped away the tears that had gathered in his eyes.

“Because Lady Ansi is such a kind person, I keep finding myself opening up to you.”

Then he playfully scolds me… why?!

“Pardon?”

Flustered, I jumped up.

“Come to think of it, you also said thank you regarding the matter with Gusto Youngshik.”

Lord Claudius’s voice became seriously subdued.

“But to be precise, I was rather happy that I could help you, Lady.”

“You were happy?”

“Yes. I didn’t like seeing you and Gusto Youngshik getting involved. No, more precisely.”

Lord Claudius clenched his fist tightly.

Blue veins stood out prominently on the back of his hand.

“…It was unpleasant.”

His blue eyes sank coldly.

“Even though I knew well that Lady Ansi is just Evangeline’s friend, and I had no right to feel unpleasant.”

“Lord Claudius.”

“When I thought that you might end up marrying another man, I really…”

Lord Claudius couldn’t finish his words and bit down hard on his molars.

But then.

“Oh my, what on earth is going on here?!”

A lively voice was heard.

At the same time, Lady Claudius with an umbrella poked her head into the cave.

“Since you two weren’t coming back, I came looking for you.”

Then she covered her mouth and curved her eyes mischievously.

“You two… aren’t you being too affectionate?!”

“Ha, really.”

Lord Claudius let out a deep sigh that came from the depths of his chest.

Then he narrowed his eyes and glared at Lady Claudius.

“You’re late, Evangeline.”

“Late? To someone who came all the way to find you!”

Lady Claudius glared fiercely.

Regardless, Lord Claudius glanced back at me.

“Let’s go. The weather is chilly.”

“….”

I felt a bit dazed.

The dense atmosphere from just moments ago had completely disappeared as if it were an illusion.

And I found that…

‘Disappointing.’

Suddenly I snapped back to my senses.

‘What on earth am I thinking?’

Just then, Lady Claudius approached me with quick steps.

“Larit, why are you standing there in a daze?”

Then she handed me an umbrella.

“Here, take this.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Taking the umbrella, I hurriedly opened it.

Pop!

The sound of the umbrella opening was cheerful.

At the same time, Lady Claudius stuck close to my side and chattered.

“Really, if it weren’t for me, you two would have been stranded on the mountain. You know that, right?”

“Of course. Evangeline was a great help.”

I tried to answer nonchalantly while tilting the umbrella to cover my face.

I was really grateful for the umbrella.

If I hadn’t had it…

‘My flushed face might have been discovered.’

I glanced at the back of Lord Claudius walking ahead.

How can Lord Claudius be so composed?

My heart is still pounding like this!

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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