The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 112

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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 112

It was like waves crashing in.

Her Majesty the Empress looked around grandly, then opened her mouth with a dignified voice.

“Everyone, please raise your heads.”

I slowly lifted my head.

Her Majesty the Empress was a middle-aged noblewoman with an elegant appearance.

Though she wasn’t a strikingly gorgeous beauty, she was tall with perfect posture, which gave her natural grace.

‘Come to think of it, Her Majesty the Empress usually attends charity parties, doesn’t she?’

It showed her intention to care for the Empire’s poor in cooperation with the Imperial Curia, and also to strengthen relations with the Imperial Curia.

Her Majesty the Empress looked around, then spotted us and approached.

Then she spoke warmly.

“High Priest Evans, how delightful to see your face like this.”

A charity party hosted by the Imperial Curia.

And her first action of speaking to High Priest Evans.

Her intention to honor the Imperial Curia was clearly evident.

“Thank you for inviting me like this.”

“Not at all. I should be grateful that Your Majesty has graced us with your presence.”

High Priest Evans, who had shown proper courtesy, gestured lightly toward Seraphina.

“This is Lady Lopez, who attended as my partner today. She was of great help in planning this charity party.”

“Ah, I’ve heard the rumors too.”

Her Majesty the Empress smiled kindly.

“They say she’s praised as the most pure lily of high society?”

At those words, Seraphina looked like she might faint from joy.

Of course, she quickly composed her expression.

“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”

“The Imperial Curia was decorated so beautifully today—it must be Lady Lopez’s touch.”

Her Majesty the Empress looked at Seraphina with warm eyes.

Seraphina’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“You flatter me.”

“Flattery? I don’t speak empty words.”

However, I was much more concerned about High Priest Evans than the transparent Seraphina.

I glanced sideways at the High Priest.

High Priest Evans was looking back and forth between Seraphina and Her Majesty the Empress with a satisfied gaze.

That gleaming look in his eyes seemed like a hunter waiting with a trap set.

“…”

I felt strangely unsettled.

But then.

Her Majesty the Empress turned toward us and smiled as brightly as sunshine.

“Oh my, Evangeline! And Dietrich is here too…!”

Then she covered her mouth and muttered awkwardly.

“How careless of me. You’re Lord Claudius and Lady Claudius.”

Her attitude was much more friendly than when dealing with High Priest Evans and Seraphina.

Facing such an Empress, both Lord Claudius and Lady Claudius smiled gently.

“We greet Your Majesty the Empress.”

“We greet Your Majesty the Empress.”

Her Majesty the Empress approached the Claudius siblings with quick steps, then gave them a playfully reproachful look.

“Both of you, why are you so hard to see? I’m truly hurt.”

They were close enough to speak casually in private, but it was obvious they were speaking formally out of consideration for the people around them.

“Lord Claudius is understandably busy, but couldn’t Lady Claudius visit me occasionally?”

“I’m sorry.”

Lady Claudius answered charmingly.

“I’ll try to visit more often from now on, Your Majesty.”

“…Very well.”

A faint trace of pity crossed Her Majesty the Empress’s face as she nodded.

Watching this, I suddenly recalled the old connection between the Imperial family and the Claudius family.

‘I believe Her Majesty the Empress and the previous Lady Claudius were close friends?’

That’s why in the original story, it was described that Her Majesty the Empress pitied the Claudius siblings who had suddenly lost their parents.

Of course, after Seraphina appeared, Lady Claudius became neglected…

‘Well, at least that doesn’t seem to be the case now.’

I glanced around cautiously.

At the same time, Lady Claudius tightly held my arm and introduced me to Her Majesty the Empress.

“This is Larit Ansi. She’s the eldest daughter of the Ansi family and my dear friend.”

“My goodness.”

Her Majesty the Empress’s eyes widened.

“I think this is the first time I’ve seen Lady Claudius call someone a friend. Has our Lady Claudius finally matured?”

Her voice and attitude were playful, like dealing with a troublesome daughter.

Lady Claudius couldn’t get as indignant as she would in front of Lord Claudius, and just pouted a little.

“…I’m embarrassed.”

Just then, Lord Claudius subtly joined in supporting Her Majesty the Empress’s words.

“Thanks to Lady Ansi, Eva has become much more human lately.”

“Brother, what a joke.”

Lady Claudius laughed brightly and pinched Lord Claudius’s side where others couldn’t see.

“…”

Even so, Lord Claudius didn’t lose his smile, but I saw it.

Lord Claudius’s lips trembled faintly as he endured the pain.

At the same time, Her Majesty the Empress addressed me.

“Lady Ansi, was it? Nice to meet you.”

“It’s truly an honor to greet you like this. I am Larit Ansi.”

“For Lady Claudius to personally introduce Lady Ansi… you two must be really close.”

Somehow, I felt truly happy whenever I heard such words.

It seemed like people around us were now acknowledging that Lady Claudius and I shared a genuine friendship.

I smiled brightly.

“Lady Claudius is gracious enough to care for me greatly.”

“That’s surprising too. Lady Claudius isn’t usually the type to let people get close to her.”

“Really, Your Majesty…”

At Her Majesty the Empress’s joke, Lady Claudius looked ready to cry.

The cheerful atmosphere continued.

However, during all this, there were two people who were left out.

‘High Priest Evans and Seraphina, that is.’

I glanced sideways at the two of them.

‘They’re awfully quiet, aren’t they?’

Both of them wore smiles as if painted on their faces.

But I could still see it.

They were trying hard to suppress their unpleasant feelings while watching the friendly interaction between Her Majesty the Empress and the Claudius siblings.

After all, Seraphina had been jealous of Lady Claudius for a long time,

And it seemed the Evans and Claudius families didn’t have the best feelings toward each other.

But their expressions were so gentle, you’d never know.

‘Wow, both of them are incredibly good at managing their expressions.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

If I hadn’t known about their respective hostilities beforehand, I would have completely missed it.

“Oh right, Larit.”

Just then, Seraphina tilted her head toward me and called my name in a lowered voice.

“Larit, I saw the painting you submitted this time.”

Then she looked at me with eyes full of mockery.

“How should I put it, the painting was really… avant-garde.”

Though she was putting it diplomatically by calling it avant-garde, in high society terms that was close to ‘you really can’t paint at all.’

“Did you paint it yourself?”

“…”

I quietly met Seraphina’s gaze.

The ‘Rose Game’ usually involved putting up paintings you drew yourself or personal items you normally used.

It seemed like she was mistaking that painting as something I had drawn too…

“Hmm, should I say it feels like a child drew it however their hand moved? It looks pure too… I think it’s a painting that perfectly matches your level, Larit. It suits you well.”

Well, if she wanted to make assumptions like that, it was actually better for me.

I smiled brightly with my eyes.

“Really? Thank you.”

“…”

At my nonchalant reaction, Seraphina glanced at me with a suspicious expression.

But that suspicion couldn’t last long.

Just then, High Priest Evans called for Seraphina.

“Lady Lopez.”

“Ah, yes.”

Seraphina turned to look at the High Priest with a bright face.

‘Wow, being able to change expressions that quickly is also a talent, isn’t it?’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

High Priest Evans continued affectionately.

“You should start getting ready for the event now.”

“Is it already that time?”

Her eyes widened for just a moment.

Seraphina continued with emphasis.

“I’ll work hard.”

“I’m counting on you, Lady Lopez.”

High Priest Evans nodded and gave Seraphina another word of encouragement.

“I’m sure you’ll do well.”

“Thank you.”

Seraphina, her cheeks flushed pink, soon held her head high and walked confidently toward the stage.

I’m the one who planned this charity party.

I’m receiving all the favor of the Imperial Curia.

Seraphina was asserting this with her entire body.

“…”

Watching that retreating figure, I quietly wore a sneer.

When it was revealed who actually painted the picture.

…I was really looking forward to seeing what expression Seraphina would make.

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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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