The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 115

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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 115

“Oh my, to pay such a fortune.”

“Could High Priest Evans have special feelings for Lady Lopez?”

“Well, he did arrange for her to organize this charity party…”

Once the bag was sold, the distinguished guests’ gazes toward Seraphina changed dramatically.

After all, High Priest Evans held considerable status in the Empire.

He was not only one of the highest-ranking priests in the Temple, but also the heir to the Evans Marquess family.

Such a person had directly arranged for Seraphina to organize the charity party, and even won the bid for the item she had put up for auction.

It was more than enough to elevate Seraphina’s reputation.

Meanwhile, Seraphina, having gained confidence, glanced at me.

‘Do you see? You and I are on different levels.’

As if boasting exactly that.

Seraphina soon straightened her neck and opened her mouth.

“The next item was contributed by Lady Ansi, an early sketch by the sacred painter Donovan…”

Seraphina suddenly became dazed, as if she had been struck on the back of the head.

“Oh my?”

“Why is Lady Lopez acting like that?”

The distinguished guests whispered with puzzled expressions.

At the same time, Seraphina, who had suddenly come to her senses, hurriedly finished her words.

“…an early, early sketch.”

But she was so shocked that she couldn’t even prevent herself from stuttering.

‘How’s that? Got you good, didn’t I?’

I smiled sweetly at the shocked Seraphina.

Although it was help from the Claudius family, seeing Seraphina’s horrified face still felt good.

And then.

“Good heavens, Donovan?!”

“A painting by Donovan has been contributed?”

The distinguished guests were in an uproar, like a disturbed beehive.

“To willingly contribute such a precious work to the event, Lady Ansi’s capabilities are quite considerable.”

“Well, I heard the Ansi Viscount family is quite wealthy too.”

In an instant, people’s attention was focused on me.

‘Hmm, this kind of attention should rightfully go to the ducal house.’

Unable to hide my apologetic expression, I glanced sideways at Lady Claudius.

‘I’m indebted to them again…’

Then Lady Claudius, whose eyes met mine, smiled mischievously like a little imp.

“Look over there.”

She whispered in a low voice, pointing at Seraphina with her eyes.

When I casually turned my gaze that way, I could see Seraphina grinding her lips.

‘Wow, to see Seraphina with such an expression.’

I looked at that pale, stricken face with satisfaction.

If it were the usual Seraphina, she would have somehow maintained her smile.

But it seems she doesn’t even have the composure to manage her expression right now?

While I was enjoying the current situation for a while.

“An early sketch by Donovan, I’d like to have that too.”

Her Majesty the Empress, muttering thus, raised her paddle without hesitation.

“100,000 derks.”

Good heavens.

As befitting the mistress of the imperial family, her generosity is great…

But Her Majesty the Empress wasn’t the only participant.

The amount rose endlessly.

130,000 derks.

150,000 derks.

180,000 derks…

In the hands of the distinguished guests, paddles were constantly being exchanged.

“Good heavens, look at how the amount is rising.”

“It has to be that way. It’s a Donovan sketch, isn’t it?”

“Still, I never imagined it would be this exciting.”

A heated atmosphere circulated among the distinguished guests.

In the midst of it all.

Lord Claudius raised his paddle for the first time.

Seraphina, who checked the amount on the paddle with a deathly pale face, soon muttered in shock.

“L-Lord Claudius bids… 500,000 derks…”

At that enormous amount, the surroundings suddenly became quiet as if doused with cold water.

“500,000 derks. Is there anyone who will bid higher than 500,000 derks?”

“…”

“…”

But people only glanced at each other.

No more paddles were raised.

Seraphina finally gritted her teeth and continued speaking.

“If there are no more bids… Lord Claudius wins Lady Ansi’s item.”

“Well, that’s how it should be.”

Lady Claudius, who was sitting next to me, nodded with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, I swallowed hard and looked up at Lord Claudius sitting beside me.

‘Is this… perhaps a dream?’

That’s because, usually in the ‘Rose Game’, winning a bid for someone’s item…

Doesn’t it mean having romantic interest in that person?!

At that moment.

I even forgot to breathe.

Eyes as blue and deep as a winter sea were looking at me without wavering.

As if only Lord Claudius and I remained alone in this world.

“…”

“…”

The moment I became conscious of that gaze.

All the sounds in the world disappeared.

Only the sound of my frantically beating heart echoed throughout my body.

* * *

The Brightest Star of November.

An event said to originate from the ‘Rose Game’, an entertainment at social gatherings.

And the moment he learned what kind of game the ‘Rose Game’ was.

“One piece of advice: if you don’t find out, you’ll regret it tremendously.”

Dietrich understood to his bones why Evangeline had given such advice.

‘…So this was what it meant.’

Ladies contribute items, and gentlemen purchase those items in auction format.

And winning a bid for an item there…

‘It’s a roundabout way of expressing romantic interest in the other person.’

The world believed that Dietrich made any decision without hesitation.

Without wavering, without hesitation, without fear.

In fact, Dietrich generally agreed with that assessment.

However.

‘Lady Ansi.’

When it came to making decisions related to Larite, Dietrich had to summon all the courage he possessed.

This matter was no different.

He wasn’t afraid of publicly declaring his feelings for Larite.

Though society might gossip about status and such things, what did it matter?

As long as Dietrich himself was satisfied, that was enough.

Besides, with the influence of Claudius behind him, he could crush anyone who dared to speak such nonsense.

So, rather than such trivial problems.

‘What if she rejects me.’

That alone was what he feared.

However, no matter how dizzyingly high the wall built from fear might be.

He could no longer contain his feelings for Larite…

“If there are no more bids… we will conclude with Lord Claudius winning Lady Ansi’s item.”

Even amidst the murmuring crowd of countless people.

Only Larite was visible in his eyes.

Her pink eyes gazing quietly at Dietrich, and her red lips slightly parted.

That surprised face was so lovely.

He wanted to embrace her in his arms right away…

“…Lord.”

“…”

“Lord Claudius!”

At the sound of someone calling him, Dietrich suddenly came to his senses.

He smiled smoothly as was his habit.

“Yes, please speak.”

After the event ended.

Dietrich was having a pleasant conversation with other High Priests, including Isaac.

“Truly, we are greatly indebted to House of Claudius once again.”

The priests continuously expressed their gratitude to Dietrich.

And rightfully so, as Dietrich had generously donated a considerable amount this time as well, in addition to his regular donations.

Moreover, at this ‘The Brightest Star of November’ event, hadn’t he bid an enormous amount to acquire Lady Ansi’s item.

‘It seems Lord Claudius has special feelings for Lady Ansi.’

‘To think we got such a lady involved in marriage issues with Count Gusto’s House…’

They had nearly completely ruined relations with House of Claudius.

The High Priests exchanged cautious glances with each other.

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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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