The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 117

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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 117

* * *

At that moment.

Evangeline, Larite, and Seraphina were sitting at one table.

It was a strange combination that would normally never be seen, but the powerful figure of the Empress had made that combination possible.

The Empress had even excused herself to wash her hands briefly, leaving the three women seated there alone…

‘Ugh, this is driving me crazy.’

With even the Empress, who had been easing the atmosphere, away from the table, Seraphina felt like she was sitting on a bed of thorns.

Seraphina glanced sideways at Larite.

‘Where on earth did that girl Larite get such a rare painting?’

The temple painter Donovan.

A figure considered the greatest among all painters produced by the temple.

The painter who first depicted the always sacred and noble goddess in the human image of a mother.

Starting with Donovan, the friendly and affectionate image of the goddess gradually became more prominent.

And Seraphina had said about that painter’s childhood practice work,

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

“It seems like a painting that perfectly matches your level, Larit. It has that feeling of being drawn by a child, you know?”

Hadn’t she made such sarcastic remarks!

Recalling herself babbling without knowing anything, her face burned hot.

Just then, Evangeline turned to look at Seraphina with a bright smile.

“Lady Lopez.”

“…”

What on earth was she trying to say?

Seraphina, who had been looking at Evangeline with wary eyes, soon forced a smile.

“Yes, Lady Claudius.”

“You said that to Larit earlier, didn’t you? That it was a painting that perfectly matched Larit’s level.”

At those words, Seraphina’s shoulders stiffened with a start.

‘Did she hear that conversation?’

At the same time, Evangeline’s smile deepened slightly.

It was a blade-like smile that closely resembled Dietrich’s.

“I also agree with Lady Lopez’s words. Larit has such high artistic insight, after all.”

“…”

Seraphina gritted her teeth tightly.

Evangeline narrowed her eyes and asked another question.

“Speaking of which, Lady Lopez seemed a bit surprised when you heard it was Donovan’s practice work. Don’t tell me you didn’t recognize it as Donovan’s painting?”

Seraphina swallowed dryly.

Evangeline trampled on her already crumpled pride once again with a crushing blow.

“I heard that Lady Lopez usually cultivates knowledge in various fields, so I was secretly thinking how wonderful that was…”

Evangeline concluded her words with a light sigh, as if somewhat disappointed.

“I suppose no person can be perfect after all. Don’t you think so?”

“…”

Her tone was so cutting that even Larite, sitting across from them, looked at Seraphina with sympathy.

Seraphina’s face flushed red.

But Seraphina wasn’t given a chance to retort.

Just then, the Empress was approaching them with light steps.

“Sorry for keeping you all waiting.”

“Not at all, Your Majesty the Empress.”

“It’s an honor to be in Your Majesty the Empress’s presence.”

Evangeline, Larite, and Seraphina hurriedly put smiles on their faces.

The Empress shook her head and took her seat.

“Really, Donovan’s practice work. I never thought I’d see such a precious painting in a place like this.”

Then she asked with eyes full of curiosity.

“But about that practice work, as far as I know, it should have been a piece in the Claudius Estate’s collection.”

What?!

Seraphina’s eyes widened in an instant.

If that statement was true.

Seraphina had been completely played by Evangeline and Larite all this time.

If they had submitted that painting under the Claudius name from the beginning, she would have been more careful.

By deliberately submitting it under Larite’s name, they had completely lowered her guard.

“Then that means the ducal house submitted it under Lady Ansi’s name…”

The Empress glanced sideways at Larite and continued in an amused voice.

“No matter how much it’s the Lady’s request, Lord Claudius isn’t the type to carelessly remove family collection items.”

“Ah, that’s…”

Larite could only roll her eyes, not knowing what to do.

The Empress smiled mischievously.

“Besides, this is the first time I’ve seen Lord Claudius bring a woman other than Lady Claudius as his partner.”

“…”

Larite’s face flushed slightly.

But the Empress’s barrage of questions showed no signs of stopping.

“And then there’s the fact that he bid such a large amount to win Donovan’s practice work again.”

The Empress drove the point home with a subtle voice.

“Perhaps… what kind of relationship do Lord Claudius and Lady Ansi have?”

At that question, Seraphina’s face hardened slightly.

Lord Claudius.

The man considered the most excellent husband material in the current Empire.

The very situation where Larite kept getting involved with that man, whom Seraphina had secretly admired deep in her heart, hurt her pride.

Meanwhile, Evangeline looked at Larite with a pleased smile.

Facing those gazes, Larite…

‘My relationship with Lord Claudius…’

Her hands resting on her knees clenched tightly.

That was actually something Larite herself was curious about.

‘What exactly are we to each other?’

Larite definitely liked Dietrich romantically.

She no longer had the energy to hide those feelings.

Also.

‘Lord Claudius also… at least doesn’t seem to dislike me.’

However.

The Claudius Estate, one of the most prestigious families even in the Empire.

The Ansi Mansion, a lower-ranking noble family from the provinces.

That vast gap kept making Larite hesitate.

But then.

“Lady Ansi.”

A calm voice called Larite.

Larite quickly raised her head.

Dietrich was standing there.

“Excuse me, but could you spare me a moment of your time?”

Although Dietrich had his usual composed expression, the very fact that he suddenly sought out Larite like this was strange.

It was behavior uncharacteristic of him, who usually valued propriety.

“Hoho, go ahead.”

Before Larite could answer, the Empress waved her hand gently.

‘Oh, is he finally going to confess?!’

Evangeline made an understanding expression and clenched her fist tightly.

“Have a good time, Larit!”

Meanwhile, only Seraphina had a sour expression on her face.

* * *

So, he had managed to bring Larite out with him.

‘…How exactly should I bring this up?’

Dietrich was simply at a loss.

The place where the two of them were standing now was a small prayer room with no people around at all.

While looking for a place without people, they had somehow ended up entering the prayer room.

A statue of the goddess hanging on the wall gazed down at the two of them quietly.

From the extinguished incense candles, a subtle fragrance that made one’s heart reverent drifted about.

Perhaps because of that, he felt unnecessarily sacred.

In such a holy atmosphere, how could he possibly confess?!

‘Damn it.’

Rarely cursing inwardly, Dietrich glanced down at Larite from the corner of his eye.

‘If only it weren’t for that bastard Isaac….’

If Isaac hadn’t provoked him for no reason, he probably wouldn’t have impulsively dragged Larite out like this.

A little more coolly.

A little more carefully.

Since these were important words, so that his feelings wouldn’t be misunderstood.

He had been trying to put forth his maximum effort….

“Um, Lord Claudius?”

“Ah, yes.”

Dietrich, who had been focusing all his attention on Larite, answered reflexively.

Pink eyes were looking up at him quietly.

Just that alone.

‘…How can she be so pretty?’

Dietrich gazed into those eyes as if enchanted.

Perhaps feeling awkward under that gaze, Larite, who had been moving only her lips for a moment, asked cautiously.

“If it’s not rude to ask, may I inquire why we came out here?”

“….”

For a moment, Dietrich felt his mind turn completely white.

He thought he couldn’t just leave this awkward distance between her and himself as it was.

He also knew very well how to close that distance.

‘I like you.’

Conveying his true feelings.

…But those single words were so difficult.

“….”

Dietrich felt his mouth go completely dry.

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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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