The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 121

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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 121

Thinking that way without realizing it, I humbly admitted.

‘I’m really head over heels, aren’t I.’

I think I can somehow understand why Lady Claudius gets so worked up like that…

“Come to think of it, Eva, I’ve been wanting to ask you something since earlier.”

At the same time, Lord Claudius narrowed his eyes and looked at mine and Lady Claudius’s wrists.

“What on earth are those bracelets?”

“These?”

When was it that she was glaring at Lord Claudius and getting worked up?

Lady Claudius proudly showed off her wrist with the bracelet.

“Larit and I got matching ones together.”

“What? You got them ‘together’?”

“Yeah. It’s a gift we’re giving each other to commemorate Saint Laila’s feast day. How is it, pretty?”

“…”

Deep furrows appeared on Lord Claudius’s brow.

But Lady Claudius, who was completely excited, didn’t care about Lord Claudius’s mood at all…

“Look at this, do you see the heart-shaped pendant here?”

Lady Claudius, who had stuck close to my side, placed my wrist and her wrist side by side as if showing off.

“This pendant, when you put the two together, they form a complete heart shape!”

“…”

The furrows on Lord Claudius’s brow deepened even more…

After a moment.

Lord Claudius opened his mouth with a very uncomfortable expression.

“Isn’t that an excessively intimate accessory for friends?”

“Why? What’s wrong with it?”

Lady Claudius asked back teasingly.

“If you’re envious, just say you’re envious. Acting so stern like that makes you look even more pathetic.”

“…”

That was right.

Here, the more you tried to argue, the more you’d lose…

Lord Claudius eventually closed his mouth with a sullen face.

Just then, a maid who had approached placed a cup of chamomile tea in front of each of us.

‘I specifically requested chamomile because it’s supposed to help with fatigue recovery and insomnia…’

I glanced at Lord Claudius out of the corner of my eye.

‘I hope it helps even a little.’

Just then, Lady Claudius, who was reaching for her teacup, shot back sharply.

“Her Brother, do you really have to work even on a day like this?”

“Ah, sorry.”

Lord Claudius put down the documents in his hand with a somewhat embarrassed face.

‘Huh, those documents are?’

I suddenly widened my eyes.

That’s because the title written in large letters on the first page of the documents was…

<Feasibility Study Regarding the Establishment of a Childcare Foundation>

“Are you perhaps thinking of establishing a childcare-related foundation?”

As far as I know, aren’t you already making regular donations to the Imperial Curia for that purpose?

Then Lord Claudius answered without batting an eye.

“Yes, that’s what I’m thinking.”

“I thought you were leaving that to the Imperial Curia?”

At my words, Lord Claudius smiled slightly instead of answering.

…But if that look in his eyes seems strangely cold, is it just my imagination?

At the same time, Lady Claudius also crossed her arms and nodded greatly.

“I’m in favor.”

“Pardon?”

“Well, the orphanage support project is under High Priest Evans’s jurisdiction.”

Lady Claudius narrowed her eyes.

“Honestly, I didn’t like how High Priest Evans was living it up with House of Claudius’s donations, so it wouldn’t be bad to bring it over as our own project.”

Then she glanced at Lord Claudius out of the corner of her eye.

“In the past, well, I said there was no need for Her Brother to make enemies with the Imperial Curia…”

Then does that mean it’s okay to make enemies now?

Suddenly why?

I, who had been puzzled, flinched.

It was because Lady Claudius was looking at me with a meaningful gaze.

As if the reason for establishing the foundation was somehow connected to me…

Lady Claudius, who smiled at me, soon picked up another document.

“Oh, Her Brother. A new researcher joined the Claudius Medical Research Institute this time?”

Since it was year-end, various reports had come in from the different places House of Claudius had invested in.

Lady Claudius furrowed her brow and read out the name.

“The name is… Simon? Since there’s no surname, he must be a commoner.”

Ah.

I widened my eyes.

I remembered Simon.

He was a student I had exchanged greetings with when I attended Wilson University’s end-of-semester party with Lord Claudius before.

“Even though he’s a commoner, he graduated second in his class from university, that’s amazing? He must be incredibly smart.”

Lady Claudius couldn’t hide her surprised expression.

“Most of the other students would be children of noble families… He must have struggled tremendously among them.”

“Well, you have to be that level of talent to receive House of Claudius’s support.”

Lord Claudius shrugged lightly.

Lady Claudius, who had been flipping through the documents, soon made a bitter smile.

“Still… the research progress seems slow.”

…She’s probably talking about research on the disease that caused the previous Duke and Duchess’s death.

Lord Claudius continued consolingly.

“Well, if we keep researching steadily, won’t results come out someday?”

“Right? What’s gotten into Her Brother to say something so reasonable?”

As if trying to shake off the heavy atmosphere, Lady Claudius deliberately replied in a cheerful voice.

But then.

“Excuse me, Lady Claudius.”

The butler carefully sought out Lady Claudius.

“I apologize for the interruption. If you’re not busy, there’s something I’d like to discuss regarding the kitchen renovation budget…”

Then Lady Claudius lifted her chin and looked back at me.

‘Do you see? Now I’m also a proper mistress of the house.’

Her gaze was full of that meaning.

Well, now they come to consult Lady Claudius directly without going through Lord Claudius, right?

It was truly remarkable progress.

“Understood.”

Lady Claudius, who nodded, stood up proudly from her seat.

Then she smiled brightly at me.

“I’ll be back.”

“Yes, take care.”

Lady Claudius straightened her shoulders and walked out.

Pride was radiating from her retreating figure.

While watching Lady Claudius walk away with a pleased gaze.

I felt a subtle sense of unease.

‘Huh?’

Usually when the master’s family is taking a rest, would someone come to make such inquiries?

If it’s about the budget for kitchen repairs, it doesn’t seem like such an urgent matter.

From what I’ve observed several times so far, the Claudius butler wasn’t someone so lacking in tact either.

At the same time.

“Sigh….”

Lord Claudius let out a long sigh and dropped his head onto my shoulder.

Then he slightly raised his gaze to look at me.

“Really, it’s hard to be alone together.”

A satisfied smile appeared on Lord Claudius’s lips.

“Still, the butler timed it well.”

At that moment.

I realized the source of my unease and asked in shock.

“Don’t tell me… did you instruct him beforehand, Lord Claudius?”

Lord Claudius’s shoulders stiffened with a start.

“….”

“….”

Silence flowed.

I stared at Lord Claudius persistently.

After avoiding my gaze several times, Lord Claudius finally let his shoulders droop.

“…But shouldn’t Evangeline sometimes yield Lady Ansi to me as well?”

Lord Claudius muttered sullenly.

“We are lovers, after all.”

Lovers.

That word made me feel ticklish inside.

Lord Claudius grumbled again with a deeply disappointed face.

“And yet Lady Ansi has already made matching friendship bracelets with Evangeline….”

“I, I’m sorry.”

Feeling as if I had done something wrong, I awkwardly offered an apology.

Then Lord Claudius looked up with a serious expression.

“Don’t apologize.”

“Pardon?”

“Lady Ansi didn’t do anything wrong. Don’t apologize when you haven’t done anything wrong.”

Lord Claudius’s gaze as he looked at me was more serious than ever before.

“I… hate seeing you lower yourself as if it’s only natural.”

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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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