The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 124

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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 124

Lord Claudius continued speaking without so much as twitching an eyebrow.

“Rather, I think about you too often, Lady.”

“….”

“That’s the problem.”

His voice was calm and composed, as if stating a perfectly natural fact.

In that moment, I felt my mind go completely blank.

“I, well, should I apologize….”

“Of course not.”

Lord Claudius’s smile deepened slightly.

“Lady Ansi is my exception, after all.”

“L-Lord Claudius.”

“There’s something I realized only after meeting you, Lady.”

Lord Claudius continued in a serious voice, as if he had discovered something truly amazing and remarkable.

“Making an exception… it’s truly thrilling and special.”

Oh no, this won’t do.

At this rate, I might die of a heart attack!

My face burning hot, I hastily covered Lord Claudius’s mouth with both hands.

“….”

In an instant, Lord Claudius’s eyes darkened to black.

And then.

*Kiss.*

Lord Claudius’s lips touched against my palm.

I froze completely.

But Lord Claudius didn’t stop.

Far from it, he stared intently into my eyes while continuing to kiss my palm again and again.

The kisses that branded me like seals were far too intense.

‘Oh.’

It was just my palm.

Yet strangely, my breathing became labored.

My stomach grew hot, and my toes curled on their own.

I stood there stiffly, staring blankly into Lord Claudius’s eyes.

An eternity-like moment passed.

‘Kyaaah!’

Coming to my senses, I screamed internally and hastily pulled my hands away.

Have you lost your mind?!

Wait, was Lord Claudius always this seductive?!

“W-well… thank you for thinking of me so much.”

I mumbled with a flushed face.

“But such words and actions are a bit embarrassing, so please restrain yourself at least when Evangeline and others are around….”

“In that case.”

Lord Claudius instantly wrapped his arm around my waist.

‘Gasp!’

The distance between us closed in an instant.

Lord Claudius’s voice reaching my ear was low and subdued.

“Does that mean I can do more right now?”

“Wh-what?!”

“Right now, Evangeline isn’t here.”

Oh no, oh no…!

Feeling as if I had dug my own grave, I flailed silently.

Then Lord Claudius chuckled and released me.

“That aside, I actually prepared a gift as well.”

His tone was simply cheerful.

I found myself conscious of my waist where Lord Claudius’s touch had left.

Somehow, it felt a little disappointing….

What, disappointing?!

What kind of wicked thought is this!

I managed my expression and asked Lord Claudius back.

“A gift?”

“Yes.”

Lord Claudius bent down and picked up an unusually large and long box placed under the fir tree.

It was large enough to fill my arms and then some.

“Please open it.”

Lord Claudius encouraged me.

I didn’t decline and opened the box.

And then.

‘What’s this?’

I widened my eyes.

It was an elegant cream-colored shawl.

When I gently caressed it with my fingers, the thick yet soft shawl wrapped around them perfectly.

“From what I’ve observed, Lady Ansi seems to be quite sensitive to cold.”

“Ah….”

It was true.

Perhaps because I grew up in the warm territory of the Southern Region, I was particularly sensitive to cold.

…Though I didn’t expect him to notice even that detail.

“So I tried to prepare something with care….”

Lord Claudius took the shawl from the box and draped it over my shoulders.

The fluffy yet soft texture felt wonderful.

It felt like wearing warm air around my body.

“If I had known I would receive such a meaningful gift, I should have looked around more.”

While carefully adjusting the front of the shawl, Lord Claudius couldn’t hide his regretful expression.

“What are you saying?”

I gave Lord Claudius a playful look.

The shawl’s texture was so nice, I felt like I could touch it all day without getting tired of it.

“I really love it.”

I thanked him sincerely.

“Thank you, Lord Claudius.”

Meanwhile, Lord Claudius’s expression stiffened slightly upon hearing my thanks.

‘Huh?’

I looked at Lord Claudius, not understanding why.

Lord Claudius’s expression was so serious, anyone would mistake him for a hero facing the world’s crisis….

After a moment.

“If it wouldn’t be rude.”

Lord Claudius looked at me with a determined expression.

“Could you accept one more gift?”

“Of course. Anything I can do for you.”

I nodded readily.

Then.

“…My name.”

Lord Claudius’s lips moved slightly.

At the same time, Lord Claudius’s face, which had been composed all along, flushed red for the first time.

“Not Lord Claudius… I would like you to call me by my name.”

“Your name?”

My eyes widened slightly.

And for good reason, since names were usually only permitted between family, relatives, close friends, or lovers.

Only those who were close to each other.

At that moment.

‘Ah, that’s right.’

I suddenly realized.

Lord Claudius and I were lovers.

So.

‘We’re in a relationship where I can call him by name.’

The male protagonist of this world.

A minor supporting character meant to make the female protagonist shine.

Beyond that, I had newly established the relationship between Lord Claudius and myself.

…I had completely twisted the original story.

Though I knew it well in my head.

That fact suddenly hit me viscerally.

Just then, Lord Claudius made a rare shy expression and protested.

“How long are you going to keep calling me Lord Claudius?”

“…”

I stared at Lord Claudius blankly.

After hesitating for a moment, Lord Claudius lowered his eyes and grumbled discontentedly.

“Evangeline… you call her by the nickname Eva, don’t you.”

At that moment.

I couldn’t hold back anymore.

The affection for Lord Claudius that filled and overflowed my heart.

This sense of liberation from breaking free of the original story’s constraints.

I wanted to express all these emotions… somehow.

“Dietrich.”

When I suddenly called his name, his blue eyes widened slightly.

After looking at me with an indescribable gaze for a long while, Lord Claudius quietly nodded.

“Yes.”

“Then, from now on, please call me…”

After swallowing my dry saliva, I added with effort.

“Please call me Larit.”

…What was so special about just saying these words.

Lord Claudius looked as happy as if he had gained the whole world.

“I will, Larit.”

Larit.

My nickname rolling off Lord Claudius’s tongue was achingly sweet.

But then.

“Good morning, everyone!”

Lady Claudius entered the drawing room energetically.

Then, upon discovering Lord Claudius and me standing alone together, she immediately clicked her tongue.

“Oh my, really.”

Lady Claudius placed her hands on her hips and shot back sarcastically.

“Even if today is Saint Laila’s feast day, stop giving me goosebumps.”

Lord Claudius replied without batting an eye.

“Don’t you know Saint Laila’s feast day is for lovers?”

“It’s also a day for family!”

Lady Claudius flared up.

Lord Claudius looked at such Lady Claudius with a pitying gaze.

“Evangeline, if you’re jealous, you should get a lover too.”

“What?”

Lady Claudius asked back with an incredulous face.

But Lord Claudius was completely unfazed…

“The world really looks different. How should I put it, having someone you love is the greatest happiness in life…”

“Ugh, seriously!”

Lady Claudius, who had been stamping her feet as if they couldn’t communicate, suddenly widened her eyes.

“Huh? Larit. That shawl.”

Lady Claudius strode toward me and examined the shawl on my shoulders up and down with eagle eyes.

“Isn’t that from Gabbani’s new winter collection?!”

“I-is it?”

“Of course! It’s a handmade piece where Madam Gabbani personally selected the fabric, cut it, and finished it. Only two pieces have been released so far, and I had reserved the third one…”

Lady Claudius’s mouth fell open again.

“Wow, to give such a gift. I didn’t know Her Brother had such sense?”

At the same time.

Lady Claudius smiled mischievously like a little devil and glanced at Lord Claudius.

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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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