The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 127

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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 127

And so, as I was chewing the cake thoroughly in place of Seraphina.

Her Majesty the Empress opened her mouth to speak.

“Everyone probably already knows this, but Rosvern’s delegation will be visiting this month.”

“Oh, has it already come to that?”

Lady Claudius pretended to be knowledgeable.

Rosvern’s delegation.

Many delegations visit the Empire, but among them, trade with Rosvern was particularly frequent.

At minimum, delegations would travel back and forth between the two countries once every 2-3 years.

This time, it seemed Rosvern had decided to send a delegation.

“Yes, that’s right. They’ll be strengthening the friendship between our two countries and discussing various matters like diplomacy and trade.”

“Your Majesty the Empress must feel the weight on your shoulders.”

“Well, how could it compare to His Majesty the Emperor who directly leads the negotiations? So I’m thinking of holding a banquet to celebrate the delegation’s visit…”

Her Majesty the Empress, who had been trailing off, suddenly called out to Lady Claudius.

“Lady Claudius.”

Her Majesty the Empress’s gaze toward Lady Claudius was as warm as spring sunshine.

“I heard news that you successfully hosted your salon this time.”

“You flatter me.”

“So, I’d like to ask for Lady Claudius’s help with this banquet.”

Suddenly, Seraphina, who had been fawning and trying to please Her Majesty the Empress, froze.

‘Oh.’

At the same time, I opened my eyes wide.

‘Seraphina’s going to be quite upset, isn’t she?’

Seraphina was already sensitive about influence in high society.

Previously, when she planned the Imperial Curia’s charity party, Seraphina’s popularity in high society had risen even higher.

‘Having experienced that, she’d understand it even better.’

This was an important banquet hosted by none other than Her Majesty the Empress herself, entertaining a foreign delegation.

If Lady Claudius were to lend a hand in such a banquet…

‘Lady Claudius’s reputation would rise to even more unreachable heights.’

To a level that someone like Seraphina could never even dare to approach.

Glancing at Seraphina’s crumpled face, I smiled contentedly to myself.

Meanwhile, Her Majesty the Empress continued affectionately.

“It’s nothing difficult – I’d like to ask you to handle the floral decorations for the banquet hall.”

“Floral decorations?”

“Yes. I know that Lady Claudius’s favorite flower is the rose, but I heard you’re also knowledgeable about various other flowers.”

It was true.

Of course, Lady Claudius enjoyed tending to roses most of all.

But in the greenhouse that Lady Claudius cherished, not only roses but various other precious flowers bloomed as well.

Lady Claudius personally cared for all those flowers, naturally.

“Oh right. We also need to select the distinguished guests who will attend the banquet.”

At those words, Seraphina’s expression became even more distorted.

Discussing together which nobles to send invitations to.

That meant Her Majesty the Empress regarded Lady Claudius with such intimacy.

Her Majesty the Empress shrugged her shoulders.

“Of course, the palace administration will do the initial sorting, but wouldn’t it be easier to catch errors with more eyes looking?”

“…”

Then, Lady Claudius, who had been looking thoughtful for a moment, gently placed her hand over mine.

‘Hm?’

I turned to look at Lady Claudius.

At the same time, Lady Claudius straightened her posture and spoke.

“Actually, when I hosted my salon, I received a lot of help from Lady Ansi.”

“Oh my, did you really?”

Her Majesty the Empress’s eyes widened.

Lady Claudius nodded and continued carefully.

“So I’m asking this, but would it be alright if Lady Ansi helped as well?”

“That wouldn’t be difficult at all. Let’s do that.”

Her Majesty the Empress readily agreed.

“Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Lady Claudius’s cheeks turned a rosy red.

Though she pretended to be aloof on the outside, she must be happy that her abilities were recognized.

“I’ll do my humble best.”

“Not at all. Having two extra pairs of hands – I’m the one who benefits.”

Her Majesty the Empress waved dismissively and looked back and forth between Lady Claudius and me.

“Speaking of which, seeing you two get along so well warms my heart too.”

Then she asked me playfully.

“Well, you might become family someday… so it’s only natural, isn’t it?”

At that mischievous question, my face flushed hot.

“N-no, I’m…”

“Of course.”

Lady Claudius cut off my hurried attempt at an excuse right in the middle.

“The day we become family might not be far off, don’t you think?”

Then she made a pleased expression and chimed in with Her Majesty the Empress’s words!

And Her Majesty the Empress went even further.

“Come to think of it, at the last charity party, the Duke took Lady Ansi away, didn’t he?”

Why is that story suddenly coming up now?!

I found myself stammering without realizing it.

“Th-that was…”

“What did you two do alone? As I recall, you returned to the party hall quite late…”

“Well, isn’t it obvious what happened?”

Then Lady Claudius sipped her tea and shrugged smugly.

“You two must have spent some sweet time together alone.”

“Oh my, does Lady Claudius have a reason for thinking that?”

“Lately, my brother has been going around grinning like an idiot all the time.”

Lady Claudius added sharply.

“Really, I want to smack him.”

I stiffened my shoulders with a start.

Surely she’s joking, right?

But why does it look to me… like Lady Claudius is speaking sincerely?

“On top of that, he keeps teasing Larit, saying ‘If you’re so frustrated, why don’t you get yourself a lover too?’…”

Imitating Lord Claudius’s tone, Lady Claudius clicked her tongue.

“Is that what the head of a noble family should be doing?”

Her Majesty the Empress looked like a startled rabbit.

“Goodness, Lord Claudius really does that?”

“It’s true! What’s even more unfair is that no matter how much I tell this story, no one believes me.”

Lady Claudius grumbled like that for only a moment.

“Larit, say something.”

Suddenly the spotlight turned to me…

“Honestly, doesn’t my brother seem a bit stupid lately?”

“…”

I kept my mouth firmly shut and only rolled my eyes.

Honestly, to my eyes he still looks handsome and intelligent.

‘If I said this directly, I’d only get scolded for being blinded by love, wouldn’t I?’

I had at least that much sense…

“Of course I know Larit likes our brother very much, but still, a person should speak their mind…”

Just as Lady Claudius was about to launch into another long speech.

Knock knock.

A short knocking sound echoed.

The butler who entered the drawing room bowed respectfully.

“The Nobility Council meeting has ended. His Majesty the Emperor asks if Her Majesty the Empress would like to have dinner together.”

“Tell him I would be delighted to join him.”

Her Majesty the Empress answered with a pleased expression.

‘Could she really be that happy?’

Of course, the imperial couple is famous for their good relationship.

Still, they’ve been married for nearly 30 years.

To think that just having dinner together would make her face bloom with such joy.

‘…If I could someday become Lord Claudius’s wife too.’

Could we live our whole lives relying on each other like that?

‘Good heavens, what am I thinking?’

Embarrassed by my thoughtless romantic fantasies, I unnecessarily composed my expression.

Meanwhile, the butler’s words weren’t finished yet.

“Also, there is a message for Lord Claudius.”

For Lord Claudius?

I perked up my ears.

“He asks Lady Ansi, if tea time is over, would you like to return home together. He says he will come to escort you personally. And…”

The butler looked at Lady Claudius with troubled eyes.

Lady Claudius asked sullenly.

“And?”

The butler muttered with an embarrassed expression he couldn’t hide.

“To Lady Claudius, he says to tactfully excuse herself…”

“See that!”

Lady Claudius now openly displayed a disgusted expression.

“Really, this is so heartbreaking I could die!”

“My goodness, this is the first time I’ve seen the Duke act like this.”

Her Majesty the Empress couldn’t hold back and burst into loud laughter.

Between me feeling embarrassed, Her Majesty the Empress finding it amusing, and Lady Claudius fuming.

Only Seraphina had a sour expression as if she’d bitten into something bitter.

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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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