The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 128

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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 128

“Since the Duke has sent someone to this extent, I can no longer keep Lady Ansi here. Everyone should return now.”

After saying this, Her Majesty the Empress held onto Lady Claudius.

“Lady, would you stay for a moment? I have something to discuss regarding the banquet.”

“I understand, Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Since it’s gotten quite late, have dinner before you go.”

At that suggestion, Seraphina’s expression soured even more.

It was called dinner, but wasn’t this an opportunity for a private audience with His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress?

‘This must be how much Their Majesties cherish Lady Claudius.’

It was truly a connection that couldn’t be bought even with a thousand gold pieces.

Lady Claudius glanced sideways at Seraphina, then smiled leisurely.

“I gratefully accept, Your Majesty the Empress.”

A short while later.

Lord Claudius arrived at the Imperial Palace.

“Lady Ansi!”

Considering the eyes of Her Majesty the Empress and Seraphina, he politely called me by the formal address ‘Lady Ansi.’

However, Lord Claudius’s face was filled with a bright smile he couldn’t quite hide.

But that was only momentary.

“Evangeline, will you return together?”

Lord Claudius’s expression when looking at Lady Claudius was utterly sullen…

Lady Claudius glared at Lord Claudius with an incredulous look, then

“No need.”

She replied curtly.

“I have things to discuss with Her Majesty the Empress, so Her Brother should take Larit and return.”

“Yes, I understand.”

He could have at least made one more polite invitation.

“Let’s go, Lady Ansi.”

Lord Claudius quickly turned around, taking only me with him.

“Oh my, that hothead.”

The sound of Lady Claudius clicking her tongue was particularly loud…

I followed behind Lord Claudius with an embarrassed face.

* * *

Lord Claudius and I headed toward the carriage waiting area where the carriage was stationed.

“Haah.”

I took a deep breath.

The cold yet clear air filled my lungs completely.

In various spots of the well-maintained garden, unmelted snow was piled up.

“So, was your tea time with Her Majesty the Empress enjoyable today?”

Lord Claudius’s gaze looking down at me was gentle.

I opened my mouth with an excited voice.

“Actually, this time Her Majesty the Empress made a request to Evangeline.”

“To Evangeline, a request?”

“Yes. We successfully held the salon this time, right? She must have been watching it closely.”

I continued chattering away.

“So she asked for help with this diplomatic delegation welcome banquet.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Lord Claudius immediately became sullen, but I was so excited that I didn’t notice.

“Isn’t that really amazing?”

“Ah, yes. Well…”

“Really, our Evangeline is pretty and lovely and cute, and on top of that, she’s even capable!”

If the word ‘perfect’ were to be embodied as a human being, wouldn’t that person be Lady Claudius?

I continued listing praises about Lady Claudius after that.

Then, Lord Claudius’s expression seemed to become strangely dejected.

“…Somehow, it seems Larit didn’t miss me at all.”

Oh no.

Only then did I realize my mistake.

Lord Claudius, he really does seem to be sulking…

No, right?

It must be my imagination, right?

At the same time, Lord Claudius glanced at me sideways with a sulky look.

“This is really too much, I was thinking only of Larit throughout the entire meeting.”

“Pardon?”

“Even though they say the one who loves more loses, to be this heartless.”

Lord Claudius pretended to be hurt, conspicuously lowering his eyes.

His long eyelashes trembled slightly.

“Even though you toy with my heart like this, I can’t give up on Larit, so surely Larit must be a bewitching lady…”

Really, just how far are you planning to go!

At this rate, I really would be treated as a bewitching woman who manipulates a poor man.

I hurriedly grasped Lord Claudius’s hands.

“Th-that can’t be true. Toying with your heart!”

“…”

However, Lord Claudius still kept his mouth firmly shut with a pouty expression.

I frantically tried to appease Lord Claudius.

“The person I like most is Lord Claudius.”

“Lord Claudius?”

Lord Claudius immediately glared at me.

Startled, I quickly changed the address.

“Dietrich!”

Then, Lord Claudius seemed to subtly observe my expression.

“More than Evangeline too?”

“…”

He suddenly struck right at the heart of the matter…

I was momentarily speechless.

After stammering for a moment, I hurriedly opened my mouth.

“W-well, among men, I like Dietrich the most. And among women, I like Evangeline the most…”

“That’s enough.”

As if my flimsy excuse wasn’t reaching his ears at all.

Lord Claudius curtly turned his head away.

I was about to try appeasing the sulking Lord Claudius when I quietly suppressed the laughter that was about to burst out.

‘Siblings are definitely siblings.’

Look at that sulky appearance.

He’s exactly like Lady Claudius, isn’t he?

But then.

Lord Claudius glanced down and stared at his own hand that I was holding tightly.

“…So now you’re finally taking my hand first.”

His voice was at least a little softer than before.

“Ah.”

When I reflexively tried to let go of his hand, Lord Claudius tightened his grip on our clasped hands.

“When your lover is sulking, you can’t even try to comfort him.”

Lord Claudius glared at me, but not unpleasantly.

“Are you trying to let go of my hand as well?”

“….”

Is, is that what it means?

At Lord Claudius’s dazzling way with words, I was on the verge of becoming completely bewildered….

Lord Claudius, who had been staring intently at me like that, soon smiled mischievously like a boy.

“I’m just teasing.”

My face turned bright red as I raised my voice.

“Really, please stop teasing me!”

“Ahaha!”

Lord Claudius couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into loud laughter.

His refreshing laughter spread widely through the cold air.

I forgot even my indignation and blinked my eyes.

“This is the first time I’ve seen Dietrich laugh out loud like that….”

At that, Lord Claudius looked somewhat embarrassed and asked me back.

“Is it strange?”

“No.”

I shook my head and smiled brightly.

“It’s very nice to see.”

“….”

At that answer, Lord Claudius suddenly turned around.

“The day is cold. Let’s go.”

Lord Claudius held my hand tightly and strode forward just like that.

His snow-white ears were flushed red.

That back view, that blushing nape, even that adorable behavior of trying so hard to hide his embarrassed feelings.

…It was so breathtakingly lovely.

I became very happy.

* * *

At that moment.

Seraphina had also withdrawn from the Imperial Palace.

“Hah….”

Her sigh scattered like smoke.

The last scene she had witnessed was the Empress and the princess having an affectionate conversation with their heads together.

“…I really hate it.”

Seraphina ground her teeth.

She couldn’t help but know.

The Empress was only interacting with Seraphina for the sake of friendly relations with the Imperial Curia, and out of consideration for High Priest Evans.

She didn’t consider Seraphina as an individual important at all.

The proof was that even when bringing up the story of the delegation’s welcome banquet this time, she didn’t even speak a word to Seraphina.

No, more precisely.

‘She doesn’t have even a trace of intimacy toward me….’

The few affectionate words the Empress gave Seraphina, her faint smiles, her feather-light praise.

All of that was nothing but illusion.

She felt pathetic for desperately scraping together such illusions, struggling frantically to somehow raise her reputation.

“….”

Seraphina felt a deep sense of powerlessness.

She recalled the time when she once flourished as the darling of high society under Gregory’s protection and Larite’s sacrifice.

Larite had always prioritized Seraphina, serving her without hesitation.

Gregory had paid attention to Seraphina’s every move.

Whenever she attended any event, he would eagerly send a carriage for her.

But now….

‘Never mind, let’s not think useless thoughts.’

Seraphina tried to console herself.

‘High Priest Evans must be at the Imperial Curia by now, so how could he send me a carriage?’

…Though Lord Claudius had come to pick up Larite personally as soon as the Nobility Council meeting ended.

Recalling how those blue and beautiful eyes had passed over her indifferently, like a cow looking at a chicken.

Seraphina felt her insides twist.

All men used to love me.

I never doubted that Lord Claudius would love me too…!

But what is the reality.

While Larite lives a glamorous life under the protection of the Claudius Estate.

Isn’t Seraphina still trapped in this wretched shared townhouse!

‘Why?’

Seraphina bit her lips until they bled.

‘Why, when it’s me!’

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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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