The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 135

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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 135

Dietrich never held back.

Whenever something didn’t align with his thoughts, he would protest and draw a clear line that it wasn’t acceptable.

During the marriage fraud incident at the Gusto Estate, Dietrich had shown the extraordinary behavior of directly storming into the Imperial Curia.

But no one could stop Dietrich.

Rather, they empathized with Dietrich’s anger and only tried their best not to catch his eye.

Also.

‘It was the same when the previous Duke and Duchess passed away.’

…That sight of a mere ten-year-old boy desperately clutching Claudius in his grasp with a cold expression.

‘Ruthless child.’

But the Viscount Evans Family couldn’t dare do such a thing.

And that very fact seemed to prove the vast gap between Claudius and Evans…

‘Damn it!’

A sense of crisis constricted his breathing.

‘It’s fine. This is… just retreating a little to advance.’

Isaac tried to console himself.

If he failed to properly resolve this issue and lost the trust of the High Priests.

Isaac’s influence would weaken even further in the future.

Isaac, who had been biting his lips until they bled, soon turned around abruptly.

It was to have a conversation with Dietrich about the foundation issue.

Dietrich was having a conversation with the Empress, Evangeline, and Larite.

“You’ve worked hard, Princess. Lady Ansi as well.”

The Empress smiled brightly as she praised the two ladies.

“I’m glad that I could be of help to Her Majesty the Empress, even if only slightly.”

Evangeline gently lowered her eyes.

Then the Empress became serious.

“Slightly? I’m being sincere.”

Then she continued in an affectionate voice.

“This banquet being held so successfully is all thanks to the Princess and Lady Ansi.”

“You’re too kind.”

“Not at all. I’m especially relieved that the diplomatic mission seems satisfied with this banquet.”

The Empress, who had been giving praise again, suddenly turned to look at Dietrich with a mischievous expression.

“Oh my? I praised the Princess and Lady Ansi, but why does the Duke look so proud?”

“When my sister and lover have been helpful to Her Majesty the Empress, how could I not feel proud?”

Dietrich answered without batting an eye.

Lover.

While Dietrich had a composed expression, it was Larite who blushed at that word instead.

‘Really, he does all sorts of things…’

Evangeline openly displayed such feelings on her face, but perhaps conscious of the Empress’s gaze, she didn’t scold her brother.

“My goodness, already protecting your family like this.”

The Empress chuckled.

“The Duke is already famous for cherishing his sister greatly, but are you planning to add rumors of being a devoted husband as well?”

“If I had the opportunity, I would like to do so.”

Dietrich shrugged and answered nonchalantly.

At that blatant expression of affection, only Larite’s face grew even redder.

As the four people were chatting pleasantly.

“Lord Claudius.”

At that call, Dietrich glanced up slightly.

The warm gaze he had when dealing with Larite, his sister, and the Empress completely disappeared.

It was truly an indifferent look, as if viewing cattle or chickens.

Even looking at a stone rolling on the street wouldn’t warrant such a gaze.

But perhaps conscious of the Empress, he gave a reasonably polite verbal response.

“What is it?”

Though his pride was hurt by that lukewarm reaction, Isaac forced a gentle smile across his face.

“Could you spare me some time?”

“…”

At that question, Dietrich glanced at the Empress instead of answering.

“I’m fine, so feel free to have your conversation.”

The Empress nodded with a smiling face.

But Dietrich still had a sullen expression.

“Well, I don’t think the High Priest and I have the kind of relationship where we need to have friendly conversations…”

Isaac suppressed his displeasure and answered quite amicably.

“Don’t say such things. We’re relatives, aren’t we?”

“Relatives…”

Dietrich, who had been mulling over that word for a moment, smiled with his eyes.

It was a smile with no warmth whatsoever.

“Honestly, I think I know what High Priest Evans wants to say to me.”

Cool, sunken blue eyes stared directly at Isaac.

“The childcare foundation that Claudius has decided to newly establish.”

“…”

Isaac, hit right on target, kept his mouth shut.

Dietrich tilted his head curiously.

“You’re going to ask me to withdraw the establishment of that foundation, right?”

Isaac forced himself to swallow the humiliation rising to his throat.

‘That bastard!’

Honestly, if Dietrich had considered Isaac’s position even slightly, he wouldn’t have asked so blatantly in a place where the Empress and other nobles were present.

At minimum, he would have moved to a place where only the two of them were present.

For someone of High Priest status to bow his head while making a request.

It would be a huge political blow.

Especially since Isaac was very proud, even if he pretended otherwise.

Knowing this, Dietrich showed not even a hint of consideration.

It meant he thought Isaac wasn’t worth caring about or considering at all.

…Or that he didn’t mind being hostile at all.

However.

“Yes, I would like to make that request.”

Here, Isaac was the weaker party.

Currently, the Imperial Curia was pressuring Isaac from all directions to resolve the discord with Claudius and solve the donation issue.

What was even more maddening was that Isaac had been the first to provide the pretext for establishing the childcare foundation.

But Isaac felt wronged.

‘What exactly is Lady Ansi, that woman?’

He couldn’t believe that all of this had happened because he had touched that insignificant daughter of a viscount family.

Dietrich, who had been quietly observing Isaac trembling with shame, slowly lifted the corners of his lips.

It was truly a blade-like smile.

“That would be difficult.”

Isaac’s face flushed red.

There wasn’t even a perfunctory “I’m sorry, but” attached.

Isaac, unable to contain himself, gritted his teeth and snapped.

“If you continue to oppose the Imperial Curia, wouldn’t that be unfavorable for the Ducal House as well?”

“Well, High Priest Evans has been continuously concerned about the Ducal House since before.”

Unlike Isaac with his anxious expression, Dietrich maintained a relaxed attitude throughout.

“My personality is somewhat twisted, so that concern doesn’t sound particularly welcome to me.”

“Lord Claudius!”

“House of Claudius handles its own affairs.”

Dietrich drew a firm line.

“I appreciate your concern, but it was unnecessary meddling from the start.”

“That’s…!”

“Furthermore, High Priest, you spoke as if I should give special treatment because you and I are relatives.”

Isaac tried to protest, but Dietrich didn’t even give him a chance to speak.

“I believe that the closer the blood relation, the more clearly public and private matters should be distinguished.”

Dietrich’s smile deepened slightly.

“Wouldn’t that be much cleaner?”

Damn it!

In the end, even the composure I had barely managed to maintain completely crumbled.

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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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