The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 139

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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 139

Miss Morgan approached me and whispered in a lowered voice.

“How was that? I speak well, don’t I?”

“You’re truly eloquent.”

“Well, it’s not like I said anything completely untrue.”

Miss Morgan winked at me playfully.

“Despite how I may seem, I’m deeply grateful to the Claudius family and His Grace. After all, he’s the one who changed my life.”

I paused for a moment.

…Because I felt the same way.

Lady Claudius and Lord Claudius.

Because these two stayed by my side, I was able to become a more positive person.

My moment of sentimentality was brief,

“Oh right, I heard you finally became lovers with His Grace?”

Miss Morgan’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Really, even at the opera I thought there was something between you two. My intuition was right after all!”

…Was that really something to be so excited about?

I felt a bit bewildered.

“Everyone was whispering about whether I had some kind of relationship with His Grace. Under the surface, of course.”

“…Ah.”

Feeling somewhat guilty, I quietly closed my mouth.

Honestly, I had also thought His Grace and Miss Morgan suited each other very well.

“Frankly, why would I need to have that kind of relationship with His Grace? I’m perfectly wonderful as I am now.”

Miss Morgan, unaware of my thoughts, grumbled with a pouty expression before cheerfully changing the subject.

“Anyway, I’m truly delighted to hear that Claudius will be operating a childcare foundation.”

She really was someone who could completely captivate people. I gladly responded to the new topic.

“Thank you once again for the regular donations.”

“Don’t mention it. While Claudius has always been generous to those with talent, now other ordinary children can also share in Claudius’s protection.”

Miss Morgan, who had been quietly studying my face, smiled warmly.

“How should I put it, lately His Grace seems to have gained some humanity. This must all be thanks to Lady Ansi, right?”

“What? No, His Grace has always been kind…”

“Oh my, are you already taking your lover’s side?”

Miss Morgan’s smile deepened even more.

Above her pretty eyes that stared directly at me, mischief was written all over.

‘Oh, really.’

Feeling my face grow hot somehow, I quietly averted my gaze.

While we were having this conversation,

Someone came running over and suddenly grabbed my arm.

“Larit!”

It was Lady Claudius, naturally.

Lady Claudius, who had firmly attached herself to my arm, glared at Miss Morgan.

“Miss Morgan, Larit is my friend. You know that, right?”

“Oh my, Lady Claudius.”

At that blatant warning, Miss Morgan dramatically drooped her eyebrows.

“I’m hurt.”

“About what?”

“I want to become close with Lady Claudius and Lady Ansi too, but you won’t even give me a chance…”

“Ugh.”

Lady Claudius flinched and stiffened her shoulders.

Miss Morgan continued in a sad voice.

“Can’t I be friends with Lady Claudius and Lady Ansi too?”

“That, that’s…”

Lady Claudius hesitated for a long while.

Well, Lady Claudius had gone through quite a struggle when getting close to the people in the reading group.

Still, I had no doubt that Lady Claudius would be a little different from back then.

Because Lady Claudius had grown so much now.

“…But you can’t become closer to Larit than I am.”

As expected!

Lady Claudius had indirectly given permission for a ‘new friend’ like that.

It must have been a completely unexpected answer, as Miss Morgan looked at Lady Claudius with surprised rabbit eyes.

“Then you’ll become friends with me too?”

“Well, being friends isn’t that difficult.”

Lady Claudius replied primly, turning her head away.

Even so, I could feel her arms tighten around mine.

For the time being, when the three of us were together with Miss Morgan, it seemed I’d be walking around with Lady Claudius dangling from my arm…

Just then, a gentle voice addressed us.

“My, what are you discussing so enjoyably?”

“Oh, Your Grace.”

I turned to look at Lord Claudius with a bright smile, then froze.

Wait. That person standing beside His Grace is…?

‘Gasp.’

I swallowed nervously and hurriedly showed proper respect.

“I greet Her Majesty the Empress.”

That’s right.

The person Lord Claudius had escorted was none other than Her Majesty the Empress!

Not only Lady Claudius and Miss Morgan,

But the surrounding nobles also widened their eyes and hurriedly knelt to pay their respects.

‘Goodness, Her Majesty the Empress is attending as well.’

‘She visited the Imperial Curia’s charity party too. She probably needs to maintain fairness.’

Whispers could be heard.

Well, while outwardly showing proper respect to Her Majesty the Empress,

It was obvious they were calculating the current situation in their heads…

Regardless, Her Majesty the Empress warmly greeted us.

“Have you all been well?”

“Thanks to your concern, we have been well.”

Lady Claudius answered politely as our representative.

“Lord and Lady Claudius, Lady Ansi, and Miss Morgan too.”

Her Majesty the Empress looked around at all of us and spoke playfully.

“Well now, all the people who’ve made names for themselves in the Empire recently are gathered here. Won’t this be burdensome to move around together?”

“…”

We didn’t know how to respond and just rolled our eyes.

At the same time, Lord Claudius narrowed his eyes and restrained Her Majesty the Empress.

“Please stop teasing my lover.”

“Really, at times like this I completely understand Lady Claudius’s feelings.”

Her Majesty the Empress shook her head dramatically.

“Lady Claudius and Miss Morgan are here too, yet you single out only Lady Ansi like that. Aren’t you being too focused on your lover?”

“…”

Lord Claudius pressed his lips together as if hit right on target.

I also bit my lower lip gently.

Oh, what should I do.

My face right now probably looks like a ripe tomato…

Her Majesty the Empress shrugged her shoulders and spoke.

“More than that, I’d also like to visit that job placement booth myself.”

“I shall guide you there.”

“Then have Lady Ansi accompany us as well.”

Her Majesty the Empress glanced at me with an amused look in her eyes.

“It would be troublesome if the Duke scolded me again for stealing time he could spend with Lady Ansi, wouldn’t it?”

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Lord Claudius, who had become quite shameless by now, responded smoothly without batting an eye.

Really, how could Lord Claudius remain so composed?

My face was burning with embarrassment…

A short while later.

I accompanied Lord Claudius to guide Her Majesty the Empress to the job placement booth.

“Oh my, these are the actual rooms the children will use?”

Her Majesty the Empress showed great interest in the full-scale model house of the orphanage interior,

“Yes, that’s correct. They’re designed as four-person rooms, with girls’ and boys’ rooms separated by floor…”

Lord Claudius smoothly continued his explanation.

After that came introductions related to various occupations.

Among the introduction booths was a large blacksmith operated in Claudius Domain.

Items made directly at the blacksmith were displayed on the table.

“When the children move beyond apprentice assistants to formal employment, they’ll start by making kitchen utensils like these. And then…”

The employee manning the blacksmith’s booth continued his explanation to Her Majesty the Empress with a nervous expression.

The Empress, who had been examining the kitchen utensils from various angles, smiled like a child.

“So the children will learn how to make items like these in the future?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Come to think of it, until now we’ve only been focused on making children earn money. I don’t think we’ve ever considered the quality of their occupations.”

Her Majesty the Empress didn’t stop her praise.

“I’m very pleased with this.”

“It’s all thanks to Lady Ansi.”

“No, it’s more thanks to Lord Claudius than me…”

Lord Claudius and I, who had reflexively begun to speak, stared at each other intently without either taking precedence.

Her Majesty the Empress waved her hands as if she were fed up.

“You two look so harmonious together.”

Then she added with a weary tone.

“But why do I keep finding myself understanding the Princess’s feelings?”

Unable to bear the embarrassment, I squeezed my eyes tightly shut.

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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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