The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 156

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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 156

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Her Majesty the Empress’s condition continued to deteriorate.

Far from news of her regaining consciousness, her fever also continued to persist.

Thus, the Imperial physicians were said to be on high alert regarding every aspect of Her Majesty the Empress’s condition.

With bad news arriving daily, the Empire was in an overall gloomy atmosphere.

Lord Claudius continued to stay at the Imperial Palace.

It was to attend to his usual duties as well as to monitor Her Majesty the Empress’s condition.

Besides that, I had gained another worry…

“Evangeline, you must eat.”

“…”

That worry was none other than Lady Claudius.

Lady Claudius, who had been looking at me with hollow eyes, shook her head.

“It’s fine. I have no appetite.”

“But I heard you skipped breakfast as well.”

Since Her Majesty the Empress’s illness, it had become routine for Lady Claudius to stay holed up in her room.

Since her condition was so poor, visits were naturally forbidden.

The longer the Empress’s coma lasted, the more Lady Claudius became taciturn and her expression grew darker.

‘Now she doesn’t even tend to her roses personally.’

To think she would leave even her beloved roses to the gardener.

I clicked my tongue inwardly and opened my mouth.

“Lady Claudius continuing to be so dejected like this.”

“…”

“Her Majesty the Empress wouldn’t be pleased either.”

At those words, Lady Claudius listlessly raised her head slightly.

“Instead of that, let’s go out together today. Alright?”

“I’m not in the mood for that.”

Lady Claudius muttered weakly, but I pretended not to hear and continued speaking.

“We’ll go out and choose a gift for Her Majesty the Empress. Even if visits are forbidden, we can at least send a gift through Lord Claudius, right?”

“…”

Only then did a little light return to Lady Claudius’s eyes.

“Is there any gift you’d like to give to Her Majesty the Empress?”

“Hmm.”

Lady Claudius, who had regained motivation for the first time in a while, slightly furrowed her brow.

“Well, wouldn’t it be good to give something that helps with health recovery? Well, the Imperial physicians will take good care of the treatment anyway…”

“That’s a good idea.”

I quickly agreed with Lady Claudius’s words.

Lady Claudius, who had been staring at me intently, soon got up as if she couldn’t resist.

“Since we’re going out anyway, let’s eat something delicious too.”

“Something delicious?”

“Yes. Do you remember the brunch cafe we went to together on the day Evangeline and I first went out?”

I linked arms with Lady Claudius and deliberately chattered more cheerfully.

“The pancakes with strawberry compote were incredibly delicious.”

“Well, if Larit wants to go, then let’s do that.”

A faint smile appeared on Lady Claudius’s face for the first time.

We walked outside while having a gentle conversation.

During the carriage ride to the shopping district, Lady Claudius’s expression was somewhat brighter than before.

‘Thank goodness.’

I finally felt a little relieved inside.

‘When we get to the cafe this time, I should order all the foods Lady Claudius likes. Last time I saw she ate the cheese omelet well. And also…’

As I was contemplating what to have Lady Claudius eat.

“Stop!”

With a loud shout, the carriage suddenly came to an abrupt halt.

“Kyaah!”

Lady Claudius, startled, swayed inside the carriage.

I also became wide-eyed like a surprised rabbit.

Fortunately, since we were entering the carriage waiting area of the shopping district, our speed was slow…

‘What, what is it?’

Flustered, I looked outside.

And for good reason, what organization in the Empire would dare block the carriage of House of Claudius?

Unless it was the Imperial Court…

‘Huh?’

Suddenly I widened my eyes.

Sturdy knights clad in silver armor were standing blocking the carriage.

And that emblem carved on their armor…

‘That’s the Imperial Curia’s emblem!’

Then those knights were all Knights belonging to the Imperial Curia.

“What’s happening?”

“Aren’t those people Knights?”

“Why on earth would Knights be here…?”

The gazes of people coming and going in the shopping district turned this way.

At the same time, my eyes met with a Knight’s as I watched outside through the window.

The Knight seemed to puff out his chest greatly.

“Lady Claudius, come out of the carriage immediately and receive the goddess’s command!”

A thunderous shout that resonated loudly around us burst forth.

Lady Claudius, startled, gasped.

“Just now… they told me to come out, didn’t they?”

“Evangeline, wait a moment.”

I stopped Lady Claudius and opened the carriage door.

“What kind of rudeness is this?”

“The person I told to come down is Lady Claudius, not Lady Ansi.”

But the Knight just had a stubborn expression.

“Out of respect for Claudius, we’re giving a recommendation before forcibly dragging you down.”

The Knight looked at Lady Claudius with stern eyes.

“So come down obediently while we’re asking nicely.”

“…”

Lady Claudius looked at the Knight with a bewildered gaze.

But that was only for a moment.

Lady Claudius, who had been biting her lips, soon straightened her back and composed her expression.

Then she lightly stood up.

“Lady Claudius!”

I hurriedly tried to hold Lady Claudius back.

But Lady Claudius’s words were a bit faster.

“I’d like to hear the reason why a Knight, the faithful sword of the Imperial Curia, is forcefully demanding my accompaniment.”

The Knight, who had been solemnly looking at Lady Claudius, declared.

“From this moment, the Imperial Curia will take custody of Evangeline von Claudius.”

At that moment.

The bustling shopping district became quiet as if cold water had been poured over it.

While no one dared to open their mouth.

Only the Knight’s voice rang out clearly.

“The charge is cursing Her Majesty the Empress.”

The knight concluded with a furrowed brow.

“As everyone present knows, curses are wicked acts that only witches can perform.”

A curse?

For a moment, I doubted my ears.

But the knight’s words were not yet finished.

“Furthermore, the Imperial Curia will conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether Lady Claudius is a witch.”

At that sharp voice, I stared wide-eyed in shock.

“What?!”

“A witch? What on earth is this supposed to mean!”

The people also stirred in alarm.

Witch.

In the distant past, there was a time when the Imperial Curia’s authority overwhelmed the Imperial Court.

That era was recorded in history books as the Empire’s dark age.

The Imperial Curia used people’s devout faith as a pretext to designate women as witches and burn them at the stake as needed.

The witch hunts.

Naturally, the Imperial Court tried to stop them.

Then, when the Imperial Curia designated an Imperial Princess as a witch, the conflict reached its peak.

The Imperial Court’s honor fell to the ground, and all the nobles betrayed the Imperial Court.

At that time, House of Claudius, which had maintained neutrality, opposed the witch hunts for the first time.

Thus that evil practice was abolished…

‘To think they would attack Lady Claudius with witch hunts.’

I glared at the knight with a pale face.

“Until the charges are completely cleared, Lady Claudius will be confined to St. Alfre Convent.”

Suddenly, all strength drained from my body.

St. Alfre Convent.

That place is…

‘The convent where Lady Claudius was dragged to in the original story.’

I thought we had finally escaped the shackles of the original story.

…But going round and round, we had reached this detestable original story once again.

“Please cooperate quietly.”

The knight who made that declaration gazed intently at Lady Claudius as if telling her to come down quickly.

“The more you continue to resist, the more the suspicion of being a witch will only deepen.”

Lady Claudius, who had been quietly meeting the knight’s gaze, called to me softly.

“Larit.”

Rather than me, who was in confusion, Lady Claudius had a much more composed expression.

“I’m going to go for now.”

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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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