The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 17

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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 17

‘Ah, this might be okay to look at?’

I reached out and unfolded the blueprint of the salon’s interior.

The buffet-style food tables, the positions of the artworks to be displayed, the plush sofas where nobles and literary figures could sit and discuss, and even the floral decorations to add brightness.

The composition itself was flawless.

However.

“Um, Lady Claudius.”

I unconsciously opened my mouth.

“This is just my opinion, but I don’t think we need this many floral decorations.”

“Hm? Why not?”

“Well, I think they might interfere with the flow of people viewing the artworks.”

I pointed to a large vase as big as a person’s torso.

“Take this vase, for example. If this vase is placed here, wouldn’t it draw attention that should be focused on the artworks?”

…Ah.

Her eyes widened like a surprised cat, but only for a moment.

Lady Claudius soon stared at the blueprint with sharp eyes.

“You’re absolutely right.”

“So how about we remove this vase and pay more attention to the lighting instead?”

“Lighting?”

“Yes. The main characters of the salon are clearly the displayed artworks, right?”

I continued my explanation calmly.

“How about we consult with technicians and arrange the lighting so those artworks can shine even brighter?”

“Mm, that’s good advice. Should I ask them to increase the lighting budget then?”

“Rather than that, how about we reduce the floral budget a little and redirect the saved portion to lighting?”

I answered unconsciously.

Then Lady Claudius suddenly became quiet.

‘Huh?’

Flustered, I slowly lifted my head.

At that moment.

I saw it.

Lady Claudius looking at me with sparkling eyes!

Wh-why is she acting like that all of a sudden?

It’s overwhelming!

Unable to withstand that twinkling gaze attack, I cautiously opened my mouth.

“Well… though I might not be of much help, I could at least assist with reviewing documents.”

“Really?!”

Unable to contain her excitement, Lady Claudius shot up from her seat.

Of course, she soon came to her senses and,

“Ahem, hmm.”

Cleared her throat unnecessarily while sitting back down gracefully.

“Th-then why don’t you help me out.”

Really, how adorable.

Smiling briefly to myself, I picked up the guest list first.

No matter what, the budget side felt a bit awkward, so I planned to only check materials that would be fine for an outsider to see.

As I quickly scanned through the list, my eyes gleamed wickedly.

‘As expected.’

Well, it was only natural, but.

The guest list included neither Seraphina nor Gregory, of course.

Not even the Gusto Estate was on it.

* * *

Late at night.

Dietrich entered the townhouse with a tired face.

“…Phew.”

Letting out a long sigh unconsciously, he irritably tugged at the cravat choking his neck.

‘Really, I don’t even know how time passes.’

Today had been frantically busy as well.

But the tasks Dietrich needed to handle only continued to pile up.

“Have you returned, Your Grace.”

Just then, the butler bowed respectfully toward Dietrich.

“I have prepared your bed. Please rest soon.”

“No, I still have things to look over. Just bring me a cup of coffee.”

Dietrich shook his head and glanced at the butler sideways.

“Come to think of it, how are the salon preparations coming along?”

Since the salon produced quite renowned artists, the ducal house couldn’t neglect it either.

Thus, Dietrich had been checking on the salon’s progress even while carving out time from his busy schedule.

“Ah, Your Grace. I have something to tell you regarding that matter.”

The butler, who had been hesitating for a moment, cautiously opened his mouth.

“Lady Claudius has reviewed the related documents for this salon and sent her opinions.”

Dietrich looked surprised.

“Eva did?”

Evangeline.

His only younger sister had always been his weak spot.

Dietrich had lost his parents early and inherited the ducal title.

Though Dietrich, who became the Empire’s only duke at a young age, grew into an excellent lord respected by all and a flawless great noble.

He too had his shadows.

Because he had been so busy, it was difficult for him to properly care for his younger sister.

Perhaps because of that, he didn’t want to make his sister suffer at least.

He had only given her the nominal position of mistress of the house, while ensuring that the people around her could handle all the difficult tasks.

“It’s fine for now, but what will you do if Lady Claudius ever gets married?”

“If Lady Claudius becomes the mistress of another family, she’ll need to manage the household as its mistress.”

The retainers expressed such concerns, but Dietrich replied without batting an eye.

“What are money and manpower for?”

“Pardon?”

“If Eva gets married, I’ll send a dowry along with administrators to assist her.”

An enormous dowry that the other family wouldn’t dare complain about.

And at least ten or more administrators.

The retainers shook their heads in dismay, but Dietrich was serious.

Rather than watch Evangeline suffer, it was much better to continue supporting her from the family.

They had that kind of resources anyway.

That was how preciously he had cared for his younger sister.

‘Eva reviewed documents… That girl doesn’t need to know about such complicated matters.’

While Evangeline was admirable on one hand, he was also somewhat displeased that she had gone out of her way to find work to meddle with.

Dietrich clicked his tongue inwardly and extended his hand to the butler.

“Let me see it first.”

“Here it is.”

The butler respectfully handed over the documents.

In fact, up until this point, Dietrich had no particular expectations.

Since she had never received any related education until now, the documents would probably be mediocre too.

He was casually flipping through the documents when.

His blue eyes widened slightly.

“This is…?”

‘Eva created these documents?’

It was truly a perfect blueprint.

After examining the blueprint for a while, Dietrich shifted his gaze to the documents behind it.

It was a guest list.

Actually, since guests were selected and invited by the ducal house, he thought there wouldn’t be any particular notes.

‘Hmm?’

Several pieces of advice regarding the guests were attached.

[Since mostly elderly nobles will be attending, it would be good to pay attention to making the seating as comfortable as possible.]

[There are some nobles with bad drinking habits, so how about serving low-alcohol beverages.]

…from such general advice.

[A certain lady and another certain lady don’t get along well, so please arrange their seating as far apart as possible.]

[Poetry literature is trending among nobles recently, so having many related books available would be helpful.]

…to such detailed advice characteristic of someone who had spent a long time in high society.

After seeing even those suggestions, Dietrich was certain.

‘These aren’t documents Evangeline could have created alone.’

These documents carried the sophistication characteristic of someone who had accumulated related education and experience for a long time.

And Evangeline had never received such experience or education.

Above all.

‘Evangeline holds one of the highest positions in the Empire.’

The position of Lady Claudius was far too high to pay such careful attention to trivial human relationships and arrange seating accordingly.

There was no way his sister, who had lived without ever reading others’ moods, could be this meticulous.

“Are you certain these documents really came from Eva?”

“Yes, that’s correct. However…”

“However?”

To Dietrich, who tilted his head, the butler bowed once again.

“When creating the documents, I understand she received help from Lady Ansi.”

“…Lady Ansi.”

Dietrich mulled over that name.

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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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