The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 172
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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 172
A strange light flickered in Lord Claudius’s eyes as he looked at me.
Lord Claudius, who had climbed onto the window first, extended his hand to me.
…Just like that summer night long ago.
When I first took your hand and we danced together.
That sensation of feeling like I had become the protagonist for the first time, rather than a supporting character in this world.
So.
‘It will be alright.’
I took Lord Claudius’s hand and climbed onto the windowsill.
It was the second floor, and there were people below to catch us, but… I couldn’t help feeling afraid.
However.
“…”
I tightened my grip on our clasped hands.
Just as we had shared a perfect moment back then.
It would be the same now.
Our story would continue to unfold from here on…
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
I nodded my head.
I felt strong arms pull me into an embrace.
I leaned against Lord Claudius and squeezed my eyes shut.
Lord Claudius held me securely in his arms and threw himself out the window.
And.
A dizzying sensation of floating swept through my entire body.
Thud!
Lord Claudius and I landed on a large cloth that had been stretched taut.
The security officers cheered.
“Got it, we caught them!”
“Thank goodness!”
The security officers immediately helped us down from the cloth.
“Dietrich, are you alright…”
As soon as my feet touched the ground, I hurriedly turned to check on Lord Claudius.
But then.
“Larit!”
Lord Claudius suddenly grabbed my shoulders.
“Are you alright?!”
Under the night sky that glowed crimson, engulfed in flames.
His blue eyes rippled with various emotions.
“Are you hurt anywhere?!”
The countless emotions reflected in those eyes.
Worry and concern, intense affection.
And.
…The fear that he might lose me.
I answered hurriedly.
“I’m fine.”
Even though I had answered that way.
Even though I really was fine…
The hands resting on my shoulders were still trembling faintly.
“…”
I looked at Lord Claudius silently, then placed my hand over his.
Hoping that my meager warmth might ease his fear, even a little.
At that moment.
Lord Claudius suddenly pulled me into his arms.
“Ah, really.”
Through our touching bodies, I could feel Lord Claudius’s heart beating frantically.
“I… really.”
The end of his suppressed voice slowly grew wet.
“I was so afraid of losing you…”
“…”
I stretched out both arms and embraced Lord Claudius.
“I’m really, truly fine. Okay?”
I stroked his back, which still hadn’t calmed down.
That I was fine, that I was right before his eyes.
That I would continue to stay by his side from now on…
As I whispered with emphasis several times, Lord Claudius’s trembling finally began to subside.
But then.
“My ladyyyy!!”
Someone called out to me in a booming voice.
It was Amy.
Her apron was completely stained with ash and her hair was disheveled.
I broke away from Lord Claudius’s embrace and asked urgently.
“Amy, how are you feeling? Are you alright?!”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“What about the others?!”
“Don’t worry, everyone is safe!”
“Thank goodness…”
Finally, all the tension in my body released.
I felt as if there wasn’t an ounce of strength left in my entire body.
I staggered and sat down on the spot.
“Larit!”
“My lady, what’s wrong all of a sudden?!”
Lord Claudius and Amy called out to me in alarm.
I forced a smile to reassure them both.
“I’m not hurt anywhere. I think it’s just because the tension wore off.”
But neither of them would listen to my words.
“You never know, we should go to the hospital right away…”
“That’s right, Lord Claudius is correct!”
The two of them made such a fuss.
Only after I said several times that I was really fine could I calm them down.
“First, Amy, the townhouse ended up like that, didn’t it?”
I gestured toward the townhouse and continued speaking.
“Until the manor is restored, I’m going to give the servants paid leave.”
“My lady…”
Amy clung to me, almost in tears.
I smiled and comforted Amy.
“Please tell the others too. Understood?”
“Yes, I will.”
Amy nodded and quickly ran off to the other servants.
“Please step aside for a moment!”
At the same time, people in uniforms came rushing over in a group.
It was the medical team that arrived late with the Fire Brigade.
“Are you alright?”
“Let us take a look first.”
“I’m fine, so please tend to Larit first.”
Lord Claudius stepped back.
The medical team looked troubled.
“But, Your Grace should also be examined…”
“I said I’m fine.”
Lord Claudius was desperately trying to get me seen by the medical team first.
“I’m not okay.”
I interjected into the conversation.
“I need to know that Dietrich is healthy before I can feel at ease.”
“…”
“So let’s do it together.”
More importantly, unlike me who had been relatively unharmed in a place the fire didn’t reach.
Lord Claudius looked a mess from the outside, with his collar singed and all.
‘At least he doesn’t seem to have any trouble moving, so he probably wasn’t seriously injured.’
Still, if we had to decide who should see the medical team first, it was obviously Lord Claudius.
Eventually, Lord Claudius reluctantly submitted to the medical team’s examination.
After carefully checking if his eyes were focusing properly, if his limbs moved well, and if there were any burns.
“Fortunately, you don’t seem to have any serious injuries.”
The medical team breathed a sigh of relief.
“Still, just to be safe, please visit the hospital.”
“Understood.”
Lord Claudius nodded obediently, then immediately glared.
“So when are you going to check Larit’s condition?”
“…We’re planning to do it now.”
The medical team answered while breaking into a cold sweat.
After that.
I was examined under Lord Claudius’s thorough supervision.
During this time, Lord Claudius wouldn’t leave my side.
As if I would disappear right before his eyes if he looked away even for a moment.
“Lady Ansi doesn’t have any major problems either.”
Only after hearing that I was healthy did Lord Claudius’s tense face relax even slightly.
After the medical team withdrew.
A Security Officer suddenly poked his head in.
“Excuse me, Lady Ansi. We need to question you about this fire… Ah.”
The Security Officer who was trying to speak involuntarily swallowed hard.
And for good reason.
Lord Claudius, who was firmly holding my hand, was glaring at the Security Officer with truly terrifying eyes…
“We, we’ll get a written statement later.”
Unable to withstand that intimidating presence, the Security Officer hesitantly backed away.
And so we were left alone together.
Extinguishing the fire, cleaning up the surroundings, conducting interviews, and so on.
The area around us was completely chaotic.
…Yet somehow I felt strangely detached from that scene.
“Larit.”
Lord Claudius, who had been silent for a moment, opened his mouth.
“This might be a strange thing to say in the current situation.”
Huh?
I tilted my head.
At the same time, Lord Claudius dropped a bombshell.
“I want to spend my entire life with Larit.”
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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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