The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 197

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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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Special Side Story Episode 10

An afternoon when autumn’s characteristic warm sunlight was shining down.

Carriages began entering the Imperial Palace one after another.

Each carriage bore the crests of the highest-ranking nobles in the Empire.

Among them, the most conspicuous crest was one with roses and swords elegantly intertwined.

It belonged to Claudius, the Empire’s only ducal house.

“It’s the carriage of House of Claudius!”

The guard who confirmed the carriage’s crest shouted loudly.

Shortly after.

The carriage glided into the Inner Palace of the Imperial Palace.

This was a privilege held by House of Claudius; while ordinary nobles could only bring their carriages to the Outer Palace, the ducal family was allowed to ride carriages even in the Inner Palace.

Meanwhile, inside the carriage that displayed such tremendous prestige…

“Luca, I told you not to sit slouched like that, didn’t I?”

A heated exchange between mother and son was ongoing.

Under his mother’s stern gaze and nagging, Lucas straightened his posture, albeit with a sulky expression.

“Yeeees.”

His sullen response was an added bonus.

Perhaps his feelings were hurt by Larite’s scolding.

Lucas had been wearing a disgruntled expression for a while now.

Larite clicked her tongue inwardly.

‘Oh, really.’

Golden eyelashes settled like butterflies over the flower-pink eyes he inherited from Larite.

His tightly pursed lips from sulking had a rosy flush to them.

Plus, with delicate features that were the spitting image of Dietrich…

‘If he would just sit still, he’d look like such an angel…’

Somehow, she felt like she had exhausted all her energy before even entering the banquet hall.

While keeping a hawk’s eye on her son sitting across from her to make sure he wouldn’t cause trouble,

Larite fell deep into thought.

‘Dietrich said he would go directly to the banquet hall, right?’

This banquet was one where only the highest-ranking nobles gathered.

It was meant to celebrate the bountiful harvest after the autumn gathering.

‘To think that Evangeline has come to host such banquets…’

A pleased smile spread across Larite’s face.

It felt like yesterday when she was a tomboy, but now she was fulfilling her role splendidly as the Crown Princess.

‘The banquet is to be held in the Small Banquet Hall of the Crown Prince’s Palace, right? I’m curious how she’s decorated it.’

Well, she wasn’t worried about that part anyway.

Evangeline had always had excellent aesthetic sense.

Just then, the carriage smoothly stopped in front of the Crown Prince’s Palace.

Dietrich, who had been conversing with Endymion at the entrance, quickly turned around.

“Daddy!”

Lucas, who had jumped down from the carriage, immediately clung to Dietrich’s legs.

“Our Luca.”

Dietrich scooped the child up in his arms.

Gone was his indifferent expression from moments before, replaced by a bright smile on his face.

Meanwhile, Endymion gave Larite a warm smile.

“It’s been a long time, Lady Claudius.”

“I greet Prince.”

“My, that’s such a formal greeting.”

Endymion replied warmly.

“There are no prying eyes, so please be comfortable with me.”

“But…”

“Evangeline would scold me if she saw. She’d ask why I need to receive such formal greetings from such a dear friend.”

At those words, Larite smiled gently.

At the same time, Endymion kindly addressed Lucas, who was in his friend’s arms.

“Have you been well, Luca?”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Lucas answered cheerfully.

But then.

“Oh my, Larit! Her Brother!”

A voice like a nightingale called out to Lord and Lady Claudius.

“Have you all been well?”

It was Evangeline.

Larite’s face immediately brightened.

“Evangeline!”

“Larit, I really missed you.”

Evangeline gracefully lowered her eyes.

The past troublemaker cat-like Evangeline was nowhere to be seen.

Watching her gracefully offer greetings, one might wonder if this was really ‘that’ Evangeline.

But there was one person who could instantly turn this Evangeline back into the tomboy of the past.

That person was…

“Luca!”

Her beloved nephew, who was the apple of her eye.

As soon as Evangeline spotted Lucas, her expression lit up like a lamp.

“Aunt Evangeline!”

Lucas squirmed in Dietrich’s arms.

Dietrich smiled wryly as he set Lucas down on the ground.

Lucas scurried over to Evangeline and spread his arms wide.

“Aunt, I missed you!”

“I missed our Luca so, so much too!”

Evangeline crouched down without caring that her beautifully dressed gown would wrinkle.

“Our adorable Luca!”

As she pulled Lucas into her arms, Lucas burst into giggles.

“Shall we go in together?”

“Yes!”

Lucas and Evangeline walked hand in hand into the banquet hall.

Endymion, who had been quietly watching their retreating figures, suddenly spoke up.

“Luca alone is already so adorable.”

“Pardon?”

“A child who resembles Evangeline would be incredibly cute, wouldn’t they?”

Could it be…?

Both Larite and Dietrich simultaneously looked at Endymion with uncomfortable expressions.

At this moment, there was only one thought in the couple’s minds.

‘It already sometimes infuriates me that he completely swept away our cute, pretty, and lovable Evangeline.’

‘And now he’s already talking about a nephew?’

Meanwhile, faced with those murderous gazes, Endymion frantically waved his hands in panic.

“No, no! I’m just saying! Evangeline isn’t pregnant or anything yet!”

Dietrich spoke with a serious expression.

“Of course, I understand that she must conceive an imperial heir as soon as possible to continue the imperial lineage. However.”

“L-Lord Claudius?”

“Still, I’m not mentally prepared to see a nephew yet. Do you understand?”

…Was it just her imagination, or could she sense murderous intent in that voice?

Even the usually gentle Lady Claudius was nodding enthusiastically, agreeing with her husband.

‘Ha, really.’

Endymion suddenly felt very wronged.

* * *

An elegantly decorated banquet hall welcomed the party.

Polished silver tableware and candlesticks, snow-white tablecloths, and fresh flowers decorating various spots along the long table.

There was truly nothing to find fault with.

‘How is it? I did well, didn’t I?’

As if asking that very question, Evangeline winked at Larite.

‘You really did well.’

Larite responded to Evangeline with a smiling face.

Shortly after.

The distinguished guests who arrived one by one began filling their seats.

“We greet Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

“It’s been a long time, Duke Nerke.”

Evangeline gracefully received the distinguished guests.

Watching the Crown Princess, Lord and Lady Claudius couldn’t hide their pride.

‘My goodness, Eva is handling the guests so maturely like this…’

‘Indeed.’

Meanwhile, besides the Crown Princess, there was one other person who received all the attention of the distinguished guests.

The only child among the distinguished guests attending the banquet.

Lucas von Claudius.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time we’re meeting the young duke.”

“My goodness, he’s so adorable.”

The nobles looked at Lucas, who was sitting closely beside Evangeline, with gentle gazes.

Lucas wouldn’t leave his aunt’s side after meeting her for the first time in a while.

In the end, he pushed Endymion aside and achieved the feat of claiming the seat next to Evangeline.

After finishing the guest reception.

“Welcoming this bountiful autumn, I’m truly delighted to share this enjoyable time with all you distinguished guests.”

The formal banquet began.

Evangeline raised the champagne glass in her hand high.

“Please enjoy tonight’s banquet to your heart’s content. May the goddess’s blessing be with all our distinguished guests.”

“May the goddess’s blessing be with us!”

The distinguished guests each raised their glasses and smiled brightly.

After that.

The banquet flowed in a consistently warm and friendly atmosphere.

Delicious food.

Good wine.

And even a comfortable venue.

These were optimal conditions for conversation.

Thus, the distinguished guests’ conversations knew no end.

“So you see, this time in our estate…”

“I heard the wine newly imported by Brichel Trading Company is quite excellent…”

However, in that harmonious banquet hall, Lucas alone couldn’t hide his bored expression.

And rightfully so, as these weren’t conversation topics that would interest a young child.

Lucas, who had been looking around with a bored face, suddenly sparkled with excitement.

He happened to notice that Evangeline’s glass was empty.

‘There’s something I can do for my aunt too!’

Even if he couldn’t chat about this and that like the other adults, he could at least fill her glass, right?

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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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