The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 202

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Special Omake Episode 15
“Tomorrow?”
Evangeline tilted her head, turning the question back to him.
“That would be fine, but… Endymion, aren’t you terribly busy?”
Evangeline knew all too well how much he’d been worn down lately.
Preparing to assume the Imperial Throne only made it worse.
‘That’s why I wanted him to feel at ease when he was with me.’
But the realization came belatedly—he must have been exhausted just carving out this time to spend with her.
If he stayed with her through tomorrow as well, things would only grow harder for him afterward.
Evangeline was growing fidgety with guilt when—
“It’s quite all right. Lord Claudius has agreed to handle my duties for two days.”
“Your brother?”
Evangeline blinked blankly.
“Yes, so I’ve been granted a two-day leave.”
“Truly?”
Her blue eyes gleamed with anticipation.
The Crown Prince gave his already-radiant wife a soft, knowing smile.
“I did some inquiring, and apparently they’ve recently begun operating a cruise ship on the Benita River.”
The Benita River.
A broad waterway that wound around and enfolded the Outskirts of the Domain.
It was renowned for its scenery, and Evangeline had visited it several times before.
“What do you say, Evangeline?”
The Crown Prince studied her eyes intently.
His gentle voice settled softly against her ears.
“Shall we go on a date for the first time in ages?”
At that proposal, Evangeline broke into a radiant smile as though she’d just gained the whole world.
“Yes!”
* * *
The next day.
The Crown Prince and his wife slept in luxuriously for what felt like the first time in forever.
They took lunch together, shared tea, strolled through the Garden.
Spending intimate time alone.
Then, at five in the evening when the cruise ship was scheduled to depart, they set out at last.
“My, even a winter river has its charm.”
Evangeline smiled broadly as she descended from the Carriage.
What first caught her eye was the winter reeds rippling in deep tawny gold.
Beyond them, the river in twilight glimmered with molten light.
Though the air was crisp and cool, the riverside landscape itself in the gathering dusk held a peculiar beauty.
Wonder bloomed across Evangeline’s face as she looked around.
“Ah, there it is…”
In the distance, the cruise ship lay moored and visible.
The Crown Prince extended his hand gently toward his wife.
“Shall we, madam?”
And so Evangeline ascended the cruise ship with the Crown Prince’s escort.
The interior was immaculately appointed.
Being a luxury vessel of considerable expense, the passengers aboard were dressed with equal elegance and refinement.
And because of that, many recognized Evangeline and the Crown Prince.
“Look there. Isn’t that the Crown Prince and his wife?”
“My goodness, it is.”
“I wonder what brings them to visit here.”
But at a subtle gesture from the Crown Prince, no one presumed to approach them.
Being cultured people themselves, they had no wish to intrude upon this rare moment of leisure.
Still, curious glances inevitably followed the pair.
“Does it bother you, Evangeline? You seem uncomfortable.”
The Crown Prince’s expression grew slightly downcast.
He’d wanted so much to spend this time quietly with her alone, but how could he ignore the weight of those watching eyes?
Yet Evangeline seemed entirely unbothered.
“It doesn’t trouble me.”
She gave a light shrug.
“From the moment I accepted your proposal, I was prepared for this much. And besides, I was already receiving such attention before, wasn’t I?”
Evangeline lifted her chin confidently, adding her words with a playful tilt.
“Because I’m beautiful.”
…….
The Crown Prince, who had been gazing blankly at his wife for a moment, let out a soft chuckle.
“That’s right. My Eva is the most beautiful woman in all the world.”
* * *
The two of them proceeded directly to the Dining Room.
“Welcome. Please, allow me to show you to your table.”
A Waiter who had been waiting at the entrance guided them inside.
At the table where they arrived, a tablecloth as pristine and white as fresh snow lay arranged with care.
Atop it rested Napkins folded with elegant precision, lined in perfect order.
“Please be seated here.”
The Waiter pulled out a chair with formal grace.
At that same moment, another Waiter approached and handed the Crown Prince a bouquet.
The Crown Prince accepted it and offered the Rose Bouquet across the table to Evangeline.
“Here, Eva.”
As Evangeline received it without thinking, her eyes went wide.
“Goodness, what’s this bouquet doing here?”
It was made entirely of deep red roses.
Evangeline found herself unable to tear her gaze from the Rose Bouquet.
Watching his wife, the Crown Prince smiled warmly.
“Since this is a special date, I thought I’d prepare something. They say flowers brighten one’s mood, after all. More than that, though.”
The Crown Prince continued gently.
“You like them, don’t you? Roses, I mean.”
…….
At those words, Evangeline’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink.
She brushed her fingers softly over the silken petals, then buried her face in the bouquet to breathe in its fragrance.
The sweet scent filled her lungs completely.
“It smells wonderful.”
“Does it please you?”
“Of course—I’m truly delighted.”
Evangeline nodded, her eyes shining like stars.
“Thank you so much.”
Her joy was entirely genuine.
Faced with Evangeline’s delight, the Crown Prince felt his heart stir.
He couldn’t help it.
To him, Evangeline was the most beautiful woman in the world—a star hanging in the heavens themselves.
Perhaps, every time he gazed upon Evangeline, his heart would race like a young boy’s falling in love for the first time, for all his days.
A soft smile curved the Crown Prince’s lips.
From the Chandelier overhead, jewel-like light cascaded down like a waterfall.
As the orchestra began to play, an elegant melody soon wove its way through the laughter of the diners.
Evangeline, who had been absorbed in her meal, glanced toward the window.
Beyond the large pane, darkness flowed gently onward.
Over the indigo-tinted river hung a moon, round as a silver mirror.
Beneath it, shimmering lights danced like silver dust.
‘Endymion must be so busy these days.’
Lost in the beauty of the scene outside, Evangeline felt her heart grow tight.
‘When did he find time to arrange all this?’
She turned her head slightly.
The Crown Prince, dining with painterly grace, looked puzzled the moment their eyes met.
“Is something the matter, Eva? Is there something uncomfortable?”
“No.”
Evangeline shook her head quietly.
Then, meeting the Crown Prince’s gaze, she answered tenderly.
“I’m just grateful to you, Endymion.”
…….
At those words, the Crown Prince suddenly fell silent.
Then he squeezed his eyes shut and turned his head away.
It seemed he was embarrassed.
The tips of his ears had already flushed a bright red.
Evangeline’s eyes sparkled the moment she spotted him.
“Goodness, we’re already married, aren’t we?”
Mischief dancing in her expression, Evangeline teased the Crown Prince with a laugh-tinged voice.
“If you blush every time, what will you do?”
“…Please, stop teasing me.”
The Crown Prince cast her a reproachful glance, though not unkindly.
Unable to contain herself, Evangeline burst into delighted laughter.
That bright, crystalline sound was like stardust.
‘Truly, they say the one who loves more loses.’
The Crown Prince, too, eventually surrendered to a smile, following her lead.
He wanted to spend a lifetime listening to nothing but that laughter.
* * *
After they finished their meal.
Evangeline and the Crown Prince ascended to the Deck.
They had come to see the fireworks, the highlight of the Cruise Ship tour.
Walking across the windswept Deck was hardly convenient, yet Evangeline cradled the Rose Bouquet tenderly against her chest.
“Are you uncomfortable? Shall I carry it for you?”
The Crown Prince extended his hand to Evangeline, but she shook her head in refusal.
“No, I’d like to hold it myself.”
With eyes curved like crescents, Evangeline clutched the Rose Bouquet protectively to her heart.
“It’s a gift from Endymion, after all.”
“……”
Whose wife was she, to be so adorable and endearing like this?
The Crown Prince’s heart ached with a dull throb.
But he quickly gathered himself and carefully extended his hand to Evangeline once more.
“Still, if the ship lurches, what would happen? You might fall, and then what?”
Evangeline gazed down at the hand offered to her, contemplative.
At the same moment, the Crown Prince stole a careful glance at her expression.
“Wouldn’t it be safer if we held hands while we walked?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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