The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 207

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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 Side Story 20
“…….”
At that question, Lucas’s face grew grave, as if he carried the weight of the world’s every worry.
After humming and hawing with his chin propped on his hand for a long moment, he glanced sideways at Evangeline.
“……Well, I suppose I could let Tommy go.”
For reference, “Tommy” was the name of Lucas’s most treasured wooden horse.
The corner of Evangeline’s mouth curved upward.
“Then what about Mori?”
Mori was Lucas’s beloved stuffed toy.
A rabbit doll he clutched to his chest and held tight every time he fell asleep.
It was something Evangeline had given him as a gift herself.
“M-Mori is, well…….”
Faced with an unsolvable dilemma, Lucas’s face crumpled entirely into tears.
‘Oh, he’s far too adorable!’
Evangeline could no longer hold back and burst into bright laughter.
As she was teasing Lucas to her heart’s content,
“But how are you finding life here these days?”
The Empress asked warmly.
Evangeline quickly composed her expression and answered.
“It’s been quite comfortable.”
“Still, your belly has grown so large. If there’s anything at all that troubles you, be sure to call for a physician, yes?”
“Thank you for your concern. The Prince has been looking after me so very carefully as well.”
Larite and Dietrich watched the two women conversing in low murmurs, their eyes warm with approval.
Evangeline truly seemed to be beloved by the Emperor and Empress.
It was a great relief indeed.
* * *
After spending time in such cheerful conversation,
Evangeline invited the Emperor and Empress, as well as Lord Claudius and his wife, to stay for evening dinner.
Neither couple declined the offer.
And so, while waiting for the meal to be prepared,
Dietrich stepped outside for a breath of fresh air.
‘Evangeline is…… with child.’
His blue gaze fixed quietly on the Garden bathed in twilight.
The fresh, verdant growth of spring rustled softly in the advancing breeze.
Those trembling leaves seemed to mirror the state of Dietrich’s own heart.
‘Strange, my feelings are all muddled.’
It was satisfying to see his sister living happily and well,
yet somehow bittersweet all the same.
Though the age difference was not so great, he had raised her with utmost care for so many years—like a daughter of his own—and now it truly felt as though he were sending his daughter away to her husband.
All the more so because she had always been nothing but a child to him.
And then.
‘Hmm?’
At the sound of footsteps approaching softly, Dietrich turned around.
He expected it to be Larite, but instead found an unexpected figure before him.
“Brother.”
“Evangeline?”
It was Evangeline, a thick shawl draped across her shoulders.
Dietrich quickly drew near to his sister’s side.
“What are you doing out here? The evening is still cold. You’re not alone anymore, you know.”
Though spring had fully arrived, the evening wind still carried a chill.
Dietrich scolded her profusely.
“You’ll catch your death of cold at this rate. Go inside at once.”
But Evangeline merely pretended indifference, keeping her lips firmly sealed.
Dietrich’s eyes narrowed.
“What’s this? Why did you call me out if you won’t say anything…….”
“I’m always grateful to you.”
In that moment, Evangeline suddenly spoke, her gaze still averted.
Dietrich stared at his sister, his eyes wide with surprise.
What on earth was this feeling?
As though he had witnessed the sun rising in the west…….
But Evangeline wasn’t finished yet.
“Oh, thanks to you, I was able to grow up so well. Meeting Larite, marrying Endymion, being able to live happily—it’s all thanks to you.”
Evangeline tumbled the words out in a rush.
She spoke so fast it was a wonder she was breathing at all.
Dietrich tilted his head with a mischievous grin.
“What was that?”
“What do you mean you didn’t hear?! I said thank you, thank you!”
Overcome with embarrassment, Evangeline snapped at him for no good reason.
But Dietrich saw it.
The tips of her ears flushed crimson as she fired off her indignation.
He chuckled softly, his tone turning playful.
“Well, you little spitfire. Now do you appreciate everything I’ve done?”
“What did you just say?!”
Evangeline’s voice rose indignantly.
Dietrich shrugged and drew his sister close by the shoulders.
“Come on, let’s head inside. It’s cold out here.”
“Wait, wait! What was that you said? Spitfire?!”
“I’m not lying, so what’s wrong with it?”
“What’s wrong?! Take that back this instant!”
The brother and sister bickered with each other as they made their way into the Crown Prince’s Palace.
Yet both their faces bore smiles they hadn’t quite managed to suppress.
* * *
In recent days, the Calenberg Empire had been seized by festival fever.
A month ago.
News had spread throughout the realm that the Crown Princess had delivered safely.
The Princess herself was in excellent health, and the baby was thriving.
The infant’s name was Irene Roelinde de Calenberg.
So the word went—a lovely young princess who had inherited the Imperial House’s signature radiant silver hair.
And today was finally the day the small princess would reveal herself to the public for the first time.
Roar!
The moment the Crown Prince and his consort appeared with the baby, cheers erupted from the crowd.
Flower petals swirled through the air on all sides.
The royal couple beamed, waving gently to the people.
In the Crown Princess’s arms lay a small newborn, wrapped snugly in swaddling cloth.
Silver hair as vivid as the Crown Prince’s own.
And a baby princess with eyes as blue and fathomless as a lake.
“May the Goddess’s blessing fall upon Calenberg!”
“Glory to Their Highnesses!”
“May the Goddess watch over the Imperial grandchild!”
The crowd bestowed blessings generously upon the three members of the Imperial House.
Amid the cheers, Evangeline turned to look at her husband.
“Endymion.”
At the sound of her soft voice calling his name, the Crown Prince glanced sideways at his wife.
Evangeline’s smile blazed bright.
“Being your spouse…… I’m happy.”
……
The Crown Prince’s eyes glistened with profound emotion.
The woman he loved was telling him, in this very moment, that she was happy.
Because of him.
An overwhelming feeling rose in his chest.
The Crown Prince bent down and placed a brief kiss on Evangeline’s forehead.
A soft whisper fell against her ear.
“The feeling is mutual, Evangeline.”
Clap-clap-clap!
At the sight of the harmonious Imperial family, thunderous applause erupted once more.
* * *
The Imperial Direct Territory, situated in the southern reaches of the Empire.
The territory was likewise caught up in festival fever.
The reason was simple: the Crown Prince and his consort were expected to visit.
“Is it true the Crown Prince is coming?”
“That’s right, I heard he was coming this time.”
“And they say the Crown Princess is coming with him too?”
Crown Prince Andimion Arnold de Calenberg.
He commanded overwhelming popularity throughout the Imperial Direct Territory.
Ever since the Crown Prince took office, the Imperial Direct Territory had been undergoing nothing short of tremendous development.
And so the villagers of the Imperial Direct Territory naturally came to harbor expectations.
“With His Highness the Crown Prince here, surely he’ll resolve our troubles?”
“Of course he will, what a foolish thing to doubt.”
“Has there ever been a time when His Highness failed to solve our problems whenever we were in difficulty?”
Indeed.
The Imperial Direct Territory now faced a grave crisis.
And it was none other than…….

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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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