The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 21

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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 21

Evangeline von Claudius.

Like a single splendid rose blooming atop a cliff, a noble and arrogant lady.

Her status as the Empire’s only duke’s daughter made it impossible for anyone to approach her carelessly.

And Evangeline herself didn’t particularly enjoy interacting with others.

Yet she had been paired with Lady Ansi.

Though she had quite a reputation in the provinces, she was still just the heir of House of Ansi, a marquess family that hadn’t been incorporated into the central nobility.

House of Claudius and House of Ansi were, to put it metaphorically, like the sun and a firefly.

Their social standings were so vastly different…

‘Besides, there’s everything Lady Ansi has done up until now, isn’t there?’

The way she naturally appointed herself as Lady Lopez’s servant, groveling and attending to her needs.

So naturally, I thought Lady Claudius would be furious.

But far from that…

“Did Lady Claudius really become friends with Lady Ansi?”

One of the noblewomen muttered in a suspicious voice.

“Who knows.”

“Tomorrow I’ll have to check if the sun rises in the west.”

The noblewomen shook their heads in disbelief.

* * *

After that.

Having parted ways with Lord Claudius, I stood by the wall, taking a brief rest.

Perhaps because he was such a famous figure, and had attended the salon so unexpectedly.

“Lord Claudius, it’s been so long!”

“I never expected to see you here…”

There were many people eager to exchange even a word with Lord Claudius…

“I should escort the Lady a bit longer.”

“Please don’t worry about me.”

I graciously sent Lord Claudius away.

We had both maintained proper appearances, and it wouldn’t be right to keep monopolizing a busy person’s time.

‘Really, being popular must be exhausting.’

Left alone, I took a drink from a passing servant.

After taking a sip, I opened my eyes wide in surprise.

‘Oh, it’s almost like juice?’

I had sent word that it would be best to serve drinks with the lowest possible alcohol content to prevent any unpleasant incidents.

It seemed Lady Claudius had taken that advice to heart.

“Larite, what do you even know?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just stay quiet?”

…Unlike Gregory and Seraphina, who had always ignored me.

Lady Claudius listened seriously to my advice and tried her best to implement it.

Though it felt quite strange, it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling.

More precisely…

‘It feels good.’

I took another satisfied sip of my drink.

The sweet yet slightly bitter liquid flowed coolly down my throat.

But just then.

“Lady Ansi!”

Suddenly Lady Claudius popped out from behind me!

“Cough!”

I nearly spat out the drink I had in my mouth.

Lady Claudius looked around quickly, then immediately glared at me and bombarded me with questions.

“Why are you alone? Where’s my brother?”

“He, he went to have a conversation with other gentlemen. He said there was something urgent to discuss regarding business…”

“Oh my, what could be so urgent?”

Upon hearing my answer, Lady Claudius stamped her feet in frustration.

“They just want to make an impression on my brother and get some business investment! And you just let him go?”

Hmm.

I smiled awkwardly.

Actually, Lord Claudius had tried to maintain courtesy with me until the end.

“Are you sure it’s alright for me to go?”

“Yes, of course!”

But I, feeling burdened in various ways, had pushed Lord Claudius away.

“I can’t interfere with such a busy person. Rather, I’m grateful you escorted me this long.”

Honestly, that’s how it was.

Lord Claudius was the male protagonist of this world, destined to passionately love Seraphina someday.

Was there really a need to build a friendship with Lord Claudius?

“Don’t worry, I’ll give my brother a good talking-to when the event ends!”

“Oh, no, there’s no need for that…”

“What do you mean there’s no need!”

Lady Claudius, who had been clenching her fists, turned to look at me with a serious expression.

“You’re my fr-, fri… temporary friend! You shouldn’t be treated poorly anywhere!”

…Well, I had never actually been treated poorly in the first place.

Just then, Lady Claudius looked puzzled and asked me a question.

“By the way, did something good happen?”

“Huh? Why?”

“You’ve been smiling constantly since earlier.”

Oh, was I?

I felt a bit embarrassed.

“I just sent a letter before attending the salon.”

“A letter? Was it something important?”

“Well, not exactly important.”

The smile on my lips deepened a little.

“But still, I’m a bit… looking forward to the reply.”

* * *

At that moment.

Seraphina sat in Bentner Manor’s drawing room, her nerves on edge.

Gregory and Lady Bentner sat across from her, and Seraphina felt as if she were sitting on a bed of thorns.

And for good reason, since Lady Bentner’s gaze, which had always looked at Seraphina warmly…

“Hey, Seraphina. It’s not because of you that we weren’t invited to the salon, is it?”

…was colder than a winter storm.

Gregory jumped up from his seat and raised his voice.

“Aunt, what are you saying?!”

“How dare you raise your voice to an adult?!”

Lady Bentner glared at him.

“What, did I say something I shouldn’t have? It’s true that Larite and Seraphina have been at odds recently!”

Though Gregory had also treated Larite like a servant until now, he was cunningly leaving himself out of it.

At the same time, Lady Bentner’s arrow turned toward Seraphina.

“It’s true that Larite girl acted petty, but still, Sera, you shouldn’t have provided the cause!”

“…”

Instead of answering, Seraphina bit her lip hard and lowered her gaze pitifully.

Gregory quickly embraced such a Seraphina.

“Sera, don’t be too hurt. Aunt really, did she have to say it like that…?”

But despite her pitiful outward appearance, Seraphina’s mind was completely complicated.

‘That bitch Larite, is she really planning not to invite me to the salon?’

Unable to overcome her impatience, Seraphina tightly gripped the armrest of her chair.

‘How can this be happening?’

Seraphina felt a sticky sense of defeat soaking through her entire body.

That stupid Larite must be attending the salon right now, making her mark among the Empire’s leading nobles.

And here I am, stuck between the insignificant Gregory and Lady Bentner, having to sip tasteless tea…!

Moreover.

‘I’m about to lose even the goodwill I’ve built up with Lady Bentner!’

Earlier, that attitude and behavior of openly blaming Seraphina.

Lady Bentner seemed determined to pin the blame for all of this on Seraphina.

But then.

“Lady Lopez, a letter has arrived.”

“A letter? Who sent it?”

“Lady Ansi.”

What? Larite?

Seraphina blinked her eyes blankly.

“My goodness, that girl Larite must have finally sent an invitation, albeit late.”

“Of course, there’s no way our Sera wouldn’t receive an invitation!”

As soon as they saw the letter, Lady Bentner and Gregory made a fuss first.

But Seraphina’s expression actually darkened.

‘What exactly is she scheming?’

Even when Seraphina had personally visited the Townhouse, Larite had been nothing but cold.

But that same Larite personally convinced Lady Claudius…?

Seraphina, who had been suspicious for a moment, shook her head.

‘No, Larite can’t do anything without me, right?’

Dull Larite.

Larite who gets ignored everywhere.

That crow-like bitch couldn’t possibly fit in at a glamorous place like the Claudius Family Salon.

‘She must have attended the salon but couldn’t get along with the other guests and lost her confidence.’

Looking at the fancy letter envelope, Seraphina felt her heart swell with anticipation.

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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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