The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 210

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

Special Epilogue 23
Endymion nodded with a satisfied expression.
“Yes, let’s proceed as the Crown Princess suggests. I’ll also secure approval directly from the Imperial House, so we’ll suspend medicinal herb supplies for the time being.”
“Truly, Your Highness?”
“Of course. Didn’t I tell you to ask whenever you need help?”
Endymion gave a light shrug.
“First, we need to restore the quality of the herbs. Don’t you think?”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
The Administrator bowed deeply, his face brightened.
Just then.
Endymion drifted casually toward his wife.
“Evangeline, when did you learn all that knowledge?”
“Oh, it’s nothing special.”
Evangeline replied with feigned indifference.
Endymion’s smile deepened.
“Nothing special? You were truly impressive.”
“That’s right—Mother was so cool!”
Irene, who had been nodding her head enthusiastically, cried out innocently.
“Mother, your face is red!”
Indeed it was.
Bombarded with such praise, Evangeline’s face had turned as bright as a ripe tomato.
“Wh-what are you saying? Mother is perfectly fine.”
“Huh? But your face is red. Does it hurt somewhere?”
“Hush, that’s not it!”
* * *
The Crown Prince and Princess decided to remain in the Imperial Domain for the time being.
They wanted to observe how Evangeline’s proposed method progressed.
Consequently, they visited the Herb Field every other day and watched the growth of the medicinal plants.
Moreover, the young Imperial Princess had become the very darling of the Estate.
‘Will you give me chocolate?’
She visited the Lord’s Office daily, tugging at the door and gazing up at the Lord with sparkling eyes.
‘Let’s play hide-and-seek!’
She romped playfully with the maids.
‘Ugh, I’m sleepy.’
Unbothered by strangers, the Imperial Princess sometimes dozed off in the Administrator’s lap.
Her friendliness was so remarkable that even Evangeline, alarmed, would occasionally scoop her up.
Thus, a candy box—which the Lord didn’t particularly enjoy—appeared in his office.
A small, child-sized chair materialized in the Administrative Office.
Maids and servants would occasionally glance over their shoulders, wondering if the young Imperial Princess might come running.
But that wasn’t all.
The Crown Prince and Princess would sometimes tour the Village with the Imperial Princess.
Each time, the villagers would flock like clouds, eager to shower the young Imperial Princess with gifts.
‘Your Highness, would you like to try this?’
A Villager Woman held out a tomato, polished until it gleamed.
‘Wow, what is this?!’
Irene accepted it with a beaming smile.
Without waiting for anyone to stop her, she took a bite with a snap.
Tomato juice splattered across her face.
Moreover, the distinctive sour taste didn’t seem very pleasant to the young child.
‘Whimper.’
Irene’s face crumpled as she stared down at the bitten tomato.
‘My face is all wet……’
‘Oh, Your Highness.’
The woman quickly produced a handkerchief and wiped Irene’s face clean.
The others couldn’t help but smile as they watched the child.
Beyond that, the family visited the Library that Endymion had built, or played in the Park.
The three of them enjoyed a peaceful time together at last.
And so, finally.
“Your Highness!”
The Lord approached the Crown Prince and Princess, his face beaming with excitement.
“Just as you instructed, Crown Princess, the new medicinal herbs no longer show yellowed leaves!”
“Ah, is that so? Excellent.”
Evangeline answered with deliberate coolness, but Endymion saw right through it.
The way her lips twitched slightly as she fought to hide her satisfaction.
“And the efficacy of the herbs—how is it?”
“According to the pharmacist’s examination, it remains unchanged from before.”
“Good news. Then it’s time I returned to the Imperial Palace.”
Evangeline nodded with an air of indifference.
“Going forward, send progress reports back to the palace regularly.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
* * *
Lady Larite, wife of Lord Claudius, had come to the Imperial Palace after a long absence.
She wanted to see Evangeline, an old friend and sister-in-law who had been away in the Imperial Domain for months.
“Lariiiiii.”
Evangeline beamed and held out a document.
“Want to see this?”
“What is it?”
Larite’s eyes widened as she took the paper without thinking.
It was a report from the Imperial Domain.
It detailed the recovery of the herb field since the application of Green Fertilizer.
How the harvest quantities were being managed.
And consequently, how much revenue had been raised and what contribution it made to the imperial finances—all laid out with perfect clarity.
“Ahem. I’m the one who made this happen.”
Evangeline lifted her chin with confidence.
“Those herbs were restored using the method I advised.”
“My goodness, truly? That’s remarkable!”
Larite exclaimed with genuine admiration.
“I wanted to show this report to you so badly.”
At the same time, Evangeline met Larite’s eyes and smiled warmly, her gaze tender.
“I started doing this kind of administrative work in the first place because of you.”
Her voice was warm with gratitude.
Something in Larite’s chest tightened, and she found herself tracing the edge of the document.
“That I could adapt so well as Crown Princess—it’s all because I met you.”
Evangeline spoke with sincere emotion, then looked away slightly as she finished.
“So I’ve always wanted to tell you… thank you.”
“Then we’ve both helped each other along the way.”
Larite placed her hand gently over Evangeline’s.
Her voice settled softly over them both.
“I was able to step out of someone’s shadow for the first time because of your help.”
Seraphina—that old bond now felt like a distant dream.
Escaping from her shadow had been possible only through Evangeline.
“I’m the grateful one, Eva.”
Larite smiled gently.
“For being by my side.”
The two women said nothing more.
They simply faced each other, squeezing the hands they held between them.
Sometimes the heart understands without words.
* * *
Time flew like an arrow.
Young Princess Irene, beloved by the entire Imperial House, had already turned five.
“When is Lucas coming?”
Irene, sitting restlessly before the mirror, threw out the question abruptly.
It was already her fifth time asking.
The attendant, skillfully arranging the princess’s hair, answered gently.
“He should be arriving very soon.”
“I hope he gets here quickly.”
Irene bounced on her feet and chattered away.
The attendant watching her let out a silent cry of delight.
‘Our princess is just too precious……!’
Eyes like a cat’s.
Delicate features despite her tender age.
And eyes the colour of a summer sky.
The young princess bore a striking resemblance to Evangeline in every respect.
Her temperament favoured her mother over the Crown Prince.
She possessed the haughty grace of a Persian cat mingled with an elfin charm, and when coupled with a disposition as lovely as her appearance, her cuteness proved utterly irresistible.
Larite had taken to calling her “the sweetest child in all the world.”
Not a soul in the Imperial Court could deny her appeal.
The nobles who came and went from the Imperial Palace vied for her affection, as did the Crown Prince’s own administrators.
And yet, the person Irene loved most in all the world was…….
“Princess, the young count has arrived.”
“Lucas!”
Irene leapt to her feet, her face suddenly alight.

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