The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 212

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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 25
After many twists and turns, the sketch work had finally come to an end.
Before long, the sun was sinking beyond the window panes in gentle slopes of gold.
Since it was so difficult to gather everyone in one place, they’d decided to proceed with the sketching alone and handle the coloring separately.
The Court Painter bowed respectfully to the imperial family.
“It will take roughly a month to complete the work.”
“Very well. You’ve done admirably.”
The Emperor nodded with gentle grace and turned to regard the assembled group.
“What do you say? Since we’ve all gathered, why don’t we take dinner together?”
And so the family began to move toward the dining hall.
“Come to think of it, Lucas—your birthday’s coming up soon, isn’t it?”
Evangeline spoke the thought aloud almost before she’d realized it.
At the same moment, Airin’s eyes widened to the size of saucers.
“Lucas, your birthday?”
“Hm? Yes.”
Lucas nodded without much thought.
From Airin’s small hand, the last chocolate she’d wheedled from her father came tumbling down.
Thump.
Her heart seemed to plummet into her stomach.
Airin’s trembling gaze lifted toward Lucas as he walked beside her.
‘This can’t be.’
I’m the closest to Lucas in the whole world.
How could I possibly have forgotten his birthday……?
And so Airin made her resolve.
A special mission.
Find a birthday gift for Lucas.
* * *
A few days later.
Airin rummaged through a drawer with grim determination.
In her small hands emerged a dainty little wallet—the sort of thing children carried around.
‘This should do, right?’
Clutching the wallet tightly, Airin strode through the Crown Prince’s Palace Corridor with bold confidence.
And so she arrived at……
“Mother.”
“Hmm?”
Evangeline, who had been busily moving her pen across papers on her desk, looked down at her daughter with a puzzled expression.
Airin planted her feet firmly apart and made her announcement with complete assurance.
“I want to go shopping for a birthday gift for Lucas.”
At the sight of her sweet face, Evangeline couldn’t help but tease.
“Is that so? Do you have any money?”
At that, Airin’s eyes turned into sharp triangles.
“I have money!”
Airin thrust the wallet she was holding suddenly forward.
Evangeline took it and opened it to look inside.
And for a different reason entirely, found herself at a loss for words.
‘Oh dear.’
Inside the silk pouch lay the pocket money the Emperor and Empress had given Airin, carefully accumulated.
Only the Emperor and Empress had doted on their young granddaughter so excessively.
And they’d insisted on giving her only gold coins for her spending money.
And so the amount now residing in the pouch was……
‘……Just how much is this?’
To put it only slightly in jest, it exceeded a middle-class family’s weekly living expenses.
It was far too much for a child to carry around.
Evangeline instinctively started to say, “No, Airin,” but caught herself.
‘Wait, this might actually be a good idea.’
When she thought about it, this could be a good opportunity for Airin to experience making a purchase herself.
Since she was a precious imperial princess, she might never have another chance to visit a shop otherwise.
Even Evangeline herself, when she’d lived as Lady Claudius before, had known nothing of the world’s ways.
Only after meeting Larite had she gradually begun to learn.
So then.
“So what kind of gift does our little Airin want to give Lucas?”
Evangeline met her daughter’s gaze and posed the question with casual subtlety.
Airin tilted her head, her expression uncertain.
“I’m not sure…….”
“Then shall we think about it together with Mother?”
Evangeline smiled and patted her own lap invitingly.
Airin toddled over to her mother’s side.
Evangeline scooped up her daughter and set her gently on her lap, speaking with warmth.
“Let’s start by thinking about what Lucas likes.”
“Um…… Lucas likes…… swords?”
Airin murmured the words thoughtfully.
It was actually a rather astute observation.
Lucas had inherited his father’s talent for Swordsmanship, after all.
At that moment, Airin’s eyes widened in delight.
“Oh! Then a Sword Decoration?”
“Excellent—let’s buy a Sword Decoration.”
Evangeline nodded and opened her mouth with quiet intent.
“Well then, if we’re going to buy a Sword Decoration, you’ll need to understand Monetary Units first, won’t you?”
“Monetary Units?”
“Yes. You need to know them so you can pay the right amount.”
“Um…….”
Though Airin felt as though she were being led into something, she nodded along uncertainly.
And so Airin found herself unexpectedly studying Monetary Units.
It had all gone exactly according to Evangeline’s plan.
* * *
And so, several days later.
The Harrison Department Store, renowned in Jedo for the greatest variety of goods.
A small child crossed through the store with a confident gait, waddling determinedly forward.
Soon the child’s footsteps came to a halt at:
“Oh, this one!”
A Knight Equipment Specialty Shop tucked into a corner of the first floor.
The silver-haired child had lingered only briefly at the glass display, gazing at the various wares,
before turning to wave excitedly at the woman following her.
“Mama, over here!”
“Coming.”
Evangeline chuckled softly and made her way to Airin’s side.
As the two entered the shop, a waiting employee quickly bowed and greeted Evangeline with proper courtesy.
“Your Highness the Crown Princess, we are honored to receive you.”
“Yes. I’m sure our little Airin will give you quite a time today.”
“Not at all, Your Highness.”
The truth was, the Crown Prince’s Palace had sent word ahead several days ago.
The Crown Princess and the young Princess would be visiting, they were told, so there was no need for surprise or fuss.
They wanted to teach the young Princess the ordinary process of buying and selling goods, without drawing unwanted attention or making a spectacle of things.
Should the visit cause any damage to the shop, they would arrange proper compensation.
“Wow…….”
Airin was already pressed against the glass-topped display counter.
Various Sword Decorations were arrayed on soft velvet cushioning within.
Decorations crafted from delicately knotted Silk Cord.
Ornaments adorned lavishly with gemstones.
Even pieces finished with abundant tassels.
Every sort of Sword Decoration caught the eye.
The problem, however, was that Airin had no expertise whatsoever in such matters.
“……Which one should I pick?”
Airin’s face crumpled, and she looked up at her mother pleadingly.
“I don’t know what Luca would like…….”
Evangeline suppressed a smile and moved closer to her daughter’s side.
She bent down to examine the display case.
“Hmm, what about that Silk Cord Decoration?”
Her pale finger pointed to one particular ornament.
It was crafted with fine knots of Silk Cord forming an intricate pattern, with translucent jeweled beads hanging delicately below to complete the design.
Airin’s eyes widened.
“It’s pretty! But that one over there shines even more, doesn’t it?”
Airin’s gaze had caught on an elaborate piece adorned with all manner of jewels dangling from it.
As expected of a child, her eyes were drawn to whatever sparkled.
Evangeline smiled wryly.
“Too many ornate decorations make it awkward to wield the sword.”
“Oh!”
“Since Luca actually uses his sword every time he trains, that one would suit him better.”
“Mm-hmm, I understand!”
Airin nodded, then suddenly lifted her sparkling gaze.
Her lake-blue eyes looked up at the Shop Employee standing across from the counter.
The Shop Employee’s shoulders stiffened slightly.
At the same moment, Airin broke into a bright smile.
“Employee! That one! Can we buy that one?”

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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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