The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 213

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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 26
Good heavens.
In that moment, the shop clerk felt the illusion of small wings fluttering behind Irene’s back.
She was that lovely.
“How much is that?”
“Ah, that one…….”
The clerk checked the price tag and answered kindly.
Irene reached determinedly for the bag slung across her shoulder, pulling it around to the front.
Then she opened the clasp and drew out a Coin Purse no larger than her palm.
After that.
Irene, thinking nothing of it, nearly dumped every coin from the purse onto the counter in one heap.
“Irene?”
Her mother’s warm but firm voice snapped her to attention.
That’s right, of course!
I learned the units of currency this time, didn’t I?
“Seven Silver Coins and five Bronze Coins, or was it three?”
With her nose buried in the Coin Purse, Irene muttered and counted on her fingers, working through the sum aloud.
Evangeline did not help her child.
She simply waited for the girl to work it out on her own.
And so at last Irene finished all her calculations and set the coins on the counter.
“Here’s your change.”
She took the change and placed it neatly back into her purse.
The clerk smiled and asked a question.
“Would you like a gift wrap?”
“Yes, yes!”
Irene pressed herself against the counter, her eyes bright and eager.
“You have to make it pretty. It’s a gift for my brother Lucas.”
“Of course. I’ll make it lovely for you.”
The clerk then called over another employee and handed them the Sword Ornament Irene had chosen.
At the same moment, Evangeline, who had been smiling down at her daughter, suddenly spoke up.
“Our Irene is adorable, isn’t she?”
……What was this tone, dripping with such pride?
The employee blinked, stunned, and quickly replied.
“Indeed. I’ve never seen such a charming little one before.”
At that, the smile on Evangeline’s face deepened even further.
Her nose quite in the air now, she continued chattering on.
“Hehe, isn’t she? My dear Irene, only five years old, yet so clever…….”
Indeed.
Even Evangeline could not escape being a doting mother.
* * *
At last, Lucas’s birthday arrived.
To celebrate the Young Duke’s birthday, the House of Claudius had invited the extended family to hold an intimate celebration.
And so those gathered were exactly the same as the family group from the portrait sitting before.
Impressive enough to grace a state ceremony in its splendor.
Yet they all sat comfortably around the great Dining Table, conversing in warm, easy harmony.
“Happy birthday, Lucas.”
“Happy birthday!”
As Lucas received heartfelt wishes from everyone,
he opened first the gift box his parents had given him.
Inside lay a Plant Encyclopedia bound in fine leather.
A notebook for taking notes came with it, along with a luxury pen whose nib was made of gold.
“Tsk.”
Upon seeing this, Evangeline clicked her tongue softly.
“How very much like your brother. Such a gift.”
Someone so extraordinarily attentive to their child’s education…….
At her gentle jab, Lord and Lady Claudius both looked sheepish.
They had felt somewhat guilty even while selecting the gift.
‘Have we given nothing but study-related presents?’
‘That’s the worry, isn’t it?’
The ducal couple exchanged glances hurriedly.
Yet the person in question, Lucas, seemed to harbor no particular complaint.
If anything, he appeared genuinely delighted.
“Thank you so much. I’ve wanted this Plant Encyclopedia for ages.”
At that, Evangeline fixed him with a weary look.
He’d been rather endearing as a child, she could have sworn.
How on earth had he become such a precocious little old man?
Shaking her head inwardly at the thought, she declared with her usual high spirits.
“Now, this one’s from me and Andy.”
“May I open the box?”
“Of course.”
Evangeline nodded readily.
As Lucas untied the ribbon, a fine Cravat came into view, folded neatly within the box.
Without thinking, he unfolded it and his eyes grew wide.
“Wow.”
Though it bore no elaborate embroidery, the fabric itself was of exceptional quality.
The sort of refined article befitting the future Duke of Claudius.
Moreover, an ornamental pin was included as well.
When placed upon a Cravat that might otherwise appear rather plain, it would achieve nothing short of perfection.
It was a gift that spoke volumes of Evangeline’s fashion sensibility.
“Wear it with pride. It’s not every day our Larite gives birth to such a handsome son.”
Evangeline’s eyes glinted with mischief.
The Crown Prince, who believed his wife’s words could coax sprouts from dried beans, nodded along with a subtle smile.
Next came Irene’s turn.
“Lucas!”
Irene thrust the gift box forward with all the pomposity of a child on a grand errand.
“This is my present!”
“That’s something Irene picked out herself and bought with her own money.”
The Crown Prince added this detail with a knowing glance.
Lucas’s eyes widened.
“Really?”
Irene gave a theatrical little cough.
Then she answered with deliberate coyness.
“Oh, it’s nothing much.”
She was mimicking Evangeline’s usual manner of speaking.
But the way she glanced sidelong at Lucas made it clear she was eager for him to open the gift and show his reaction.
Charmed by this display, Lucas chuckled and opened the box.
What emerged from the boy’s fingertips was…….
“A Sword Ornament?”
Lucas’s voice brightened considerably.
Irene’s eyes shone like twin stars.
“Well? Well? Do you like it?”
“Of course I do. You’re the best, Irene!”
Lucas offered her the very praise she’d been longing to hear.
And across Irene’s face bloomed a smile of pure joy.
After that, Lord and Lady Ansi presented him with Riding Leather Gloves.
The Emperor and Empress gave him a fine Premium Handkerchief without fanfare.
And so, after everyone had eaten their fill of delicious food,
and enjoyed dessert and tea as well,
Irene and Lucas dashed off to the Garden, declaring they would play outside.
To be more precise,
Irene had tugged insistently at Lucas’s hand, and he simply hadn’t the heart to refuse her.
Thus everyone had now made their way out to the Garden.
The Crown Prince and Dietrich stayed close by to ensure the children wouldn’t come to any harm.
Evangeline, positioned a little distance away with her hands on her hips, raised her voice in a stream of admonitions.
“Really now, Irene! I’ve told you a hundred times—run like that and you’ll take a tumble!”
The others sat in a row upon a Bench positioned beneath the shade of the trees.
The Emperor, the Empress, and Lord Ansi watched the children at play while exchanging pleasant conversation.
“With the Young Duke displaying such mature bearing, no wonder the Duke and Duchess—and Lord Ansi as well—can rest easy.”
“You do them too much credit, Sire. The Princess Irene is truly a delight.”
It was, unmistakably, the sort of doting conversation of grandparents.
At first, Lord Ansi had been quite nervous when dealing with the imperial family.
But after seeing their faces several times, it seemed they had come to feel comfortable with one another.
It was then.
Lady Ansi turned to look at Larite, who sat beside her, a faint smile playing at her lips.
“Larite, isn’t that something?”
“Pardon?”
Taken aback by the sudden question, Larite blinked her eyes.
The lady spoke softly, her voice gentle.
“You’ve been smiling all day long.”
……
For a moment, Larite faltered.
Lady Ansi reached out and gently caressed the back of her daughter’s hand.
“Our daughter looks so very happy.”
……Mother.
That makes me happy too.
The two of them sat hand in hand, listening quietly to the children’s cheerful clamor.
It was a moment of peace.

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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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