The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 223

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

Special Side Story – Episode 36
Then he hung his head and mumbled.
“W-well, actually, I wanted to ask Chloe to be my partner for the End-of-Semester Party.”
“And?”
“The thing is… she said she won’t even attend the party at all.”
At his dejected tone, Larite’s expression grew puzzled.
Of course, it was possible that Chloe simply had no interest in parties.
But would a girl her age, when everyone was attending, truly choose to skip it entirely of her own accord?
If that weren’t the case…
“S-still, though.”
It was then.
Lucas suddenly lifted his head with a snap.
“Chloe apparently wondered who my partner would be.”
Oh?
Larite’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“So that means I’m not a complete impossibility, right?”
Lucas, forcing himself toward optimism, soon let his shoulders sag.
“B-but since she said she won’t attend… I guess I really am dreaming too big…”
Lucas sank deeper into the pit of his own worries.
Watching him groan and fret, Larite’s eyes softened with understanding.
‘Being a boy, he still doesn’t understand a girl’s heart.’
This was exactly when an adult’s help was needed.
The kind of help that could give a hesitant girl a gentle nudge forward.
* * *
The students were all in high spirits.
And no wonder—the first semester had ended completely, and now only two days remained until the End-of-Semester Party.
And after that, sweet Summer Vacation awaited them!
“Want to head to the Shopping District?”
“Sure. I need to take one last look at my dress anyway.”
And so the students left in small groups for the Shopping District.
Yet among all those happy students, there was one girl standing apart.
Chloe.
‘At least it’s quiet.’
Chloe, nestled into the spacious sofa of the Student Lounge, glanced upward.
A book borrowed from the Academy Library rested in her hands.
During Summer Vacation, Chloe planned to return to the Orphanage.
The Orphanage always needed extra hands, and she meant to help the staff there.
But there was one problem: the library didn’t allow long-term loans.
Since she couldn’t take the books with her to the Orphanage, the best she could do was read them quickly and return them.
‘Right, I’ll read fast.’
Just as Chloe buried her nose in the book again.
“Um, Chloe?”
A cautious voice reached her.
Startled, Chloe let the book slip from her hands.
Thud!
The heavy book hit the floor with a resounding crash.
‘Why—why is the Young Duke here?!’
Chloe’s eyes went wide as saucers as she stared at Lucas across from her.
“Y-Young Duke, what are you doing here? The semester’s over, isn’t it?”
“Well…”
Lucas, faltering, quickly bent down to pick up the book.
Handing it back to her, he answered with an awkward smile.
“I came to study too.”
“What?”
“It’s the only way I’ll keep my First Place ranking from you, isn’t it?”
“…You’re something else, Young Duke.”
At his ridiculous excuse, Chloe couldn’t help but laugh softly.
She knew the truth, really.
‘He came here deliberately, out of consideration for how I’ve been standing apart.’
It was only natural.
Lucas has such a kind disposition.
Besides, the two of them have quarreled before, so he was probably feeling especially considerate.
‘……He didn’t have to concern himself with it at all.’
At that moment, Lucas asked hesitantly.
“May I sit beside you?”
“Of course.”
Chloe readily made room for him beside her.
All things considered, Chloe was genuinely glad Lucas had sought her out.
The two of them sat side by side on the sofa.
At the same time, Lucas opened his mouth with a resolute voice.
“The truth is, I wasn’t being honest about studying to maintain my place as top student. I just…….”
Lucas clenched his fist tightly.
“I wanted to be with you.”
“…….”
Seeing Chloe at a loss for words, Lucas added with an awkward smile.
“Everyone’s out today anyway…… so we won’t draw anyone’s attention.”
So he’d been worried about that the whole time.
Chloe’s heart fluttered strangely.
Perhaps because of that.
Chloe found the courage to speak what she’d kept hidden so carefully.
“When I was angry with you the other day.”
“Hm?”
Lucas flinched.
It was only natural—that was precisely when his relationship with Chloe had fallen apart completely.
The day Lucas had gotten into a brawl with other students in the Student Cafeteria.
Chloe drew a deep breath and continued.
“The truth is, I wanted to say thank you…….”
“Chloe!”
At that moment, someone’s voice rang out sharply.
Turning around, the Dormitory Supervisor was standing there.
“Chloe, you have a package.”
“For me?”
That’s strange—I shouldn’t be receiving any packages.
Chloe tilted her head in confusion.
Lucas opened his mouth with a regretful expression.
“Go on and get it. You should pick up your package.”
“Yes…….”
Chloe trailed off for a moment and reluctantly got to her feet.
Then, as if she’d made a decision, she turned back to Lucas abruptly.
“I’ll see you next time, then.”
Only then did Lucas smile faintly.
“Yes, see you later.”
* * *
The package was from Claudius’ Children.
More precisely, it was from the division within the foundation that provided Chloe’s scholarship.
The problem was that scholarships were normally paid directly to the school by the foundation.
There was no reason for Chloe to receive a package.
‘Why is it so heavy?’
Back in the dormitory, Chloe tilted her head and examined the package from every angle.
The wrapping alone looked so luxurious that it seemed like it couldn’t possibly be hers.
‘Could there be some mistake about who the recipient is?’
Chloe unwrapped the package with a skeptical expression.
And her crimson eyes widened.
“This is…….”
A moment later, Chloe left the package on her bed and bolted from the room.
She ran toward the Academy Entrance.
If he hadn’t attended the End-of-Semester Party, he would be preparing to head home soon—one person in particular.
‘Ah.’
Chloe gritted her teeth.
In the distance, she could see Lucas just stepping into his carriage to depart.
She called out to him in a loud voice she had never raised before.
“Lucas!!”
At her cry, Lucas turned around in surprise.
At the same moment, Chloe dashed toward Lucas and skidded to a halt just in front of him.
“Lucas, huff, pant—I…”
Chloe couldn’t finish her sentence, gasping for breath.
Lucas, bewildered, tried to calm her.
“Breathe. Take a deep breath first.”
Then.
Lucas stiffened.
Chloe, who had been breathing heavily, suddenly snapped her head up.
‘I have to tell him now.’
Chloe clenched her jaw tightly.
She was certain that if she let him leave like this, she would regret it for years to come.
Certainty became courage.
And finally, it burst from her lips.
“I—I’ve changed my mind!”
“You’ve changed your mind?”
“Yes. About the End-of-Semester Party—I’ve decided I really do want to attend this time.”
Chloe’s face flushed crimson, bright as a ripe tomato, as her words trailed off.

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