The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 225

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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 Spinoff: Episode 38
Time flowed like water.
Much had happened in the meanwhile.
The Emperor and Empress abdicated in favor of the Crown Prince and his wife, then retired to a secluded palace in the provinces.
‘We simply wish to enjoy the remainder of our lives.’
‘So, we ask for your support?’
Before that mischievous smile, the Crown Prince and his wife found themselves unable to ask them to stay.
And so Evangeline and Endymion became Empress and Emperor.
On the very day the abdication was announced,
Evangeline sought out Larite, her face taut with anxiety, and posed a question.
‘L-Larite, do you think I can manage the role of Empress?’
‘Of course you can.’
Larite nodded with conviction.
Evangeline gazed at her dear friend with glistening eyes.
‘But……’
‘Truly. You’ll be wonderful, Evangeline.’
Larite smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling with warmth.
‘Have faith in yourself as much as I have faith in you.’
‘……Yes. I will.’
At last, Evangeline nodded, her expression easing somewhat.
And Larite’s words came to pass.
The newly ascended Emperor and Empress received the love and admiration of all their people, and their reign brought immense joy to the empire’s citizens.
In time, Lucas and Chloe also graduated from the Royal Lester Academy.
Though the paths their lives took diverged somewhat.
Lucas returned to the Claudius Estate and began gaining practical experience as the future Duke.
‘Now then, Lucas. From this point forward, I want you to take charge of these matters yourself.’
Dietrich devoted considerable effort to entrusting several administrative tasks directly to Lucas.
Meanwhile, Chloe volunteered to become a secretary to the Imperial Court.
There was no way Endymion would let such a brilliant talent—one who had graduated top of her class, even surpassing the Claudius minor nobility—slip through his fingers.
The moment Chloe graduated, Endymion brought her to the Imperial Court and assigned her to his daughter of similar age.
Thus Chloe became secretary to Princess Irene.
And so, in the present day.
“Duchess, thank you so much for inviting me.”
Larite and Chloe sat side by side in the tea room set within the Glass Greenhouse.
Though they hadn’t known each other long, the two had grown quite fond of one another.
Chloe had not forgotten the kindness shown to her by the Claudius Foundation.
And Larite, for her part, thought highly of Chloe’s sincerity and capable nature.
“Not at all. It’s been such a long time since I’ve had tea with another woman, just the two of us.”
Larite nodded with a smile, her voice warm as she continued.
“Lucas mentioned he was sorry to see you go.”
“Yes, well, it couldn’t be helped.”
Chloe offered an awkward smile.
In truth, Lucas had hoped Chloe would take a position as an administrator at the Claudius Estate.
But Chloe had declined.
“If I were there, people might think I was receiving hidden favors. And that could breed discord among them.”
As Chloe spoke, her eyes remained steady and clear.
“I want to be someone who stands beside Lucas without fault. Especially since I’m taking this relationship seriously.”
“I see.”
Larite nodded lightly, then posed a playful question.
“So then, when are you two planning to announce your engagement?”
“N-net?!”
Chloe jumped up from her seat in startled surprise.
Larite tilted her head with an amused expression.
“Why such a reaction? You weren’t planning to avoid an engagement, were you?”
“Ah, well…… that’s not quite……”
Chloe’s face flushed as red as a ripe tomato.
‘Really, this girl’s heart shows right through her.’
Though admittedly, there was something endearing about it.
Larite continued, a laugh dancing in her eyes.
“The decision is yours to make, of course, but know that we’re both rooting for you two.”
“Y-yes, thank you, Lady Claudius.”
Chloe bowed her head, her gratitude evident in every line of her posture.
But then.
“Chloe!”
A cheerful voice rang out from across the garden.
Lucas and Dietrich were approaching from a distance.
Lucas closed the gap between them with long strides, his eyes studying Chloe’s face intently.
“Your face is flushed. Are you all right?”
“Oh, it’s nothing at all.”
Chloe waved her hand dismissively.
In the same instant, Lucas’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“Really?”
“I’m telling you, really!”
And so the two of them began to bicker like devoted lovers.
‘Good for them,’ Larite thought.
She watched them with a soft smile playing at her lips.
Meanwhile, Dietrich drew near.
“Larite.”
He placed a kiss on his wife’s cheek with an audible sound.
The gesture was as natural as water flowing downstream.
……
……
Lucas and Chloe stopped their bickering, as if realizing something.
They had just understood a certain truth.
Ah, so that was it.
That was what it felt like to witness someone else’s affection play out right before your eyes……
* * *
After finishing dinner, Chloe took her leave from the Claudius Estate.
“I wish I could drive you home.”
“No, no, that’s all right. You should spend time with your family.”
“But I’ll miss you……”
“We can see each other again. Can’t we?”
Chloe skillfully soothed Lucas, who clung to her.
After seeing off his lover, Lucas returned to the Townhouse.
At the same time, the Lord and Lady Claudius sensed something amiss.
Lucas, who always wore a foolish grin after spending time with Chloe, now wore a deeply thoughtful expression.
“Lucas, is something troubling you?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
At his mother’s question, Lucas shook his head.
But his expression remained clouded.
Dietrich observed his son carefully.
* * *
And so it came to pass that the very next day.
The Emperor and Empress paid a rare visit to the Claudius Estate.
‘I do miss Larite and Lucas.’
The Empress had decided to visit her childhood home to strengthen her bond with her dearest friend, the Lady Claudius, and to see her nephew Lucas, whom she adored.
The Empress herself had proposed the visit.
‘Is that so? Then I shall accompany you……’
And the Emperor, never wishing to be parted from his wife even for a moment, had managed to clear his schedule and traveled alongside her.
‘My goodness, you’re visiting the Claudius Estate? Do take me along!’
Furthermore, Princess Irene had insisted on coming as well, eager to greet her uncle and aunt and cousin after so long.
Thus the Claudius Estate was now hosting a lavish tea gathering graced by all the true powers of the Empire.
And the attendees of that tea were observing Lucas with eyes bright with curiosity.
“So, you wish to propose an engagement to Chloe?”
Indeed.
Unable to withstand his father’s pressing questions, Lucas had laid bare all his troubles.
And so everyone present found themselves offering advice on Lucas’s love affair.
For instance, in the case of the Emperor, Endymion.
“When you propose an engagement, you must give her a bouquet of roses.”
“Roses?”
“Yes, the rarer and more splendid the roses, the better.”
Endymion nodded seriously as he offered his counsel.
Indeed.
True to form for a man besotted with his wife, Endymion was the sort to propose gifts that would captivate Evangeline…….

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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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