The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 227

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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 40
“Now then, Chloe.”
Larite called to Chloe warmly.
“Yes, ma’am!”
Chloe, startled by the sudden address, reflexively straightened her posture and replied.
Larite, a hint of mischief playing at the corners of her mouth, had nearly remarked that anyone watching would think she was about to be devoured—but she held her tongue.
The thought that Chloe might actually faint from sheer nervousness had stopped her.
With a reassuring smile, Larite continued.
“Just pick whichever dress catches your fancy, all right?”
“B-but…”
Every single one of them looked far too expensive.
Chloe’s pupils had practically shattered at the sight.
At that same moment, Evangeline rose abruptly from her seat and strode purposefully toward the garment rack.
She crooked a finger, beckoning Chloe forward.
“Secretary Chloe. Demurring like that isn’t charming at all.”
“Your Majesty the Empress?”
“These dresses were prepared for you and you alone. So you should enjoy them with a glad heart.”
Evangeline lifted her chin haughtily as she spoke.
“I prepared them because I wanted to see you smile, so don’t carry that burden of concern.”
Though her tone was sharp, warmth still resonated beneath those words directed at me.
Beside her, Irene’s eyes glittered brilliantly as she gazed at Chloe.
“Sister Chloe, don’t you want to look pretty for Lucas’s sake?”
At that, Chloe flinched.
Look pretty for Lucas?
…As if she wouldn’t.
She could appear ugly to the entire world, if it meant looking lovely to him and him alone.
As though she saw right through Chloe’s heart, Irene broke into a bright smile.
“Then go and try them on, quickly now.”
“….”
“It’s just me, Mother, and our aunt—all gathered here to make sure Sister Chloe looks as beautiful as possible. Isn’t it?”
Chloe felt her nose prick with warmth.
These people, all supporting her so wholeheartedly.
What a blessing it was to have found them.
“Thank you.”
In the end, Chloe answered in a trembling voice.
Evangeline and her daughter Irene grinned and led Chloe toward the garment rack.
“Well then, shall we have a look at what we’ve got?”
After that.
Evangeline, drawing on the refined eye that had once made her the finest flower of High Society, produced dress after dress for Chloe to try.
“How about this blue gown?”
“Sister Chloe, I think this green dress would suit you beautifully too!”
Irene, building on the taste she had inherited from her mother, uncovered new dresses one after another without pause, and.
“Chloe, what if you tied this scarf around your neck? I think it would make an excellent accent.”
Now and then Larite too would slip forward with a dress or piece of jewelry to complement it.
In this way, Chloe changed through twelve dresses in total.
‘I’m going to die.’
She came to understand firsthand just how grueling the act of changing dresses truly was.
But still.
“My, Lucas will lose consciousness when he sees how beautiful you look.”
Hearing Larite’s laugh-tinged voice, Chloe felt all the day’s exhaustion wash away.
* * *
And so time passed.
At last, the day of the Crown Princess’s Investiture Ceremony arrived.
Irene, the ceremony’s protagonist, sat in the Waiting Room adjoining the Investiture Ceremony Hall, her face drained of all color.
“Your Highness, are you all right?”
Chloe, attending nearby, ventured to speak, so ashen was the girl’s complexion.
At the same moment, Irene clutched at Chloe desperately.
“What do I do?”
Irene looked up at Chloe before her with an anxious face.
“I’m so nervous.”
Her parents, her maternal uncle and aunt, and even her cousin—all of them.
They had all entered the Investiture Ceremony Hall beforehand on account of today’s ceremony.
And so the only person beside Irene at this moment was her secretary, Chloe.
“Don’t worry.”
Chloe gently arranged Irene’s hair for her.
Then she met her gaze and offered a soft smile.
“You’ve prepared so much and worked so hard for today.”
“But……”
“I know the effort you’ve put in, Your Highness. And from what I’ve experienced so far.”
Chloe’s smile deepened slightly.
She finished in a gentle voice.
“Effort never betrays you.”
At those words, the restless tremor in Irene’s eyes gradually steadied.
Soon after, Irene nodded with quiet resolve.
“……Thank you.”
At her answer, Chloe’s smile grew a touch warmer still.
Chloe extended her hand to Irene with elegant grace.
“You can do this, Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
Rising from her seat, Irene took Chloe’s arm and made her way toward the Main Gate of the Investiture Ceremony Hall.
Upon reaching the gate, Chloe released Irene’s hand and stepped back slightly.
Irene gave a signal to the butlers standing on either side of the entrance.
The butlers, bowing their heads respectfully, at once grasped the door handles.
A massive door, its elaborate patterns carved in relief, swung open without a sound.
‘Phew.’
Irene took a deep, steadying breath and stepped boldly into the Investiture Ceremony Hall.
Pristine white flowers, silver candelabras, and stained glass pouring brilliant light from above.
The carefully arranged ceremony hall radiated a palpable sense of holiness.
‘Mother and Father are……’
Her blue eyes scanned the nobility gathered in the hall with careful precision.
And then.
Irene’s expression softened somewhat.
‘Ah.’
There, near the Altar, in the place of honor.
Endymion and Evangeline stood side by side.
The Emperor and Empress looked far more tense than Irene, who was undergoing the investiture ceremony.
But that was not all.
‘Uncle and Aunt……and Lucas.’
Lord Claudius’s family could hardly conceal their pleased expressions.
Especially her dear cousin Lucas.
The moment their eyes met, he gave a quiet, deliberate nod.
‘You can do it.’
As if to say precisely that.
In that same moment, Irene understood.
‘That’s right. They all believe in me.’
Her family, looking down upon her.
In their eyes, she felt the trust and encouragement meant for her.
And so.
‘I can do this too.’
Irene began to walk forward, her steps light and sure upon the long Red Silk Carpet beneath her feet.
Her footsteps carried her toward the Altar, where the Imperial House’s insignia and the nation’s flag hung crossed above.
At length, she came to a stop before the Altar.
At that same moment, the High Priest presiding over the ceremony opened his mouth in a steady voice.
“Irene Roelinde de Callenbach.”
Irene bowed her head deeply in answer to the High Priest’s call.
The High Priest, regarding the young princess with warm eyes, began to recite the words of the vow.
“Do you swear that as the Empire’s new rising sun, you will honor the laws of the Empire and protect all its people?”
“I do so swear.”
“Do you swear gladly to undertake the duty of cherishing and loving the Empire, and of dedicating yourself wholly to its service?”
“I do so swear.”
When that exchange ended.
The High Priest opened the Imperial Law Code and extended it toward Irene.
“Then show the mark of your vow before the Goddess.”
Irene bowed deeply and pressed her lips to the Code.
The High Priest sprinkled holy water over her head and blessed her.
“Goddess, watch over the Crown Princess of the Empire!”

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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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