The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 232

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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 Sidequest 45
Dietrich von Claudius narrowed his eyes, watching the three women who were laughing and chattering away.
The bouquet of flowers cradled in Miss Morgan’s arms caught his attention relentlessly.
Then, at that moment.
“Um, Lord Claudius. Happy marriage anniversary.”
A reluctant voice reached them.
When he turned to look, Endymion was wearing an expression remarkably similar to his own.
The look of someone subtly hurt by being turned away from his own wife.
“But speaking of that, is there some story behind that bouquet?”
“Sigh.”
Dietrich answered that question with a deep breath rising from the depths of his being.
And then.
“That bouquet—Larite made it herself.”
“Ah.”
Endymion understood Dietrich’s feelings at once.
To have to give away something touched by his own wife’s hand to another person—that was rather melancholy, wasn’t it?
There was nothing to be done about it.
The two of them were the most devoted husbands in the Empire, after all.
* * *
The opera finally ended.
The Claudius couple left to dine alone together.
The venue was, naturally, the Novella Restaurant, which Lucas had arranged for them.
“Nothing’s changed here.”
Larite gazed around the room, her face wistful with memory.
Glittering crystal chandeliers cascading down like a waterfall.
Exquisitely decorated interiors,
and lobster dishes dripping with butter.
But Dietrich’s expression was anything but bright.
Painful memories from the past were surfacing one after another.
Only Larite, oblivious to any of this, wore a delighted expression.
“You know what, Dietrich?”
Larite, who had just moistened her throat with water, continued speaking.
“Since we saw the opera, I thought I’d mention this.”
“Yes?”
“Actually, when I first met Miss Morgan, I have to admit—I was jealous.”
“…Jealous?”
Larite nodded, her voice tinged with embarrassment as she went on.
“Miss Morgan is truly beautiful, you see. And I couldn’t help thinking how well the two of you suited each other.”
“Why would you think such a thing?”
Dietrich’s expression turned serious.
“I have never once thought of any woman but you.”
At those words, Larite’s eyes softened gently.
She nodded lightly.
“I know.”
Then she reached into the handbag beside her and drew out an elegant gift box.
“Will you accept this?”
Dietrich’s eyes widened.
“What is it?”
“Today is our marriage anniversary, after all.”
Larite offered him a smile, her eyes twinkling.
“Did you really think a single bouquet would satisfy me?”
…
“Come on, open it already.”
Larite urged him gently.
Dietrich pulled the ribbon that bound the box.
Inside lay—
“A wristwatch?”
At the same moment, Larite responded playfully.
“How long are you planning to keep wearing that old wristwatch?”
“Ah.”
Dietrich glanced down at his wrist.
Back when they had first become lovers.
On Saint Laila’s feast day, Larite had given him a wristwatch as a gift.
Since that day, he had never once removed it from his wrist.
Larite smiled at him with bright eyes.
“It’s time you switched to a new wristwatch.”
……
Dietrich touched the wristwatch tenderly with his hand.
And then.
“If you command it, I have no choice but to obey.”
His face glowed with happiness as though he had gathered all the world’s joy in his arms, and he smiled brightly.
Then.
“Larite, I actually prepared a gift as well.”
“Really?”
Larite looked at him with eyes full of anticipation.
Dietrich’s expression grew resolved.
‘This time, I won’t make a mistake.’
He meant to make up for that painful memory from long ago, no matter what.
At the same time, a conversation he had shared quietly with Evangeline earlier flashed through his mind.
‘So, did you do what I told you to?’
Evangeline poked her brother in the ribs and spoke in a hushed voice.
‘I got a letter he wrote to Endymion directly, and it was truly moving.’
That was right.
With their marriage anniversary drawing near.
Evangeline had personally given her beloved brother an idea.
So Dietrich had written a ‘personal letter’ for the first time in ages—not an ‘official letter.’
To be more precise, a ‘love letter.’
“Here, this…….”
Dietrich paused as he drew out the jewelry box he had prepared in advance.
‘Wait, where is the letter?!’
Dietrich turned pale and searched through his clothes frantically.
But it wasn’t there.
That love letter he had written so carefully in secret, hidden from Larite’s eyes……!
“Dietrich?”
Larite, sensing something amiss, called to him in a suspicious voice.
Dietrich’s pupils trembled violently.
“No, wait. It’s not this…….”
But then.
“Lord Claudius.”
Someone called to Dietrich cautiously.
He looked up sharply, and the waiter carefully extended an envelope.
“The coachman sent word that he found this in the carriage and asked me to deliver it to you, Lord Claudius.”
……
Dietrich’s vision spun.
He and the Novella Restaurant clearly did not get along.
He would never return here with Larite again.
* * *
Thus, on the way back to the townhouse.
Larite held the letter Dietrich had written in both hands, her face radiating genuine happiness.
“Dietrich, may I read this letter now?”
“……In front of me?”
Dietrich asked her back with reluctant hesitation.
Larite answered with endearing charm.
“But I’m so curious.”
Watching the bright gleam in his wife’s eyes, Dietrich realized instinctively.
He could never win against Larite. Never.
“Yes……do as you wish…….”
Dietrich replied in a fading voice, unable to overcome his embarrassment, and quietly averted his gaze.
He simply did not have the courage to face Larite as she read the letter.
And.
“Heh heh.”
A delighted laugh rang out.
His face burned, and yet the fact that his wife was laughing so joyfully filled him with an inexplicable happiness.
Dietrich stood gazing out the window with a jumble of emotions churning within him.
* * *
He couldn’t quite remember how they’d made it back to the Townhouse.
“Come, Larite.”
Dietrich escorted Larite from the Carriage, helping her down.
But something felt different.
Just as Larite glanced up at him, she tugged gently at his collar.
“Um, Dietrich.”
“Hmm?”
Dietrich looked down at her, his eyes questioning.
Larite lowered her gaze shyly.
“Actually, I prepared some fine wine for us. Would you care for a glass?”
Those words overlapped with a distant memory.
The day Dietrich had bungled his proposal so thoroughly.
Larite had asked him then, her cheeks flushed pink, her voice trembling.
‘Won’t you have a glass before you go?’
And further still—to that rich, verdant night when the two of them had first become one.
In an instant, heat flooded his head.
Like that anxious, inexperienced time long ago, Dietrich opened his mouth urgently to his wife.
“You spoke first.”
In one swift motion, Dietrich wrapped his arms around Larite’s waist.
The distance between them vanished.
He bent his head and consumed his wife’s lips entirely.
Their breathing tangled together.
Heat rose through him in waves.
Larite held her husband’s body close, the way she had in those far-off days that now seemed like a dream.
A long, sweet night began.
* * *
My beloved Larite,
This is the first time I’ve written to you like this.
Well, it feels a bit embarrassing, I confess.
And yet I’ve always wanted to convey my true heart to you.
Larite, meeting you has been the greatest fortune of my life.
The colorless existence I led until now has been painted in vivid hues because of you.
Each day brings anticipation; opening my eyes in the morning brings joy; the moment before sleep feels precious.
All of it, I owe to you.
Thank you for coming to me, for being at my side… truly, from the depths of my heart.
And know that I love you with all sincerity.
With affection overflowing, Dietrich.
Special Epilogue: “The Favorite of the Villainous Lady” — Complete

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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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