The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 24

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 24

At that moment.

‘Ah.’

I swallowed a breath.

The overwhelming presence I had felt when first meeting Lord Claudius was nowhere to be found.

Lord Claudius, smiling gently, simply looked his age.

Looking at that innocent expression…

‘Why, why am I feeling like this?’

Something deep in my chest kept tickling.

After a moment.

Lord Claudius gently changed the subject.

“Come to think of it, how was the salon today?”

“Ah.”

At his consideration in clearing the awkward atmosphere, I smiled brightly.

“It was truly wonderful.”

I meant it sincerely.

Seraphina seemed to have wanted to attend the salon to make connections with influential people.

But having actually attended the salon, the quality of the exhibited artworks was truly exceptional. Even without the influential people, it was more than worth viewing.

“Did you personally select all the artists who participated in this salon?”

“I can’t say I selected everything from start to finish, but I did conduct the final review.”

…Certainly, he really is diligent.

I blinked my eyes.

Honestly, someone of Lord Claudius’s position could have left all the work to subordinates.

But he checked everything one by one?

“Um, then may I ask about your selection criteria?”

“I tried to give opportunities to as diverse a range of social classes as possible. However, I excluded nobles who already have relatively many opportunities…”

And so Lord Claudius and I conversed over the balcony.

It was quite an enjoyable time.

“Come to think of it, I hear the artworks collected by House of Claudius are also quite magnificent?”

“Are you interested? Though modest, we do have some artworks at the Townhouse as well.”

Ah, that?

I smiled with my eyes.

“Lady Claudius said she would show me the artworks in the Annex later. I’m really looking forward to it.”

“Oh my, Eva has already claimed the opportunity to spend time with you, Lady. How disappointing.”

Lord Claudius replied playfully.

“If the opportunity arises someday, I’ll personally show you the artworks displayed at the main estate.”

“…”

Even though it was just polite words.

I felt my heart flutter for a moment.

“L-Lord Claudius.”

To avoid revealing my inexplicably restless feelings, I deliberately changed the subject.

“Why weren’t you sleeping at this hour?”

“Ah, I had some matters to handle.”

Of course.

I understood inwardly.

Dietrich von Claudius.

Despite inheriting the ducal title at a young age, he had built House of Claudius into a powerhouse without a single setback…

A lord counted among the finest of all Claudius dukes throughout history.

However.

‘It must have been difficult.’

The vast Claudius duchy, its people, and all the businesses attached to it.

It was as if everything rested on Lord Claudius’s shoulders.

That meant Lord Claudius alone was responsible for countless people’s lives.

“Still, please don’t overwork yourself too late.”

I spoke without thinking.

“Your health is most important.”

“…”

Then Lord Claudius paused and quietly fixed his gaze on me.

If the blue eyes looking at me felt somehow warm…

Was it my imagination?

“Lady Ansi, please don’t sleep too late either.”

Lord Claudius smiled kindly at me.

“Please continue to take good care of Eva.”

* * *

After that.

I returned to my bedroom.

Having quietly closed the door without making a sound, I shook my head inwardly.

‘Really… I can see why Seraphina fell in love with Lord Claudius.’

Handsome, well-mannered, wealthy, and of high status.

Even with just that much he was perfect, but conversing with him was also very enjoyable.

How should I put it, like a perfect prince from a fairy tale?

But.

‘Let me stop thinking about it.’

I shrugged my shoulders and walked into the room.

‘He’s Seraphina’s man anyway, right?’

Lord Claudius was simply being courteous to his sister’s friend.

So there was absolutely no reason for me to be conscious of Lord Claudius.

Rather than wasting energy on such pointless matters…

‘I need to become even closer with Lady Claudius.’

I lit up my eyes with determination.

I’m still just Lady Claudius’s temporary friend.

Though Lady Claudius treats me quite affectionately now, a ‘temporary friend’ and ‘official friend’ are clearly different.

I need to somehow write an official friendship contract.

“…Mmph.”

Just then, Lady Claudius made sleepy sounds.

Glancing up, I saw Lady Claudius sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the world.

“Really, you’ve kicked off the blanket again.”

I let out a small sigh and carefully tucked the blanket around Lady Claudius.

Then I lay down beside her.

Soon drowsiness washed over me.

* * *

Dietrich sat back down at his desk.

After putting on the silver-rimmed glasses he had set aside, he picked up some documents.

But his blue eyes merely slid meaninglessly over the lines of text.

He simply couldn’t focus on work.

The name of the person who kept disrupting his concentration was…

“Larit Ansi.”

Dietrich murmured quietly.

The lady who had recently become close friends with his sister.

She was someone that prickly Evangeline had actually allowed close to her, so it was true that he had developed some curiosity about Larit.

However, what surprised Dietrich was…

‘How truly unexpected.’

It was the fact that Larite had directly refuted his offhand remark.

“Well, I suppose you don’t need me to tell you how much that girl bothers you, Lady.”

At those words, Larite firmly shook her head.

“Lady Claudius doesn’t bother me at all. Because…”

Even with her face tense with nerves, Larite clearly stated her opinion.

Her voice trembled faintly.

Her delicate fingers gripped tightly at the hem of her dress.

But what Dietrich focused on most was.

‘…Matters concerning Lady Lopez would be something of a sore spot for Lady Ansi.’

She was a friend who spent time with his only younger sister, so there was no way he hadn’t gathered basic information about Larite.

And thus, Larite’s reputation within High Society that he had learned was…

‘Lady Lopez’s maid.’

Seraphina Lopez.

Dietrich knew that name as well.

A Lady called the lily, alongside Evangeline who was considered one of High Society’s roses.

However, Dietrich remembered the complaints his younger sister had made about Seraphina.

“I mean, what’s with treating someone like a maid when you call them a friend? What kind of friend is that?”

A strange relationship where Larite unilaterally sacrificed herself for Seraphina.

Given that the reputation of being ‘Seraphina’s maid’ secretly followed Larite around.

It would have been very difficult for her to bring up the topic of Seraphina herself…

“Everyone else wouldn’t associate with me, but Lady Claudius was the only one who accepted me as a friend.”

“At least to me, Lady Claudius is a very good person.”

…And yet Larite had defended Evangeline, even going so far as to expose her own shame.

That sight was quite impressive.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t she say she was going to tour the Annex with Eva tomorrow.’

Dietrich, who had been lost in thought for a moment, soon nodded lightly.

‘Since she’s someone who became friends with Eva for once… it wouldn’t hurt to give her a small gift.’

Before parting.

Lady Ansi’s final words lingered in his ears.

“Still, please don’t overwork yourself too late.”

“Your health is most important.”

And Dietrich decided to gladly follow that advice.

Click.

The lamp went out.

Darkness descended upon the study.

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