The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 25

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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 25

* * *

The next day.

After finishing breakfast, Lady Claudius and I leisurely headed to the Annex.

“There are a total of 30 artworks housed in the Annex. Among them, my absolute favorite piece is…”

Lady Claudius, who had been chattering away with explanations, suddenly stopped.

A servant was approaching from the distance.

“Lady Claudius, the Hall of the Stars has been opened.”

The servant bowed his head and continued calmly.

“Lord Claudius asked me to convey that he hopes you have an enjoyable time.”

“My brother did?”

Lady Claudius immediately looked suspicious.

“Well, alright then.”

After dismissing the servant.

I carefully asked Lady Claudius a question.

“Um. What is the Hall of the Stars?”

“Ah, it’s a hall where particularly precious works from our collection are displayed separately. Only direct members of House Claudius and those permitted by the head of the family can view it…”

Lady Claudius couldn’t hide her dubious expression.

“What’s gotten into that strict man to open the Hall of the Stars?”

* * *

After viewing all the works displayed in the Annex and the Hall of the Stars.

Larite returned with a satisfied expression.

And after seeing Larite off, Evangeline headed straight to Dietrich’s Study.

“Brother!”

“Eva, my hearing is still perfectly fine. I’m far from being afflicted by old age.”

At her loud shout, Dietrich slightly frowned and removed his wire-rimmed glasses.

Regardless, Evangeline hurried over to Dietrich with quick steps.

“What’s gotten into you to open the Hall of the Stars? You always said absolutely not when I begged you to open it just once.”

“I just thought Lady Ansi seemed to have some interest in artworks.”

Hmm?

Evangeline’s eyes narrowed.

“I can show that much consideration. She’s the lady who became friends with you, after all.”

At that, Evangeline bristled.

“Hey, what’s wrong with me?”

“You shouldn’t ask such questions with your hand on your conscience, should you?”

“Huh? Eva has no idea what brother is talking about?”

Evangeline stuck her tongue out.

Dietrich shook his head and asked again.

“So how is Lady Ansi? Do you like her?”

“…”

Evangeline stared at Dietrich as if looking at something fascinating.

Dietrich furrowed his brow.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s so strange to see you caring about a lady’s feelings.”

“…What kind of person do you think I am?”

“What kind of person? A workaholic who has absolutely zero interest in ladies.”

Evangeline shook her head dramatically.

“What good does it do to have a handsome face? If you keep holing yourself up in the study like that, you’ll end up marrying through an arranged meeting without ever experiencing romance.”

“…”

Dietrich fell unusually silent.

In noble society, marrying according to status and wealth wasn’t uncommon.

Dietrich himself had always thought political marriages were efficient.

But.

‘Why does this feel so uncomfortable.’

Why was that?

At that moment, why did Larite’s smiling face flash through his mind?

“…You’re talking complete nonsense.”

Dietrich tried to shake off that afterimage and spoke with feigned composure.

“More importantly, I’m relieved that you seem to have made a good friend for once. Make sure to stay close with her.”

At that, Evangeline’s eyes sparkled.

“Does that mean you like Lady Ansi too, brother?”

“Well, yes.”

Dietrich shrugged.

There was no need to be hostile toward his sister’s one and only friend.

“Hmm… good.”

Evangeline looked at Dietrich with a determined expression.

“Brother, lend me Lord Douglas.”

“Why Lord Douglas?”

Dietrich looked puzzled.

And rightfully so, since Douglas was the ducal house’s lawyer.

He was someone who had no connection with Evangeline until now.

Evangeline smiled slyly.

“Well, I have a contract I need to proceed with.”

* * *

The next day.

I was waiting for Lady Claudius with an anxious heart.

‘Why did she suddenly want to meet?’

It hadn’t been long since the salon ended, so I thought there wouldn’t be any reason to see Lady Claudius for a while.

But she suddenly sent word that she would visit today.

And so, at exactly 2 o’clock, the appointed time.

Lady Claudius entered the Ansi Viscount’s Townhouse with a dignified stride.

Behind her followed a middle-aged man dressed impeccably in a suit.

‘Who is that man?’

I was a bit puzzled, but first paid my respects to Lady Claudius.

“Lady Ansi, it’s an honor to see Lady Claudius…”

Just as I was about to greet her out of habit.

Lady Claudius shot me a sharp look.

At that moment.

Lady Claudius’s words flashed through my mind.

“There’s no need for friends to be so formally polite with each other. It’s just the two of us anyway.”

Oh no.

I smiled awkwardly and changed my words.

“Welcome, Lady Claudius.”

“It’s good to see you, Lady Ansi.”

Only then did Lady Claudius’s expression soften as she replied primly.

“Please sit over here.”

I offered Lady Claudius a seat.

After sitting down, Lady Claudius handed me an envelope of documents.

“Here, take this.”

What is this?

I awkwardly accepted it and glanced at Lady Claudius.

Lady Claudius nodded as if to say it was fine.

“Open it.”

I carefully opened the envelope.

At that moment.

My eyes widened greatly.

‘What is this?!’

I unconsciously lifted my head up with a start.

Lady Claudius, whose eyes met mine, shrugged lightly.

“It’s the friendship contract we talked about before.”

Then she gestured with her eyes toward the middle-aged man standing beside her.

“This is Lord Douglas. He’s the Ducal House’s dedicated lawyer, and he’ll help review and notarize our contract.”

“N-notarize?”

“That’s right. So if there are any parts of the contract you don’t understand well, or any parts you don’t like, ask Lord Douglas.”

Lady Claudius furrowed her brow and earnestly urged me.

“Look it over carefully before signing. What if I’m trying to take advantage of Lady Ansi?”

“Oh come on, as if you would do such a thing?”

“…”

Upon hearing my response, Lady Claudius turned her head away with a “hmph.”

But I saw it.

The sight of Lady Claudius’s lips forming a subtle arc.

‘How cute.’

Smiling quietly to myself, I carefully examined the contract.

Even to my eyes, thoroughly educated as the heir to the Marquess Family of Ansi, there didn’t seem to be a single unfair or problematic clause.

Rather…

‘Isn’t this too favorable to me?’

Overall, the conditions were extremely generous.

Just then.

‘Wh-what is this?!’

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

<Article 3, Section 2. Obligation to Maintain Dignity>

Evangeline von Claudius shall pay Larit Ansi 50,000 derks quarterly as dignity maintenance fees.

Larit Ansi must spend approximately 70% of the dignity maintenance fees on clothing, allowances, and other dignity-related expenses.

The difference shall be disposed of personally by Larit Ansi.

Why would Lady Claudius pay me dignity maintenance fees?

And 50,000 derks at that?!

Converting roughly based on my previous life’s standards, 10,000 derks was about 10 million won.

Then Lady Claudius would be giving me 50 million won quarterly.

And I would have to spend roughly 35 million won of that on clothing and other dignity-related expenses…?!

I mean, it’s not like she was joking about friendship fees or anything.

This doesn’t seem right?!

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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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