The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 30

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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 30

“What, did you hear from the butler?”

Evangeline replied bluntly, then proudly held up three fingers.

“I’m planning to have three different types of tea pot sets.”

“That’s up to you, but… is there a particular reason you need three types?”

“I thought it would be nice to serve different tea pot sets depending on the guests’ age and personality.”

Evangeline shrugged her shoulders.

“Older people come and go from our townhouse too, you know?”

She had a point.

While Dietrich was an unusually young head of house, most of the retainers under House of Claudius were elderly people.

Evangeline pointed to the samples she had received in advance.

“So I looked at several samples, and for now I’ve decided to purchase two types from Wells Guild and Reed Company.”

The intention was clear as soon as I saw the samples.

The first was an elegant design for entertaining older nobles.

The second was a trendy design that young nobles around Evangeline’s age would prefer.

“There’s going to be a retainer meeting soon, right? I asked them to deliver as quickly as possible so we can use them then.”

After adding those words, Evangeline glanced at Larite.

“Well, I’d like to replace the existing ones too…”

“There’s no need to replace perfectly good items, is there?”

As soon as their eyes met, Larite gently narrowed her gaze.

“There’s no need for unnecessary waste, don’t you think?”

I felt a strange force from Larite as she spoke.

Evangeline felt somewhat guilty and closed her mouth.

“Mm, well…”

Then she added an explanation to Her Brother with a sulky tone.

“Anyway, including the existing ones, I decided to have three types available.”

A spark of interest flashed in Dietrich’s eyes.

‘To think Evangeline would listen to others so obediently.’

Evangeline had lived her entire life as the highest-ranking lady in the Empire.

Though she generally listened well to her brother Dietrich’s words.

Still, once she became stubborn or sulky, she was nearly impossible to dissuade.

For such an Evangeline to nod obediently at just a few words of guidance…

“Good job, Evangeline.”

Dietrich offered praise, touched by a strange emotion.

“Hmph, this much is nothing.”

Evangeline proudly puffed out her chest.

At the same time, Dietrich asked another question.

“But what you just said. About treating guests differently based on their age and personality.”

“What about it?”

“Was that your idea?”

At his pointed question, Evangeline’s shoulders stiffened.

“Well, of course that was naturally…”

After hesitating for a moment, Evangeline pouted her lips.

“…Lady Ansi’s idea.”

“I thought so.”

Dietrich chuckled.

Still, he thought his once-immature sister had developed quite a bit.

So Dietrich casually opened his mouth.

“Is there anything I can help with? Should I increase the budget a bit?”

The offer was made purely out of goodwill.

The more budget available, the more things could be accomplished.

However.

“I’m sorry, but that won’t do.”

Unexpectedly, Larite shook her head.

“Lady Ansi?”

Dietrich looked at Larite with a confused expression.

Larite met Dietrich’s gaze with unwavering eyes.

“I understand that Lord Claudius made such an offer because you cherish Lady Claudius. However, I don’t think the budget should be increased or decreased based on mood.”

Her usually gentle pink eyes were now so resolute that not even a needle’s tip could penetrate them.

Even Dietrich flinched for a moment.

“Getting used to an increased budget is easy, but tightening it is very difficult.”

“…That’s.”

“If there’s a valid reason and additional budget is needed for something essential, I’d agree with that too. But.”

Larite continued calmly.

“Increasing the available budget like this won’t help House of Claudius’s financial stability in the long run.”

“…”

At those words, Dietrich looked at Larite with interested eyes.

“Oh, of course I know how wealthy the ducal house is…”

Larite shrank her shoulders and added awkwardly.

Her resolute demeanor disappeared instantly, and now Larite looked somewhat deflated.

“But there’s no need to proceed in a bad direction, is there?”

Still, she wouldn’t bend on the opinion she believed was right.

Dietrich, who was about to say something, unconsciously closed his lips.

That was because there wasn’t a single wrong part in Larite’s words.

Of course, House of Claudius was one of the wealthiest families in the Empire.

Rumors circulated that they were even wealthier than the imperial family, and Dietrich, the head of the house, knew those rumors were partly true.

However.

‘Well, she got me there.’

That reason didn’t justify executing budgets arbitrarily based on mood.

Especially since Dietrich was the head of the house.

He had an even greater duty to set budgets strictly and check for any wasteful spending.

“Hmm, this may be presumptuous of me.”

After a moment of silence, Dietrich asked with a bitter smile.

“I thought Lady Ansi would advise Evangeline from the side to keep her from going astray. Isn’t that right?”

“Of course, I intend to do my best to help Lady Claudius.”

Larite also smiled faintly, following Dietrich’s lead.

“But strictly speaking, I’m an outsider. So I don’t think I should be too involved in the ducal house’s budget execution.”

“Really, Lady Ansi is too strict.”

Evangeline grumbled loudly enough for her to hear.

However, while she complained with her mouth, her blue eyes looking at Larite were full of trust.

‘So that was it.’

At that moment.

Dietrich understood why that difficult Evangeline followed Larite so much.

She had clear convictions, a firm sense of right and wrong.

And she knew how to say when something was wrong.

That alone made Larite a valuable person.

Just then, Larite checked the time and stood up.

“Oh, I think I should head back now.”

“Aw, leaving already? Stay with me a little longer.”

Evangeline puffed out both cheeks and clung to Larite.

“We spent the entire day just looking at teapot samples. I want to play card games with Lady Ansi and play chess too.”

Larite answered warmly.

“I’ll come visit again next time.”

“Really? You have to come soon, there’s going to be a retainer meeting before long.”

“Of course. But in return, Lady Claudius, you have to finish all the homework I gave you by the time I visit next, okay?”

However, despite the gentle tone, the content wasn’t exactly affectionate…

When the topic of homework came up, Evangeline flinched and stiffened her shoulders.

Then she quietly loosened her grip on Larite’s hand.

“Y-yes…”

Despite looking like she absolutely hated it, Evangeline still managed to nod her head.

‘How fascinating.’

Dietrich looked back and forth between his sister and Larite with renewed interest.

Intellectually, he understood why Evangeline followed Larite so well.

But emotionally… how should he put it.

‘It’s like watching someone tame and soothe a natural disaster at will.’

And for good reason, since Evangeline’s particular stubbornness was tremendous enough to rival a natural disaster…

After that.

Evangeline stood up following Larite.

“I’ll escort you to the Main Gate.”

“Oh, that’s okay.”

“What do you mean it’s okay? Do I look so disloyal that I’d let my friend leave alone?”

Evangeline retorted sulkily and stuck close to Larite’s side.

But that was only for a moment.

“Oh right!”

Evangeline turned to look at Larite with startled rabbit eyes.

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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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