The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 33

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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 33

A moment later.

Dietrich stepped into the library.

“Lady Ansi?”

However, even when he listened carefully, Larite’s response didn’t come back.

The spacious library was simply quiet.

He couldn’t feel any presence at all.

“Are you here?”

Dietrich, who had been walking around looking, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Through the wide open window, the evening sunlight was pouring down like a waterfall.

A brilliant color as if gold and ruby had been melted together.

In that overflowing sunlight.

Larite was leaning against a library chair with her eyes quietly closed.

It seemed she had fallen asleep while reading books and documents.

An open book lay on her lap, and several documents were scattered on the desk.

“…”

Dietrich was momentarily speechless.

Why was that?

He simply couldn’t take his eyes off the sleeping Larite.

But then.

Whoosh—.

Wind rushed in through the window.

Flutter, flutter—.

The incoming wind blew away the documents on the desk one by one.

“Mmm…”

At the same time, Larite slightly frowned.

Seeing her lightly hunching her shoulders, it seemed that…

‘Is she cold?’

After hesitating for a moment, Dietrich took off the outer coat he was wearing.

After carefully covering Larite’s shoulders with the coat, he closed the window while being careful not to make any noise.

When he glanced back, Larite’s furrowed brow had already smoothed out.

Dietrich smiled softly and picked up the documents that had fallen to the floor.

At the same time, his eyes widened slightly.

“This is…”

* * *

The reason I ended up assisting the Claudius Estate’s retainer meeting, which was completely out of character for me, stemmed from Lady Claudius’s earnest request.

“I’m sorry, Lady Ansi.”

Not long after the retainer meeting had started.

Lady Claudius clasped both hands over her chest and looked at me pitifully with sparkling eyes.

“Just now, I received word that new roses are coming to the flower shop… I only just heard about it myself.”

Lady Claudius continued speaking while carefully watching my reaction.

“These roses are incredibly, incredibly precious. They’re an entirely imported variety, and the flower shop said they barely managed to secure just the seedlings.”

Well, if they import the entire quantity from overseas, they must be quite rare indeed.

And from what I’ve observed so far.

Lady Claudius was truly serious about roses…

“I would normally send a subordinate, but there are so many people targeting such rare roses. I have to go personally to secure the goods reliably.”

In her blue eyes, desire for the rose seedlings was already rippling.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for those roses to arrive. If I miss those roses, I’ll be so frustrated I won’t be able to sleep…”

After muttering ominously for a moment.

“Ha.”

Lady Claudius, who had come to her senses, blinked her eyes charmingly.

“So, what I’m saying is, well…”

But she only fidgeted with her fingers, unable to open her lips any further.

‘Oh dear.’

I sighed inwardly and readily nodded my head.

“It can’t be helped. Go ahead.”

“R-really?”

Lady Claudius looked at me with surprised rabbit eyes.

I shrugged lightly.

“Well, I just need to watch over whether the retainer meeting proceeds smoothly.”

Honestly, there wouldn’t be much of a problem even if Lady Claudius left her post.

The meeting hall had already been prepared, and the documents to be placed in the meeting hall and even the refreshments for the rest area were all ready.

Moreover, Lord Claudius and the retainers had already entered and the meeting had begun.

That meant there wasn’t anything tremendously important for me to handle separately.

“Even without Lady Claudius and me being together, I think I can confirm whether there are any inconveniences in the meeting proceedings.”

“Thank you so much, Lady Ansi!”

Lady Claudius hugged me tightly with a face full of joy.

“If it weren’t for Lady Ansi, I wouldn’t have been able to get those roses, and I would have shed tears every night longing for those roses, and might have eventually died of lovesickness!”

…No, just how far is your imagination going?

I made a bewildered face.

Regardless, Lady Claudius asked me a question in a bright voice.

“Is there anything you want, or something I can do for you? I’m so grateful that I want to repay you!”

“It’s fine. If you really want to repay me, just raise the new roses beautifully.”

I answered with a grin.

“So when the roses bloom, show them to me first. How about that?”

Instantly, Lady Claudius’s eyes rippled with emotion.

“A-are you really okay with just that?”

“Of course. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of roses they are too.”

At that answer, Lady Claudius clasped both hands over her chest.

“Lady Ansi, check your back carefully. You might have hidden wings.”

“W-wings?”

“Of course. Lady might actually be an angel who fell from heaven!”

Now Lady Claudius was ready to revere me as an angel…

However, helping is helping, but.

“Oh right, you did finish the homework I assigned, didn’t you? Submit it to the butler before you go. I’ll check it.”

“Ugh.”

Lady Claudius’s shoulders stiffened with a start.

Well, for various reasons.

I ended up taking on the task of assisting the retainer meeting…

Still, it wasn’t particularly difficult work.

“Ah, Lady Ansi. I heard Lady Claudius entrusted you with the retainer meeting this time?”

Perhaps because Lady Claudius had informed them in advance, the servants of the ducal house were very friendly toward me.

Peaceful time continued after that.

The meeting that started around lunchtime continued until evening.

‘There’s nothing to do.’

I couldn’t overcome the boredom and ended up stifling yawns…

‘Should I check Lady Claudius’s homework?’

The homework I had assigned Lady Claudius was mock personnel documents.

Recently, Lady Claudius had said she wanted to hire a gardener dedicated solely to tending roses.

I called the butler.

“By any chance, are there documents that Lady Claudius left for you to give me?”

“Ah, you mean the homework?”

The butler smiled gently and handed me the documents.

“Here they are.”

“Thank you. If anything happens during the meeting, please call for me.”

Taking the documents, I headed to the library.

Since I had to wait until the retainer meeting ended anyway.

While I was at it, I thought I’d leisurely look through some personnel-related materials as well.

Upon entering the library, I was somewhat amazed.

‘Wow, as expected of the House of Claudius.’

The collection of books was absolutely vast.

And that wasn’t all?

Even rare books that were currently out of print were scattered around so abundantly you could trip over them!

I greedily pulled out books.

After stacking books like a mountain on the desk and spreading out Lady Claudius’s homework beside them.

Even though I hadn’t eaten yet, I somehow felt full.

‘Great.’

I cheerfully opened a book.

But somehow, the letters on the page kept seeming to drift away…?

I tried to focus a bit more on the book, then squeezed my eyes shut.

And then.

‘Huh?’

When I lifted my eyelids, everything around me was completely dark.

I had an ominous feeling.

I had just closed and opened my eyes, yet it seemed like time had passed by…

‘Did I… fall asleep?’

After being dazed for a moment, I shot up from my seat.

“The, the retainer meeting!”

Good heavens, I was supposed to keep watch until the retainer meeting ended!

But what shocked me even more was…

“It’s finished.”

That annoyingly calm voice!

I turned around with a creaking motion.

“L-Lord Claudius?”

Wait, why is Lord Claudius here?!

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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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