The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 35

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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 35

Lord Claudius, whose eyes met mine, lowered his hand and smiled awkwardly.

“I apologize, my eyes are just a bit dry.”

“Not at all, I’m sorry if your eyes became tired from looking at documents in such a dark place because of me.”

I couldn’t overcome my guilt and quietly averted my gaze.

Ah, really.

If there were a mouse hole anywhere, I’d want to hide in it right now…

Fortunately, Lord Claudius politely shook his head.

“It’s nothing like that, so don’t worry. It’s a chronic condition.”

“A chronic condition?”

“Yes. Since I handle a lot of paperwork, my eyes often get tired.”

“…Ah.”

I blinked my eyes.

I hadn’t noticed at first because it was dark, but looking closely, I could see it.

Lord Claudius’s eyes were full of burst blood vessels.

The moment I noticed that.

Lady Claudius’s disgruntled voice suddenly flashed through my mind.

“He’s been like that since we were young. He insists on doing all the difficult work himself, telling me to just stay comfortable.”

That dejected expression,

“Of course I’m grateful that my brother thinks of me, but… he doesn’t need to do that.”

Those drooping shoulders,

“It seems like my brother always overworks himself because of me.”

And those blue eyes filled with worry for her only blood relative.

‘Really, I can somewhat understand why Lady Claudius worries about Lord Claudius.’

Seeing a brother who overworks himself like this, what younger sister could just play around with peace of mind.

I unconsciously opened my mouth.

“Then how about trying a warm compress?”

“A warm compress?”

“Yes. If you cover your eyelids with a warm wet towel, it helps rest your eyes.”

I smiled brightly.

“Lady Claudius often says her eyes are tired from paperwork too, and she always likes it when I give her warm compresses at those times.”

Then Lord Claudius, who glanced at me, replied playfully.

“Well now, warm compresses. Evangeline really works Lady Ansi hard.”

“Pardon?”

“You don’t need to indulge that girl’s whims so much. You can say no when something isn’t acceptable.”

“Ahaha…”

I could only let out an awkward laugh.

“Anyway, thank you for the advice. I’ll try it sometime.”

Lord Claudius nodded readily, then suddenly became serious and continued speaking.

“Also, make sure to receive an apology from Evangeline for this incident.”

“Pardon?”

“Evangeline is the only lady of House of Claudius.”

It was a grave voice with all traces of earlier laughter gone.

“She may not have participated in household affairs until now, but now she’s stepped forward to work as the lady of the house herself. Then she must have a sense of responsibility accordingly.”

“…Lord Claudius.”

“One who governs an organization has duties and rights befitting that role. Moreover, those duties and rights aren’t so light that they can be passed off to others when convenient and then taken back.”

Lord Claudius speaking this way had a rarely seen resolute expression.

“Even if it’s just the internal affairs of a mere townhouse.”

I see.

Meeting that stern gaze, I suddenly realized.

The reason Lord Claudius could establish himself as one of the finest lords even in the venerable House of Claudius was because he applied such harsh standards to himself.

…And the reason he never assigned any work to Lady Claudius was.

‘He wanted Lady Claudius, at least, to be free from such standards.’

But then.

“What’s this?”

A sharp voice rang out, and simultaneously,

Click!

The library lights turned on brightly.

Along with that, there was someone who entered the library with imposing strides.

“Why are you two together in this dark place?!”

It was Lady Claudius!

Lady Claudius, who stood as if blocking my path, glared at Lord Claudius with fierce eyes.

“Brother, you didn’t do anything rude to Lady Ansi, did you?”

Of course, Lord Claudius snorted and replied.

“Do you think I’m like you?”

“Ugh…!”

How should I put it, to devastate Lady Claudius like that with just one sentence.

I think Lord Claudius has considerable skill.

Anyway.

“Um, Lady Claudius. Really, nothing happened…”

To clear up the misunderstanding building between the siblings in real time, I hurriedly joined the conversation.

But Lady Claudius just turned to look at me with sparkling eyes.

“How naive. All men are wolves!”

…As expected of siblings, Lady Claudius is just as sharp-tongued as Lord Claudius.

I hurriedly changed the subject.

“So did you get the rose seedlings?”

“Of course! Who do you think I am?”

Lady Claudius replied triumphantly.

“I’m Lady Claudius. What in the world can’t I obtain?”

That doesn’t seem like something the person who rushed out from lunchtime to buy rose seedlings should say…

I shook my head internally.

At the same time, Lord Claudius, who had been staring at Lady Claudius with a look of disdain, opened his mouth.

“Leaving the meeting preparations to your friend and going off to buy rose seedlings. What excellent behavior.”

“Ugh.”

Lady Claudius, hit right on target, began cautiously watching my reaction.

“Lady Ansi, are you angry?”

Eh? Suddenly at me?

I hurriedly put on a full smile.

“No, I’m not angry.”

“Evangeline, think carefully.”

But Lord Claudius continued speaking mercilessly.

“Such shallow sense of responsibility, dumping work on a friend.”

Lady Claudius flinched and stiffened her shoulders.

“With this attitude, will you be able to properly fulfill the role of lady of House of Claudius in the future?”

“Th-that’s…!”

Lady Claudius, who was about to protest, quietly looked back at me.

Then she became as pitiful as a cat caught in the rain and muttered…

“I’m sorry… I won’t do it again next time.”

“No, I’m really fine!”

I desperately tried to comfort Lady Claudius while glancing at Lord Claudius from the corner of my eye.

But something felt strange.

Somehow Lord Claudius seemed quite triumphant…

Huh?

I made a suspicious face.

How should I put it, that expression of his.

Of course I’m not doubting Lord Claudius’s intentions, and he must have lovingly scolded her to keep Lady Claudius from going down the wrong path!

But just a little bit, it seemed like he was satisfied with winning a war of words.

…Th-that must be my imagination, right?

* * *

That night.

Dietrich requested one item from a maid.

And that was…

“I’ll leave the wet towel you requested here.”

The maid bowed her head, set down a silver tray on the table, and left.

On the tray lay wet towels placed side by side, steaming hot.

Dietrich gazed at them quietly.

“Then how about trying a warm compress?”

“If you cover your eyelids with a warm wet towel, it helps rest your eyes.”

Larite’s gentle voice echoed in his ears.

‘I’m really making a fuss over nothing.’

Dry eyes weren’t really a big deal.

After all, it was a fatigue he’d always lived with.

In other words, he was already used to it.

And yet.

‘How strange.’

Dietrich chuckled as he fidgeted with the wet towel.

‘If it’s Lady Ansi’s advice, I find myself wanting to try it first.’

Dietrich picked up a moderately cooled wet towel.

As the warm wet towel completely covered his eyes, his vision went dark.

How should I put it, it felt like his fatigue was gently melting away.

Upon recognizing that sensation, Dietrich suddenly realized he had been in an extremely tired state.

‘This feels good.’

In the peaceful darkness, Dietrich rested deeply for the first time in a very long while.

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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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