The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 37

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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 37

I had… nothing to say.

And for good reason.

Among all the nobles that our House of Ansi had welcomed as guests so far, the person with the highest status was…

‘Count Gusto.’

Yes, that man who almost became my father-in-law.

I whispered into Lady Claudius’s ear.

“Don’t, don’t mind them. In just a moment, my parents will relax too…”

But then.

“L-Lady Claudius?”

A trembling voice called out to Lady Claudius.

“Have we perhaps committed some discourtesy?”

My father was trembling like a leaf, looking at Lady Claudius.

“If there’s anything that displeases you, please feel free to tell us, and we’ll correct it immediately.”

Lady Claudius looked dismayed and whispered to me.

“They’re not relaxing at all!”

Actually, from Lady Claudius’s perspective, this wouldn’t be such an unfamiliar reaction.

Due to the malicious rumors Seraphina had spread, Lady Claudius had unintentionally become the disciplinarian of high society.

But Lady Claudius had one secret weapon.

“Sigh, there’s no choice.”

Lady Claudius let out a deep sigh and boldly stepped forward.

“Pretty me will have to handle this myself.”

Um, Lady Claudius.

The words ‘pretty’ and ‘handle this myself’ don’t seem to go together very well…?

But Lady Claudius magnificently wove those words together and demonstrated them through action.

“Hello, I’m Evangeline von Claudius.”

Lady Claudius politely greeted my parents in return.

“I’ve heard so much about you from Lady Ansi. I’m truly delighted to meet you.”

Then she smiled brightly.

A smile so captivating it could enchant even me, another woman.

It was a smile far more dazzling and breathtaking than any of the various roses Lady Claudius cultivated.

How should I put it, the power of a smile from the world’s greatest beauty was truly remarkable…

“Ah, please come inside.”

“We’ve prepared tea and refreshments, though they may be modest.”

Though my parents were still somewhat stiff, they welcomed Lady Claudius with faces more relaxed than before.

‘My goodness…’

I was genuinely amazed.

At the same time, Lady Claudius glanced back at me triumphantly.

‘See?’

Lady Claudius’s nose rose so high it seemed to reach the sky.

‘Pretty me solved it well, didn’t I?’

She was right.

In this world, being pretty was everything.

* * *

After we sat down together in the drawing room.

Mother was the first to speak.

“So, what happened with the broken engagement?”

“Ah, well…”

I carefully explained why I had chosen to break the engagement.

What happened at Lady Johansen’s picnic.

And my situation of always being excluded between Gregory and Seraphina.

“…Still, I’m truly sorry for not consulting with you first and just going ahead with it.”

“I see, so that’s what happened.”

Mother nodded and gently stroked the back of my hand.

“You did well. Your hardship comes first.”

“…Mother.”

“I think it’s fortunate that the engagement was settled at this point.”

Mother smiled warmly.

“Your mother is right, Lari!”

At the same time, Father quickly joined the conversation.

“Actually, I feel relieved! I never liked Gusto Youngshik from the beginning!”

Indeed, indeed.

At our father’s intense reaction, Lady Claudius nodded enthusiastically.

“That’s right, Lady Ansi is far too good for him!”

“Ah, do you think so too, Lady Claudius?”

“Of course! Not knowing his place and fawning over my friend like that, I want to smack him on the head every time I see him!”

Father and Lady Claudius had somehow hit it off and began gossiping about Gregory…

I felt strangely uneasy.

Of course, my parents had always truly loved me, and it was true that they weren’t particularly fond of the engagement with Gregory.

But they had never expressed such blatant antipathy toward Gregory before, had they?

‘Could it be because I quit playing the role of ‘Seraphina’s doormat’ from the original story?’

If I interpreted it as their strange fondness for Seraphina being stripped away, making their antipathy toward Gregory grow…

Was I overthinking this?

“Oh my, really. I can’t do anything about your father.”

Meanwhile, Mother, who had been looking at Father with exasperated eyes, turned to me again.

“That aside, Lari. Do you know?”

Was it just my imagination that Mother’s expression seemed a bit darker?

“Gusto Youngshik and Lady Lopez have come down to the Southern Region too.”

“What?”

Why are those two down here?

“I understand they’re currently staying at the Gusto Estate.”

Mother smiled bitterly.

“They’ve also sent invitations for a summer party to you and Lady Claudius.”

“Ugh.”

I unconsciously frowned deeply.

Now I thought I understood why that pair of cockroaches had come down here.

‘Has the timing already come to that?’

Just as Jedo has its own high society, each region has its own separate social circles.

Naturally, the Southern Region has its social circle too…

‘Seraphina was always one of the top ladies in Southern society.’

Usually, the influential families in each region hold parties during the social season.

The Southern social season was typically in summer.

Seraphina was very welcome at Count Gusto’s House, a powerful family in the South.

Since she received all the favor of Gregory, the second son of Count Gusto’s House, it was natural in a way.

Also, Seraphina had a personality that never missed an opportunity to be the center of attention.

During the social season, she would always make time from her busy schedule to show her face in the South.

‘Well, when there’s no tiger in the den, the fox acts as the leader.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

After all, even in Jedo where Lady Claudius holds her ground, she deliberately targets small social events that Lady Claudius doesn’t attend to reign like a queen.

What would it be like in the South?

“So, you’re not going to Count Gusto’s party?”

“Of course not.”

I answered with disgust.

Still, it is surprising.

How long has it been since she was humiliated by Lady Claudius at the brunch cafe, and she’s already brazenly sending invitations with such thick skin.

I could never do something like that.

‘Well… I understand that desperate feeling though.’

This time, Count Gusto’s house had numerous misfortunes pile up.

First, Gregory had offended Lady Claudius.

Second, the Count’s family wasn’t even invited to the Ducal House’s salon.

Moreover, since Gregory was the one who caused all this, he might be under pressure from within the family in various ways…

‘What do I care?’

I shrugged my shoulders lightly.

At least the fortunate thing is that Seraphina and Gregory are staying in Count Gusto’s territory.

Since I’ve already declined Count Gusto’s invitation, there shouldn’t be any chance of running into them.

Please just disappear from my life.

Then what remains now is…

“Lady Claudius, just trust me.”

At my confident declaration, Lady Claudius tilted her head.

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“While we’re in the baronial territory, I’ll become your personal tour guide!”

Just enjoying ourselves!

Lady Claudius’s eyes sparkled brightly, of course.

* * *

The next day.

Lady Claudius and I slipped out of the manor as soon as breakfast was over.

By the way, Lady Claudius was so excited that,

“Lady Ansi, it’s morning!”

The person who usually opens her eyes drowsily only after the sun is high in the sky, woke me up at the crack of dawn.

She barely touched her breakfast while urging me on…

“When are we going out? Huh?”

Not forgetting to add such nagging, of course.

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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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