The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 38

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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 38

After leaving the house like that.

We took a carriage and went around the Ansi Viscountcy in a full circle.

“My goodness, it’s so beautiful…”

Looking at the brilliantly blue shining sea, Lady Claudius was completely mesmerized.

“Lady Ansi! The sand is so soft! It tickles my feet!”

“Be careful, you’ll fall if you run around like that!”

Walking barefoot on the soft white sand bar where our feet sank deep, Lady Claudius and I burst into loud laughter side by side.

We also didn’t forget to go around the shopping district and buy all sorts of souvenirs.

“Lady Claudius, what on earth are you going to use that shell necklace for…?”

“Do things have to be useful for me to buy them? There are things in this world that have value precisely because they’re pretty and useless.”

Lady Claudius spouted sophistry without batting an eye.

And I… well, I just went along with it.

Lady Claudius’s sophistry wasn’t just a day or two thing.

“Ah, today was really fun.”

Finally, Lady Claudius muttered with a satisfied face like a well-fed cat.

“Lady Claudius, you’re tired, aren’t you?”

At the same time, I brought out my secret weapon that I had been saving.

“Shall we rest while having some snacks?”

“Snacks? That sounds good.”

Among the current hot places in the Ansi Viscountcy, there was one place that Lady Claudius would particularly like.

That place was…

“Wow.”

Lady Claudius looked around with an enchanted face.

The place I brought Lady Claudius to was a coffee house famous for its beautiful garden in the Ansi Viscountcy.

In the spacious garden attached to the coffee house, colorful summer roses were in full bloom.

The rich rose fragrance tickled my nose.

Lady Claudius, who had been looking around the scenery as if enchanted, soon turned around with sparkling eyes.

“How on earth did you find a place like this? It’s really amazing!”

“I promised you, didn’t I? That I would become your exclusive tour guide.”

I smiled with my eyes.

“I put some thought into it.”

Well, I am the Ansi Viscount after all.

I know about the famous tourist spots and shops in the viscountcy.

In addition to that, the experience of going around various places while serving Seraphina was a great help…

My mouth felt bitter for no reason, so I deliberately spoke in a more cheerful voice.

“When we were in Jedo, Lady Claudius took me to a famous brunch cafe.”

“Huh?”

Lady Claudius blinked her eyes.

The day I first visited Madam Christensen’s clothing store and brunch cafe with Lady Claudius.

That day was still clearly etched in my mind.

The day I first thought I felt like the protagonist of my own life.

“Then would you shut up and move aside? I want to eat quietly.”

Those words Lady Claudius shot back at Gregory, who had been picking a fight with me with nonsensical words.

A friend my age who took my side.

Time when I could sit face to face with someone and laugh together, rather than serving someone.

…How happy that time was.

Feeling my face flush for no reason, I quietly looked down at the ground.

“So I also wanted to create good memories for Lady Claudius if I had the chance.”

“Lady Ansi.”

“That time… was really enjoyable.”

I added awkwardly.

“Of course, it probably wasn’t a big deal to Lady Claudius.”

Even so, I had always wanted to tell you someday.

How much strength the small kindness Lady Claudius showed me gave me.

How special Lady Claudius is to me.

But then.

Lady Claudius suddenly grabbed my hand.

“Me too!”

Eyes bluer than the southern sea we saw today looked straight at me without wavering.

“I also had so much fun playing with Lady Ansi!”

Lady Claudius raised her voice again.

“So! That means you don’t need to think about repayment or anything like that!”

“What?”

“I just like being friends with Lady Ansi… ah, well, of course it’s a contract, but still!”

Lady Claudius’s face, who had been rambling, turned as red as a ripe tomato.

I stared at Lady Claudius blankly.

So, Lady Claudius is now…

‘Is she being shy?’

Lady Claudius, who had been biting her lips tightly, soon turned around abruptly.

“I’m going to look at the roses for a bit!”

“L-Lady Claudius?”

“Go inside and sit down first! Order whatever you want to eat, okay?”

Lady Claudius, who shouted like that, hurriedly ran to the rose garden.

I, who had been staring blankly at her retreating figure, let out a hollow laugh.

‘Really, I think I understand why Lord Claudius cherishes Lady Claudius so much.’

At first, I just thought about getting close to Lady Claudius to spite Seraphina.

I thought it was just a calculated relationship to the point of writing a friendship contract…

‘How could anyone not like such a lovable person?’

Deep in my chest felt ticklish.

…It was a very happy feeling.

I kept grinning as I entered the coffee house.

Until then, I was in the best mood possible.

So much so that I thought it was a perfect day.

However.

“Oh my, Lari!”

As soon as I stepped into the coffee house, a lively voice called me.

Wait, this sense of déjà vu… what is it?

I stiffened my shoulders with a start.

‘No way, this voice is!’

Somehow I have a feeling that my mood is going to crash completely.

When I turned around with a sour expression, I saw a group of ladies occupying a large table.

Among those ladies, there was one person leaning back in her chair like a queen.

Wavy light green hair, deep green eyes resembling green foliage.

And even the elegant smile she wore on her lips…

“…”

I was at a loss for words.

‘Seraphina?!’

No, why is she here?

Wasn’t she supposed to be staying in Gusto County?

“It’s been a while, Lari.”

Seraphina looked at me with a bright smile.

“Meeting you here again. Lari, you seem to be having quite a good time with Lady Claudius lately?”

“Well, I suppose so.”

I replied bluntly.

For a moment, Seraphina’s brow furrowed slightly.

She must be offended that I, who always used to grovel, am now acting so defiant, right?

But as soon as our eyes met, Seraphina lowered her gaze and skillfully hid her displeasure.

On the other hand, I…

‘Why does she keep poking and prodding at people like that?’

Since I came here with Lady Claudius, I don’t want to cause unnecessary trouble.

I didn’t even bother to hide my irritation as I faced Seraphina.

Seraphina seemed somewhat intimidated by my indifferent attitude, but

“Come to think of it, I heard rumors that Lady Claudius came down to the Ansi Viscountcy. Did she perhaps come with you?”

Perhaps thinking she shouldn’t be pushed back by me, she continued speaking with a bright smile.

“If so, why don’t you join us? I’m just so happy to see you.”

Seraphina added gently.

“I’ll pay for the tea, okay?”

If it were before, I probably would have been touched by such affectionate behavior from Seraphina.

I might have fawned over Seraphina like a fool, trying to please her.

…Even while driving nails into the heart of someone who truly cared for me.

But now.

“I’ll decline.”

At my firm answer, a slight crack appeared on Seraphina’s smiling face.

“First of all, I’m not particularly happy to see you, and I don’t see any reason why Lady Claudius and I should sit next to you.”

I continued speaking indifferently.

Then the ladies sitting beside Seraphina rose up like a swarm of bees.

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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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