The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 42

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 42

“Welcome.”

As we entered the jewelry store, an employee politely bowed his head.

Dietrich opened his mouth.

“I’d like a recommendation for a gift. It’s for a woman, early twenties…”

“Ah, please come this way.”

The employee guided Dietrich to the front of a glass display case.

Various jewels sparkled and showed off their beauty.

“This is a popular design these days.”

The employee took out a bracelet case and presented it to Dietrich.

Clink.

A bracelet strung with blue gems reflected light and gleamed.

“It’s made with turquoise to represent the sea, and recently there isn’t a single lady in the viscountcy who doesn’t have at least one of these bracelets…”

“…”

But Dietrich wasn’t listening to that explanation.

His gaze was fixed on a pair of earrings placed in one corner of the display case.

They had a design that fit snugly against the ear, and while not flashy, their delicately crafted appearance caught the eye.

Especially the translucent flower-pink gem in the center of the earrings seemed strangely familiar.

“Lord Claudius.”

A gentle voice lingered in his ears.

At that moment.

‘Ah.’

Dietrich realized.

That pink gem… looked exactly like the color of Larite’s eyes.

“…Sir? Sir!”

“Ah, yes.”

Dietrich quickly came to his senses and raised his head.

“Are you curious about this product?”

The employee smiled brightly and brought out the earrings Dietrich had been looking at.

“These are earrings made with rose quartz. Pretty, aren’t they?”

“…”

Dietrich unconsciously imagined how those earrings would look hanging from Larite’s earlobes.

They would suit her very well.

However.

‘Is there really a need to buy something for Lady Ansi too?’

Larite was just Evangeline’s friend.

Of course, it was true that she was having a positive influence on his sister, and he was grateful for that…

But even so.

“I’ll take the turquoise bracelet you showed me earlier, and this one as well.”

Dietrich’s mouth was already moving on its own.

“Yes, understood. Shall I gift wrap them for you?”

Why am I doing this?

While feeling strange about his own eccentric behavior,

“Please do.”

Dietrich nodded lightly.

“Thank you, please come again!”

Dietrich exited the jewelry store with the employee’s farewell.

‘Oh no.’

He belatedly made a troubled face and looked down at both his hands.

When he came to his senses, Dietrich was holding two impulsively purchased gifts side by side…

The attendant who had just woken up and was waiting asked in bewilderment.

“Why are there two gifts?”

“You don’t need to know.”

Dietrich answered firmly.

‘Well, if you say so.’

The attendant conveyed roughly that meaning and lightly shrugged his shoulders.

Then he handed Dietrich a letter envelope.

“By the way, a letter came for you, Lord Claudius.”

“A letter?”

[Evangeline von Claudius]

On the letter envelope he casually received, his sister’s signature was clearly written.

‘…What kind of trouble did she cause this time?’

Somehow his spine felt chilly.

Dietrich couldn’t hide his suspicious expression as he unfolded the letter.

[To Brother Dietrich.

There’s going to be a party at the Ansi Mansion on July 5th.

So Brother must attend too.]

This shamelessness of skipping even greetings and just bluntly stating her business!

Dietrich read the sentences below with an astounded expression.

[I know your business trip schedule is almost over as of today.

You’re in the Ansi Viscountcy anyway, aren’t you?

Since you’ve come all the way here, show your face at the party and help boost my friend’s pride. Got it?

—The prettiest, cutest, coolest, and most lovable Evangeline in the world]

It was already absurd up to this point.

But Evangeline’s letter wasn’t finished yet.

[P.S.

Since Lady Claudius has her dignity to maintain, I decided I’d pay for the party.

I’ll put it on credit for now and have them bill the ducal house later.]

“…This is just completely brazen.”

Dietrich unconsciously muttered in dismay.

Not only did she finish the letter after only stating her business, but she was acting as if she’d completely left the party expenses to him.

After glaring at the letter for a long time with an astounded face, Dietrich let out a deep sigh and turned to his attendant.

“Find out exactly what’s going on with this situation.”

“Yes?!”

My warm bath, freshly grilled steak and dessert ice cream, early sleep in a soft bed…!

All his sweet rest plans that he’d been eagerly anticipating were completely shattered.

The attendant’s face turned deathly pale.

* * *

And so the next morning.

Dietrich heard the full story behind the letter Evangeline had sent.

“…So, Evangeline arbitrarily declared she’d hold a party at the Ansi Mansion?”

Dietrich pressed his throbbing temples.

“First send an apology letter and gifts. And of course we’ll pay for the party expenses…”

But then.

Knock knock.

With a brief knock, a hotel employee appeared.

“Lord Claudius, a letter has arrived.”

“…”

Speak of the devil, it was Evangeline again.

Dietrich opened the letter with a tired expression.

At the same time, he heard what seemed like Evangeline’s shrill shouting as an auditory hallucination.

[Brother, why haven’t you replied!?]

Now she wasn’t even bothering to maintain proper letter format…

On top of that, she had only sent the letter yesterday evening, and now as soon as morning came, she was brazenly demanding a reply like a hawk.

Dietrich felt deep doubts about his younger sister’s character.

[Brother, you’re coming, right? Right?

I already bragged to Lady Ansi about it.

At this party, I promised I’d absolutely make sure Lady Ansi’s first dance would be with you, Brother!]

She already sold me out?

Dietrich read the next sentence with an incredulous expression.

[So Brother absolutely has to come.

Got it? You must!

And make sure to send a reply by lunchtime today!]

And with that, omitting even the customary closing greetings.

Evangeline’s unreasonable letter came to an end.

“…Sigh.”

Dietrich let out a deep sigh that rose from the depths of his chest.

Honestly, he knew in his head.

That returning to Jedo as quickly as possible was the wise choice.

Since he had saved time by cutting back on sleep, it would be more efficient to use that time to handle other matters.

So naturally, he should reply that he wouldn’t attend…

“…”

Dietrich glanced at the table.

The gift boxes he had bought for Evangeline and Larite were placed side by side.

“Your Grace, what shall I write in reply?”

Just then, his attendant cautiously asked a question.

Dietrich subtly furrowed his brow.

‘Right, I need to give Lady Ansi a gift anyway.’

Actually, a gift could easily be given when they met in Jedo.

There was no need to give it personally.

He could have it delivered through Evangeline, or just send someone to deliver it directly to the Ansi Family Townhouse.

Even knowing this well, Dietrich ultimately…

“Tell them I will attend.”

Could not stop his lips from moving on their own.

* * *

The Southern Social Circle was completely turned upside down.

It was already surprising that the Ansi Mansion and Count Gusto’s House had parties on the same date, but even more shocking was that the person who suggested that date was Lady Claudius.

The Lady had personally declared she would attend the Ansi Mansion’s party.

“There have been recent rumors that Lady Claudius was close with Lady Ansi, but…”

“Still, we never expected her to actually attend the Ansi Mansion’s party.”

“Lady Claudius isn’t exactly someone who frequently engages in social activities, is she?”

Until now, Lady Claudius had only rarely attended parties of the highest-ranking nobles even in Jedo.

This was her first time showing her face in provincial high society.

“Count Gusto’s House must be quite troubled.”

“Of course they would be. No matter how much influence Count Gusto’s House has in the South, how could they compare to House of Claudius?”

All of Southern high society turned their attention to the Ansi Mansion.

And at that moment.

At the Ansi Mansion…

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————