The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 46

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

Chapter 46

Gregory placed his hand on Seraphina’s slender shoulder.

“You’re trembling like this.”

“…Gregory.”

“How could I let someone as delicate as you face that arrogant Larite alone?”

Gregory smiled magnanimously, as if he were a gentleman considerate of ladies.

Seraphina looked at Gregory with a sharp gaze.

But that was only for a moment.

“Yes, thank you.”

Outwardly pretending to be truly grateful, warmly lifting the corners of her lips.

Seraphina struggled to calm her boiling insides.

‘Ah, he really is so oblivious.’

Honestly, she really hated it.

At Count Gusto’s House party, it was true that being with Gregory, a member of the Gusto family, would be advantageous.

But there was no need to drag Gregory around like a goldfish’s tail even at the House of Ansi’s party, was there?

Rather, being alone would allow her to move around more freely…

“Sera?”

“Ah, yes. Let’s go quickly.”

Struggling to suppress the irritation rising to her throat.

Seraphina accepted Gregory’s escort and walked out of the banquet hall.

* * *

The piece being played this time was a lively waltz.

It was the most popular song in the Empire recently, and the reason was…

‘Th-this is too close, isn’t it?!’

This waltz included numerous movements where bodies pressed closely together.

‘I absolutely must not make a mistake.’

My mouth went completely dry.

‘If I accidentally step on Lord Claudius’s foot…’

Ugh.

Just imagining it made me feel dizzy.

As I nervously stepped through the dance, I glanced sideways at Lord Claudius.

Unlike me, who was being careful even with breathing, Lord Claudius before me seemed very relaxed.

…How should I put it, to think I would dance with this world’s male protagonist even before Seraphina.

It was truly a mysterious feeling.

“Thank you so much for attending our party, Lord Claudius.”

Having started the conversation that way, I carefully asked a question.

“By any chance, did Lady Claudius… ask you to come to our party?”

For a moment, deep fatigue crossed Lord Claudius’s face.

“Well, I can’t say it’s completely untrue.”

Oh, how much did she pester him?

I unconsciously stiffened my shoulders.

But that tired expression soon disappeared completely.

“Well, still.”

Under the chandelier light pouring down like dew, Lord Claudius’s deep blue eyes sparkled mischievously.

Leaning his head slightly toward me, Lord Claudius whispered softly.

“Lady Ansi need not concern herself with such matters.”

“Pardon?”

What did he mean by saying I need not concern myself?

“No matter how much Eva pestered me, I wouldn’t have attended a party I didn’t want to attend.”

Lord Claudius, with his elegant features, added nonchalantly.

“I’m saying I came because I wanted to.”

I swallowed hard.

Ladies blooming like flowers, and gentlemen holding the ladies’ hands.

Even in that splendid scene, only Lord Claudius stood out.

Rustle.

Beyond the thin dress hem, Lord Claudius’s long legs brushed past lightly.

Each time, my whole body tensed strangely.

The hand lightly placed on my waist, and the blue gaze looking straight into my eyes.

Even though I knew these were routine movements when dancing.

Even though I knew well that there was no romantic meaning and no need to worry about it…

I kept becoming aware of Lord Claudius.

‘Conscious of him.’

Just then, my body swayed greatly.

“Ah!”

The dress hem had caught on the pointed toe of my shoe.

But fortunately, I didn’t end up rolling on the floor disgracefully.

Because…

“Oh my, are you alright?”

Lord Claudius had firmly wrapped his arm around my waist.

I straightened my posture while leaning against Lord Claudius.

It was such skillful handling that no one noticed I had made a mistake.

“Lady Ansi?”

“…”

Having been dazed for a moment, I hurriedly answered.

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.”

Like throwing a pebble into a calm lake.

…My heart became completely turbulent.

* * *

Seraphina and Gregory entered the Ansi Mansion’s banquet hall belatedly.

The banquet was already in full swing.

Gentlemen and ladies danced with each other in the dance hall.

Middle-aged noble ladies and gentlemen enjoyed light drinks and refreshments while chatting quietly.

Facing that scene, Seraphina was inwardly greatly shocked.

‘How can no one greet me?’

Being the center of everyone’s attention.

Everyone showing favor to Seraphina and standing at the center of all.

For her, it was as natural as breathing.

Especially when she reigned as the queen of the Southern Social Circle under Gregory’s protection, it was even more so.

But now…

‘No one is looking at me.’

Seraphina clenched her molars tightly.

But then.

‘Wait.’

Seraphina suddenly lifted her head.

She had spotted a familiar figure from behind in the center of the dance hall.

Elegantly pinned-up jet-black hair.

A voluminous dress hem falling in smooth curves below a slender waist.

And even an unwavering, straight posture.

‘Larite?!’

Seraphina couldn’t help but be shocked.

“Lady Ansi is really playing the role of party host to perfection this time.”

“Indeed. I always thought of her as such a gloomy lady, but when she’s dressed up properly, she’s quite beautiful, isn’t she?”

“I wonder why she went around looking so drab until now.”

The noblewomen gathered nearby whispered behind their fully opened fans.

“I think this is the first time I’ve seen Lady Ansi smile so brightly.”

That was true.

There wasn’t a trace of shadow on Larite’s face as she smiled radiantly.

‘This is a lie.’

Seraphina’s pupils shook violently.

This was like…

‘It’s as if Larite is the star of this banquet hall.’

Moreover, there was someone else who truly shocked Seraphina.

“But I was really surprised.”

One of the noblewomen gestured with her eyes toward the man standing across from Larite.

“To think that gentleman would ask Lady Ansi to dance.”

Seraphina’s gaze turned toward the man the noblewoman had indicated.

That man holding Larite’s hand.

His brilliant platinum hair looked as if it had been spun from pure platinum thread, and his blue eyes reminded one of a winter sea.

That appearance, which closely resembled Lady Claudius, who was considered the most splendid rose in high society, yet was far more handsome than hers…

‘Lord Claudius?!’

Seraphina’s eyes widened in an instant.

‘How can this be possible?!’

Until now, Seraphina had made every effort to get close to the Claudius siblings.

Friendship with Lady Claudius, who reigned as the center of high society.

Even a dance with Lord Claudius, whom she had always admired.

The fact that insignificant Larite had so easily grasped what she could never obtain no matter how hard she tried.

…was simply unbelievable.

‘This can’t be happening.’

Her emerald-like sparkling deep green eyes became stained with various emotions.

Among them, the most vividly prominent emotion was.

Jealousy.

‘This is all a lie. This is…!’

Her mind became completely confused.

Seraphina bit her lip until it bled.

‘Someone like Larite could never surpass me!’

Larite’s place was beneath Seraphina’s feet.

It had been decided that way from the beginning.

To serve as a contrast to Seraphina, so that she could shine more beautifully.

Larite should have always been near Seraphina with a gloomy face.

Not smiling so happily under the brilliant chandelier lights like that!

Meanwhile, being too overwhelmed with managing her own anger and jealousy, Seraphina failed to notice.

That Gregory’s shock-filled gaze was fixed solely on Larite.

The current Gregory… didn’t even care about someone like Seraphina.

“Larite?”

Gregory muttered with a trembling voice.

He had thought that Larite would always admire Gregory, try to please him, and naturally remain by his side.

Because it had always been that way.

Even when he scolded her as naturally as breathing, even when he mistreated her by comparing her to beautiful Seraphina, even when he subjected her to all kinds of humiliation.

She would foolishly laugh it off.

And so he had believed without doubt that someday, everything of Larite’s would become his…

‘Larite, how could you do this to me?’

Gregory clenched his fists tightly.

His eyes gleamed with a sense of betrayal.

Larite had always been by his side.

Like the air he breathed, like the water he drank daily.

But at this moment.

…the Larite before his eyes seemed infinitely distant.

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