The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 54
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 54
“What is it?”
At the same time, Lady Claudius peeked her head toward the invitation.
Her curious blue eyes read the name written on the invitation.
“Watkins… Reading Group? Ugh.”
Lady Claudius suddenly frowned deeply.
Well, that was understandable.
Lady Claudius usually had nothing to do with books by nature.
“Lady Ansi, are you planning to join the Reading Group?”
“Yes, I’m thinking about it.”
“Why? Is there a particular reason you need to join a Reading Group? When I’m right here beside you…”
Lady Claudius looked up at me quietly like a gentle kitten.
But that was only for a moment.
“D-don’t tell me.”
Shock gradually appeared on Lady Claudius’s face,
“I alone am not enough?!”
A voice full of betrayal burst out loudly.
“I-I only need Lady Ansi!”
“Pardon?”
“Now you need other friends besides me!”
“Pardon?”
I kept repeating “Pardon?” with a flustered expression.
This was like…
A house cat scolding its owner for being distracted by a stray cat…
But first, I needed to clear up the misunderstanding.
“That’s not it at all. I truly enjoy spending time with you, Lady Claudius.”
When I gently soothed Lady Claudius, she protested with an utterly wronged expression.
“If you enjoy being with me, why are you suddenly talking about Reading Groups and such!”
“Well… the thing is.”
After choosing my words carefully, I asked cautiously.
“Our original purpose was to improve your reputation, wasn’t it?”
“Ah.”
Lady Claudius suddenly looked like she’d been caught off guard.
To Lady Claudius, who was blinking blankly, I continued gently.
“In that regard, this Reading Group is quite a good option.”
“A good option?”
“Yes. Our original purpose was to ‘improve your reputation by showing your approachable side,’ wasn’t it?”
I explained step by step.
“Although this group is small-scale, and the members aren’t ladies with great influence in high society. But if you flip that around…”
Toward Lady Claudius, whose eyes were now sparkling with curiosity, I smiled warmly.
“It also means their families have enough prestige not to worry about high society’s opinions.”
Just look at Seraphina.
Wasn’t she desperately trying to attend mainstream high society gatherings?
On the other hand, Lady Claudius…
‘Just Lady Claudius attending the Ansi Mansion party alone was enough to make all of high society buzz.’
That showed just how tremendous the House of Claudius’s influence was.
I continued speaking.
“Of course, the invitation came addressed to me, but in reality, they probably didn’t fail to send you an invitation—they just couldn’t bring themselves to send one.”
The sole Lady Claudius of the House of Claudius, which boasted the greatest prestige in the Empire.
Befitting that prestige, Lady Claudius had a habit of attending gatherings quite arbitrarily.
More precisely, she only attended a very select few famous gatherings when the mood struck her.
‘The problem is that “when the mood strikes” happens too rarely…’
How could such a modest gathering dare send an invitation to such a Lady Claudius?
So that invitation ultimately meant.
By inviting me, they hoped Lady Claudius would attend as well.
“Hmm.”
Lady Claudius, who had been pondering for a moment, glanced at me.
“A Reading Group means… I have to read books, right?”
“I suppose so?”
“Ugh, I hate reading books.”
Lady Claudius, who had been grumbling while pouting, soon began talking to herself loud enough for me to hear.
“But if Lady Ansi asks me to go together, I think I might want to go.”
“…”
“I really, really hate reading books, but if it’s Lady Ansi’s request, I think I could grant it.”
“…”
Oh my.
I sighed inwardly and opened my mouth.
“This is just my personal opinion, but I think it would be good if you attended as well.”
Lady Claudius’s face immediately brightened like a lit lantern.
“Lady Ansi asked me to go together. Right?”
“Of course, I’m the one asking you to go together.”
“Alright. Since Lady Ansi insists so much, it would be awkward for me to refuse.”
Lady Claudius raised her nose proudly.
Well, if Lady Claudius was satisfied…
I looked at Lady Claudius, who was smiling brightly with dim eyes.
* * *
And so, on the day of my first Reading Group attendance.
Having almost finished preparing to go out, I was holding a jewelry box, picking it up and putting it down, lost in thought.
‘…When would be the right time to wear these earrings?’
Inside the box were the rose quartz earrings that Lord Claudius had given me as a gift.
Of course, I understood rationally.
Lord Claudius had simply given me the gift out of gratitude for taking good care of Lady Claudius, with no other special meaning.
Still… since I had received the gift.
I wanted Lord Claudius, who had given me the gift, to be the first to see me wearing these earrings.
‘H-honestly, that’s natural, right?’
It’s not because I have any particular feelings for Lord Claudius, but because it looks better to show the gift to the person who gave it first…!
‘Alright. Then I’ll save these earrings for the next opportunity.’
After much deliberation, I ended up wearing different earrings and went downstairs.
Lady Claudius, who was sprawled out in Our Living Room like it was her own bedroom, simply waved her hand lazily.
“You’re here, Lady Ansi?”
“Ah, yes.”
I focused on Lady Claudius’s wrist.
Around her slender wrist was a bright blue turquoise bracelet.
It was the bracelet Lord Claudius had given her as a gift during his recent visit to the Southern Region.
“You know.”
As I was staring intently at that bracelet, Lady Claudius narrowed her eyes and asked me a question.
“When exactly are you planning to wear the earrings my brother gave you?”
“P-pardon?”
Feeling guilty, I stiffened my shoulders with a start.
Lady Claudius clicked her tongue disapprovingly for me to hear.
“You’re not just keeping it in a drawer because you’re saving it, are you? The prettier something is, the more you should wear it often—that’s what makes it worthwhile.”
Then she looked at me with a suspicious expression.
“Or perhaps, do you not like those earrings?”
“No, that’s not it at all!”
I shook my head frantically in surprise.
Lady Claudius pressed me again.
“Then why don’t you wear them?”
“Ah, well.”
I started to speak, but when it came to actually answering, I was at a loss for words…
‘What should I say?’
After all, if it were a normal gift, I would happily wear it without a second thought.
The fact that I’m even deliberating about when to wear it is unusual in itself.
‘T-then.’
I swallowed nervously.
‘If it becomes obvious that I’m being conscious of Lord Claudius…’
I need to answer as nonchalantly as possible.
I tried to calm my wildly beating heart and opened my mouth.
“Well… this is the first time I’ve received a gift from a gentleman.”
“Hmm?”
Lady Claudius raised an eyebrow slightly.
Somehow it felt like I was making excuses, and well, I suppose I was!
‘But it’s not a lie!’
I felt my face burning hot.
“Gregory never gave me so much as a handkerchief, so, well, of course Lord Claudius probably just gave me a gift out of courtesy, so…”
The more I spoke, the more it seemed like I was shouting ‘I’m being conscious of him!’ with my whole body!
Ah, my head is getting muddled…
Meanwhile, Lady Claudius watched me agonize for a while with an indifferent expression.
“I don’t think that’s it.”
“Pardon?”
“Those earrings—I don’t think he gave them to you just out of courtesy.”
…What exactly does that mean?
I looked at Lady Claudius, feeling a bit bewildered.
“Goodness, you’re both so frustrating.”
Lady Claudius, who had been shaking her head, suddenly stood up from her seat.
Then she walked ahead of me with quick steps.
“Let’s go. At this rate, we’ll be late for the Reading Group.”
Wait, Lady Claudius.
What exactly did you mean by that?!
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
