The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 55

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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 55

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“Oh, welcome.”

“We greet Lady Claudius.”

At the sudden appearance of the formidable figure that was Lady Claudius, the ladies of the reading group pitifully froze up completely.

Oh, this is a sight I’ve seen many times before.

Just like my parents when they first met Lady Claudius…

“…”

However, Lady Claudius right now, judging by how she kept her mouth tightly shut.

Somehow, she didn’t seem to have even the slightest intention of displaying the sociability she showed when meeting my parents.

“Thank you all for welcoming us so warmly.”

I hastily jumped into the conversation.

“I was truly delighted to be invited to the gathering, Lady Sherwood.”

“Oh, hearing you say that makes me happy as well.”

Lady Sherwood, who had quickly come to her senses, hurriedly echoed my words.

“Shall we go inside then?”

And so the ladies each took their seats.

Lady Sherwood, who hosted the reading group, opened her mouth as the representative.

“First, I’d like to express our gratitude to Lady Claudius and Lady Ansi for joining our gathering. Our reading group designates one book and serves as a place where we share our impressions of that book with each other…”

The welcoming speech flowed on and on, as if she had definitely prepared and memorized the lines in advance…

But the atmosphere was strangely excited, and the reason was.

‘To think Lady Claudius would attend our gathering!’

‘What should I do? This is my first time seeing Lady Claudius so up close!’

…because the other two ladies were completely caught up in excitement.

Well, honestly, I understand their feelings.

In fact, the members of the reading group weren’t particularly popular ladies in high society.

They were rather quiet and inconspicuous types, you could say?

So…

‘The popular ladies used to look down on them somewhat…’

For example, like Seraphina?

‘Hmm.’

Thinking of Seraphina, I reflexively felt my mood drop.

Of course, since the reading group members each had solid family backgrounds, they were never openly disrespected.

But how should I put it, it felt like oil and water that wouldn’t properly mix.

Just then, one of the ladies clasped her hands to her chest and spoke.

“I’m so happy that Lady Claudius came to visit our gathering…”

At that rapturous voice, Lady Claudius propped her chin and asked indifferently.

“What about Lady Ansi?”

“Of, of course Lady Ansi is welcome too!”

“Really, why else would we have sent an invitation?!”

The flustered ladies hurriedly cried out in unison.

“That’s right! We really wanted to meet Lady Ansi at least once too!”

And so even Lady Sherwood stepped forward to add her words.

But somehow, the gaze looking at me was more serious than I expected.

‘Huh, me?’

I blinked my eyes blankly.

Wasn’t I just invited to serve as a stepping stone toward Lady Claudius?

“Lady Ansi is so famous these days.”

“I’m… famous?”

“Of course. You’ve changed so much, after all.”

“Your personality has become much brighter compared to before. Also, it’s a bit awkward to say this, but…”

One of the ladies who had been subtly gauging my reaction showed a beaming eye-smile.

“You’ve become incredibly beautiful too.”

Is, is that so?

Well, I was aware that people’s gazes toward me had changed quite a lot from before.

However, since Lady Claudius was so famous, I suspected I might just be receiving her reflected glory.

‘…I’m happy.’

Though it was a bit embarrassing, it was still truly happy.

I smiled awkwardly.

Meanwhile, Lady Claudius was.

‘That’s all because I dressed you up, you know?’

Making that claim with her expression and eyes, she was acting smug beside me…

“Before, you were so devoted to caring for Lady Lopez that it was difficult for us to approach you.”

“These days you seem to get along well with other people too, so we could muster up the courage.”

Hmm, they’re working hard to speak diplomatically.

To put it bluntly,

‘You were so busy playing servant to Seraphina that it was awkward to approach you.’

…Isn’t that it?

Ha, really.

Why did I live so pathetically like that?

I briefly chewed over my regrets about the past.

“So the idea that we don’t welcome Lady Ansi is really a misunderstanding.”

“That’s right. We hope you don’t think that way.”

The ladies who had been gauging each other continued speaking.

I readily nodded my head.

“I won’t misunderstand like that, so don’t worry.”

“Hearing you say that makes me so happy.”

“Let’s get along well from now on.”

And so, just as a warm atmosphere was about to form.

‘Huh?’

Feeling somehow chilled to the bone, I glanced sideways.

Then I was inwardly shocked.

‘What?’

That’s because Lady Claudius was glaring at me with strangely cold eyes!

‘Why on earth?!’

But Lady Claudius’s strange behavior continued.

Lady Claudius quietly got up from her seat and sat down right next to me, sticking close!

‘Why is she acting like that? Did I make some mistake?’

I hastily retraced all my actions up to now.

‘…I didn’t?!’

I reached the conclusion that I hadn’t.

Then the ladies called out to me with sparkling eyes.

“Um, Lady Ansi!”

“Yes, please speak.”

“Well… in the Southern Region recently.”

The lady who had brought up the topic blushed and asked her question.

“There’s talk that Lord Claudius danced with Lady Ansi, is that true?”

Ah.

I found myself at a loss for words.

Feeling somewhat awkward, while I hesitated to answer.

Lady Claudius, who had been staring intently at that scene, snapped back with a strangely sulky voice.

“Excuse me, I also attended the Ansi Family Party, didn’t I?”

“L-Lady Claudius?”

“Is only my brother a member of House of Claudius, and not me?”

…Somehow Lady Claudius seems a bit prickly today.

After glancing at Lady Claudius for a moment, I quickly brought her into the conversation to prevent the atmosphere from freezing over.

“Ahaha, it was an even more enjoyable party because you were there, Lady Claudius.”

Forcing a smile, I hurriedly looked toward the daughter of Count Sherwood.

“So, what’s the title of the book you’ve selected this time?”

“Oh, the book is…”

And me, absorbed in the conversation.

Lady Claudius was watching me without even blinking.

* * *

The first day of the reading group ended on a reasonably harmonious note.

“Today was really enjoyable!”

“See you again in two weeks!”

While exchanging greetings with the other noblewomen like this.

‘Ugh, my back is tingling…’

I felt cold sweat running down my spine.

And for good reason, since Lady Claudius had been staring at me intently with sharp eyes from earlier.

From earlier, Lady Claudius seemed to be in a somewhat bad mood for some reason.

‘It would be nice if she could just tell me what she’s dissatisfied about.’

Seeing how tightly her lips were pressed together, it seemed unlikely she would tell me…

I let out a deep sigh inwardly and got into the carriage with Lady Claudius.

“…”

“…”

Silence flowed.

If it had been the usual Lady Claudius, she would have been chattering about this reading group by now.

Now she was simply resting her chin on her hand, looking out the window with a displeased gaze.

“Um, Lady Claudius.”

I carefully addressed Lady Claudius.

“What.”

A sullen reply came back.

I smiled awkwardly.

“By any chance, wasn’t today’s reading group very interesting?”

At my question, Lady Claudius pursed her lips.

“It wasn’t like that? It was interesting?”

…Someone who says it was interesting is making that kind of expression?

‘I can’t just let this slide.’

My instincts sounded a warning alarm.

I hurriedly tried to soothe Lady Claudius.

“You can speak honestly to me.”

Then Lady Claudius, still resting her chin on her hand, rolled only her eyes to stare at me.

After moving her lips for a moment,

“Never mind that, how was Lady Ansi?”

Suddenly this question came back.

“Me? I… it was enjoyable, but.”

I, who had been answering carelessly, stiffened my shoulders with a start.

‘Just now, Lady Claudius frowned, right? Right?!’

I hastily added more words.

“But if you don’t want to, you don’t have to come to the reading group anymore, Lady Claudius.”

Lady Claudius had only attended the reading group because of my invitation in the first place.

Who would dare force Lady Claudius to attend?

I carefully chose my words.

“From next time, I can attend by myself…”

“I don’t want that.”

Huh?

I blinked my eyes blankly.

At the same time, Lady Claudius turned her head away primly like a sulking cat.

“I’m going to go together too.”

Really, I have no idea what she’s thinking.

I couldn’t hide my bewildered expression.

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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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