The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 60

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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 60

‘Huh?’

Caught off guard and pulled along for a few steps, I looked at the other person with a bewildered expression.

It was Lady Claudius.

“How long are you going to keep chattering outside like that?”

At the same time, Lady Claudius snapped at Lady Sanchez with a sharp voice.

“We need to go in quickly. Don’t you know the other noblewomen are waiting?”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

Lady Sanchez apologized awkwardly.

Lady Claudius barely acknowledged that apology and tightly gripped my arm.

Then she spoke to me in a voice dripping with coldness.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going in?”

“Ah, yes.”

Caught in the middle, I broke out in a cold sweat.

No, why is Lady Claudius in a bad mood again?!

* * *

“Starting today, Lady Sanchez will be newly joining our group.”

Lady Sherwood spoke with an awkward smile on her face.

“Countess Sanchez apparently spoke directly to my mother about it.”

Having opened with that, Lady Sherwood glanced sideways at Lady Sanchez.

“I never expected Lady Sanchez to show such interest in our group… It’s really surprising. I’m pleased.”

However, rather than truly being pleased, it was obvious she was just being polite.

‘Well, of course she would be.’

The reading group members weren’t fools.

The group Lady Sanchez had belonged to until now, ‘Peony,’ was indisputably high society’s most popular gathering.

The ladies belonging to that group were all excessively haughty.

So…

‘They had subtly looked down on groups other than their own.’

But Lady Sherwood was sincere about the Watkins Reading Group and had made various efforts to grow the group.

She had even mustered the courage to send me an invitation.

In such a situation, with Lady Sanchez joining the reading group through her parents’ connections…

‘It would be annoying.’

But it would have been difficult to refuse.

Regardless of personal feelings toward Lady Sanchez, she was one of the quite influential ladies in high society.

“Please everyone treat Lady Sanchez well from now on.”

Lady Sherwood concluded with a half-dead expression, wrapping up her words roughly.

“Nice to meet you.”

“I didn’t expect to see you here.”

The other two ladies also offered polite greetings with their words, though they seemed somewhat displeased.

Meanwhile, Lady Claudius, regardless of whether the ladies were exchanging greetings or not, wouldn’t leave my side.

“Come sit here.”

She personally designated my seat as the one next to hers,

“Oh, these madeleines are delicious.”

And personally placed the plate of refreshments from the table in front of me.

Her appearance was just like a cat vigilantly guarding its surroundings to monopolize its owner…

‘No, what kind of irreverent comparison is this toward Lady Claudius.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

But then.

“Um, may I recommend a book this time?”

Lady Sanchez spoke up with a bright smile.

“…”

At that moment, Lady Sherwood’s eyes turned coldly.

Usually reading groups share impressions of books they’ve previously read, then select new books through discussion.

So Lady Sanchez’s suggestion was tantamount to completely ignoring the reading group’s rules.

However.

“Fine. What book would you like to read?”

Perhaps finding it difficult to openly express displeasure, Lady Sherwood nodded with a displeased expression.

Lady Sanchez smiled cheerfully.

“I’d like ‘101 Easy Biblical Stories’!”

101 Easy Biblical Stories.

It was a book that simplified biblical episodes, famous enough to become a bestseller in the Empire at one time.

However, the reason that book gained fame wasn’t because it held high value as a humanities text.

Rather, it was closer to gaining fame along with the book because the author was so well-known.

Isaac Evans.

He was the heir of the Evans Marquis family, a branch of House Claudius, and an elite who held an important position in the Imperial Curia.

Despite his young age, his abilities were recognized, and he was rapidly promoted to High Priest, the position directly below Grand Priest, just three years after receiving priesthood.

Incidentally, there are only two High Priests who directly assist the Grand Priest among all priests.

Isaac was the youngest High Priest in history.

Moreover, he was also neat and handsome in appearance, and since marriage among priests was actually encouraged within the temple.

In terms of popularity among ladies, High Priest Evans was definitely second place.

Of course, first place goes to Lord Claudius…

But the reason I remembered that name was because of the special position High Priest Evans held in this world.

And for good reason.

‘I’m hearing the name of the second male protagonist here.’

Isaac was also one of the male protagonists who would become entangled with Seraphina.

“Well, that’s a good book too.”

Meanwhile, as befitting a book enthusiast, Lady Sherwood rattled on.

“He made biblical episodes that might seem rather dry to ordinary people easy to understand, right? That in itself is excellent. And…”

Then Lady Sanchez rolled her eyes as if frustrated.

“Oh my, that’s not what’s important!”

“What? Then what is important?”

“Obviously, High Priest Evans!”

Lady Sanchez’s eyes sparkled like stars.

“High Priest Evans is so handsome, isn’t he?”

“…”

At those words, Lady Sherwood’s eyes turned cold.

I was also a bit dumbfounded.

‘No, isn’t she making it too obvious that she’s not interested in the reading group?’

Even Lady Claudius diligently writes book reports.

Regardless, Lady Sanchez had an extremely excited expression.

“Since he stays at the Imperial Curia, he rarely appears in public, but whenever the priest comes out, people flock to him like clouds!”

Then she clenched both fists and suggested.

“So, how about we all go to the Imperial Curia together for our next meeting?”

“…The Imperial Curia?”

“Yes! You never know, right? We might catch a glimpse of High Priest Evans, even from afar!”

Lady Sherwood, with a frustrated expression, slightly moved her lips.

She seemed to want to dissuade Lady Sanchez.

“…”

However, seeing how she quickly closed her mouth, she apparently didn’t have the courage to voice her thoughts.

However, unlike Lady Sherwood, the other two ladies in the group seemed somewhat curious.

Well, I can understand that feeling too.

The members of the reading group are all young ladies who have just debuted in high society, aren’t they?

They were at an age where even a single leaf rolling on the ground could make their hearts flutter.

Moreover, the topic of conversation was also the rumored High Priest Evans.

“Well, I’ve also heard rumors that High Priest Evans is incredibly handsome.”

One of the ladies subtly added to the conversation,

“My older sister says that the services aren’t boring at all. She says it’s entertaining just to look at the High Priest’s face.”

Another lady quickly agreed.

“Excluding Lord Claudius, High Priest Evans definitely stands out among the young nobles.”

“It’s really wonderful that he’s not only handsome but also exceptionally capable.”

Well, I really didn’t like Lady Sanchez’s reckless behavior like that.

‘The second male lead, huh.’

Feeling a bit curious, I subtly joined the conversation.

“Is High Priest Evans really that remarkable?”

“Of course! There’s no one else who has been promoted at such incredible speed, and I heard he’s trusted both inside and outside the Temple.”

Lady Sanchez became enthusiastic in her praise of High Priest Evans.

Meanwhile, Lady Claudius continued to keep her mouth tightly shut.

And then she looked back and forth between the ladies and me with a sulky gaze… wait, why?!

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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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