The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 61

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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 61

 

‘Could it be that Lady Claudius also wants to join the conversation?’

 

I, who had been subtly observing the mood, casually spoke to Lady Claudius.

 

“Um, Lady Claudius. Isn’t High Priest Evans also a relative of yours?”

 

At that question, Lady Claudius.

 

“Even if he’s a relative, I only saw his face a little when I was young.”

 

She cut off the conversation with a single stroke…

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

It was an unusually sensitive reaction compared to usual.

 

An awkward silence flowed.

 

‘Why is Lady Claudius acting like that?’

 

‘Could there be something that upset her?’

 

‘St-still. I didn’t expect her to speak so sharply…’

 

The ladies subtly glanced at each other.

 

As if realizing her mistake belatedly, Lady Claudius hurriedly made an excuse.

 

“S-sorry. I guess I’m a bit tired today.”

 

“Of course, that can happen.”

 

“I also get sharp-tempered when I’m sleepy!”

 

The other ladies quickly chimed in agreement with Lady Claudius’s words.

 

“Then, since we’ve met for the first time like this, shall we go visit the Imperial Curia?”

 

Then, Lady Sanchez clapped her hands and spoke up slyly.

 

The suggestion to go to the next meeting had somehow changed into an argument to go ‘today right now.’

 

“It’s boring if we just read books every day, right? Sometimes we need to go out and refresh ourselves.”

 

“What? Today?”

 

“Isn’t that too sudden…”

 

The other ladies opened their mouths timidly in confusion, but Lady Sanchez was unreasonable.

 

“I attended the meeting for the first time today, you know. If we all visit the Imperial Curia together, it would be easier for me to adapt to the reading group…”

 

It was an attitude as if the reading group members should naturally welcome her and accommodate her.

 

Lady Sanchez narrowed her eyes with a grin.

 

“Besides, there’s a very slight chance we might encounter High Priest Evans. Don’t you think so?”

 

“…”

 

Lady Sherwood, the host of the meeting, had a very displeased expression.

 

She had no choice.

 

Wasn’t this completely against the purpose of the reading group?

 

But perhaps finding it awkward to say something unpleasant, Lady Sherwood subtly glanced at Lady Claudius.

 

“Um, what do you think, Lady Claudius?”

 

Honestly, Lady Claudius also had a rather uncomfortable expression.

 

But then.

 

Lady Sanchez suddenly interjected into the conversation.

 

“Lady Claudius must want to go too! It’s good when we all get along harmoniously, right?”

 

…Look at that?

 

In an instant, I sharpened my eyes.

 

It was a cunning way of speaking.

 

She had picked on the part where Lady Claudius had reacted somewhat sensitively to High Priest Evans earlier.

 

Since the atmosphere had turned cold due to Lady Claudius’s refusal, she probably thought that this time she wouldn’t refuse for the sake of others.

 

Wasn’t that way of speaking exactly like Seraphina?

 

I quickly turned to look at Lady Claudius.

 

“Lady Claudius, if you don’t want to, you can refuse…”

 

But Lady Claudius had already nodded.

 

“Alright.”

 

“…”

 

Although her expression appeared indifferent on the surface.

 

I saw it.

 

Lady Claudius subtly observing the other ladies’ reactions.

 

That sight was exactly what Lady Sanchez had intended.

 

‘Ha, Lady Sanchez… she’s really annoying, isn’t she?’

 

I felt my insides boiling with anger.

 

* * *

 

“Since it’s come to this, let’s go quickly! Okay?!”

 

Unable to resist Lady Sanchez’s urging, the reading group members each got into carriages.

 

Lady Claudius, sitting across from me, had a strangely complicated expression.

 

“Lady Claudius, if you didn’t like Lady Sanchez’s suggestion, you could have refused.”

 

I spoke carefully.

 

Then Lady Claudius pressed her lips together and shook her head.

 

“It’s fine. I don’t want to make the atmosphere awkward because of me.”

 

“But…”

 

I trailed off.

 

It seemed like Lady Claudius didn’t want to talk more about this topic.

 

“Um, Lady Claudius.”

 

I eventually swallowed a sigh and changed the subject.

 

“Do you happen to know what kind of person the High Priest is?”

 

The second male protagonist of this world, Isaac Evans.

 

In the original work, he was described as a person with no particular flaws.

 

Well, since he was supposed to form a love line with the female protagonist Seraphina, it would be troublesome if he had flaws…

 

‘But Lady Claudius seems to find High Priest Evans somewhat uncomfortable.’

 

It wouldn’t hurt to know in advance.

 

Of course, it probably wouldn’t happen, but just in case we really did encounter High Priest Evans.

 

We could be careful from our side, right?

 

At my question, Lady Claudius hesitated.

 

“Ah.”

 

Then she answered in a reluctant voice.

 

“Well, he is my cousin brother… but, well, he’s a good person.”

 

Um, Lady Claudius.

 

Aren’t you speaking a bit too soullessly?

 

I looked at Lady Claudius, feeling a bit bewildered.

 

A moment later.

 

As if recalling something, Lady Claudius hesitantly continued.

 

“Honestly, High Priest Evans is a bit uncomfortable.”

 

“Uncomfortable?”

 

“Well…”

 

Lady Claudius, who had been trailing off for a moment, added ambiguously.

 

“He’s very kind, but it feels like he’s not really kind?”

 

What on earth does that mean?

 

“He clearly gives me advice for my sake and seems to move for my sake… but when the situation ends, I’ve become the bad person.”

 

Lady Claudius subtly furrowed her brow.

 

“To make an analogy… ah, yes. It’s like dealing with Lady Lopez.”

 

…That was truly a relatable comparison.

 

Understanding immediately how Lady Claudius felt, I let out a deep sigh inwardly.

 

Good grief, a person who resembles Seraphina.

 

Are my fantasies about male lead 2 going to be shattered like this?!

 

“But what’s even more annoying is, it feels unsettling but…”

 

Lady Claudius, who had been trailing off, finished her words with a complicated expression.

 

“It feels like I’m the strange one for feeling this way.”

 

“Hmm, I think I understand what you mean, sort of.”

 

“You have to experience it to know.”

 

Lady Claudius let out a soft sigh and muttered quietly.

 

“Well, it’s true that he’s handsome and capable. I understand why he’s popular with the ladies, but…”

 

Then she suddenly glared at me with sharp eyes.

 

“Anyway, High Priest Evans is off limits. I won’t allow it.”

 

Good heavens, what on earth is Lady Claudius thinking?

 

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

“Don’t worry. Thanks to meeting Lord Claudius, my standards have become too high.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Suddenly Lady Claudius’s eyes lit up like a hawk’s.

 

“Lady Ansi, what did you just mean by that?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Lady Claudius’s eyes widened as she pointed at me and exclaimed.

 

“That statement, does it mean Lady Ansi is interested in my brother…!”

 

“No!”

 

Really, what is Lady Claudius saying?!

 

I hurriedly put on a serious expression.

 

But Lady Claudius’s suspicious gaze didn’t easily subside.

 

“Are you really not interested?”

 

“…”

 

“My brother is at least somewhat decent-looking, isn’t he?”

 

“…”

 

“Oh come on, please answer me. Yes?”

 

I had to remain trapped in Lady Claudius’s feedback hell all the way to the Imperial Curia…

 

‘Well, Lord Claudius is such a wonderful person after all.’

 

While exercising my right to remain silent against Lady Claudius’s persistent questioning.

 

I comforted myself as I usually did.

 

‘It’s natural for me to feel human fondness toward him.’

 

But from deep in my heart, a secret voice questioned me.

 

‘Really? Is that really all it is?’

 

…And I couldn’t answer that question until we arrived at the Imperial Curia.

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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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