The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 62

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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 62

 

* * *

 

Imperial Curia.

 

The headquarters of the Imperial Religion, and along with the Imperial Palace and the Nobility Council, one of the three great powers of the Empire.

 

And it’s also a place where you can see more nobles than even at the Nobility Council.

 

The reason is roughly as follows.

 

Unless they hold two or more titles like the House of Claudius, second sons and beyond don’t inherit titles, so they have to figure out their own way to make a living.

 

Of course, the vast majority live off their family’s money while playing around, but occasionally those with ambition usually join a knightly order or become clergy.

 

Of course, there are cases where they marry a Lady with a title and inherit their wife’s title through an agreement between families.

 

But the other family isn’t foolish either, and wouldn’t they generally prefer to pass the title to their own daughter rather than a son-in-law?

 

Yes, I was that fool…

 

‘Anyway.’

 

With the meaning of asking them to look after their children serving as clergy, generous donations would come pouring in.

 

There’s also the dignity of being the headquarters of the Imperial Religion.

 

For various reasons like these, the Imperial Curia was decorated in truly magnificent splendor.

 

Under the afternoon sunlight, the building delicately constructed of pure white marble shone blindingly bright.

 

Looking at that majestic sight, I felt somehow overwhelmed.

 

Meanwhile, Lady Sanchez exclaimed with an extremely excited face.

 

“I heard that High Priest Evans works in the main building of the Imperial Curia!”

 

Lady Sanchez, who had been looking around with sparkling eyes, suggested in an excited voice.

 

“So shall we stop by the main building first?”

 

“Wait a moment, Lady Sanchez.”

 

Lady Sherwood asked back while suppressing a sigh.

 

“The main building is off-limits to civilians, isn’t it?”

 

The Imperial Curia was divided into the sanctuary and the main building.

 

The sanctuary was a place where civilians were allowed to visit, and where they could offer prayers or present offerings.

 

The main building was where the priests resided and conducted business, accessible only to authorized personnel.

 

However, Lady Sanchez was stubborn.

 

“It’s fine, I have a method I use well for times like this.”

 

Having said that, Lady Sanchez suddenly put on a troubled expression.

 

Then she cried out in an exaggerated voice.

 

“Oh my, where on earth did my handkerchief go?!”

 

“…”

 

I looked at Lady Sanchez with coldly cooled eyes.

 

Don’t tell me she’s planning to use that classic and childish tactic of losing something and going to look for it?!

 

“It’s a precious handkerchief my parents gave me as a gift, but it flew toward the main building because of the wind~!”

 

And then she actually started running toward the main building with quick steps?!

 

For reference, Lady Sanchez’s acting skills weren’t particularly outstanding…

 

“L-Lady Sanchez?!”

 

“Excuse me, that’s…!”

 

Is it really okay to do that?

 

The ladies who had been gauging each other’s reactions hurriedly chased after Lady Sanchez.

 

I slyly glanced at Lady Claudius from the corner of my eye.

 

Although Lady Claudius had a brightly smiling face, judging by her stiff eyes and trembling lips…

 

‘She wants to snap at her right now but is trying hard to hold back.’

 

Perhaps because of the incident earlier that made the atmosphere awkward.

 

It seems she’s being careful about her behavior.

 

‘Hmm, didn’t Lady Claudius say she finds the High Priest somewhat uncomfortable?’

 

If that’s the case, I should be careful not to get entangled with the High Priest as much as possible…

 

With that judgment, I subtly blocked Lady Sanchez’s path.

 

“Um, Lady Sanchez. I understand your desire to see High Priest Evans, but still, if we’ve come to the Imperial Curia, shouldn’t we follow the Imperial Curia’s rules?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I think the proper order would be to stop by the sanctuary first and present offerings.”

 

“But… it seems like it would be difficult to see the High Priest at the sanctuary.”

 

Lady Sanchez looked displeased.

 

Seriously, did she coat High Priest Evans with honey or something?

 

I forcibly suppressed the sigh that was about to burst out.

 

“If you absolutely must see the High Priest, I think it would be better to formally request an audience next time.”

 

I shrugged my shoulders.

 

“Wouldn’t it be more troublesome if High Priest Evans became displeased after we committed the rudeness of entering the main building without permission?”

 

“…That’s.”

 

“Since High Priest Evans is also a member of the Imperial Curia, he would naturally want visitors to show proper respect to the Imperial Curia.”

 

As I deliberately mentioned High Priest Evans again to persuade her,

 

“I also think Lady Ansi is right.”

 

Lady Claudius also added a word there.

 

“That’s right, we all came out today to refresh ourselves.”

 

“Of course it would be nice if we could meet the High Priest, but committing rudeness within the Imperial Curia is a bit…”

 

The other ladies also agreed with my words.

 

When Lady Claudius and the other ladies’ supporting fire continued, Lady Sanchez became dissatisfied but couldn’t argue further.

 

Thus, while heading to the sanctuary.

 

I stuck close to Lady Claudius’s side and whispered softly.

 

“Lady Claudius, are you alright?”

 

“Hm? About what?”

 

Lady Claudius looked back at me with a nonchalant expression.

 

But Lady Claudius’s stiff lips didn’t seem like they would relax easily.

 

* * *

 

Seraphina had come out to get some fresh air after a long time.

 

It was to shake off the depressed mood caused by the Peony Club and Gregory-related matters.

 

The place she had settled was a coffee house near the Imperial Curia, famous for being frequently visited by gentlemen.

 

Having ordered a cup of tea and sitting there quietly while pretending to read a poetry book.

 

The gentlemen gathered in the coffee house all flocked to Seraphina.

 

“My goodness, isn’t that Lady Lopez?”

 

“You look truly beautiful today as well.”

 

“To see Lady Lopez here, I’m truly delighted.”

 

“Please give me the opportunity to treat Lady Lopez.”

 

The gentlemen surrounding Seraphina poured out all sorts of sweet words.

 

Listening to those flatteries, Seraphina finally felt her low spirits improve somewhat.

 

But then.

 

“Did you hear about that?”

 

One of the gentlemen casually opened his mouth.

 

“Lady Claudius visited the Imperial Curia today.”

 

What?

 

Instantly, Seraphina’s eyes flashed sharply as she looked at him.

 

The startled gentleman hurriedly added.

 

“Well, what does Lady Claudius matter? The most pure lily of high society is right before my eyes.”

 

“Thank you for those kind words.”

 

Having answered thus, Seraphina elegantly rose from her seat.

 

“However, I think I should take my leave now. I just remembered something urgent.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Let’s meet again next time. Well then, farewell.”

 

Seraphina gracefully stepped outside with quick, light footsteps.

 

The gentlemen who had been staring at Seraphina’s retreating figure with dumbfounded expressions glared murderously at the gentleman who had first brought up the topic of the princess.

 

“Really, because of you, Youngshik, Lady Lopez became upset!”

 

“It was such a precious opportunity to be with Lady Lopez…!”

 

A moment later.

 

‘How dare they bring up the princess in front of me?’

 

Seraphina gritted her teeth furiously as she hurriedly climbed into the carriage.

 

‘Still… I need to assess the situation somehow.’

 

Perhaps this had worked out for the best.

 

The Imperial Curia would be an easy place to arrange a chance encounter.

 

Seraphina urgently spoke up.

 

“To the Imperial Curia.”

 

* * *

 

Colorful light poured down beneath the sanctuary decorated with stained glass.

 

At the entrance to the sanctuary, they were selling incense candles and pure white gerbera flowers as offerings to the gods.

 

Incidentally, there were also ornate vases containing gerbera bouquets, and the price of those vases was truly astronomical…

 

Since they even wrote names on the vases, it seemed like an arrangement to allow wealthy people to show off that ‘I made a donation.’

 

‘Hmm.’

 

Since I wasn’t such a devout believer, I just bought a single flower.

 

The other noblewomen were similar to me.

 

As I was writing in the guest book, the priest standing beside it suddenly looked surprised.

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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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