The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 63

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 63

 

“Oh, Lady Claudius?”

 

Then he quickly bowed his head.

 

“Thanks to the regular donations from the ducal house, our Imperial Curia has been able to open more orphanages in the provinces. We are truly grateful.”

 

The ladies’ eyes widened as they looked at Lady Claudius.

 

Lady Claudius looked somewhat embarrassed.

 

“You may enter freely, Lady. We place flowers daily in the name of the ducal house.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Not at all. We are the ones who should be grateful.”

 

After Lady Claudius and the priest exchanged courteous words with each other.

 

We entered the sanctuary.

 

In the distance, I could see the altar housing the goddess statue.

 

Centered around the goddess depicted as a benevolent mother, vases filled with white flowers were arranged in an embracing manner.

 

The sight looked quite sacred.

 

The most prominent spot at the altar was undoubtedly the front area closest to the goddess statue.

 

Among them, there was one particularly ornate vase.

 

“Oh, look at that.”

 

One lady whispered with wide eyes.

 

“It’s the House of Claudius’s vase!”

 

Below the vase filled with exceptionally abundant gerbera flowers, the name ‘Claudius’ was engraved.

 

The ladies looked at Lady Claudius with sparkling eyes.

 

“The ducal house is devoted to charity as well…”

 

“How wonderful.”

 

Then Lady Sherwood, the book enthusiast, suddenly interjected.

 

“The House of Claudius is famous not only for upholding noble privileges but also for faithfully fulfilling their moral duties. This aspect is well explained in the book ‘Royal Blood’…”

 

“That’s, that’s enough. How embarrassing.”

 

Lady Claudius waved her hands dismissively with reddened cheeks.

 

The ladies, seeing Lady Claudius like this for the first time, each widened their eyes in surprise.

 

‘Ah, she’s finally starting to adapt.’

 

At first, she had her guard up defensively.

 

But now she seemed to be blending in well among the other ladies.

 

I smiled contentedly.

 

We each made our offerings accordingly.

 

However, in the midst of this, there was still one lady who hadn’t given up her attachment to High Priest Evans.

 

“Um, Lady Claudius.”

 

Lady Sanchez sent Lady Claudius an earnest look.

 

“May I ask you for just one favor?”

 

“…”

 

Lady Claudius looked back at Lady Sanchez with a very displeased expression.

 

But Lady Sanchez was quite persistent.

 

“Well, you’re related to High Priest Evans, aren’t you, Lady Claudius?”

 

“So?”

 

“The book we selected this time was written by the High Priest. If we could hear the author’s explanation directly, we’d understand the book’s content much better…”

 

Despite various excuses, it was ultimately a request to arrange a meeting with High Priest Evans somehow.

 

‘What on earth is she trying to do?’

 

I was just… speechless.

 

Did she just dump this on Lady Claudius?

 

Besides, there’s no way you could meet someone of the High Priest’s stature without even an appointment!

 

‘Lady Claudius will naturally refuse, right?!’

 

With that thought, I quickly turned to look at Lady Claudius.

 

‘Huh?’

 

I blinked in confusion for a moment.

 

Lady Claudius was gazing at me intently.

 

After hesitating briefly, Lady Claudius asked me in a complicated voice.

 

“Do you want to meet the High Priest too, Lady Ansi?”

 

“No. Not particularly.”

 

I shook my head firmly.

 

No matter how handsome and capable he might be, I don’t particularly want to meet someone of the same type as Seraphina…

 

‘Besides, Lady Claudius finds High Priest Evans uncomfortable.’

 

Even though I might be curious about the male protagonist, Lady Claudius is far more precious to me than any male protagonist.

 

Meanwhile, as soon as my answer fell, Lady Sanchez glared at me with intensity in her eyes.

 

‘Well, what do I care?’

 

I just ignored it.

 

Lady Claudius looked somewhat troubled, glancing back and forth between me and Lady Sanchez, then said,

 

“Alright. I’ll at least pass along the message to a priest.”

 

She naturally refused… wait?

 

‘What?!’

 

I stared at Lady Claudius with wide eyes.

 

Lady Claudius continued matter-of-factly.

 

“However, I should mention beforehand that the chances of rejection are high.”

 

“Yes, of course! Thank you so much!”

 

Lady Sanchez became extremely excited, her cheeks flushing bright red.

 

“…”

 

Lady Claudius, who glanced at me sideways one last time, left the spot.

 

I was left somewhat dazed.

 

‘What’s this about?’

 

Did Lady Claudius just agree to Lady Sanchez’s unreasonable request?

 

Lady Claudius would normally have refused outright…

 

Could it be because Lady Sanchez looked upset after hearing my answer?

 

…Was she considering my position?

 

‘This can’t be.’

 

I bit my lips tightly.

 

I knew it in my head too.

 

Having successfully concluded the salon, with the incident in the southern social circle, and consistently attending this reading group.

 

Lady Claudius’s reputation for arrogance had been considerably diluted compared to before.

 

However, that reputation hadn’t completely disappeared either.

 

So until now, I had tried to get through things as amicably as possible…

 

‘But they crossed the line first, didn’t they?’

 

Having had almost no interaction with Lady Claudius until now, yet making such an impolite request because she’s blinded by a man.

 

Is she in her right mind?

 

I looked back at Lady Sanchez with a sharp gaze.

 

* * *

 

At that moment.

 

Seraphina set foot in the Cathedral of the Patron Saints.

 

Having heard that Lady Claudius had visited the Imperial Curia with the reading group members, she had hurriedly followed to somehow create a point of contact.

 

Even so, her pride couldn’t help but be wounded.

 

‘No, I came here solely to make offerings at the temple.’

 

Seraphina convinced herself firmly.

 

‘I absolutely did not follow the reading group…!’

 

Seraphina, who was about to sign the visitor’s log at the sanctuary entrance, suddenly hesitated.

 

[Larit Ansi.]

 

[Evangeline von Claudius.]

 

The names written side by side were particularly irritating.

 

After glaring at those names for a moment, Seraphina soon put on a bright smile and called to the priest.

 

“Excuse me, Father. Did Lady Claudius perhaps offer flowers or a vase?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

The priest looked at Seraphina as if he had heard the most absurd question.

 

“Lady Claudius has no need to offer separate tributes. In the name of the House of Claudius, vases are always offered before God.”

 

“….”

 

Seraphina’s face subtly hardened for a moment.

 

‘I really hate this.’

 

Every time she suddenly realized the overwhelming difference between herself and Lady Claudius like this.

 

Lady Claudius felt like an insurmountable wall.

 

No matter how much Seraphina struggled, it seemed she would never be able to surpass Lady Claudius….

 

“Lady Lopez?”

 

The priest looked at Seraphina, who had suddenly grown quiet, with a suspicious expression.

 

Seraphina, who had snapped back to her senses, reflexively smiled with her eyes.

 

“Then could you give me a vase as well?”

 

“Ah, yes….”

 

The priest handed over a vase with a bewildered expression.

 

Seraphina’s shoulders stiffened as she paid for the vase.

 

‘Oh no.’

 

Only after seeing the amount did she finally regain her senses.

 

Seraphina clenched her molars tightly.

 

And for good reason, even though it was the most modest vase with the fewest flowers.

 

The money she paid for the vase was close to Seraphina’s living expenses for a week.

 

Larite’s support had been cut off long ago, and recently Gregory had become very cold toward Seraphina as well.

 

‘I need to somehow reduce my living expenses….’

 

The heavy weight in her hands suddenly felt burdensome.

 

But.

 

‘I can’t show a dejected appearance.’

 

Seraphina deliberately straightened her back even more and walked with light steps.

 

Whatever her inner feelings, she had to show as confident an appearance as possible as the lily of high society.

 

Just then.

 

‘Hm?’

 

Seraphina stopped in her tracks.

 

In the distance, she could see a lady hiding behind the columns.

 

Brilliant golden hair that sparkled like gold, and a luxury dress that was clearly from the finest brand.

 

From head to toe, she was as lovely as a porcelain doll crafted by an artisan….

 

‘Lady Claudius?’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————