The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 84

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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 84

 

“…Evangeline.”

 

“When a friend is in trouble, it’s natural to help them. Even if it were a complete stranger, hearing such an outrageous story would make anyone roll up their sleeves to help.”

 

As I was left speechless, Lady Claudius glared at me with narrowed eyes.

 

“What kind of trouble are you in that you’re apologizing and saying you’re sorry?”

 

“B-but.”

 

“But what! This wasn’t even Larit’s fault to begin with!”

 

At that moment.

 

A shock like being struck in the head washed over me.

 

‘…Right, this isn’t my fault.’

 

That fact suddenly hit me with full force.

 

The one at fault was Gregory, and I was clearly an innocent victim who got caught up in this.

 

While efforts to resolve the situation were necessary, I didn’t need to be so harsh on myself.

 

“So don’t you dare say such things again. Understood?”

 

Lady Claudius threatened me once more.

 

I quietly nodded my head.

 

“…Yes.”

 

Lady Claudius, who had been looking at me with pitying eyes, made a fuss as if for me to hear.

 

“Come to think of it, have you had dinner?”

 

“Not yet.”

 

“Perfect! I haven’t had dinner yet either.”

 

Lady Claudius grabbed my arm tightly and chattered in a bright voice.

 

“When you’re feeling bad, eating something delicious is the best remedy. How about steak? Or maybe chicken?”

 

Lady Claudius was desperately trying to cheer me up.

 

Facing such kindness from her, I was finally able to smile for the first time.

 

* * *

 

Gregory was in an unusually good mood.

 

‘See, why did you try to run away from me?’

 

Gregory, who had gotten out of the carriage, hummed a tune as he entered the Gusto Family’s Townhouse.

 

The marriage registration had been successfully submitted.

 

And in front of everyone, he had made a grand proposal to Larite.

 

So now in high society, their relationship would be accepted as practically a done deal.

 

‘Just as planned.’

 

So, if he waited just a little longer, Larite would fall right into his hands.

 

‘I need to teach that insolent girl a lesson!’

 

Just as Gregory was grinning, lost in pleasant delusions.

 

“Gregory.”

 

A stern voice calling his name was heard.

 

Gregory, who was about to enter his room, stopped short.

 

“Father?”

 

Lord Gusto was standing on the landing.

 

The count, who had been staring at his son with an unreadable expression, soon turned around.

 

“Follow me.”

 

A short while later, in the head of house’s study.

 

Lord Gusto asked in an irritated tone.

 

“What exactly are you scheming? Making such a spectacle of proposing to that Larite girl.”

 

“I came up with a brilliant method.”

 

Gregory answered in an excited voice.

 

“First, I’ll register the marriage, then persuade Larite. Wouldn’t that work?”

 

“What?”

 

At that absurd statement, Lord Gusto’s face crumpled with displeasure.

 

Gregory’s explanation that followed went roughly like this:

 

His plan was to legally bind Larite through marriage registration, then use the time it takes for legal review before divorce to persuade Larite.

 

Of course, the situation wasn’t entirely optimistic.

 

First, there was considerable resistance from Larite herself.

 

She insisted she had never agreed to proceed with marriage registration.

 

If she had been willing to register their marriage, she wouldn’t have sent a letter breaking off their engagement in the first place.

 

She was vehemently denying everything.

 

So, if it eventually went to a marriage nullification lawsuit, he would lose, but…

 

“Typically, whether it’s marriage nullification or divorce, legal review takes at least 3 years, doesn’t it? And 3 years is plenty of time to make various efforts to obtain the Ansi Viscountcy.”

 

Gregory shrugged his shoulders smugly.

 

“Well, how long could someone like her keep resisting? If she continues with the lawsuit, it would just pile scandal upon the House of Ansi.”

 

Larite had considerable responsibility and affection for her family.

 

The Larite he knew would find it unbearable for her family’s name to become the subject of gossip.

 

“So first, I’ll establish our legal marriage status…”

 

Gregory, who had been boasting proudly, glanced sideways at Lord Gusto.

 

He had no doubt that his father would praise him.

 

But something was strange.

 

‘Huh?’

 

The count’s face was gradually turning red and blue.

 

As if anger was rising all the way to the top of his head…

 

“You call that… babbling… words?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Gregory looked at his father with a bewildered expression.

 

At the same time, Lord Gusto struck the desk with all his might.

 

Bang!

 

“If you’re going to cause trouble, you should at least properly check whether there are problems with handling the matter!”

 

“F-Father?!”

 

“You cause such a big incident without even checking properly?!”

 

Lord Gusto glared at Gregory while grinding his teeth.

 

Gregory muttered stupidly.

 

“Pardon? What do you mean…”

 

“The marriage registration you submitted was wrong!”

 

What?!

 

Gregory’s eyes widened.

 

“The Marriage Registry Office contacted me! Really, is there nothing you can do properly?!”

 

“W-wrong, you say?”

 

That couldn’t be possible.

 

Gregory’s pupils shook violently.

 

Because he was confident that he had properly submitted the marriage registration.

 

During the time when Larite had once clung to Gregory, she had acted as if she would give him her liver and gallbladder.

 

So he was able to learn all of Larite’s intimate information needed for document preparation.

 

And the Marriage Registry Office that received the documents hadn’t raised any particular issues either.

 

“Tsk.”

 

Lord Gusto clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction and spoke.

 

“Well, never mind. I’ve covered up that problem as much as possible for now.”

 

“T-then is my marriage registration with Larite still maintained?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The count nodded and earnestly advised again.

 

“So you focus on somehow catching that Larite Ansi girl.”

“Yes, Father.”

 

Gregory bowed his head, his face pale as death.

 

At the same time, Count Gusto muttered quietly to himself.

 

“Well, perhaps this worked out for the best. The Ansi Viscountcy is too valuable to let slip away like this.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I’m saying your words have some merit.”

 

The Count stroked his chin and muttered quietly.

 

“That little thing has already completed the marriage registration, so what can we do about it now?”

 

After a long silence, Count Gusto slowly raised his gaze.

 

His foolish and inadequate second son.

 

There wasn’t a single thing about him that he found appealing.

 

However.

 

‘If I can use that fool to somehow get my hands on the Ansi family…’

 

It would be a profitable deal.

 

Count Gusto patted Gregory’s shoulder a couple of times.

 

“So from now on, don’t make any mistakes and do well. Understood?”

 

It was the first time he had ever heard encouragement from his father.

 

Gregory’s face instantly brightened.

 

“Yes!”

 

* * *

 

Recently, Seraphina had been terribly depressed.

 

Ever since being humiliated at Restaurant Bailey, no one had been inviting her to any gatherings.

 

“…How can Gregory ignore me so completely like this?”

 

Seraphina, who had been holed up in her room all day without even eating, suddenly gritted her teeth and muttered.

 

It had already been a week since she had been confined to the Shared Townhouse.

 

But Gregory seemed completely uninterested in whether she was living well, sleeping properly, or eating regularly.

 

“This is really too much!”

 

Her anger was short-lived.

 

Growl.

 

A loud rumbling sound echoed from her stomach.

 

Seraphina, who had been frowning irritably, soon got up from her seat with unsteady steps.

 

“Sigh, even though I’m starving like this… Gregory won’t even show his face.”

 

Normally in such cases, a servant would prepare a light meal, but Seraphina’s family, the Lopez Family, was quite poor.

 

To bring servants into the Shared Townhouse, they would need to rent separate quarters for the servants to use.

 

They couldn’t afford to rent those quarters, so they couldn’t even bring servants from their hometown.

 

Previously, she had lived lavishly with support from the House of Ansi and Count Gusto’s House, but…

 

“This is really annoying.”

 

Seraphina stepped outside with irritated steps.

 

Until now, with help from her friends, Seraphina had never gotten her hands wet.

 

Naturally, she couldn’t cook at all, so instead she planned to buy something to tide her over.

 

But then.

 

‘Huh?’

 

Seraphina, who had stepped outside, tilted her head.

 

The atmosphere felt strange.

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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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