The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 95

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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 95

 

The place where I am now is the Hall of the Sun.

 

Among all the rooms, this was the Portrait Room I had been most looking forward to.

 

Befitting a family known for its beautiful members, all the portraits displayed in the Portrait Room boasted exquisite appearances.

 

But among them all, the childhood portraits of Lord Claudius and Lady Claudius were incomparable.

 

Brilliant golden hair, and the distinctive azure eyes characteristic of Claudius.

 

Fair skin, delicate features, and cheeks as rosy as ripe apples.

 

I wanted to look behind them to see if angel wings were hidden there!

 

However.

 

‘…Somehow, none of Lord Claudius’s portraits show him smiling.’

 

Unlike Lady Claudius who was beaming brightly, Lord Claudius had an expressionless face despite his young age.

 

The only portrait where he was smiling was…

 

‘Just one family portrait.’

 

A portrait showing the Previous Lord and Lady Claudius sitting alongside their two children.

 

Lord Claudius and Lady Claudius looked no older than ten at most.

 

Lord Claudius’s expressionless face, and his face smiling brightly like a boy of that age.

 

Looking at these two contrasting portraits somehow made me feel strange.

 

‘Well, it must have been very difficult for him.’

 

It was described in detail in the original work too.

 

The Claudius siblings who lost both parents at a young age.

 

And the young Lord Claudius’s struggles as he worked tirelessly day and night to protect his family.

 

Of course, that past was used as an element to advance the love line between the two, with the kind and pure Seraphina comforting Lord Claudius…

 

‘Ugh, why am I thinking about Seraphina.’

 

I quickly shook off those thoughts.

 

“Ah, this portrait?”

 

Just then, Lady Claudius came running up to my side and looked at the portrait.

 

“This was painted when I was five years old.”

 

“Then Lord Claudius was…”

 

“Nine years old.”

 

“…”

 

As far as I knew, I had heard that the Previous Lord and Lady Claudius passed away when Lord Claudius turned ten.

 

How many things must have happened in that one year.

 

…For the expression to disappear from that cheerful face.

 

But then.

 

“Evangeline.”

 

Someone calmly called Lady Claudius’s name.

 

‘Ah, this voice?’

 

When I turned around, Lord Claudius was standing there.

 

“It’s been a while, Lady Ansi.”

 

As soon as our eyes met, Lord Claudius gave me a gentle eye smile.

 

‘Ah.’

 

My heart suddenly started pounding wildly.

 

No, heart. Please calm down.

 

There’s no need to go this crazy over just one eye smile, is there?

 

Could you please consider your owner’s dignity?

 

“I greet Lord Claudius.”

 

To hide my flushed face.

 

I politely bowed to Lord Claudius.

 

Then Lord Claudius made a strangely disappointed expression and lightly shook his head.

 

“When it’s just us, there’s no need to be so formal.”

 

“Still…”

 

“How should I put it, I thought Lady Ansi and I had grown a bit closer compared to before.”

 

When I hesitated a little, Lord Claudius asked me with a somewhat dejected look.

 

“Was that just my misunderstanding?”

 

Ha, really.

 

When the man considered the most handsome in this world drops his shoulders and asks like that.

 

How could I possibly answer ‘That’s not true’?

 

At least for someone like me who’s a sucker for good looks, it’s impossible!

 

“I’m truly happy that Lord Claudius would say such a thing.”

 

I smiled brightly while pretending to be composed.

 

“Speaking of which, you helped me so much with Gusto’s matter, but I’m late in expressing my gratitude. I don’t know how to thank you…”

 

“No, it’s fine.”

 

Lord Claudius added nonchalantly.

 

“I didn’t help expecting gratitude from the beginning.”

 

Hmm, then did he help me for Lady Claudius’s sake after all?

 

…But that’s a bit strange, isn’t it.

 

Even though I’m currently Lady Claudius’s closest friend.

 

He even risked conflict with the Imperial Curia, and that luxurious legal team too…

 

‘No, stop reading into things!’

 

I hurriedly stopped myself from trying to assign meaning to each of Lord Claudius’s actions.

 

Really, at this rate I might end up having a wedding with Lord Claudius in my head!

 

Just then.

 

‘Huh?’

 

I tilted my head.

 

‘Lord Claudius, don’t you look strangely tired today too?’

 

The dark shadows under his eyes.

 

And his complexion that looked somewhat paler than usual.

 

The unfair part was that even with such a tired look, his decadent beauty was more pronounced…

 

“Um, Lord Claudius.”

 

I unconsciously spoke to Lord Claudius.

 

“You look tired. Have you been sleeping well lately?”

 

“Ah.”

 

Lord Claudius made an ‘oops’ expression and unnecessarily brushed his mouth with his hand.

 

Then he smiled awkwardly.

 

“I’ve been a bit busy with work lately… Does it show?”

 

It’s not just showing, it’s beyond that level.

 

Your under-eyes are pitch black!

 

“Um, how about getting some rest?”

 

After hesitating for a moment, I carefully suggested.

 

“You look too tired.”

 

“That much?”

 

“Yes. I know how responsible Lord Claudius is about work, but your health is important too.”

 

I tried my best to persuade Lord Claudius.

 

“If Lord Claudius’s health were to deteriorate, all work would come to a halt. Wouldn’t that be more inefficient…”

 

“Right, right. Larit is correct.”

 

Then Lady Claudius’s eyes lit up like a hawk’s as she quickly chimed in.

 

“Brother, your face is no joke right now. Your under-eyes are pitch black, you know? You’re not a ghost!”

 

“Evangeline, a ghost really.”

 

Lord Claudius groaned, but Lady Claudius was relentless.

 

“So, how about we all go to the villa together for some fun?”

 

“Villa?”

 

“Yes! Since Larit came all the way to Lord Claudius’ Domain to visit, and brother needs some rest too. Isn’t that fine?”

 

“Ah, I think it might be difficult for me to…”

Lord Claudius, who was about to answer absentmindedly, suddenly flinched.

Because Lady Claudius was glaring at Lord Claudius with truly murderous eyes.

 

‘Wait, why is she glaring like that?’

 

Her gaze was so fierce that even I, watching from the side, felt my knees go weak for no reason…

 

Lord Claudius hastily nodded his head.

 

“Yes, that’s a good idea.”

 

“Right? It’s totally a good idea, isn’t it?”

 

Only then did Lady Claudius smile brightly.

 

Even in that smile, I could feel the silent pressure saying, ‘Hurry up and agree with me!’

 

“Y-yes, of course.”

 

“Evangeline, you’re right.”

 

Lord Claudius and I hastily nodded our heads.

 

And just like that, as quick as roasting beans in lightning, our rest at the villa was decided.

 

* * *

 

“Since we’re talking about it, it’s better to go quickly, right?”

 

Lady Claudius argued this way.

 

Unable to overcome her momentum, we headed straight to Claudius’ Villa as soon as the next day arrived.

 

The villa was a cozy two-story manor built near a large lake.

 

The manor built with rose-colored bricks was lovely, like a house where fairies from fairy tales would live.

 

“My goodness, it’s so pretty.”

 

I looked around with sparkling eyes.

 

The colorfully tinted autumn leaves were more vibrant than flowers in full bloom.

 

Behind the manor stretched a gentle backhill, which was red as if on fire with autumn colors.

 

“Do you like it?”

 

“Of course! It’s so beautiful!”

 

I answered Lady Claudius’ question, completely excited.

 

However, there was just one thing that bothered me…

 

‘Lord Claudius, are you really okay?’

 

I glanced at Lord Claudius out of the corner of my eye.

 

And for good reason, since the shadows under Lord Claudius’ eyes were even darker than yesterday.

 

‘He looks extremely tired.’

 

Well, considering how much he’s been working lately, it’s amazing he hasn’t collapsed.

 

Did he perhaps overexert himself to come to the villa with us?

 

Just as I was observing Lord Claudius with suspicious eyes.

 

‘Ah.’

 

I suddenly froze for a moment.

 

Because Lord Claudius was looking straight at me, as if he had sensed my gaze.

 

As soon as our eyes met, Lord Claudius gave me a gentle eye-smile.

 

“I’m glad you like the villa.”

 

I answered, trying to act nonchalant.

 

“It’s all thanks to Lady Claudius and Lord Claudius.”

 

Then Lady Claudius immediately put on a serious expression.

 

“Lady Claudius? We agreed you’d call me by my nickname, Evangeline!”

 

“W-well, it’s not just us here, Lord Claudius is with us too…”

 

I hastily made an excuse.

 

Right?

 

When it’s just Lady Claudius and me alone, it’s perfectly fine to call her casually, but when Lord Claudius is present, it’s better to maintain proper etiquette…

 

“That’s rather hurtful.”

 

Huh?

 

Confused, I turned to look at Lord Claudius.

 

At the same time, Lord Claudius added playfully.

 

“It seems I’m not included in the ‘us’ that Lady Ansi speaks of.”

 

Though his voice was playful, his tone seemed to have a subtle edge to it.

 

“That’s…”

 

As I was at a loss for words, trailing off for a moment.

 

Lord Claudius asked me with a dizzyingly beautiful eye-smile.

 

“Couldn’t you include me in that ‘us’ as well?”

 

“…”

 

My heart suddenly dropped with a thud.

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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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