Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 100

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

Over three weeks remained until the Academy’s graduation ceremony.
Yet I had heard distinctly that the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, along with Bianca who served as their escort, had departed from Bellus early.
Bianca had mentioned in her last letter that something surprising would happen—apparently, this visit was it.
“Ah, Lia.”
“She’s come to fetch the Young Lady.”
The moment I appeared, the maidservants who had been cleaning quickly cleared a path for me.
They even stopped mid-conversation and straightened their posture, which felt oddly unsettling.
My relationship with the servants had never been particularly intimate, but now the distance felt more pronounced than before.
‘…Somehow they treat me with the formality reserved for someone of higher station?’
I wasn’t entirely certain, but it seemed my actions when the Duchess collapsed had left an impression.
Word had circulated that the antidote herb ‘Splecia,’ which formed the basis of the antidote that saved the Duchess’s life, was something I had discovered in the Duke’s Castle.
In any case, I was aware that my position within the Duke’s Mansion had become ambiguous—no longer merely a maidservant attending to Diana.
Above all, when I recalled what had transpired in the Duke’s study not long ago….
〈Here are the reports from the places where you requested investment. While other ventures prosper, the abandoned mine in the south has yielded an exceptional abundance of high-grade rubies.〉
I had thought there would be nothing left to surprise me, yet the Duke, speaking quietly, let out a hollow laugh.
He seemed to think it troublesome if I were already astonished at merely the beginning of success, so I examined the profit report he handed me and nodded silently.
The amount was quite substantial, even though it represented only a portion of the revenue I would eventually collect.
An amount unimaginable for a typical nine-year-old child to possess.
But that was not all.
〈I have consulted with Baron Bardo and deposited your share of the antidote formula you provided into your vault.〉
Upon checking the vault balance the Duke casually mentioned, my jaw fell open at the endless procession of figures.
Seeing this, the Duke exhaled a faint sigh.
〈Yes. Considering its value, it is woefully insufficient. However, according to the Baron, while successful cultivation is the priority, with the formula in hand, the antidote will be produced swiftly. I have substantially increased your share of the antidote profits, so do not feel slighted.〉
Slighted? If anything, it was overwhelming and burdensome, yet the Duke continued without sensing my true feelings.
〈Therefore, if it is a matter of finances, you may cease your maidservant duties whenever you wish.〉
The Duke’s true intentions seemed complex as he spoke those words.
He had previously shown displeasure at my working as a maidservant.
Yet it seemed he harbored considerable conflict, perhaps because I had firmly rejected his earlier offer.
He was likely concerned about what would become of Diana if I were to quit and leave the Duke’s Mansion.
〈Treat this place as your own home.〉
As I reminisced about my exchange with the Duke, Lucio’s words suddenly surfaced in my mind.
And without thinking, I shook my head.
‘That could never be possible….’
No matter how close we became, he was still a man—and if I were to stop working, there would be no reason to remain here.
The moment Lucio returned, I would have to avoid lingering comfortably in the Main Library as I did now.
He would have much to manage as he formally assumed his authority as heir, and he would need to attend to matters concerning Darel—I could not encroach upon his space.
‘I’ll think about this slowly. I was planning to become independent anyway.’
Given my age, the House Elrad would not rush to cast me out immediately.
But soon enough, those around me would learn that I had amassed wealth, and I could not remain merely a maidservant indefinitely.
‘I should prepare precautions in advance.’
I had thought about it before, but there might be people approaching a child who suddenly became wealthy.
Arriving at Diana’s door, I decided it was necessary to drive a nail through any foolish dreams from the start.
Suddenly the door burst open, and Diana came rushing out, followed by a teacher with a dazed expression.
“Sister, let’s go!”
I bowed to the teacher on behalf of the child tugging at my hand and spoke as I moved forward.
“Young Lady, you seem to be in a good mood today.”
“Yes! Big brother’s coming!”
Seeing Diana’s flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes for the first time in a while, my mood lifted as well.
A month ago, Duke Fairount and his wife, along with Aiden, departed for the Dhamba Kingdom.
Though they would return in a few months, the friend who visited every day had suddenly vanished, and Diana, still unaccustomed to parting, had been quite forlorn.
‘And on top of that, Allen too….’
Instead of Lucio returning, this time Allen was leaving for the Academy.
Unlike Lucio, Allen had been by my side since birth, playing with me and caring for me, and I couldn’t imagine how great the sense of loss would be when he departed.
So I had been concerned about Diana seeming quite melancholy lately, but at least she seemed excited because Lucio was coming today, which was a relief.
“Sparkly big brother is nice!”
“…What?”
“The sparkly big brother who looks like sister is coming to our house today! Right?”
At that moment, Diana asked me with her eyes shining brightly.
Could it be that the big brother I mentioned earlier….
“Aha. Yes, that’s right. The Grand Duke’s son will be visiting.”
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
* * *
A carriage could be seen entering through the main gate of the estate in the distance.
In front of the main building, the Duchess Elrad and Allen, whom I had rarely seen lately due to his intensive training, were already waiting.
Before I could even pretend not to notice, I quickly positioned Diana beside Allen, and I stood behind them.
The carriage door opened, and a beautiful boy emerged as if his eyes were opening to the world.
‘Somehow his beauty seems to shine even more brightly than when I saw him last time.’
A breeze happened to blow, and his golden hair, like the sun itself, fluttered softly.
I stared blankly as his slightly long bangs swayed once more with the tilt of his head, and then I met his beautifully shaped eyes beneath his forehead.
At the same moment, Askart’s eyes curved gracefully.
“Grand Duke’s son, welcome.”
“Good day, Duchess Elrad.”
While Askart greeted the Duchess Elrad, Lucio descended from the carriage behind him.
Deliberately turning my head away, I caught sight of Askart handing a bouquet of yellow sunflowers he had been holding to the Duchess Elrad.
“Thank you for inviting me to lunch.”
“Oh my, you didn’t need to….”
“I couldn’t possibly come empty-handed to meet you, madam.”
With a smile like a spring breeze, I felt the maidservants standing at a distance stir with emotion.
Askart’s beautiful appearance aside, they seemed surprised by his gentle and affectionate demeanor, something rarely seen in the usually cold men of House Elrad.
Then Diana raised her hand and exclaimed, “What about me?!”
Askart smiled and offered another bouquet. This time, it was lily of the valley.
“Wow!”
Watching Diana bounce with delight as she accepted the flowers, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Though Allen beside her grumbled, “Brother, you’re such a flirt!”
That was when it happened.
“Hello.”
Askart turned his head and greeted me.
His warm gaze made my chest tighten inexplicably.
“This one is for you.”
“I… yes?”
Before I could return the greeting properly, Askart extended a bouquet toward me.
I accepted it in a daze, muttering absently.
“Pink roses?”
“Oh my, sister, you’re so beautiful!”
Diana gazed at me in rapture as I held the bouquet, then suddenly clapped her hand over her mouth in alarm.
Worried she’d broken her promise to keep it secret, I reassured her by gently stroking her head before speaking to Askart.
“Thank you so much, Your Highness. This is the first time I’ve ever received flowers.”
Who would give a bouquet to a nine-year-old orphaned commoner, after all?
Whether in this life or my previous one, I had never received flowers from anyone before, making this moment feel extraordinarily precious.
“Ahem, ahem.”
Suddenly, the Duchess Elrad cleared her throat, drawing attention.
“Your Highness, the Diapel Marquis Estate has been vacant for quite some time. Won’t it be inconvenient for you to stay there immediately? If you’d like, you’re welcome to remain at the Duke’s Mansion while it’s being prepared.”
“No, thank you. The estate has its own staff, so there’s no need for concern. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
“I see…”
The Duchess Elrad laughed awkwardly at Askart’s courteous response.
Once the Duchess Elrad finished speaking, Askart looked at me again.
“I didn’t know what flowers you liked, so I chose ones I enjoy. Do you like them?”
His voice carried a hint of nervousness, and I quickly nodded.
“I love them very much. I didn’t know what flowers I liked either, but from now on, I’ll say that pink roses are my favorite.”
As I answered shyly, Askart’s eyes widened briefly before softening into a gentle smile.
“Is that so? Then would you like to visit the Diapel Marquis Estate sometime? There’s a greenhouse there where pink roses bloom all year round.”
Startled by the unexpected invitation, I stared at him, and he quickly added,
“It’s not far from the Elrad Duke’s Mansion. It’s right next door.”
That was something I already knew.
The Diapel Marquis Estate, where Askart would be staying until graduation, was located directly across from the Duke’s Mansion.
‘Though calling it next door is a bit of a stretch given how vast both estates are.’
Now that I thought about it, I’d always wondered how the connection between House Bellus and House Elrad began, but I’d learned the answer recently.
It seemed the Duke and the Grand Duchess had been childhood friends.

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