Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 113

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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‘Adriana….’
I turned the name over in my mind once more.
It suited my brother Askart well, and it was such a beautiful name.
Whether by chance or fate, I couldn’t say, but the fact that her nickname matched my own name made it feel all the more special.
Moreover.
‘That child, for whom a nickname was crafted with love even before birth….’
My throat tightened inexplicably.
The disappointment I’d felt moments before melted away softly, like a marshmallow dissolving atop steaming hot chocolate.
I was no longer sad.
The thought that I might be the child treasured so dearly that she couldn’t even grant a nickname to any other filled me with warmth.
“Bianca, you’re coming to the Duke’s Estate this evening as well, aren’t you?”
“Hmm? Yes, I received an invitation.”
“Hehe. I hope you’ll come soon. I’ll see you then!”
I was able to greet her with a bright voice without any effort.
Watching Bianca’s expression brighten, I bowed and quickly turned away.
The cold wind brushed against my cheeks as I walked briskly, yet I felt no chill.
Still, I found myself fidgeting with my hands.
I missed the warmth of the hand that had touched mine moments before. I wanted to hold that hand once more.
And if that day ever came, I wanted to tell her.
That I am your daughter.
* * *
After the child fled in confusion, a profound silence descended upon the Marquis’s Reception Room.
The only sound was when Bianca, who had been observing from the doorway, asked the Grand Duchess for permission to step away for a moment.
The Grand Duchess nodded her assent, and Bianca immediately turned and disappeared.
The Grand Duchess, watching in silence, turned to regard her father, whose face was deeply furrowed with displeasure.
Suddenly overcome with indignation, the Grand Duchess spoke coldly.
“Are you trying to use that child as a substitute?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I know that child is the same age as our Adriana. That’s why you had her call you grandfather, isn’t it?”
“What? That’s not it. I simply….”
The Marquis, hastening to make excuses, suddenly faltered and fell silent.
Was it truly not so?
He found himself inexplicably drawn to the child who approached him so warmly.
He wanted to see her worry over him and call him grandfather, just as she had on the day they first met.
‘Yes, perhaps without realizing it….’
Deep down, he might have been regarding that child as a replacement for Adriana.
“Why not have her registered as your daughter instead?”
The Grand Duchess, who had been staring at the Marquis’s clouded face, spoke with an icy expression.
“She might be accepted as a younger sister.”
“….”
Leaving the Marquis behind, unable to utter a word, the Grand Duchess hurried from the Reception Room when a sudden wave of dizziness struck her. She stumbled, her body swaying.
As the alarmed Maidservants rushed to support her, the Grand Duchess found herself staring down at her right hand.
The small child’s tiny hands had grasped it, and the warmth lingered there, tickling her skin.
Just moments ago, she had spoken coldly to the child’s father, even though she knew the child bore no fault.
But the instant she saw the tears gathering at the corners of the child’s eyes, her heart seemed to plummet.
Before her mind could catch up, her hand had already moved of its own accord to wipe away those tears.
Remembering how the child had flinched in surprise and curled inward, my heart became unbearably troubled.
The Grand Duchess spoke as if brushing away her tangled thoughts.
“I wish to bathe.”
“I shall prepare the bathwater at once.”
Returning to her room and waiting briefly, the Maidservants arrived once all preparations were complete.
Entering the bathroom filled with hot steam, the Grand Duchess dismissed the Maidservants.
Sinking quietly into the tub, she closed her eyes, trying to erase the scene that kept flickering before her vision.
Yet the image of the child cowering in fear, the sorrowful expression as she looked up at me—these would not fade.
My chest ached with a familiar, throbbing pain.
‘My Adriana too, like that child….’
Might she be somewhere, wounded in spirit and grieving?
Suddenly, regret crashed over me, and I splashed water across my face.
Yet the heaviness in my heart would not lift.
The Grand Duchess had not forgotten her daughter for a single moment, every day.
And she still believed her daughter lived.
Without that belief, she might have already surrendered everything.
But at the same time, that belief in her daughter’s survival always drew her into pain and despair.
What hardships might she be enduring in some harsh place, beyond the shelter of a loving parent’s care? Every moment brought torment from imagining the worst.
“Sigh….”
As another headache pressed down, the Grand Duchess held her forehead and exhaled a weary breath.
Yet the pain in her heart far exceeded the pain in her body.
“Adriana.”
My daughter, whom I long to see.
Merely thinking of her brought tears. Even with my eyes open, I yearned for her.
If I could only see my daughter, I would not hesitate to give my life—there is nothing I would not do.
“…I should rest a while longer.”
There was still time before the evening dinner at House Elrad.
Though the Grand Duchess had not long since risen, she decided to sleep again after bathing.
Last night, her daughter had appeared in her dream for the first time in ages.
Everything was hazy, yet she could tell. Her daughter was weeping.
But it was not the crying of pain or suffering as before.
The Adriana in her dream, smiling brightly through her tears, had said:
〈Mother, I’ve missed you so much.〉
〈I’m so happy to be part of our family.〉
“Even if I’m reborn, I want to be born as your daughter again.”
The Grand Duchess kissed her beautiful daughter—precious beyond measure—and held her close for a long while.
If only she could still dream that dream now.
She wished for it desperately.
* * *
As evening fell, two carriages from House Diapel rolled through the gates of the Duke’s Mansion.
The Marquis, the Grand Duke, and Askart descended from the leading carriage, while Bianca supported the Grand Duchess as she emerged from the one behind.
“Welcome.”
Duke Elrad, who had come out to the entrance, greeted them with a somewhat curt tone.
The Duchess beside him nudged his ribs, but today’s guests, who knew the Duke’s temperament well, said nothing.
“Still hopeless even as a Duke, I see. And why are you standing out in the cold with all these children?”
Of course, only the Marquis objected.
The Marquis clicked his tongue in disapproval and muttered, then glanced at the Duke who retorted, “You’re still the same as ever, sir,” before deliberately turning his gaze elsewhere.
His mind was on Lia.
After what happened this morning, the child must be quite upset.
He wanted to comfort her, but after confronting his own deepest feelings, he couldn’t bring himself to look her in the eye.
Yet his gaze kept drifting that way, and eventually he found himself looking at Lia, standing behind the Duchess and the children as they introduced themselves in turn.
Fortunately, the child seemed to have stopped crying—her expression looked better than it had this morning.
‘How strange.’
But her gaze was fixed on one person.
“It’s been a long time. Has it been since your last visit to the Grand Duchy?”
“Yes. Nearly ten years now.”
That person was Grand Duke Bellus, who was exchanging greetings with the Duke.
The Marquis turned his head away with an inward snort, though he understood.
That troublesome son-in-law who had stolen his daughter shone brilliantly even when doing cartwheels.
Of course, Lia was merely observing the Grand Duke, who might be her father, intently, but the Marquis, unaware of this, was lost in his own misguided thoughts.
Even as Lia stood with her parents, she noticed Askart standing awkwardly beside them like a detached island, and she shifted her gaze from observing the Grand Duke to look at him instead.
He seemed so lonely, and while keeping an eye on the Grand Duchess, who paid him no attention, Lia raised her hand and gave him a subtle wave.
Askart, who had been staring blankly ahead, somehow caught sight of it and his lips curved upward slightly.
As Askart’s expression brightened, Lia’s heart felt lighter too.
“Ah, it’s cold—how long are you going to keep everyone standing outside? There are children here and elderly folk too. Are you determined to make us all catch our death?”
At the Marquis’s insistence, the Duke shook his head and led everyone into the mansion.
After entering the hall, everyone was naturally heading toward the dining room when—
“Allen. You’ve made your greetings, so take your sister upstairs now.”
“What? We’re not eating with you?”
“Young children will only be a distraction while the guests dine.”
“Ugh.”
I was looking forward to dinner.
The Duchess laughed at Allen’s pouting lips as if she couldn’t help it and said,
“Diana, where should we have their meal prepared?”
“Sister’s room!”
“Yes. Make sure to tell her that, Lia. Go upstairs and wait for a moment.”
“Ah… Yes.”
Lia was taken aback by this unexpected turn of events.
She had naturally assumed that since guests had arrived, she wouldn’t be able to dine with them as usual.
‘I was planning to observe the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess up close while attending to Diana.’
Seeing Askart regard me with an apologetic expression, it seemed this arrangement had already been discussed beforehand.
I felt a bit deflated as the rare opportunity slipped away.
“Lia’s room is… in the Main Building of the Estate rather than the Maidservant Quarters?”
At that moment, Bianca, who had been standing quietly beside the Grand Duchess, asked with a puzzled tone.
“Yes! Sister’s room is right next to Dana’s!”
Diana answered proudly, gripping Lia’s arm tightly.
At those words, Lia’s shoulders lifted with pride.
Unless one was a direct descendant of House Elrad, even honored guests were not permitted to stay in the Main Building—much less any ordinary maidservant in the world.
This meant Lia was receiving extraordinary favor from House Elrad, and it signified she was a valued and recognized person.
Lia wanted to show only her best self to the Marquis, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, Askart, and Bianca.
More precisely, she wanted to appear not as a pitiful child with an unfortunate past, but as someone useful and worthy of love.
“Ah… Is that so?”
Yet Bianca’s expression upon hearing this was decidedly displeased.

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