Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 120

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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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“A sick child wouldn’t just disappear… Wait! Could she have gone to see the physician?”
Jack spoke, recalling how Lia had once obtained ointment from Baron Bardo, and how she’d practically shadowed the Duchess Elrad during her recovery.
Allen then struck his chest in frustration.
“That’s not it—she’s truly vanished! Her clothes, her belongings—they’re all gone. Even her travel bag!”
“…!”
Jack’s eyes widened as his heart seemed to plummet into his stomach.
Seeing Jack’s pallid expression, Allen realized he too had not seen Lia, and he spun around.
Jack, who had frozen momentarily, rushed after Allen toward the Main Building.
So absorbed had they been at the Training Grounds that they hadn’t noticed the entire Duke’s Mansion ablaze with light, servants moving about in frantic disarray.
Just then, the Duchess Elrad and Bianca, who stood before the Entrance Hall, spotted Allen.
“Allen.”
“Jack doesn’t seem to know either.”
“Ah….”
Bianca swallowed hard.
She had thought that perhaps her friend from the Orphanage might know something.
“According to the guards at the gate, Lia hasn’t left again since she returned from the Marquis’s Residence this afternoon….”
The Duchess Elrad spoke anxiously, biting her lip.
Bianca’s expression turned to shock at the revelation that the child, too ill to attend the Training Grounds, had gone to the Marquis’s Residence alone. Allen shared her bewilderment.
“In any case, that would mean she’s still somewhere within the Duke’s Mansion.”
“That’s….”
The Duchess Elrad couldn’t answer readily.
Just as the child had saved her with an unexpected ability, she now considered the possibility that the girl had slipped out undetected by anyone.
The state of the room—suggesting she had packed her own belongings and left rather than showing signs of intrusion—supported this theory….
Then it happened.
A massive carriage passed through the gates and entered the Duke’s Mansion.
She had sent word to the Duke at the Imperial Palace, but this quickly?
As the Duchess Elrad tilted her head in confusion, unexpected guests began to descend from the carriage.
“Your Highness the Grand Duke? The Grand Duchess and the Grand Duke’s son as well…. What brings you here without notice?”
The startled Duchess Elrad asked, and the Grand Duke, who seemed somewhat distracted, replied.
“That child—where is she now? I’d like to see her at once.”
“A child? Are you referring to Lia, perhaps?”
“Yes. Is she in her room? Where is she?”
As though even the time to send for her was precious, the Grand Duke moved to enter the Estate immediately.
While the bewildered Duchess Elrad gaped, Bianca’s gaze fell upon the Grand Duchess standing behind the Grand Duke.
Her eyes posed a silent question—what on earth was happening?—and the Grand Duchess frowned and shook her head in response.
Askart’s expression beside her was equally perplexed, making it clear that both had followed the Grand Duke here.
“Your Highness.”
At last, Bianca stepped before the Grand Duke, taking the place of the flustered Duchess Elrad.
“I’m uncertain what business brings you to seek Lia, but the child has already disappeared, and the Duke’s Mansion is in complete upheaval. We’re searching for her now—might you grant us a moment’s patience?”
And scarcely had Bianca finished speaking….
“Your Highness!”
The Grand Duke’s legs buckled beneath him, and he collapsed to the floor with a stagger.
* * *
“When on earth is he going to arrive?”
I sniffled softly, muttering to myself.
Winter had already stolen the daylight, and darkness enveloped everything around me—I could see nothing.
I was currently sitting on a bench in the Maze Garden of the Duke’s Mansion, the very place where I had been meeting with Darel.
I was huddled up, trying to escape the relentless snowfall, though it was a futile effort.
“I should have come out more slowly if I’d known it would be like this.”
After contacting Darel through the communication device I’d retrieved from the Wardrobe, I immediately began stuffing clothes, snacks, notebooks, and pens into my travel bag.
In the meantime, the communication device flickered with light—a signal of acknowledgment.
The person who always met with me was Lucio, who had become the Guild Master, so I had worried he might say it was difficult to meet today since he was staying in the Duchy. Fortunately, it seemed he intended to send another guild member instead.
‘Of course, he would naturally have trustworthy people who could move freely in and out of the Duke’s Mansion.’
Reassured, I dressed warmly and quietly slipped into the Maze Garden, concealing my presence.
“…I should have at least said goodbye to Diana.”
I intended to resolve this matter and return, but I had no idea how long it would take.
I muttered with a pang of regret before shaking my head.
I had left quietly with my luggage to avoid causing trouble for House Elrad, so a farewell was nonsensical.
I was well aware of the consequences my impulsive actions today would bring.
The enraged Grand Duchess might even lodge a formal complaint with House Elrad.
If not that, she would certainly tell the Grand Duke, Askart, and the Marquis.
I simply could not face the moment when the Marquis, Askart, and even the Grand Duke would regard me with the same contempt the Grand Duchess had shown.
Yet I could not confide in House Elrad either.
Perhaps Duke Elrad and the Duchess would take my words seriously.
Diana, who knew my true nature, might even try to resolve it together with them.
‘But what if, in that process, the relationship between House Elrad and the Bellus Grand Duchy fractures because they defend me?’
“That absolutely cannot happen.”
Even I did not know how the situation would unfold.
The damage I had already caused was immense—I could not afford to burden them further.
‘So I will resolve this alone.’
I planned to go to the Temple first and meet with a high Priestess or someone of equivalent rank to explain my situation and seek help.
With the strange phenomenon of repelling sacred power and the substantial sum of money I was prepared to offer, they would not simply dismiss me as a liar.
Of course, if they showed any sign of viewing me as ominous or suspicious, I would flee immediately.
No matter how densely packed the Holy Knights were, I could evade them if I set my mind to it.
‘The remaining problem is what happens if the Temple cannot provide answers either….’
Then where else could I go?
As I paused in thought and exhaled a sigh, a face materialized within the mist of my breath.
“…Master.”
Should I go to him, to Terenthium after all?
The Master I knew was someone who lacked nothing in knowledge and could accomplish anything.
Though she hadn’t seemed to realize that the Grand Duchess was me, perhaps hearing my situation would lead her to share something helpful.
‘If all else fails, I can at least ask about the location of that Great Sage who wanders the continent.’
Given the urgency of my predicament, I found myself unafraid even of encountering Jade or the guild executives.
In any case, I was grateful I’d earned money in advance. Whether it was the Temple or Terenthium, I would need funds to resolve this matter.
“Though it’s rather cold, I do wish I’d arrived sooner.”
Perhaps because I’d planned things out to some degree, I suddenly became aware of a chill creeping through my body and the gnawing of hunger.
Though I’d brought them only because Diana had given them to me as gifts, I was grateful I’d thought to wear the scarf, gloves, and ear coverings.
Yet even bundled up so thickly, the biting wind made the tip of my nose sting.
“…This makes me feel as though I’ve returned to my days as a beggar.”
I exhaled a cloud of misty breath and muttered with a bitter smile.
That was when it happened.
I felt the rustling of movement and the rapid approach of someone nearby.
‘My money! Has my money finally arrived!’
In my delight, I lifted my head from where I’d been huddled—and froze.
“Uh, u….”
Before me stood someone who should not be here at all, and I could only gape in shock.
“You.”
Despite the snow falling heavily, sweat beaded on his forehead as he clenched his teeth and stepped toward me, one pace at a time.
I stared at the man who appeared to be in an extraordinary rage, my mouth opening and closing soundlessly.
My face was likely as pale as his expression was fierce.
“Y-Young Master.”
It was Lucio in his true form, without even an artifact to alter his appearance.
* * *
“Weren’t you supposed to have gone to the Duchy? Surely you didn’t stay behind—no, that can’t be right.”
Lucio looked down at the child who had driven him to the brink of madness, barely managing to suppress his agitation.
The child seemed unable to believe he was here, her words tumbling out incoherently.
Of course, Lucio found it equally unbelievable.
While conducting his inspection of the Duchy, he had noticed the communication stone he always carried with him beginning to glow.
He kept it on him so that if anything arose at the Guild during his absence, he would know immediately.
But unexpectedly, it was Lia who was trying to reach him.
There was still time before the agreed-upon date for payment, yet her message urgently requested that he bring the money. Lucio had been taken aback.
He couldn’t even remember how he’d managed to mount a horse and make his way to the teleportation zone, arriving in the Capital City.
There were still matters to attend to in the Duchy, but none of it seemed to matter.
His mouth had gone dry from a terror that if he didn’t meet her immediately, he would lose this child forever.
And if he simply let her slip away like this….
Lucio had a premonition that he would regret it with a desperation he could scarcely believe of himself. His eyes had gone half-wild.
“Young Master, why on earth are you….”
Yet now that the child was before him, he too felt bewildered.
What had he been thinking, coming all this way? What could this child possibly mean to him….
Nevertheless, driven by an impulse to confirm the existence before him, Lucio pulled Lia into his embrace.
As the flustered child trembled like a fragile bird, Lucio finally exhaled in relief.
‘That’s right. There’s no way. You wouldn’t leave me again.’
Lucio murmured these words to himself without thinking, then paused as he heard his own voice.

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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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