Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 121

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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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Why? Why is it happening again?
Lucio had felt an incomprehensible emotion from the moment he first met Lia.
Ever since she arrived at the Guild, he’d been seized by an anxiety that she might suddenly disappear somewhere one day.
But she had never actually left, not even once.
A strange unease sent a chill down Lucio’s spine, though it didn’t lead to deeper contemplation.
“I told you not to leave my side without permission.”
Lucio pulled the child away, his expression somewhat irritated.
The child looked up at him with startled eyes.
After roughly washing his face, Lucio smoothed back his disheveled hair neatly and fastened the loose buttons on his sleeves, straightening his appearance.
Observing the perspiration beading on his forehead and his slightly trembling hands, Lucio finally realized just how tense he had been.
“I truly don’t understand why I’m like this either… but it doesn’t matter anymore.”
He muttered quietly, clenching his fists tightly.
Lucio was the heir of a great noble house, born amid universal attention and expectations, and his entire life consisted solely of the goal to inherit his family’s legacy honorably and protect them.
Until now, he had pursued that goal without a single deviation, and aside from his family, he had never allowed anyone to cross the boundary he had drawn.
Except for this intruder standing before him, who had recklessly shattered the order and rules he had upheld his entire life.
“When you’re involved, my mind seems to malfunction. But that’s fine.”
“…Young Master?”
“Just stay here, beside me. Don’t even think about running away.”
As he spoke while eyeing the large travel bag placed on the bench, the child flinched at his piercing gaze and hunched her shoulders.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying, Young Master.”
Lucio’s eyes narrowed as he watched the child play innocent.
“Another lie. You already know who I am. You know how I got here too.”
…
“Or should I come back in a form you recognize?”
The moment he asked if she wanted him to put on the earring enchanted with a transformation spell and appear as the Guild Master, the child shook her head rapidly in surprise.
At her reaction, Lucio’s irritation subsided somewhat.
The child’s outfit, which suddenly caught his eye, also helped ease his mood.
From the white fur ear muffs to the scarf and gloves, and the warm boots with bells.
She was wearing every item they had selected together when she went out with Diana last time, without exception.
But looking closely, her face was completely frozen from how long she must have been waiting outside.
He should have mentioned it would take some time.
He regretted sending the signal through the communication stone immediately, fearing that if he said he’d be delayed, she might leave without even accepting payment.
Suddenly, Lucio’s eyes sharpened.
Her face was so flushed from the cold that he hadn’t noticed at first, but looking carefully, her eyes were swollen and tear marks remained.
“Who was it.”
“…Pardon?”
“Who made you cry.”
As he pressed the question like an interrogation, the child, who had been keeping her mouth firmly shut, offered a small rebuttal.
“I didn’t cry.”
If that were true, she should at least manage her expression properly. Yet her eyes were drooping downward in an instant, her face looking as though she might burst into tears at any moment.
Lucio parted his lips with a faint chuckle.
* * *
“I hate people who lie to me. No matter who they are.”
“….”
“…I’ll overlook it a few times, though.”
I opened my mouth at Lucio’s shameless words.
‘Yet here you are, scattering lies everywhere and secretly running the Guild.’
And what did he mean by “overlook it a few times”? What was that supposed to mean?
But Lucio, seemingly uninterested in resolving my confusion, spoke again.
“So tell me. Who hurt you?”
“No one hurt me. I wasn’t even crying.”
I protested, but my nose began to sting involuntarily.
In truth, I had steeled myself, yet every time I recalled what happened today, my chest still ached with a sharp, piercing pain.
“You said you hate lies. Tell me quickly. Who made you cry?”
“What will it change if I tell you!”
I cried out in frustration at how he kept pressing despite my denials, and Lucio muttered darkly.
“I’ll do whatever you want. What would make you feel better?”
His words sounded so genuine that I felt a chill run through me.
I couldn’t understand why someone who should be in the Territory was here.
‘He doesn’t even seem to care about hiding that he’s the head of Darel.’
Thinking that Lucio was clearly not in his right mind today, I glanced at him cautiously.
His fathomless blue eyes gazed at me quietly.
A moment later, his expression hardened coldly as he turned away.
“If you won’t tell me, I’ll find out myself and handle it.”
“…!”
My hair stood on end in that instant.
I hurriedly grabbed his arm and clung to it.
“No, you can’t.”
If he stepped in now, he would discover that the person who made me cry was the Grand Duchess.
And what I had said to her.
‘Then I’d just end up looking like the strange one.’
Yet despite the circumstances clearly making it appear as though I were at fault, I had a terrifying premonition that Lucio would not blame me—instead, he would harm the Grand Duchess.
“Why?”
At that moment, Lucio tilted his head and asked, held by me.
Unable to answer, I pouted my lips and murmured softly.
“Why do you care about someone like me? Why someone like….”
At the same time, my heart constricted painfully. Soon, the tears I had barely held back began to fall again.
Just when I had finally calmed down, I resented Lucio for reopening my wounds so carelessly.
Seeing my tears, Lucio seemed flustered and moved his lips silently for a long moment before speaking.
“…I don’t know either. I hate seeing you hurt. I hate your sadness. I just want you to be happy somewhere warm and safe.”
Her unexpected response left me momentarily speechless.
But I replied coldly.
“Just hand over the money. That’s why you came, isn’t it?”
“….”
Lucio said nothing in response to my words.
Wondering if he was offended by my blunt tone, I lifted my head slightly, only to notice his pupils trembling.
I forgot about my sniffling and looked at him with eyes that seemed to ask, “Surely not?”
His pupils trembled more violently. Lucio bit his lip and spoke.
“I didn’t bring it.”
“What?!”
I gasped in shock.
“That’s absurd! My money!”
I had trusted him! How could this happen!
“Young Master, you can’t conduct business this way! You should keep your promises especially with people you know!”
As I stamped my feet in agitation, a flustered Lucio held out his palm as if to calm me down.
“I’m not taking your money. Today wasn’t even the promised day.”
“That’s exactly why I asked you to bring at least some of it!”
“…Why are you suddenly asking for such a large sum?”
“Because I have uses for it, that’s why.”
I felt like I might burst from frustration and thumped my chest.
Lucio turned his gaze away with a somewhat reluctant expression and spoke.
“Tell me what’s going on. No matter how much money you need, it’s fine because I….”
“I’m not a beggar! I have money too, so why would you, Young Master!”
At my sharp retort, Lucio closed his mouth as if at a loss for words, then quietly looked down at me before suddenly rummaging through his pocket.
My eyes sparkled, hoping it might be money, but he awkwardly pulled out a handkerchief instead.
“Your nose is running. Here.”
His thoughtless remark made my face flush crimson in an instant.
‘It’s just because I’ve been in the cold and was crying….’
Even as I deliberately turned my head away, Lucio held the handkerchief right up to my nose and urged me on.
“Go on.”
“Ugh, seriously….”
Irritation washed over me and I glared at him, but his expression showed no sign of relenting.
Left with no choice, I reached out my hand to ask for the handkerchief, intending to do it myself.
But he swiftly pulled his hand away, clearly determined to wipe my nose for me.
In the end, I gave him an annoyed look before burying my face in the handkerchief he held before me and blew my nose loudly with a “Hrmph!”
Lucio’s eyes widened in surprise, then he chuckled softly and carefully wiped around my nose.
Wait, I’m not Diana—what is he doing right now?
‘I feel like I’m losing my mind today….’
Unaware of my bewildered expression, Lucio gently patted my head.
“I need to return to the Duchy right away. So promise me you won’t go anywhere.”
“….”
“Come back and tell me what happened. I’ll find a way to sort it out. Otherwise, I really will make you pay back every coin.”
Bewildered by his threat, I asked carefully.
“You know I’m strange, don’t you? I even went to see Darel…. But it’s all right for me to stay here?”
At that, Lucio tilted his head as if to ask why I would say such a thing.
“If you weren’t strange, my mother would be dead.”
“Ah….”
His answer was so reasonable that I found myself nodding in agreement.
“Then it’s a promise. Go now. Everyone will be worried.”
At Lucio’s words, I hesitated.
‘Worried….’
Worried. Why hadn’t I thought of that?
I had only thought about not being a burden, but I hadn’t considered how much the people of House Elrad would grieve and suffer if I suddenly disappeared like this.
Being someone’s source of concern was something utterly foreign to me.
‘But….’
I watched Lucio hand me my bag as if urging me to leave, and slowly took it from him.
* * *
Escorted by Lucio, I slowly made my way out of the Maze Garden.
Each step felt impossibly heavy.
Though I had resolved to return and face the situation and try to resolve it, the thought of what awaited me filled me with dread.
Moreover, as the mansion drew closer, the darkness that had shrouded my vision brightened like daylight, and the sound of bustling commotion reached my ears, deepening my despondency.
‘They really are searching for me.’
I was biting my lip anxiously when I had just stepped out of the garden.
“Lia!”
A deep, low voice called out to me.

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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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