Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 138

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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!”
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess!”
As the mana dispersed and the faint breeze that had been blowing ceased entirely, the hall filled with glistening, tearful gazes.
“Ahem, ahem.”
I cleared my throat awkwardly and rolled my eyes sheepishly.
But no matter where I looked, I was met with nothing but those gleaming stares.
Though I had grown accustomed to such looks over time, I still felt embarrassed.
Moreover, there was something that pricked my conscience, so I finally spoke first.
“I’m sorry. I gave you all quite a fright, didn’t I? You must all be so busy….”
“Not at all, Your Highness!”
“On the eve of your coming of age, it’s only natural you’d want to enjoy the breeze alone!”
“We knew you’d return soon!”
“That’s right. You even left a note, so we were just being overly worried.”
Though they had all been searching for me and sweating profusely, the knights and servants waved off my apology as if it were entirely unreasonable.
And they sighed with relief, grateful that I had returned safely.
Seeing their reaction, I smiled bitterly.
‘Truth be told, I wanted to leave without even leaving a note….’
I had anticipated they would worry to some degree, but it seemed their overprotectiveness was truly excessive.
“…Your Highness, how could you possibly leave even me behind?”
It was then that Jane, my personal maidservant, spoke with a sniffle.
“I’m your direct guard…. Your closest attendant!”
Watching Jane wail as if she were roaring, the servants and knights flinched and stepped back, apparently fearful of being caught in the crossfire.
“J-Jane, I understand, so could you please put that sword down?”
“Oh! My apologies. I got a bit carried away….”
At my words, Jane startled and hastily sheathed her sword.
“I was certain those wicked villains had attacked again.”
“Didn’t you see the note? You know my handwriting.”
“But…you never know, do you?”
Seeing Jane speak with a tearful face about how handwriting was easy to imitate, I found myself at a loss for words.
In the past, Jane, the youngest of Mother’s maidservants, had taken the position of my personal attendant, and it turned out she possessed remarkable talent with the sword.
‘Why do I have so many geniuses around me….’
Just as Mother had recognized Bianca’s talent, Bianca too recognized Jane’s gift, and Jane, after deliberating over the unexpected proposal, took up the sword on the condition of being guaranteed the position of my personal maidservant.
And finally, after grueling training, when I turned fourteen, Jane at last earned Bianca’s recognition and officially became my guard knight as well.
“Regardless, you should have taken me with you.”
Knowing her loyalty and dedication better than anyone, I felt apologetic seeing her pout her lips in disappointment.
But if I had taken Jane with me, today’s outing would have been nothing more than a casual stroll.
For someone who wanted to make a strong statement of defiance, it was an unavoidable decision.
I glanced cautiously at Mother, who stood slightly behind me.
Father beside her looked as though he might burst into tears at any moment with his expression of “Adriana…,” but Mother’s face was quite resolute.
Bianca, who was present as well, merely watched nervously and offered an awkward smile.
‘So Mother still doesn’t approve of me learning the sword.’
Of course, I wasn’t entirely unsympathetic to her concerns.
〈Call me an overprotective, inadequate mother if you wish. But I cannot bear even the smallest scratch on your body.〉
I had long since understood the genuine sentiment Mother expressed while trying to persuade me.
Even though all my scars had faded long ago, whenever Mother washed my arms or back, she would quietly murmur, “How much it must have hurt…”
Moreover, the shock of seeing me flinch at her carelessly raised hand at the Marquis’s Residence had clearly left a deep impression on her.
To be honest, I had no desire to stubbornly insist on this when my family opposed it so strongly.
Of course, initially I had wanted to pick up the sword again—something I’d never dreamed of doing—simply because I wanted to be like Mother and Bianca.
‘But now… magic alone isn’t enough to feel secure.’
I bit my lip as I recalled the story that only Raezl and I knew—something I couldn’t tell my family.
Resolved to break my stubbornness today, I subtly jabbed Askart in the ribs with my elbow.
Askart flinched and swallowed hard before opening his mouth.
“Mother, I’ve given it some thought. I believe it would be good for Lia to learn the sword as well.”
“What?!”
Mother’s eyes widened before he could even finish speaking.
Askart’s body trembled under her gaze—not the look she gave her precious only son, but rather the murderous glare one reserves for a traitor—yet he pressed on.
“At the very least, basic self-defense. And magic training is necessary too.”
“Magic training?”
“In an emergency, to respond without panic and immediately cast defensive or offensive magic, one needs practical training in actually using magic to develop a certain level of proficiency.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to simply avoid emergencies altogether?”
“Of course that’s true, but this is merely preparation for contingencies. You never know what might happen.”
In that brief moment, Askart had clearly given considerable thought to his arguments. His reasoning flowed quite logically.
Of course, comparing me—who manifested magic as naturally as breathing—with those who had to carefully calculate, draw magic circles, and memorize incantations was somewhat of an exaggeration.
“Hmm…”
Fortunately, since Mother was a typical knight who couldn’t use magic, she turned her gaze toward Father, a mage, and Bianca, a spellblade, as if asking whether Askart’s words were correct.
“…Magic does require training.”
“Yes. I too have made constant efforts to wield both sword and magic together…”
And the two people I had enlisted long ago, while not quite as enthusiastic as Askart, lent their support appropriately.
I sensed that this was my moment to step in.
“Mother, I’m sorry for sneaking out of the castle today without permission.”
“…Hmph, so suddenly?”
“It wasn’t sudden. I’ve been troubled about it all along. But I really wanted to learn the sword from you, Mother.”
As I hung from her arm and showered her with affection, I could see Mother’s stern expression softening slightly.
“Lia, I’m telling you this because I’m worried you might misunderstand.”
“Yes? Misunderstand what?”
“When you hold a sword, I won’t be like this. I’ll become very, very stern, and even if you cry like you used to and say you hate me, I…”
Mother stopped mid-sentence and suddenly shook her head vigorously.
“No, if that’s the case, it’s better not to start at all. I absolutely cannot bear to hear those words from your lips again or see you cry because of me.”
“…”
“I’m serious! I’m going to be very stern, you hear?”
I smiled at the sight of my Mother’s fierce frown, as though she were issuing a threat.
In my past life, when I was younger and knew nothing at all.
That person whom I had wished would treat me with even a little kindness trained me with cold cruelty instead.
I endured those difficult times, but training from a Mother whose love felt so achingly profound—I could have overcome it with my eyes closed.
“Mother, thank you. I’ll work really hard. I won’t neglect my other studies either.”
“You can be a little careless if you want.”
As I threw my arms around Mother, she stroked my head and clicked her tongue.
Instead of answering, I simply grinned, and she shook her head, saying, “You really are stubborn just like me.”
Yet even in those words and gestures, affection dripped so abundantly that I felt deeply content.
Over time, I worked very hard to catch up on everything I had missed.
Not only the basic refinement and etiquette required of a Grand Duchess, but also politics, history, economics, law, foreign languages, art, and music—I mastered them all nearly perfectly through desperate effort.
‘Of course, my parents worried that I was carrying excessive responsibility…’
I wanted to fulfill my duties as a Grand Duchess, but it was also about satisfying my own personal desires.
With this new life, there was no reason not to work hard when I could learn whatever I wished.
‘And the praise I received as a bonus was incredibly sweet.’
“Lia, you’re doing wonderfully.”
At that moment, Askart, my reliable supporter, leaned in and whispered to me.
I nodded at him, whose eyes sparkled like a puppy seeking praise, and gave him a thumbs up.
I was finding his reaction—as if his tail were wagging behind him—quite amusing.
“Oh, by the way, a mountain of packages arrived from House Elrad.”
Mother said with a smile.
* * *
“All of these came from House Elrad?”
“Yes. It seems they paid extra attention since it’s your coming-of-age year.”
“This doesn’t look like ‘extra’ attention…”
I made a slightly weary expression as I looked at the mountain of gift boxes piled up in the Reception Room.
Every summer, as my birthday approached, House Elrad never failed to send gifts overflowing to the Grand Duchy.
‘But this year certainly feels extraordinarily excessive.’
Perhaps because turning eighteen—coming of age for the second time—held different weight.
Unlike me, who felt little excitement, my family and even the people of House Elrad all seemed to place tremendous significance on it.
‘Just Grandfather alone—he insists on witnessing my coming-of-age ceremony and is currently crossing the sea.’
Despite suffering from severe seasickness and rarely being able to visit the Grand Duchy because of it.
I was thinking that for Grandfather’s sake, I should develop teleportation scrolls more quickly.
“Lia, won’t you open this one?”
Mother, sitting on the sofa, pointed to a small velvet box. It was wrapped with unusual care.
I nodded and opened the box, then genuinely marveled at the bracelet inside, studded with blue gemstones.
“It looks like blue sapphire. It’s absolutely beautiful.”
I had never seen such a deep yet luminous color before.
I turned my head, seeking her agreement.
But Mother’s reaction was unusual.
“Ha, this is absolutely ridiculous! Where on earth did you come up with such nonsense….”

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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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