Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 141

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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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In high society, such blunt remarks were rarely made unless the families were sworn rivals or politics were involved.
Naturally, silence descended upon the table.
Yet no one dared to criticize or defend either party.
After all, the person in question was Diana.
Clara felt the bitter taste of cold high society anew and forced a smile.
“Young Lady, you misunderstand. I was merely speaking of my cousin, Grand Duchess Bellus——”
“The Grand Duchess.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
“Regardless of being the Young Lady’s cousin, there is a clear difference in station. Your manner of speech seems far too casual.”
This mere child, barely introduced to high society!
Clara felt as though fire would burst from her eyes, but she barely restrained herself and finally managed to part her lips.
“The Grand Duchess has always been frail, and as family, I was merely lamenting that she could not even make her debut or participate in society until she came of age.”
Clara’s nails dug into her palms as she clenched her fists, feeling utterly humiliated.
She understood that Adriana held the noble title of Grand Duchess, but they were cousins who shared the same grandfather on their mother’s side—what made them so different?
Feeling suddenly wronged, Clara looked at Diana with eyes tinged with betrayal.
In truth, when Diana first began to establish herself in high society, Clara had hoped they might form a special bond.
After all, the connection between House Diapel and House Elrad through their maternal lineage ran deep, and she had heard many times that the Young Lady of Elrad had been fond of Marquis Diapel since childhood.
Though young in years, as the Empire’s only Young Lady, Diana was likely to become a pillar of high society in the future.
Indeed, Diana’s influence had grown with each passing day since her debut in society.
But there was one thing that differed from Clara’s expectations.
“It seems Count Amber’s Young Lady has not heard. How grand the Grand Duchess’s coming-of-age ceremony was this year, and that she has already completed her debutante ball.”
Diana spoke with a faint sneer playing at her lips.
“Now that I think of it, if you are family, shouldn’t Count Amber’s Young Lady have met the Grand Duchess at least once?”
The implication—’You haven’t been able to visit Belus Duchy even once since finding the Grand Duchess, have you?’—caused Clara’s face to flush crimson in an instant.
But what shocked her even more was what Diana had said.
‘A debutante ball? That’s impossible!’
If that were true, it meant Adriana was beginning her formal participation in society.
Her heart raced wildly for a moment, but Clara grasped at the thread of reason and smiled.
“It was simply a matter of timing not aligning.”
Clara made excuses to herself—’There were many opportunities to visit the duchy, but I had my own circumstances!’—and tilted her head slightly.
“But it seems the Young Lady takes quite an interest in Belus Duchy. However did you come by such news so quickly?”
With eyes that seemed to say, ‘You haven’t been there either, so where did you hear this and make such a fuss about it?’, Clara laughed brightly.
After all, she believed Diana had merely picked up a few words from Marquis Diapel, their maternal grandfather.
“The Young Lady’s brother works in the Foreign Ministry, so naturally she would be well-informed about international affairs.”
But Clara’s hastily-launched counterattack became meaningless in an instant with Serphin’s single remark.
Clara turned her head with a rigid smile.
“Is that not so, Young Lady?”
Serphin did not even glance at Clara, offering Diana only a gentle smile.
Diana merely responded with a knowing nod, her expression cool and composed.
Clara found even this gesture arrogant and detestable, and she clenched her teeth.
“Oh, that’s right—I nearly forgot. I need to ask the Young Lady’s permission beforehand.”
At that moment, Serphin’s expression grew troubled.
Clara perked up her ears and focused on the conversation like the other young ladies.
“The Imperial Princess needs my permission for something?”
When Diana asked with an indifferent expression, Serphin smiled softly, as if melting away.
“Oh, Young Lady. Haven’t I told you countless times? Just call me Imperial Princess, and feel free to address me casually. Even if we must maintain formality, I’d love it if you thought of me like an older sister.”
Despite Serphin’s kind words, Diana’s expression and demeanor remained unchanged.
Serphin, seemingly unbothered, continued speaking.
“It’s nothing serious, but your birthday is coming up in autumn, isn’t it? The thing is, it seems the Young Lord and I will have difficulty attending your birthday celebration.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
In an instant, Diana’s eyes narrowed subtly.
Seeing this, Serphin laughed softly as if finding it adorable and spoke.
“The truth is, the King of Liven Kingdom has passed away suddenly, so the Young Lord and I must depart soon as part of an envoy. Since it coincides with your birthday, I wanted to tell you beforehand so you wouldn’t feel hurt by your older brother.”
Her tone was gentle and kind, as if coaxing a small child.
Yet her intention to step in and mediate as if she were family was unmistakable.
Diana’s eyebrows stiffened slightly before the corners of her lips curved upward.
“Your Highness need not have worried about something unnecessary.”
“…Hmm?”
“Asking permission to fulfill your duties? I simply hope my older brother completes his responsibilities well and returns safely.”
At Diana’s bold words, Serphin, who had been momentarily bewildered, burst into laughter. She gazed at Diana with affection, as if she were her own younger sister.
‘Tsk.’
And Clara, whose hopes had briefly swelled, clicked her tongue inwardly.
She thought that if she too had an older brother as outstanding as to earn the Imperial Princess’s attention, her circumstances would not be so dire.
In any case, even the Imperial Princess Serphin openly favored Diana, so conflict with the Young Lady of House Elrad only brought losses.
Yet no matter how deliberately courteous she became, bowing and deferring, there seemed to be no sign of reconciliation with Diana.
‘What did I ever do wrong in the first place!’
Clara cast a resentful glance at Diana, who was sipping her tea primly.
It seemed she had never been rude to this small child or crossed her in any way.
Diana Elrad inexplicably always showed her a hostile attitude.
With the status of a Young Lady, a father with power, and older brothers with bright futures—she possessed everything, yet somehow seemed to resent her.
‘Surely that couldn’t be…’
“Your Highness, Sir Allen Elrad has arrived outside.”
In that moment, Clara’s thoughts came to a halt.
Now that she thought about it, there were points that did seem to fit.
“The Empire’s jewel, I pay my respects to Your Highness.”
Allen, who had entered the back garden with Serphin’s permission, bowed respectfully.
As the handsome young man with House Elrad’s distinctive silver hair and golden eyes like molten gold appeared, the young ladies stirred slightly.
“Sir Allen, I heard you were visiting the Imperial Knight Order today on the Empress’s orders—what brings you to the Imperial Princess’s residence?”
“It’s nothing special. I’ve come to pick up my younger sister as it’s time for me to return to the palace.”
“Ah…”
At his confident words and demeanor, the young ladies stifled their laughter.
It was well-known that Allen cherished his youngest sister Diana dearly, but which older brother would actually show up at a tea party where only ladies gathered?
“If you would permit it, may I take my younger sister with me?”
“I had hoped to speak with the Young Lady a bit longer, but I suppose it cannot be helped.”
However, Serphin, the hostess of the tea party, showed no sign of reproach or mockery, and simply nodded gracefully. Then, as if remembering something, she asked.
“But won’t the Young Lord be joining you? It would be nice if you both returned together.”
“My brother is occupied with pressing matters.”
“I see. Then do take care on your way back. Young Lady, I’ll see you next time.”
Serphin, nodding, wore a radiant smile, as though she had already achieved the purpose of hosting the tea party.
Allen and Diana rose from their seats with proper courtesy and turned to leave.
And then.
“…!”
Clara’s body stiffened with a start.
Whether it was because Allen had caught her staring intently at him moments before, or merely by chance—their eyes had met.
The instant Allen lowered his head slightly in greeting, Diana’s eyebrows shot up fiercely.
Only then did Clara understand.
All of Diana’s hostile behavior toward me until now—the times she had made me choke up—had been nothing but the jealousy of a child who believed I had stolen her brother’s affection.
Why hadn’t I realized it sooner?
Now that I thought about it, whenever Allen happened to encounter me at the Diapel Marquis Estate or at banquets, he would always greet me with “How do you do, Young Lady Amber,” as if we were acquainted.
He had stared at me before, and even now, surrounded by so many people, he hadn’t forgotten to acknowledge me with a glance.
‘Allen Elrad….’
One of the few Sword Masters on the Continent.
I had heard rumors that the Emperor had offered him a position in the Imperial Knight Order, and seeing him today, it seemed to be true.
‘Perhaps he might even become the commander of the Imperial Knight Order someday.’
Until now, since Allen was younger than me, I had paid him little attention.
But suddenly, I found the prospect not entirely unpleasant.
Clara felt a sense of superiority blooming from her very fingertips, unable to tear her eyes away from the retreating figures of the two.
* * *
“Owwww!”
The moment the carriage door closed, Allen cried out in agony, writhing in pain.
Diana, her expression fierce, had pinched his cheeks mercilessly with hands equally fierce.
“Why! Why are you doing this again!”
“Didn’t I tell you not to greet her? I don’t care if you meet any other woman, but I told you not to be kind to Young Lady Amber!”
“Ow! Our eyes just happened to meet. How was I supposed to ignore her?”
Allen, clutching his swollen and aching cheeks, looked at Diana with glistening eyes.
His younger sister, once as cute as a baby angel, had certainly grown into a beautiful woman….
But when she made that terrifying expression, she looked less like an angel and more like a demon that had devoured one.
He still couldn’t understand how someone so combative could have absolutely no talent for swordsmanship.
“Why can’t you do it! Are you an idiot?”
“That’s… because Cousin Lia, you see.”
Allen, whose cheeks were once again seized by tears, confessed with a trembling 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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