Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 148

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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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“I was just too shocked at first….”
Father, who had been mulling over Raezl’s words for quite some time, finally opened his mouth.
“I think we need to consider the trip to the Empire a bit more carefully.”
“Yes. It is rather sudden.”
Mother, of course, and even Askart wore expressions of unease.
Though they knew how long I had been anticipating the day I would meet Diana, they could not outright object, yet their concern outweighed their willingness to encourage me.
I too felt a natural heaviness in my heart, unable to explain all the circumstances to my family.
Yet on the other hand, I was oddly grateful that I alone bore this weighty burden.
* * *
Despite the somber atmosphere, my family continued to heap food onto my plate, and I found myself overeating once again.
After finishing dessert as promised with Askart, I returned to my room and was patting my distended belly when it happened.
A knock sounded at the door, followed by Raezl’s voice.
The moment I opened the door, Raezl strode into my room and asked urgently.
“Now tell me. Do you truly know where the sacred relic I seek is located?”
I suspected Raezl had already cast some form of sound barrier, but to be safe, I closed the door firmly and layered another silencing spell over the room.
Then I settled onto the sofa and spoke.
“Of course. Did you think I would lie to you?”
“Then where is it?”
He seemed quite anxious. Understandably so—he had been searching for this object alongside ancient texts for quite some time.
“It should be in the Emperor’s treasury by now.”
“What?”
“If only I had seen the relic’s image a bit sooner, I could have obtained it more easily. Unfortunately, that opportunity has passed.”
Watching Raezl’s shocked expression, I shrugged my shoulders.
Before dinner, when Raezl showed me the image, I was genuinely startled.
〈They say the Holy Maiden herself used this ‘weapon,’ but I cannot fathom what it could be.〉
Looking at the thin, rectangular wooden rod—roughly the length from thumb to pinky when fully spread—Raezl had clicked his tongue in bewilderment.
Though it was a convenient size to grip in one’s hand, its short length made it unclear how one could possibly attack an enemy with it.
And I shared his confusion.
Yet….
〈I believe I know where this is.〉
Seeing Raezl’s eyes widen in surprise at my words, I let out a hollow laugh as well.
I could scarcely believe that I knew of this object, and had even seen it before.
‘It is not something Terenthium would have reported….’
That made sense. It had happened entirely by chance, driven by personal curiosity rather than any commission or duty.
‘I never imagined the sacred relic would be in Kenneth Petite’s home.’
I let out another hollow laugh as I recalled the past.
After entering Terenthium, as I was learning noble genealogies and portraits, I recognized Kenneth at once in front of the Academy—the very man who had falsely accused me of theft and humiliated me, causing me to leave the beggar gang.
And I learned unexpected news.
Kenneth Petite had broken his wrist for unknown reasons during his time at the Academy, and his family was on the brink of ruin.
The Countess Petite was frequenting the Information Guild, attempting to overcome this crisis by arranging advantageous marriages for her three daughters before the family’s fortunes collapsed entirely.
But there was no one to save a noble daughter burdened by debt, especially one whose family had been shamefully expunged from the noble genealogy after their involvement in countless crimes came to light.
And so the Petite Family collapsed completely, years before I came of age.
That night, with Master having assigned me no tasks and time to spare, I made my way to Count Petite’s Mansion.
I wanted to witness firsthand the sight of someone who had treated commoners like vermin being cast out onto the streets in that same wretched state.
But when I saw Kenneth Petite and his family being driven out naked by creditors, it brought me neither satisfaction nor joy.
It was because I watched them leave the mansion together after shouting accusations at one another.
Kenneth Petite was irredeemable trash and penniless, yet… he still had his family.
I, who had meant to mock him as someone no better than myself, simply watched them in silence.
How long had I spent time in the tree near the front gate like that?
In the deserted dawn, suddenly the ground trembled, and knights on horseback appeared before the mansion.
Only then did I regain my senses, and upon seeing the emblem carved into the knights’ armor, I was horrified.
‘Why are Imperial Knights here?’
It was strange. Though the Count Petite family had been erased from the noble genealogy and their territory returned to the Imperial Palace, all the mansion and other assets were supposed to be liquidated to pay off debts.
Driven by curiosity, I quietly observed what the Imperial Knights were doing, and I discovered them emerging from the mansion carrying a small box.
Seeing them place only the box in an ornate carriage as if it were precious, then begin moving to escort it, I impulsively approached the carriage while concealing myself in the darkness.
I was well aware they fell far short compared to the Lexion Knights, yet remarkably, these Imperial Knights failed to detect my presence.
I easily slipped into the carriage, checked if any magic was placed upon it, and immediately opened the box.
And inside it was.
“It looked extremely worn and dirty, but it was identical to the picture you showed me. I couldn’t figure out what it was no matter how I looked at it, so I stared at it for quite a while. Thanks to that, I remember it clearly.”
At my words, Raezl stroked his chin and spoke.
“The Emperor knew the Petite Family possessed a sacred relic.”
“Perhaps he only knew of it as an ancient artifact.”
In truth, that wasn’t what mattered.
Neither the reason the Petite Family possessed the sacred relic nor how the Emperor came to know of it was particularly important.
‘Well, the Petite Family engaged in trade for a long time, so they must have acquired it somehow.’
Since the Emperor held great interest in ancient artifacts, he likely discovered the relic’s existence when the Count Petite family was liquidating their assets.
Raezl, apparently thinking the same as me, nodded and spoke.
“Good. Now that I know it’s in the Imperial Palace, I shall formally request it through my Temple….”
“Why? How troublesome.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m here, so why go through all that unnecessary trouble? The Emperor won’t hand it over graciously anyway.”
At best he might demand a trade; at worst, he might stubbornly refuse to give it at all.
Raezl, who had been looking bewildered at “Then what?”, suddenly froze.
“Surely you’re not suggesting I steal the sacred relic from the Imperial Treasury?”
Raezl looked at me with an astonished expression, but I merely shrugged.
“How is that stealing? It’s an object that should rightfully be kept in the Temple, and even the Temple isn’t its true owner.”
Naturally, it belongs neither to the Emperor nor to the Petite Family.
“I’m simply returning it to its rightful owner, Diana.”
“That… is a fair point.”
Raezl, who had been frozen as if unable to refute my words, nodded in agreement.
“But of all places, it’s the Imperial Palace. The danger….”
“Are you speaking in earnest?”
I asked with an expression of feigned surprise.
“You know my abilities. Unless we’re talking about a demon, there’s no one who could stop me.”
Though I spoke in jest, it was no mere boasting.
In my previous life, I infiltrated Duke Elrad’s Mansion—a place boasting security rivaling the Imperial Palace itself—not once, but twice.
The first time, I disguised myself as a temporary servant, which carried far less risk, but the second time, I did so willingly despite Allen and Jack being present.
Unless I were to cross blades with them directly, I was certain that as long as I maintained my vigilance, I would never be discovered.
Of course, learning that Lucio was absent had made me even more confident.
Honestly, if I hadn’t been shaken upon meeting Lucio back then, I don’t think I would have died so pathetically.
‘Even when my heart was sealed, it was like that… but now?’
My mana reserves were incomparably vaster than before, and the magic I could manifest operated on an entirely different scale.
I’m sorry, but even if Allen, Jack, and Lucio all rushed at me together now, while it might be somewhat taxing, I harbored no doubt whatsoever that I would emerge victorious.
‘…Except for demons.’
For only holy power could stand against demons.
According to Raezl, the Temple was training Priestesses and Holy Knights in preparation for the Second Demon War, but he said that the core of this training—nullifying mana and building resistance to it—was proving far from easy.
Even Raezl, who currently possessed the most formidable holy power, admitted he lacked confidence in facing a demon, so truly, Diana was the only one I could rely upon….
“Are you not afraid?”
It was then, while I remained lost in thought.
Raezl asked in a heavy voice.
Seeing him speak that way despite my confident declaration, it seemed my mention of demons had unsettled him.
I exhaled softly.
“I am afraid. But what choice do I have? I cannot wait forever for Diana to awaken. Perhaps I may be needed….”
“You!”
Raezl cried out in shock at my words, his expression becoming one of stunned silence as he stared at me.
But I merely smiled bitterly.
In truth, ever since hearing the hidden tales of mythology from Raezl, I had pondered for a very long time.
Whether perhaps my death might be the catalyst for Diana’s awakening.
After a moment of silence, Raezl spoke.
“You still don’t know the nature of the curse. So don’t entertain such hasty thoughts….”
“I understand. I was merely expressing my resolve to you.”
I cut off Raezl’s words and smiled brightly.
I meant it sincerely. How precious were my family, whom I had only just met in this second life?
And so, precisely because of that, I desired an ending all the more certain.
“Great Sage, please find the ancient texts as soon as possible. I will do what I can within the Empire.”
* * *
Several days later, at Duke Elrad’s Mansion.
Lucio gazed intently at a small envelope placed upon his desk, one that had been delivered from the Bellus Duchy.

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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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