Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 149

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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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“My lord?”
Lucio had stared blankly at the envelope for what felt like an eternity, until Nix, unable to bear it any longer, finally urged him forward.
Under normal circumstances, such an interruption would have been unthinkable, but with departure to the Liven Kingdom imminent, time was simply too precious to waste.
Lucio, fully aware of this, exhaled softly as if to release the tension, then tore open the envelope.
Inside lay a card, smaller still than the envelope itself.
The message was so brief that after reading it quickly, Lucio let out a hollow laugh.
“Ha….”
Despite his bewildered expression, he couldn’t tear his eyes from the card, his fingertips tracing the letters as Nix watched uncertainly and asked.
“What is it, sir?”
“It feels like I’ve been struck another blow.”
“Pardon?”
Ignoring the confused Nix, Lucio scanned the card’s message once more.
I regret that you believed our transaction had concluded when it has not.
Please apply what I have left toward your desired endeavors.
I look forward to hearing favorable news from Bellus in the future.
“A transaction….”
I could have sworn I said ‘relationship’ instead.
Though families do know each other well and share important secrets, strictly speaking, Lia and I had no relationship whatsoever.
That’s precisely why she couldn’t even send a letter under her own name with confidence.
Perhaps a simple transaction between the Guild Master of Darel and a client was indeed the clearest definition.
“Still, she saw through it after all.”
I hadn’t expected her to even guess at my reasons for establishing the Guild.
Though she likely doesn’t know the full circumstances behind it.
“Her calculations remain precise as ever.”
I already knew Lia intended to transfer the remaining payment to Diana, but I had deliberately held back from accepting it, fearing that doing so would sever the fragile thread connecting us.
Yet upon receiving Lia’s response—to use the funds for making Nicholas Emperor and to grant Bellus the benefits—I felt a subtle displeasure at the thought of another person entering between us.
Moreover.
‘Even accounting for the Guild’s involvement, isn’t her reply far too stiff?’
The letters she usually sends to Diana are nothing like this.
Lucio narrowed his brow and turned his gaze toward Nix.
“She said she was angry with me? You didn’t make a mistake in relaying that?”
“No, sir! She specifically said, ‘I am angry with your master,’ or so it was reported.”
“Hmm.”
It made no sense. If anything, I should be the one angry.
Through his innocent friend, Lucio had been gathering news of Lia all this while.
Though lowering Askart’s guard had proven more difficult than expected, Askart—itching to boast about his younger sister—had ultimately succumbed to Lucio’s persistence.
As a result, Lucio knew not only what Lia liked and disliked, but even the trivial things that captured her interest from moment to moment.
Moreover, though he could never see her face directly, through Askart’s praise-tinged descriptions of her delicate, finely-drawn features and how her pink eyes sparkled like jewels….
Askart’s admiring remarks about how impossibly lovely she was, suggesting she must surely be an angel, had allowed Lucio to imagine the face of the slightly-grown Lia.
Yet Lia’s thoughts and heart remained utterly beyond his grasp.
The resentment of her writing letters every week to Diana and her friends in the Knight Order, yet never sending me a single message during all that time.
“Very well. Continue monitoring the situation as you have been, and report immediately if there’s any movement.”
“Yes. However, their security is so stringent that….”
Lucio nodded as if he already knew.
He had attempted to plant people to make contact with Lia, but the Bellus Grand Duchy was impenetrable—not even a needle could slip through.
Though he sent gifts annually through House Elrad, without Askart, nothing bearing his name could have reached her.
Lucio exhaled softly and was just rising from his seat when——
“Must you truly go, my lord?”
Nix spoke with obvious displeasure.
“You know the Imperial Princess’s true nature. This task doesn’t require your personal involvement, yet she specifically requested you. Honestly, you could refuse….”
“Is there any need to?”
Lucio let out a low chuckle.
He understood well enough the Imperial Princess’s selfish disposition and arrogant presumption that she possessed the world entire.
“There’s no reason to avoid it. I’m curious what hand she’ll play, not knowing that I’m the one pushing Nicholas forward.”
“But….”
“More than anything, I need to see the new king of Liven Kingdom in person. If he doesn’t suit me, I can always replace him with someone else before returning.”
“Ah.”
Nix lowered his head in contrition upon hearing Lucio’s words.
Of course. His lord was not a man to be swayed by anyone—he had worried needlessly.
As he kept his head bowed in reflection, Nix failed to notice something.
How tenderly Lucio tucked the envelope away, placing it against his heart.
* * *
“One must always be cautious in foreign lands. Especially in such turbulent times.”
Lucio nodded at the Duchess Elrad’s admonition.
Then he turned to Duke Elrad, who wore an oddly sullen expression beside her.
“What troubles you, Father?”
“It’s frustrating. People are already gossiping behind my back, and now I wonder what they’ll say this time….”
Duke Elrad spoke in a hushed tone.
“As you know, once the Emperor’s command falls, I have no choice.”
“It will fade soon enough. There’s no need to worry. Since no one is vying for the Duchess’s position, there’s no immediate pressure to——”
“I’m the one who’s anxious!”
Duke Elrad flared up, then caught himself and lowered his voice again.
“The Grand Duchess returned the sapphire bracelet. Her memory has been remarkably sharp since childhood, it seems—she recognized it immediately.”
That the bracelet was one of House Elrad’s heirlooms.
“…You sent that?”
Lucio’s brow furrowed in bewilderment.
Years ago, when my parents had subtly asked whether I had any intention of becoming engaged, I had merely told them to wait, saying I had someone else in mind.
I never expected they would know who that person was. Even less that they would act on it without consulting me.
Given Lia’s young age and the uniquely delicate circumstances surrounding her, I had intended to approach matters slowly and carefully.
Above all, knowing how precious Lia was to her family, I had planned to win them over step by step.
Had I known you would send the family heirloom so recklessly, I would have kept it myself….
‘Ah. Is that why you’re upset?’
Sending the heirloom without a word of warning?
A sigh escaped unbidden, yet I could understand the anxious heart of a parent who cared so deeply.
“I will handle it myself from now on, so please refrain from doing this.”
Leaving Duke Elrad to grumble about what I could possibly handle myself, Lucio turned his attention to Diana and Allen.
“Diana, happy early birthday.”
The diplomatic mission was scheduled for a generous two weeks before the Foundation Festival, but if negotiations with the new king went poorly, it could extend longer.
One certainty remained—I would not be able to attend Diana’s birthday party a week from now.
“It’s fine. Just bring back lots of gifts!”
Diana called out cheerfully, showing not the slightest hint of disappointment.
Then she sidled up beside me and whispered.
“Remember what I told you? You absolutely must buy the silk scarves from Liven Kingdom. Two each for my sister and me! Got it?”
“Got it.”
Lucio nodded with a faint smile.
While Askart offered help without realizing it, Diana was an ally who spared no effort in her support.
Here was a girl not yet fourteen, scrunching up her nose and winking as though she knew everything.
“Brother, travel safely! Even though it’s not my birthday, I’d love it if you brought me back a gift too.”
In contrast, Allen—grown in body but still pure of heart like a boy—offered his farewell, and Lucio mounted his horse.
He did not know.
That he would come to bitterly regret going to the Imperial Princess and Liven Kingdom on this day.
A week had passed since then.
* * *
On the evening of Diana’s fourteenth birthday party—the jewel of House Elrad—the celebration was in full swing.
Surrounded by young ladies of her acquaintance at a table, Diana received their congratulations while sighing inwardly.
Though all these guests had come to celebrate her birthday, somehow she did not feel truly celebrated.
Observing the hall with weary, bored eyes—mere ceremonial attendance and formulaic greetings—Diana’s gaze suddenly halted on the bouquets and gifts piled near the entrance.
‘When will my sister’s gift arrive?’
Since Bellus Duchy lay across the sea, gifts were always sent before her birthday, and a few days ago, the birthday present prepared by the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess along with Askart had arrived.
In the letter that came with it, Lia had written that her own gift would arrive on the birthday itself and that Diana must check it alone.
Anything from Lia would have delighted her, but with that added note of encouragement, Diana was practically trembling with anticipation.
That was when it happened.
“Young Lady, the gift you were waiting for has just arrived.”
The maidservant approached quietly and whispered, having been given strict instructions to notify her immediately whenever something arrived from Bellus.
Diana nodded at the news that it had been placed in her room, rose from her seat with an elegant smile.
“Please excuse me for a moment.”
The young ladies gathered at the table were momentarily entranced by the noble dignity that overflowed from one so young, then nodded in admiration at Diana’s mature composure.
* * *
Pitter-patter, bang!
Diana gathered up her dress skirts and dashed swiftly to her room, slamming the door shut with a loud thud.
On the table sat a small box wrapped in pale pink paper.
Despite having crossed the sea by ship, not a single corner showed the slightest dent—it was clearly protected by a preservation spell.
‘Sister truly is remarkable!’
Diana smiled warmly in admiration as she carefully untied the ribbon and opened the box.
“What is this?”
Since the box was rather small, Diana had expected jewelry or a tiny figurine, and she tilted her head in confusion.
Inside lay a transparent orb small enough to rest comfortably in the palm of one’s hand.
Lia occasionally sent her curious magical artifacts, so Diana picked up the orb without hesitation and gazed at it intently.
“What, what is—!”
Suddenly, the orb flashed brilliantly, then began blinking like a lamp.
Startled, Diana dropped the orb onto the sofa and shrank back as wind suddenly swept through the room and white smoke billowed forth.
And moments later, Diana stood frozen with her mouth agape as she witnessed—
“Surprise! Happy birthday, Diana!”
There stood Lia, the one she had longed to see so desperately.

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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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