Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 172

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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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“Clara, is that you?”
“Yes! You’re not familiar with the Imperial Palace layout, and besides, meeting His Majesty the Emperor is such a formal occasion! Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to have two of us rather than going alone?”
Even as I spoke, I noticed the logic was utterly flawed, and Clara laughed awkwardly.
The Attendant listening also wore an expression that seemed to ask what on earth I was talking about.
But.
“Is that really true, Clara?”
I brightened visibly and grasped Clara’s hand.
Clara’s eyes widened in surprise, and the Attendant’s bewilderment was plainly evident.
Yet nothing could suppress the smile that bloomed across my face.
‘I found it—my shield!’
In truth, Clara’s original intention was likely not entirely altruistic.
She must have calculated that entering the palace with me would benefit her.
It could make the conflict between my Mother and the Countess seem trivial, and it was an excellent opportunity to display her closeness to me.
‘And if she plays her cards right, she might even catch the Emperor’s eye….’
But regardless of her intentions, the fact remained that she had rescued me from a crisis.
If I went with Clara, the attention linking me and Nicholas would be dispersed.
‘And Clara would surely guide the social circles’ gossip to focus on herself afterward.’
It was an exceptionally favorable proposal for me.
“Y-Your Highness the Grand Duchess? What do you mean by that? This is an audience with His Majesty the Emperor. You cannot simply decide on a companion like that… more importantly, who is this Young Lady?”
The moment I told Clara to come with me, the Attendant sprang up in protest.
At that, Clara, who had been wearing a satisfied smile, suddenly went rigid.
“I am Clara Amber of the Amber County. I am the Grand Duchess’s one and only cousin.”
With a subtle lift of her chin, she emphasized “one and only cousin” in a confident manner, and the Attendant looked at me with a troubled expression.
“However, Your Highness the Grand Duchess….”
“His Majesty the Emperor told me to treat the Imperial Palace as my home and visit whenever I please. Am I not even allowed to bring my cousin?”
“Pardon? Well, that is…”
“Then I shall take the tiara and return. I will see His Majesty at the finals of the Sword Tournament anyway, and I will clarify any misunderstandings then.”
As I spoke firmly, the Attendant’s complexion paled.
It was only natural. He must have been tasked with either handing me over to or bringing me to the Imperial Palace, yet he had failed at both.
“…I understand. Then I shall come to fetch you tomorrow with the Imperial carriage.”
Rather than reach a conclusion that satisfied neither party, the Attendant bowed his head, having decided to at least achieve half success.
I nodded to the Attendant as he prepared to return to the palace, then glanced sideways.
Clara, standing beside me, watched the Attendant’s respectful bow with satisfaction.
Sensing my gaze, she turned and smiled gracefully at me.
Her eyes gleamed with the satisfied look of one observing prey ripe for manipulation.
‘She’s going to regret this.’
I shook my head inwardly.
Since she had chosen this herself, I had nothing to say, but I questioned whether entering the Imperial Palace with me tomorrow would truly unfold as she calculated.
‘Well, as long as she maintains her boundaries and exercises restraint, there’s no reason for her to bring about her own ruin.’
Not long after the Attendant left, Clara hurried back to Count Petie’s Estate, saying she couldn’t join me for dinner.
It seemed she was preparing in advance to go to the Imperial Palace tomorrow.
‘I had wanted to make Grandfather happy.’
Though that regret lingered, I still believed I had navigated the unexpected obstacle that had befallen me today quite well.
…Or so I thought.
* * *
The next morning.
Mother heaved a long sigh as she watched me prepare to depart for the Imperial Palace.
“Must you really go, Adriana? Why don’t we say you’re ill right now? I’ll have the carriage turned back.”
“Mother.”
“Yes, I know. It’s absurd.”
Even as she said this, Mother lamented, “If only there were no Sword Tournament finals.”
She knew how desperately I wanted to attend the finals because Jack had boasted so many times that he would win.
“You should have summoned me yesterday instead. Then I could have given whoever sent this a piece of my mind and sent them packing.”
That seemed problematic in its own way, but I chose not to voice it aloud.
The family’s anger at hearing last evening that the Emperor had sent a tiara had only just begun to subside.
Especially, I had gone through considerable trouble restraining Father, who looked ready to storm the Imperial Palace at any moment.
Moreover, Grandfather, who had just returned from an outing, had also shown a terrifying reaction.
〈This tick of an Emperor—I thought he’d finally let go of my daughter, but now he’s setting his sights on my granddaughter?!〉
When I wondered where he had gone during the day, it turned out he had visited the Amber County.
Grandfather, who had encountered Clara entering the Count’s Estate, immediately rushed to the Marquis’s Residence upon hearing that both granddaughters would be going to the Imperial Palace tomorrow.
And the way he had raged, referring to the Emperor as “that scoundrel.”
After soothing my excited family, I had asked them to trust me and leave it to me, as I would meet the Emperor directly and settle this matter.
“I should definitely go with you!”
But Mother still seemed to distrust my ability to handle this alone.
“Mother, that absolutely cannot happen.”
If Mother accompanied me to the Imperial Palace today, the Emperor would certainly spread rumors of a formal meeting between families.
“I will make my refusal perfectly clear. Please don’t worry.”
When I spoke firmly, Mother also sighed deeply in resignation.
Just then, a commotion erupted outside.
Wondering if Clara had already arrived, I gestured, and Jane went out to check.
And moments later.
Bursting into the room with a loud clamor was none other than… Diana.
* * *
“Waaah! Sister….”
The moment Diana saw Lia, she burst into sorrowful tears.
“Sister, I’m sorry. I wasn’t there to be with you when you were ill….”
Last night, Diana had been out late with Aiden before returning home to hear the news that Lia had collapsed.
She had also heard that Lia had awakened fine and was now well, but her anxiety persisted without seeing it with her own eyes.
She had wanted to rush to the Marquis’s Residence immediately, but the hour had grown too late.
Upset by that alone, when Diana learned that Lia had collapsed in the Splesia Greenhouse, she felt her heart stop.
Truth be told, every time Diana saw Splecia, she was overwhelmed by an inexplicable sensation.
Sometimes she wanted to collapse on the floor and weep endlessly, and other times her chest ached as though it were being torn apart.
Until now, she had attributed it to the pink petals dancing in the breeze reminding her of Lia, missing her older sister and longing for her—but now doubt crept in.
Perhaps there was more to it than that.
‘And the necklace that Lia is wearing….’
She had let it pass in the joy and relief of reuniting with Lia, but Diana remained puzzled.
She vaguely recalled hearing that the necklace was a conduit for illusion magic, yet she couldn’t fathom why Lia still wore it.
Diana wanted to ask her older sister about it, but somehow the words wouldn’t come.
‘…Lia might be taken aback.’
She tried to convince herself of that, but deep down, she knew the truth.
She was afraid.
Afraid of Splecia, of the necklace, and of her awakening as a Saint.
As a child, Diana had often wondered why the world was filled with such terrifying monsters.
Only after meeting Raezl did she understand the reason, but it brought her no comfort.
Of course, thanks to her eyes that perceived the purity of souls, she could see Lia’s true form—a blessing indeed—but the world held few souls as radiant and beautiful as hers.
It was horrifying to see those who bore the forms of terrifying monsters walking freely among the living.
‘If only I weren’t the reincarnation of a Saint, I wouldn’t have been separated from Lia for so long.’
Even knowing it was a meaningless complaint, Diana had harbored such thoughts repeatedly.
Yet the moment she heard that Lia had collapsed, somehow everything felt like her fault alone.
“I should have… I should have protected you… *sobs*.”
As Diana’s weeping grew more intense, Lia quickly gestured to those around her.
The Grand Duchess, understanding that they wished to be alone, withdrew with the maidservants, and Lia spoke tenderly.
“Diana, stop crying now.”
“*sniffles* *sobs*.”
“Oh my, our little crybaby. I thought you’d grown up, but you’re still such a child.”
Diana wanted to cry even more at Lia’s teasing comfort, but she managed to hold back her tears. Sniffling, she asked.
“Older sister, are you alright?”
“Of course I am. I was just tired yesterday. I’m perfectly fine now.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely! Well, actually, my heart does hurt a little. Seeing our Diana cry like this.”
As she wiped away Diana’s tears and told her not to cry, Diana quickly nodded in agreement.
“Oh, you’re such a good girl.”
Lia gently stroked Diana’s head, pleased that she had stopped crying the moment she said her heart was hurting. Then, naturally shifting the conversation, she asked.
“Did you have fun playing with Aiden yesterday?”
“Huh? Oh!”
At that, Diana sprang to her feet as though struck by lightning.
“Diana?”
Lia watched in bewilderment as Diana suddenly knelt on one knee and produced a small case from her embrace.
“This is something I picked out after spending all day searching with Aiden—it’s for you!”
“A necklace? Thank you. But why all of a sudden…?”
I tilted my head curiously while examining the necklace—a piece of simple yet elegant design that seemed perfect for everyday wear—and Diana’s cheeks flushed as she asked me.
“Sister, our older brother confessed that he likes you, didn’t he?”
“Yes, what? What do you mean?”
“If you and my brother get married, we’ll truly become a real family!”
“That is…”
Before I could even ask what on earth she was talking about, my mind reeling from the shock, Diana spoke up.
Brimming with anticipation, she cried out.
“So please become my new sister-in-law!”

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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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