Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 177

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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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Conveying the nuance that I had misspoken out of genuine concern rather than any intention to gossip, Nicholas relaxed his rigid expression and smiled once more.
“I’ll remember that you spoke with my interests at heart, Young Lady.”
Clara nodded at Nicholas’s response. Then, as if bashful, she hurried through her farewell and took her leave.
I congratulated myself on successfully diminishing Nicholas’s affection for Adriana—whom he’d been stealing glances at throughout lunch—and imprinting myself upon his mind instead.
And then.
“…How absurd.”
Nicholas let out a hollow laugh as he watched Clara’s retreating figure grow smaller.
As if recognizing a kindred spirit, he had seen through Clara’s artifice at a glance.
Recalling her nauseating display of feigned innocence as she attempted to drive a wedge between the Grand Duke’s daughter and me, his mood soured considerably.
“If you’re going to do it, do it properly.”
The Grand Duke’s daughter had spent her childhood unaware of her own station. Whatever her circumstances, her life could hardly have been smooth.
Yet here she was, less than a decade after discovering her true place, carrying herself with such arrogance over her origins?
It made no sense. Rather, it was Clara—who lacked even the calculation to pull off such scheming and resorted to clumsy attempts at manipulation—who seemed the very embodiment of arrogance.
And yet.
“Is she truly as innocent as she appears?”
Here was someone standing so close, ready to plunge a knife into his back.
Under normal circumstances, he would have found her pitiful, but given her connection to Lucio, he felt a twinge of sympathy instead.
“Was that directed at me?”
At the sound of a voice from behind, Nicholas froze in place.
Bewildered that the private audience had ended so quickly, he stood motionless until a soft laugh rang out and the Grand Duke’s daughter appeared before him.
“That, that couldn’t possibly be the case. How could I….”
He hastily began to deny it, but the Grand Duke’s daughter, her smile deepening, spoke.
“I’ll keep it a secret.”
“…Pardon?”
“Weren’t you worried that I might speak ill of you to someone close to me?”
Nicholas blinked slowly.
And a moment later.
He clapped his hand over his mouth in shock.
‘So the Grand Duke’s daughter really is Lucio’s…!’
Her words meant she also knew of his alliance with Lucio.
They were intimate enough to share such secrets!
Nicholas’s face flushed crimson before he could do anything to stop it.
“Ah, yes…. I’m much obliged.”
Though flustered, Nicholas quickly bowed his head, eager to gain points.
When he raised his head again, the Grand Duke’s daughter’s expression seemed to have soured somewhat….
But Nicholas, acutely aware that he stood before the beloved of the person he relied on most, could only smile shyly.
* * *
‘Mother, that man really does love Diana!’
I stared at Nicholas in astonishment as he smiled bashfully, his cheeks flushed.
I never expected him to agree so readily to a question I’d posed so casually.
‘Even asking me to do my best?’
Have I lost my mind!
Having firmly resolved never to approach Diana again, I proceeded toward the carriage with Nicholas, my guard raised to its highest.
Whether from embarrassment at having his feelings exposed, Nicholas kept touching his flushed cheeks and clearing his throat awkwardly beside me.
I found his behavior absurd, but only briefly—my thoughts soon drifted back to the private audience I’d just had with the Emperor.
In truth, throughout the meal, the thick, nauseating stench of blood emanating from the Demon’s Relic had robbed me of all appetite.
〈…Demon’s Relic? What is that?〉
〈Exactly as it sounds. A demon’s possession.〉
Curious after Raezl had mentioned it in passing long ago, I had once inquired in detail about the Demon’s Relic.
〈A demon that breathes greed and incites slaughter would gift humans nothing but the most sinister of objects. Among them, there are those that forge forced servitude through blood, binding one in absolute subjugation.〉
The description I’d heard then bore a striking resemblance to the object I’d glimpsed in the Emperor’s Treasure Vault moments ago.
‘And that blood-soaked reek on top of it all.’
The Emperor had always unsettled me, but now even facing him made my stomach turn.
Yet, reminding myself of the purpose behind my visit to the Imperial Palace, I had requested a private audience to decline the marriage proposal.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor had anticipated my intentions even as we walked toward the Audience Chamber, striking first.
〈So Prince Nicholas displeases you that much?〉
〈Pardon? That is…〉
〈It is unfortunate that I have but one son. Still, I understand your wishes, so harbor no burden and visit the Imperial Palace frequently during your time in the Empire.〉
His ready respect for my will made me wonder if this was a stratagem to lower my guard, and I regarded him with suspicious eyes.
The Emperor, noticing this, smiled bitterly, but I opened my mouth to bring matters to a definitive close.
〈I am grateful for your consideration, Your Majesty. I shall not forget the grace you have shown this humble one.〉
And to ensure no harm befell Prince Nicholas, I added that it was not his fault, but rather that I harbored no desire to enter a betrothal with anyone at present.
Just as my conversation with the Emperor was concluding favorably.
〈Your Majesty! Please forgive my son!〉
Count Petie, who had been waiting before the Audience Chamber, rushed forward and prostrated himself before the Emperor.
The Emperor’s brow furrowed as he gestured toward the Imperial Guard, but the Count cried out urgently.
〈Please hear me out just once! I possess the ancient…that Your Majesty seeks!〉
〈Wait.〉
The Emperor abruptly cut off the Count’s words and turned to me.
〈The Grand Duke appears to have said all she needs to say, so further audience is unnecessary. You may withdraw.〉
〈…Yes, Your Majesty.〉
I bowed deeply and carefully retreated backward. I heightened my senses to catch the ensuing conversation, but all that reached my ears was the sound of the door closing.
‘Jane’s report was accurate, it seems.’
〈It appears the Count intends to surrender the ancient relic he has been safeguarding in exchange for his son’s pardon.〉
Having planned to investigate the circumstances by which the Petier Family came to possess the ancient relic before ransacking Count Petie’s Estate, I already understood the situation to some degree through Jane’s report.
But the Count’s actions came faster than anticipated.
My mind racing, I witnessed Clara making advances toward Nicholas, yet felt no particular reaction.
‘It was something I had already foreseen to some extent.’
I decided to pay Clara no further mind and focus instead on what I needed to accomplish.
“Then I shall see you at the Swordsmanship Tournament Arena.”
I’m not sure when Nicholas arrived at the carriage, but he greeted me as I approached.
His face was still flushed.
I nodded reluctantly and boarded the carriage.
And just as I was closing the door—
“Huh? Lucio…?”
Along with Nicholas’s startled voice, Lucio burst into the carriage.
“What, what are you doing?! Why are you getting in?”
“I’m coming with you.”
I cried out in surprise, but Lucio answered brazenly, shut the door firmly, and signaled the coachman to depart.
So bewildered I could only gape, I thought of Nicholas outside, surely flustered by this sight.
“Perfect timing, actually! I had something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
Watching Lucio tilt his head innocently, unaware that the man he wanted to make Emperor was targeting his sister, I spoke seriously.
“I thought I should warn you. Someone so old, yet so shameless, pestering a young girl like that…”
“Wait!”
Before I could finish, Lucio suddenly raised his hand to stop me.
He wore an expression as if struck by a club—utterly shocked.
“What’s wrong all of a sudden? Are you hurt?”
“Do I… disgust you that much?”
“Pardon?”
“For being old and shameless while having feelings for you?”
“F-feel… what?!”
Startled by the word “feelings,” I stammered, then belatedly grasped Lucio’s meaning and covered my mouth with a gasp.
But I had been talking about Nicholas, not Lucio!
I tried to correct myself immediately, but stopped when I saw the man with the coldest expression wearing a wounded look, his lips pressed firmly shut.
Shocked by this unbelievable sight, I quickly turned my head away, only to hear a melancholic voice.
“Sorry for being old.”
“Pf-pfft!”
Unable to hold back, I burst into laughter, and Lucio looked at me with resentful eyes.
“So you’ve decided to mock me outright? You’re really making me miserable…”
“Ah, stop it. I wasn’t talking about the Grand Duke.”
At my words, Lucio narrowed his eyes as if gauging my sincerity.
“…Really?”
“Yes. I was talking about Prince Nicholas.”
“Nicholas? …I forgot, but he’s the same age as me.”
Lucio’s expression brightened for a moment, then grew gloomy again. Then he paused and asked.
“Did Nicholas… pester you? Or rather, behave disrespectfully toward you?”
If I answered yes, he looked ready to turn the carriage around immediately.
Startled by Lucio’s fierce gaze, I quickly waved my hands.
“You said I was a young girl. But I’m not a child.”
How long has it been since my coming-of-age ceremony?
Besides, this was my second coming-of-age.
Lucio blinked slowly at my words before letting out a soft chuckle.
“Right. You’re not a child.”
“Mm.”
Feeling oddly embarrassed, I rolled my eyes, and he tilted his head as he asked.
“Then who were you talking about?”
I answered quickly.
“Diana!”
“…Diana?”
Lucio’s expression showed he couldn’t understand why Diana’s name had come up.
I spoke in frustration.
“Prince Nicholas harbors ill intentions toward Diana!”
“What? That can’t be….”
Lucio, who had been about to refute me, furrowed his brow.
“I see what’s going on now.”
“What is it?”
“He does harbor intentions, but not the kind you’re thinking of, so you don’t need to worry.”
His calm response irritated me.
At this rate, when I receive a marriage proposal later, how shocked will I be!
I glared at him with a pouty expression, and Lucio narrowed his brows.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Did I indirectly say I dislike you?”
“No, why do you keep saying such things?”
“It’s true that I’m older than you.”
His expression, which seemed oddly dejected and unlike him, left me somewhat bewildered.
‘Old? I’ve never thought of it that way….’

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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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