Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 178

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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 knew Lucio was older than me, but I had never been conscious of the age difference.
He had always been mature in both my past life and this one, and I simply attributed it to his nature rather than his years.
Even Askart, who was the same age as Lucio, sometimes felt like a younger brother to me, so his words caught me off guard.
Lucio’s expression grew sullen as he lowered his brows.
“Truth is, when Father asked if Askart and I were the same age, it stung a little.”
“Really?”
I hadn’t noticed at all—he’d answered so brazenly that I’d been worried about Father’s blood pressure.
“Wait a minute! But why are you calling him ‘Father’ all of a sudden?”
As I asked in surprise, the corners of Lucio’s mouth lifted, replacing his gloomy expression.
“You lack perception, yet you’re surprisingly sharp.”
“What did you say?!”
“Don’t be angry. The Grand Duke is also the father of my dear friend.”
And perhaps he would become my true family in the future.
At his quiet addition, I made a dumbfounded expression, and Lucio spoke as if hurt.
“Why? Is it because I’m older after all…?”
“That’s not it!”
I shouted and turned my head away from Lucio’s gaze, muttering softly.
“It’s just… I don’t have the luxury or the mindset for that right now.”
What I had told the Emperor—that I had no intention of betrothing myself to anyone at present—was not a lie.
In my past life, I had thought cynically that no one would ever harbor such feelings for me, and in this life, I hadn’t had the opportunity to entertain such hopes.
Of course, I admit that learning of Lucio’s feelings made my heart flutter without my realizing it.
But before I could share something sweet with anyone, I had to first resolve the demon’s soul stone hanging around my neck and the matter of my own soul.
I couldn’t ask someone to bear this heavy burden simply because they cared for me, or because I cared for them.
“There’s that expression again.”
Lucio sighed then.
“I’m the one carrying this, so why do you wear such a face?”
Had I worn an expression as if I were about to cry?
As I fidgeted with my face, he spoke quietly.
“I’m fine. I can wait.”
“…”
“Take it. I came here to give you this today.”
Lucio withdrew something from his breast pocket—a communication stone.
At my questioning look, he clicked his tongue briefly.
“I heard yesterday that you collapsed. More precisely, I received a report. Hearing about you that way… I really didn’t like it. And knowing that, being unable to do anything about it was worse.”
“…”
I gazed at Lucio as he offered me the communication stone.
His face bore traces of frustration, worry, and an affection that could not be hidden.
He may not have realized it, but moments ago, he had told me that he loved me.
Yet even without such direct words… I could no longer claim ignorance of this man’s heart.
“If you can’t accept it because it feels burdensome, think of it as coming from the Guild Master of Darel. VIP requests are always welcome.”
Since I merely stared without any intention of accepting it, Lucio spoke with a slightly impatient tone.
Just as I was about to reluctantly take the communication crystal from him—
“Oh, a commission!”
“Hmm?”
“I have something I need to request!”
My eyes sparkled as I gazed at Lucio, the thought having arrived at the perfect moment.
* * *
“Sister, over here!”
As I stepped into the Tournament Grounds, Diana waved her hand and gestured toward me.
I had worried considerably on the way to the Imperial Palace, but fortunately her expression appeared bright.
‘She seems pleased to see Lucio standing beside me.’
Embarrassed, I scratched my cheek as I made my way toward the seats where my parents and Duke Elrad’s family had gathered.
The moment I sat down, Mother asked immediately.
“Adriana, about your visit to the Imperial Palace…”
“It went well. There’s nothing for you to worry about now.”
“But why…”
Father began to speak, then glanced to the side.
Following his gaze, I saw Lucio seated beside Diana.
He seemed curious as to why I had come with him.
“We simply happened to be heading in the same direction, so we traveled together.”
I spoke as casually as possible while my eyes swept across the Tournament Grounds as if merely observing.
And in the moment I turned my head without thinking—
“!”
My body froze like ice.
Far across the way, a man leaning casually against the wall with his arms loosely crossed was unmistakably the Master.
The moment I saw him, a chilling sensation ran down my spine, and my heart ached as if being squeezed.
Overwhelmed by a strange mixture of fear and longing, I gazed at the Master while desperately concealing my turmoil.
‘…He’s looking at me.’
He was watching me as well.
Though the distance was great, I could instinctively sense that our eyes had met precisely.
Then his lips moved slowly.
In the moment I widened my eyes, trying to understand what he was saying—
“So your grandfather is sitting over there.”
Mother’s voice reached me from beside.
Startled, I turned my head and saw Grandfather in the lower seats not far away, seated with Count Amber and his wife. Clara was with them as well.
Grandfather could have sat in the Upper Seats. It seemed the Countess was concerned about something…
“Oh!”
“Adriana, what’s wrong?”
“No…… it’s nothing.”
I forced a smile.
I quickly turned my gaze away, but in that brief moment, Master had vanished without a trace.
* * *
“Roooaaarrr!”
A thunderous roar that seemed to shake the very heavens erupted across the Tournament Grounds.
The moment Jack ascended the central platform in the arena, fully clad in helmet and armor, the cheers swelled even louder—from women who admired him to warriors who were captivated by his swordsmanship, a chorus of acclaim that transcended age and gender.
One of the Empire’s Three Great Knights. The Sword Master. The hope of the common people, Jack Seidian.
His opponent in the finals, announced beneath that towering name and now standing on the platform, could only swallow nervously, tension and fear gripping his heart.
As the day’s protagonists emerged from opposite ends of the Tournament Grounds and converged at the center of the platform, the Emperor rose slowly from the Upper Seats and placed his hand upon the railing.
The Emperor’s gaze swept lightly across the now-silent spectators before he addressed those who had advanced to the finals.
“I expect a fair and impartial match.”
His solemn voice resonated through the air, and the moment the Emperor returned to his seat, the Attendant gestured.
Pam-pam-pam-pam!
The starting signal that filled the arena unleashed a torrent of cheers from the crowd that had been holding its breath.
At that moment, Jack, who had shaken hands with his opponent and was moving to his position, cast a fleeting glance toward the Upper Seats where the high nobility and foreign delegations were seated.
Despite the considerable distance to the spectator stands, hair the color of cotton candy—a delicate pale pink—caught his eye with remarkable clarity.
Jack unconsciously tightened his grip on the sword in his hand.
He had resolved to display his full strength today.
He wanted to show how much of an excellent knight he had become, how hard he had worked to honor the promise made on the day they parted.
To prove that the weak, fragile boy of his childhood no longer existed.
That he had become strong enough to protect someone.
And…
‘That I want to protect you from now on.’
With that vow, Jack—determined to confess his feelings after winning the championship—fixed his opponent with a gaze honed sharp as a blade.
Finally, as the referee unfurled the massive flag, both combatants drew their swords simultaneously and lunged toward each other.
Keeeeng, clang!
The instant their blades met in mid-air.
‘The outcome is already decided.’
Allen, watching from the spectator stands, was certain of Jack’s victory.
His opponent’s skill was respectable, but Jack’s superiority was simply too great.
As Allen, pleased with himself despite it not being his own match, tilted his chin up contentedly, he suddenly tilted his head in confusion.
Today’s match was one of the spectacles of the Founding Festival meant to delight the Emperor.
‘Given Jack’s nature, I thought he’d go easy on his opponent and drag out the match before winning…’
Contrary to expectations, Jack was wielding his sword with all his might.
He refrained from using aura only because of the rules, but he seemed far more earnest than when sparring with me.
‘Why is he trying so hard?’
Watching Jack’s display, which resembled actual combat, Allen felt momentarily dazed and found himself oddly discontented.
‘I should have sent Jack out last year.’
Then I could have displayed my skills freely and shown my prowess in this place today.
Scratching his head, unable to understand why such thoughts were arising, Allen shook his head and refocused on the match.
As expected, Jack’s movements were economical and nearly devoid of unnecessary motion.
Living up to his reputation, Jack’s attacks were remarkably swift and sharp, targeting vital points with lethal precision. No matter how skillfully his opponent deflected the blade at an angle, there were limits to how much he could evade.
‘There it is.’
The opponent, who had been retreating hesitantly, finally committed a fatal mistake—he exposed his back.
Jack, spotting the critical opening, immediately assumed the stance for a finishing blow.
And moments later.
His opponent knelt on the ground while Jack stood behind him, his blade pressed against the side of the opponent’s neck.
A flawless victory.
Allen smiled contentedly, thinking that if this had been real combat, Jack’s sword would have pierced through the chest rather than merely resting against the neck.
The Tournament Grounds, which had been utterly silent until then, erupted in cheers and applause like fireworks.
“That was magnificent.”
Jack, sheathing his sword, extended his hand to his opponent.
Normally, when sparring with anyone other than Allen, he would hold back and preserve their dignity. But today, he hadn’t shown any restraint—he’d been far too harsh. A wave of embarrassment and regret washed over him.
However, contrary to his concerns.
“I—I was honored to cross blades with Sir Seidian!”
His opponent cried out with a voice full of emotion, as though being struck with genuine force by Jack was the greatest honor imaginable.
Relieved, Jack offered a faint smile and turned his gaze back toward the Upper Seats.
‘…?’
Jack’s expression stiffened slightly.
Lia, whom he had expected to be smiling brightly and waving her hand, was rising from her seat with a pale face.

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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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