Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 184

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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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“…No. I don’t remember.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes…”
I made the same excuse I’d once given to Jane—that I couldn’t recall the dream’s contents.
There was no way I could speak about my past life as Raezl had instructed, no matter what else happened.
I’d mentioned having a frightening nightmare, and I worried it might seem odd that I couldn’t remember it. Fortunately, Lucio simply nodded without much reaction.
“But are you alright?”
“Me?”
“Your face is pale.”
At my words, Lucio asked “Is it?” and lightly touched his face.
Though his manner suggested indifference, something about it nagged at me as I stared at him intently.
“Lia, is this a snow flower?”
Lucio gestured toward the glass dome sitting on the table beside the bed.
“Yes, it is. How did you know?”
“I heard about it from Askart once before.”
“Ah, I see. It’s incredibly beautiful, isn’t it? This thing is so fascinating. Just having it nearby helps regulate mana.”
“…Yes. That’s how it’s supposed to work.”
Lucio murmured the words in a tone that left an oddly lingering aftertaste.
It was at that moment I tilted my head in confusion.
“Well, I’ve confirmed you’re awake, so I should be going.”
Lucio rose from his seat without hesitation.
I grabbed him urgently.
“Why?”
“The settlement…”
As I murmured softly, remembering last night, Lucio burst into laughter.
“Your accounting is thorough to a fault, isn’t it? You’ve only just woken up, and it’s far too early. We can discuss it another time.”
“No! Let’s do it now.”
I shook my head vigorously.
I had planned to convince my parents again today, but after hearing yesterday that they wanted to return to the Grand Duchy, I felt somewhat anxious.
Besides, Lucio was such a busy person that it wasn’t easy to see him, so if he left now, I had no idea when I’d see him again.
Unaware of my inner turmoil, Lucio looked at me with an expression that seemed to say ‘What am I to do with this stubborn child?’ before finally sitting beside me.
“Fine. I’d be grateful if you’d tell me quickly.”
“So what is it you’re curious about?”
I asked immediately.
Though I was eager, I was genuinely curious as well.
‘As the head of Darel, Lucio should know most information.’
What exactly was he trying to ask me…
“The object you smuggled out yesterday—it’s an ancient artifact, isn’t it?”
“…What?”
“I already knew Count Petie possessed an ancient artifact. Your private audience with the Emperor yesterday was to offer the artifact in exchange for Kenneth Petite’s release from prison. The Emperor, being obsessed with ancient artifacts, would have eagerly accepted. Am I right?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, I found myself nodding without thinking.
“And I heard you visited the Emperor’s Treasury yesterday.”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
“Could it be that there….”
Lucio, who had been asking questions without hesitation until now, suddenly stopped and sighed.
Seeing him hesitate so uncharacteristically made me tense as well.
Then Lucio seemed to reach a decision and asked gravely.
“Have you ever heard of demonic artifacts?”
“!”
“I’ve tried to gather information on my own for a long time, but it’s been difficult because sources are so scarce. The Temple must have restricted access to it.”
“….”
“When I heard that the Great Sage Raezl was the former High Priestess, I tried to approach her during a visit to the Duke’s Mansion, but she wouldn’t even acknowledge me.”
Lucio ran his hand through his hair in frustration and continued.
“I considered visiting the Temple together since they’re favorable toward Diana…. But there are other eyes watching, and more than that, I’m not inclined to do it.”
“…You don’t want to explain the detailed situation to Diana?”
When I asked, probing slightly, Lucio hesitated and looked at me before slowly nodding.
“That’s right. If you hadn’t stolen that ancient artifact, I wouldn’t have asked you either.”
“…What exactly do you want to know?”
From my response, he seemed to realize that I knew about the demonic artifact, and his eyes sharpened.
“How to break a contract mediated by a demonic artifact.”
My breath caught at his immediate answer.
“Why on earth would you be curious about….”
Before I could barely open my mouth to continue, both Lucio and I froze and looked toward the door.
I heard light footsteps ascending the staircase.
“It must be my maidservant. Let’s go.”
Speaking urgently, Lucio nodded and quickly disappeared toward the balcony connected to the room.
I immediately headed to the bathroom connected to the dressing room.
‘A contract mediated by a demonic artifact….’
Why would Lucio ask about ‘blood servitude’?
My mind grew complicated with mounting questions.
* * *
A short while later, after a quick shower, I emerged to find Jane waiting with a startled expression, as expected.
I barely endured her worried scolding about whether I’d woken early again from nightmares, then made my way with heavy steps to the Dining Room where my family was waiting.
‘I was worried they’d all have serious expressions because of what happened yesterday….’
Fortunately, the atmosphere during the meal was as peaceful as always.
Of course, my parents acting as though nothing had happened was awkward, but I could sufficiently feel that they were being considerate of me.
As I finished the meal, recalling my gratitude silently, I spoke to my parents carefully.
“Um, I was thinking of visiting the Elrad Duke’s Mansion for a bit today.”
“The Duke’s Mansion?”
“Yes. I want to see Diana.”
Who wouldn’t be startled by the appearance of a Demon Beast yesterday?
With fanatics proclaiming Diana a saint even arriving at the Marquis’s Residence, her heart must have been far more troubled than anyone else’s.
My parents seemed to have easily grasped the situation, so they readily gave their permission.
But truthfully, this was merely an excuse.
Of course I was worried about Diana, but my desire to show her the sacred relic I’d obtained at dawn was far greater.
Just as I was sending word of my visit to the Duke’s Mansion and preparing to leave, something happened.
“Your Highness, Sir Seydian has arrived.”
“…Jack?”
“Yes. He says he’ll escort you to the Duke’s Mansion.”
Jane laughed, remarking how thoughtful he was, calling him a friend since childhood.
But hearing that Jack was waiting in the Entrance Hall, I felt my expression stiffen without meaning to.
‘I absolutely cannot let it show. As long as I keep quiet, no one will ever know.’
Only Raezl and the Master know that I’m living a second life.
But even they couldn’t possibly know who killed me.
Raezl only vaguely senses the emotions from my past, and the Master… his only purpose is to kill or torment me, so he wouldn’t care who killed me in the first place.
‘So if I’m just careful, nothing will change, and no one will be hurt.’
I steeled my resolve and headed downstairs.
“Hello, Jack!”
Fortunately, I managed to face Jack more naturally than I’d expected.
As I approached with a cheerful greeting, Jack nodded with an awkward expression.
I tilted my head in confusion at his demeanor.
“Jack, why do you look like that?”
Lucio’s face had been pale this morning, and Jack looked just as haggard.
Jack didn’t seem aware of his own condition, awkwardly scratching his cheek before answering that he’d lost a bit of sleep.
A sigh escaped me.
For a Sword Master to look so worn out just from missing some sleep was absurd.
“…You must be quite disappointed, aren’t you?”
Finally, I asked carefully, and Jack’s eyes widened as he stammered, “Huh? How did you…”
I gave a bitter smile.
“How could I not know? You finally won the tournament, but you didn’t even get the flowers, the banquet was canceled, and everything fell apart.”
“Ah…”
At my words, Jack’s furrowed brow relaxed into a hollow laugh.
Seeing him like that, my sense of guilt only deepened.
If I had never come to the Empire, Jack would have become the tournament champion as he had in the past, basking in glory.
“Jack, I’m sorry.”
“…Why would you be?”
As I apologized in a dejected voice, Jack spoke with a blunt expression.
“You did nothing wrong. You know it yourself. I hate crowds and commotion. I thought it was good that the banquet was canceled.”
“…”
Just moments ago he’d seemed surprised when I asked if he was disappointed, yet now he said this.
Jack was one of the few people who knew the identity of the kidnapper who had taken me as a child, and that Diana was the Priestess.
So he must have suspected to some degree that the Demon Beast appeared because of me, yet I was grateful that he treated me with such consideration.
That’s why I smiled more brightly than usual as I spoke.
“Jack, I sincerely congratulate you on your victory. You were truly amazing! I already knew you were strong, but you were even more incredible than I expected!”
At that, Jack blinked his eyes a couple of times before hanging his head low.
“It’s still not enough. …To protect you.”
“Huh?”
“It means I’m far weaker than you.”
Jack, saying those words, looked deeply dejected despite his large frame.
‘It seems the sight of me defeating the Demon Beast with magic must have been quite a shock to him.’
I felt a bit embarrassed and wrinkled my nose.
“It’s not really fair to compare a mage and a knight. Besides, Jack, you’re already one of the few Sword Masters on the Continent. They say you’ll become a knight that no one can underestimate, and you’ve truly lived up to that promise, haven’t you? I’m so proud of you!”
Jack froze, his expression showing surprise at my words.
“…Jack?”
“You…remembered?”
“What? Are you talking about the promise you made?”
At my question, Jack nodded vigorously, making a loud sound.
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Of course. You told me to make sure and check if you kept your promise. I checked.”
“….”
Jack stared at me with a blank expression for a long while.
And the moment I thought a faint smile was blooming on his face, Jack turned his head away, covering his face with his large hand.
“…Yeah.”
His voice was as blunt as always.
But from his reddened ears and the back of his neck, I could tell that Jack was genuinely delighted.
After that, Jack told me that he and Allen would be going on a full-scale training exercise with the Lexion Knights.
Since Demon Beasts had appeared, it seemed they were preparing for any unforeseen circumstances, befitting the Empire’s greatest military force.
When Jack asked when I would return to Bellus Duchy, I answered that I would probably stay in the Empire for a while longer, and Jack laughed, saying he hoped to finish his training and return soon so we could meet again.
As I headed to the Duke’s Mansion while having such ordinary conversations with Jack, I felt a sense of relief.
I had worried that things might be awkward when I saw Jack…but thankfully, they weren’t.
I resolved once more in my heart that I would keep this secret until the day I died.

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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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