Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 197

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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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Ordinarily, I should have scoffed at him.
But Serphin found herself unable to mock him.
If she were to say now that she desired the imperial throne, she had an eerie premonition that the man would slit the Emperor’s throat and present it to her without hesitation.
So, without thinking, she found herself asking instead.
“Why me, of all people?”
No matter how rapidly Nicholas was expanding his influence, the legitimacy of succession still belonged to her.
As the Emperor and Empress’s only legitimate daughter, with her maternal family being one of only two ducal houses in the Empire, outwardly she lacked for nothing.
Then why had Terenthium sent an invitation to her rather than Nicholas?
As if they knew she harbored a secret desire all her own.
At that moment, the man who had been staring intently at Serphin spoke abruptly.
“Humans are truly strange creatures.”
The instant she sensed something alien in his words.
The man, now standing directly before her, asked:
“Is it not enough to hold what you desire in your grasp?”
Without time to compose herself, Serphin met his crimson gaze directly and felt herself overwhelmed by the sheer pressure emanating from him.
“Answer me. What is it that you want?”
“I… I…”
She forced strength into her trembling throat and lifted her chin defiantly, yet her voice quavered uncontrollably.
But this was nothing.
“Lucio Elrad…”
Secrets she had never confessed even at the Grand Temple, truths she herself could scarcely affirm, spilled from her lips against her will.
“Make him mine. Let him whisper love only to me.”
The man, who had been relentlessly demanding an answer, fell silent upon hearing Serphin’s words, his gaze lowering as though lost in thought.
“Love, is it.”
Serphin, who had bitten her lips hard in shock at her own reckless confession, flushed crimson at the man’s murmur.
She herself could scarcely believe she had spoken of something as trivial as love rather than absolute power, wealth, or honor—and she could only imagine how absurd the man must find her.
“I accept the commission.”
Then came the man’s clear response.
Serphin stared at him in astonishment.
No matter how renowned the Information Guild was, she could not fathom how they would accept such an unreasonable request—to obtain someone’s heart.
Yet strangely, Serphin felt an inexplicable certainty that this man would truly grant her wish.
It was as though she had been enchanted.
Unable to resist the irresistible allure, Serphin slowly nodded her assent.
“Then what is the price…?”
In that instant, the man’s eyes gleamed with terrible coldness.
He whispered in a low, desolate voice:
“There is but one thing a mere human like you can offer me.”
* * *
“Grandfather, are you quite all right?”
“When one grows old, minor ailments accumulate. But I’m fine, so there’s no need to worry, dear.”
Despite his reassuring words, Grandfather’s voice emerged hollow and devoid of strength.
Seeing him like this, my concern deepened, and I lowered my eyes.
‘Grandfather is not one to speak so weakly.’
The sight of him lying in bed with all his vigor drained away pierced my heart.
Yet I couldn’t bring myself to offer hollow words of comfort.
‘I never imagined Countess Amber could be involved in my abduction….’
After tossing through the night, I finally rose from bed—grateful, at least, that I hadn’t suffered nightmares—and descended to the first floor.
The shock of seeing Askart, who should have been in the Grand Duchy, was brief.
〈Adriana, I have something to tell you. Please, try not to be too alarmed, and I hope this won’t burden you too heavily.〉
Father, his complexion ashen from a sleepless night, relayed to me what Countess Amber had confessed in a moment of anger the day before.
The revelation had shocked the entire family, Grandfather most of all.
Though I was startled, I wasn’t wounded as my family feared I would be.
In fact, I felt a strange gratitude toward Countess Amber.
If I knew them as I did, they would have discovered Father’s absence one way or another, with or without her.
Had they not, a terrible confrontation between the Demon Worshippers and Father could have left him gravely injured.
‘Perhaps worse than merely injured….’
The mere thought made my heart feel as though it would tear, and I quickly shook my head.
But the reason I could maintain such detachment was, undoubtedly, that I had never truly regarded Countess Amber as family.
Otherwise, seeing Grandfather torment himself, blaming himself for being the one who had spoken to her, would have wounded me far more deeply.
“Grandfather, please don’t grieve so.”
At my meager words, Grandfather lifted his head and met my gaze.
Seeing the sorrow in his eyes, I continued, desperately hoping my sincerity would reach him.
“If hating her is too painful, you don’t have to. When you suffer, I suffer too.”
After Countess Amber left, Grandfather had shut himself in his study all night without moving, and at first light, he sent messengers to my Uncle in the Marquis Territory and to the Bank.
He was ending their business ventures with the Amber County and retrieving their investments.
Once that was complete, Grandfather emerged from his study only to be seized by vertigo and nearly collapsed before being carried directly to his bedroom.
‘Fortunately, the physician said it was merely exhaustion and that rest would restore him….’
Yet my heart felt unbearably heavy.
Especially seeing Mother’s expression darken at the sight of Grandfather—who had always appeared so robust—now so frail.
So I spoke to Mother as well.
“Mother, you don’t need to become like Countess Amber because of me.”
After Father told me about Countess Amber, Mother had repeated several times, as if swearing an oath, that she would never forgive her.
Though the family bond was already severed in all but name, I didn’t wish for Mother to take revenge herself.
“It’s already in the past. Fortunately, I’ve been reunited with my family.”
Even if my previous life ended without my ever knowing I had a family at all.
At that, something flickered in Mother’s eyes.
Unable to contain her surging emotions, Mother cried out.
“Adriana, resent me instead! Ask me to feel the same pain and anguish you’ve endured! Why do you….”
“….”
“Even when I was out of my mind and didn’t recognize you, when I hurt you, you only said you hated me in words—you never truly hated me. My dear, when you’re so kind like this, it breaks my heart even more.”
At the sound of Mother’s voice trembling with sobs, I fell silent for a moment before shaking my head.
“I’m not kind. I didn’t hold back with Clara either. I simply find it harder to hate someone, so that’s why. And… I told you before. I haven’t forgotten.”
〈You may have forgotten your vow of vengeance, but I have not.〉
〈I was separated from my parents the moment I was born and suffered so much. It was so painful and difficult. Even in death, I cannot forget that resentment.〉
It was true that the Countess, blinded by greed, had played a role in my abduction.
But the ones I truly resented and needed to take revenge upon were not her—they were the Demon Worshippers.
My parents’ faces hardened at my words.
I deliberately pretended not to notice and turned my gaze toward Grandfather.
Grandfather, who had been shedding silent tears while listening to our conversation, lowered his head and apologized, saying, “I’m truly sorry.”
Seeing him like that, I sensed that no matter what I said now about his innocence, he wouldn’t accept it.
Thinking that time was what he needed, I shook my head and clapped my hands to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
“Oh, by the way, Duke Elrad’s estate sent medicine earlier that’s supposed to be excellent for restoring vitality.”
Remarkably well-timed, Duke Elrad had sent medicine for Grandfather to take.
According to the Butler, the Duke had been concerned about Grandfather’s health from before and had been consistently sending medicine.
“Please take it and regain your strength, Grandfather.”
I was marveling at Duke Elrad’s thoughtfulness in sending candy and chocolate along with the medicine for Grandfather, who disliked bitter medicine, when I offered it to him.
A different silence fell over the Bedroom.
Wondering if I had said something strange, I tilted my head in confusion, and light suddenly returned to Grandfather’s eyes, which had been dull until moments before.
“This, this infuriating bastard! After seeing him in that state yesterday, he sends medicine? Is he trying to cause the illness and then cure it?”
“That’s what I mean. Duke Elrad, I didn’t think he was like that…”
Suddenly Grandfather jumped up in anger, and Father nodded in agreement, shaking his head.
Blinking in confusion at this incomprehensible situation, I turned to look at Mother, whose expression had become peculiar.
Then Askart, standing beside her, cried out with a face on the verge of tears.
“I oppose it!”
“…What?”
“This old man opposes it too! You’re far too young!”
“Father is right. You’re still too young. Moreover…”
Father nodded slowly and looked at me.
“A man who doesn’t even seek his parents’ permission for courtship before pressing his lips to yours cannot be trusted.”
“Exactly! I came rushing to the Empire believing in Lucio, I really did! But the moment I arrived and saw that scoundrel’s lips were torn, I was so exasperated!”
I froze solid, listening blankly to Father and Askart’s words.
I felt as though my mind was turning completely white.
“W-what on earth are you talking about…?”
The moment I barely managed to open my mouth, Askart grabbed my hand and whimpered.
“Adriana, let’s return to the Grand Duchy. I can’t bear to stay even a moment longer in this Empire crawling with thieves!”
“Older Brother…”
“Mother said you agreed to this, but I can’t believe it! I don’t know how that scoundrel seduced you, but my innocent sister doing what I’ve never even…”
“S-stop!”
I hastily raised my hand to cover Askart’s mouth. Then, swallowing hard, I asked.
“You don’t… know, do you?”
There’s no way Lucio would have said it himself—but how on earth did he find out?
Unable to bring myself to ask directly, I stared at him anxiously, and Askart tilted his head, not understanding my words.
Mother sighed and answered in my stead.
“He’s asking if you know that he kissed the Duke Elrad’s eldest son.”
“!”

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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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