Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 202

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Before I could finish speaking, Lucio’s expression went blank.
‘Did he really think I would refuse after such a confession?’
Come to think of it, I don’t recall ever pushing him away.
His reaction made me laugh.
“Surely you didn’t change your mind just because I agreed?”
“…That’s impossible.”
Lucio seized my hand as if catching it, then lowered his head and pressed his lips to my fourth finger. Looking up at me, he whispered.
“Don’t you dare change your mind.”
I laughed again and nodded.
I had hesitated for a moment, wondering if I might drag Lucio into danger because of me, but now I felt no need to push him away.
Since those around us already knew of our relationship, thinking Terenthium wouldn’t know was little more than wishful thinking.
Master surely wasn’t unaware that I had come to cherish people beyond my family.
‘So don’t weaken now. All I need to do is protect my people as I have been.’
I had already resolved not to let my life be ruined anymore.
As I renewed that firm resolve, fear no longer gripped me.
My fingertips didn’t tremble, nor did I unconsciously fidget with my necklace.
Instead, when I squeezed Lucio’s hand in return, my turbulent heart instantly calmed.
Then Lucio, his gaze deepening, slowly brought his lips to mine.
Though I inwardly clicked my tongue at how he never missed an opportunity, I gladly accepted the warmth he offered.
* * *
The next day.
News of Grand Duke Bellus and his wife’s visit, along with the Late Marquis Diapel’s arrival, set the Imperial Palace bustling from morning.
Among the foreign guests visiting for the Founding Festival, this was the banquet with the dignitary the Emperor was most concerned about.
The Imperial Palace’s resources were fully mobilized—from the imperial chefs to the palace staff—to prepare for the banquet, and Duke Elrad even took charge of the banquet hall’s security in place of the Imperial Knights’ Commander, who was under disciplinary confinement.
Of course, it was absurd for the Duke, as head of House Elrad and Minister of Military Affairs, to personally oversee security.
Yet knowing that he was ordinarily called the “Emperor’s Sword” for his loyalty, the Grand Duchess and the Late Marquis merely cast bewildered glances at the Duke standing behind the Emperor as they entered the banquet hall, saying nothing.
The banquet that began this way grew tense when Prince Nicholas attended in place of the Empress, who was unwell, though fortunately the atmosphere recovered quickly.
The Grand Duke and his wife, as well as the Late Marquis, realized the Emperor’s true intentions from the fact that it was neither the First Princess nor anyone else, but the Prince who was summoned, and they pretended not to notice, as if they didn’t even want to mention it.
Yet just when the banquet seemed to be proceeding smoothly on the surface, the Emperor’s words brought crisis once more.
“Did you just say…what?”
The Grand Duke furrowed his brow sharply, his handsome features darkening as he asked.
The Grand Duchess and the Late Marquis wore equally displeased expressions.
But the Emperor, showing not a trace of embarrassment, brazenly repeated himself.
“What do you mean? That the Temple conveyed word of strange movements detected in the Forbidden Forest?”
“No, the next thing you said.”
As the Grand Duke spoke through gritted teeth, the Emperor nodded as if he had only then understood.
“Ah yes. That we should betroth the Crown Princess Bellus and the Second Prince for the sake of the people’s hearts.”
At that moment, the Grand Duchess brought her fist down on the table with a loud crash.
Startled by the sound, the Emperor flinched, and an intensely cold aura swept across the nape of his neck.
In an instant, the fresh flowers decorating the dining table withered as if struck by winter frost, and ice crystals bloomed across the glass cups.
Grand Duke Bellus possessed a temperament as warm and gentle as sunlight, and like a great archmage, he wielded magic freely across all schools of magic. Yet among them, ice magic was his particular specialty.
He opened his palm wide, a gesture indicating he could unleash aggressive ice magic as sharp as an ice spike at any moment if he so desired.
When the Emperor flinched at the menacing appearance of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, Duke Elrad quickly stepped forward to block them.
“Your Majesty is the master of the Empire. Let us calm our excitement.”
At that, the Grand Duchess looked at the Duke with eyes full of betrayal.
The Grand Duke hesitated, then clenched his fist and lowered his arm. Watching from behind, the Emperor’s lips curved upward.
The Grand Duchess might be different, but the Grand Duke lacked the temperament to confront Duke Elrad directly—a man with whom he shared a deep bond.
And since Duke Elrad would dedicate his life to protecting him, there was nothing to fear.
The Emperor, savoring his twisted sense of superiority, gave a meaningful glance to Duke Elrad, who stepped back once more.
In that moment, the Grand Duke, having barely composed himself, began to indirectly refuse the marriage proposal.
“Your Majesty, my daughter has only just reached adulthood.”
“Then isn’t this precisely the right age for marriage discussions to take place?”
“That is to say…”
Seeing the Emperor was not listening to reason, the Grand Duke found himself frowning involuntarily.
Yet the Emperor, paying no heed to the Grand Duke’s discomfort, continued speaking.
“The Temple says we cannot ignore the possibility of Demon Beasts appearing again. If this becomes known, how much unrest will grip the people?”
“It is the master of the Empire who must calm the people’s hearts. Have you forgotten? We are not subjects of the Empire.”
The Grand Duchess let out a scornful laugh.
In the past, her husband had pushed hard to eliminate the Demon Worshippers and pursue the Duchy’s independence precisely because he wished to sever ties with the Empire.
As imperial subjects, the Emperor had constantly summoned the Grand Duke, finding fault and pestering him endlessly.
Especially when he heard of her pregnancy, he had sent countless gifts for the unborn daughter to the Grand Duke’s Castle, hoping she would resemble the Grand Duchess.
At that time, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess had solidified their resolve for independence.
Her husband, a man who had always been far removed from harming others, had even stained his hands with blood to meet the Emperor’s demands for independence.
Yet though independence was granted, the price had been far too cruel.
The long, agonizing years of suffering from their daughter’s disappearance. Those wounds had not fully healed, and worse, they still threatened them.
Thinking of the Demon Worshippers targeting their daughter and her vow to take revenge upon them, the Grand Duchess clenched her fists.
Then the Emperor spoke to the Grand Duchess in a gentle, coaxing tone.
“Grand Duchess, how can you call this merely an Empire’s problem? If the Empire falters, it is only a matter of time before the entire Continent falls into chaos.”
“There is no need for such concern.”
It was the Grand Duke who answered.
“Would Demon Beasts choose to appear only in the Empire and not elsewhere? And even if they did, as long as I draw breath on this Continent, I have no intention of turning a blind eye. Should Demon Beasts truly appear again, Belus Duchy will not stand idle—we will send the mages of the Magic Tower and the Magic Swordsmen Corps to provide support.”
Having finished speaking calmly, the Grand Duke placed his hand over his wife’s delicate fist.
Watching the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess clasp hands tenderly and meet each other’s gaze, jealousy blazed in the Emperor’s eyes.
“Can the mages of the Magic Tower, the Magic Swordsmen Corps, and even you, called a great archmage, overcome a single Crown Princess?”
As the Emperor inadvertently revealed his true thoughts, the Grand Duke’s gaze turned sharp and piercing.
It was then.
“So because my granddaughter’s martial prowess is remarkable, Your Majesty would have her marry a prince and remain in the Empire for the sake of imperial security? Is this truly what you are saying?”
The Late Marquis Diapel, who had not spoken a word until now, asked in a voice dripping with incredulity.
Faced with the question from the Late Marquis—a man of unquestionable loyalty who had devoted his entire life to the Empire—even the Emperor wore an embarrassed expression.
Of course, he had no intention of abandoning his desires, so the Emperor, averting his gaze slightly, spoke to the Grand Duke.
“I understand your affection for your daughter well enough, but I do hope you won’t view my proposal in such a negative light.”
“Your Majesty wishes to use my daughter and bind us through marriage. How could I possibly view this favorably?”
“Use? That’s quite an exaggeration. This is a matter of continental peace—a noble cause. And isn’t that how marriage works? It would be ideal if all conditions aligned and affection existed as well, but weighing gains and losses in matrimonial arrangements is only natural. My proposal is hardly a loss for the Crown Princess, I assure you.”
At the Emperor’s words, Grand Duke Bellus and the Grand Duchess wore expressions of disbelief.
Even if he offered the entire Empire, they wouldn’t bat an eye—yet he claimed it was no loss.
Then the Emperor spoke as if reaching his crescendo.
“Every noble dreams of their child holding the right of succession to the throne. I promise you this: if the Crown Princess marries Prince Nicholas, I shall immediately hold the ceremony to crown him Crown Prince. The Crown Princess will become the future Empress, the mother of the Empire.”
“…!”
At those words, Prince Nicholas, who had been sitting in tense silence until now, opened his eyes wide.
He had received word to attend the banquet and harbored suspicions, but the Emperor had indeed brought up the matter of the next succession.
Before coming to the banquet hall, Prince Nicholas had sought out Lucio to voice his anxieties.
But Lucio, for whatever reason, merely told him not to worry and displayed an air of composure.
Much like Duke Elrad, who alone seemed at ease in this banquet hall now thick with tension.
Prince Nicholas understood that even if he married the Crown Princess and became Emperor, if he were at odds with Lucio, he would never truly achieve the dream he desired.
It was at that moment he decided he must refuse first, even if it meant incurring the Emperor’s wrath.
“What do you think of this marriage proposal, Duke?”
The Emperor suddenly turned his head and asked Duke Elrad.
“Don’t you think they would make a splendid pair?”
The Emperor smiled, watching the Grand Duchess, who seemed confident that Duke Elrad would never betray him.
Suddenly, I found myself curious—if she learned that her only friend’s life hung in the balance of her daughter’s marriage, how would she react?
“I….”
And just then, Duke Elrad opened his mouth to speak.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————