Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 205
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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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In the heart of the highest elevation in Elrad Duchy.
Even at the dead of night, the area was illuminated by mana stones strategically placed throughout, and the Lexion Knights were currently in the midst of their nocturnal training.
The knights, whose pride as the Empire’s strongest order had been shaken by a recent battle with Demon Beasts, were undergoing extreme training in this location.
Until now, they had been confident in their swordsmanship above all else, but having faced Demon Beasts that could only be harmed by mana-based attacks, infusing their blades with aura had become their top priority.
The same applied to Allen and Jack, both Sword Masters.
The two were currently sparring in a separate area.
As they exchanged blows at a speed nearly impossible to follow with the naked eye, Jack’s blade pierced sharply into an opening, but Allen managed to block the attack by the narrowest of margins.
The recoil sent a tingling sensation of aura coursing through his wrist and up to his elbow.
As Allen let out a small groan and stumbled backward, Jack quickly lowered his blade and looked at him.
Since the two were usually evenly matched in skill, it was strange that Allen was taking the full brunt of the impact like this.
Moreover, today in particular, Jack had noticed several times that Allen’s grip on his sword was unsteady and his defense was faltering.
Ever since hearing news from the Duke’s Residence from an attendant who arrived from the Capital this morning, Allen seemed oddly distracted.
“Are you alright?”
When Jack asked, lowering his blade, Allen laughed awkwardly.
“Let’s call it a day. I need to return to the Capital tomorrow, and I’ll oversleep if we keep going.”
Thanks to their overflowing enthusiasm, many knights had become proficient with aura during this training period.
Not only had they achieved more meaningful results than originally planned, but since no one knew when Demon Beasts might appear, the Belus Duchy had distributed teleport scrolls to all members of the Lexion Knights, allowing them to return to the Capital ahead of schedule.
Jack nodded at Allen’s words, sheathed his blade, and then stared at him as if waiting for what he would say next.
“What?”
“Didn’t you have something to tell me?”
“…You noticed?”
When Jack nodded, Allen, whose lips had been itching to speak all day, finally gave in and opened his mouth.
“It’s about Lia.”
“Lia?”
“Yeah! I mean, I didn’t know this either, but apparently the Grand Duchess and my father made a promise when they were young to betroth their children if they had any?”
“What?”
“You’re surprised too, right? I was so shocked when I heard about it this morning!”
The attendant who came from the Duke’s Residence this morning had told Allen that Duke Elrad and Grand Duchess Bellus had promised to become in-laws when they were young, and that rumors were circulating that they would soon fulfill that promise.
As Allen awkwardly twisted his body while revealing this story, Jack, who had been momentarily rigid, asked in a clipped tone.
“So… you’re saying marriage discussions are currently taking place between the House of Bellus and House Elrad?”
“Yeah, that’s exactly it!”
Allen nodded and continued.
“Ascart and Diana have too much of an age difference, and since Lia was decided upon from birth, it seems the matter had been left hanging until now.”
At that moment, Jack suddenly turned his head.
Taize, the Vice-Captain of the Lexion Knights and Jack’s adoptive father, was standing awkwardly nearby.
He had come to tell them to end their sparring, but it seemed he had unintentionally overheard their conversation, and his expression was uncomfortable.
“Is that true?”
At Jack’s question, Taize’s shoulders flinched.
Though he appeared as stoic as usual, he had detected the subtle tremor in Jack’s voice.
Knowing of his son’s long-standing unrequited affection, he nodded heavily.
“The Grand Duke did mention something similar before.”
“Really?”
At those words, Allen interjected with an animated expression.
“So does that mean I might actually marry Lia?”
“….”
“Well, of course! We’re only two years apart in age, and we’ve been close since childhood!”
Allen, who had been speaking in an excited tone, belatedly shook his head as if embarrassed.
“But still, how could the two of us ever, ever get married! Right? Jack, what do you think?”
“I believe it’s unreasonable, sir.”
“R-really…?”
As Allen wore an awkward expression at Jack’s resolute answer, Jack continued.
“No matter what promises the adults have made, it makes no sense to decide something as significant as marriage without even asking the opinions of those involved.”
“But nobles often have such arrangements….”
“Even among nobles, shouldn’t the opinions of those involved be respected? We should hear what Lia has to say. You yourself seem disinclined, sir, so it would be best to speak clearly about it. Then the Duke and Princess Bi would certainly never proceed with the marriage discussion.”
“…Yes, you’re right. They’re not the type to force such things.”
Jack’s words were flawless.
Yet for some reason, Allen felt irritated and stared blankly at Jack.
Jack too seemed somewhat downcast.
In moments like these, there was only one choice.
“Jack, want to spar again?”
I had a feeling that this time I could focus properly instead of acting like a scatterbrained fool.
“Very well.”
The moment Jack answered, both drew their swords again.
Taize let out a small sigh and stepped back.
* * *
The next day, as planned, the Lexion Knights arrived at the Duke’s Residence using a teleportation scroll.
While Taize went to the Duke’s Study to report their return and the remaining knights headed to the Dormitory to rest, Allen quickly showered and made his way to Diana’s Room.
He intended to see his sister’s face, whom he hadn’t seen in days, and hear the detailed story about the rumors.
Just as he reached the door with light steps.
“Wow! Jane, you’re so cool! Please show me that stance one more time!”
“Young Lady, please feel free to call me Jane.”
“Then shall I?”
Excited voices flowed from Diana’s Room.
Diana, who was notoriously particular about how she treated people, was having such a warm conversation?
Allen knocked in bewilderment, and the door swung open.
“Oh? Older Brother, you’re here already?”
“Already? You didn’t miss your older brother?”
While grumbling at his ungrateful sister, Allen scrutinized the maidservant from the Belus Duchy who held a sword with a wary gaze.
“Say hello! She’s Jane, Lia’s maidservant and escort knight!”
Once Allen relaxed his guard and nodded, Diana asked Jane to demonstrate her sword stance once more.
Female knights were uncommon in the Lexion Knights and throughout the Empire, so Diana seemed utterly thrilled.
But that enthusiasm was short-lived as Diana spoke with a dejected sigh.
“Jane is so lucky. I originally wanted to become a knight protecting my older sister too.”
“Is that so? Well, Young Lady, it’s never too late. I picked up the sword later than most as well.”
“But I don’t seem to have much talent for it…”
“I believe perseverance matters more than talent!”
Diana, unaware that Jane possessed talent rivaling Allen and Jack, sparkled with newfound hope.
“Really? Wonderful! Then teach me swordplay before we leave for the Grand Duchy! Since we’ll be living under the same roof someday, if I train consistently, maybe I’ll become a knight too!”
“Of course. I will follow the Crown Princess even after her marriage, so I’ll teach you whenever I can.”
“That’s amazing!”
Diana clapped her hands with delight at Jane’s words.
As Allen listened to the two of them converse with such natural ease, his face flushed crimson in an instant.
‘So the rumors were true!’
Allen, who had been fanning his burning cheeks, suddenly froze.
Now that he thought about it, if Lia’s guard knight was here, that meant…
“Diana. Is Lia at the Duke’s Residence?”
“Yes! Sister’s in the library.”
Diana answered Allen’s question cheerfully.
At the mention of the library, Allen paused for a moment before asking again.
“The Main Library?”
“Yes. Right now…”
Before Diana could finish speaking, Allen yanked the door open and rushed out of the room in haste.
Diana tilted her head in confusion.
“I was trying to tell him she’s in the library with my older brother right now.”
Diana, who had meant to warn him not to disturb them, quickly lost interest.
She turned her attention back to Jane.
Until her awakening, Diana’s eyes gleamed with determination to do anything.
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The moment Allen heard that Lia was in the library, he changed course without hesitation, yet felt an inexplicable flutter in his chest.
It was as if he had returned to his childhood, rushing to meet Lia after sword training ended, when she would be playing with Diana.
‘She still loves books, I suppose.’
He could vividly picture Lia with her brown hair, sitting in perfect posture while reading, surrounded by a mountain of thick books without a single illustration.
Then he stopped. Allen halted mid-stride and smacked his own head with a soft thud.
“It’s pink, not brown, you idiot.”
Diana called him “little brother is stupid” every day, and it seemed he really had become one.
With this fresh realization, Allen shook his head self-mockingly and resumed walking.
His pace quickened as if he were running, and soon Allen’s feet finally reached the library entrance.
Without pausing, Allen immediately reached out his arm.
And the moment he flung the door wide open, his expression froze solid.
Allen’s eyes couldn’t even blink as he witnessed Lia sitting on the sofa, exactly as she had been in his memories from long ago. Except beside her…
“Allen?”
“I-I’m sorry!”
The moment Lucio called his name, Allen slammed the library door shut with a loud bang.
Then he bolted away in the opposite direction as if fleeing.
How far had he run?
Standing before a solid wall, Allen caught his breath and squeezed his eyes shut.
His heart pounded violently against his ribs.
He couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed. It was a scene he couldn’t accept even with his own eyes.
In truth, it wasn’t anything extraordinary.
Lucio and Lia were simply sitting side by side on the sofa.
They weren’t even holding hands or kissing each other’s faces—no such intimate contact—yet the sight felt as though he had witnessed something far more profound than that.
‘I’ve never seen my brother smile like that before.’
Unlike Lia, who nibbled at the food on the table, Lucio kept his gaze fixed on her, wearing an endlessly tender and gentle smile.
With one hand, he held a strand of her hair, playfully wrapping it around his finger and then unwinding it!
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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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