Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 237

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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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When I learned that Master had turned back time.
And when I knew that Jack had killed me.
I had already sensed that Master knew far better than anyone about my death in the past.
But my eyes widened involuntarily when he said he had seen Lucio and Jack with his own eyes.
Before dying, Lucio had called my name as if he recognized me.
‘So in my previous life, Lucio must have remembered me too, and perhaps he was even searching for me…’
My lips grew parched at the thought that I might learn the truth of it all.
“Master.”
Rope’s voice came from beyond the door.
“Come in.”
Master gave the order before I could say anything, and spoke in a soothing tone.
“I’ll tell you the rest of the story next time.”
I couldn’t persist any further and turned my head away sharply.
But despite turning my head with a sullen expression, I perked up my ears, hoping to catch some hint of what was happening outside.
“Master, regarding the Imperial Princess, I have orders to—”
“Lia.”
Master looked at me before Rope could even finish his sentence.
And as if he knew perfectly well that I was eavesdropping, he smiled and spoke.
“Rest. I’ll come this evening.”
“Hmph!”
Seeing that, I pretended to be angry and huffed as I pulled the blanket over my head.
Soon I heard a soft laugh, and then the sound of Master and Rope leaving as the door closed.
I pulled back the blanket and sat down expressionlessly, turning over the words I had just heard.
‘He definitely said it was time to give orders.’
If the Imperial Princess Master was going to command, it could only be Serphin.
A sinister premonition suddenly washed over me.
Raezl, Diana, and I had been certain that when the full moon rose, the Demon and his subordinates would be too busy opening the gateway to the Demon Realm to undertake any other activities.
At most, they would only discover that intruders had entered the Black Forest and send Demon Beasts.
“But what on earth are they scheming…”
The fact that time flowed differently between the Demon Realm and the Human Realm was far too great a variable.
With several times more temporal leeway on that side, it would be difficult to contend with them.
I sighed and buried my face in my hands.
In truth, listening to Master’s stories of the past was harder than I had anticipated.
I had tried to appear composed, but maintaining my expression was difficult.
I wanted to cry out that he had deceived me even then.
“Never mind. It’s not as if I didn’t know…”
What mattered now was what orders Master had given to Serphin.
Being trapped in this room unable to move, I couldn’t even predict what was happening outside the Black Forest.
I bit my nails and murmured seriously.
“Nothing should happen.”
* * *
Meanwhile.
Diana and Raezl, who had moved directly from the Temple to the Black Forest, proceeded with their plan—lighting sacred flames around the forest’s perimeter to incinerate the corrupted magic, then positioning apprentice Priestesses, Holy Knights to guard them, and the Magic Swordsmen Corps as additional reinforcements.
Given the forest’s immense size, this task alone consumed over two hours, and midnight was now drawing near.
Beneath the pitch-black night, Diana gazed up at the unusually bright and enormous full moon, drew a tense breath, and fixed her gaze forward.
The Black Forest—its leaves withered to brittle blackness as though poisoned, every single one desiccated and darkened.
Now she would enter this forest, seal the gateway to the Demon Realm, and completely annihilate the Demon.
‘The task that should have been done five thousand years ago… at last.’
It was the moment Diana, having briefly surrendered to regret, steeled her resolve.
“Saint!”
A Holy Knight who had been stationed outside the Black Forest to detect any movement from the Demon Worshippers came rushing toward Diana, calling out desperately.
So urgent was his approach that he leaped down before even coming to a complete stop, gasping for breath as he spoke.
“Saint! The Imperial Princess has committed treason—treason!”
“…!”
Diana stiffened momentarily at the unexpected news, then her brow furrowed sharply.
She had realized that the Demon had not abandoned its ambition to dominate the Human World.
Using the Imperial Princess—undoubtedly a Demon Worshipper—as a puppet to seize control of the Empire…
“It intends to destroy everything.”
A being that despised humanity would never allow the world to flow peacefully.
And Lia was trapped in the grasp of such a cruel creature.
Her heart grew anxious of its own accord, and cold sweat began to form on her palms.
At that moment, Diana caught sight of Grand Duke Bellus issuing orders to Bianca—to take Jane and a portion of the Magic Swordsmen Corps and proceed immediately to the Marquis’s Residence.
Though he was now the ruler of a Duchy independent from the Empire and could not involve himself in Imperial Palace affairs, given the unpredictable crisis, he was clearly intent on protecting his family.
Diana thought that the Bellus Sword Knights would surely also protect the Elrad Duke’s Mansion across the way.
Yet despite this, her heart remained troubled by the family she was leaving behind.
She had assured them nothing would happen, and now this had occurred…
‘Has Father heard this news?’
Or perhaps, due to her request that no one enter or leave the Duke’s Mansion today, he had not yet learned of it.
She hoped that were the case. If she succeeded in annihilating the Demon, then surely the Imperial Princess, who wielded the Demon’s power, would fall as well.
‘But what if he hears the news and goes to the Imperial Palace…?’
“Saint!”
In that moment, Raezl’s resolute voice jolted Diana back to awareness.
“You must hurry. Leave this to us.”
Only then did Diana blink and look around to see the band of devoted warriors ready to enter the Black Forest with her, awaiting only her command.
“…Then I’m counting on you.”
“We are the ones asking for your aid.”
As Raezl bowed deeply, the remaining Priestesses and Holy Knights bowed as well.
Diana’s gaze swept across Raezl, who would bear responsibility for the situation outside the forest; Grand Duke Bellus and Askart, who waited with aching hearts for Lia; and Jack—then she turned forward with unwavering determination.
The moment she stepped one foot into the forest, a strange undulation spread from beneath her feet.
As though the trees had sensed the arrival of one who should not enter this place, they shook violently and moved in unison.
“Ugh!”
I sensed the Holy Knights and Priestesses recoiling in alarm as demonic energy surged forth, but Diana pressed forward without hesitation.
The bracelet Lia had gifted her gleamed brilliantly on her wrist, radiating luminous light.
* * *
At that very moment, in the Elrad Duke’s Mansion.
“You say you have something to report to the Young Lord?”
“Wasn’t an order issued that no one in the Duke’s Mansion could enter or leave tonight? It’s late—come back early tomorrow morning.”
“No, I must deliver my report right now!”
“Then come back early tomorrow morning.”
Nix was ready to tear his hair out at the guard’s parrot-like repetition of the same words.
How could the guard ignore him, the Young Lord’s own Aide, when he pleaded so earnestly?
He needed to inform his lord of the Imperial Palace news immediately—his heart felt as though it were being wrung dry.
‘If only my lord were in better condition…!’
It wasn’t merely a matter of Lucio falling victim to demonic sorcery.
In fact, Nix had already tried contacting Lucio through a communication crystal as he rushed to the Duke’s Mansion.
But for some reason, the crystal remained unresponsive. Instead, he had met with Bert, who had slipped out of the mansion unnoticed, and learned of Lucio’s condition from him.
What Bert told him was shocking.
Diana and Lucio appeared to be having an urgent conversation, so Bert had stepped away briefly. When he returned, Lucio lay collapsed on his bed, writhing in agony.
Their lord couldn’t have been ambushed by anyone, and the youngest princess had no reason to harm her elder brother. What in the world was happening?
Since Bert had always remained in the shadows, revealing himself now and announcing his lord’s condition might actually paint him as a dangerous person.
So it fell to him, the Aide, to either enter and summon a physician or inform the Imperial Palace of what had occurred.
But he could do neither, only shifting his weight anxiously from foot to foot.
“Gasp!”
The guard suddenly started in alarm, his hand moving to his sword hilt.
Nix turned his head in surprise, and beneath the brilliantly full moon, he saw a blood-soaked figure staggering toward the Duke’s Mansion.
“I must see the Duke… at once…”
At the faint, faltering voice, the guards’ eyes widened as they shifted into defensive positions.
Though the blood had obscured it at first, they now recognized the figure’s attire as that of an Imperial Palace Attendant.
No matter what orders had been issued, they couldn’t simply ignore an Imperial Palace Attendant appearing in such a state.
The guard decided that reporting this immediately was the only way to prevent an unmanageable disaster from unfolding later.
“Quick! Inform the Butler at once!”
Another guard immediately dashed into the Duke’s Mansion.
The news soon reached the ears of Duke Elrad and Allen, who had been losing sleep.
“Father! Diana said today that you shouldn’t leave the house!”
Allen jumped up as he watched his father, who had already prepared to depart for the Imperial Palace.
But the Duke remained resolute.
“I promised Diana I wouldn’t leave unless something happened. But something has happened now, hasn’t it?”
Though he was no longer bound by the demonic artifact, he believed he must still fulfill the duties and responsibilities that came with his station.
Knowing his father’s nature well, Allen hesitated with “But Diana said…” as Duke Elrad walked out toward the Main Building.
“Father, then I’ll come with you—!”
“Allen, you stay behind and guard the mansion.”
At least you can avoid getting scolded by Diana.
Duke Elrad spoke in a jesting tone as if to reassure them, then swiftly mounted his horse, leaving Allen behind.
Though Lucio was also in the mansion, his condition had been so poor lately that it seemed wise to leave Allen here for peace of mind.
It was just as Duke Elrad, having already received his orders, led the Lexion Knights through the main gate.
“…Dominic?”
“Where are you going at this hour?”
Unexpectedly, the Duke encountered Grand Duchess Bellus and the Late Marquis Diapel.
Unable to wait comfortably inside the mansion, the Grand Duchess and the Late Marquis had ventured outside, hoping to hear news of Lia even a moment sooner.
“An urgent matter has arisen at the Imperial Palace. Stay in the mansion just in case. You too, Stella.”
With time being of the essence, Duke Elrad spoke hurriedly before turning away.
His retreating figure seemed somehow unsettling, and the Grand Duchess could not tear her gaze away for a long while.

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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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