Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 25

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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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“Next week, I shall depart for the Capital City.”
In the midst of the silence, the Duke announced calmly.
Duke Elrad served as the Minister of Military Affairs while wielding considerable influence over central politics. Thus, he typically remained in the Capital City, descending to his Territory only once every few months—his return had been anticipated.
However, his next words left everyone wearing bewildered expressions.
“Before that, I shall summon all my retainers and their families to host a modest banquet.”
Given how much the Duke despised commotion, the elders—who knew his temperament better than anyone—found this decision utterly perplexing.
Yet they soon realized that Duke Elrad, their sovereign, had made this proposal out of consideration for the elders and retainers who were unsettled by recent events.
The council of elders adjourned with deep gratitude.
* * *
“It’s a shame Allen isn’t here, but shall we all take a stroll together for once?”
Having finally issued a ruling regarding the Valery Count Family and finding himself with newfound leisure, the Duke spoke these words while taking his midday meal.
Naturally, the Duchess Elrad nodded with delight, and I, who had been attending to Diana, found myself unexpectedly included in this family walk.
“Wow, it really does seem like spring is finally arriving.”
Upon entering the back garden, verdant grass caught my eye. The earth that had absorbed my mana was now suffused with vibrant green, as if radiating the essence of life itself.
The Duchess Elrad, who had been marveling at the sight, glanced subtly toward me.
‘She came here deliberately.’
Observing the light in her eyes, I sensed intuitively that the Duchess Elrad was attempting to create joyful memories so that my encounter with Sid Valery would not leave me wounded or bearing painful recollections.
During my stay at the Duke’s Castle, I felt it with every passing moment—the Duchess Elrad was truly a warm-hearted person.
‘Someone whose very existence, like sunlight, brings reassurance and comfort to the heart.’
I found myself growing fond of her helplessly, just as I had with Diana.
‘This is truly dangerous.’
I no longer wished to live bound to anyone.
As I lowered my head in shame at the sight of my foolish self repeating the life I had lived before my regression, it was then—
“Oh? This!”
“What is it, Lia?”
“My lady! This grass is medicinal!”
Last time, I had only glimpsed a faint sprout and remained uncertain, but now, seeing the more developed leaves, I was certain.
“It looks like a weed, but it truly possesses detoxifying properties!”
“Hmm?”
The Duchess Elrad tilted her head in confusion.
Only then did I, who had been excitedly pointing at the grass, hastily add an explanation.
“During my time at the Orphanage, I was often hungry and would pluck grass-like plants from the nearby Forest to eat. Through this, I learned which ones would upset my stomach and which were safe, and this particular grass always cured my ailments when I ate it, so I remember it well!”
Particularly, I had keen eyes, so the children would often ask me for guidance.
However, I learned the true value of this plant only after entering Terenthium.
While cultivating the Herb Field with Ted, a Guild executive and physician, I discovered that this grass was a rare detoxifying herb called ‘Spleshia’—one that grows only when it receives warmth in the frozen earth of deep winter.
It was difficult to find, but even harder to cultivate, requiring meticulous mana control.
‘…Now that I think about it, I really ought to properly understand mana and magic.’
Suddenly, the memory of visiting the Mages’ Tower not long ago surfaced, and my face grew tense.
The questions that arose from hearing the words of Tellin, the Duke’s Estate’s chief mage, were numerous.
From what I knew, there was only one person on this continent who could be called a Grand Mage—Grand Duke Bellus, the ruler of the Belus Duchy.
‘So if Master can wield magic freely without incantations or magic circles, and has even taught me to do the same, then what in the world is he….’
If Tellin wasn’t lying, then I too must be a genius who appears once in a thousand years—if that. No matter how I thought about it, the whole thing made my skin crawl with unease.
After that, my mind began to fill with questions.
When I thought about it, I had known Master for eight years, yet I didn’t even know his real name.
My world had been confined to the Orphanage, the streets where I’d wandered as a beggar, and Terenthium.
But since Terenthium was a place where all the world’s information converged, I had lived believing there was nothing I didn’t know.
‘Perhaps I’ve been completely mistaken all along.’
In any case, I wanted to ask Tellin in detail about Master’s teaching methods, but I was afraid that if I broached the subject carelessly, something terrible might happen, so I kept my mouth firmly shut.
Since I couldn’t grasp the situation at all, I couldn’t recklessly reveal my abilities either.
I wished I could read books related to magic, but since Diana was still young, I had no excuse to visit the library.
“I should mention it to Baron Bardo. Since he’s usually absorbed in herbal studies, it might help with his research.”
It was then that I heard the voice of the Duke, who was walking slowly while holding Diana’s hand.
Baron Bardo was the personal physician of House Elrad.
Startled by his unexpected words, I turned my head, and the Duchess Elrad, who had been looking at me with a pitying gaze, gently stroked my head and spoke.
“Indeed. It might truly be a precious herb. To think our Lia found such a thing—she really is a blessing, isn’t she?”
“A blessing?”
When Diana tilted her head in confusion, the Duke answered with an impassive face.
“It means a precious person who brings good fortune and happiness.”
“Since Lia is beautiful and kind, there’s no question she’s a blessing.”
After hearing the Duchess Elrad’s words, Diana raised her hand excitedly and spoke.
“That’s right! Onni is a blessing! A blessed princess!”
Diana came running toward me and clung to my waist, and I awkwardly embraced her in return.
Inevitably, the tips of my ears burned hot with embarrassment.
Especially since, despite Diana’s words being those of a child, the Duke spoke of showing it to a physician without a shred of doubt, and I felt an inexplicable sense of trust that weighed heavily on me.
Suddenly, something from a few days ago came to mind.
〈I confirmed that Taize revealed to you about Diana’s escort. But how did you find out about Perion Mine?〉
〈That, well… I happened to overhear it. I used to go to the Training Grounds often to see Jack.〉
The Duke stared at me quietly for a moment after my response, then nodded and told me to leave.
From the moment I exposed the Director’s crimes, I had worried that the Duke might suspect me, but he hadn’t asked for details either then or now.
While I was relieved by this, something still felt unsettling.
“By the way, this afternoon we’ll be going outside the castle to have a dress fitted for the banquet.”
It was then that the Duchess Elrad clapped her hands and spoke.
The Duke furrowed his brow and asked.
“Why not have it brought to the castle?”
“The children must find it tedious to stay only in the castle. Our little princess went out to see the festival by coaxing her brother, and look what happened to her.”
At the Duchess Elrad’s cheerful response, the Duke’s expression grew even more serious.
Duke Elrad clearly disapproved of us leaving the castle.
“What’s the point of holding a banquet in the first place? I’m preparing for it because you suggested it, but….”
“Once we go up to the Capital City, we’ll have fewer opportunities to meet with the retainers in our Territory. We need to hold it.”
“Yes, that. Going up to the Capital City too. Why are you so determined to go? It’ll only be exhausting.”
I listened quietly to their conversation and was taken aback.
I knew the Duke would soon summon the nobles to the Duke’s Castle for a banquet, but going to the Capital City?
“Allen is already ten years old. And Diana, though still young, needs to begin adapting to life in the Capital City. Besides, there are only two ducal houses in the Empire, and it’s strange that our children don’t participate in society and remain only in our Territory.”
The Duchess Elrad continued persuading the Duke earnestly.
“I also miss our eldest son, who is staying alone in the Capital City.”
“Lucio? Why is he alone? He should be doing fine in the Academy dormitory.”
The Duchess Elrad, still hearing his gruff tone, shook her head and asked Diana.
“Diana, don’t you miss your older brother?”
“Yes! I miss him! What about big sister?”
“…What?!”
My mind was completely scattered by the sudden news of going to the Capital City, and Diana’s unexpected question made my breath catch in my throat.
“Lia, this is your first time going to the Capital City, isn’t it? It’s a very large place with many people.”
Watching the Duchess Elrad explain with a bright face, saying I would surely be amazed, I forced the corners of my mouth upward.
But inside, I felt as though I were burning.
The Capital City.
If I go there…
‘The Duchess Elrad will die.’
* * *
After finishing the meal and returning, I fell into thought while preparing for the outing.
I knew that the Duchess Elrad had died when Diana was young, but I didn’t know the exact timing.
‘If only I had known this would happen, I would have learned more about House Elrad.’
With frustration, I thought absurd thoughts and tried to recall all the information I knew.
The Duchess Elrad remained in the Territory after marriage, raising her children, but after moving her residence to the Capital City, she died in less than a year.
The exact cause was never revealed, but since I heard she had been bedridden, I had assumed the Duchess Elrad was originally a sickly person.
That was also why I was surprised when I first met her after coming to the Duke’s Castle with Diana—she appeared quite healthy.
‘Could it really be stress?’
Though Duke Elrad’s fearsome nature prevented people from saying it outright, many suspected her cause of death was stress.
There had been much talk even at the time of her marriage, and considering her circumstances of remaining only in the Territory, it was a natural conclusion.
And even I thought the Capital City would be frightening and burdensome for the Duchess Elrad.
The Duchess Elrad was the very person who married despite fierce opposition from the retainers—opposition as intense as when the Duke inherited the title by wresting it from his father.
The reason was simple: her status was that of a fallen noble, nearly a commoner.
The opposition was so severe that even the retainers most loyal to the Duke were dissatisfied that he had not married into a prominent family.
‘Even though she’s nearly a commoner, she’s still technically nobility—if she had been a true commoner, everything would have been turned upside down.’
I shook my head.

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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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