Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 263

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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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“Thank you for visiting Obli Restaurant. Allow me to escort you to your reserved table.”
The maître d’, impeccably dressed in refined attire, bowed with practiced precision.
I nodded and cast a sidelong glance at Lucio standing beside me.
‘I thought he was joking again….’
Before I could even feel annoyed, the moment I realized we had arrived at none other than Obli Restaurant, the memory came flooding back.
〈You mentioned having a lunch appointment… Did you go there? …With whom?〉
〈A handsome, wealthy, young, and adorable man.〉
The person who had truly been joking was none other than myself!
I had said those words to tease Lucio, but since I had known Aiden since childhood like Diana did, I had never thought of him as a man—I had completely forgotten about it.
I was wearing an awkward expression, grateful that I hadn’t gotten angry prematurely.
As if Lucio knew everything going through my embarrassed mind, he chuckled softly and extended his arm.
His expression was slightly irritating, yet my heart raced.
Worried I might be discovered, I let out a small, discreet cough before carefully placing my hand on Lucio’s arm.
With his escort, I followed the maître d’ forward.
True to its reputation as the most popular restaurant in the Capital City at present, both the first and second floors were packed with guests.
The moment we entered, all eyes turned toward us with palpable intensity.
After my coming-of-age ceremony in Bellus, I thought I had grown accustomed to receiving attention….
Yet being the focus of such interest outside a banquet hall or social gathering made me inexplicably tense.
I felt Lucio’s gaze on me, noticing my grip had tightened slightly.
I turned my head, about to offer him a reassuring smile.
“…!”
Lucio lowered his arm first and interlaced his fingers with mine, grasping my hand firmly.
Then he offered a gentle smile as if to say, “Don’t worry.”
Even I, who had grown somewhat accustomed to Lucio’s tender gestures, felt my heart skip a beat for a moment—what of the others?
Naturally, gasps of breath echoed throughout the restaurant.
That wasn’t all.
“My goodness, the Young Duke….”
“He can smile like that?”
“The rumors about their impending engagement must be true.”
Even without raising my voice, I could hear whispers about us spreading through the room.
The nobility, who prided themselves on decorum, seemed to have momentarily forgotten it entirely in their shock.
Indeed, considering Lucio’s reputation for being cold and obstinate, their reaction was entirely understandable.
‘At this rate, everyone will know we’re lovers.’
I thought of it as an unexpected gain.
However, when the maître d’ guided us to a balcony table, claiming it was our reservation, I realized this was anything but ‘unexpected.’
In fact, even in my previous life as an informant, Obli Restaurant had been quite a famous dating destination, and its strength lay not merely in its ornate and beautiful décor or the high-caliber orchestra performances.
‘Rather, it was in the seating arrangement that catered to guests’ preferences.’
Obli Restaurant’s seating consisted of spacious tables where one could enjoy their meal comfortably, like any ordinary restaurant, and balcony tables that one must necessarily pass through.
Then there were the secret tables, positioned opposite the balcony seating and branching off from the staircase at the entrance, allowing guests to completely avoid the eyes of others—three types in total.
The secret tables, with their romantic yet intimate atmosphere, attracted nobility not only as a place for newly formed couples but also for secret rendezvous and clandestine meetings.
The balcony seating, which offered an unobstructed view of the plaza below, had earned a reputation as the most sought-after spot in the restaurant—a place where marriage proposals succeeded with a hundred percent success rate during evening hours.
Though it was a private seating area, one had to pass through the interior of the restaurant to reach it, making it the perfect choice for nobles who loved to show off.
‘Perhaps that’s precisely why it had become such a legendary spot for proposals.’
After all, with so many eyes upon you, you’d need absolute confidence that your partner would say yes!
Of course, even those not planning proposals—couples and lovers alike—frequented the balcony seating.
The only drawback was that it cost considerably more than regular seating, so unless it was a truly special occasion or the couple’s bond was exceptionally strong, most hesitated to make a reservation.
Which meant that by entering this balcony seating with Lucio today, the nobility would certainly believe our relationship ran quite deep.
Even without an immediate engagement announcement, it would be enough to prevent minor gossip for some time.
‘Only someone who deals in information would choose this place with such calculated consideration of rumors.’
Truly, the Guild Master of Darel!
I bit back my tongue inwardly, convinced that Lucio’s selection of Obli Restaurant as our date venue was motivated entirely by such strategic thinking.
But then.
“I couldn’t sit here the last time I came! When I was with Diana and Aiden, I mean. We dined inside back then.”
As I spoke with barely contained excitement about how much I loved the balcony seating more than expected, Lucio answered as though it were obvious.
“Of course you couldn’t. You weren’t here with me.”
“…Hm?”
There was something oddly suggestive about the nuance in Lucio’s words.
I tilted my head in confusion.
“Pardon the intrusion for a moment.”
A female server with a bright voice—different from the manager who had seated us earlier—carefully opened the balcony door and entered.
But the face of the server bringing our food was not unfamiliar to me.
“…Rose?”
The moment I called out her name without thinking, the server flinched before breaking into a radiant smile of joy.
“Your Highness, the Crown Princess, remembers my name! I’m truly honored!”
Wait, she’s serious?
She was Rose, an informant for Darel whom I’d met in the Belus Duchy.
The one who didn’t realize I was Lucio’s romantic partner, and whose overly enthusiastic demeanor had made Darel consider putting her through retraining!
But more than that.
“What are you doing here?”
Of course, as an informant belonging to Darel, it wasn’t unusual for her to change her occupation or residence according to the organization’s orders.
So her return from the Belus Duchy to the Empire could be seen as routine, but.
“Surely not…”
A suspicion suddenly struck me—was Obli Restaurant, like Lueje, also operated by Darel?
Especially given Lucio’s cryptic response from moments ago.
At that moment, Lucio let out a soft chuckle.
“You really do have sharp instincts about these things.”
“…”
“Though you’re sharp about other things too, of course.”
Before my eyes could narrow, Lucio quickly added the clarification.
‘Hmph! I’ll let it slide just this once.’
I let out a short scoff and turned my head away.
Rose’s expression shifted to one of surprise as she took in the sight of Lucio and me together.
Her eyes seemed to sparkle even more brightly when she looked at me—or was that merely my imagination?
‘…It doesn’t seem like imagination.’
Rose, who had always treated me with exceptional care in the past, once again fussed over me with such meticulous courtesy that it bordered on burdensome as she arranged the dishes.
Anyone observing would have thought her true master was me rather than Lucio.
The moment Rose finished her service and quietly withdrew, I could barely contain my excitement as I spoke.
“I had no idea the Obli Restaurant was owned by Darel.”
“How flattering.”
Despite his words, Lucio’s expression suggested he found the matter unremarkable.
Yet knowing Terenthium’s intelligence capabilities as I did, his response struck me as far too modest.
‘I knew he had a knack for business, but I never realized he could conceal information to this extent.’
Moreover.
“I’ve always wondered how your aide, capable as he is, manages to secure reservations at such a fully-booked restaurant. Now the mystery is solved.”
Of course it would be easy when you both serve the same master!
As I nodded to myself, I posed the question that had been on my lips moments before.
“But why is Rose here?”
“You came to the Empire, didn’t you? There’s no need to waste manpower on the Belus Duchy.”
Lucio spoke as though the only reason he’d opened a branch of Lueje in the Duchy was because of me.
“Then why did you deliberately arrange for us to meet?”
At my direct question, Lucio’s eyes widened slightly.
“You caught on?”
“How could I not? It’s information even Terenthium failed to uncover. You deliberately showed me Rose and revealed that the Obli Restaurant is operated by Darel.”
I answered without much concern, as the deduction wasn’t particularly difficult.
Yet Lucio’s gaze sharpened with intensity.
I flinched, worried I’d misspoken, but Lucio continued.
“Perhaps I might recruit talent I’d previously overlooked, so I prepared accordingly.”
“Hmm…?”
Overlooked talent? Recruitment? Surely not!
Before I could even widen my eyes, Lucio broke into a broad smile as if confirming my thoughts.
“I’ve made contact several times, and I’ve finally managed to meet you, Lia. Would you accept my proposal to join Darel’s Guild as Vice Guild Master?”
At his unexpected words, my mouth fell open in shock.
‘A recruitment offer now? Is he serious?’
His gaze was far too earnest for this to be a jest.
“You know I’m the Crown Princess, don’t you?”
“And I’m the Young Duke.”
“That may be true, but….”

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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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