Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 264

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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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I found myself momentarily at a loss for words, and I exhaled a quiet sigh internally.
‘My abilities remain virtually unchanged, so there’s nothing I couldn’t do if asked to… but.’
Perhaps because I had discovered Terenthium’s true identity as a collective of Demon Worshippers, I couldn’t take pride in that past.
It was then that Lucio spoke.
“Of course, I’m not asking you to take on commissions or engage in dangerous fieldwork. Recently, even Darel has been shifting away from infiltration toward collecting information through operating establishments like this one. Still, it would be a waste to let your abilities gather dust.”
“…My abilities?”
“Yes. Do you think people who can grasp situations from seemingly trivial clues like you do, compile information, and uncover the greater picture and true meaning hidden beneath the surface are common? Of course, when it comes to matters of the heart… you’re exceptionally brilliant.”
Was it just my imagination that he had suddenly changed the subject?
I narrowed my eyes as I gazed at Lucio, and I bit my lip firmly.
All the wounds from my previous life had already healed.
Yet the desire to be ‘acknowledged’ still lingered within me.
My heart raced at Lucio’s words.
‘In truth, I’ve never been entrusted with truly important missions. I only ever watched from the sidelines as the executives handled information.’
I was hesitating between confessing honestly now and enjoying the way Lucio regarded me as someone remarkable.
“Do I sound like I’m just making conversation?”
Seeing my silence, Lucio spoke as though he believed my doubt stemmed from disbelief in his words.
“Before I even suspected you might be the child I met in front of the Academy, I had already decided to scout you.”
“Truly?”
In truth, when I heard that Lucio had been searching for me, I had harbored doubts in my heart.
Perhaps he was using recruitment as a pretext, seeking to reconnect with an old bond rather than valuing my abilities.
I watched Lucio nod firmly and suppressed the turbulent emotions rising within me.
“But still… the work I did before wasn’t exactly a respectable profession, was it?”
In truth, the reason for my death in my previous life was that I had secretly infiltrated the Duke’s Mansion for information gathering.
At the time, I hadn’t even considered it wrong.
But as I lived as a maidservant in House Elrad and then as the Crown Princess, striving to protect secrets, my perspective changed.
And yet.
“Are you now criticizing me in return for engaging in shadowy work?”
“What?”
“You’re the one who actively undertakes the ‘dishonorable work’ you’re referring to.”
“Ah…”
“But as long as one belongs to aristocratic society, information gathering is essential.”
That… Lucio was right.
Those who visited the Information Guild nearly every day, offering substantial sums, were none other than nobles.
‘There are plenty of noble families who have even established organizations within their houses to collect and manage information.’
“In fact, the work of the Foreign Ministry is no different. It’s simply larger in scale and its results are made public.”
Ultimately, they do their utmost to protect and seize each other’s interests through tug-of-war based on information gathered behind the scenes.
“So isn’t the Information Guild, which provides information at fair prices, also serving the public good in its own way?”
I couldn’t help but laugh at Lucio’s shameless words.
But something came to mind.
There was the time I had revealed the true nature of a certain noble’s eldest son—outwardly known as a gentleman but secretly a man who touched maidservants and had illegitimate children—to a noblewoman who had marked him as a prospective son-in-law.
Afterward, the noblewoman canceled the marriage arrangement and informed the other nearby ladies of the reason.
Thanks to her, that young man’s dissolute private life was exposed, and he was cast out from his family in disgrace.
‘I had felt subtly satisfied back then.’
As I traced through the memory I had nearly forgotten, I glanced sideways at Lucio.
There was no way to know whether he was doing this intentionally or unintentionally, but one thing was certain.
Lucio had very easily resolved the faint discomfort and guilt that had been weighing on my heart.
Moreover, he had acknowledged my abilities—not as some innate magical talent, but as genuine skill I had earned through effort.
I suddenly recalled the day I had confessed to my family that I felt ashamed of my past.
That day, my family had called me foolish and said that simply being able to hold me again was enough for them.
And now, I felt the same warmth I had felt that day.
A fresh certainty bloomed within me.
Lucio was my true ally—someone like my family who would praise and celebrate everything I did, no matter what.
I barely suppressed the laughter threatening to escape between my lips and asked.
“But are you planning to keep Darel going?”
Hadn’t Lucio originally founded the Information Guild to find a way to break the contract mediated by the Demon’s relic?
But that relic had already been destroyed by me, and Prince Nicholas, whom Lucio had been helping, had even ascended to the throne.
“I’ve given it some thought….”
Lucio furrowed his brow slightly.
“I’ve decided to keep it. When I finally inherit the ducal title, I’m thinking of officially placing it under House Elrad.”
“That’s a good idea.”
I nodded after hearing Lucio’s plan.
“In fact, with Terenthium gone, Darel is now the greatest information guild in the Empire. It would be a waste to disband it after all the effort you’ve put in.”
Just as I appreciated his efforts, he seemed to enjoy hearing his hard work acknowledged.
Lucio’s lips curved upward in a smile.
I was about to smile back at him when—
“So, to maintain the top position like now, I don’t think I can do it alone. Are you really going to refuse the recruitment offer?”
Wait. I thought the topic had changed, but Lucio was asking once more whether his desire to bring me into Darel was genuine.
To be honest, I was tempted.
Until now, I had lived holding information as a privilege of being a returnee.
But the future ahead is unknown even to me.
Of course, Lucio would inform me of important matters in advance, and I had planned to occasionally gather information through Jane as I had been doing….
How could I not be tempted when he acknowledged my abilities and said he needed my help?
But it was difficult to make a decision right away.
As I continued to hesitate, Lucio spoke carefully.
“I’m not forcing you, so please don’t feel pressured at all.”
“I don’t think of it that way.”
“Then… is it perhaps that you don’t like being Vice Guild Master?”
“Pardon?”
“Well, the position is too small for your abilities. If you want it, I’ll give you the Guild Master position. Everyone seems to know who the real power is anyway, and they all seem to want to look better to you than to me.”
“Ahem.”
Recalling Rose’s attentive demeanor from moments ago, I let out an awkward cough.
In truth, it wasn’t just Rose—Bert, Lucio’s right hand and shadow, and Nix, his aide, treated me like puppies greeting their master whenever they saw me, which had embarrassed me more than once in front of Lucio.
Of course, Lucio merely wore a pleased expression whenever he witnessed such behavior.
But still!
“Since when do people scout someone to become a Guild Master?”
“Right here.”
“Everyone will think it’s pure nepotism.”
Lucio remembers my previous life, so he knows I’m an experienced hire, but others don’t!
“Did you forget what I said before—that informants are different from the servants of noble families?”
Treating one’s master’s lover with courtesy was entirely different from having that person serve as one’s superior.
But Lucio responded as if wondering what my concern was.
“Your abilities can’t be hidden. They’ll soon understand my decision and recognize your worth.”
“Ugh, honestly….”
How does he believe in and trust me more than I trust myself?
Bewildered, I decided to change the subject.
Otherwise, I felt I’d be swayed by Lucio and accept his offer.
“Wait—you brought me out today to recruit me, not on a date?”
I asked in an intentionally pouty voice, and Lucio, who had paused, said, “Of course not,” before switching the plate in front of him with mine.
The steak had been cut into perfectly bite-sized pieces at some point.
“I could do it myself.”
Whether he truly worried my wrist might break, whenever we ate together or had dessert, he always attended to me like this.
‘At least we’re outside today, so he’s not insisting on feeding me directly.’
Grateful for small mercies, I pierced a piece of meat with my fork and brought it to my lips, where the juices burst and the tender flesh melted on my tongue.
“I felt it last time too, but the food here really is delicious.”
“I’m glad.”
Lucio asked with a pleased smile.
“By the way, when were you planning to return to the Duchy?”
“Oh! I was meaning to tell you—this time, my Older Brother and I are staying in the Empire to attend the coronation, while my Parents will return to the Duchy first. In two days.”
“Because of me?”
He’d taken leave until the coronation, apparently convinced he’d send me back before then.
When I said I was staying, Lucio’s expression shifted to one of delighted surprise.
Yet he couldn’t hide his joy….
‘He’s rather adorable, isn’t he.’

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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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