Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 266

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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 paused in thought before finally speaking.
“It’s rather ambiguous, isn’t it? New emperors often grant pardons to criminals upon their ascension.”
Moreover, Clara hadn’t received a formal edict or a specific duration for her punishment—merely an order to reflect on her actions.
The late Emperor had no intention of forgiving her anytime soon and had likely glossed over the matter, never expecting to die so suddenly himself.
“So, what does His Majesty intend to do?”
“He said to ask you.”
“Me?”
Lucio nodded. Then he added quietly.
“Personally, I don’t think forgiveness is a particularly good idea.”
Perhaps it was because I remembered my past life.
As if recalling what had happened in front of the Academy, Lucio harbored considerable displeasure toward Clara, who had falsely accused me of theft.
‘He even said directly that her punishment was far too lenient for the crime she committed.’
Watching Lucio express his opinion with such obvious bias, as if worried my resolve might weaken, I felt laughter threatening to bubble up.
I suppressed my smile and spoke.
“I agree with you.”
“Really?”
Lucio’s expression brightened, clearly pleased by my answer.
But even without his influence, I would have reached the same conclusion.
It wasn’t because I thought Clara’s punishment was too light, as Lucio believed.
Just as Lucio had speculated before, the moment House Diapel withdrew its support, Count Amber divorced the Countess and cast her out without a single coin in alimony.
‘And he remarried almost immediately to a woman far younger than himself.’
Because of the Emperor’s decree, Clara couldn’t leave the County Territory, so she was living with such a father—without her mother.
That was undoubtedly far more agonizing than one might think.
So I didn’t consider the punishment lenient.
Rather.
‘I don’t want to see Clara again.’
If the Emperor granted her forgiveness, Clara would undoubtedly rush straight from the Amber household to the Diapel Marquis Estate.
Of course, Clara bore responsibility for her wrongs, and my Grandfather, out of consideration for me, wouldn’t readily accept her.
But the person my Grandfather had severed ties with was ultimately not Clara, but the Former Countess.
If Clara, my fellow granddaughter, were to become destitute with nowhere to go, it would be difficult for him to turn away.
I didn’t want to see my Grandfather caught in such an awkward position, watching him hesitate and waver while observing my expression.
‘In fact, even now, he doesn’t say anything, but it might still weigh on his mind….’
Having finished my thoughts, I spoke.
“Instead, tell His Majesty this: let her choose whether to continue her self-reflection in the County Territory or go to the Convent for repentance.”
Though life in the Convent would be arduous, it was far the better option for me.
Of course, I had no idea what it would be like for Clara….
This was the greatest magnanimity I could offer her now.
Lucio seemed dissatisfied even with this, but he nodded nonetheless.
As I smiled at his reaction, I suddenly let out a sigh.
“Why?”
“It’s just… I was wondering where the Former Countess is and what she’s been doing.”
Since I was planning to meet my Uncle anyway, and had just heard about Clara from him, I found myself naturally curious about the Former Countess’s current circumstances.
‘I thought she’d come crawling back the moment the divorce was finalized…’
I expected her to either make bold demands or beg, but surprisingly, she’d been quiet.
‘Does she still have some last shred of pride?’
Or perhaps it was because Mother was staying at the Marquis’s Residence.
The thought that I might have to face her once my parents returned to the Grand Duchy made me sigh involuntarily.
“Don’t worry. You won’t have to see her again.”
At that moment, Lucio, sensing my concern, spoke with certainty.
Wondering how he could be so confident, I looked at him, and after a brief cough, he explained.
“Actually, I’ve had someone watching the Former Countess.”
“Really?”
“Yes. In case she harbored resentment and tried something foolish…”
Lucio explained that he’d been keeping watch to ensure that wouldn’t happen, so that neither I nor my family would be troubled.
“She tried to borrow money by going around and using the names of House Diapel and the Bellus Grand Duchy, but was rejected everywhere. And the last report was that she crossed over to another kingdom a few days ago.”
“Wow…”
She truly exceeded my imagination until the very end.
I was clicking my tongue when I suddenly paused.
“But you said she failed to borrow money. So how did she leave for another kingdom without any capital?”
“Well… she made one last stop at the Diapel Marquisate.”
Lucio added that while she stayed at the Marquis’s Castle for about an hour, it seemed my Uncle had provided her travel expenses.
“After all, she’s still his sister. It wouldn’t have been easy for him to completely ignore her.”
I understood that Lucio wasn’t making this excuse on behalf of my Uncle.
He was likely worried that I might be hurt by my Uncle’s kindness, knowing that the Former Countess was connected to my abduction.
“I’m fine with it.”
Even if my Uncle truly had given her money, that was acceptable to me.
But even if she’d been cast out by the family and could no longer live as a noble, did she really need to leave for another country?
Not only would the culture be unfamiliar, but settling there would cost more than in the Empire.
Something felt off about it.
“Which kingdom did the Former Countess go to?”
“She left for the Liven Kingdom.”
The Liven Kingdom was also a place Lucio had recently visited.
‘That kingdom has undergone dramatic upheaval recently, just like the Empire.’
Not long after the king’s sudden death and a new king’s ascension, evidence emerged that the new king had secretly prepared for war, and proof that he’d poisoned his predecessor was discovered, leading to his downfall within months.
I heard that Lucio played a significant role in that process.
He had passed various pieces of evidence to the Fifth Prince, whom he’d made contact with beforehand.
And after the Fifth Prince ascended, the Liven Kingdom’s political situation had stabilized much like the Empire’s.
‘But why do I feel so uneasy?’
I asked without hiding my anxiety.
“Are you still keeping someone watching the Former Countess now?”
“Yes. But why?”
“I need to check who you met in the Liven Kingdom… Or should I contact my Uncle first?”
“Lia?”
As I gnawed at my lip in contemplation, Lucio called out to me.
I tried to ease the gravity from my expression.
But ultimately, I couldn’t hide the somber tone in my voice as I spoke.
“Someone who sold family information once won’t hesitate to sell it again.”
Only then did Lucio’s face stiffen as he grasped what I was worried about.
* * *
The Former Countess who had sold information about when my Father would leave the Grand Duke’s Castle to Terenthium.
This time, she might have handed over the day my Uncle would arrive in the Capital City to a foreign power.
Whether it was the deposed former king of the Liven Kingdom preparing for war, or another kingdom eyeing the Border Territory.
Lucio took my speculation seriously.
And he hastily contacted a subordinate he had stationed with the Former Countess and returned.
“I told them to recheck whether there are any suspicious individuals among those she’s contacted so far. I’ve sent my subordinates to the Marquis.”
“What about the Liven Kingdom?”
“I’ve made contact. But don’t worry too much. If anything happened, they would have informed me immediately.”
Lucio reassured me, saying they had imprisoned the deposed king and that his execution was scheduled for soon.
“I’m sorry. I’m making you anxious even though I haven’t uncovered any concrete evidence…”
“It’s fine. Either way, it’s a circumstance worth suspecting.”
With those words, Lucio squeezed my hand firmly.
“I’ve made all the necessary contacts, so stop worrying. Let’s focus on our date for now.”
“We’re continuing the date?”
I asked in surprise, and Lucio responded as if questioning what I was saying.
“Should we head home from here instead? We won’t hear anything until evening anyway.”
He had a point.
Going home would only worry my family unnecessarily.
There was no need to be anxious when we didn’t even know how the situation would unfold.
“Alright. Let’s continue our date.”
At my renewed enthusiasm, Lucio offered a gentle smile.
After that, we enjoyed our interrupted meal and had a pleasant conversation, deliberately choosing cheerful topics.
When the atmosphere had sufficiently warmed, Lucio spoke.
“Shall we get going then?”
I nodded quickly and began anticipating the next destination in my mind.
Though this was my first date, several possible venues came to mind.
‘Since Lucio said it wouldn’t be too late, we probably won’t venture far from the city.’
Perhaps we were going to see a performance like an opera or play? Or maybe an art gallery?
We might browse shops in the Shopping District or leisurely stroll through a beautifully landscaped park.
With these various imaginings, I boarded the carriage.
And shortly after.
At the coachman’s announcement of our arrival, I descended from the carriage with Lucio’s escort, and in that instant, my breath caught.
“This place is….”

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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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