Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 275

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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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In front of Grandfather and my parents, I didn’t let it show, but Askart was absolutely furious that the Former Countess had played a role in my abduction.
‘He was trembling with rage, muttering about how she could have the audacity to waltz in and out of the Grand Duke’s Castle after doing something like that.’
Still, his naturally kind disposition meant he harbored no thoughts of retaliation and let it slide, but if he heard even a whisper of suspicion that she’d caused trouble again, there would undoubtedly be an uproar.
To preserve family harmony, I quickly composed my expression and asked.
“Curious?”
“Of course!”
Now that I thought about it, while Grandfather and Father hadn’t asked so directly like Askart, their eyes were gleaming with interest.
Just moments ago everything had seemed normal, but suddenly my cheeks grew warm.
“Ahem, it was enjoyable.”
“What did you do?”
“Just had lunch at a Restaurant, took a little walk near the Academy….”
Once I opened my mouth, I realized I couldn’t divulge the details.
Setting aside the matter of Clara and the Former Countess, the fact that I’d been scouted by Lucio was a secret!
The conversation I’d had in front of the Academy was the same.
Now that my family had finally found relief hearing from Diana that the Demon had truly been vanquished, there was no need to dredge up stories about the Orphanage and my days as a beggar.
‘My family only said those things out of pity for me not being protected—they surely understand Duke Elrad’s innocence.’
Moreover, as I recalled the sweet and intimate moments spent in that Secret Place near the Academy, I found myself with even less to say.
I was growing tense, swallowing hard, worried about what would happen if my family pressed for details.
“The Academy? Right, you said that’s where you first met Lucio?”
The fact that Lucio had recovered his memories of me and recalled memories from his previous life was something my family already knew.
Perhaps for that reason, everyone naturally accepted the situation of us having a date at the Academy.
Grateful for this stroke of luck, I quickly changed the subject.
“It’s where I first met Older Brother too.”
“That’s right! I still remember it vividly. I thought all children were selfish and greedy, but when I met you, I was absolutely shocked to discover someone could be so kind, adorable, and clever.”
Askart continued with a bright smile.
“I’m really glad I left the Library that day. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met you until you graduated from the Academy.”
“Hehe. I was really happy to meet Older Brother at the Academy too!”
At my words, Askart’s expression grew touched, and soon his smile became so radiant it seemed to light up his eyes.
At that moment, Father, who had been listening warmly to our sibling conversation, spoke.
“We should all take a family outing to the Academy sometime.”
“Oh! Should I offer to give a special lecture? I’ve been getting requests for it constantly anyway.”
“Wow! The paper you presented recently became quite the sensation, and now the Academy is requesting lectures from you?”
I asked in surprise, and Askart’s face flushed with embarrassment.
“It’s nothing special. The topic of ‘time travel’ is just so captivating, but the feasibility is far too low.”
“Still, that’s amazing!”
I genuinely admired Askart.
Unlike special cases like me who wielded magic through overflowing mana and instinctive will, actual mages required the establishment of theory, formulas, and magical circles to be absolutely essential.
Of course, I was also working hard to implement the magic I used through theory, but there were considerable difficulties involved.
I resolved not to give up and to accelerate my efforts on the teleportation scroll research I was currently developing.
“Oh, that’s wonderful! We’ll have to wait quite a while before our great-grandchild invites us to the Academy festival!”
“Great-grandchild?”
At Grandfather’s sudden remark, I tilted my head in confusion, and Father’s complexion rapidly darkened.
“Father, not this again….”
“Ahahaha! Your reaction is so amusing that I simply cannot stop myself!”
Grandfather burst into laughter upon seeing Father’s face, utterly unable to contain himself.
Perhaps because of their relationship as father-in-law and son-in-law, this was the first time I’d seen Grandfather, who had always seemed subtly uncomfortable around Father, enjoying a conversation with him so thoroughly.
‘It seems the two of them have grown closer while I was away!’
Grandfather had clearly discovered the same “fun” that Mother often mentioned—that “your father is so innocent that it’s amusing to tease him.”
Father, who had always envied how Grandfather treated Duke Elrad so warmly, must be secretly delighted, wouldn’t he?
Though judging by the way Father’s eyes drooped downward, it didn’t seem he’d hoped to grow closer to Grandfather in quite this manner….
Stifling my laughter and turning away, I caught sight of Mother watching Father with an expression remarkably similar to my own.
Exchanging a small smile with Mother, Askart asked.
“By the way, Lia, what is this?”
“I bought it so we could all enjoy it as a snack together.”
Askart’s expression shifted to one of surprise, as if he hadn’t expected food to be contained in the plain brown paper bag.
“Brother, you really did live only in the library, didn’t you? This is sold in front of the Academy.”
“Ah….”
I let out a soft laugh at the embarrassed Askart and quickly opened the bag wide to show him.
And then I spoke to Grandfather, who was still teasing Father.
“Grandfather, these are sweet!”
“Hmm? The appearance is rather… No, this is sugar!”
Grandfather’s face brightened as he belatedly recognized the white granules clinging to the surface of the fried pastry.
“Father.”
Mother, concerned for Grandfather’s health, immediately voiced her objection.
I, who knew Grandfather’s love of desserts better than anyone, quickly stepped in as well.
“Mother, Grandfather has been exercising considerable restraint lately, hasn’t he? Surely one day wouldn’t hurt?”
“Exactly! Because of your persistence, I’ve been receiving regular examinations from the physician. And if you won’t even let me eat a snack that Lia brought….”
Grandfather’s eyes grew red at the mere thought of it.
Mother finally relented with a sigh.
“Fine. I’m making an exception only because of Adriana.”
“Yes, yes!”
Delighted, Grandfather immediately reached for the pastry, and Mother jumped in alarm.
“Wouldn’t you prefer to eat it after dinner?”
“But it still looks warm, doesn’t it? Pastries taste best when they’re fresh from the oven.”
“As expected, you know exactly what you want, Grandfather.”
“Of course.”
Mother let out a hollow laugh as she listened to our exchange.
“Well then, let me try a taste of this pastry that our Adriana was so eager to eat.”
“A fine idea.”
“I’d like to try some too!”
Following Mother, Father and Askart picked up the bread with smiles on their faces.
Only then did I realize that without any explanation from me, my family had already sensed that this bread was the food my younger self had once longed to eat.
‘Father and Older Brother are a bit surprising, but….’
Even as my heart swelled with emotion, I paused briefly before breaking into a bright smile.
“I bought plenty, so please help yourselves.”
“This tastes better than it looks, doesn’t it?”
“Doesn’t it?”
Speaking with satisfaction, I was glad I’d thought to send this bread to Lucio as well.
‘I hope Duke Elrad and Duchess Elrad, Diana and Allen enjoy it too!’
Before descending the hill and boarding the carriage, I remembered Lucio’s surprised expression when I’d bought this bread, and my smile deepened.
“Lia, you should try some too.”
“Okay!”
I answered quickly and took a large bite of the bread.
The bread, coated thickly with crunching sugar, was still delicious.
Most of all, I loved this peaceful moment—laughing and chattering with my family while sharing this delicious treat.
I found myself unconsciously wishing it would continue like this forever.
However, unfortunately, this peace did not last long either.
* * *
The next day.
“Your son visited yesterday, and now it’s you?”
Without even sending word in advance, Mother tilted her head with a displeased expression upon seeing Duke Elrad, who had arrived so suddenly.
In truth, they were close enough that such formalities weren’t necessary, but it seemed Mother sensed something ominous in the Duke’s uncharacteristic behavior, despite his usual courtesy.
‘Mother’s intuition really is sharp.’
Watching from behind, I fidgeted nervously with my fingers.
Last night.
〈Lia, your suspicion was correct. The Former Countess seems to have passed the date when Marquis Diapel was supposed to come to the Capital City. She also took documents containing confidential information about House Diapel.〉
Through the communication device, Lucio delivered truly shocking news.
‘How could she possibly betray her family again?’
Moreover, this time it wasn’t just family she’d betrayed—it was the nation itself.
Revealing the day Father would leave the Grand Duke’s Castle was, even being generous, something she might claim she didn’t know the consequences of….
But as someone born into House Diapel, the shield and representative martial family of the Laksten Empire, I couldn’t possibly be ignorant of what such an action meant.
‘Is she truly insane? How could a person….’

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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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