Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 281

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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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Regrettably, the Former Countess’s ability to commit such a grave transgression was not without fault on Ivan’s part as well.
‘Had he not allowed her into the Castle in the first place, none of this would have transpired.’
It was then that Duke Elrad, who as Minister of Military Affairs knew military law better than anyone, wore an expression of bitter chagrin.
“Rise.”
Lucio knelt on one knee and met the Previous Marquis’s gaze.
“Your Majesty will not punish House Diapel for this matter.”
The Previous Marquis, though his eyes held uncertainty, did not readily rise to his feet.
Eventually, Lucio turned his head away.
Nicholas, who was already deeply flustered by the Previous Marquis kneeling again, quickly spoke up.
“That’s correct. We have never doubted Marquis Diapel’s loyalty, so please rise at once.”
“But….”
“Now that the matter is resolved, I will tell you this—I do not intend to make this incident public. Of course, the punishment of other offenders is unavoidable, and the reason I summoned you to the Imperial Palace was to inform you of this very thing.”
The Previous Marquis, who had resolved to bear punishment in his son’s stead and watch his family’s honor crumble to the ground, suddenly looked up in shock.
He knew well that Regina and Clara could not be saved, and he harbored no hope for clemency.
Yet it was difficult to accept that his family’s transgression would be concealed so readily.
“Why….”
“I too stand on the eve of my coronation. I have no desire to escalate this matter.”
“….”
The Previous Marquis fell silent.
Certainly, the assertion that he wished not to magnify the situation was more convincing than merely asking him to let it pass without question.
Yet even if he had spent his life indifferent to politics, his years spent in the presence of the Emperor had been long.
Could it truly be that he would conceal everything without any condition in return?
Nicholas, observing the Previous Marquis’s uneasy expression, spoke as though resigned.
“In truth, Lucio has already paid the price.”
“Nicholas.”
“You ought to know.”
Nicholas smiled faintly even as he watched Lucio’s furrowed brow with caution.
The Previous Marquis, startled into rising, asked with a trembling voice.
“Paid the price? What do you mean by that?”
“It’s nothing of consequence. You need not concern yourself.”
Lucio hastened to end the conversation, but Nicholas pressed forward once more.
“I employed rather dishonorable means, you see.”
His tone was somewhat playful, as though he meant to lighten the grave atmosphere.
Yet contrary to his intent, Duke Elrad, who had maintained silence throughout, visibly paled.
The Previous Marquis immediately grasped the reason.
Nicholas was the bloodline of the Previous Emperor, one who had even used relics of the Demon Realm.
‘He fears his son might follow in his own footsteps.’
And the Previous Marquis could not stand idly by and watch this unfold.
No matter that they were to become one family, or rather precisely because of it, he could not place such a yoke upon Lucio through his own house’s misdeeds.
As the Duke and the Previous Marquis’s eyes gleamed with sudden intensity, Nicholas, startled by their sharper-than-expected reaction, turned to look at Lucio.
Lucio, who had quickly sensed the concern of the two adults, spoke again.
“It’s truly nothing serious. His Majesty was merely jesting.”
“It seems certain that some conversation did take place between you.”
At Duke Elrad’s sharp words, Lucio fell silent.
Nicholas, observing the atmosphere carefully, ventured to interject.
“It is shameful to admit, but I lack much to govern the nation alone. Through Lucio’s counsel, I have attended the Academy and cultivated connections with many young and talented individuals, yet even combined, they do not match Lucio’s excellence.”
Duke Elrad’s eyebrows twitched, unable to fathom why his son was suddenly gilding his face.
Sensing the wariness, Nicholas swallowed a bitter smile and continued.
“Yet at such a time, Lucio insists on departing as a resident ambassador to Bellus Duchy, so it is only natural that I would attempt to retain him, is it not? He even threatened that if I did not consent, he would resign entirely and follow Crown Princess Bellus to Bellus Duchy.”
Nicholas exhaled an exaggerated sigh, his expression suggesting that this was the sort of coercion under which he labored as Emperor.
I was beginning to sense what the condition for quietly burying this matter might be.
Duke Elrad in particular wore an expression of inevitability, for he had already been somewhat concerned upon hearing Lucio’s mention of going to the Duchy.
Of course, there was no displeasure with the journey to the Duchy itself.
Duke Elrad, no less than his wife, Diana, and Allen, had been somewhat excited at the prospect of traveling freely for the first time in ages.
Rather, it was Nicholas, who would remain alone, that troubled him.
Though the political situation had stabilized quickly, chaos still lingered.
The nobility, who had held their breath through the succession of great upheavals, might well attempt to manipulate the new Emperor to their liking.
As such, from Nicholas’s position, Lucio’s existence as both a political partner and supporter was indispensable.
“I ultimately consented to the ambassadorial post, thinking it better to step away temporarily rather than withdraw entirely, but such an opportunity arising at this moment… well, it hardly seems appropriate to call it an opportunity.”
Nicholas corrected his slip of the tongue, glancing at the Previous Marquis.
“My desire to quietly bury this matter concerning House Diapel is sincere. However, for the sake of future coordination with Liven Kingdom, Lucio is necessary…”
“So Duke Elrad (Minor) remains in the Empire in exchange for your family’s affairs being overlooked.”
The Previous Marquis, having calmed his agitation, summarized the matter in a measured tone.
Yet his expression remained sorrowful, and Lucio spoke with concern.
“I am content. Lia will understand as well.”
The Previous Marquis, though grieved, agreed with those words.
His granddaughter, with a heart as pure as an angel’s, would surely understand. Indeed, she might even be relieved that matters had turned out well.
Even as she had rejoiced that her beloved would forgo the opportunity to stand at the center of power and prioritize her, boasting of it to her family.
The Previous Marquis could not meet Lucio’s eyes and lowered his head.
He sensed that it would be difficult to reverse a decision already made between Nicholas and Lucio.
His conscience pricked him, yet he found solace in the fact that he could preserve both his family’s honor and his son.
“…I am sorry. I have incurred a great debt.”
“Please do not speak such words. I am glad to be of service.”
As Lucio spoke with such complicated sentiments, he replied at once.
Of course, it would have been a lie to say Lucio harbored no regrets.
From the outset, he had intended to resolve matters quietly without informing Nicholas, fearing things might unfold this way.
However, Marquis Diapel’s inflexible report had derailed the plan.
Yet unable to resent Lia’s family for it, Lucio glared at Nicholas as if to ask why he had needlessly revealed the secret and created this atmosphere.
Nicholas gave a small shrug and pouted his lips slightly.
His thinking was that if one sacrificed for one’s beloved, one ought naturally to take credit for it.
I could have pretended not to know, as Lucio suggested, but I had deliberately abandoned my benevolent emperor persona and even taken on the role of villain—only to receive reproachful glances in return. It stung a little.
Of course, Lucio paid Nicholas no mind whatsoever, merely soothing and supporting the Previous Marquis.
* * *
The next day, at the harbor closest to the Imperial Capital.
Our entire family and all the members of House Elrad gathered to see off my Father and Mother as they returned to Bellus Duchy.
“There was no need for everyone to come out like this.”
Mother, embarrassed by the grand farewell procession, spoke while averting her gaze slightly.
Duke Elrad then responded curtly.
“Stella, we didn’t come out to see you—we came to bid farewell to the Grand Duke.”
The Duchess Elrad quickly jabbed Duke Elrad in the ribs, but since he seemed deeply displeased about our broken engagement, he merely shrugged as if to ask what the problem was.
‘The two of them are truly at odds.’
As I watched Mother click her tongue and Duke Elrad wear a sullen expression with curious interest, Father spoke to Grandfather in a worried voice.
“Father, we could stay a few more days if you’d like.”
“No need. You won’t be alone, and in two days….”
Grandfather, who had spoken thus far, suddenly glanced at me and Lucio standing beside me.
It seemed he had hesitated to mention that my Uncle was coming to the Capital.
Since I had heard the full explanation yesterday and had already received an apology from Grandfather, I quickly smiled brightly.
“Uncle is coming too! So don’t worry, Father.”
Father responded with a gentle smile and nodded.
Grandfather, who had been watching this exchange, suddenly let out a loud cough.
“Ahem! At this rate, the ship will depart. Stop dawdling.”
“Pardon? It’s a Grand Ducal vessel, so there’s time….”
“Ahem, ahem! If you have something to say, say it quickly!”
His words carried an unmistakable hint that he had an announcement to make, causing Duke Elrad, who had been bickering with Mother, to tilt his head in confusion.
The Duchess Elrad, Diana, and Allen all turned to look at Father.
Father then cleared his throat with an “Ah” and gazed at Lucio and me.
“I believe it would be best to hold the betrothal ceremony before this year ends. What do you two think?”

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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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