Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 283

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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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“Lia, are you trembling much?”
“Yes… a little.”
“Haha, how adorable.”
Askart chuckled softly as he watched me, wound tight with anticipation at the thought of finally meeting my Uncle.
If I was being honest, he’d met Uncle only a handful of times himself, and hadn’t seen him once since childhood—just like me!
‘And I’ve actually exchanged more letters with him than he has!’
“Why aren’t you trembling, Older Brother?”
Irritated that only I was nervous, I asked with a pout, and Askart shrugged.
“Uncle’s attention will be on you anyway, Lia. So there’s no reason for me to be nervous.”
“That’s not how it works!”
Of course, I understood that I couldn’t be compared to him—I’d been lost in childhood and had never seen him until now.
But Askart was my Uncle’s nephew just as much as I was his niece, so his affection for me couldn’t possibly be less!
“Is that so?”
Askart tilted his head in confusion, but the way he smiled suggested he didn’t truly believe that.
We’d see if he could maintain that composure once Uncle arrived!
I was glaring at Askart with my arms crossed when—
“Oh!”
The carriage from the Marquis Residence, which had departed for the Imperial Palace that morning carrying Grandfather, was now pulling through the gates.
Judging by the Diapel Marquis Knights riding behind on horseback, it was clear that Uncle had completed the ceremony at the Imperial Palace and was returning with Grandfather.
‘Deep breath…’
As I breathed deeply, the carriage came to a stop and the door opened.
“The weather’s growing colder—why are you waiting outside like this!”
If you’re going to say that, at least hide your joy.
I smiled inwardly and approached Grandfather, who had descended first.
“I couldn’t wait to see you, Grandfather!”
“Hmph! You saw me this morning, yet you couldn’t wait…”
His gruff tone couldn’t hide the way his lips twitched, and Grandfather was just about to break into a genuine smile when—
“You say that, but you were waiting for Father, weren’t you? You were waiting for me.”
A low voice accompanied a presence of considerable weight as a figure emerged.
It was my Uncle, dressed in ornate ceremonial robes far more elaborate than the uniform I’d seen him wear in the Liven Kingdom.
Last time, I’d deliberately avoided his gaze just in case, but now that I looked at him directly, I was struck by how much he resembled Grandfather.
Uncle seemed to feel the same way, his eyes unwavering as he gazed at me.
After we’d stared at each other for some time, I finally came to my senses and greeted him awkwardly with a smile.
“Hello, Uncle.”
At that, Uncle’s shoulders flinched.
“Adriana…?”
“Yes, I’m Adriana.”
“…”
Silence fell once more.
Uncle, whose expression suggested he didn’t know what to say, slowly parted his lips.
“You really do resemble your mother quite a bit….”
“Don’t we though?”
Duke Elrad suddenly appeared from behind, cutting off my Uncle’s words with a mischievous tone.
I’d heard he was attending as a witness to the ceremony, but it seemed he’d traveled here in the same carriage from the Imperial Palace.
I could see Lucio, who was also attending the ceremony, stepping down from the carriage.
As I sent him a welcoming glance.
“But her personality is completely different, so don’t be so nervous, Ivan. Her eyes resemble the Grand Duke more, so if you’re really scared, just look at those.”
“…Nervous? Why would I be afraid of my niece?”
“Oh really?”
Duke Elrad, who had been conversing with my Uncle, let out a scoff with an expression of complete disbelief.
My Uncle’s brow furrowed slightly.
“I’m simply delighted to meet my niece for the first time, and a bit stiff from finding it novel. And….”
My Uncle trailed off for a moment, then turned his gaze toward me.
But he wasn’t looking at me.
My Uncle glanced at Lucio, who had somehow moved to my side, and spoke in a reluctant voice.
“Seeing my niece, who resembles my sister, standing so close to the Young Duke, who resembles my brother… it gives me goosebumps.”
Then, as if he found it difficult to look directly at Lucio and me, he squeezed his eyes shut and turned his head away.
My mouth fell open at this unexpected reaction.
Until now, I had imagined my first meeting with my Uncle countless times.
Tears of joy, or perhaps awkwardness and confusion. I’d even heard from Lucio that my Uncle had taken a liking to Jack, so I’d even prepared myself for how to respond if he suggested I court Jack.
‘But I never expected to hear that it gives him goosebumps.’
Of course, I understood—my Uncle had witnessed my Mother and Duke Elrad’s antagonistic relationship since childhood—but….
“Hmm. I suppose that’s one way to look at it.”
Duke Elrad seemed to agree, rubbing his chin and nodding.
“Fortunately, I’ve never seen myself and Stella together with my own eyes, so I don’t think of it that way.”
…Though I added that with a slight hint of provocation.
My Uncle glanced at Duke Elrad and spoke.
“But I never thought my brother and sister would become in-laws. When my sister suggested arranging a betrothal between our children, he was absolutely appalled. When he reluctantly signed the contract, he looked as though the world were ending, telling me that my sister was surely a demon….”
“When did I ever say such a thing? Are you just making things up because it was so long ago?”
“But surely….”
“Yes! You’re spouting nonsense instead of greeting our nieces and nephews! Aren’t you ashamed?”
Duke Elrad and Grandfather condemned my Uncle in unison.
Caught off guard from both sides, my Uncle looked bewildered, but Grandfather and Duke Elrad kept glancing at me nervously.
Understanding why they were doing so, I smiled brightly to show I was fine.
I was genuinely happy, in fact.
Though I was startled at first, I understood the meaning behind my Uncle’s words about not expecting my Mother and Duke Elrad to become in-laws.
‘I thought he disapproved of Lucio!’
I was so delighted that my Uncle had acknowledged our relationship as natural without me having to persuade him specially.
‘It must be that the Liven Kingdom incident played a significant role.’
I nodded slightly and glanced at Lucio.
“I’m sorry. I said I’d go to the Grand Duchy with you, but…”
The night Grandfather returned to the Marquis Residence after visiting the Imperial Palace.
I learned from Grandfather that Lucio had made a deal with Nicholas regarding his own future in exchange for covering up House Diapel’s mistakes.
However, Lucio offered no such explanation and simply apologized to me, saying he might not be able to keep his promise.
‘He’s the one who should be apologizing, yet here he is acting foolish.’
According to what Bert told me, Lucio had even achieved diplomatic gains in the process.
He held Liven Kingdom accountable for failing to properly manage a criminal who had plotted war and for the damage caused to the Empire, and in exchange for quietly covering it up, he secured apologies and compensation from both the Imperial Family and House Diapel.
Yet despite all that, why did he look so downcast instead of taking credit for it?
I glared at Lucio in exasperation, then pulled him into a tight embrace and thanked him.
I told him that his sincerity would surely reach my family.
And now, following my parents’ approval of our marriage, his efforts were bearing fruit.
My fingers twitched involuntarily as I wanted to share this joy with Lucio.
That was when it happened.
“…!”
Lucio had come to my side but kept his gaze fixed on my Uncle, and he gently tapped my finger with a soft touch.
What was that? An accident? Before I could even think, he tapped again.
Only then did I realize the gesture was intentional, and I pressed my lips firmly together.
‘What is this? Has he learned to read my heart now?’
I swallowed the laughter threatening to burst out, and seeing that Lucio still wasn’t looking at me, I quickly turned my head away.
Then I playfully tapped his hand in return with a soft touch.
While we engaged in this secret hand play that no one else noticed.
My Uncle, having barely escaped the relentless assault from Grandfather and Duke Elrad—who seemed to think I was forcing brightness despite my genuine smile—extended his hand to Askart.
“Askart, it’s been such a long time since I saw you as a child. You’ve grown into a fine young man.”
“…It’s been a while, Uncle.”
So much for saying he wasn’t nervous.
Askart, his cheeks flushed red with embarrassment at the praise, grasped my Uncle’s extended hand but quickly released it and stepped back.
‘I suppose it’s my turn next?’
I quickly straightened my posture as if I hadn’t just been playing around with Lucio, and my Uncle extended his hand to me as well.
“We’ve only exchanged letters and never met face to face until now, Adriana. I’m delighted to see you.”
I smiled brightly and grasped my Uncle’s hand firmly with both of mine.
And I poured all the regret from not being able to acknowledge him last time into my words.
“Me too! Uncle, I’ve wanted to see you so much!”
“….”
But there was no response, and more than that, something seemed strange about my Uncle’s expression.
“What’s wrong?”
Had I made some mistake…?

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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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