Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 31

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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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After crying for so long, I had no strength left in me.
Despite telling Diana not to come near me because I was filthy, the moment tears appeared in my eyes, she began wailing in the banquet hall and eventually threw herself into my arms.
She then roared at the children around me, bellowing that she couldn’t bear to look at them, but eventually grew exhausted and merely gasped for breath.
The banquet ended like that, and at Duchess Elrad’s command, we entered the bathhouse where we were attended by servants, washed ourselves clean, and emerged refreshed.
Diana dried her hair and fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow.
As silence descended, I found myself dwelling on how miserably the banquet had concluded.
‘Still, I was fortunate.’
The moment I realized I was about to topple toward the table, I immediately released the cup from my hand.
And with desperate instinct, I seized the hem of the person who had pushed me.
The lace adorning the girl’s dress waist tore away with surprising ease.
‘Come to think of it, I’m the one who actually tore the dress.’
Of course, Duke Elrad did not demand that I compensate for the girl’s dress.
From what I heard, the dress I had worn was extraordinarily expensive, so her family would likely struggle to afford restitution.
In a way, one could argue it was an excessive consequence for a young girl’s thoughtless mistake.
But I felt no sympathy.
‘It’s all her own doing.’
To be honest, if the girl hadn’t made excuses and painted Allen as a liar, I would have hidden the torn lace.
After all, without Allen and Duke Elrad, even with such clear evidence as today, no one would have listened to my words.
I was in the position of the weak, vulnerable to being trampled by anyone at any time.
‘I really do need to have money.’
As a commoner and an orphan, the only way for me to survive in this world without the protection of the powerful was through wealth.
In my previous life, I had seen countless nobles ignored despite their status because they lacked money, and commoners treated with respect simply because they were wealthy.
Of course, in that life I was a commoner with no money either, but this life would be different.
‘Once I reach the Capital City, I need to earn proper wealth.’
Since I had formulated a reasonably concrete plan, all that remained was to execute it.
Buoyed by dreams of becoming rich, I carefully exited Diana’s Room when I suddenly froze.
“Young Master?”
An unexpected person had been waiting for me.
Since Allen’s room was near Diana’s Room, I could have assumed he was merely passing by by chance, but…
“Follow me.”
It seemed my suspicion was correct—Allen’s purpose was indeed me. He turned abruptly and spoke in a clipped tone.
His voice sounded rather stiff, which made me tilt my head in confusion.
‘Didn’t we make up?’
In the banquet hall, Allen had taken my side, and at the end, he had issued a warning—not quite a warning—telling people not to touch me.
Thanks to Diana crying and shouting, the children who had been mocking me quickly changed their attitudes and watched me nervously. Seeing that, I felt a bitter realization of how formidable the power of authority truly was.
But separate from that, I had believed we had reconciled because of this incident. Had it all been my misunderstanding?
“Oh!”
Lost in thought and following Allen absently, I entered the Dining Room behind him and was startled to discover the grand chocolate fountain I had seen in the Garden.
“Eat.”
“Pardon?”
“Eat this.”
The abrupt command left me dumbfounded.
Allen seemed to enjoy this peculiar form of torture—force-feeding me—just as he had before.
Yet it was far too merciful to be called punishment.
Since I hadn’t eaten properly all morning while preparing for the banquet, my stomach was growling. After a moment’s hesitation, I picked up a biscuit and dipped it into the chocolate fountain.
The biscuit soon became adorned with a beautiful cascade of rich chocolate.
As I gazed at it in fascination, Allen’s piercing stare made me hastily pop it into my mouth. The dense, velvety chocolate flavor bloomed across my palate.
The sweetness was so overwhelming that my entire body trembled.
After savoring the taste for a moment, I suddenly noticed his unwavering gaze and opened my mouth in alarm.
“Th-thank you….”
“I’m sorry.”
“Pardon?”
Confused by his sudden words, I tilted my head, and Allen’s expression twisted.
“For getting angry with you last time.”
“….”
“Everything I’ve done wrong—treating you poorly, saying cruel things—it was all my fault. Seeing you reminds me of losing Diana, and I took out my frustration on you unfairly. I’m truly sorry.”
“…No, you’re not.”
I was somewhat taken aback by Allen’s sincere apology.
Free from Sid Valery’s influence, he resembled the legendary guardian of justice everyone spoke of—Allen Elrad.
“It was certainly an understandable misunderstanding. Besides, the gift you chose was meant for your sister. And….”
I bit my lip gently before speaking brightly.
“If I were in your position, I’d worry too if a mysterious orphan of unknown origin suddenly appeared beside my precious sister. I understand completely.”
“Well, that’s….”
“More importantly, I was grateful for what you did earlier.”
“That was obvious! She treated you badly. You were wronged. And I—from now on, I will never tolerate injustice.”
As Allen spoke, he seemed to be holding back tears.
The heavy atmosphere made me uncomfortable, so I spoke lightly.
“You really are impressive, my lord. But why that expression? Don’t frown with such a handsome face.”
Allen then drew in a sharp breath.
“You—why do you say such things without any shame?”
“Should I be ashamed? It’s the truth.”
“W-well, I suppose you’re right. I am handsome.”
Allen’s face flushed deeply as he acknowledged it.
I nearly laughed but managed to restrain myself, nodding instead.
“Yes. You are quite handsome.”
“You’re not.”
“….”
After all that praise, this wretch.
He apologizes, but his tactless manner remains unchanged.
“Ugly.”
Allen chuckled and said it once more.
As if everyone doesn’t already know I’m hideous.
Even though Diana tells me I’m pretty every single day, I know the truth!
Knowing the reality, my expression naturally turned sullen, though I couldn’t help it.
Seeing my face, Allen burst into laughter.
Unable to help myself, a laugh escaped my lips as well.
Though my mind had been scattered all day, it was a far better way to end the day than I’d expected.
* * *
The year had changed.
Jack and I, whose birthdays were uncertain, aged one year according to the Orphanage’s custom, becoming nine and eleven respectively, while Allen also turned eleven after his birthday passed.
In the meantime, preparations for the journey to the Capital City progressed smoothly without issue, and I spent wonderful time with Diana.
One day, while living such a peaceful and uneventful life, Duke Elrad suddenly summoned me.
Puzzled, I went to his Study, only to find that all the physicians of Duke’s Castle had gathered there.
“Is this the child? The one who discovered Spleshia?”
A woman with graying hair lifted her silver-rimmed glasses slightly with her skeletal fingers as she asked.
It was Baron Bardo, the personal physician of House Elrad.
As the head of House Bardo, the most renowned in medicine throughout the Empire, she was a woman who had surpassed her siblings through exceptional skill and inherited the family name.
Though she had become the physician of House Elrad rather than the Imperial Palace due to the Emperor’s reluctance to employ a woman, I knew her abilities surpassed anyone in the Imperial Palace.
‘Of course, she later stepped down from that position after failing to save the Duchess Elrad.’
Regardless, she went on to research various medicinal herbs and publish papers, eventually becoming known as the foremost authority in herbalism.
From her words, I understood why Duke Elrad had summoned me.
‘I was worried they might not recognize such a rare herb.’
It was a completely unnecessary concern.
The physicians seemed to understand the value of Spleshia far better than I’d anticipated.
‘After all, it’s a legendary herb known to treat minor digestive ailments and inflammation, and can even be used to create the ultimate antidote.’
However, the texts documenting its properties and appearance were so ancient and rare that there seemed to be limited information available.
I eagerly shared everything I knew.
“Its appearance is similar to common weeds, but the stem and leaves are different. See these fine, hair-like spines here? And the leaves have veins that spread out like a spider’s web. That’s the biggest difference from weeds.”
“Oh, truly so!”
“To think I would see Spleshia in my lifetime…”
“Your Grace, it might be worth attempting cultivation research in cooperation with mages. Of course, it will require considerable investment and time, but…”
The physicians spoke to Duke Elrad with eyes gleaming, their expressions saying ‘It would be foolish to leave such a precious herb unused!’
Even Baron Bardo, who seemed to speak little, gazed intently at Duke Elrad throughout.
Duke Elrad observed their excitement with indifference, then said “Begin the research,” before suddenly turning to me and blurting out.
“So you really are a blessing to this household.”
“Pardon?”
At his abrupt remark, the physicians tilted their heads in confusion, and I doubted my own ears.
“My wife said so. That a blessing had entered our home. I too believe you are a child upon whom fortune smiles abundantly.”
At Duke Elrad’s words, I froze solid.
I simply obtained a second life and managed to navigate through various problems with relative ease.
‘If I truly were a fortunate person, I wouldn’t have faced such difficulties in the first place.’
But it seemed people thought differently.
Those who had been listening blankly to Duke Elrad’s words suddenly exclaimed, “Oh yes, that’s right! You even looked after the young lady to ensure her safe return!” and nodded vigorously, their eyes gleaming with burdensome intensity as they fixed their gaze upon me.
“Child, did you perhaps not encounter any other medicinal herbs?”
“Yes, if you know anything at all, do share it with us.”
“Perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to study medicine or pharmaceuticals while we’re at it.”
Flustered by the oppressive weight of their eager stares, I instinctively took a step backward.

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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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