Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 32

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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… I’m not quite sure right now…”
To be honest, I was tempted.
Tending the Herb Field with Ted had naturally sparked my interest in pharmaceuticals.
Particularly, Ted was deeply fascinated by how herbs could be used as medicine or poison, and he taught me extensively about extraction methods, creating new poisons, and antidotes specific to different toxins.
Poison and medicine were separated by the thinnest of lines, requiring meticulous and precise work.
The process was more grueling and tedious than I’d expected, but the sense of accomplishment upon completion was so intoxicating that I found myself addicted to it.
‘Of course, Terenthium was a legitimate Information Guild, not a criminal dark guild, so we never actually used poisons…’
Still, I had developed special powders using herbs to block detection and other necessities for our operations.
‘Pharmaceuticals, huh.’
Though I found it fascinating, I’d never seriously considered studying it formally.
“Everyone else, you’re dismissed.”
At that moment, Duke Elrad dismissed the others.
“You stay.”
I, who had naturally begun to follow the others out, froze.
Following his gaze, I sat obediently on the sofa and waited for his words with an anxious heart.
‘He’s probably suspicious.’
This was something I’d been concerned about since dealing with Sid Valery.
Not only the incident at the banquet, but even my casual mention of the antidote herb seemed to have grown into something bigger than expected. Yet I harbored no regrets.
If it helped Diana and the Duchess, who had been so kind to me, and allowed me to repay even a small debt to House Elrad…
“As you heard earlier, the herb you discovered seems quite remarkable.”
I swallowed hard and answered.
“Yes…”
“If cultivation succeeds, not only the herb itself but also the cure developed from it will be sold throughout the Empire under the name of House Elrad.”
“Ah, how wonderful. The prestige of House Elrad will grow even greater.”
“So here’s what I’m asking. What do you desire?”
“For many people to praise House Elrad… I’m sorry?”
I, who had been earnestly continuing my answer, suddenly blinked in confusion.
“Since the herb is so precious, you deserve compensation for discovering it. Of course, we don’t know how long cultivation will take, but once profits are generated, you’ll naturally receive a portion of them.”
I had been worrying for some time about how to navigate past the Duke’s suspicions.
At his unexpected words, I blinked.
It wasn’t I who was fortunate—it was Duke Elrad.
‘Otherwise, Splacia wouldn’t be growing in the Duke’s Castle.’
I had merely stumbled upon it by chance.
Though I’d provided some hints, ultimately it was Duke Elrad who made the investment and his retainers who conducted the research, so I believed the fruits of success rightfully belonged to Duke Elrad…
“Surely you didn’t think you’d receive nothing?”
The Duke, who had correctly interpreted my vacant expression, shook his head in disbelief.
“How absurd. How do you expect to survive in this world being so naive? Anyway, if you need anything, tell me. My previous offer still stands. If there’s anything you wish to learn, whether medicine or magic…”
“I do have something I want!”
A sudden thought struck me, and I raised my hand eagerly.
At my enthusiastic response, the Duke’s eyes gleamed as he leaned forward.
“Yes. What is it?”
“A maid’s uniform!”
“…What?”
I spoke with complete sincerity.
“I’ve mentioned it to the butler several times already, but he refused to issue me proper work clothes. So I’ve had no choice but to wear this expensive dress, but it’s terribly inconvenient for working. Oh, you don’t need to make many! I’ll wash and care for them diligently every day, so couldn’t you just make me two or three sets?”
Before I could even finish speaking, Duke Elrad’s expression darkened considerably.
The negotiation was a success.
* * *
“Hehe.”
I stood before the mirror wearing the maid’s uniform I’d received through the butler.
Since this was clothing for a young servant, there would be no problem making it a couple of sizes larger to account for future growth.
The neat black dress with a white apron that fit my body perfectly was wonderfully comfortable, and I was absolutely delighted with it.
I had worn the House Elrad maid’s uniform before for a mission, but this felt entirely different.
Especially when I saw the House Elrad crest embroidered in blue on the right side of my chest, my feelings became quite peculiar.
Since Terenthium is an Information Guild where security is paramount, while we leave marks when accepting or completing commissions, we have no means of openly displaying our affiliation like this uniform does.
Even the uniform I wore when operating the café on the first floor of the guild headquarters had nothing special like this, so somehow my sense of belonging…
“No!”
What’s so special about this! All the servants of House Elrad have this crest on their uniforms.
I quickly shook my head, reining in my loosening emotions before I even realized it.
But my gaze kept drifting back to the mirror. I normally don’t look at mirrors much…
“Power really is wonderful, isn’t it.”
I was right to speak to Duke Elrad.
When I had shamelessly suggested to the Duke’s Castle butler multiple times, the maid’s uniform was always delayed with various excuses, but the moment I asked Duke Elrad, it was delivered in less than two days.
“And he even had extras made generously, telling me to report immediately if any tear or get dirty.”
Still, as a servant, I should conduct myself with proper discretion and had no intention of carelessly wearing the clothes.
I touched the crest one more time, then turned to prepare for packing my final belongings.
On the bed lay my travel bag and the dress Diana and I had coordinated for the last banquet.
‘I thought I’d have to remove the jewels and discard it since it was covered in drinks and food.’
Somehow, the Duchess Elrad had restored the dress to pristine condition.
I had already thought the dress looked expensive, but learning that its price was enough to ruin a family’s finances was simply astounding.
‘Come to think of it, if I sold just one of these jewels, I could probably live off it for several months?’
My heart raced at the sight of the glittering gems, but I truly had no intention of selling them.
After all, it was a couple’s dress with Diana that the Duchess Elrad had given as a gift!
Moreover, I had thought it would take quite some time to gather funds for independence, but thanks to Splascia, I suddenly felt like a wealthy person.
‘Well, it’s not just a feeling.’
Given Splascia’s value, Duke Elrad had set a reward amount that seemed impossible for me to earn even if I worked as a maid for about ten years.
He also said that once I go to the Capital City, I would open a safe deposit box in my name at a bank and have someone dedicated to managing my investments and finances.
‘And since all the mages and physicians of House Elrad are excellent, they’ll probably create the cure quickly.’
I wasn’t sure how much would be allocated to my share, but the thought of having steady income coming in gave me peace of mind.
Though my connection with House Elrad would continue contrary to my original plan, I wouldn’t be bound to the family, so it seemed acceptable.
Unable to hide my excitement, I grabbed my travel bag and left the room.
As I stepped outside, just as when Diana and I had entered the Duke’s Castle before, all the servants were lined up waiting.
The difference this time was the presence of ornate carriages, the assembled Lexion Knights, and officials and mages like Baron Bardo and Tellin who would accompany us to the Capital City.
Among them stood Diana, who had eagerly grabbed Allen’s hand early in anticipation of the trip to the Capital City, and Jack, who looked tense.
Seeing them all prepared for departure, the reality of it finally struck me.
‘Finally.’
Today was the day we would depart for the Capital City.
* * *
“Really? She was originally quiet and well-behaved?”
Allen, who had casually asked Jack about Lia, scratched his head.
Allen had grown quite close to Jack, who had recently become an apprentice knight, through several sparring matches.
“She’s not particularly talkative, but… I wouldn’t say she’s well-behaved.”
When caring for Diana, she seemed lively, and when dealing with servants larger than herself, she showed no fear.
Moreover, the way she provoked Sid Valery was hardly the wit of an eight-year-old.
Jack, who had heard Allen’s murmuring, also fell silent.
When she was at the Orphanage, Lia was always a withdrawn child.
The kind who couldn’t say a word even when foolishly robbed of her belongings by others.
‘That’s why she even took on cleaning the Director’s office, which all the other children avoided.’
But the Lia I had seen recently seemed somehow different from what I remembered.
However, in truth, Jack had assessed Lia quite accurately.
Lia had become even more timid after the Orphanage collapsed and she joined the beggar gang, and even after entering the Guild, she didn’t fit well with her colleagues.
The Guild executives, who pitied such a Lia, taught her various things and showed her their own ways of surviving.
For instance, how to retaliate against people who disrespected her without backing down, or how to easily win others’ favor with honeyed words.
Moreover, to tease the stoic Master, they deliberately made her repeat phrases like “You’re so handsome, you’re so cool, you’re the best!”
Not realizing it was a prank disguised as training, the innocent Lia frequently flustered the Master and brought joy and amusement to the executives.
Jack, unable to imagine that Lia’s personality had changed after spending so long with the older executives, simply concluded that he had never really known her well.
“I don’t know her well either. The truth is, I’ve only spoken to Lia a few times.”
“Really…?”
Hearing Jack’s answer, Allen’s eyes narrowed.
If they had spent several years together at the same Orphanage, yet had only spoken a few times, they were far from close.
Yet that child specifically asked her father to summon Jack to the Knight Order.
“…It must be because of his face.”

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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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