Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 37

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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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Diana, delighted, eagerly recounted everything she had learned that day.
Diana had begun formal instruction with a private tutor not long after arriving in the Capital City.
Though the Duchess Elrad had expressed doubt about whether Diana, still so young, could properly follow the lessons, the Head Maidservant had countered that most daughters of high noble houses began their private education at an even younger age, making Diana comparatively late to start.
To be honest, I had felt reluctant about Diana already undertaking such rigorous studies, worried it might prove too taxing for her.
Yet I knew nothing of the ways of nobility, and hearing the word “late” had made my heart sink.
The Duchess Elrad seemed to share the same sentiment.
‘I realized that the life of a noble daughter was not as carefree as I had imagined.’
The fortunate thing was that Diana had taken to her studies with unexpected enthusiasm.
For now she was learning basic etiquette, letters, and foundational knowledge, but before long she would study history, poetry, philosophy, and astronomy under the Empire’s renowned scholars.
Should she wish it, she could even pursue more specialized education and enter the Academy, just as her elder brother had done.
“Wow!”
At that moment, the head cook brought out the meal.
It was a special dish prepared for Allen and Diana, who had been working hard through rigorous training and studies.
“Chicken legs—Dana’s favorite!”
As the kitchen maid placed a chicken leg on Diana’s plate, the delighted girl eagerly reached for it.
“Young Miss, did you not learn proper dining etiquette yesterday? Please do not use your hands. Use the knife and fork instead.”
But with the Head Maidservant’s words, the cheerful atmosphere evaporated in an instant.
Seeing Diana’s face fall, Allen cried out.
“Head Maidservant, that’s enough! Leave us. We’ll dine alone.”
“But young master….”
“I said leave!”
As Allen’s voice grew sharp, the Head Maidservant sighed in resignation and departed the Dining Room.
The quick-witted kitchen maid also hastily transferred the remaining dishes and withdrew.
“Diana, eat comfortably now.”
As Allen, returning to his gentle older brother self, spoke those words, Diana exclaimed “You’re the best, brother!” and began eagerly devouring the chicken leg.
Watching her, my heart warmed, yet a worry suddenly seized me.
“But young master, what if the young miss eats like that in front of other nobles later?”
I found Diana’s clumsy manner endearing and delightful, yet I could not bear the thought of her being criticized by other nobility.
Allen flinched at my words, but he soon spoke with confidence.
“She can learn such things later! Our Diana is so clever, after all.”
And I quickly nodded in agreement.
‘That’s right. What kind of girl is our Diana, after all.’
* * *
After finishing the meal without anyone watching over us, Allen hurried back, saying he still had more training to complete.
‘So he really did come back early because of Diana.’
I smiled and decided to go to my room with Diana to have tea time.
It was to review the etiquette I had learned yesterday for enjoying tea time properly.
Then an unexpected visitor arrived.
“Mother!”
“My Lady!”
Upon seeing the Duchess Elrad enter through the door, Diana and I rushed to her side.
“My, what a warm welcome.”
The Duchess Elrad gently stroked the heads of Diana and me, who clung to either side of her.
“I heard you two were having tea time, so I came to join you. It seems I’ve arrived at just the right moment.”
I noticed exhaustion etched across the Duchess Elrad’s face as she took her seat.
“Madam, have you only just arrived?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“What about dinner?”
“Hmm, I’m not particularly hungry.”
She had spent the entire day out taking tea, and even now, seated among us, the Duchess Elrad made no move toward the tea or cakes. It seemed she had come solely to see Diana’s face.
‘She really must eat properly.’
While skipping a single meal wouldn’t cause harm, I found myself growing concerned that she might neglect her health.
The Head Maidservant, who had followed the Duchess Elrad in without a moment’s rest, spoke up.
“Madam, I’ve placed the budget documents requiring your approval today in the Study. I’ve also organized the letters addressed to you and the party invitations for next week separately, so please review them when you have a moment.”
“Understood. Thank you for your hard work, Helen.”
Though her face bore the marks of fatigue, the Duchess Elrad expressed her gratitude with genuine warmth.
I too found myself thinking that the Head Maidservant truly managed her duties with excellence.
The Head Maidservant, who came from a vassal family of House Elrad, had been handling the domestic affairs of the Duke’s Mansion alongside the butler.
Moreover, seeing how she now assisted the Duchess Elrad, it was clear her abilities were quite exceptional.
In particular, since the Duchess Elrad was new to social activities in the Capital City, she was unfamiliar with the subtle relationships and hidden dynamics between noble families, and the Head Maidservant was providing her with valuable guidance on trends and precautions.
“Oh my, I’m being a bother, aren’t I? Go ahead and eat your desserts.”
At that moment, the Duchess Elrad smiled warmly and urged Diana and me to finish our desserts. Then she paused, noticing the beverage placed before Diana.
Before Diana sat a cup of black tea.
“Black tea already? I don’t think that suits our young lady’s taste.”
When the Duchess Elrad gently asked whether Diana had chosen it while trying to imitate an adult, Diana’s eyes sparkled as she quickly responded.
“Mother, Dana wants cocoa!”
The Duchess Elrad was about to call for a maidservant with a smile.
“Young lady, will you also be drinking cocoa like a child when you attend the Salon tomorrow?”
The Salon? But Diana is still a child, isn’t she?
I tilted my head in confusion at the Head Maidservant’s words, then froze.
The Duchess Elrad’s expression had turned cold and rigid.
“What do you mean by that, Helen?”
“Did I not mention it before? The young lady must begin her social activities.”
“Then you should also remember that I said it was still too early.”
The Duchess Elrad took a moment to compose herself, as if tempering her anger, before speaking.
“Helen, even when Diana was in the Territory, she had little experience meeting other children except at birthday celebrations or grand galas.”
“That is precisely why she must attend. She doesn’t even get along properly with the children of vassal families in the Duchy. How could she possibly adapt to the Capital City’s social circles in the future?”
“…Helen.”
“Madam, you were not born and raised in the Capital City, so you may not understand, but for young noblewomen like the young lady, building connections with their peers from an early age is extremely important.”
“….”
“Moreover, Miss Diana is one of only two ducal daughters in the entire Empire. House Fayerunt has only a single young lord, so naturally Miss should become the flower of high society. If she fails to do so, she will face ridicule from other nobles.”
With the Head Maidservant’s words, a heavy silence descended upon the room.
The Duchess Elrad, who had been clenching her fists with her lips pressed firmly together, soon said she understood and dismissed the Head Maidservant.
Every time the Head Maidservant began with “You may not realize, my lady, but…,” I found it deeply frustrating to see the Duchess Elrad fall silent with such a dejected expression.
Yet it was also true that beneath the Head Maidservant’s words lay an unwavering pride and loyalty toward the great House Elrad, making it difficult to fault her.
“Diana, I’m sorry. As the only ducal daughter in the Empire, you will have much to bear.”
The Duchess Elrad offered a bittersweet smile and gently stroked her young daughter’s hair.
Diana tilted her head, seemingly confused by what she had said, then declared with determination, “Dana can do it!” and suddenly picked up her teacup, gulping down its contents.
“Ugh!”
Her body trembled at the intensely bitter taste of the black tea.
Unable to resist Diana’s adorableness, the Duchess Elrad burst into laughter.
I too suppressed my laughter and quickly opened the sugar cube container.
“Young lady, next time you drink this, add a few of these. It will make it much sweeter and easier to drink.”
“Really? Can I try adding some now?”
Diana, whose face had been scrunched up in displeasure, brightened immediately and dropped no fewer than five sugar cubes into her cup. She tried to add more, but the Duchess Elrad stopped her.
Watching Diana with her lips pouted, I felt something strange stir in my chest—the thought that this small child was already beginning her studies and attending the Salon to build connections.
Yet it was not difficult to imagine Diana growing into a splendid noble lady.
‘Diana truly did become the flower of high society, just as the Head Maidservant said.’
Back then, I had only seen the glittering exterior of a refined noble lady, and now I felt a pang in my heart knowing what hardships lay beneath.
‘Come to think of it, will Diana make friends?’
Naturally, by meeting other young ladies of her age regularly, friendships would form.
In fact, high-ranking nobles often arranged for their children to become companions through discussions between families. In that sense, House Elrad was quite an unusual case.
‘If she is to make friends, I hope they are kind and gentle children.’
Not like Jude Baron’s Daughter from last time—that wretched girl.
That night, I barely managed to fall asleep, suppressing a strange hollow feeling in my chest.
And then the long-awaited day of Diana’s first Salon visit arrived.
* * *
“Sniff.”
“Please don’t cry, young lady.”
I gently wiped the corners of Diana’s eyes, which were swollen from crying.
“It’s your first time meeting other young ladies, and you’re going to go looking like this?”
“Is Dana ugly?”
Surprised by the word “ugly,” Diana’s eyes widened.
“I was joking. You’re beautiful even when you cry, young lady.”
“Sniff.”
Diana pouted her lips as if feeling wronged and nestled against me with a sniffle.
As I patted the child’s back, I too felt troubled and ached in my heart.
The cause was me, and it frustrated me that all I could do was offer these consoling words.
The beginning of all this stemmed from when Diana’s preparations, which had continued since dawn, finally came to an end.

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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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