Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 40

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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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It wasn’t particularly sad—a thought that came far too naturally.
What concerned me more was Jack’s hand, which seemed to have never been properly treated and left to fester.
“Jack, don’t be like this. Let’s go see our physician….”
I was about to suggest we visit.
A maidservant came rushing out from the Main Building, shouting.
“Lia, Miss has returned! Hurry and go to Madam’s room.”
Diana had just returned from her first salon gathering.
* * *
The moment I heard Diana had arrived, I urged Jack to visit the infirmary and then rushed hurriedly to the Main Building.
Evening had already settled in with a deep crimson glow.
‘Isn’t this too much?’
A child who had risen before dawn to prepare and depart was only now returning at such a late hour.
No matter how unavoidable it might be for her to live as a noble young lady, it seemed far too harsh for such a young child.
‘Since they’re all nobles, they certainly wouldn’t play house or hide-and-seek like commoner children.’
Did they spend their time sipping tea elegantly and engaging in pleasant conversation?
I couldn’t even begin to imagine what those young children actually did when they gathered together.
As I inwardly vented my frustrations, I suddenly realized something.
I was simply upset that I hadn’t seen Diana all day long.
I was curious whether she had cried, and if she had made good friends.
I couldn’t say when Diana had so deeply woven herself into my heart.
Having arrived before the Duchess Elrad’s room, I steadied my breathing and knocked calmly.
‘It would be strange if I didn’t knock and just entered now.’
The executives who used to tease me for barging into the Master’s room would be quite shocked.
I was worried I might have even forgotten how to move without being noticed.
I decided to check on that later, and when I heard permission to enter from within, I carefully opened the door.
“Miss….”
“Shh.”
I saw Allen’s face—apparently he had rushed over the moment he heard news of Diana, just as I had.
Tilting my head in confusion at his gesture with his index finger to his lips, I discovered Diana asleep in the Duchess Elrad’s arms.
“She was so tired she fell asleep the moment she arrived.”
“Ah.”
Suppressing my disappointment, I carefully approached Diana.
Her face, with long lashes lowered and breathing softly in sleep, was innocent and lovely.
“She looks just like a baby angel, doesn’t she?”
Allen, his fists clenched as though he might burst through a wall at any moment, whispered beside me.
I stifled my laughter and nodded in agreement.
While I couldn’t match Allen’s enthusiasm, Diana truly was a radiant presence.
Shortly after, I watched as the Duchess Elrad went to the adjoining bedroom and laid Diana on the bed, then prepared to quietly leave.
The Duchess Elrad then gestured for me to sit on the sofa.
Though puzzled, I obediently sat on the sofa, and the Duchess Elrad, having quietly closed the door connecting to the bedroom, sat across from me.
“How was your day, Lia?”
Concern flickered across the Duchess Elrad’s eyes as she asked me tenderly.
It seemed she worried that I had been downhearted all day after sending Diana away.
I tried to answer brightly that I had been doing quite well.
“Allen called me to the Training Grounds, and we ate sandwiches together while I watched him train.”
At that moment, Allen interrupted my answer and lifted his chin proudly.
The Duchess Elrad’s eyes widened, seemingly surprised by Allen’s response.
“My, is that so?”
Soon she smiled and spoke.
“Still, the Training Grounds might not be very entertaining for you, Lia. There are many weapons like swords and bows, so it could be dangerous. Don’t go too often.”
Allen grumbled about what could possibly be dangerous and that his mother knew nothing, but the Duchess Elrad let it pass and spoke to me instead.
“If you ever wish to read books, you’re welcome to read in the Library, Lia.”
“The Library?”
My ears perked up at once, and I asked again.
It was a place I had longed to visit but had never dared to go.
“Yes. The Library in the Annex is always open, so I’ll inform the librarian beforehand. Feel free to visit whenever you wish.”
“Yes, thank you…”
As I lowered my head shyly for no particular reason, Allen spoke as if puzzled.
“That’s strange. What’s so good about going to the Library? I’d spend all day playing in the Maze Garden if it were me.”
“Allen, stop thinking about playing and study diligently. I hear you’re so focused on swordplay that you can’t concentrate during lessons at all.”
“Oh, Mother!”
Allen’s face flushed red, and he bounced up from his seat.
The Duchess Elrad laughed brightly, then turned her gaze back to me.
“Lia, you must be tired, but I called you here because I have something to give you.”
She handed me a pale beige envelope that lay on the table.
“This is…?”
“A letter from Count Mareta. It seems to have been sent quite some time ago, but it took this long to arrive because it was redirected from the Duke’s Castle to the Capital City. The Count sent this letter to you, so please accept it.”
My eyes widened in an instant.
A letter from Bianca? I was startled by a name I had kept as a memory to cherish during lonely and sorrowful moments.
‘I thought she had forgotten me long ago.’
I couldn’t believe it.
A brief encounter, no more than a fleeting moment in passing.
One could offer momentary pity to a wretched orphan, but something like this…
“I had no choice but to open the letter first. The recipient was me, after all.”
As I stared blankly at the letter in my hands, the Duchess Elrad spoke.
“The Count wouldn’t have known you could read. After all, you only spent a few hours together.”
In any case, for that reason he had asked her to read the letter to him instead, and the Duchess Elrad smiled with a subtly pleased expression.
Not understanding why her mood had improved, I tilted my head in confusion before looking down at the envelope again.
What could possibly be written in it? My hands began to tremble.
“By the way, when did you learn to read?”
“Pardon?”
“They said the Orphanage never taught you letters. Jack was surprised to hear you could read.”
“Ah….”
I hesitated, blinking slowly before responding.
“An older sister who visited the Orphanage often taught me. The boys mostly played outside, so….”
I fabricated an excuse since I couldn’t speak the truth, but Allen seemed hardly interested in my explanation.
“I see. Anyway, that’s why Jack started learning letters too. Captain Seidian agreed to teach him.”
“Wow, really?”
It was unexpected good news.
I thought Taize and Jack’s relationship was progressing steadily after all.
Moreover, after Sid Valery was shamefully dismissed, there was open talk that Taize would take the vacant Vice-Captain position.
Since that was bound to happen eventually, Jack would soon become the Vice-Captain’s son and walk a smooth path ahead.
I felt genuinely happy for my friend’s fortune, thinking he had everything except the hardships written into his predestined romance.
“Lia, won’t you read it?”
The Duchess Elrad, looking oddly tense, urged me on.
“Go ahead and read it.”
“Yes? Yes….”
I tilted my head at the strange sense that she wanted me to read it right here, but I opened the envelope without much hesitation.
After all, the Duchess Elrad would already know the letter’s contents, and I planned to return to my room and read it several more times alone anyway.
I drew the letter from the envelope, whose seal was already broken, and gasped sharply again.
‘My goodness, even the handwriting is magnificent!’
My heart raced at the sight of the flowing, elegant script stretching across the page with such confidence.
Thinking I would need to cast a preservation spell on it once I returned to my dormitory, I began reading the letter.
Lia, I wonder if you remember me. I’ve heard that you’re doing wonderfully at House Elrad. I’m truly relieved to hear your scars have completely disappeared. I wish I could see and confirm it myself.
My heart swelled at the tender affection in every word.
‘This is a treasure! I’ll cherish it as a family heirloom for life!’
So here’s the thing. Last time, I was too preoccupied to properly explain how wonderful our Belus Duchy truly is. First, the Grand Duke Bellus, our duchy’s ruler, is the greatest archmage currently living on the continent…. (omitted)
…The Grand Duke’s son, who currently attends the Imperial Academy, possesses a dazzling charm quite different from Duke Elrad and the young lady’s appearance. There’s a radiance and purity that feels like one’s eyes are opening…. (omitted)
…And Belus Duchy is famous for its beauty, nestled against the sea. Particularly, the Grand Duke’s Castle overlooks the sea right below its walls, and from the windows you can see white-capped waves rolling in from afar. It’s truly a spectacular view enjoyed from within one’s own room. And….
‘Hmm…. Count Mareta certainly has unwavering loyalty and patriotism.’
More than half the letter’s content overflowed with pride in Belus Duchy.
Though it felt oddly like I was receiving an enthusiastic promotion, that couldn’t possibly be it.
‘It’s not as if he’s still hoping I’ll come to the duchy….’
Still, after reading through the entire letter, my curiosity about Belus Duchy had grown considerably.
‘If I earn a lot of money later, maybe I really should visit someday.’
He mentioned that if I ever wanted to learn more about the duchy, I could send letters anytime through the Duchess Elrad, so I could ask any questions before my travels.
After finishing the letter and returning it to the envelope, the Duchess Elrad, who had been watching me intently the whole time, suddenly asked.
“Would you like to write a reply?”
“Yes?”
“Belus Duchy is certainly a wonderful place, but….”
The Duchess Elrad trailed off, her expression growing enigmatic.
Curiosity piqued, I asked her directly.
“Have you ever visited the Grand Duchy, my lady?”
“Yes, I have been there before.”
“I have too! I’ve been there as well.”
Allen suddenly interjected at that moment.
He had been downcast after hearing the earlier admonition to study diligently, but now his face lit up with excitement.
“You have been there too, young master?”
“Yes. It’s truly wonderful there. Magnificent and fascinating!”
“Allen.”
The Duchess Elrad spoke, her tone restraining his exuberance.
“You only visited once when you were very young. You were barely two years old—do you really remember that?”
“Ugh… I hate you, Mother!”

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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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