Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 83

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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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The Capital City was so familiar to me that I could navigate its narrow, deserted alleyways with my eyes closed.
Yet I was grateful that Jack, usually so taciturn, was making an unusual effort to explain things in detail, so I listened intently with repeated nods of acknowledgment.
That was when it happened.
“Hm?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh… it’s nothing. I thought I recognized someone.”
I shook my head with a subdued expression.
Jack regarded me with puzzlement. It was strange that I, who had spent my entire life in the Orphanage just as he had, would mistake someone from the Capital City for an acquaintance.
Yet Jack found himself unable to look away—there was something unfamiliar, and somehow beautiful, about the way I wore a bitter smile while lost in deep thought.
Unaware of his gaze, I exhaled a quiet sigh inwardly.
For days now, ever since I had decided to venture outside the Duke’s Mansion, I found myself involuntarily recalling the Master and the other executives.
Perhaps I might encounter them by chance as I passed through—such thoughts had been consuming me.
Just moments ago, I had mistaken a black-haired person passing by for the Master.
‘It’s rare enough to see him even at the Guild, so what are the odds…’
“…Lia!”
“Hm?”
“We’re here. Come down.”
So lost in thought had I been that, though it seemed like only moments since we had left the Duke’s Mansion, we had already arrived at the Central Square—the very heart of the Capital City.
Taking Jack’s hand, I descended from the carriage and surveyed my surroundings with a dazed gaze.
As I carefully examined what remained the same and what had changed in my memories, Jack, believing I was simply fascinated by the sights, cleared his throat with a “Ahem!”
“First, let’s get something to eat. You’re hungry, right? The dining hall should be this way…”
Though Jack did his best to appear confident and familiar with the area, his mind was in complete chaos—he couldn’t tell if he was going the right way, or if his arms and legs were moving in opposite directions.
Eventually, his footsteps came to a halt before a restaurant.
“…Here? Is this really the recommended restaurant?”
“Yes. Why?”
As Jack tilted his head in confusion, I asked with an awkward expression.
“Jack, have you eaten here before?”
“…No. Actually, I heard about it from some of the other knights.”
“Is that so! I heard about it from the other maidservants too!”
Suddenly brightening, I leaned close to Jack’s side and whispered.
“The restaurant next door is much better than this one. The prices are lower and the portions are generous. Of course, the cooking is excellent. Especially their seafood dishes are exceptional. Ah, no, that’s what I heard, anyway.”
I hastily corrected myself, watching Jack anxiously to see if he would insist on his choice.
If only Jack hadn’t chosen a restaurant with the worst reputation, I wouldn’t have needed to pretend to know better.
Fortunately, Jack blinked and looked at the sign of the restaurant I had pointed to.
Then, glancing at the sign of the shop he had originally intended to visit, he nodded with an “Ah.”
He had realized he had confused the restaurant Taize had recommended.
“Right, let’s go there.”
The meal that followed was quite satisfying.
My satisfaction at revisiting a familiar restaurant after so long needed no explanation, and even Jack, who wasn’t particularly picky about food, was pleasantly surprised.
But that wasn’t the only thing that surprised Jack.
It was Lia’s first time venturing beyond the Duke’s Mansion except during the Academy Festival, yet she guided Jack through the Capital City with the familiarity of someone who knew it intimately.
“If you want to go to a bookstore, we shouldn’t head that way.”
“For snacks, it’s this direction.”
“The best sights are over there!”
“A sword? If you’re looking for a sword, I know a really excellent weapon shop!”
Jack, who had been following Lia in a daze, suddenly snapped back to his senses and asked.
“Lia. How do you know all this? Did the maidservants tell you about it?”
“Huh? Um, yes.”
“…A weapon shop?”
“Well, sometimes we buy gifts for the knights, so…”
“You…”
Jack raised his eyebrows as he watched Lia trail off awkwardly.
“You really were looking forward to this today, weren’t you? I had a feeling when you came looking for me to go out together.”
“Y-yes, that’s right. I was really excited.”
“But why aren’t we going to a jeweler today? You bought nothing but jewels during the Festival.”
She had even brought spending money with her, yet today’s Lia showed no interest in purchasing accessories.
As expected, Lia shrugged and spoke.
“I bought a lot last time. But once I got them, I realized I don’t really have much use for them. I’ll buy more next time. But this place—”
The place she pointed to was an upscale weapon shop frequented only by nobles and high-ranking knights.
Though craftsmen say they don’t blame their tools, Lia believed that quality still mattered.
If the sword itself was superior, its power and sharpness would differ accordingly, naturally reducing stamina and mana consumption far more efficiently.
“If you mention you’re an apprentice knight of the Lexion Knights, they’ll probably take good care of you. Still, examine everything carefully. And ask them to reforge it to fit your hands.”
Though Jack had only mentioned wanting to look at swords, he hadn’t expected her to bring him directly to a weapon shop. He spoke with a bewildered expression as Lia’s advice poured out.
“I wasn’t planning to buy today. The standard-issue sword isn’t bad either.”
“Standard-issue? Jack, you’re not a squire—you’re an apprentice knight. If you’re aiming to become a full knight, you can’t do it without a sword that fits your hands.”
“Is… is that so?”
“Yes. Oh, for today, just put down a deposit and come back with the Vice-Captain to make the purchase next time.”
“What? That’s a bit… I brought enough money today.”
“It’s not about the money…”
Lia exhaled softly and spoke.
“You should give him the chance to play a father’s role. If you ask him to buy you a sword to use going forward, he’ll probably be delighted.”
“But…”
“Jack, being mature is your strength, but you’re still only eleven years old. He’s family now. I think it’s okay to be a little more childish sometimes.”
“Childish…?”
Jack’s expression became flustered at the unexpected word.
Then he suddenly worried that Lia saw him as young like Allen, and his heart sank.
“And you’re only nine years old—who are you to lecture me about being childish?”
“What? Ha ha. Are you comparing us?”
Despite Jack’s grumbling tone, Lia laughed so hard her shoulders shook with amusement.
“Then take your time choosing.”
“What? You?”
“I need to buy a cake.”
“Let’s go together.”
“No. I’m getting it wrapped anyway. Oh, the cake I want is a popular item, so it’ll take some time.”
Before Jack could even grab her, Lia waved her hand and said, “Enjoy looking around!” before disappearing quickly.
Jack stared after her retreating figure in bewilderment.
* * *
“Did I show off too much knowledge?”
Walking through the Capital City after so long, I had gotten excited without realizing it.
Though I felt some regret, I decided it had been an enjoyable time nonetheless, and I left the alley where the weapon shop was located. Then I quickly pulled on the gray robe I had brought with me.
The ash-colored robe that covered my entire body hid my face, but with the body of a small child, it somehow looked even more suspicious and was likely to draw attention.
‘Damn it. If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve learned appearance-changing magic no matter what.’
The most popular magic among Terenthium Guild members who could use magic was appearance-changing magic.
It allowed them to infiltrate various places to gather information while simultaneously protecting their identities.
But unlike other magic, I couldn’t use appearance-changing magic at all.
Not only had Master never taught me, but my attempts to learn it by watching over his shoulder had proven difficult.
Even Guild members with inferior skills to mine seemed to casually change their hair color, facial features, and even adjust their apparent age.
“At the very least, disguise techniques… No, never mind that.”
Guild members without talent for magic could sometimes pull off masterful disguises, but I couldn’t even manage that.
To be precise, I had never learned it. Disguise was Jade’s specialty.
Knowing full well that he despised and looked down on me, I didn’t want to lower my head and ask him to teach me.
Even now, I felt no regret about that decision.
“Tch.”
I snapped my fingers while looking at my reflection in the glass window of a nearby shop, but no change in appearance occurred.
I had thought that with so much more mana flowing through me now, I might be able to do it, but apparently not.
I clicked my tongue and pressed the robe down firmly on my head again, then turned my steps.
It was time to head toward the true purpose of today’s outing.
* * *
Ding.
As I opened the door, a clear bell chimed.
I had come to ‘Lueje’, a dessert specialty shop that had opened in the Capital City not long ago.
‘Also a hideout of the Information Guild, Darel.’
I couldn’t be certain this was their headquarters, but every time they made contact trying to scout me, I received a message to come to Lueje.
The level of information handled by an Information Guild directly correlates with the caliber of their information sources.
It was highly likely that senior operatives capable of being assigned missions to contact information sources from other guilds were stationed here.
“Welcome. What would you like?”
A small child in a robe among a shop filled with elegantly dressed noblewomen and aristocratic young ladies.
Though it must have looked quite suspicious, the clerk responded with practiced ease.
As I casually looked over the cakes, I spoke.
“The item I’m looking for isn’t on display. It seems I’ll need to place a special order.”
“Pardon? We don’t typically accept custom orders….”
“Mint chocolate cake.”
I met her gaze directly, unflinching.
“I would like to order that.”

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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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