Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 85

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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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“Surprised I’m just a child? Still, you can’t go spreading that around.”
I let out a soft chuckle as I spoke.
If such a thing were to happen, Darel would face massive breach-of-contract penalties.
Beyond that, they’d lose the goose that laid golden eggs—or rather, the one that produced magic stones—so they certainly wouldn’t make such a careless mistake.
I’d thrown out a joke tinged with humor to commemorate our newfound partnership.
But the man merely stared at the signed contract and the magic stones with an impassive expression.
I shrugged and continued.
“Actually, there’s something else I need you to do.”
“What is it.”
“This advance payment and everything I receive afterward—I want it all in jewels until the final settlement. That way I can prepare the next batch. And since it’s difficult for me to go out easily….”
After a moment’s hesitation, I honestly admitted that I was working as a maidservant at House Elrad.
“You wouldn’t do something conspicuous like having it delivered, right? I think it would be best to meet near the Duke’s Mansion….”
“Why go through all that trouble? I could just bring it directly to where you’re staying.”
As I was pondering where would be suitable, his words made me let out an involuntary laugh.
I could have sworn I said ‘House Elrad,’ but did I mishear?
No matter how much potential Darel had to grow into a guild threatening Terenthium, it was still a fledgling organization.
In my past, even first-rate operatives like myself could move freely through House Elrad, but I wasn’t sure what Darel’s current level was—yet this man’s confidence was extraordinary.
“Don’t bluff needlessly. It’s not a place just anyone can enter.”
I spoke firmly, then paused.
‘Could he be planning to infiltrate someone as a servant? I’m really not fond of that idea.’
Whether through covert infiltration or hired employment, I didn’t want outsiders moving in and out of the Duke’s Mansion because of me.
But the man’s lips curled into a smirk at my words. Something felt off.
“The Maze Garden at the Duke’s Mansion has a total of twenty-two benches. The blue one closest to the western entrance sees few visitors. How about we meet there on the last day of next month.”
“….”
A chill ran down my spine as he rattled off details about the interior of the Duke’s Mansion as if he knew it intimately.
I’d placed absolute faith in House Elrad’s security—could there actually be a breach?
Or was it more lax than it had been during my active days?
I made a mental note to check the estate thoroughly upon my return to see if anyone had infiltrated the interior and whether any information had been leaking out.
“You were so straightforward during the transaction—why are you worrying so much now? We just exchange goods and that’s it.”
“…Fine. But don’t even think about wandering through the Duke’s Mansion, whether it’s the Main Building or anywhere else. I won’t allow it.”
“Of course. But….”
As I wondered whether the man’s confident declaration was genuine or mere bluster, he opened his mouth and asked.
“How did you even find this place anyway? The merchant house and that password….”
“How much are you offering?”
“What?”
“You’re trying to buy information from me right now. You didn’t ask without thinking just because you’re a guild master, did you?”
Donning my former mindset as an intelligence operative, I shrugged.
“My information is genuinely expensive. You’d have to hand over the entire guild just to get me to talk.”
Of course, that was simply my way of saying I wouldn’t tell him.
Watching the silent man, I sensed the conversation had reached its conclusion, so I pulled my robe back on and stood. Then, glancing at the empty space beside him, I spoke.
“Don’t bother following me. It would be a waste of effort. Even if you investigate, you’ll find nothing. I’m truly just an ordinary maidservant.”
“….”
“Then it was a good deal. I look forward to working with you going forward.”
* * *
“…A good deal? Looking forward to working together going forward.”
The man left alone let out a hollow laugh and removed the earring he’d been wearing.
As the magic binding it dissolved, his deep brown hair shifted to an icy silver, his dark eyes transformed to a piercing blue, and his true form was revealed.
Lucio, the Guild Master of Darel, pressed his throbbing forehead.
He had established the Guild in secret and was so thorough in concealing his identity that he’d even deliberately commissioned Askart to create magical artifacts to avoid leaving a trail during the acquisition process.
Even now, his naive friend likely believed Lucio’s explanation that he simply wanted freedom to move about freely when going out, given how much attention he always attracted.
“Where exactly did the information leak from?”
The hollow tone of his voice conveyed the full extent of the shock he’d received.
But it wasn’t merely the Guild’s classified information that had leaked from some unknown source that troubled him.
Honestly, what surprised him far more was the sudden revelation of his sister’s maidservant’s true identity, something that had been nagging at him.
“Though I suppose I can’t even say her identity was truly revealed. I still have no idea what’s actually going on.”
He’d already known from the previous rampage incident that Lia possessed vast mana, but he hadn’t known she could control it well enough to create magic stones.
She had clearly refused the Duke’s Estate’s support and rejected becoming Tellin’s disciple, so she shouldn’t have received proper magical training. He couldn’t fathom how any of this was possible.
Moreover, the way she’d suddenly appeared at the Guild and casually proposed a deal in informal speech was so natural that he doubted whether this was truly the same child who used to tremble in his presence.
Though she’d introduced herself as an ordinary maidservant, he was utterly confused because he couldn’t grasp her true identity at all.
One thing alone was certain: Lia harbored secrets, and she had no intention of sharing them with House Elrad.
“So that’s what she meant when she said she could leave anytime.”
Only now did Lucio fully comprehend the meaning behind the child’s words.
Realizing that even her excited visit to the Academy Festival and purchase of crude jewelry had all been planned left him both exasperated and, strangely, disappointed.
“…Could she still be harboring such foolish thoughts?”
He’d assumed that after the previous rampage, she’d abandoned any notion of leaving.
But judging by her current actions, Lia seemed to understand her own abilities and worth to some degree.
Since she was conducting her affairs secretly without informing anyone, she might very well abandon the Duke’s Estate without warning one day.
“Leaving on her own whim….”
Even as he scoffed, the mere thought of Lia disappearing caused an inexplicable ache to bloom in Lucio’s chest.
“Bert.”
“Yes, my lord.”
At Lucio’s call, a man in black clothing materialized from the empty air and bowed.
“You heard what was said, didn’t you? There’s no need to follow her. Instead, contact Heron. Tell him the trading company finally has work coming in—things are about to get busy.”
“Yes.”
“And keep everything that happened today confidential. I’ll handle all related matters personally from now on.”
“You’ll handle it personally, my lord?”
“That’s right.”
Lucio nodded and lifted one corner of his mouth slightly as he spoke.
“There’s no one better suited to move freely through the Elrad Duke’s Mansion than me.”
* * *
“Ugh, I never expected to run into the Guild Master like that.”
I hurried out of the shop and noticed no one was following me, allowing myself a relieved sigh. Then I slipped into a nearby alley and disposed of the pouch containing the magic stones and my robe.
Seeing the cake box the clerk had handed me before I left, the reality of the transaction suddenly struck me, and my body trembled involuntarily.
While it was fortunate that my encounter with the Guild Master had allowed my plans to progress smoothly, it had still been far too sudden.
In the past, though I’d encountered his subordinates several times when receiving scout offers, I’d never actually seen the Guild Master himself.
I’d tried to appear composed and unflappable, but the aura he radiated suggested he was no ordinary person—inwardly, I’d been quite unnerved.
“But mint chocolate cake? Is that the Guild Master’s preference?”
I’d found it peculiar when I first heard the password in my previous life, but receiving the cake in person made it all the more surprising.
‘Now that I think about it, there was a faint mint scent in his room too.’
Just like the library where he stayed….
The sudden thought made me quickly shake my head.
Lucio would be busy preparing to attend the Imperial Palace banquet—I shouldn’t be thinking such things.
Since the Imperial Court had deliberately chosen the weekend when the Academy was closed so Lucio could attend, he would naturally be there.
For reasons I couldn’t quite explain, a bitter feeling washed over me, and I shook my head once more to dispel the thought.
‘What am I thinking about now? I’m about to become truly wealthy!’
Once I’d accumulated enough money, I should ask for recommendations on a few upscale residential areas where I could live comfortably on my own.
‘It would be nice if it were close to House Elrad, but even nobles struggle to afford homes in the Capital City’s central districts near the Imperial Palace.’
Still, if I accumulated an enormous fortune, wouldn’t I be able to live in the finest house among the commoners?
I smiled contentedly and decided I should prepare an investment list to request from the Duke before the jewels arrived.
It was time to put the funds I’d earned from Splecia to work.
To become a wealthy person everyone would know about, I needed to start moving soon.
As I emerged onto the main street, I thought of the mines, territories, and business ventures where I would soon achieve great investment success.
“Lia!”
Jack had come out to the street near the shop, apparently finished with his errands.
He was waving his hands enthusiastically, about to cross once the carriage passed.
“…!”
As I casually glanced at the person passing behind Jack, my breath caught in my throat.
‘Master!’

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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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