Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favourite - Chapter 88

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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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“Your younger sister looks eerily similar to you, and she’s absolutely adorable.”
“….”
“If I hadn’t seen her with my own eyes, I would’ve scoffed. She really is cute. The very picture of a precious youngest sister.”
“Perhaps Your Highness might spend that time doting on the other Imperial Princesses at the palace instead? It seems you constantly overlook the fact that you have sisters of your own.”
“Tch, why can’t I say anything! What about that maidservant?”
Nicholas suddenly remembered something and spoke with a grin.
“It’s strange—she keeps coming to mind. Despite her appearance, there’s something oddly endearing about how capable she is…”
Snap!
Before Nicholas could even finish speaking, Lucio snapped his fingers with a hardened expression.
In an instant, Bert materialized from thin air and swiftly subdued Nicholas, dragging him toward the door.
Nicholas thrashed about with a bewildered expression, his voice rising desperately as he was expelled.
“Wait! Is this how you treat an Imperial Prince? Argh! Fine, fine! Your sister is the cutest! Cuter than that maidservant and all the Imperial Princesses combined!”
Of course, there was no response.
* * *
‘Wow, I really am at the Imperial Palace.’
Despite my concerns about her health and the Duke’s objections, the Duchess refused to relent, insisting she was fine.
Though I’d ended up here reluctantly, the moment the carriage entered the Imperial Palace, I found myself utterly enchanted.
‘I thought I’d only be able to enter after receiving Master’s acknowledgment and taking on a mission.’
Walking through the Empress’s Palace corridors unexpectedly left me feeling strangely unmoored.
“Wow, a princess?”
“Diana, you must be quiet.”
The Duchess placed a finger to her lips, silencing Diana.
Diana quickly covered her mouth with her hand and nodded, though her eyes continued to dart about with wonder.
I understood why Diana, who had been so well-behaved upon arriving at the palace, was so startled now.
I myself had frozen momentarily when I saw the pink-haired girls with their heads bowed low as they passed us just moments before.
“They’re Imperial Princesses, not ordinary princesses.”
As Diana tugged at my sleeve while keeping her mouth covered, the Duchess whispered softly in resignation.
I nodded inwardly, thinking: as expected.
‘I’d heard they were normally confined to the palace and rarely ventured out.’
It seemed they had emerged in droves today to pay their respects, as it was the Empress’s birthday.
Though I’d known this fact, seeing more than twenty Imperial Princesses with hair ranging from pale pink nearly white to deep azalea pink sent an inexplicable chill down my spine.
While it was whispered about in hushed tones, the Emperor’s obsession with pink hair was common knowledge among those in the know, and these girls were all victims of that bizarre fixation.
‘He’s truly not in his right mind.’
In the past, strange rumors had circulated that the Emperor would immediately take any woman with pink hair, and if she were a noblewoman, he would later make her his Empress.
Upon hearing such rumors, I’d been profoundly relieved for the first time that my hair appeared brown to others’ eyes.
‘I was terrified I might be captured too.’
Of course, I’d briefly entertained a ridiculous thought: what if I were an Imperial Princess spirited away from the palace for some reason?
But seeing these Imperial Princesses now, barely able to breathe as they lived their lives, I realized how foolish and disturbing that thought had been.
‘…Revolting.’
It was harsh language, but thinking of the Emperor genuinely made my stomach turn.
‘No matter how easygoing His Majesty is, I can’t view this favorably. The man’s absolutely mad.’
The one who had purchased the pink mana stone at an astronomical auction price not long ago was, in fact, the Emperor.
I was somewhat surprised by the Guild Master’s revelation, but without needing detailed explanations, I grasped the underlying circumstances and moved on. Yet now, standing in the Imperial Palace itself, his obsession seemed truly extraordinary.
‘I’ve heard rumors that the Emperor’s first love had pink hair.’
Well, I had no desire to learn the details of that affair.
“Her Majesty the Empress is resting at the moment, so I shall guide you to the garden.”
Following the Head Maidservant who had come to greet us, we made our way toward the Empress’s Palace Garden, where other noblewomen had gathered.
Before long, a sweet fragrance drifted on the breeze.
Venturing further in, I spotted a long table draped with white cloth and, at some distance from it, a circular table.
Exquisite silver utensils lined the tables, and every corner was adorned with lush fresh flowers, delicate fruits, lace, and petals.
As autumn drew near, the sky was brilliantly clear, the breeze refreshingly cool, and the blooming flowers surrounding the garden were breathtakingly beautiful—an utterly perfect setting for an outdoor tea party.
“Oh my, Duchess Elrad has arrived!”
“Please, come this way and be seated.”
The first to greet Duchess Elrad was Countess Petite, whom I had encountered before the Academy.
As she fussed over the Duchess and led her to the place of honor, I noticed that Duchess Fairount had not yet arrived.
“Young Lady, you may sit over here.”
A Maidservant approached Diana and spoke to her.
It appeared the noblewomen’s table and the young ladies’ table were separated.
That was when it happened.
“Her Majesty the Empress arrives.”
Before we could even settle into our seats, the Head Maidservant’s voice rang out, and everyone stood.
I quickly recalled the imperial etiquette I had diligently studied and bowed deeply. Moments later, the Empress and the Imperial Princess Serphin, her legitimate daughter, arrived.
“Thank you all for coming and honoring this occasion with your presence.”
At her words granting permission to rise, I couldn’t resist my curiosity and lifted my gaze slightly.
And I found myself inwardly startled and amazed.
The Empress, with her deep navy hair and pristine white skin, was elegance incarnate. Even standing still, breathing softly, she commanded admiration.
“…Um. Sister, I’m scared.”
That was when Diana, holding my hand, whispered so quietly that only I could hear.
She remembered that when we played alone together, I could hear even the faintest of sounds.
Startled, I looked at her, and thankfully, Diana seemed aware we were in the Imperial Palace and didn’t hide behind me.
But seeing the fear in the child’s eyes, I turned my gaze away again.
‘The Imperial Princess?’
The person Diana was frightened of was clearly the Imperial Princess Serphin, who stood beside the Empress with a confident smile.
“She looks too scary.”
At Diana’s words, I tilted my head in confusion.
Her eyes were somewhat sharp, and perhaps because she had been born into a position of dominion, the Imperial Princess exuded an air of haughtiness.
Yet Serphin, with her lustrous crimson hair braided to one side, was a stunning beauty with the vibrant impression of a blooming rose.
Moreover, she was seventeen, which made her appear younger and more delicate than I remembered.
But why…?
‘Come to think of it, Diana often grew frightened of people like this.’
Most notably, the Director of the Orphanage, the Head Maidservant, and Kenneth Petite not long ago.
‘What on earth could the connection be….’
“Oh no, oh dear! She’s trying to come closer again.”
Just as my thoughts were about to continue, Diana flinched.
Serphin, her face radiant with genuine warmth, was approaching us.
I squeezed Diana’s hand firmly, silently conveying, ‘I’m right here with you. Don’t be afraid.’ The child nodded in response.
“Young Lady! What a pleasant surprise to see you again. Have you been well?”
I’d wondered if the Imperial Princess had been stiff toward Diana at the last banquet, given how frightened she was, but that didn’t seem to be the case at all.
Serphin was instead warm and affectionate, guiding Diana to where the young noblewomen had gathered. She then seated herself at what was unmistakably the seat of honor—despite the table being round—and placed Diana right beside her.
Because I’d made Diana promise firmly not to call me sister at the Imperial Palace and to pretend not to notice me even if I stood behind her, she kept glancing at me while sitting obediently in her seat.
Shortly after, a small bell chimed, and the table was soon laden with refreshing lemon cream cake, strawberry mousse, and an assortment of cookies, tarts, and puddings.
Standing alongside the maidservants from other noble houses, I watched with contentment as Diana trembled with delight while savoring the desserts.
The Imperial Princess and the other young noblewomen all blushed deeply, finding Diana utterly adorable as they gazed at her.
Then, noticing crumbs around Diana’s mouth, I quickly approached. I gently wiped her lips with a handkerchief and was quietly withdrawing when—
“So you’re the maidservant the Young Lady cherishes so much.”
At the unexpected voice, I lifted my head and met the gaze of Serphin, the Imperial Princess, whose lips curved upward at one corner.
She then extended the hand holding her knife toward me.
* * *
Clang!
A sound like that of a blade rang out across the Training Grounds in an instant.
Allen’s wooden sword, delivering a rapid barrage of attacks, pierced sharply into the opening without pause.
Jack hastily retreated, barely managing to deflect the fierce onslaught.
But that lasted only a moment—crack!
The locked wooden swords began to give way, and Allen’s blade came to a stop mere inches from Jack’s throat.
“….”
“….”
Silence fell between the two, frozen in that stance.
After a brief moment, Allen lowered his sword, breaking the silence.
“This time I managed to replicate it properly, didn’t I?”
“…Yes, it appears so.”
Jack slowly nodded his head.
Jack and Allen were currently recreating the sparring match they’d had with Lia not long before.

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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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