Everyone Was Obsessed With Me After I Became the Youngest Princess Favorite

But I couldn’t say it.

 

Because the current me doesn’t know that warmth of Lucio.

 

“I must be out of my mind. What am I saying to a young child like you?”

 

The Duchess regained her senses and lightly patted my shoulder as she spoke.

 

“No matter what happened, I called you to tell you to read books and study hard at the library.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

To be honest, it was hard to accept the idea of becoming a maid and studying instead of working, but I nodded obediently.

 

* * *

 

Lia, who quietly left the Duchess’s room, headed towards the garden instead of going back to her quarters.

 

She wasn’t tired from physical labor like a few days ago, and more importantly, she had something to think about.

 

‘I thought the Duchess was being strangely polite to the head maid.’

 

Lia thought it was because the Duchess was not familiar with informal speech or because the head maid came from the noble family that served the Duke. But…

 

“It was because of Lucio.”

 

The Duchess took care of Lucio, whom she couldn’t raise herself, and respected the chamberlain who took care of the estate in her absence.

 

The problem was the expression on the Duchess’s face when she talked about Lucio.

 

Her face showed the most melancholy expression among the ones I had seen since coming to the capital.

 

Even more than when she complained about the difficulties of adapting to high society.

 

“Haah.”

 

It bothered me without realizing it, and I let out a sigh unintentionally.

 

Lia paused and stood still before entering the garden.

 

Since becoming aware of Lucio’s ability to hide his presence and becoming more sensitive to detecting signs, she could sense someone’s presence in the garden.

 

As expected, a tall and agile boy was slowly walking out from the garden, just like the day he secretly infiltrated Diana’s birthday party.

 

Under the moonlight, with his clothes fluttering in the wind, he looked like a beautiful painting.

 

It was an irresistible scene, but Lia quietly turned her body and left the garden.

 

To not disturb his peaceful walk. And for her own peace.

 

“…”

 

A moment later, when Lucio turned his head, there was no one in that spot.

 

* * *

 

“Is it going to rain?”

 

I looked up at the hazy sky as if it could pour rain at any moment.

 

Even though it was still morning, the heavy and humid air made my heart feel suffocated.

 

I forced myself to take reluctant steps and headed to the library.

 

It had been several days since I started working at the main library.

 

A lot had happened during that time.

 

Firstly, the senior maids who were sent to the library to punish me by the Head Maid and the maids below them had all been transferred.

 

The Head Maid’s actions were truly ruthless. And the dissatisfaction regarding their treatment was directed towards me.

 

However, they could no longer bother me, even if they sent me disdainful glances or openly ignored me.

 

Thanks to Lucio’s order, I spent my days only in the main library without encountering them.

 

Since I ate meals with Diana instead of the servants, they couldn’t harass me even if they wanted to.

 

The main library was a perfect refuge.

 

Yes, the second distinct change was the library itself.

 

<Sister!>

 

<Hey, you ugly!>

 

<Lia.>

 

Until Lucio arrived, the library that used to be completely quiet was no longer a quiet place.

 

Every time the lessons ended, Diana would rush to the library.

 

Allen, who usually didn’t even turn his head towards the library, also came to visit after his training, and Jack also consistently came to take me to the dormitory.

 

<Even the Duke came….>

 

Although he made an excuse that he came to find a book, there were only a few people who would move at his command.

 

But he didn’t even glance at his eldest son, and instead, he continuously looked at me with a worried gaze whenever I sorted out scattered books or reached for books on a ladder. And when he saw me reading difficult books, he would smile with satisfaction.

 

And the next day, the ordinary ladder in the main library had been replaced with a sturdier and larger one.

 

By this point, I couldn’t help but realize that the Duke was concerned about me.

 

And as the days went by, I became more aware when visitors came.

 

Officially, the main library was a public space where only direct family members could enter, but practically, it seemed like Lucio’s personal space.

 

But fortunately, Lucio didn’t show any dissatisfaction.

 

Moreover, contrary to my concerns, the tasks he assigned to me were not difficult at all.

 

I just had to occasionally find the books he had written notes on and place them next to him, or put back the books he had asked me to organize.

 

And when Lucio didn’t give me any tasks, quietly reading books became my entire job.

 

‘I really wanted to show my competence as a capable servant this time.’

 

I suppressed my disappointment internally. In fact, this was purely my own greed.

 

In my previous life, I showed Lucio various shameful and unpleasant behaviors.

 

When we first met, I was so dirty and unkempt that I couldn’t even remember when I last bathed. I shamelessly begged him for bread, medicine, and various other things.

 

‘Moreover, he saw me illegally trespassing and even dying.’

 

Fortunately, I considered all those past events as black history that only I knew.

 

But even when I came back, it was slightly disappointing to be seen as a face-gazing child who looked at sleeping people.

 

So this time, I wanted to do the tasks he assigned me splendidly and look like a worthy companion to Diana.

 

‘But things are too convenient, and I don’t have a chance to demonstrate my abilities…’

 

Other servants might curse at me if they heard this, but ever since I started working at the library, I felt too comfortable.

 

“Sigh.”

 

But despite being assigned such a good task, I let out a sigh.

 

There was one reason. And that was…

 

‘It’s so uncomfortable!’

 

Being in the same space as Lucio was really uncomfortable.

 

Of course, he was a very busy person, so he couldn’t just stay in the library. Many times, I was alone here. But whenever we were together, even for just a few hours, the air was tense and filled with tension. It was difficult to breathe.

 

The huge library was so quiet, only the sound of pages turning or the scratching of a pen on paper could be heard.

 

The same applied when I had to move to find a book.

 

I couldn’t hide my anticipation, afraid that he would notice that I knew how to use mana. I had to hold my breath and move as quietly as possible.

 

As a result, I could only produce faint breathing sounds or the rustling of clothes.

 

‘When exactly is he going to the academy?’

 

I remember him saying that there were no classes after the exams and that he would stay for a while. But it seemed like Lucio had no intention of leaving even after a few days.

 

‘…Maybe it’s just me feeling it.’

 

As I let out a deep sigh, I looked at the large door in front of me and took a deep breath before knocking.

 

Knock, knock.

 

“…My lord?”

 

I didn’t hear any response, no matter how long I waited.

 

Since he was someone who was very good at sensing things, I suspected that he might be asleep like last time. But once again, it seemed like there was no one here. Still, I cautiously opened the door and entered.

 

“Whew.”

 

Indeed, there was no one.

 

Feeling relieved, I sat on the sofa that had become my designated seat for the past few days.

 

This spot had a clear view of the large desk in front of the window, so I could respond immediately when Lucio looked for me.

 

While absentmindedly staring at the desk for a moment, I suddenly stood up and started going through the bookshelves, taking out books here and there.

 

‘What should I read first?’

 

Having brought a lot of books, I decided to read the book that introduced the neighboring kingdoms of the empire again. I had started reading it before but didn’t finish it.

 

‘I feel like someone is watching.’

 

I remembered how the Duke, who saw me reading this book a few days ago, seemed extremely uncomfortable.

 

Just like when I was looking at the imperial map, he had a strange expression on his face when I showed interest in other kingdoms.

 

‘Ah, although he did seem a bit displeased when I was looking at the empire’s history book, well…’

 

He must have had something bothering him at that time.

 

Anyway, since then, I couldn’t read the book because I felt conscious of him, but it seemed like a good opportunity since Lucio wasn’t here.

 

I quickly opened the book and turned to the section on the Bellus Kingdom.

 

‘I should read it quickly and write a reply. I should ask the Duchess to send it soon.’

 

With a content smile, I began to read the text of the book.

 

It had been less than ten years since the Bellus Kingdom gained independence from the empire, so there was quite a lot of valuable information.

 

The more I read, the more I understood why Bianca had boasted so much in her letters.

 

Being the owner of the kingdom, the Duke of Bellus was a great sorcerer, and the kingdom was more proactive in fostering magic than anywhere else. Even magical items that were difficult to find unless you were a noble in the empire were commonplace for everyone.

 

‘It’s a small country, but they even have a unique corps of mage swordsmen.’

 

Especially the Duke’s castle, depicted in the illustrations, situated on a cliff overlooking the azure sea, was incredibly beautiful and majestic.

 

‘Feels a bit regretful.’

 

I had no regrets about choosing to follow Diana, but Bianca’s proposal was a bit regretful…

 

“What is it?”

 

Suddenly, a voice whispered in my ear, making me startled. “Eek!” I screamed and stood up.

 

At the same time, the book I was holding fell and fluttered open, stopping at the illustration I had been staring at for a while.

 

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Translator Note:

 

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