So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 102

Chapter 102

What… is that?!

Despite my shock, the scene continued unfolding before me.

Raphael grabbed the shard without hesitation and tried to press it into the grafted heart embedded in his chest—

Flash—BOOM!

“Ghk!”

“Aaah!”

A deafening explosion erupted from the heart. Blinding light flooded the entire landscape.

“What is this—what did this wench do?! Damn it!”

“What’s happening, Raphael?!”

“The severed covenant is restoring itself! Of all times—when we were so close! What is—”

Before he could finish—

RIIIIP—!

The sound that followed was impossible.

Like fabric.

Like reality itself being torn apart.

The night sky split open.

Literally.

The calm, moonlit sky ripped in two, and beyond the tear spilled blinding white light—along with another scene.

Through the rift—

I saw someone.

A cramped studio apartment. Barely five pyeong. A mess of empty bottles and scattered papers.

“Ugh, what a garbage world! What am I supposed to do about my thesis?!
Is it even possible for my professor to go to prison?! I should just die!”

Clutching a green soju bottle.

Crying.

That’s me.

Not Renée.

But me—from Korea.

“No! The heart—the heart—!”

Raphael screamed in horror.

Bang! Bang!

The crimson magic circles etched across the heart shattered into dust.

A violent surge of energy exploded outward, engulfing him in a storm of blue light.

Even I—only watching—felt myself pushed away.

Everything turned white.

—

“Renée.”

A voice pierced through the brightness.

Low.

Rough.

Thick with restrained emotion.

I knew that voice.

“Renée…”

Xavier was calling me.

“Renée!”

“Gasp!”

I jolted upright.

My chest heaved as I clutched at it—

Xavier was right in front of me.

“You’re finally awake.”

For once, his composure was gone.

He pulled me tightly into his arms.

Completely enveloped by his broad frame, I blinked in confusion.

His voice trembled against me.

“Ha… I thought I’d lost you…”

W-wait.

Why is he hugging me this tightly?!

My heart began pounding wildly.

Since when had he started initiating physical contact so naturally?

Th-this man, don’t tell me—

“Cough!”

No. This is not the time to spiral!

“X-Xavier—kh!”

My throat was dry; another cough escaped instead.

He immediately reached for water and held the cup to my lips.

After drinking, I finally noticed—

This was the Grand Ducal townhouse.

My bedroom.

Why am I here?

The last thing I remembered was the hidden chamber beneath the Temple.

“What… happened?”

Xavier’s expression darkened.

“First, we check your condition.”

“I’m fine!”

“People who are fine don’t cough blood and remain unconscious for four days.”

“Four days?!”

Four?!

But I didn’t feel sick at all.

The family physician finished examining me and spoke carefully.

“You were born frail, but there are no major abnormalities at present. Your condition is stable.”

“See?!” I shot Xavier a victorious look.

But—

“You must be careful at all times!”

Betty burst in, eyes red and swollen.

The Ga-Na Maid Squad glared at me as if I had committed high treason.

After they were ushered out—

Xavier exhaled deeply.

“You were unconscious for four days.”

Even I had limits to my indoor lifestyle.

He tried to tuck me back under the blankets.

I resisted.

“You were relieved when I woke up, and now you’re putting me back to sleep?”

“You need rest.”

“I rested while unconscious!”

“And how do you explain your terminal condition?”

“….”

“Ternox believes your defect and mine may be linked. What happened at the Temple—and your collapse—may be connected to what I experienced.”

He was right.

I fell silent.

His tone softened slightly.

“I have to leave soon. Please stay put.”

That unexpected gentleness made my chest tighten again.

“Where are you going?”

“The Imperial Palace. I must escort Crown Prince Callian Rembrandt to the Grand Temple.”

“The Temple?! What happened after we left?”

He rubbed his jaw.

“After you collapsed, part of the Temple caved in.”

“What?!”

“Officially, it was labeled a natural earthquake. In reality, likely Raphael’s doing. He escaped. The Crown Prince has taken charge of the restoration. I’ve been assisting him to prevent interference from the Empress’s faction.”

“So… you confronted them directly?”

“No. We simply revealed one card each.”

Before I could ask more—

Knock knock.

“Your Grace. The carriage from the Palace is ready.”

Phil’s voice.

Xavier stood reluctantly.

“All you need to do now is recover. I would rather stay with you, but…”

He hesitated.

Then gently brushed my hair behind my ear.

His fingers—still slightly rough—grazed my cheek.

“Rest. When you wake again, I’ll be back.”

I couldn’t find words.

I simply nodded.

“Good. I’ll reward you when I return.”

He smiled faintly.

Between our locked gazes, something warm lingered.

The windows were closed.

Yet warmth brushed my face.

My hair.

My heart.

“…Ah.”

I stared, momentarily spellbound, into his violet-blue eyes.

And for the first time—

I realized the pounding in my chest had nothing to do with fear.