So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 104

Chapter 104

“Y-You’re saying I can stop the High Priest?”

I blinked at Ternox.

Was this finally it?

The long-awaited awakening of my protagonist powers?!

I knew it. There was no way a romance-fantasy heroine could be this useless!

My heart swelled.

In every proper transmigration story, the heroine always had some kind of special passive skill.

These days, you couldn’t survive on “just reincarnated.”
You needed cheat knowledge. A hidden ability. Something!

And me?

My only talents were—

…eating well, sleeping well, laughing well?

“Ugh…”

This was tragic.

If readers called me a useless female lead, I’d have no defense.

Still—just as I was about to fully accept my role as a decorative background heroine—

Ternox clicked his tongue.

“How much do you remember from the Grand Temple?”

I carefully retraced my memories.

The priest attempting to cast a spell on me.
Xavier defeating him.
Xavier suddenly collapsing.
Discovering the underground chamber together.

“I think I locked eyes with the High Priest… but after that, I don’t remember clearly.”

“I see.”

He nodded seriously.

“To get to the point—it seems the High Priest cannot properly use black magic when you’re present.”

“R-Really?”

“That priest’s spell in the prayer room didn’t work on you, did it?”

“Oh… right. He did look confused. I assumed it was because you enchanted the veil.”

“The veil was for disguise, not heavy defense. And with that level of blood-mana saturation, he wouldn’t have held back.”

“…Is that so?”

“More importantly, your maid endured it.”

“Betty?”

“Yes. Think about it. How does an ordinary human withstand that degree of killing intent and remain standing?”

He explained calmly.

Disguised as me, Betty had survived the entire ritual.

“Betty is kind of sturdy.”

“Are you joking? That wasn’t a matter of sturdiness.”

“Then maybe your presence weakened him—”

“No matter how great a dragon I am, I don’t drain other people’s mana just by existing.”

He sighed.

“It’s you. Your presence weakens him. After hearing your dream, I’m nearly certain.”

My heart pounded.

“Do you remember what I said when we first met?”

“…You called me a ‘fragment.’”

“Yes. You didn’t feel whole. I didn’t know of what at the time. But now…”

He didn’t finish the sentence.

He didn’t need to.

The blue light.
The heart in the Temple.
The grafted heart in the dream.
The shard embedded in my corpse’s chest.

All the same color.

All connected.

“So… I’m the missing piece of that heart?”

“Possibly. That’s why we need confirmation.”

“Then let’s confirm it! If I approach the High Priest and neutralize his magic—”

“Are you insane?”

His tone sharpened instantly.

“If that’s true, then of course he’ll attempt to kill you first.”

“…Right.”

Of course.

Being hunted by a deranged black mage was not ideal.

But—

“I won’t act recklessly. I promise.”

“Good.”

“However… take me to the Celeste family mausoleum.”

I clasped my hands together.

He stared at me.

“You’ve forgotten why I’m here? I’m supposed to watch you. If I take you out, Xavier will skin me alive.”

“But I have a feeling. A certainty. I need to go.”

“….”

“My body won’t improve until we solve this. I’m sure of it.”

The conviction surprised even me.

It felt unshakable.

As if the shard that once rested in my chest was calling me back.

“Won’t you help me?”

If anyone could keep me safe, it was him.

I couldn’t burden Xavier any further.

Ternox shook his head slowly.

“We should investigate. But I’ll go alone.”

“Why does that keep being the conclusion?”

“If something happens to you, I won’t be able to face my descendant.”

“No. I have to go.”

Why was he joining the Overprotective Association too?!

I swallowed.

“…I don’t want to die.”

Silence filled the room.

“I truly want to live. I want to live without bowing to fate.”

His golden eyes widened slightly.

“If I am needed to weaken the High Priest, then I must fulfill that role. That’s my responsibility.”

My voice did not tremble.

It was steady. Firm.

Resolved.

—

Ternox looked at Renée.

Ruby-red eyes.

Unwavering.

For a fleeting moment—

He saw someone else in her.

An old friend.

“Renée,” she had once said, “I’m grateful you preserved my life. If I am needed, then I must serve that purpose. That is my duty.”

“…Hah.”

A quiet breath escaped him.

Why did this small woman remind him so painfully of the past?