So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Yes… Lucas.

Ternox silently recalled his old friend.

Those steady blue-violet eyes that had always shimmered with quiet conviction.

And now—

Even the descendant who resembled him so much…
even his wife… carried that same Celeste spirit.

“…Nox?”

Renée tilted her head, noticing he had drifted into thought.

Those large crimson eyes of hers—so firm, so unwavering—
they pleased him.

So he made a decision he normally never would.

“…Fine, Renée. We’ll go to the mausoleum together.”

“Really? Wow! Thank you, Nox!”

Her face lit up instantly, bright as spring.

If Xavier found out, he would probably faint.

But—

There were things Renée needed to face herself.

Perhaps it wasn’t coincidence that he had awakened now.

That he had met this girl.

That he had remembered the ancient oath.

That he had taken responsibility for his broken descendant.

Maybe this was the current of fate itself.

“Keep it a secret from Xavier. We’ll go once the servants are asleep.”

“Deal!”

Perhaps it was time not to fight the current blindly—

—but to ride it.

Ternox made up his mind.

Meanwhile — The Imperial Palace

“Your Highness, what are you thinking about?”

A coy female voice drifted through the reception room of the Second Prince’s residence.

“You’re not thinking about someone else while I’m right here… are you?”

The woman puffed her lips in mock annoyance.

Felix Rembrandt snapped back to attention.

“O-Of course not, Aurora.”

Across from him sat none other than the opera’s prima donna—Aurora Bright.

Ever since the night he had unintentionally watched the opera alongside the Grand Duke and Duchess—

Felix had not slept well.

Outwardly, nothing seemed unusual. He was always temperamental.

But inside—

Why? Why does her face keep appearing?

Silver hair.

Red eyes that glowed even in darkness.

“No. I’m not thinking about the Grand Duchess… It must be Aurora.”

He refused to admit it.

It had simply been an impressive performance.

Aurora had been beautiful.

Her smile before the show had lingered.

That was all.

That was why he had summoned her to the palace.

And yet—even sitting before her now—

His heart was restless for someone else.

“Your Highness, I heard you were deeply moved by my performance. Do you have a favorite piece of mine?”

Aurora’s sweet voice filled the room.

But Felix felt strangely unmoved.

What is wrong with me?

Even Aurora noticed his lack of focus.

No. I must seize this chance.

This was a dream opportunity for a commoner like her.

If she failed now, she would remain nothing forever.

“Oh my—Your Highness, there’s something on your eyelashes…”

She suddenly stepped closer.

Desperate.

“Oh! I feel faint—!”

With theatrical fragility, she collapsed onto his lap.

Felix’s brows furrowed.

If this is how it is… I’ll kiss him first!

Like a heroine in an opera, Aurora closed her eyes—

—but then—

“?!”

Something was wrong.

She opened her eyes again.

It was still there.

Thud.

“Ah!”

Felix shoved her away in irritation.

“What are you doing?”

“Y-Your Highness… your eyes…”

“My eyes?”

“They changed! Your golden eyes—they turned green!”

Felix scoffed.

Ridiculous.

He strode to the mirror—

—and froze.

“What the—!”

It was true.

His proud golden eyes—

the symbol of Rembrandt’s pure imperial blood—

had turned an eerie blue-green.

He spun around.

“This is absurd! Who did this? What did you do to me?”

“I didn’t do anything!”

“But this happened after you touched me! Who sent you? The Grand Duke of Celeste? Did Callian order this—”

Aurora grabbed his sleeve desperately.

“Your Highness, please calm down. I would never harm—”

Shhk.

A blade slid from its sheath.

Felix turned.

An imperial knight had entered silently.

Before Aurora could react—

The sword cut through her back.

“Kh—!”

She collapsed instantly.

Blood pooled across the floor.

“…Mother.”

Behind the knight stood Empress Isabella Rembrandt.

Her gaze was sharp as steel.

Servants hurried in, cleaning the blood efficiently.

As if accustomed to this.

Aurora gasped weakly.

“Y-Your Highness… why…”

Then her light faded.

No one cared.

Isabella stared at Felix.

“Is this the time to play with women? And a commoner, at that?”

Her contempt was undisguised.

“Dispose of it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The body was removed.

Silence.

Mother and son stood alone.

Felix blinked rapidly.

His mother terrified him—

but she was also the only one he could rely on.

“Mother… something is wrong. My eyes changed. This shouldn’t be possible…”

“Quiet.”

Her heels clicked against the marble as she approached.

“Are you suggesting someone tampered with the imperial symbol? Callian again?”

“Felix. Silence.”

He swallowed.

He knew better than anyone how ruthless she could be.

He was afraid.

“For the time being, you will not leave the prince’s residence.”

“Mother! Why? Is something wrong with me? Am I—”

“No matter what anyone says, you are a true prince of Rembrandt!”

“Y-Yes…”

“Do you think a mere change in eye color will stain your bloodline? Impossible.”

Her voice was gentle.

Her hand caressed his cheek.

But—

For the first time—

Her fingers were trembling.