So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 110

Chapter 110

“You’re crying?”

Ternox sounded half incredulous.

The sudden tearful breakdown of the Second Prince caught me just as off guard.

Without thinking, I smacked Ternox on the back.

“Why are you making him cry?!”

“I—I’m not crying! Damn it, how embarrassing…!”

For someone insisting he wasn’t crying, Felix kept rubbing at his eyes with his sleeve.

“This is… what exactly is going on?”

Xavier frowned, clearly developing a headache.

Oh no. Maybe I shouldn’t have come after all?

His expression looked decidedly displeased, and my heart sank.

Now that my memories had returned, every tiny reaction of his carried overwhelming weight.

“Your Highness has achieved your purpose, has he not? May I take my leave now?”

Xavier addressed Callian stiffly.

“Purpose?” Callian tilted his head.

“You said you merely wished to greet my wife.”

“I don’t recall saying that.”

He shrugged infuriatingly.

Xavier’s fist clenched.

“Look, the knights even made a campfire. Let’s sit. We have much to discuss. Don’t we, Felix?”

…Campfire?

Were we on a retreat?

Should we light candles next and share our feelings about our parents?!

Felix looked just as horrified.

“Do you think we’re camping? I’ll be taking my leave—”

“Sit, sit.”

Callian gently but firmly pushed him down and seated himself first.

No one else moved.

Except me.

Why am I always the one awkwardly reading the room?

With a deep sigh, Xavier sat opposite Callian.

I quickly settled beside him.

As I did, our hands brushed.

“—!”

“Ah!”

Our eyes locked.

My heart hammered.

I quickly looked away.

Too obvious!

If I kept looking at him, my heart might explode.

“Good grief…” Ternox muttered, sitting beside me.

The fire crackled.

An unbearably awkward campfire began.

“Now then,” Callian smiled smoothly, “let’s continue our unfinished discussion. We even have a most suitable consultant present.”

His gaze shifted to Ternox.

Apparently, at some point, Callian had figured out he was a dragon.

The Crown Prince really is sharp…

“Um… what’s happening?” I whispered to Xavier.

He blinked, then summarized quietly.

“The Second Prince appears to have been exposed to dark magic. His Highness intends to extract information.”

“…Ah.”

This campfire was never ending.

It seemed I had to intervene.

Felix’s Perspective

Felix watched the Duke and Duchess whispering and frowned.

They were married, yes—but—

Isn’t that a little too close in front of others?

Then Renée’s gaze turned to him.

After conferring softly with her husband, she looked at Felix with genuine concern.

“Your Highness… may I ask what difficulties you’re facing?”

Her red eyes were sincere.

“Wh-what?”

“I may be mistaken, but it seems your recent experiences are connected to dark magic. How much do you know?”

Her innocent expression made his resolve melt.

Maybe… I could tell her.

At the opera house, too—

They had spoken easily.

At least more easily than with those hulking men.

The Empress’s plan was far too heavy for him to bear alone.

“…Dark magic, you say…”

He hesitated.

Callian wisely stayed silent.

Now was their only chance.

Felix finally began to speak—

Clang!

Ternox’s cup fell from his trembling hand.

Before anyone could react—

A thunderous rush of wings split the sky.

Birds scattered in every direction.

And then—

A colossal shadow eclipsed the rising sun.

One beat of massive wings unleashed a violent gale.

“Th-that’s—!”

Everyone stared upward.

Ternox froze.

Impossible.

He knew that silhouette.

Upper body of an eagle.

Lower body of a lion.

Why… is the Griffin here?!

Centuries ago—

Ternox, Lucas Celeste, and Albert Rembrandt had sealed it.

The King of Beasts.

As massive as a dragon’s true form.

And now—

It seemed even stronger.

Iron scales glittered across its body.

Fear, long buried, crawled up Ternox’s spine.

Back then—

Sealing it had been the only option.

It couldn’t be killed.

The seal had been perfect. So why?

Faces from the past filled his mind.

Albert, haunted by nightmares.

Lucas, sleepless with regret.

They had believed peace was achieved.

But true peace had only come to them in death.

Now—

They were gone.

Ternox’s knees weakened.

For the first time in centuries—

He felt fear.

“Nox, run! I’ll hold it off—get to your lair!”

His mother’s final words echoed.

She had been torn apart by those claws.

“Mother…”

A tear slipped down Ternox’s cheek.