So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 111

Chapter 111

Damn it… of all times!

Xavier gritted his teeth as he quickly pulled Renée behind him and assessed the situation.

Ternox was in complete panic, muttering under his breath.

“Why… why has it appeared again…?”

Whatever history lay between him and that monster, it was clearly not a mild one.

“The seal… we need to check the ancient seal again! This makes no sense!”

With that near-scream, Ternox vanished.

He must have gone to investigate something.

Which meant—

The only one left to confront the beast was Xavier.

“…….”

He exhaled slowly and steadied himself.

Even a dragon—said to be the strongest creature alive—had been shaken.

But Xavier had always faced overwhelming enemies head-on.

He placed both hands gently on Renée’s shoulders and met her eyes.

“Renée. I’ll hold it off. You evacuate.”

“What about you?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not pathetic enough to die and leave you behind.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

It was meant to reassure her.

Instead—

“Don’t say that! Not even as a joke!”

He chuckled softly.

Then, without warning, he pulled her into a brief embrace.

Renée stiffened, startled.

He stroked her back and whispered near her ear.

“If you’re scared, close your eyes and count to one hundred. I’ll be back before you finish.”

“Honestly…”

But her trembling eased.

He let her go and turned, his hand resting on his sword.

“Your Highness,” he addressed Crown Prince Callian, “please have the knights evacuate the citizens.”

“Understood. Focus on the monster.”

“And….”

Xavier hesitated, glancing once more at Renée.

“…Please take care of my wife.”

Callian nodded solemnly.

“Xavier… please come back safely.”

He gave her a brief look—

Then ran straight toward the Griffin.

His blade flashed free.

A pale blue aura surged along the steel.

Chaos in the Capital

Morning had only just begun.

Now—

The streets were in chaos.

“Run! It’s a monster!”

“Please, save us!”

With one beat of its wings, the Griffin flattened buildings.

Xavier launched himself upward—

His blade streaked across the beast’s flank in a blur.

The Griffin faltered—

Then the wound sealed instantly.

Its metallic feathers regenerated the damage.

Xavier’s eyes widened.

“…Damn.”

This would be a long battle.

Meanwhile — Evacuation

“Move inside! Keep formation!”

Callian led the evacuation personally.

But panic drowned out his commands.

My heart pounded violently.

A thunderous crash split the air.

Part of a shattered spire fell toward us.

“Look out!”

A massive stone chunk slammed into the street.

Dust exploded everywhere.

Then—

The crowd broke.

A human wave surged toward me.

“Your Highness—!”

“Renée!”

Callian reached for me—

But the force of the crowd swept him away.

“Ah—!”

My ankle twisted.

If I fall, I’ll be trampled—!

Suddenly—

An arm hooked around my waist and lifted me.

“—!”

Instinctively, I elbowed backward.

“Ow—!”

I turned—

“F-Felix?!”

The Second Prince stood there, nose bleeding.

An oddly familiar sight.

“I’m sorry!”

He had saved me from falling.

“It’s fine… I’m glad you’re safe.”

He wiped his nose roughly and grabbed my hand.

Then, in an unusually low voice:

“Renée. I’ll protect you. No matter what.”

“…Th-thank you.”

Very touching.

But he was bleeding from both nostrils.

It almost felt like I should be protecting him instead.

My gaze drifted back.

Far in the distance—

Xavier fought alone, glowing blue against the massive beast.

The Griffin showed no sign of weakening.

“Renée, we need to move.”

Felix removed his cloak and draped it over my shoulders.

“You’re freezing.”

“I am?”

“You’re trembling.”

I looked down.

My hands were shaking uncontrollably.

He tightened his grip and led me forward.

“To the north of the Renne River! Stay together!”

Knights shouted orders.

Felix’s hand was slick with sweat.

He was afraid too.

Everyone was.

“I thought I was going to lose you…”

He had once panicked over my fever.

And yet—

Now he had thrown himself into danger.

Idiot. You should have run with me.

Tears threatened to spill.

Then—

Someone in a similar cloak approached us.

Before I could react—

A hand clamped over my mouth.

A strange scent flooded my nose.

“Renée?!”

Felix’s voice echoed—

Then—

Darkness swallowed me.