So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 133

Chapter 133

The Blanche Marquisate—people who should’ve been strutting around and flaunting their presence by now—was nowhere to be seen.

‘I heard they were stripped of their titles and excommunicated…’

But actually feeling that fact in such a formal setting made my emotions twist strangely.

They had been Empress Isabella’s strongest supporters—and the High Priest’s direct bloodline.
With the Empress’s downfall, there was no way they could have escaped punishment.

‘…Though if we’re talking “Blanche,” that technically includes me, too.’

Fortunately, there hadn’t been any noble bold enough to weaponize that against me.

‘We weren’t family in the first place.’

Yes. I had never been family to them—not even once.

Watching those once-powerful people vanish without a trace felt odd… but I shook my head.

‘In the end, they’re paying for what they sowed.’

When “everything returns to its rightful place,” that’s part of what it means.

“Let the coronation begin.”

While I’d been lost in thought, trumpets filled the banquet hall, announcing the start.

Then, onto the lavishly decorated dais appeared a servant holding the imperial crown—
and beside him, a man in full ceremonial uniform.

‘…Huh?’

A face I knew far too well.

“T-Ternox?!”

Why are you up there?!

I muttered without thinking, and Xavier let out a quiet chuckle.

“Don’t be surprised. With this incident, magic and the existence of dragons have been officially proven. For the people of the Empire, it’s as if the founding myth has been reenacted before their eyes. It was only a matter of time before Ternox was revealed as that dragon.”

“O-Oh… right…”

That explained it.

So that’s why he’d been dressed even more extravagantly than I was, after teasing me about looking like the one being crowned.

I nodded slowly and looked back at Ternox.

The mere sight of him standing there—composed and imposing—cast a mysterious pressure over the entire hall.

“Ooh—Lord Dragon!”

“With the great founding hero protecting us, Rembrandt shall be eternal!”

Most nobles looked downright enchanted, unable to tear their eyes away from him.

‘Wow. Look at him putting on airs.’

I, of course, found it unbearable to watch.

“His Majesty the Emperor enters!”

At last, the great central doors of the grand hall swung open.

Trailing a long crimson mantle, Crown Prince Callian walked in.

“W-Wow…”

Seriously—the Empire’s number one warm-and-handsome man. When he’s dressed like that, it’s unfair.

I stared, half spellbound.

Had he grown taller? Or was it just the aura?

Callian moved with measured steps, his eyes deeper and steadier than when I’d first met him.

‘He really is incredible. Emperor approved. No question.’

I was nodding along, feeling absurdly proud on his behalf, when—

“You can’t take your eyes off him.”

Xavier’s low, dry voice cut in.

…Why is he like this?

I turned to him with open disbelief.

“What? Are you jealous?”

You two are practically brothers. And today he’s the main character—let me admire him in peace!

I was scrambling for excuses when—

“Yes. I’m jealous.”

Xavier’s gaze settled on me, steady and unapologetic.

For a second, my brain completely shut down.

Then his violet-blue eyes curved faintly.

“You should only look at me.”

“That’s completely unreasonable…”

“Ha.”

It was probably a joke.

Probably.

Xavier laughed softly and returned his gaze to Callian.

At the same time, he reached over and laced his fingers through mine, squeezing gently.

‘His skinship has been… suspiciously frequent lately…’

I mean, yes—we’ve… well… kissed, but—

‘C-Cough! In a sacred coronation hall, what am I thinking?! Focus!’

I shook my head and forced my attention forward.

By then, Callian had knelt before Ternox on the dais.

Ternox lifted the imperial crown from the attendant’s hands.

A dragon from legend placing the crown upon a new Emperor—

This might be the most wondrous moment in the Empire’s history.

“I hereby proclaim Callian Rembrandt crowned as the new Emperor of the Rembrandt Empire.”

The instant Ternox finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted.

“Long live His Majesty!”

“Our new sun of the Empire!”

Wearing the crown, Callian seated himself upon the jade throne at the center.

When the hall finally fell quiet again, his voice rang out—clear and commanding.

“We have suffered a grievous tragedy. I offer my deepest mourning to the innocent souls who were sacrificed by those blinded by greed.”

Sincere sorrow weighed in every word.

After a brief silence, his voice strengthened.

“Yet Rembrandt will not end here. Before all of you today, I swear this: I will uproot evil completely and build an Empire where true justice lives and breathes!”

Cheers rose from nobles—and even from knights stationed at the edges of the hall.

Next came the honoring of merit.

Callian spoke the first name without hesitation.

“Duke Xavier Celeste, step forward.”

“Yes.”

Xavier rose with his usual unreadable calm.

Meanwhile, I was the one about to collapse from nerves.

‘How is he not trembling?!’

Since I’d learned he would receive a medal, I’d been shaking nonstop.

And now that he was being summoned to the dais, I felt like I was riding a rollercoaster.

Xavier bowed. Callian pinned a large medal to his chest.

“I bestow upon Duke Xavier Celeste the Empire’s highest honor: the Order of the Sun. Your devotion to the Empire shall be praised for generations.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Applause crashed down again.

“No one will dare challenge House Celeste now.”

“A hero who saved the Empire—what more is there to say?”

Hearing the murmurs, I couldn’t help feeling proud too—

Because whether I liked it or not, I was Celeste now.

Xavier returned to me, medal gleaming against his uniform, expression unchanged.

‘He really looks like he has zero thoughts about this…’

He was the kind of man who believed protecting everyone was simply natural.

Maybe the medal felt more embarrassing than rewarding.

That, too, was so him that I smiled without thinking.

Then our eyes met.

Only then did his gaze soften.

The cold Duke of the North smiling only at me—

It was unfairly endearing.

“Renée. I got a medal.”

He leaned close and whispered so quietly only I could hear.

The way he said it—like a child showing off a certificate—nearly made me laugh.

“Wow… congratulations, Xavier.”

“Since I did well, I should get a reward, yes?”

“Huh? From me?”

“The only reward I want… is you.”

“Ah—w-what exactly do you mean by that?”

At my stammering, he grinned—slow, satisfied.

And I suddenly realized I’d walked straight into a trap.

“Think about it.”

I tilted my head, completely lost, and he ruffled my hair like he couldn’t help himself.

Then he dropped the bomb—calmly, devastatingly:

“Look forward to tonight.”

…Tonight what?!

Suddenly?!

That’s an advanced-level assignment!

But my silent internal screaming was swallowed as the coronation proceedings moved on.

After the official ceremonies concluded,

we sat in the Emperor’s office, waiting for Callian.

I’d been dragged into yet another parade thanks to his grand procession, and my cheeks were about to cramp from forced smiling.

“I swear… every time I leave the house, it’s hard labor…”

When I let out a long sigh, Xavier—seated beside me—laughed softly.