So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 18

Chapter 18

— — —

Damn it—my inside thoughts and my outside words got swapped!

But at this point? Screw it. I’d already passed the point of no return.

I planted a hand on my hip and said, even more boldly,
“You misheard me.”

“How ridiculous. Everyone here heard you.”

“Did they?” I shrugged innocently and glanced around at the maids. “Right, guys?”

They’d been scared, sure—but they were still my people.

After exchanging nervous looks, the Ga-Na maid squad carefully backed me up.

“W-we didn’t hear anything at all, ma’am.”

“Right, right! What did Madam even say?”

“She didn’t even move her lips!”

That’s right. Yep. Totally.

Watching them nod at one another with forced conviction, I felt our solidarity level up.

I turned back to the Grand Duke with a smug little smile.

“See?”

“…Your maids are extremely loyal.”

“They’re just like that,” I replied primly, lifting my chin—then sneaking a glance at him.

And—

“?!”

His face was full of disbelief… and, unbelievably, amusement.

Why do I suddenly feel like I’m standing on a landmine?

Then—

“So… my ears are the problem?”

With a casual shrug, the Grand Duke stepped aside.

And that was when—

“Greetings, Grand Duchess. My apologies for introducing myself so late.”

An elderly gentleman appeared from behind the Grand Duke’s broad frame like a plot twist.

That bastard didn’t come alone?!

What is this—cartoon logic?!

The universe is absolutely griefing me.

“H-Head Butler!”

Judging by the maids’ reactions, the old gentleman truly was the head butler.

Their jaws dropped—and then the Grand Duke spoke again, wearing a faint, irritating smile like he’d already won.

“Karl. What did the Grand Duchess say just now?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”
Karl adjusted his monocle calmly.
“Approximately one minute and thirty seconds ago, the Grand Duchess clearly stated:
‘Petty and cheap. I’d rather not go at all.’”

“……”

Of course.
Of course the Grand Duke’s head butler would be accurate down to the second.

He seriously brought a witness to a verbal spar?

Is he insane?

I bit my lip in pure defeat when—

“Anyway. I’m not here to argue.”

The Grand Duke raked a hand through his bangs, looking tired.

Then what were the past five minutes, sir?

Before I could launch Round Two, he cut in.

“Since you’ll lose either way, this ‘petty and cheap’ man will generously give you a choice.
Do you go to the festival, or do you stay home alone?”

He glanced past me.

“And your maids—officially off duty—may return if they wish.”

Only then did I realize the sky had shifted from red sunset to deep navy.

There was still time before the lantern release—the highlight of the festival.

But…

Do we just… go?

This is awkward. We’re not exactly a cozy festival couple, so why is he suddenly acting like this?

He told me not to be seen—then showed up unannounced and insisted on coming with me.

What rhythm am I supposed to follow?

Thinking harder wouldn’t help.

And this festival only came once a year.

If it were monthly, sure, I’d skip it. But yearly?

That hurt to miss.

“…Fine. I’ll go. Let’s go.”

Damn it. I’ll just pretend he doesn’t exist and have fun anyway.

My voice came out flat, but—

“Not a bad choice.”

The Grand Duke smiled and held out a hand as if to escort me.

Like he was pleased.

I stared at his hand… then slapped it lightly like a low high-five.

“Oh—whoops. Excuse me.”

Then, as if nothing had happened, I delicately held his hand using only my thumb and index finger.

He looked absolutely dumbfounded.

But what was he going to do?

Even in a world with questionable social awareness, I could tell he’d been trying very hard to make me uncomfortable.

And besides—

It’s not like that slap could’ve hurt him.

Yet his expression kept twitching in tiny, entertaining ways.

It poked at a very petty competitive streak in me.

“…Let’s go, then.”

And just like that, our bizarre companionship began.

✦ ✦ ✦

Clatter, clatter.

As the wagon rattled over the unpaved road, I stared blankly at the ceiling of the carriage, tracing patterns with my eyes.

I wonder if Betty and the girls are having fun without me…

Thanks to the uninvited guest, the Ga-Na maid squad had exited while biting their fists and swallowing tears.

I shot the Grand Duke a sulky look.

He sat across from me with arms folded, staring out the window like I didn’t exist.

He dragged me along—then went silent.

Moody as boiling soup. Get a hobby, dude.

Since I wasn’t about to lose, I pressed my face to the opposite window and stared out too.

Still—this was my first time leaving the Grand Duchy since arriving.

It felt strangely new.

Past the grand gardens, the carriage rolled through the Celeste gates.

Over a gentle hill, onto a paved road, around a bend—

And the village square came into view.

A bonfire blazed at the center.

Musicians played lively tunes. Young people danced without restraint.

“Whoa…”

It looked like a real festival—because it was—but still!

The moment I blurted that, the Grand Duke’s brow pinched.

What? Are you telling me to be quiet?

Then why did you insist on coming?

His sensitivity reminded me of a study-café regular who’d annihilate anyone making noise during finals week.

I clamped my mouth shut.

But my heart was still hopping.

I’d enjoyed my quiet cabin life, sure—but festivals were part of the charm.

As I smiled uncontrollably—

“Wait…!”

Something snagged my attention like a hook.

Skewers.

Over there, a warm-faced woman was sweating over a charcoal grill, cooking skewers directly over open flame.

Holy crap.

She’s a master. A skewer master.

My heart, which had been going thump-thump, upgraded instantly to BANG-BANG.

Because skewers were basically a universal law of romance-fantasy festivals.

I might forget character names, but I’d read enough rofan to know this.

Now this finally feels like a proper possession story.

I’d always wondered—were those festival skewers chicken, lamb, or some fantasy meat?

Today, I could finally find out.

Just as I clutched my violently beating heart, the carriage stopped.

A moment later, the door opened—and Karl appeared, posture flawless.

“We’ve arrived at the square.”

“Good work.”

Hmph.

Before the Grand Duke could move, I jumped out first.

The looks on their faces were priceless.

The Grand Duke looked stunned.
Karl looked like he was trying—and failing—not to smile.

And somehow, the head butler’s face seemed far kinder and warmer than I’d expected.

It surprised me.

“Ah—thank you.”

Karl’s hand was still hovering in the air, clearly meant to escort me.

Oops.

I quickly took his hand with both of mine and shook it a couple of times.

For the first time, Karl broke into a fully gentle smile.

“Grand Duke Xavier Celeste. Grand Duchess Renée Celeste. I hope you enjoy your time.”

His voice held the same warmth as his expression.

It melted me instantly, and I smiled back, nodding.

After personally acting as our driver, Karl bowed and withdrew, guiding the carriage away.

And in that brief moment—

My mind was kidnapped again by the scent of skewers drifting on the air.

I was about to stride off—

“Where are you going?”

The Grand Duke’s voice followed like a shadow.

I felt irritation spike.

Don’t tell me he plans to stick to me the entire time?

I crossed my arms and turned back—

And then—

Huh?

The Grand Duke looked… a little off.