So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 30

Chapter 30

That question was swallowed whole when the rest of the maids came rushing in, completely out of breath.

“Madam! Are you all right?!”

For some reason, they appeared in a tight cluster, their faces grim and solemn, and immediately began inspecting me from head to toe like doctors conducting an emergency checkup.

I’d already shown them every embarrassing side of myself there was, but I still couldn’t get used to this level of fussing.

Sweat beaded at my temple as I stammered,

“W-What’s wrong? Why are you all like this?”

Apparently, even that was taken the wrong way.

Betty suddenly widened her eyes and cried out,

“My goodness, Madam! You’re breaking out in a cold sweat! Just as I feared—His Grace is far too much for a fragile little baby rabbit like you!”

No—what are you even saying?!

Something was wrong.
No—this was very wrong.

A headache slammed into me, and when I clutched my head with both hands, the maids only panicked further.

“Does your head hurt? Shall I bring medicine?”

“Your face is so pale—Madam, this won’t do. You need nourishment!”

N-No, that’s because you’re all acting like this…

But once the maids entered their Strict, Serious, Overprotective Mode, there was no stopping them.

To be fair… even I occasionally got intimidated by their intensity.

I tried to prove my robustness by flexing both arms in a show of strength.

“N-No, I’m fine! This isn’t a headache—it’s just me practicing my amazing, muscle-packed pose—”

Unfortunately, my twig-thin arms only made things worse.

“My goodness! Look how much weight you’ve lost overnight!”

“Is there anywhere you’re feeling unwell or uncomfortable?”

“I’ll just bring the medicine—it’ll be faster!”

“Yes, Dora. Bring ointments, potions, pills—everything. Better safe than sorry.”

Aside from Marie—the only married woman among them—the rest were likely single, and judging by the chaos, they’d heard some kind of outrageous rumor.

Before things spiraled further, I shouted as loudly as I could,

“S-Stop! Everyone, calm down! I’m really fine! I slept well! I don’t understand a single word of what you’re saying—I’m exactly the same as always!”

Only then did their eyes go wide in unison.

Hesitantly, Garnet asked,

“Th-Then… did nothing happen last night?”

“Last night?”

At my question, the maids—who had briefly gone silent—exploded all over again.

“The castle is buzzing with rumors. They say His Grace spent the night in your cottage.”

“And the moment he returned to the main building, he ordered preparations for the room meant for the Grand Duchess!”

“Not just any room—the one that’s been used by Grand Duchesses for generations!”

“What?!”

Only then did I fully understand their hysteria.

This was much worse than I’d thought!

“Damn it—so it wasn’t a dream?!”

Scenes from last night surged back into my mind.

Xavier Celeste under the moonlight.
That unusually gentle tone.
Those strange, brutally honest words.

“What on earth is happening?”

Was this the beginning of something from the original story?

I didn’t even know what novel this was!

All I wanted was a quiet life!

I didn’t ask to be Grand Duchess—and I still don’t want to be!

So why won’t they leave me alone?!

A cold chill spread through my chest.

Only one thought remained.

“Wow… I think I’m screwed.”

“….”

Haaaaaaah…

All I cared about yesterday was whether to plant cabbage or chicory in the garden—
so why was I facing this kind of trial?

Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes.

But crying now would only make things worse!

Even someone as oblivious as me knew that much.

I forced myself to speak, trying to clear the misunderstanding.

“Don’t get any weird ideas! Fine, okay—I thought it was a dream, but I guess His Grace really did come here. But I swear, nothing happened! We just slept separately! What do you think my relationship with the Grand Duke even is?”

“The Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess… are husband and wife…”

Nina added that awkwardly once I finished my rant.

…Right.
That part was technically true.

But we were a marriage in name only.

This sudden leap in our relationship was not welcome!

How was I supposed to clear this up?

Or… was it even something I could clear up?

As I floundered in confusion—

“Greetings to the Grand Duchess.”

The head butler, Karl, arrived right on cue.

His expression was as calm as ever, but his voice carried a subtle excitement.

Don’t tell me you believe the rumors too…

I didn’t dare ask, but I knew.

Karl believed them. One hundred percent.

He might’ve even helped spread them—look how pleased he was!

“By His Grace’s order, you are to vacate the cottage and move your residence to the main building.”

“….”

The faint upward curve of Karl’s lips made me even more resistant.

No! I refuse! Why would I abandon my beloved cottage?!

But I couldn’t exactly throw a tantrum…

Swallowing my pride, I asked quietly,

“Um… is it not possible for me to stay?”

“Is there something that troubles you?”

“I’ve grown very attached to the cottage…”

I did my best to look pitiful.

Karl hesitated briefly, then began persuading me in earnest.

He seemed quite desperate too.

“It is not that you may never use the cottage again. Only that your primary residence be moved to a more comfortable place. The main building offers a private library, a grand bathing chamber for your exclusive use, and a beautiful garden awaiting only your touch—”

“Let’s go.”

The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them.

I mean—a grand bath and a beautiful garden?
And easy access to the library?!

How was I supposed to resist that?!

“Excellent! You will not be disappointed. Please follow me. You all, gather her belongings and come along.”

Karl immediately seized on my answer and marched ahead.

I followed behind him, pretending I had no choice.

…Let’s just look first, okay?

I’m not abandoning the cottage right away!

I’m just—curious!

“Wow… this is really my room?”

The Grand Duchess’s chamber, reached under Karl’s guidance, was even more magnificent than I’d imagined.

My mouth fell open at the sheer splendor.

Now this finally felt like a proper romance-fantasy novel.

Yes—thank you, my cute little cottage. You served me well.

I, Renée Blanche, now depart without regret into a life of permanent luxury staycation!

Sure, it made me look like a shameless opportunist—but who cared?

There was literally no one here to judge me!

Noticing my barely contained delight, Karl excused himself with a knowing smile, telling me to rest.

I rubbed my cheek against the shimmering silk sofa, soaking in the extravagance.

“Okay… now I get why he thought I was being mistreated.”

Honestly… if the cottage was a roadside inn at best, this room was a five-star private villa.

After running around in awe for a while, I threw myself onto the absurdly soft bed.

No exaggeration—it felt like all the maids and I could lie down together and still have space.

Considering how easy it was to get lost inside the castle, a bedroom this massive made sense.

The attached bathroom alone was about the size of my old cottage.

If this is the Grand Duchess’s room… how ridiculous must the Grand Duke’s room be?

That thought froze me in place.

Was I getting more and more entangled with Xavier Celeste?

No matter how I looked at it, that wasn’t a comforting direction.

The biggest problem was still this:
I didn’t know what novel this was, who I’d possessed, or what role the Grand Duke played.

I told myself not to get involved because he felt like a villain—but what if he really is one? What if I get dragged into it and lose my head later?

No thanks!

But…

The bedding against my back was too comfortable.

Just lying here in broad daylight made me sleepy!

“Capitalism really is amazing.”

…Or is this power, not capital?

Either way, someone from a capitalist society like me had no defense against such sweetness.

Just as I gave in to the approaching nap—

“Huh? What’s that sound?”

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

Heavy footsteps announced themselves from afar, growing louder—

Then suddenly stopped right outside my door.