So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Meanwhile — in the room Renée stormed out of

“Haah…”

In the room Renée had left behind, Xavier Celeste was alone—feeling miserable.

Ever since that night a few days ago, his mind had been a mess, and maybe staying awake through last night out of sheer stubbornness had been a mistake.

Being awake for three days straight wasn’t new to him.

But this time, everything felt wrong.

He rubbed his face again and again, replaying what had just happened.

…I wasn’t trying to take it that far.

Katharina Hugo was unpredictable at the best of times. Proud, stubborn, and the kind of woman who didn’t bend once she’d made up her mind.

So for someone like her to suddenly turn sweet and gentle and approach Renée Blanche?

Anyone would find that suspicious.

Xavier couldn’t understand Renée at all.

I knew she was recklessly cheerful, but how can she trust people this easily?

When someone suddenly changes their attitude, that’s when you should be more cautious—especially when you don’t know whether it will benefit you or harm you.

And Renée—smiling like it was nothing, acting like it was all harmless—going out with her without a shred of pride, like it was the most natural thing in the world…

It felt stupid.

But Xavier knew the truth, too.

In the end, this was partly his fault for letting things become like this in the first place.

“I… I’m not someone who suits being the Grand Duchess of Celeste.”

Renée’s face as she said it—teary and trembling—kept flashing in his head.

So that’s what she’s been thinking.

Usually, Renée wore a scowl when she faced him—but her expressions were lively, varied.

Still…

That expression had been new.

Tears filled her big, gentle eyes, and it made her look painfully pitiful.

Empty. Wronged. Like she’d been trying so hard and getting punished for it anyway.

Xavier lowered his head.

I only wanted to warn her. Just a little.

He knew he was bad at expressing himself.

But it was always worse with Renée.

Every time he stood in front of her, childish, petty words slipped out of his mouth.

He’d never even had a rebellious phase as a teenager.

And that was exactly why he hated her.

Because she made him act like someone he didn’t recognize.

After every encounter with Renée, Xavier was left drowning in self-loathing.

“You’re the one who told me to keep my head down and stay quiet. I did what you wanted—everything. So why do you keep…?”

Renée’s wet, shaking voice echoed in his skull.

But there was nothing he could do right now except rake his fingers through his hair.

What… do I even want?

Now he couldn’t tell anymore.

Renée’s words had forced him to see it:

He was doing the very thing he despised most—acting inconsistently, speaking without responsibility, saying things he couldn’t back up.

“Haah…”

He was the worst.

But he couldn’t keep avoiding it.

…

Time passed.

Outside the wide window, dusk had started to sink into the sky.

Finally, after a long, long stretch of thinking, Xavier Celeste stood up sharply.

His eyes were set—like he’d made a decision.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

With heavy, low steps that matched his mood, he walked out.

And the first person he addressed—waiting quietly outside the door the whole time—was Karl.

“Prepare a horse immediately. Where, exactly, did the Grand Duchess go?”

A few hours earlier

“Lady Katharina, Grand Duchess Renée is looking for you. Shall we depart now?”

At the maid’s words, Katharina Hugo—who had been checking her reflection nonstop—finally turned.

“Hmph. Acting like she’s so important—taking that long just to get ready. Fine. Let’s go.”

She stood up with a sneer.

That tiny woman could dress up all she wanted—how much could it really change?

The Renée she’d seen yesterday had still looked plain.

She wasn’t even comparable to Katharina, whose beauty was famous across the empire.

“How dare she not know her place! Obviously I’m better in every way!”

“Y-yes, Lady Katharina.”

Katharina snapped at the maid as she walked—hands quick and sharp, like she needed someone to grab.

And even while she talked big, she was dressed more extravagantly than usual.

A vivid red mermaid gown clung to her curves, making her figure look even more striking.

The only downside was the corset—tight enough that breathing properly was almost impossible.

The capital’s idiotic men praised fainting noble ladies like it was some symbol of delicate beauty.

Ridiculous.

Today she’d cinched her corset tighter than usual—but Katharina knew she didn’t need it.

Those girls who relied on it were just… foolish.

More importantly—

I don’t care about most men. The only one I care about is… Xavier Celeste.

That feeling hadn’t changed since she was a child.

But if she was honest, it wasn’t exactly “pure love.”

More accurately…

Katharina wanted to be the Grand Duchess.

Celeste is strong. Untouchable. That’s why it’s beautiful.

House Celeste had always been something she admired.

Diana Celeste—graceful and sharp—had doted on Katharina almost as much as on her own grandson.

And the late Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, proud and dignified, had been the perfect pair.

Katharina had dreamed of being one of them.

She never thought anything could get in her way.

Until—

Renée Blanche. Of course you had to show up and ruin everything.

Renée’s marriage was supposed to be loveless too.

So Katharina believed that if she endured, if she waited, eventually she’d get her chance.

But now—

What is Xavier thinking? Does he actually have feelings for Renée Blanche?

Katharina had known Xavier since they were practically infants.

And yet he’d never once opened his heart to her.

It stung. It made her angry.

But she’d told herself it was fine.

She didn’t need his love.

Then she heard the rumors.

He spent the night with her? So I don’t even get a chance?

“Xavier…”

She rolled his name silently in her mouth and bit her lip.

By the time she noticed, she was already in the manor lobby.

“Haah.”

With a small breath, Katharina slipped her mask back on.

“Renée!”

The venom from earlier vanished, replaced by a bright, warm smile.

“Katharina.”

“!”

But when Renée turned at her call, even Katharina froze—mouth falling open.

“R-Renée… your outfit…”

“Oh—well, it’s my first outing, so the maids dressed me up. Is it too much?”

“N-no… you look… good.”

That part was genuine.

Even bare-faced, Renée drew eyes.

Katharina hated to admit it, but she’d even chosen red once—because Renée’s eyes had made the color stick in her mind.

Renée’s foundation was already too strong.

Now that she was properly dressed?

It was absurd.

People weren’t crowding openly, but Katharina could feel the stares.

“Is that the Grand Duchess…?”

“She’s stunning…”

“She really looks like a noble lady now. There’s something… refined about her.”

Even the servants’ whispers carried clearly.

Hmph. Those maids must’ve been sharpening their knives for this.

Katharina pouted and looked down at herself.

Her dress was brand new—the latest fashion from the capital—but suddenly she wondered if picking red had been a mistake.

And then—

“You’re really pretty today too, Katharina. Did you have that dress made? You’re tall, so it looks so elegant on you. It suits you perfectly.”

Renée said it with a shy little smile, looking up at her.

“!”

Katharina clapped a hand over her mouth without thinking.

W-what is that? A baby angel?!

With the sunlight behind her, Renée almost looked like she had a halo.

No—what am I even thinking?!