So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 35

Chapter 35

For a split second, Renée’s puff sleeves looked like tiny fairy wings, and Katharina Hugo shook her head hard—side to side.

That innocent face… that bright, clueless smile… still exactly the same.

Like I’d ever fall for that.

Katharina snapped her fan open and pretended to cool herself, hiding her face as she fanned dramatically.

Just making eye contact was hazardous to her heart—

Which meant Xavier Celeste had definitely been lured the same way.

Renée Blanche… I don’t know what you did, but I’m not like Xavier. I won’t be an easy target.

And yet, despite her resolve, Katharina’s cheeks were noticeably flushed.

“S-so… shall we go?”

“Yeah!”

Renée, completely unbothered by Katharina’s internal crisis, climbed into the waiting carriage first.

And so, the strangely uneasy “picnic” began.

The wheels rolled for about ten minutes before the carriage came to a stop by the riverbank.

Renée’s eyes went wide.

“Huh? Why are we stopping already?”

“Lady Renée, is something wrong?”

“No… it’s just—last time, I feel like the carriage ride was way longer…”

“Last time? When was that?”

“During the spring festival.”

Ah. Right. You two went together, all cozy, to the spring festival.

Katharina’s insides started boiling again.

Don’t forget. That woman is your enemy.

With the effortless grace of a seasoned count’s daughter, Katharina explained calmly, her expression perfectly polite.

“That day you probably passed through the village square where the festival was held. The village is upstream, where the river begins. We’re going downstream—behind the Grand Ducal estate. That’s where the dock is.”

Just as Katharina said, today’s boating spot was directly behind the estate, so it didn’t take long to reach.

The Celeste River was large, and the downstream area behind the manor was much more suitable for boating than the busy upstream village section.

Renée tilted her head.

“Then couldn’t we just walk?”

“Good heavens. Are you serious? We’re nobles.”

Katharina had heard Renée wasn’t treated well in House Blanche, but… was it really this bad?

Her face showed a flicker of disbelief.

Renée, however, only nodded with oddly hollow eyes.

“Ah… yeah. I get it. That’s just how it is. Noble ladies…”

She murmured as if talking to herself—words only she seemed to understand.

To Katharina, it was just one more reminder that Renée was impossible to read.

Katharina pulled herself together, resetting her smile.

“Grand Duchess, we’ve arrived.”

Right on cue, a plain-looking coachman opened the carriage door for them.

“Thanks!”

Renée hopped up instantly, like she’d forgotten the entire conversation.

Outside, the spring sun warmed the air to the perfect temperature.

A soft breeze brushed both women’s hair beneath the bright light.

“The weather is so nice!”

The moment Renée stepped down, she bolted forward like an excited little pony.

Her unrefined, bouncy steps were so light it was almost ridiculous.

“Lady Renée! Wait for me!”

But Katharina’s heart was clouded over.

You think I brought you here because I like you? Please.

Under the shimmering light on the water, Renée looked—by any standard—adorable.

“She’s like a baby bunny, our lady…”

“She’s too cute. That headpiece was genius.”

“I knew it would suit her, but not this much…”

“Ugh! I’m mad! Someone paint this scene immediately!”

Renée’s maids were grinning like fools, shamelessly cooing out loud.

Katharina hated even that.

Hmph. As if bouncing around like a rabbit makes anyone think you’re cute—!

Afraid she might smile by accident, she bit her lip hard.

“Katharina! It’s so pretty here!”

“Y-yes, it is. Lady Renée… let’s find a place to sit.”

“Okay!”

Renée’s full skirt fluttered as she scampered up the small hill again.

This isn’t the time.

Katharina took the wide-brimmed hat a maid offered her. For a moment, her face turned sly.

Then she began scanning the area quickly.

They said they’d arrive around now…

Of course, Katharina hadn’t arranged this outing to become friends with Renée.

She couldn’t openly hit her, so she’d planned to humiliate her in front of witnesses.

Several noble girls she usually kept close had pitied Katharina’s situation—because everyone had known for years how unwavering her feelings for Xavier Celeste were.

Katharina, who secretly viewed them more like subordinates than friends, found even their pity humiliating.

But if she could use them, she would.

Last night, Katharina had sent a messenger bird in a hurry.

A count’s daughter from a neighboring territory—one bordering Celeste—had readily agreed to join the plan.

It was possible because House Blanche, Renée’s birth family, had plenty of enemies.

Renée Blanche, of course, had no idea.

I can’t just go boating and leave like this…

Her eyes darted faster with her growing impatience.

And then—

“Oh my! Lady Katharina!”

A familiar voice called out from behind them.

Only then did Katharina release a silent sigh of relief.

On time.

Snap.

Katharina folded her fan and turned—feigning surprise—as she looked toward the voice.

Naturally, Renée turned too.

“Oh my? Lady Lilian! And Lady Julie and Lady Serena as well? What brings you here?”

Just as she said, three carefully dressed young noble ladies were waving cheerfully from a short distance away.

“Huh?”

Renée’s eyes wavered slightly. She looked startled by the sudden encounter.

“Katharina, do you know them?”

Renée asked, her voice a little shaky.

As if I’m a loner like you.

Katharina replied in a gentle voice that sounded nothing like her spiky thoughts.

“Yes. We debuted together. We’ve kept in touch ever since.”

While the two exchanged a quiet conversation, the three ladies hurried closer, bright-eyed.

“To run into Lady Katharina here!”

“Really—what brings you all the way to Celeste?”

Katharina asked, pretending to be pleasantly surprised.

And as if they’d rehearsed it, the brown-haired girl answered smoothly.

“Well, I heard the Celeste River is famous for being breathtaking in spring, so we came for a picnic.”

“Our territory—Siern—is quite close to Celeste by carriage. But Lady Katharina… if it isn’t rude to ask, the lady with you is…?”

The green-eyed girl tilted her head.

“Oh!”

Katharina clapped her hands as though she’d just realized.

Then she gestured to Renée.

Renée approached, timid and unsure, blinking awkwardly.

Katharina, however, spoke with a strangely excited brightness as she introduced them.

“This is Her Grace, Grand Duchess Renée Celeste. Lady Renée, allow me to introduce you—Lady Lilian of House Siern, Lady Julie of House Monteville, and Lady Serena of House Florence.”

“Ah… hello…”

Renée’s cheeks flushed pink as she lifted her skirt and dipped into a curtsy.

The three ladies exchanged looks, then returned the greeting.

“Oh my! You’re the Grand Duchess!”

“We had no idea—we’ve been terribly rude…”

“Your Grace.”

Their manners were impeccable.

Renée smiled wide, eyes curving sweetly.

Her bright expression looked like tiny silver lantern flowers holding spring rain.

Between strands of silver hair swaying in the breeze, her pomegranate-red eyes sparkled.

“I’m glad to meet you!”

At that pure, clear greeting—

“Oh my…”

The three young ladies’ gazes trembled.

Because Renée looked nothing like the grim rumors about curses and bad omens.

In person, she was smaller and softer than expected, and—

She’s ridiculously cute.

The girls nearly gasped out loud.

Instead, they hurriedly opened their fans to hide their reddening faces.

…Seriously?

For the first time, irritation flashed across Katharina Hugo’s previously flawless, warm expression.