So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 63

Chapter 63

“Yes?”

“…”

He was the one who had called me, yet the archduke looked oddly flustered.

His reddened ears said it all.

“W-what is it? You called me and then…?”

I muttered awkwardly. Only then did the man finally rein in his wandering gaze and speak.

“There are still a few days before the imperial palace banquet. Until then, spend your time freely.”

…That’s what I was going to do anyway.

You stopped me just to say that?

For some reason, my shoulders drooped.

Wait. Why am I disappointed?

What was I even expecting?!

“Oh. Okay. I will.”

No—really. If I stay here any longer, I feel like I’ll get swept up in some weird mood again.

I answered as casually as I could and took a step forward.

But Xavier, standing in front of me, was like a wall—he didn’t move an inch.

“…”

“…?”

“…”

“Do you have more to say?”

“No, it’s just…”

What is with the dramatic pauses?

I crossed my arms and waited.

“…If so… then… we could also…”

His voice was so small it was practically an ant crawling across the floor.

“Huh? What did you say?”

I tilted my head, trying to catch it—

—and then—

Thud-thud-thud-thud—
BANG!

“?!”

The door flew open with terrifying momentum, and when I snapped my head around—

“Renée!”

Katharina stood in the doorway, eyes blazing.

She’d already changed clothes.

“Come on! You promised you’d go shopping with me. Right? Right?”

Maybe because we were in the capital, she’d dressed up extra—Katharina looked ridiculously glamorous.

“…Shopping?”

Xavier’s face instantly darkened.

“Yes. There are joys that big, clunky men don’t understand—women-only joys.”

Ohohohoho!

With her arm folded, Katharina covered her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed—straight-up mocking him.

That… was villainess-level.

I really was grateful she was on my side.

Either way, she’d just saved me.

I spun toward her immediately, not wasting the chance.

“Yeah, let’s go!”

I honestly don’t care about shopping even a little!

But if it gets me out of here, I’ll do anything!

“Wait.”

Xavier, looking genuinely flustered, stepped in front of us and blocked the way.

Then he started spilling his words like someone reading lines off a script that didn’t exist.

“The capital has far more people than the North, and it’s your first time in Albern, isn’t it? And even if Katharina Hugo is with you, it may still be dangerous for two young ladies to go alone—so I will accompany you.”

Sir, I got it. Breathe. Please.

“Huh.”

Katharina snapped open her lace fan like a slap.

Then she leaned close and whispered so only I could hear.

“That’s an excuse. He just wants to see you in a new dress. Hmph! Then I’m the one who’s going to dress you.”

Katharina’s eyes burned with a bizarre competitive spirit.

I blinked, briefly overwhelmed by her murderous determination—

“…Wait. I have to wear one too?”

I’d been planning to just help Katharina pick clothes and kill time!

When I asked in shock, Katharina answered like I’d asked whether the sky was blue.

“Of course! I got the boutique catalog they send to VVIP clients, and I studied everything in the North ahead of time. There’s a new design that would look perfect on you, Renée. I was going to be the first—and the one who stares at you the longest—in a dress! But no, that stingy archduke—!”

She was acting like she’d found herself a rival in love.

And the ridiculous part?

The archduke looked like he was doing the exact same thing.

Being at the center of a strange love triangle was… not as thrilling as it sounded.

“Uh… Katharina. Didn’t you… used to like the archduke?”

So why are you this fired up?!

“But now I like you way, way more, Renée—so who cares?”

As she spoke, Katharina gently took my hand and laced our fingers together.

“Y-yeah…”

Honestly? That logic… kind of convinced me.

Katharina didn’t seem like the type to stack multiple favorites.

They said ex-fans are the scariest…

Now I believed it.

Fair enough.

Nodding to myself, I matched Katharina’s steps and walked forward with her.

“…Hah.”

A heavy sigh drifted behind us—low and weighty.

But what could he do about it?

Not long after, we got back into a carriage and rode about ten minutes to a shopping district.

“Right there! Beluois Boutique!”

Katharina hopped down and pointed at a luxurious standalone building that practically screamed:

I’m a luxury brand. I’m insanely expensive.

But my interest was… slightly different.

Oh my god. They’re selling salt bread.

My eyes locked onto the cozy bakery café next door—a red brick building.

Through the large window display, salt bread and all kinds of pastries sat in perfect, glossy rows.

The capital really is the capital… look at those ridiculously polished breads!

The deadly scent of butter slipped into my nose, and my heart actually started pounding.

Even though this was a district catering to nobles, nobles were still people—so the “conveniences” were all here too, just upgraded: bakeries, ice cream shops, cafés… lining the street.

A place like this was more than enough to capture the attention of someone who didn’t care about shopping.

“Gasp. That salt-bread line is long…”

It must be famous—people were lined up, timing it for fresh batches.

“Hmm.”

Even the archduke—who’d been silent at my side—let his gaze pause on the bakery window.

“Renée! Hurry, let’s go inside!”

I couldn’t bring myself to crush the excitement of a sparkling beauty, so I reluctantly went into the boutique.

We’ll look at dresses quickly, then I’ll buy bread.

That’s me. That’s the plan.

“Welcome! This is Beluois Boutique!”

The interior—built with antique marble—was massive and immaculate.

Dresses glittered everywhere, dazzling and extravagant.

Beautiful young ladies wandered around, their steps light as they browsed.

I’m… overwhelmed.

I’ve never set foot in a place this high-end in my life.

I suddenly felt like a country bumpkin, shrinking in on myself as I glanced around—

“Omomo! And who might this be? Lady Katharina!”

Out of nowhere, a short, plump man in a tuxedo rushed up and greeted Katharina like a man possessed.

…Capybara?

He vaguely resembled a well-groomed rodent.

And yet his presence was enormous—so strong I stayed quietly squashed into the background.

“Long time no see, George.”

“How could you stay away for so long? I prepared a VVIP collection just for youuu!”

The nasal, whining tone of the middle-aged man made my vision blur slightly.

Katharina, meanwhile, looked totally used to it. Calm. Experienced.

They clearly knew each other.

“I moved my residence to the North, so I haven’t been able to visit the capital often. But I’ll be staying here for a while now, so you’ll be seeing me again.”

“That’s the happiest news ever! I want to see you every day, Lady Katharinaaa!”

George’s round face practically shone—like he polished it daily.

So this is… the capital.

As I stared in fascination, his tiny eyes flashed and he subtly scanned me and the archduke.

“Mm? But who are the two lovely people behind you…?”

“Oh. They’re the Archduke and Archduchess of Celeste. Lady Renée, Your Grace. This is George—the head designer of Beluois Boutique.”

“Oh my goodness!”

George practically leaped into the air.

“Please forgive my rudeness! The day the Archduke and Archduchess of Celeste visit our boutique at last! We must declare today our anniversary! Just the way you walked in—such extraordinary presence—”

As George continued babbling, his whole body twisted and curled like he was trying to tie himself into a bow.

Finally, Xavier cut him off.

“Stop gilding us with pointless flattery. I’m only here because I want to see the archduchess in a new dress.”

“……”

Sir. You too?!