So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 76

Chapter 76

I glanced over and saw that Lady Diana and Katharina were deep in conversation about the banquet, paying little attention to this side.

Why am I so nervous…?

I swallowed hard and nodded to Ternox—

And then.

Tap—

“!”

“Right. So don’t leave my side for even a moment. The imperial palace isn’t as romantic a place as you might imagine.”

Xavier brushed Ternox aside, took my hand, and helped me up into the carriage as he spoke.
Even so, his gaze never once turned toward me.

“Heh… right. I’ll be accompanying you as part of the escort, so don’t worry too much.”

Pushed aside out of nowhere, Ternox didn’t look annoyed in the slightest—in fact, he looked thoroughly amused.

I deliberately put some weight into the hand Xavier was holding, squeezing it slightly as I climbed into the carriage.
It probably didn’t even tickle him, but it was my own small act of protest.

I took my seat inside, and once Xavier climbed in as well, the fairly spacious carriage suddenly felt full.
Ternox settled onto the driver’s seat outside.

“Hyah!”

Hiiihiiing—!

With the horses’ neighs, the carriage began to move.

So it really begins now.

Half anxious, half excited,
my heart felt strangely complicated as we headed for the imperial palace.

Whoa…

I’d sworn I wouldn’t act like a total newbie, but the moment I stepped out of the carriage, the sheer splendor of the palace overwhelmed me.

Beneath enormous chandeliers glittering without pause,
towering pillars and floors of pure marble stretched endlessly, all inlaid with delicate, luxurious patterns picked out in gold.

Is all of that real gold?

Well… it is the imperial palace.

“…Close your mouth.”

As I stood there staring with my jaw practically on the floor, Xavier—standing beside me—kindly lifted my chin and closed my mouth for me.

We had all put on our masks during the carriage ride.
Xavier wore a crimson half-mask similar in design to mine.

I couldn’t clearly see his expression because of it, but his touch was undeniably gentle.

“Ahem… but still, this is my first time seeing anything like this.”

I shrugged and subtly gestured forward with my chin.
I wasn’t the only one—young ladies who looked like this was their first banquet too were craning their necks and looking around as they entered.

Still, I’m the Grand Duchess. I should keep my composure.

As I adjusted my mask and cleared my throat, Lady Diana chuckled softly.

“That’s natural for a first time. The imperial palace feels new every time I come—it seems to grow more splendid by the day.”

Behind her mask, her wise blue eyes sharpened slightly.

Just then, a servant checking invitations at the entrance bowed deeply.

“Your identities have been confirmed. Please enter.”

Ah—finally…

I swallowed hard and stepped forward.

The vast imperial ballroom that unfolded before my eyes felt like an entirely different world.

But then—

The instant we entered, the enormous hall fell silent.

We had arrived rather late, so the hall had been bustling—yet in that moment, it became deathly quiet.

A chill ran down my spine.
Had they recognized us?

But we’re wearing masks—how could they?

I was just about to panic when—

“Don’t be nervous.”

Still keeping his gaze fixed ahead, Xavier lightly extended one hand.

I carefully took it and continued walking.
Only then did exclamations erupt from all around.

“My goodness, who might they be?”

“Just look at the size of that gemstone. They must be from an incredibly wealthy house.”

“And that dress! Isn’t it the latest design? I heard it was already sold out…”

The murmuring was so loud that even though I was staring straight ahead, my head felt like it was spinning.

Maybe I was gripping too tightly from nerves—
Xavier gently brushed the back of my hand with his thumb.

It felt like he was telling me everything was fine.

I steadied myself and straightened my shoulders.
I wanted to look confident, no matter what.

Lady Diana and Katharina followed behind us in turn.

After what felt like a ceremonial procession, we finally stopped near the still-empty imperial dais.

“Haaah…”

Afraid of looking drained, I quickly opened my fan like the other noblewomen, and only then did I feel like I could breathe again.

Still—

Everyone is unbelievably glamorous!

So my outfit hadn’t been excessive at all!

It really hit me then—I’d truly stepped into high society.

Feeling awkward, my body stiffened without me realizing.

That was when a cautious voice reached me.

“Um… excuse me, are you… Lady Renée?”

This voice—

“Lady Lilian?”

“Yes, that’s right!”

Friends I’d grown close to in the Celeste territory stood before me.
It seemed the three young ladies had arrived earlier and were chatting together.

Why did this make me so emotional?
I almost wanted to cry from how glad I was to see them!

“Lady Julie, Lady Serena too! Have you been well?”

“Of course!”

I bounced slightly in excitement, and beside me, Xavier let out a quiet scoff.

Hmph. Whatever.

The young ladies noticed him at once and dipped into curtseys.

“W-We greet the Grand Duke—”

“That’s enough with the greetings. Have you forgotten this is a masquerade?”

Tap, tap.
Xavier pointed at his own mask, then fell silent.

He’s at it again!

Ignoring Xavier entirely, I hurried over to my friends.

Lilian, in her pale green dress, spoke with admiration.

“Your Grace, I knew you were beautiful, but tonight you’re truly exceptional!”

“Exactly! Did you notice how everyone held their breath watching you and the Grand Duke enter?”

Serena chimed in, covering her mouth as she laughed softly.

“Um… but how did you recognize me? When we entered, the hall went quiet—I thought maybe my mask had slipped.”

“Well, someone like the Grand Duke… his aura isn’t something a mask can easily hide.”

“And honestly, we didn’t recognize you first—we were just stunned by the arrival of such a perfectly matched pair.”

What—so they didn’t even know who we were, and everyone still reacted like that?

If they find out he’s the Grand Duke of the North, they’ll lose their minds…

I could already picture the scene at midnight when the masks came off.

“Yes, yes! It felt like a dream. The two of you appeared beneath the chandeliers, shining—it was breathtaking just to watch!”

Julie clasped her hands, utterly beside herself.

Truly a girl who loved romance.

“Heh…”

Feeling embarrassed, I just fluttered my fan when—

“His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince enters!”

It seemed all the nobles had arrived, as the imperial family began to make their appearance.

“Huh? Isn’t this a masquerade? Is it okay to announce them like that?”

“The imperial family seems to be wearing masks only for form’s sake. Since the banquet’s concept was changed hastily, there are bound to be such oversights. Don’t worry about it.”

I see.
So wearing a mask is pointless for the Crown Prince.

Xavier answered my question with ease and turned his gaze toward the entrance.

Once again, the grand hall grew quiet.

A man with a faint, practiced smile—clearly accustomed to the spotlight—walked slowly into the ballroom.

Behind his striking white-and-gold uniform fluttered a lavishly embroidered golden cloak.

As he casually waved to those around him, squeals erupted from every direction.

“Those dazzling golden eyes unique to royalty can’t be hidden, mask or no mask!”

“Oh my… His Highness is handsome as ever tonight!”

Julie beside me looked seconds away from fainting.

And of course, I craned my neck eagerly to get a look as well.

But there was one problem I hadn’t anticipated.

Wait! It’s a masquerade—I can’t see his face!

So what does he actually look like? I want to see the empire’s officially certified heartthrob!

To make matters worse, even in heels, my short stature meant all I could see were the backs of people’s heads.

The Crown Prince was about a head taller than most, but he was still far away—
only his platinum-blond hair peeked out now and then.

“…Want me to give you a shoulder ride or something?”

Xavier crossed his arms and spoke in disbelief.

“Why are you picking a fight again?”

“What’s the point of staring at the Crown Prince anyway?”

He said that outrageously irreverent thing in a sulky tone.

I scolded him firmly.

“Hey now. That’s disrespectful! He’s today’s main guest—you shouldn’t say things like that.”

“With your husband standing right here, you expect me to say something nice while you ogle another man?”

He snorted and sharply turned his head away.

For some reason, his face was bright red beneath the mask.

What is this about? Why are you sulking over this?
This is my first banquet—cut me some slack!

Unfortunately, while we were bickering, the Crown Prince had already finished his entrance.

He ascended the dais and took his seat beside the imperial throne—slightly smaller, but just as ornate.

Now that he was seated, he was actually closer to where we stood.

“Oooh…”

Even sitting upright, he radiated authority.

Truly worthy of being the Crown Prince of an empire.

“…Do you think staring that hard is going to bore a hole through him?”

I ignored Xavier’s snide remark completely.