So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 77

Chapter 77

When do they take off the masks?

Yes—if I’m being honest, I’m curious about the empire’s officially certified heartthrob’s actual face.
Husband or not, I want to see the Crown Prince too.

A beautiful face is a beautiful face, regardless of gender!

But the servant’s next announcement shattered my thoughts.

“The Eternal Sun of the Celeste Empire—His Majesty the Emperor. Her Majesty the Empress, and His Highness the Second Prince enter!”

The Empress…

That single word made me swallow hard.

Click. Click. Click.

As lively heels echoed through the ballroom, everyone’s gaze snapped to the entrance.

Even with her face covered, the Empress—wearing a large golden crown—radiated beauty and a sensual allure.

She looks younger than I expected.

Maybe because her outfit was far more splendid than the Emperor escorting her, she felt like the true main character.
The contrast was even sharper because the Emperor looked rather thin.

Behind them came a stiff, awkwardly walking young man.

That’s the Second Prince?

The blond young man, perhaps relieved that his face was hidden by a mask, kept his eyes lowered and trailed behind his parents.

His long, lanky frame made it hard to guess his age, and he kept flicking his cloak impatiently, as if it annoyed him.

“My goodness… His Majesty is entering with the Second Prince.”

“Should we take this as a political signal?”

A few nobles murmured quietly.

Perhaps he heard the whispers about the Crown Prince’s position—Xavier’s brow tightened slightly.

“Ahem.”

At the center of the dais, the Emperor cleared his throat.

The hall fell silent, and everyone bowed their heads.

“Raise your heads.”

The Emperor spoke in a hoarse voice.

As he accepted a glass of champagne from a servant, his body swayed briefly.

“Oh!”

“My goodness…”

“It seems His Majesty’s illness has truly worsened.”

A wave of quiet lament rippled through the crowd.
But the Emperor straightened himself and stood firm, refusing support.

“On this evening before the Crown Prince’s birthday, we have prepared a masquerade ball. Nobles of the Rembrandt Empire, enjoy this night freely behind your masks. But when the midnight bell rings and the Crown Prince’s birthday dawns, remove your masks and offer your sincere blessings. Now—let the banquet begin.”

Thunderous applause erupted the moment he finished.

Looking far more fragile than moments before, the Emperor withdrew.

At the center of the hall, the Crown Prince’s first dance began.

“His Majesty looks noticeably weaker than last year,” Katharina whispered anxiously.

“Really? Was he always frail?”

“No. He’s declined rapidly in recent times. But never to this extent… At official events, he always maintained a strong front.”

“I see…”

A bad feeling crept up my spine.

But there was no time to dwell on it.

The Crown Prince’s first dance ended—and applause followed.

“Gasp.”

More and more people gathered on the dance floor, and my nerves spiked.

Damn it. It’s finally here.

All that training had been for this exact moment!

First, I need to find Xavier—

I turned, expecting him to be right behind me—

“Ah!”

—and slammed my nose into something solid.

“Focus.”

As I wobbled, a gentle hand caught my waist.

A familiar presence.

“X-Xavier.”

“There are many people. Don’t let your guard down—not even for a moment.”

He spoke bluntly, yet carefully adjusted my posture before stepping back—

And then…

He did something completely unlike him.

“May I have the first dance?”

He actually bent one knee and extended his hand, formally asking me to dance.

W-What?! We didn’t practice this part!

My heart pounded wildly at the sudden turn of events.

His etiquette was flawless, his movements elegant—and objectively…

He looked cool.

He really looks like a male lead.

I hadn’t thought about it much before, but yes—he truly was the male lead of this world.

Praise rippled around us.

“My goodness! That’s so romantic. I wish someone would ask me to dance like that…”

“He must be stunning beneath that mask.”

Even nearby young ladies flushed red.

Trying not to look awkward, I took Xavier’s hand.

“…Alright.”

“Good.”

When he rose, our height difference reversed instantly.

I found myself looking up at him without thinking—

And then those familiar violet-blue eyes flicked away in a hurry.

“Let’s go.”

“Y-Yes…”

Why is he the one getting shy?
Now I’m embarrassed too!

We moved stiffly—trying not to draw attention—and headed toward the center of the dance floor.

The Crown Prince was already there, standing with his second partner.

“Hey.”

He waved casually and winked at Xavier, clearly recognizing him instantly.

“Honestly…”

Xavier’s irritation was obvious—they really were close.

Ignoring that, the Crown Prince spoke smoothly.

“And this lovely young lady must be the famous Grand Duchess?”

“I-I greet Your Highness—”

“Forget the greetings. The first dance is starting.”

His personality was the complete opposite of Xavier’s.

And yet they’re close? That’s strange.

If I had to compare, he was more like Ternox.

So maybe those two had been getting along lately?

While I was spacing out—

“Don’t pay attention to anything else. Your partner is here.”

With that, Xavier pulled me to him by the waist.

“Ah.”

In an instant, there was no space between us.

I snapped back to reality and took the proper stance.

My palm—where his hand held mine—was already damp with sweat.

I could feel him looking down at my face from this close distance, but…

I couldn’t meet his eyes.

For some reason, it was harder than before to look up at him.

“Are you nervous?”

Xavier asked with a soft chuckle.

“…A little.”

I swallowed and answered honestly.

“If you can’t do it, you can step on my foot.”

“I trained so I wouldn’t have to.”

“Ha.”

You’ve got a mouth on you.

Even so, he looked… oddly amused.

“Don’t mind anyone else.”

His low voice filled the narrow space between us.

“In this hall, no one would dare mock the Grand Duchess of Celeste’s dance.”

“……”

Then the music began.

I barely remember the dance itself.

I did what I’d practiced, but I still stepped on him a few times.

Whenever I wobbled, Xavier supported my waist so smoothly it looked intentional.
Nothing went wrong enough to draw attention.

But whenever his breath—moving away, then drawing close again—brushed my forehead—

Thump. Thump. Thump.

It felt like my heart had migrated upward, pounding just beneath my skin.

Somehow, I completed the final curtsey.

Clap, clap, clap!

Only after the applause did my thoughts clear.

We left the floor arm in arm, and my legs were trembling.

“Tired?”

Xavier smiled faintly and wiped the sweat from my forehead with a quick motion—clearly teasing me.

“Must be nice, having good stamina.”

“Yes. It is.”

Without hesitation, he took a champagne glass from a passing maid’s tray and handed it to me.

Maybe because it was the imperial palace, the champagne tasted incredible.

“Don’t drink too much. If you get drunk, it’ll be troublesome.”

“This is my first glass.”

You nag more than you look like you would!

I pouted and took another sip.

For some reason, my face felt hot.

Am I a lightweight?

I guess I am.

So right now—

The reason my heart keeps pounding…
The reason my cheeks keep flushing…

It must be the pale, fizzy drink popping on my tongue.

And from afar, someone was watching Renée.

All that attention should be mine!

Aquamarine eyes gleamed with chilling intensity—

It was Bianca Blanche.