So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 79

Chapter 79

A provocation from the ridiculously handsome Crown Prince?

I smell peak entertainment content.

Just one glance was enough to tell—he was clearly a dopamine addict like me.
More than that, he looked deeply committed to messing with Xavier.

Should I play along for once?

Out of sheer resentment for how Xavier always toyed with me, I seriously considered grabbing the prince’s hand and going with it.

“Don’t tell me you’re actually… thinking about it?”

That icy voice snapped me back to reality.

Xavier sounded genuinely incredulous—and judging by how cold his tone was, I’d end up paying tenfold if I messed up here.

I hurried to respond.

N-No, of course not.

“Who are you? This is a masquerade, you know.”

“….”

Oh no.

My thoughts and my mouth had completely swapped places.

“Pfft!”

The Crown Prince quickly covered his mouth, but it was already too late.

Unlike the prince—who looked like he was about to die laughing—the temperature around the Grand Duke seemed to drop several degrees.

“I—I’m sorry! Of course not. I just misspoke—”

I rushed to explain, flustered.

But—

“No. I understood you perfectly well.”

His already low voice dropped even further.

He looked visibly irritated, and I had no idea how to calm him down—

“Ha! The Grand Duchess is quite bold, isn’t she?”

The Crown Prince said lightly, still brimming with amusement.

Easy for you to say!

“N-No, really, that was a mistake!”

“So you’re saying you don’t mind dancing with me, then?”

Smiling sweetly, the Crown Prince once again extended his hand.

If I grabbed it just like that…

“……”

The sharp, prickling stare burning into the side of my face made it impossible.

“Ah… hahaha…”

Seriously—why are you doing this to me?

The best target for teasing here is Xavier, not me!

But would it be rude to leave the Crown Prince’s noble hand hanging for too long…?

I was stuck in that dilemma when—

“Grand Duke.”

A court attendant approached and called out to Xavier.

All three of us turned our heads at once.

Suddenly under intense scrutiny, the attendant cleared his throat and delivered his message.

“His Majesty the Emperor requests an audience.”

“!”

“What?”

Completely unexpected.

At the same time, both men’s expressions hardened.

“His Majesty?”

“Yes. He says that since it’s been a while since your visit to the capital, there are matters he wishes to discuss urgently.”

“Matters to discuss, hm. Matters he won’t even discuss with his own son—but with the Grand Duke? As a son, I find that rather disappointing.”

With a scoff, the Crown Prince didn’t bother hiding his displeasure.

“…Please mind your words, Your Highness. There are many ears.”

Xavier replied calmly.

True enough—judging by how people nearby were pretending not to listen while clearly pricking their ears, even I could tell.

“Hah. Fine.”

“I’ll be right back. In the meantime—if it’s alright with you…”

Xavier hesitated, uncharacteristically.

The Crown Prince, who immediately caught on, smiled again.

“Of course. I’ll just have a dance with this nameless lady. You may go.”

Nameless lady… that’s me, right?

Probably.

Then Xavier’s eyes met mine.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Why does he look at me like I’m a puppy that’ll definitely cause trouble the moment it goes quiet?!

“Thank you.”

After giving the Crown Prince a brief bow, Xavier looked back at me.

His blue-violet eyes—cold and sharp—were filled with emotions I couldn’t quite decipher.

It didn’t feel like simple worry, so for once, I dropped the sarcasm.

“Be careful. Don’t worry about me.”

I didn’t know the details, but ever since we arrived in the capital, Xavier had been unusually on edge.

Maybe he just hated situations beyond his control.

I clenched my fists and raised them confidently, as if to say I’ve got this.

Though my twig-like forearms probably didn’t reassure him much.

“…Alright.”

Still, it must have looked amusing.

He let out a small snort of laughter, quickly masking it behind his usual blank expression, and turned away.

Even so, he glanced back once or twice as he followed the attendant.

I hope nothing happens.

All I could do was smile and give a small wave.

“Quite the devoted pair, aren’t you?”

The Crown Prince said, barely holding back his laughter.

Should I be glad he’s in a good mood again…?

“Haha… w-we get along fairly well…”

I lightly took the Crown Prince’s outstretched hand and replied.