So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 86

Chapter 86

At Diana Celeste’s sudden words, Xavier Celeste’s face instantly turned pale.

“Pardon? If you mean… that…”

“The thing I mentioned yesterday! Surely you didn’t forget?”

“…I did not forget.”

Grandmother and grandson—so alike—whispered with grave expressions.

Phil barely held back a smile and added solemnly,

“Yes, I delivered that to His Grace this morning.”

“As expected of you, Phil. Truly reliable.”

“You flatter me.”

Phil bowed politely.

Even for Phil, obtaining that had not been easy.

Knowing this full well, Diana gave him a warm smile—then shot her grandson a sharp look.

“So? When is the execution date?”

“That would be…”

“Wow. The weather is really nice today~”

Renée’s bright voice cut cleanly through their espionage-level whispering.

All three men jerked their heads toward her.

Thankfully, Renée still had her back turned, chatting with Katharina Hugo by the window.

“Doesn’t it suddenly feel much hotter lately?”

“It does. I suppose we should go shopping for summer dresses.”

“…Again?”

“Of course! You said you were bored, didn’t you? Entertaining Your Grace is a lady’s duty! I am always ready to fulfill that duty!”

Katharina raised both fists enthusiastically.

Judging by her expression, she meant it one hundred percent.

Knowing that all too well, Renée waved her hands frantically.

“No, no, Katharina. Just existing next to me is more than enough duty fulfilled. Shopping? That’s overtime.”

“Oh my! Don’t define our relationship with such cold words!”

“I—I mean—anyway! I take it back! I’m not bored! Haha. Haha…”

Renée tried desperately to redirect the conversation.

Shopping, it seemed, was very far from her hobbies.

“Hmmm… Or perhaps we could go see an opera?”

“…!”

At Katharina’s casual suggestion, Xavier’s eyes widened.

He immediately glanced at Diana.

Her eyes were just as wide.

“So this is what happens when you dawdle,” Diana whispered behind her teacup. “You get your move stolen.”

Her face remained calm and elegant, but her tiny voice brimmed with urgency.

“Opera?”

Renée sounded genuinely intrigued.

Fortunately, the opera itself had caught her interest.

“Yes! There’s a new production at the opera house that’s all the rage. Tickets are nearly impossible to obtain.”

“Seriously?”

Renée’s eyes sparkled so brightly it was obvious she would leave immediately if she had a ticket.

“Ahem! Hm! AHEM!!”

Diana suddenly began coughing dramatically into her tea.

“L-Lady Diana! Are you all right?”

Phil jumped in at once.

The commotion drew Renée’s attention.

“Grandmother! Oh my—are you okay?”

“Cough! Cough-cough!”

“Should we get water?!”

Renée hurried over and gently rubbed Diana’s back, worry written plainly across her face.

Not a single shred of suspicion.

“Hm-hm… Thank you, dear.”

“Did it just go down the wrong way?”

“I must be getting old… Perhaps it is my time.”

“Don’t say that!”

Diana shook her head, then shot Xavier a fierce look.

I’ve created the opening. Do something.

“Hmm. So that’s how it is.”

Katharina finally realized what was happening and pouted.

Only Renée remained blissfully unaware.

“Ahem.”

Xavier abruptly stood up.

He turned stiffly—like a poorly oiled tin robot—and faced Renée.

“Renée. A word.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“What could we possibly need to talk about—”

“COUGH!! KHK! COUGH-COUGH!!”

“I’m fine! Go talk to Xavier at once! Phil! Katharina! Support me!”

Clatter!

Diana exited the room, practically carried out.

The maids vanished as well.

Silence fell.

“Something feels weird today…”

Renée tilted her head.

“Xavier, maybe we should go check on—”

She didn’t get to finish.

Eh?

She blinked in surprise.

Because Xavier was standing right in front of her—like a mountain blocking her path.

Only now did she properly notice his expression.

Why does he look like that?

He was stiff, rubbing the back of his neck repeatedly.

He looked suspiciously like a dog that had committed a crime.

Renée narrowed her eyes.

He flinched and dropped his gaze.

Ah-ha. Definitely something.

She crossed her arms.

“Nope. Not allowed.”

“What? Why?!”

“Just not allowed.”

“How do you know what I’m about to say?”

“You look like you’ve done something.”

“…What exactly do you think I am?”

He frowned.

The back of his neck was visibly red.

“So? What is it?”

“……”

“……?”

Why won’t he answer?

She actually wanted to go check on Diana.

Finally, Xavier exhaled deeply.

“O…”

“?”

“O… O…”

“O what?”

“Oda juwotda.”

“…What?”

“I picked it up on the way.”

He shoved two crumpled slips of paper into her hands.

Renée stared down.

Opera tickets.

The title printed across them read:

<The Marchioness Blanche’s Daring Temptation>

“!!!”

That title—

It was Diana and Renée’s favorite melodramatic novel.

Her heart began pounding wildly.

“They’re the impossible-to-get tickets, right?”

“…Apparently popular.”

She beamed.

“Thank you! I’ll go see it with Lady Diana!”

“……”

…Wait.

Why does his face look worse now?