So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 9

Chapter 9

“!”

For the first time in a long while, Xavier’s eyes flew open in genuine shock as he sharply sucked in a breath.

And judging by her reaction, the other party was just as startled.

Nearly toppling backward, Renée Blanche swallowed a scream as she stumbled a few steps away. The basket in her hands slipped free, its contents scattering across the floor with a clatter.

“Eek!”

Her wide, round eyes gleamed even in the dim light.

She looked as though she had just finished bathing—her cheeks faintly flushed, skin still warm and damp. Droplets clung to her silver hair as it slid along her slender neckline, a few strands sticking stubbornly to her cheek.

And when Xavier’s gaze followed the line of her hair downward, he noticed something he never had before—

small, plump, pink lips.

Then, abruptly, both of her hands flew up to cover her face.

With the sudden movement, a faint scent of roses drifted toward him.

“O–Oh! Um! Th-that is—Grand Duke… sir?! G-good evening…?”

The moment Xavier met her red eyes, his heart dropped straight to his feet—

only to slam violently back up, pounding like a war drum.

The sound felt so loud it was almost terrifying. For an instant, he half-expected her to hear it.

He had been startled countless times since taking up the sword.

But never like this.

Overwhelmed by emotions he couldn’t even begin to name, Xavier spoke without realizing what he was saying.

His voice came out harsh—perhaps from anger, perhaps to smother everything else.

“Why are you coming out of here?”

✦ ✦ ✦

That was exactly what I wanted to ask.

Why are you here?!

No—more importantly—

I’m screwed!

I never imagined I’d be caught this fast!

A few days ago, the bathroom Betty had led me to—after much sneaking around—had been nothing short of paradise.

I was mostly satisfied with my cabin, but it had one fatal flaw.

No proper bathtub.

I always had to crouch awkwardly in something barely larger than a barrel, rushing through my wash before my legs went numb. Forget relaxing.

Meanwhile, the main residence’s bathtub—no exaggeration—was big enough to fit five adults.

The guest bath tucked away in a remote corner of the manor hadn’t been used in years, but once Betty and the maids cleaned it, it sparkled.

They even took turns secretly maintaining it just for me, making sure the head maid wouldn’t find out.

And tonight, I’d been emerging from yet another blissful soak when—

“What exactly were you doing here? Speak honestly.”

The Grand Duke’s expression was downright terrifying.

He was so angry that even in the darkness, I could see the flush creeping up his face.

And yet—damn it—he was still ridiculously handsome.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was some tsundere male lead flustered over the heroine.

But no way was I falling for that.

Pressing a hand to my wildly pounding chest, I lowered my gaze.

I really thought I’d committed the perfect crime…

Still, lying felt like the worst option.

So I told the truth, using the smallest, most pitiful voice I could manage.

“I… wanted to take a bath…”

“At this hour?”

“I couldn’t sleep. And the cabin doesn’t have a bathtub as big or sturdy as the one here. I just—by myself—”

The excuses spilled out uncontrollably.

Unfortunately, none of them reached him.

“Who gave you permission to use the bath? I never allowed you into the main residence to begin with.”

Something snapped at his sharp tone.

“You never said I couldn’t use it either…”

The words escaped before I could stop myself.

But the Grand Duke’s expression only grew colder.

“Don’t play word games. Were you sneaking around the castle like a rat, gathering information to sell off?”

His gaze darkened further.

And honestly?

I was starting to feel wronged too.

“Information? What are you even talking about? Who exactly do you think I’d be giving information to?”

“Your rotten family—or the Empress. Or both.”

“….”

Even as someone newly transmigrated, I could tell my family didn’t care about me.

But did he seriously believe that?

Hey—there’s a line you don’t cross.

Insulting my parents?

This ill-mannered Western noble—

Granted, they weren’t exactly great parents. I’d even agree they were awful.

But still.

I knew he disliked me.

But being this openly hostile?

I wasn’t about to just swallow it.

All this over a single bath? What a cheapskate!

A Northern Grand Duke in a romance fantasy was supposed to have a heart as broad as his chest!

Judging by this petty behavior, I should probably cross out every “male lead” possibility in my head.

Male lead my foot. He’s just a villain.

Why did I have to transmigrate into this mess?

At the same time, my resolve hardened.

Villains never end well. If he gets taken down later, I’d better make sure I’m nowhere near it.

We were clearly less than strangers anyway.

At the very least, I needed an escape route.

I gathered my scattered bath items with a stiff expression.

“…So gross.”

My voice was barely audible, but—

“What?”

He scoffed.

Ignoring him, I clutched the basket tightly and leaned forward—

ready to bolt.

He must’ve misunderstood, because he startled backward.

That gave me my opening.

“Just great! All this trouble over one bath! I won’t use it! Ever again!”

Dirty, petty, stingy—fine! I wouldn’t set foot in the main residence again!

I took off at full speed.

Thankfully, the Grand Duke didn’t chase me—perhaps his pride wouldn’t allow it.

But whether from running or sheer shock—

“Haa…”

My heart raced far too fast to calm down.

That night, I couldn’t fall asleep at all.

✦ ✦ ✦

A few days later.

My vow never to return to the main residence became reality.

Thanks to Garnet, Nina, Dora, Ria, Marie—and Betty—collectively known as the Ga-Na-Dan Maid Squad—

I was officially unemployed.

“…Tch.”

They insisted, in perfect unison, that library cleaning was far too harsh for my delicate body and that they’d handle everything themselves.

Honestly, after running into the Grand Duke, I’d planned to lie low anyway.

Left alone in my cabin once more, I leaned back against the bed, heart still fluttering.

With nothing else to do, I decided to read.

Naturally, I picked up the book that had captured my soul at first sight:

The Empire’s Ultimate Overpowered Invincible Transparent Dragon Roared

I eagerly flipped it open.

“KUAHHHH!!!

Even among DRAGONS, the Empire-Magic-Ultimate-Super-Strong-Transparent-DRAGON roared

this transparent dragon was stupidly strong lol
like sss-rank final boss levelㅋㅋ

it was the one and only dragon in the world fr
but anyway it roared

but nobody could see itㅠㅠ
cuz it was transparent

then it fired its breath attack
pew pew…”

“……”

…My head hurts.