So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 90

Chapter 90

“W-wait a second.”

Did she mishear?

“Your name was…?”

“Renée Celeste!”

Damn it.

Something had gone very, very wrong.

Aurora knew that name.

Renée Celeste… the Grand Duchess from the rumors…

Thud.

The program slipped from Aurora’s hand.

“Oh!”

But the one who had dropped the bomb—Renée—simply picked it up and smiled at her again.

“Y-you… are you Her Grace Renée Celeste, the Grand Duchess of Celeste…?”

“Yes! That’s right. You’ve heard of me?”

“Then the gentleman seated there… is not His Highness the Second Prince?”

“Huh? The Second Prince?”

“If he isn’t the Second Prince… then who in the world—”

“The Second Prince? You’re saying His Highness is here?”

The man who had been silent until now rose slowly to his feet.

Standing, he seemed even taller than before.

His sharp gaze could have burned through stone.

Even in the dim box, his eyes gleamed coldly as they swept over Aurora.

“Xavier, it seems the Second Prince also came to watch the opera,” Renée said brightly.

At the name, Aurora swallowed.

Damn it. Of course.

This man was none other than Xavier Celeste, the Iron-Blooded Grand Duke of the North.

She had entered the wrong box.

Aurora stood stiff as a statue, unable to speak.

Renée, misunderstanding the silence, laughed awkwardly.

“Ahaha… then perhaps we should go greet him? I’ll just check the situation!”

And before anyone could stop her, she hurried toward the door.

She opened it—

“Ah!”

“Eek!”

There, sprawled dramatically at her feet, was a head of dazzling blond hair.

“…Your Highness the Second Prince?”

It was Felix Rembrandt.

A little earlier…

Felix had been plotting how to drive the Celeste couple out of the opera house.

“And how exactly do you plan to make them leave?” his aide had finally asked. The show would start soon at this rate.

Felix’s reply?

“That’s for you to figure out.”

“…Pardon? Me?”

It seemed his own brain had reached its limits.

Swallowing a curse, the aide quickly devised a plan.

“Then how about this? We bribe a messenger and claim there’s urgent news from the Celeste townhouse. Say they must return at once.”

“Good. I like it.”

A rare approval.

Relief washed over the aide—

“You go do it.”

“…Instead of hiring a messenger?”

“The fewer hands involved, the better. You’re here. Just pretend.”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

With a silent scream, the aide left.

Felix, however, hovered near the box door, peeking suspiciously through the crack.

If you’re so worried, go yourself!

Just then, rapid footsteps approached.

A woman rushed past and entered the adjacent box.

“Huh? What was that?”

Felix crept closer.

“W-wasn’t that Aurora Bright?”

“Pardon?”

“I saw her! She said she was Aurora!”

Of course he recognized the prima donna—he was a certified opera fanatic.

“What’s she doing in that box? Does she know the Grand Duke? Or is she curious?”

Felix gnawed at his nails, muttering.

Then he pressed his ear to the door.

“Your Highness! Please, maintain your composure—”

“Quiet! I can’t hear because of you!”

“Forgive me…”

The aide swallowed another imaginary resignation letter.

“I can hear mumbling but not the words… Why is Aurora in there? If she’s greeting someone, she should come to me first—ah!”

Bang!

The door suddenly flew open.

Bent over with his ear pressed against it, Felix pitched forward dramatically.

“Ah!”

“Eek!”

His nose smacked the floor.

Stars burst behind his eyes.

Groaning, he looked up—

“Are you alright?!”

Two wide, crimson eyes stared down at him in alarm.

Even in the dim light, they shimmered like precious gems.

Silver hair glowed softly like moonlit water.

Cherry-red lips parted in surprise.

S-she’s insanely pretty.

Felix’s heart thudded.

“…Your Highness Felix?”

A cold voice shattered the moment.

Felix knew that voice.

“What exactly are you doing here?”

Xavier Celeste loomed over him.

There was disbelief in his tone. Perhaps even disdain.

“Ahem!”

Felix scrambled up, brushing off his clothes.

“I dropped a cherished brooch in the corridor and was searching for it. What an… unexpected coincidence. Grand Duke Celeste. Fancy meeting you.”

It was technically coincidence—but Felix had a talent for making coincidences sound suspicious.

Xavier’s eyes narrowed.

Damn it. He suspects me.

Too late now. Confidence was everything.

“And what about you?” Felix shot back.

“I came to watch the opera with my wife.”

“W-wife?”

Felix’s gaze shifted back to the woman.

On the night of the banquet, he’d fled before witnessing the dramatic unmasking.

So… this is the Grand Duchess of Celeste?

Their eyes met.

Renée looked at him with innocent curiosity, clearly not recognizing him.

Felix, meanwhile, stared into those red eyes.

Don’t be fooled by the face. This woman is…

She had boldly stood up to him.

Protected another girl.

Unyielding.

She’s… fierce. Never intimidated…

The longer he thought, the more confused he became.

Silence thickened in the corridor.

Then—

“Good heavens!!!”

A loud voice exploded behind them.

Renée blinked.

What on earth was going on?

Before she could even process it, that sudden shout echoed down the corridor.

“Uh?!”

Naturally, she turned toward the source of the voice.