So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Xavier’s mouth, which had been cut off mid-sentence, snapped shut again like a clam.

But once opened, Felix Rembrandt’s mouth didn’t stop.

“I want to read it immediately. If the opera was this good, the original must be excellent too, right?”

“Of course! Then, Your Highness saw this story for the first time through the opera?”

“Yes. I prefer going to the theater without any prior research. The emotions hit harder that way.”

“That’s such an interesting perspective!”

…Unexpectedly, my otaku talk with the Second Prince was pretty fun.

We stood there discussing the performance endlessly.

And more than I’d expected—he was serious. Very serious.

He rattled off references and comparisons effortlessly.

“If you enjoyed this, you’d probably like The Phantom of the Opera as well. It’s also a revenge story…”

“Really? I’d love to see that! Your Highness is incredibly knowledgeable about opera.”

At this point, I genuinely admired him.

When I clasped my hands and looked at him with sparkling eyes, Felix suddenly flushed and turned his face away.

“W-well, I don’t like opera that much! I just… have a mild interest. And…”

“Yes?”

For someone who “wasn’t that into it,” he’d just named five productions in ten minutes.

“Just call me Felix.”

“Excuse me?”

Me?

Just like that?!

Even if we’d bonded over opera, he was still royalty…

I hesitated.

Felix glanced at me nervously.

“I can call you Ren—”

“That will not be necessary.”

Xavier cut in smoothly.

“How could my wife dare utter the noble name of His Highness so casually? Renée, even if he permits familiarity, you must never forget proper decorum.”

“Ah—yes!”

I wasn’t planning to call him that anyway!

And yet Xavier casually called me by name.

It wasn’t just me who blinked in surprise.

Felix cleared his throat stiffly.

“Fine. Whatever. Still… I’m surprised. The Grand Duchess’s discernment exceeds expectations.”

“Your Highness is too kind.”

Xavier answered before I could.

A vein pulsed faintly at his temple.

“…I wasn’t praising you.”

Felix snorted.

Xavier didn’t flinch.

“My wife’s excellence is Celeste’s excellence. How could I not be grateful?”

At this point, I stopped worrying.

He was handling this surprisingly well.

Since when did he talk so smoothly?

Felix, however, looked faintly displeased.

Still… he didn’t seem like a bad person.

The son of the Empress—rumored mastermind.

Yet compared to his impeccably composed mother, he felt… human.

Almost like an immature younger brother.

Even so, not someone to treat lightly.

Finally, Xavier stepped forward.

“Then we shall take our leave.”

“What? Already?”

Felix looked openly disappointed.

It struck me that he probably didn’t have anyone to talk opera with.

Fangirling is more fun together, the Ga-Na Maid Squad used to say.

I suddenly missed them.

“Opera has ended. And… I trust Your Highness understands that there is such a thing as time for a married couple.”

Xavier added.

Why emphasize married couple so much today?

He turned abruptly, taking my hand.

“The carriage.”

“Ah—goodbye, Your Highness!”

Felix remained standing there, frozen.

“Don’t look back,” Xavier muttered, walking faster.

“Slow down!”

He didn’t answer—but his pace softened.

Once inside the carriage, his composure cracked.

“Was it necessary to engage in such casual conversation with the Second Prince?”

His tone was sharp.

“We just talked about the opera.”

“Just? It looked like you were prepared to stay all night.”

“….”

Oops.

“I was excited. I’m sorry.”

He rubbed his face in frustration.

“I saw the opera too. You could’ve talked to me. Why him?”

“I’m sorry.”

He exhaled.

“You forget—he is the Second Prince. The Empress stands behind him. Even his aide was present. We don’t know how anything might be twisted and reported.”

“I understand.”

His voice softened slightly.

“Renée, you lack caution.”

“You’re right.”

I had no defense.

Then—

He reached across and gently tilted my chin upward.

Our eyes met.

Since when did he become so casually physical?

My heart, already stirred by the opera, swelled again.

“Ah.”

As if realizing what he’d done, Xavier froze.

He withdrew his hand quickly, turning his head away.

The tips of his ears were bright red.

…And mine felt just as warm.