So I Was the Persecuted Grand Duchess Destined to Die? Chapter 95

Chapter 95

“What is this?”

“What does it look like? A veil.”

“That much I can see…”

Ternox was holding out a long cathedral-style mantilla. Not the modern decorative kind—but the type that could fully obscure a face.

…There’s no way he expects us to just hide behind fabric?

That’s even more suspicious!

He rolled his eyes at my expression.

“Just put it on.”

He handed one to Betty as well.

She looked at me uncertainly. I smiled reassuringly and placed mine over my head first.

The moment the veil settled—

“Ah!”

Betty gasped.

Her brown hair shimmered—then transformed into flowing silver.

Through the thin fabric, her eyes gleamed a perfect crimson.

Her face—

Mine.

“Ma’am!”

I quickly checked my own reflection in her widened eyes.

My long silver hair had vanished.

In its place was short, shoulder-length brown hair.

I had become Betty.

“It’s like looking into a mirror!” she whispered.

“This is… incredible.”

“Women entering the temple traditionally wear veils,” Xavier muttered thoughtfully. “A clever solution.”

“Put this on.”

He held out a monocle.

He slipped it over his left eye—

And instantly, his appearance shifted.

He became Ternox.

“Lastly—”

Snap.

With a sharp snap of his fingers, Ternox transformed as well—

Into Xavier.

“…I don’t enjoy this,” Xavier muttered darkly at the sight of his own face.

I nearly burst out laughing.

Seeing Ternox’s face making that brooding expression was deeply unsettling.

Ternox clapped his hands.

“I could’ve cast the spells directly on you, but items are safer. Less chance of interference.”

Magical theory flew completely over my head.

The only thing I understood was:

Don’t lose the item.

“From this moment forward, this is a secret,” Ternox warned. “Once we leave this room, stay sharp.”

“Yes!”

Betty looked the most nervous—but answered the loudest.

Ternox poked my cheek.

“Especially you.”

“Me? I’m always sharp.”

“Minimize unnecessary contact.”

Xavier swatted Ternox’s hand away—then casually placed his hand on my shoulder.

With Ternox’s face.

It was twice as terrifying.

Betty—wearing my face—looked deeply uncomfortable witnessing it.

Knock knock.

“The carriage from the temple has arrived, Your Grace.”

Right on time.

“See? Good call,” Ternox winked—using Xavier’s face.

“Stop doing that with my face.”

“Let’s go.”

The Grand Temple

The carriage came to a halt with a powerful neigh.

“We have arrived.”

Through the window, the towering spires loomed even larger than before.

It was a worship day—the temple courtyard was overflowing with people.

Inside the carriage, Ternox leaned in one last time.

“Remember. Stick to your roles.”

Our objective was simple:

Avoid whatever trap the Empress and the High Priest had prepared.

They did not know about Xavier’s madness.

They did not know about my condition.

As long as that remained true—

We held the advantage.

Betty squeezed my hand.

“Ma’am… please be careful.”

“You too. You’ve got the strongest dragon in existence beside you.”

“Universe’s strongest!”

“…Yes. Universe’s strongest dragon.”

Honestly?

I trusted Xavier’s strength far more.

If anything happened—

I fully intended to shove him forward.

Strategic delegation.

Xavier, unaware of my shameless internal plan, smiled faintly.

“As long as I am here, you are safe, Renée.”

His voice carried quiet pride.

The carriage door opened.

“Duke and Duchess Celeste have arrived!”

White-robed priests lined both sides of the path in perfect formation.

A ceremonial corridor formed instantly.

Ternox stepped out first.

Then Betty.

Then Xavier.

Then me.

I followed politely, hands folded like a proper maid.

And then—

I felt it.

At the temple entrance—

A man stood waiting.

Our eyes met.

Or perhaps I imagined it.

“That’s the High Priest,” Xavier murmured quietly. “Raphael Blanche.”

Raphael Blanche.

White skin like fresh snow.

Long silver hair cascading down his back—

Just like mine.

Deep green eyes, gentle and saintly.

He did not look middle-aged.

Not even close.

Late twenties at most.

And yet—

He had entered the clergy before I was even born.

Xavier nudged me softly.

“Renée. Your gaze.”

I lowered my head quickly.

But something felt wrong.

I had never met him before.

And yet—

Why did this feel familiar?

Ahead of us—

The procession stopped.