You Said I Was a Persecuted, Terminally Ill Grand Duchess? - Chapter 1

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 1

It was a very strange sensation.

Like being pulled from drowning waters to the surface in an instant, a tingling feeling that sent chills from head to toe.

“My lady! Are you alright?”

“Oh my! The bride…”

“Should we call a physician?”

The voices of several people around me echoed from all directions.

After hearing came touch.

Someone’s thick hands firmly embraced my body.

Following that, I felt an intense heartbeat—

“Gasp!”

I naturally opened my eyes as the next step.

“Uh…”

As I startled awake as if from a dream, what filled my vision were blue-violet eyes.

In those irises that held an enchanting, mysterious light, clear displeasure was evident.

The face that had been close soon moved away, and a complete man’s face came into view.

Though this wasn’t the right time for such thoughts when I couldn’t even grasp the situation…

‘What? He’s incredibly handsome.’

Despite his utterly cold expression, he had such striking looks that made me want to circle around and admire him.

Hair black as pitch, yet sparkling like the night sky when viewed differently.

A prominent nose bridge that slid down smoothly and a sleek jawline.

From the man’s face that seemed carefully sculpted with straight lines throughout, what stood out most were those eyes I’d just met…

“What kind of scheme is this now?”

Then, a voice as commanding and weighty as his features flowed out.

Like an echo spreading through a cave, the heavy bass tone resonated as it emerged from his large frame.

But unlike his pleasant voice, his tone was sharp as could be.

While asking what I was up to, he pushed me away.

He was so strong that I staggered, and only then did I notice the pure white dress and silk gloves I was wearing.

‘This place… a wedding venue?’

Why on earth was I dressed like this?

Leaving the confusing situation behind, I clumsily stood up following the man who rose with large strides.

The scenes that came into view one by one made me wonder if I was floating through a dream.

This was a small chapel, and in front of the man and me stood an elderly man in priest’s robes with a flustered expression.

“Are you alright? Should we resume the ceremony…”

“Just proceed!”

Before I could answer, a hysterical voice shrieked from behind.

It was a noblewoman dressed extravagantly.

In a bright red dress adorned with dangling jewels, she crossed her arms and shook her head as if annoyed.

Seeing how the elderly clergyman couldn’t say anything despite her flashy attire and sharp raised voice, she seemed to be someone of high status.

Beside her sat a middle-aged man with a consistently cold expression.

He waved his hand dismissively as if telling them to hurry up.

“Haah…”

The young man standing next to me let out a deep sigh and furrowed his brow.

Now that I was standing, I could see the man was very large.

A sturdy build and tall height at first glance.

I had to crane my neck up quite a bit to barely meet his gaze.

Stealing glances at his face, I had an intuition.

‘This is definitely…’

This had to be the romance fantasy possession I’d only heard about!

“Ahem! Then we shall resume the wedding ceremony.”

Though my mind was chaotic, this situation didn’t feel too bad!

My greatest strength was having maxed-out adaptability.

‘Let me just check things out first. I can stand.’

Two strong legs. All limbs intact. Okay.

My vision was a bit dizzy earlier, but that was right after possession, so that was understandable.

Five fingers on each hand. And my toes… wiggling them, nothing seemed wrong.

Oh, did I get a bit shorter?

While I was busy wiggling around and exploring every corner of my possessed body,

Regardless of my actions, the priest’s words continued endlessly.

“We shall now have the marriage declaration. His Grace Duke Jenos Celeste, standing here under God’s grace. Do you, Your Grace, swear to welcome Lady Rene Blanche as your duchess and pledge your love and faithfulness to her?”

“…”

Perhaps it was due to the priest’s characteristically slow and quiet voice.

Most of it went in one ear and out the other, but a few important words stuck clearly in my ears.

‘So that man is a duke?’

Right, with a face like that… he must be the male lead of some romance fantasy novel?

But no matter how much I searched my memory, I couldn’t recall names like Jenos Celeste or Rene Blanche.

To begin with, I could barely remember the names of people around me, let alone characters from novels.

The biggest problem this caused was that while I seemed to have possessed someone’s body, I had no idea which novel this was.

‘To think my past as a print addict would come back to haunt me like this…’

From web novels to academic papers.

Perhaps it was because I read anything with text indiscriminately, devouring whatever I could find.

All sorts of information had gotten mixed up into a jumbled mess in my head.

‘Ah, forget it.’

Still, well… at least I was satisfied with my husband’s face?

Someone that handsome had to be at least a sub-male lead, so he seemed to be a main character in this story.

For someone like me whose ideal type criteria were first face, second face, and third height and physique, his appearance was quite appealing.

While I was inwardly and seriously admiring the man’s looks, the Grand Duke, who had been hesitating for a long time beside me after hearing the priest’s question, continued speaking in a heavily subdued tone.

“I… swear.”

Oh. He doesn’t sound like he’s swearing at all, does he?

Actually, having suddenly come to my senses to find myself with a husband, this situation wasn’t exactly welcome for me either.

“Lady Rene Blanche, Daughter of the Marquis. Do you swear to welcome His Grace Grand Duke Jenos Celeste as your husband, fulfill your duties as Grand Duchess, and spend your life together in faithfulness and respect?”

Uh, well… That’s difficult since I just met him for the first time…

But still, in this situation, all I could say was.

“I swear…”

…what else could there be.

“Now before God and all witnesses, I pronounce that these two have officially become husband and wife. This union is sacred and will shine forever as a glorious alliance.”

As if disposing of something troublesome, the priest hurriedly finished his words and quickly left.

At the same time, the Grand Duke’s heavily closed mouth opened.

“You and I facing each other today will probably be the first and last time.”

“…”

Wow, really…?

Did I just get separated right after marriage?

It was before I could even open my mouth to say anything.

“You naturally came here prepared for at least this much, didn’t you?”

“That’s…”

“Don’t expect any husbandly duties or obligations from me. I also expect nothing from you.”

Ugh, let me speak too!

Honestly, I didn’t particularly have anything to say, but who would feel good being told to just shut up and live?

‘What’s with him? He doesn’t look the type but he sure talks a lot.’

I don’t like talkative men.

And a personality disorder too?

“…”

My interest rapidly cooled…

“Since it’s equally uncomfortable for both of us, just live quietly as if you exist yet don’t exist. Try not to catch my eye if possible.”

Hmm, yes. It seems I don’t have luck with husbands, doesn’t it?

Since I’d never benefited from anyone’s help in life anyway, it didn’t really bother me.

The Grand Duke, who hadn’t hidden his contempt from start to finish, walked away with heavy boot sounds.

The few servants also flowed out like a receding tide, and the chapel interior soon became desolate.

Anyway, the only official wedding guests who attended this ceremony were that middle-aged noble couple.

Even then, the middle-aged nobleman soon followed after the Grand Duke and left.

‘Are those people on the Grand Duke’s side? Or mine?’

That question was resolved before long.

“…Lowly thing.”

The malice was several times thicker than the Grand Duke’s.

The noblewoman with venomous eyes glanced sideways to confirm the chapel was empty, then coldly snapped.

“It seems the Grand Duke and our intentions align. How delightful. So you should continue as you have, focus on knowing your place, and just live as if dead, as if you don’t exist.”

Then, a small-framed maid who had approached without presence politely greeted.

“Good day. I am Betty, a maid of the Duchy of Celeste. I will be working as Your Grace the Grand Duchess’s personal maid from now on.”

“Please take good care of my daughter. The child is ignorant of worldly matters, no different from a fool. As a parent, my worries are endless.”

So to summarize…

This glamorous noblewoman is the bride’s mother? My mother?

As soon as another person appeared, the Marchioness of Blanche changed her attitude like flipping her palm, unfolded her fan, and displayed her refinement.

Of course, not forgetting to glare at me as if she wanted to kill me from behind the fan.

The frosty gaze shooting from beyond the fan made me shiver with goosebumps and unconsciously shrink back.

I naturally thought it was really fortunate that the maid had come…

“I will do my best. But, um…”

Then, the maid’s emotionless, businesslike voice suddenly mixed with difficulty.

“What’s the matter?”

“His Grace just left in his own carriage…”

“Oh my. What about the bride?”

“He said to take the House of Blanche’s carriage…”

“Oh dear, we don’t have any carriages left either. Isn’t there another carriage from the Duchy of Celeste?”

“Just the servants’ share and… the luggage carriage. I apologize.”

“….”

Oh.

Day 1 of being possessed into an unknown novel.

…This isn’t going to be easy, is it?

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————