You Said I Was a Persecuted, Terminally Ill Grand Duchess? - Chapter 36

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 36

 

Among the three, Lilian, who was closest to Katarina, exchanged silent glances with her.

 

Then she squeezed between Katarina and Rene and linked arms with Katarina.

 

Lilian opened her mouth with a deliberately coquettish voice.

 

“Lady Katarina, don’t be like that. Let’s have a picnic together. We’ve secured a good spot!”

 

Lilian’s body, having pushed Rene aside, was turned completely toward Katarina.

 

It was behavior that contained the intention of ignoring Rene.

 

However, Rene’s expression remained calm as she naturally took a hesitant step back.

 

Katarina pretended to be quite troubled, but affectionately linked arms with Lilian in return and tilted her head.

 

“But I have a prior engagement with Lady Rene… Um, since it’s come to this, would it be alright if we enjoyed a picnic and tea party together with the ladies, Lady Rene?”

 

Though she asked with a troubled face, she couldn’t hide the laughter seeping through her voice.

 

Then a clean answer came flying back.

 

“Mm… Yes, sounds good!”

 

At the immediate confirmation, the ladies let out soft chuckles.

 

“Oh my. Her Grace the Duchess is joining… us too?”

 

Serena, who said this, opened her beautiful lace fan with a deliberately troubled expression and covered her face.

 

She briefly looked Rene up and down from behind her fan.

 

“Do the other ladies not want me to? I’d be happy with anything as long as I’m with such lovely ladies…”

 

Everyone was left speechless by Rene’s bold words that followed.

 

And they all thought simultaneously.

 

‘This woman is not ordinary!’

 

It was quite a shameless attitude.

 

To casually counter-attack with such innocent eyes as if nothing happened!

 

Even in a situation where she was being openly embarrassed, her expression didn’t change one bit?

 

If four people who had experienced all kinds of battles in the social battlefield without guns or swords were flustered, just how skilled at socializing was she?

 

She was so composed it was almost chilling.

 

‘Even if you’re thick-skinned, there should be limits! Indeed, even if she’s illegitimate, a Blanche is still a Blanche? That shameless attitude is exactly the same.’

 

Serena cleared her throat unnecessarily and drove the point home again.

 

“Oh my~ It would be an honor for us! Lady Katarina, you’re fine with this, right?”

 

“Of course. Our Lady Rene is still inexperienced in society. Naturally, this is her first tea party too. So being seated with you ladies will be a new experience for her.”

 

Katarina’s demure response followed.

 

Though the ladies’ conversation flowed like water, the intention embedded within was clear.

 

They regarded Katarina as superior to Rene.

 

This was tantamount to saying they wouldn’t acknowledge Rene as the Duchess.

 

However…

 

Rene, who had been blinking and looking elsewhere as if she knew nothing, asked back with a bright smile.

 

“Katarina, so that means I can come too? Wow, I’m so excited!”

 

As Rene clenched both hands and expressed her joy with her whole body, the hem of her yellow dress fluttered.

 

Katarina, who failed to manage her expression, only twitched the corners of her mouth awkwardly instead of her usual kind smile and nodded.

 

Julie and Serena, who were standing next to Lilian, also chimed in one after another.

 

“Of, of course! We’d be more than happy if you joined us.”

 

“It’s right over there.”

 

Serena gently pointed toward the hill.

 

The shade under the large tree.

 

A round table too grand to be called a picnic, various refreshments, and even servants and maids.

 

A quite proper tea party venue had been prepared.

 

After confirming the location, Rene smiled softly and nodded.

 

“It’s an honor for me. To be with such beautiful ladies, I’m truly excited!”

 

Her voice was as smooth as a pearl rolling across a silver tray.

 

Rene’s gaze, wearing a spotless innocent smile, reached Lilian.

 

And the moment she met those clear eyes.

 

Suddenly, a part of Lilian’s heart felt rough and uncomfortable.

 

Those red eyes that had always been the target of pointing fingers, said to be cursed, were rather…

 

‘Like red glass marbles.’

 

The girl before her looked very small, delicate, and pure.

 

‘No. Even this might be a cunning trick to make me let my guard down. The House of Blanche are people who are different in front and behind.’

 

Lilian deliberately averted her eyes and spoke.

 

“…I’m very pleased too. Lady Rene. Please follow us.”

 

The tea table they arrived at was full of food carefully prepared by the maids.

 

While various snacks like sandwiches and madeleines were being arranged, the maids beside them busily brewed tea.

 

In an instant, a quite proper tea party was set up.

 

The ladies, who were demurely sipping their tea, subtly exchanged glances with each other.

 

Serena, who had tasted a sip of tea, immediately spoke up.

 

“Ahem, Lady Rene, you said this kind of tea party was your first, right?”

 

A Duchess who hadn’t even had her debutante ball.

 

It was a topic deliberately brought up to torment her using this as an excuse.

 

However, even to the words meant to mock her, Rene answered straightforwardly.

 

“Yes, with ladies of my age, that is. I simply haven’t had the opportunity.”

 

“Then… what about close friends you spend time with?”

 

“Friends? Ah, our maids are really cute and kind. I always spend time with them happily. Wouldn’t that count as friends?”

 

“M-maids?”

 

“I consider them friends, at least. Right, Betty?”

 

Rene asked warmly of the maids standing properly behind her.

 

One of the maids, whose eyes widened, seemed quite moved and nodded repeatedly while sniffling.

 

‘What’s this? How much money did she use to butter up the maids to get such a reaction? And goodness. Calling maids friends.’

 

Just how did the House of Blanche educate their children!

 

‘No, it would be more credible that she wasn’t educated because she was neglected.’

 

Apart from being surprised by her unconventional way of thinking, the three ladies were greatly flustered by Rene’s attitude that seemed impervious to any attack.

 

She was a woman they couldn’t figure out at all.

 

It seemed like she knew everything and was acting this way, but also like she had no idea and was behaving like this.

 

Hadn’t Katarina clearly said she was a stupid woman who got lucky and snatched the Duchess position?

 

But then why.

 

Why did elegance flow from her even when she was just sitting still!

 

“Ah.”

 

When her silver hair fluttered in the gentle breeze, Rene let out a small exclamation and tucked her hair behind her ear.

 

Even that small gesture was like a masterpiece painting.

 

Serena just fluttered her innocent fan and snorted inwardly.

 

‘Even so, it was Lady Katarina who has served His Grace the Grand Duke since childhood! I need to keep my wits about me and choose the right side.’

 

It was when Serena was reinforcing her own sense of wariness.

 

“Actually… I couldn’t say this earlier, but I’m so happy to meet you like this, ladies. I hope we can become friends in the future too.”

 

Rene, who had been looking around at the scenery, spoke shyly with a voice full of laughter, her face flushed.

 

Though they were four ladies who dominated society in their own way.

 

They had never heard of or seen anyone like Rene before.

 

The composure to calmly and gently counter even the most cutting remarks.

 

Eyes that seemed naive but shone with intelligence.

 

And even her honest and straightforward way of speaking with a blushing face.

 

‘Why is it? I keep getting curious.’

 

She was very curious about the woman before her eyes, Rene Blanche, now Rene Celeste.

 

“Yes, well… if Your Grace doesn’t mind…”

 

Enough to truly want to become friends, as she had said.

 

“Ahem!”

 

At that moment, when Katarina cleared her throat meaningfully from the front, the three ladies’ dazed gazes returned to their proper place.

 

Perhaps realizing her mistake, Lilian with green eyes awkwardly threw out a topic.

 

“K-Katarina! Now that I look at it, isn’t the dress you’re wearing the new collection from Belluah Boutique?”

 

Only then did Katarina’s face become comfortable.

 

“Hoho, as expected of Lilian. You have a good eye.”

 

“It’s a dress that suits you so perfectly. The deep blue silk dress you wore at the last ball was also so beautiful! Compared to that…”

 

Lilian blatantly looked Rene up and down.

 

However…

 

“A ball?”

 

Could it be that she completely failed to notice the fact that her outfit had just been evaluated?

 

In an instant, interest rather than humiliation swirled in Rene’s sparkling eyes.

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