You Said I Was a Persecuted, Terminally Ill Grand Duchess? - Chapter 38

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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 38

 

“Huh?”

 

I wasn’t the only one who was flustered.

 

But Julie, who had jumped up, was pouring out her words like a bursting dam.

 

“Of course, Prince Celeste is blooming more beautifully each day as he approaches his coming-of-age ceremony, but truly, Crown Prince, who is the light and bright star of this Empire, shone even more brilliantly! I must speak the truth about this.”

 

Thud.

 

Julie, who had spoken without taking a single breath like some rapper, hurriedly sat back down.

 

Whoosh.

 

With the timely breeze, the tea table was enveloped in silence.

 

“Ahem.”

 

Julie cleared her throat deliberately and snapped open her fan to hide her face.

 

But her ears, slightly visible, were still bright red.

 

“…Ahaha!”

 

In the end, I couldn’t hold back and burst into loud laughter.

 

Julie’s round eyes blinked incessantly through the lace of her fan.

 

‘Oh dear, did I laugh too loudly?’

 

Worried that she might have been offended, I deliberately spoke in an even gentler tone.

 

“Is Crown Prince really that handsome? I’ve never seen him before, so I’m curious.”

 

“Oh my, of course! But you might see him soon. Crown Prince’s birthday is coming up. There will surely be a banquet held in the capital!”

 

“A banquet… I’m not sure if I’ll be able to go.”

 

I deliberately shrugged my shoulders.

 

First, I’d have to go to the Imperial Palace to even get a look.

 

No matter how I thought about it, the Duke didn’t seem like he would let me go willingly.

 

Usually in romance novels, the Imperial Family is always the stage for major characters, isn’t it?

 

‘The male lead is probably Crown Prince. My intuition says so. If she’s passionate enough to give such a heated speech, just how handsome could he be?’

 

Looking at the Duke’s beauty, Crown Prince would probably be quite handsome too.

 

The Duke is a cold handsome man, and usually to appeal with opposite charm to the female protagonist, Crown Prince would be a warm handsome man.

 

While I was busy imagining Crown Prince’s face by myself.

 

A puzzled question flew my way.

 

“Doesn’t House of Celeste receive banquet invitations every year?”

 

“Invitations would come, but… the Duke worries so much about me leaving the Duke’s Castle.”

 

It was a complaint about the Duke’s surveillance and restraints being troublesome beyond measure.

 

But perhaps they interpreted this a bit differently.

 

The young ladies’ eyes began to waver dramatically.

 

Those gazes eventually converged in one direction, and at the end of it was…

 

‘Hm? Katarina?’

 

* * *

 

The tea party in full swing.

 

Katarina maintained a forced smile while continuously sipping her black tea with milk.

 

Somehow… things were going increasingly wrong.

 

“…So at the Imperial ball, you know? Crown Prince definitely made eye contact with me, you see?”

 

“Wow. Didn’t he show interest first?”

 

At Julie’s passionate speech, Rene’s red eyes sparkled as she enthusiastically responded.

 

“Right? That’s right, isn’t it?!”

 

“Oh my! What’s the big deal about making eye contact?”

 

Just as Julie was about to speak passionately again, apparently pleased with those words.

 

Serena, who had been listening quietly, snorted dismissively.

 

Rene’s eyes narrowed mischievously.

 

Then a playful tone burst out.

 

“Does Serena like Crown Prince too?”

 

“N-no way! Honestly speaking, rather than Crown Prince, I prefer cold handsome men like Jenos Celeste… Oh my! What blasphemous words am I speaking in front of Rene Blanche!”

 

Serena’s face turned bright red as she jumped up and spoke incoherently.

 

Rene shrugged once as if it really didn’t matter.

 

“No? What’s wrong with that? We’re just talking about looks. Hmm, so Crown Prince is a warm handsome man? Interesting. Actually, this is an age-old dilemma. A cold handsome man who’s chilly like a cold wind but warm only to his woman, or a warm handsome man who’s gentle and kind but friendly to everyone. What are your preferences, young ladies?”

 

“…”

 

Katarina’s hand trembled slightly as she set down her teacup.

 

Completely contrary to expectations, Rene was having an unexpectedly fun conversation with the young ladies!

 

It even sounded interesting just listening to it!

 

A warm handsome man vs cold handsome man agenda.

 

Hmph, being a warm handsome man is obviously better!

 

‘Oh no! What am I thinking?’

 

Katarina, who had unknowingly been swept up in contemplating the conversation topic, clamped her mouth shut.

 

After chatting away losing track of time, it had already become late afternoon.

 

‘What is this? Do these girls think they actually came to play? They’re not helping at all!’

 

As the red evening glow began to spread, Katarina’s heart grew more anxious.

 

“Lilian, I think that young master isn’t really good…”

 

Meanwhile, Rene, completely absorbed in the young ladies’ stories, was seriously giving love advice.

 

Katarina deliberately spoke more forcefully.

 

“Rene!”

 

“Lilian is such a waste… Hm? Katarina. Did you call me?”

 

“We planned to go boating, but we’ve been chatting with the young ladies for hours now.”

 

“Ah, right! We should go boating.”

 

Rene, who finally came to her senses, blinked her eyes.

 

However…

 

“Rene! You said Antoine is no good? I’m so confused!”

 

Lilian, who was much more absorbed than Rene, had grabbed onto her skirt and had no intention of letting go.

 

How close had their hearts grown in that short time?

 

Before they knew it, they were calling each other by their first names.

 

Even this fueled Katarina’s jealousy.

 

Irritated words burst out instantly.

 

“Is that important right now?”

 

“But, that’s…”

 

Lilian, momentarily hurt by the sharp words, glanced at Katarina and immediately backed down.

 

It seemed like blazing flames were burning behind her back.

 

Regardless.

 

Rene, still with a bright face, gently took Lilian’s hand and spoke.

 

Then she shouted something that was very serious to Rene herself, but sounded quite absurd to others.

 

“Lilian. Listen carefully. You know, gut feelings are danger signals sent by our ancestors? Beep beep beep! You shouldn’t take that lightly!”

 

“Beep… beep beep?”

 

“Let’s set another date to talk about the details. You can even stay overnight then.”

 

Though the words weren’t quite understandable, Lilian’s eyes widened as she clearly understood the latter part.

 

“Oh my! At Celeste Duchy? Would that be alright?”

 

“Hmm… Well. If the Duke says no, let’s all secretly sleep together in my bed. Honestly, it’s big enough for all of us to lie down.”

 

“Hohoho! Oh my, what an amusing idea!”

 

“I’m not joking though…”

 

The young ladies genuinely thought Rene’s words were a joke and laughed heartily.

 

Tsk, Rene clicked her tongue once and stood up, brushing off her seat.

 

Following behind her, Katarina glared fiercely at the young ladies.

 

“Lilian, Julie, Serena… Today was such a delightful time, wasn’t it?”

 

Katarina deliberately emphasized each word as she spoke.

 

“Y-yes…!”

 

Only then did the three young ladies hesitantly glance at Katarina’s expression.

 

Instead of humiliating Rene as Katarina had requested, they had gotten too absorbed in conversation and ended up becoming real friends with her.

 

But meeting Rene in person, she had a captivating charm that drew people in.

 

She was completely different from the rumors floating around the Social Circle or Katarina’s malicious gossip.

 

“…Haah.”

 

Unable to contain her rising anger, Katarina couldn’t even hide her grinding breath.

 

“Ahaha….”

 

Just as the three young ladies tried to awkwardly laugh it off.

 

“!”

 

Small hands suddenly grabbed Katarina’s hands.

 

It was Rene, of course.

 

Katarina’s eyes widened at the sudden physical contact.

 

Unaware that Katarina had frozen like she was nailed in place, Rene kept her gaze fixed on the young ladies as she spoke.

 

“Today Katarina and I came out for a boat ride together, just the two of us. Sorry, but we’ll take the ferry boat. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time.”

 

Well then, we’ll be going.

 

Rene spoke calmly and pulled Katarina along.

 

After turning the heart of Katarina, who was a full span taller than herself, upside down.

 

The petite woman walked with light steps and whispered softly.

 

“You’ve been quiet this whole time. You were disappointed that we planned to hang out together but couldn’t, right?”

 

“Th-that’s…. Do you think I’m a child?”

 

Perhaps flustered, she forgot to put on her mask and her original sulky tone slipped out, true to Katarina’s real personality.

 

Taking it as genuine pouting, Rene chuckled.

 

“Alright, alright. From now on it’s just the two of us having fun, okay? Everyone else excluded.”

 

At that grinning face, Katarina’s heart began to race.

 

‘This is strange. Why am I like this?’

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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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