You Said I Was a Persecuted, Terminally Ill Grand Duchess? - Chapter 52

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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 52

 

‘Do I really know nothing at all?’

 

In other novels, the possessed protagonists know the original content inside and out, change the future, and navigate through everything magnificently.

 

Perhaps somewhere out there, the original author is also sad to hear that a complete ‘know-nothing’ like me has possessed their character…?

 

It was a silly thought, but it brought a subtle sense of self-loathing.

 

While I was feeling dejected all by myself.

 

Somehow, the way Jenos Celeste was staring at me intently seemed unusual.

 

“Rene.”

 

“Y-yes?”

 

“Do you truly want that dragon to become my aide?”

 

What? All of a sudden?

 

It was just a casual suggestion I made. Why is he being so serious about it?

 

Flustered, I just blinked and blurted out whatever came to mind.

 

“Well, ultimately it’s a decision for you to make…”

 

But Jenos Celeste was formidable.

 

As if determined to hear my answer no matter what, persistent questions followed.

 

“I’m asking if you think that fellow can cure my madness and furthermore restore the damaged covenant.”

 

“Well… Anyway, Nox is also a party to the covenant… At least he knows more than we do, doesn’t he?”

 

“So you’re saying you trust him?”

 

“Y-yes, well…”

 

I nodded my head half-reluctantly.

 

But what’s there not to trust anyway…

 

After all, I confessed everything to him in detail, even about being a possessor.

 

‘Did I make a mistake perhaps?’

 

But I even saw him use magic!

 

Even Jenos Celeste experienced it firsthand!

 

Just as I was getting more confused by Jenos Celeste’s incomprehensible words.

 

“More importantly… Nox? You even use nicknames?”

 

“…?”

 

Nickname…? Does that seem like a nickname to you?

 

That dragon told me to call him Nox in the first place!

 

Without giving me a chance to explain.

 

“It seems you two have quite a bond.”

 

Jenos Celeste’s sarcasm flew at me.

 

Unlike his unfamiliar appearance from earlier, now he was the Jenos Celeste I originally knew.

 

‘What? He’s been acting somewhat docile lately. I guess his temperament doesn’t go anywhere after all!’

 

Whether my expression soured or not.

 

Jenos Celeste, who had been looking back and forth between Ternox and me, spoke in a cold voice.

 

“Before we talk about aide or whatever, we need to clarify this first. What exactly were you two doing alone before I came in?”

 

“Ho. Your husband seems jealous.”

 

Ternox giggled obliviously.

 

No, does he know everything and is doing this on purpose?

 

At this point, he was definitely just poking at Jenos Celeste for fun.

 

“Ugh! Don’t tell me you’re putting me and this dragon in the same category?”

 

I can’t stand that!

 

When I jumped up more than necessary, it was Jenos Celeste who became flustered instead.

 

“Cate, what?”

 

“It’s really horrible. I’m still in the prime of my youth, you know? And you’re pairing me with that thousand-year-old grandfather?”

 

“It’s not quite a thousand years!”

 

“Nox, stay quiet! Your Highness. You seem to have forgotten, but I’m the Duchess! I’m your wife!”

 

“Ahem, so you are aware.”

 

When I jumped up and denied it, it seemed quite effective, as Jenos Celeste turned his head away with a somewhat flustered expression.

 

“G-grandfather!”

 

Of course, it was also a perfectly effective statement for Ternox.

 

Since it’s come to this anyway. It’s do or die!

 

“That’s right! Or should I call you uncle!”

 

“This little thing?!”

 

Just as the childish bickering was about to drag on, Jenos Celeste stepped in with perfect timing and let out a deep sigh.

 

“…Ha, fine. Then just tell me why you two were stuck together like that.”

 

Even this was a question that caught me off guard.

 

“Th-that’s…”

 

When my mouth, which had been chattering away just moments before, clamped shut, Jenos Celeste’s gaze sharpened.

 

“If it’s so horrible, then what’s the reason you can’t talk about it?”

 

Jenos Celeste was more persistent than I thought.

 

Ah, this is driving me crazy!

 

I can’t exactly say that Nox was checking my physical condition because I’m terminally ill…

 

“She’s terminally ill, so I was checking her physical condition.”

 

“…What do I do if you just say it straight out like that! You dragon!”

 

No! Why are you suddenly acting so transparent again?

 

Does he really miss his younger days as a transparent dragon?

 

At least he didn’t reveal that I’m a possessor. How thoughtful of him!

 

I just tugged at my innocent hair.

 

I’d like to grab and pull that fine green hair of his, but I held back with what little Confucian girl’s heart remained in me.

 

‘Be grateful I came from Korea, you reptile!’

 

Before I knew it, Nox’s status in my mind had fallen infinitely low to something like a reptile.

 

Regardless.

 

“What? It’s true though.”

 

The dragon, who acted nothing like his age, just shrugged his shoulders annoyingly from behind Jenos Celeste.

 

I was just glaring at Nox, worried that if I added anything more, even my possessor card that had been somewhat protected might be exposed.

 

“…What?”

 

Jenos Celeste, looking more shocked than ever with an unprecedented bewildered expression, shot up from his seat.

 

“Is that true?”

 

Then he whirled around to glare at Ternox and growled.

 

“If it’s not true, I’ll kill you.”

 

It was a voice colder than ever before.

 

Jenos Celeste’s hand had moved toward his sword hilt at some point.

 

Nox, whose playfulness had also disappeared, answered matter-of-factly.

 

“If I were the type to joke around about such things, what reason would I have to come all the way here?”

 

‘Ugh…’

 

The atmosphere that had frozen again in an instant made my knees weak.

 

I hurriedly squeezed between the two men.

 

“Wait, wait! Why is the atmosphere like this again? Let’s talk nicely with words. I’m scared to death!”

 

Perhaps it was because I was actually overwhelmed by the momentum of the two men.

 

Before I knew it, my whole body was trembling like an aspen tree.

 

“…!”

 

Jenos Celeste, noticing my trembling, obediently stepped back.

 

“My, my. This is nerve-wracking. Descendant.”

 

Even at Ternox’s sarcasm, Jenos Celeste paid no attention and only spoke his main point.

 

“Then can you also cure the Duchess’s illness?”

 

“I can’t be certain. Even after living this long, there are still firsts. This world is truly amazing, isn’t it?”

 

“Get to the point. Speak.”

 

The Duke’s patience seemed to be on the verge of snapping, just like his clipped syllables.

 

Haa, Ternox sighed unusually and said.

 

“Right, anyway, it’s certain that you both have something strangely twisted about you. So I need to keep you close and watch over you. Are you finally willing to accept my proposal now?”

 

This was perhaps the final question.

 

The Duke, not missing that opportunity, nodded heavily.

 

“…I’ll take you in as an aide.”

 

“Good, you thought well. Descendant. Ah! From now on, I should call you Your Grace, shouldn’t I? After all, nominally there’s only one aide.”

 

Ternox grinned and suddenly extended one hand.

 

“You’re quite good at shameless acting.”

 

“I quite enjoyed such pastimes in my youth.”

 

Wow, he really doesn’t lose a single word.

 

Though the Duke wasn’t eloquent, Ternox’s verbal skills were truly remarkable.

 

‘Well, I’ve never won against him either. Is that what experience brings?’

 

Just as I was catching my breath in the finally calmed atmosphere.

 

“I’ll skip the appointment procedures. I’ll delegate the related matters to Butler Cal. Well, you probably don’t have much intention of working anyway.”

 

“That’s accurate~”

 

The Duke reluctantly grabbed Ternox’s hand, quickly let go, then turned toward me.

 

Then he strode over and suddenly bent his upper body, bringing his face close to mine.

 

“?!”

 

What, what? Why me again?

 

As his face suddenly came closer, my heart dropped with a thud.

 

Literally, ever since we became just sleeping companions.

 

The Duke acted strangely familiar with me, as if he didn’t know what personal space was.

 

Just like right now!

 

‘I never get used to that face no matter how much I see it! I’m already flustered enough, so why does he come so close again?’

 

It was frustrating that I was still the only one feeling awkward.

 

‘Is he trying to kiss me?!’

 

Why isn’t he stopping?

 

Just as I squeezed my eyes shut with a ‘whatever happens, happens’ feeling.

 

My vision went black, and then the Duke brought his lips close to my ear, not my cheek, and whispered.

 

“Still, don’t be alone with that suspicious fellow. There are many watching eyes.”

 

Then, unlike his gradual approach, he cleanly pulled away.

 

“Well then, I’m going.”

 

What, what was that.

 

I opened my eyes with a bewildered expression.

 

“Ahem…”

 

Ternox, desperately trying to hold back laughter, mocked me with his eyes as he followed the Duke and walked away…

 

* * *

 

A kind of peace came to the Duke’s Castle.

 

However, this didn’t last very long.

 

“…Hmm? Why is there no one coming out to greet me? Cal!”

 

Because a noblewoman wearing a wide-brimmed hat rarely seen in the Northern Region had suddenly set foot in the Duke’s Castle.

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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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