You Said I Was a Persecuted, Terminally Ill Grand Duchess? - Chapter 55

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

Chapter 55

 

“S-sorry!”

 

At the sharp rebuke, I immediately offered an apology first.

 

Then I immediately attempted to cheat.

 

It was my own attempt to imitate Katarina Hugo, who was skilled in table manners befitting a count’s daughter.

 

But…

 

“!”

 

“Ahem…”

 

I saw Katarina Hugo, who was sitting next to me, quietly glancing around and putting down her spoon.

 

‘What! She has the exact same spoon as me!’

 

Diana had caught with her eagle eyes what even Katarina Hugo, a count’s daughter, had gotten confused about.

 

“Why are you apologizing? Sit down.”

 

“Y-yes…”

 

After moving my residence to the Duke’s Castle.

 

Most meals took place in the banquet hall.

 

No matter how much I had resolved to lock myself away in my room, I couldn’t starve myself.

 

So while I might be able to avoid other times, I inevitably encountered Diana during meal times.

 

I lacked the courage to declare that I would eat separately.

 

‘But how could I refuse a meal with an adult! A Confucian girl doesn’t know such ways!’

 

Anyway, Diana was the owner of incredible table manners.

 

So I was semi-forcibly subjected to hearing about table manners and proper noble conduct throughout every meal until my ears were sick of it.

 

“Now, look. Usually table manners are…”

 

But the more this happened.

 

For some reason, I didn’t dislike Diana.

 

It was like how people visit a scolding grandmother’s soup restaurant even while getting cursed at because they like it?

 

Of course, Diana was a noble among nobles, so she seemed far from any vulgar or common atmosphere.

 

“Are you spacing out again?”

 

“Y-yes!”

 

Anyway, even though she was cold, I could feel that all her actions weren’t really meant to torment me.

 

‘I’ve built up some experience myself.’

 

The people in this household just weren’t good at expressing themselves, but they didn’t seem to have any malice to hurt others.

 

Perhaps because I had earnestly responded to her nagging in my own way.

 

After that.

 

I began to feel earnest gazes even outside the banquet hall.

 

She didn’t speak to me directly, but there were those sharp observational eyes watching my every move!

 

The gaze would follow me as soon as I stepped out of my room.

 

“The weather is so nice, Rene.”

 

“It really is~”

 

A leisurely tea time with Katarina Hugo.

 

I felt like I hadn’t paid enough attention to her lately because I was reading, so we had come out to the garden together after a long time.

 

“It’s been so long since I’ve spent such leisurely time alone with Rene!”

 

Katarina Hugo, chattering away while looking at the flowers in full bloom, was truly pretty today too.

 

As I was smiling contentedly and watching Katarina Hugo’s face as she looked at the flowers…

 

“Pfft!”

 

Behind a pillar of the pavilion on the opposite side.

 

I made direct eye contact with Diana, who was covering her face with a fan and sneaking around nearby!

 

“M-madam, are you alright?”

 

“Mmm.”

 

It was fortunate that Lia, who was standing behind her, urgently handed her a handkerchief.

 

Otherwise, I really would have launched an Amylase attack over the afternoon tea set.

 

I swallowed my coughing fit and jumped up from my seat.

 

“D-Diana?”

 

“Ahem…”

 

But Diana looked quite surprised, as if she hadn’t expected her name to be called.

 

‘You didn’t think you were perfectly hidden, did you?!’

 

While glaring at me with those blazing eyes!

 

Cal, standing quietly behind Diana with his hands behind his back like a shadow, looked like he was dying of amusement.

 

‘Now he’s not even hiding his expression!’

 

Honestly, if I were a third party, it would probably be really entertaining too!

 

But being the person involved is different!

 

Only Katarina Hugo beside me clapped her hands with an innocent face.

 

“Oh my, did Diana come to join us for tea time too?”

 

It seemed Katarina Hugo really looked up to Diana, who had been like a grandmother to her since childhood.

 

“Well, yes.”

 

At Katarina Hugo’s sweet words, Diana nodded roughly and sat down.

 

It happened to be directly facing me.

 

“Ahaha… The weather is really nice, isn’t it?”

 

Weather talk is the best for ice-breaking after all.

 

I smiled awkwardly, trying to lighten the mood.

 

“Well… You. Try making some tea.”

 

As if she had no such intention, Diana spoke in a cold voice again, gesturing toward the teapot.

 

Getting straight to the point like this?!

 

And telling me to make tea.

 

‘Me? Suddenly?’

 

Damn, the maids have been making it all this time!

 

Just as Katarina Hugo was about to speak up, seeing my eyes wandering helplessly.

 

“Oh, wait. Diana. The black tea is just…”

 

“Katarina Hugo, you be quiet.”

 

“Hmph.”

 

It seemed she was no match after all.

 

But even that gave me courage.

 

I secretly thumped my chest with my fist toward Katarina Hugo and gave her a thumbs up.

 

‘Don’t worry, Katarina Hugo. I actually had a Level 2 Barista certification before I was possessed.’

 

Of course, there’s no coffee here, and the problem is that what I need to make isn’t coffee but black tea.

 

But I’ve drunk tea in this world until I was sick of it!

 

‘Bring it on!’

 

I solemnly took out a new teapot from the tray and brewed black tea.

 

Since I had learned by watching over shoulders, the process itself wasn’t too difficult.

 

Trickle.

 

Clear-colored black tea flowed from the teapot into the teacup.

 

‘The color seems okay?’

 

Of course, taste would be another matter.

 

“P-please try it…”

 

“Hmm.”

 

I swallowed my dry saliva and offered the teacup to Diana.

 

Diana’s face was serious as she lifted the cup and smelled the aroma.

 

She had the presence of a judge at some black tea brewing competition.

 

‘W-why am I getting nervous over this…’

 

But I’m still a Level 2 Barista certificate holder!

 

I might have no talent for chopping wood or digging ground, but I might have God-given talent for brewing black tea!

 

So, with my heart pounding, I watched as Diana took a sip.

 

“Hmm!”

 

Reality was harsh.

 

Her brow furrowed immediately.

 

“It’s too astringent! How do you manage to turn such high-quality black tea into something so cheap? That’s quite a talent!”

 

Then came the cold sarcasm.

 

“Oh, why are you being so harsh? Let me try… Pfft, cough!”

 

Even Katarina, who tried to defend me by taking a sip of the tea, spat it out immediately without any dignity.

 

‘I have no talent for brewing tea either…’

 

I was feeling a bit dejected.

 

Diana, who had abruptly stood up from her seat, walked straight toward me standing in front of the tray.

 

Then she rolled up her sleeves and seriously demonstrated for me.

 

Her movements were so precise and elegant that my eyes widened just watching.

 

‘That’s… talent?’

 

Ah, I’m overwhelmed…

 

I was watching in a daze, feeling like a mediocre person before a genius.

 

“Now, the best water temperature for brewing tea is about this much. Touch the teapot directly and feel it!”

 

“I-I see…”

 

Diana held out the teapot and gently pulled my hand over to place it on top.

 

I could clearly feel the warmth of the teapot on my palm and Diana’s warm body temperature on the back of my hand.

 

‘Her hands are really warm.’

 

I looked at Diana while suppressing my laughter.

 

Even though she acts cold and sharp on the outside…

 

She was still teaching me thoroughly and carefully.

 

“A Duchess should have at least this much skill! Didn’t House of Blanche teach you such things?”

 

For someone who doesn’t acknowledge me as the Duchess, she’s quite serious about education!

 

“Yes, I’ve never learned such things… I’m sorry.”

 

I was more of a coffee person than tea, you see.

 

When I honestly admitted my ignorance, Diana’s expression, who had been blinking for a moment, hardened slightly.

 

“Hmph! Well, fine. Learn from now on then.”

 

Diana, who said that, somehow started moving stiffly like a broken robot…

 

‘Still, she seems like a good person, just awkward at expressing herself!’

 

This whole family has similar traits.

 

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

 

“Thank you! I’m learning so much thanks to Grandmother.”

 

Hehe!

 

When I bowed in gratitude and smiled.

 

“Oh my! Rene, keep smiling like that! With your white clothes, you look like an angel! So cute!”

 

Katarina just smiled along, happy that I was smiling.

 

Only Diana stared at me intently with an unreadable expression.

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