You Said I Was a Persecuted, Terminally Ill Grand Duchess? - Chapter 64

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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 64

 

“Oh ho ho, how could there be any question? Then I’ll prepare right away! Celly! Please guide His Grace the Duke’s party to the Guest Room.”

 

Even though it should have been somewhat awkward, George rubbed his hands together and laughed as if he didn’t care at all.

 

‘Hmm. When speaking to his subordinate, it seemed like his nasal tone oddly disappeared.’

 

Must be my imagination, right?

 

Even trying to dismiss it, George’s black bean-like eyes were definitely sparkling brightly.

 

No matter how I looked at it, those were the eyes of a merchant who had spotted a big catch.

 

‘Are we being taken for suckers?’

 

I hadn’t even seen the dresses yet, but I was already feeling dizzy…

 

“Hmph, I have lots of money too. Lady Rene, I’ll buy you the most beautiful dress.”

 

Katarina, caught up in meaningless jealousy again, added her words as if to show off.

 

“I’m fine though…”

 

“You’d better brace yourself. This isn’t just my opinion. It’s also a special request from Lady Diana.”

 

“What? From Grandmother?”

 

Why is Lady Diana suddenly brought up here?

 

Unlike me who was inwardly shocked, Katarina continued chattering with her still bright face.

 

“Yes. We looked at the catalog together in the Northern Region. She gave me a list she initially selected and told me to buy everything on it. And to choose whatever catches my eye here at my discretion. This is the first duty entrusted to me as a maid!”

 

Katarina was truly filled with anticipation, looking triumphant.

 

‘Katarina, weren’t we here to buy clothes for you?’

 

When did the focus shift to me!

 

Anyway. We finally arrived at the Guest Room.

 

‘Wow. This feels really overwhelming.’

 

Under the soft chandelier lighting. There was a dress fitting room that I’d only seen in dramas.

 

Behind the obviously luxurious velvet curtains was a small platform raised one step above the floor.

 

It seemed like the method was to change clothes on that platform and show them off like a protagonist with a ta-da~

 

‘Isn’t this the kind of thing only wedding dress shops have?’

 

Is this fitting method standard here since everyday clothes are dresses?!

 

I, who preferred one-pieces simply because they were comfortable, was someone who prioritized extreme efficiency over fashion when buying clothes.

 

Even just trying that on once would require layering several petticoats…

 

“Uaaah…”

 

Somehow I felt increasingly overwhelmed.

 

“Please wait just a moment.”

 

Following the incredibly kind staff member’s guidance, we sat down on the sofa in a row.

 

In the order of the Duke, me, and Katarina.

 

“Would you like to take a look for a moment?”

 

“Sure…”

 

Katarina handed over the catalog she had received from the staff.

 

Even the paper looked expensive with its glossy finish…

 

I casually took it and opened it.

 

“Huh.”

 

My eyes widened involuntarily at the price written in small letters next to the simple dress sketch.

 

‘W-w-w-wait. What is this? Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, hundred thousands, millions… hundred millions?’

 

“Hundred millions?!”

 

Why are the units like this?!

 

Thinking I might have seen wrong, I counted the number of zeros several times, but it remained the same.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

At my involuntary scream, the Duke, who had been sitting next to me with his arms crossed and vacant eyes, asked.

 

I whispered softly near Jenos’s ear so the staff wouldn’t hear.

 

“This place seems too expensive… Is it really okay to buy several dresses?”

 

As I leaned close to whisper, I noticed the Duke’s ear had turned strangely red.

 

And the way she kept flinching throughout the conversation…

 

‘Gasp. Don’t tell me she came here without any money?’

 

My heart sank at this plausible assumption.

 

Should I leave right now?

 

“Hmm hmm~”

 

Meanwhile, Katarina sitting next to me was completely carefree.

 

I heard that Katarina’s family, House of Count Hugo, was one of the wealthiest in the Empire.

 

Now I see that her cheerfulness all came from her financial power!

 

‘But I’m a penniless beggar!’

 

What should I do?

 

Still, the Duke should have some money, right?

 

I looked at Jenos again with worried eyes.

 

“Why are you worrying about that? Haven’t you seen the allowance that’s been provided for the Duchess?”

 

A blunt answer came back.

 

He touched his ear and frowned, looking utterly bewildered.

 

But an allowance?

 

This was the first time I’d ever heard of it.

 

“…I have something like that?”

 

“Ah, damn.”

 

As I just blinked in confusion, the Duke’s face turned pale as he realized what he had been overlooking all this time.

 

“I’ll explain the details when we return to the Ducal Castle. For today, use this.”

 

Jenos pulled out a gold coin from his inner pocket and held it out to me.

 

‘Could this really be actual gold?’

 

The coin was quite large and looked like it weighed a considerable amount.

 

As I was mentally calculating the most recent gold prices, the Duke added casually.

 

“With the allowance that’s already been provided for you, you could buy this entire shop, so don’t worry about money.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Cr-crazy. What did he say?

 

So the story about Celeste’s donations alone building a temple spire wasn’t a joke?

 

Only then did the strangely luxurious appearance of the Ducal Castle and Townhouse flash through my mind.

 

Now I see that they looked good because they were actually expensive!

 

“My goodness, Lady Rene. Her Grace the Duchess of Celeste worrying about money? Even a passing dog would laugh. House of Celeste is the second wealthiest family in the Empire after the Imperial family.”

 

That’s why I once wanted to belong to that family too! But please don’t misunderstand. I don’t feel that way at all now.

 

Katarina added primly.

 

But I didn’t have the luxury of paying attention to those words right now.

 

My current feeling was, how should I put it.

 

It was like my parents saying ‘Well… it’s time to tell you. Here’s a building in your name!’ and suddenly becoming a building owner overnight through a gift?

 

“I-I see.”

 

Before the bewilderment could fade.

 

Rattle rattle rattle.

 

George entered the guest room with a smiling, polished face.

 

“Huh?”

 

He also brought an enormously long clothing rack that seemed to have no end!

 

It was layered with dresses that were the epitome of splendor.

 

“Don’t tell me I have to try on all of these… right…?”

 

I turned to Katarina with a dismayed face.

 

Please tell me it’s a lie…

 

With slight exaggeration, that enormous quantity was like they had torn off an entire wall section of the boutique.

 

Why are ominous premonitions never wrong?

 

“Of course you have to try them all on. Even that is after careful selection, you know?”

 

Katarina’s sparkling eyes were filled with madness.

 

My gaze, which had been wandering helplessly, unknowingly reached Jenos.

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

Perhaps we were of the same mind this time, as he too had the same bewildered expression as me.

 

Regardless of that.

 

George’s eyes gleamed just as brightly as Katarina’s as he energetically opened the floodgates of his sales pitch.

 

“Now then, let me present our first baby! This S/S new dress that we’re essentially revealing to you for the first time….”

 

As George’s voice began echoing, going in one ear and out the other from the very first word, I squeezed my eyes shut.

 

Ah, my salt bread…. What if they’re all sold out….

 

* * *

 

“My goodness, Lady Rene. You’re so beautiful! An angel! A fairy!”

 

“Stop it, Katarina….”

 

Behind the thick velvet curtain.

 

Listening to the two women whispering, Jenos still sat as if nailed to the sofa.

 

To Jenos, who lacked aesthetic sense, all those numerous dresses honestly looked the same to him.

 

But when he actually thought about Rene wearing them….

 

“You’re looking forward to it, aren’t you?”

 

The perceptive George asked with a sly smile.

 

“Ahem.”

 

Feeling guilty, Jenos deliberately cleared his throat instead of answering.

 

Actually, it wasn’t entirely wrong.

 

His face, which had been expressionless the whole time, was strangely flushed.

 

‘Hehe, how dishonest.’

 

George could clearly see the restless appearance of someone pretending not to be a cool-looking handsome man.

 

It seemed the relationship between the Duke and Duchess was much better than expected.

 

Then he should definitely savor this beautiful moment!

 

“Now then, Your Grace the Duchess! Are you ready?”

 

“Ah, yes!”

 

George called out to Rene in a coquettish voice.

 

“Hmph! Can’t you just look at me alone? Do I really have to show him?”

 

“Well, it is the Duke’s money, so shouldn’t we…?”

 

Jenos, who still had good hearing, caught every whisper between the two women.

 

George, who clearly witnessed his eyes narrowing, hastily grabbed the curtain cord.

 

“His Grace the Duke will be sad. Shall I open it then?”

 

Swoosh.

 

And so the curtain was pulled back semi-forcibly.

 

“Y-you’re opening it right away?!”

 

Rene, who seemed somewhat embarrassed, finally revealed herself.

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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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