You Said I Was a Persecuted, Terminally Ill Grand Duchess? - Chapter 68
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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 68
“…Ah, ice cream?”
My momentarily frozen mind began racing rapidly along with the sound of my pounding heartbeat.
Geez, what a shock. I almost misunderstood.
For a moment I thought he meant he liked me!
As I clutched my chest in surprise, Jenos, who had been smiling brightly, somehow looked dazed.
That expression soon hardened coldly.
Afterward, only awkward silence lingered between the two of us.
“Why, why…?”
I asked cautiously, but the Duke’s expression remained the same.
I sensed something was wrong in his somehow empty hydrangea-colored eyes.
Soon a hollow voice flowed from Jenos’s mouth.
“…Right. I like it. Ice cream.”
“R-right?”
“Yes! I like it so much I’d die without it!”
The Duke, who suddenly raised his voice, seemed angry for some reason.
His face had also turned redder than ever before…
To simply say he was angry, it seemed like various other emotions were mixed in.
Anyway, it didn’t seem like he was in a good mood.
‘What? Why is he suddenly getting angry?!’
My heart sank along with him.
My cheeks, which had heated up at some point, felt so hot.
‘What is this strange atmosphere? Did I act clueless again?’
I was just kicking at pebbles that got in the way of my feet.
“Hey! Your Highnesses!”
From far away, a voice that completely shattered the atmosphere rang out loudly.
It was Ternox with brown paper bags tucked under both arms.
“Y-Your Highnesses?”
I creaked as I quickly got up from my seat.
At this moment, I was incredibly glad to see Ternox!
“His Grace the Duke, since he’s not an Imperial Highness, it’s Your Highnesses.”
“You abbreviate everything… But what are those things under your arms?”
“Oh, these?”
Ternox, who had approached with heavy steps, put on airs as he handed me the bread bags.
“Two bags. All salt bread.”
“Huh.”
As soon as the bags came close, an irresistible butter scent filled the air.
Even as I received the bags, I thought it was strange.
‘Ternox, who hasn’t shown his face at all until now, suddenly brings salt bread? That dragon wouldn’t go so far as to try to get attention.’
Naturally, my head turned smoothly to the side.
“Ahem.”
Jenos was covering his mouth with his fist, deliberately clearing his throat.
Even so, the tips of his ears were incredibly red.
“Don’t tell me His Grace the Duke ordered this?”
“Right. He told me to clean out all the salt bread in this area.”
Ternox smiled wickedly as he lifted his cloak and slightly opened a space in the air to show me something.
“There’s more in subspace.”
Even at a glance, it was an enormous amount!
“…Who’s going to eat all that?”
This much would probably be enough to distribute to everyone in that big Townhouse and still have leftovers.
Feeling somewhat bewildered, I turned to look at Jenos.
“I had them make it because I was interested. Is there a problem?”
He was glaring at me with an even sharper gaze, growling.
“There’s no problem, but…”
My goodness, he likes salt bread this much? The Duke of the Northern Region?
‘It doesn’t suit him…’
“Pfft…”
I ended up desperately suppressing the laughter that burst out.
“Why are you laughing?”
The Duke’s expression grew even darker.
Eek, I might get caught in the crossfire. I quickly changed the subject.
“Right. Then I should eat diligently from now on.”
I took out salt bread from the bag and handed them out one by one.
“Here, here. Have one each. Is this freshly made? It’s really warm.”
While Ternox took one without hesitation and ate it, Jenos was somehow standing in an awkward position.
I grabbed his large hand to give him bread so we could eat together.
Smack!
“That’s enough, I have hands too.”
He coldly brushed away my hand and turned his body around.
The tips of his ears seemed redder than before… must be my imagination, right?
‘He was embarrassed about eating ice cream too. Is it the same with salt bread?’
Come to think of it, I’ve never seen the Duke of the Northern Region liking desserts.
He seemed to think his weakness had been exposed.
The life of the Duke of the Northern Region, who can’t even say he likes what he likes…
‘I feel a bit sorry for him.’
As I nodded my head while sending him a pitying look, the Duke’s face, who had been glancing sideways, turned even more red and blue.
“Why are you making that expression?”
“Yes yes, I understand… You’re a bit embarrassed to eat on the street, right?”
“There’s no way something like that would be embarrassing…!”
“Yes, Your Grace the Duke. Don’t be like that and take a bite. Here, aah~”
Ternox forcibly put the salt bread in Jenos’s hand into his mouth.
“Mmph, wh, what is this…”
“Mmm, is it tasty?”
“…”
Finally, Jenos swallowed the salt bread with a look of resignation and let out a big sigh.
“Haa, fine… It’s damn delicious.”
For saying it’s delicious, he looks like he wants to kill someone…
But Ternox was a formidable opponent.
“Right? I actually tried one on the way here and it was freaking delicious. I might eat all of these~”
“… Where did you learn to talk like that?”
“Is that what’s important? Anyway, the Capital City is a nice place.”
“Haha. I think so too!”
The three of us sat down by the fountain again and diligently ate salt bread.
Of course, only Ternox and I were eating, while the Duke was still sulking.
‘Whatever. This salt bread is so delicious!’
As soon as I bit into the salt bread with its crispy exterior and moist interior, the rich flavor of butter spread throughout my mouth.
“Mmm, I’m so happy…”
Maybe I’ve been living for this moment…
Jenos was radiating dark energy beside me, but I deliberately ignored it for now!
As I continued this touching salt bread mukbang.
“Rene!”
In the distance, Katarina, who had changed into new clothes, was enthusiastically waving her hand.
It seemed she couldn’t resist and had gotten herself something after all.
“I thought you had left me behind and gone back first~!”
I handed a salt bread to the beauty who was making a tearful face.
Katarina tilted her head but took a bite of the bread I offered, and her expression melted sweetly.
“Oh my, this is so delicious!”
“Right? I prepared it for you. I figured you’d be hungry after shopping.”
It was obviously a lie, but Katarina seemed quite touched.
“Oh my… look at our lady’s thoughtfulness.”
“Delicious, right? Eat lots. I have plenty!”
Jenos glanced at me with somewhat disapproving eyes from the side, but what could I do?
* * *
Back at the townhouse.
“So, did you get a good look at the dresses?”
At the evening dinner where everyone had gathered, Lady Diana asked kindly.
I, who had been diligently cutting my steak, quickly raised my head and offered my thanks.
“Yes, Grandmother. Thanks to your consideration, I was able to see so many… dresses. Thank you!”
Though there were trials and tribulations in between.
I swallowed the unspeakable parts along with my steak and just smiled brightly for now.
Perhaps pleased with my reaction, Lady Diana laughed with a gentle sound.
“Good. As long as our dear child is happy. If you want, I’ll set up a boutique branch in the Northern Region.”
“…”
Wait, are you serious?
But those eyes are one hundred percent serious!
The thought that the joke I had made to Katarina might actually come true made my blood run cold.
Fortunately, Lady Diana moved on to the next topic right away.
“A letter from the Imperial Palace arrived urgently at the townhouse today.”
“From the Imperial Palace?”
Jenos, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up.
Lady Diana nodded with her still gentle smile.
“Yes. They said they’re making a surprise announcement about the concept for this Crown Prince’s birthday banquet.”
“Concept? What does that mean…?”
Then.
Lady Diana’s still calm words continued.
‘Gasp.’
I, who had been listening quietly, had no choice but to stop cutting my meat immediately.
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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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