You Said I Was a Persecuted, Terminally Ill Grand Duchess? - Chapter 71

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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 71

 

‘I knew it.’

 

Looking at the Crown Prince’s calm face, Jenos swallowed the anger boiling up from deep within his chest.

 

This was clearly directed at the Empress.

 

As if understanding his feelings, the Crown Prince smiled bitterly and spoke again.

 

“Brother, as you know, all banquets held in the Imperial Palace are the responsibility of the Empress as the hostess. Since there was no particular justification, I couldn’t refuse.”

 

“There’s no need to refuse, but why does it have to be a masquerade ball? There will be those attending for the first time… Is she planning to prevent them from making any impression on the Crown Prince?”

 

The Empress was skilled in politics.

 

Especially when it came to the darker side, her mind worked exceptionally sharp.

 

Perhaps it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she was stronger in power struggles than anyone else currently in the Imperial Palace.

 

This included the Emperor as well.

 

“That might be part of it, but she probably didn’t want attention focused on ‘certain people’ attending for the first time. With faces covered, it would be easier to scheme as well.”

 

“…”

 

There was no way Jenos could miss that he was among those ‘certain people.’

 

Not only that, but Rene was included as well.

 

As the innocent woman’s face came to mind, Jenos’s worries deepened.

 

Hadn’t she sparkled with anticipation just at the mention of an Imperial Palace banquet?

 

Though she seemed to try to hide it, it was obvious to everyone else.

 

‘When she’s looking forward to it so much…’

 

Jenos forcibly suppressed the sigh that was about to escape.

 

Well, while Jenos had no choice due to his condition, this would be Rene’s first time at such a banquet.

 

In her childhood, she was confined to the marquis house and suffered terrible torment.

 

After that, she was confined to the Northern Region and couldn’t even set foot in high society.

 

During her time at the ducal house, Rene seemed quite happy with that life as well.

 

‘Normally, a young lady of that age would naturally be excited at the mention of a banquet. Above all, Rene never even had her debutante ball.’

 

In fact, that occasion would serve as Rene’s debutante ball.

 

Yet for such an occasion, he couldn’t understand the Empress’s intentions in throwing cold water on it before it even began.

 

‘Even though she’s a bloodline of House Blanche that she herself placed there, she’s not under her control? It’s just like the Empress to cut things off from the root.’

 

Jenos knew the cruelty hidden behind that face disguised with benevolence.

 

Even after welcoming the Duchess, assassins came almost daily.

 

Their source was as obvious as fire.

 

Of course, Rene slept knowing nothing while Jenos dealt with the assassins.

 

This was because of Jenos’s efforts, as he didn’t want Rene to know.

 

He had shed considerable blood secretly treating wounds while deflecting the sharp blades that persistently flew toward Rene as well.

 

‘That child doesn’t need to know such inner circumstances.’

 

Fortunately, after Ternox became his aide, he could filter out intruders much more comfortably using magic.

 

The Empress’s persistence in sending assassins despite repeated failures was exhausting even for Jenos.

 

Until now, the Empress had only continued working behind the scenes.

 

But now she was setting up the stage so openly.

 

“Does His Majesty the Emperor also know about this?”

 

“Of course. But even if he didn’t know, what could he do? He’s practically handed over not only the inner palace but the throne itself.”

 

A puppet emperor wrapped in the Empress’s skirts, staying away from governing.

 

Anyone with eyes and ears could naturally know this.

 

In fact, it was the same as saying the Imperial Palace was no different from a lawless land.

 

Despite the Empress’s tearful efforts, the Crown Prince’s position remained solid due to the constant controversies over the Second Prince’s qualifications.

 

‘In a way, the world is quite fair.’

 

Swallowing his self-mockery, Jenos’s eyes sharpened once again.

 

“This is no ordinary matter. We need to prepare thoroughly.”

 

A heavy bass tone flowed through the air.

 

Kalian nodded and responded as if he had been waiting.

 

“Of course. I was already planning to recruit additional knights and station them in civilian clothes throughout the venue.”

 

“That won’t be enough. The Empress’s faction will probably use the masquerade ball as an excuse to deploy their own people too. Haven’t you sensed anything suspicious so far?”

 

“You know her too, hyung. That woman never lets anything slip.”

 

“How troublesome.”

 

It was too late to cancel their attendance now.

 

That would be exactly what they wanted.

 

If House Celeste, the Crown Prince’s greatest supporting force, were to reverse their decision and not appear, it would be like walking straight into a pit of fire.

 

“Hah.”

 

But still…

 

He felt strangely reluctant about it.

 

Like a sharp animal instinct.

 

Jenos’s keenly honed intuition was warning him that this affair would be quite dangerous.

 

“Is it because of the Duchess?”

 

Kalian, who had been quietly observing Jenos’s change in mood, spoke up.

 

His longtime friend and brother was wearing a rather unfamiliar expression.

 

Though he seemed unaware of it himself.

 

The way his expression would suddenly soften when thinking of someone while lost in thought was quite a sight to behold.

 

‘Wow. He’s really fallen hard, hasn’t he.’

 

But contrary to Kalian’s assumption, Jenos’s response was extremely cold.

 

“Why do you keep bringing up the Duchess when it’s none of your business?”

 

“Then could it be that hyung has an unrequited love?”

 

It was meant as a teasing remark.

 

“…”

 

But the silence that followed surprised Kalian even more.

 

“For real? Hyung is actually experiencing unrequited love?”

 

“It’s not like that.”

 

Even as he replied with feigned irritation, the earlier incident kept bubbling up in Jenos’s mind.

 

“Yes, I like it.”

 

“…Ah, the ice cream?”

 

His true feelings had slipped out before he knew it.

 

Jenos was the one more shocked by his unprepared confession.

 

But he never expected the reaction he received.

 

‘I knew she was oblivious, but…’

 

Rene seemed to have no idea how Jenos felt about her.

 

No, perhaps she didn’t want to know.

 

‘Well, to her I’m probably just an annoying arranged marriage partner.’

 

Because of how stiffly he had behaved until now, there hadn’t really been anything that could be called a romantic front between them.

 

Most importantly, hadn’t he always done nothing but hurt Rene?

 

He had to acknowledge it.

 

This was his alone, a completely one-sided emotion.

 

‘Calling it a confession… in the end, I just lost my temper by myself…’

 

The worst.

 

Even if these feelings were new to him, how could he act like such a child?

 

At this point, it would be stranger if Rene developed feelings for him.

 

“Hah…”

 

Watching Jenos’s deep sigh, Kalian let out a breath along with a lament.

 

“Wow. I really am living to see all kinds of things.”

 

“Is that something for little Kalian to say?”

 

Jenos chuckled softly, picking on his childhood nickname.

 

‘Let’s focus on the matter at hand for now.’

 

To keep getting distracted by other thoughts when it concerns none other than the Crown Prince of the Empire.

 

This was also something that shouldn’t happen.

 

However, Kalian, who was completely unaffected, was simply amazed by his brother’s change.

 

“Anyway, let’s stop there. Let’s talk in detail about the guard knight arrangements instead.”

 

Jenos’s eyes, having regained his composure, pierced straight into Kalian.

 

‘It seems like a topic he wants to avoid.’

 

Kalian decided to generously understand Jenos, who was desperately trying to change the subject.

 

As they discussed guard knight arrangements and the current political situation of the royal family, they eventually reached the list of families attending.

 

“Oh, right. House of Blanc will also be attending this time.”

 

“…You’re telling me this rather late.”

 

Well, even if they were representative supporters of the Empress faction, it was natural that a marquis house couldn’t skip the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet.

 

“Tsk.”

 

For some unknown reason, feeling his mood sour, Jenos clicked his tongue.

 

‘I see. So that’s why that woman was in the Capital City.’

 

What had happened on the street earlier came to Jenos’s mind.

 

The precious youngest daughter of House Blanche, Bianca Blanche.

 

Actually, it was his first time seeing her in person, but he could tell at a glance.

 

Because she had a face that was damnably similar to Rene’s.

 

‘Even that bothers me.’

 

If he hadn’t intervened, Rene would have probably suffered great humiliation or been physically assaulted.

 

As Rene’s frightened voice came to mind again, irritation surged within Jenos.

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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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