At the End of Ruin, There You Are (56 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 62

The day felt unbearably long. No—it was as if the past five days had merged into a single, endless day.

Is it finally over? Caella had an inexplicable feeling that she shouldn’t fall asleep. It was an obsession born from her life as a grand duchess.

Wouldn’t it invite criticism if she slept later than the Grand Duke, who’d just returned from battle? Her mind, dominated by a self-inflicted paranoia cultivated by the castle folk—who’d obsessively verified the exact moment the Grand Duchess’s bedroom lights went out—always worked this way.

She knew she didn’t need to act like that anymore.

‘If I die, that’s fine.’

Though she muttered this truth to herself again and again, she remained seated without moving to bathe. Yes, death would be acceptable—but for today, at least, she had to stay alive.

Remember Marie, Denise, and Cecil. And remember her father, who could only die safely if she ensured his political situation remained flawless. She’d gone through so much trouble saving him this time; if he died pointlessly again because of her, it would break her heart.

“Your Grace, His Highness is calling for you.”

Just as she’d expected. Good thing she’d kept her clothes on. Sir Renard, who’d faithfully stood by her side without faltering for the past five days, appeared suddenly before her. Caella tilted her head in mild confusion but rose from her seat nonetheless and followed him.

There was nothing for the Grand Duchess to do in tidying up after the battle. Of course, that was only Caella’s opinion—Pheon likely thought otherwise. That was why he’d summoned her.

“He’s inside. While you’re here, please take this as well. I’ll take my leave now.”

Sir Renard smiled brightly, plopped something swiftly into Caella’s arms, and closed the door behind him.

Confronted instantly by thick steam that obscured her vision, she first examined the item Sir Renard had given her.

It was a soft, oversized towel—two of them, large enough to wrap her entire body. Why a towel? Still puzzled, Caella took a few more steps forward, then froze at the voice coming from deeper within.

“Oh. You really can’t understand human speech, can you?”

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