Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 118
Adeline tried to stay rational.
She had just managed to calm down the male lead who had become an obsessive villain, but now, with the real hidden villain to find, she had to prevent the supporting male lead’s misery button from being pressed too?
“Listen carefully, Your Highness Edwin. I think you’re confused right now.”
“I am perfectly sane.”
Edwin looked like a living nightmare. It was undoubtedly reality, but why did it feel like a dream?
“First, let go of my hand.”
“No.”
I shouldn’t have saved him! I shouldn’t have come! I shouldn’t have meddled!
“Even if you’re married, there’s no law about infidelity.”
Adeline remained silent. What polite insults could she hurl at this trash?
But then, someone else’s voice cut into their conversation.
“Oh, don’t be so old-fashioned. A bit of wandering here and there isn’t going to make your wife complain.”
Edwin and Adeline exchanged glances and fell silent.
The voice came from outside the door.
***
Shane looked down at the woman blocking his way.
She was a stranger.
He never forgot a face once he saw it, even if he wasn’t interested, so she wasn’t one of Green Windsor’s nobles. She must be one of the invited guests who arrived today.
He had come searching for Adeline, who had said she was going to the restroom but didn’t return after a long time.
There wasn’t a restroom on the path Adeline took, so she must have gone astray.
Thinking she might be lost, he had come to fetch her.
“Just one night, okay?”
“…….”
“As long as no one finds out, it’ll be fine.”
Shane remained silent.
It wasn’t because the woman’s words were convincing but because he knew Adeline was behind the wall. He was concerned that causing a scene would interfere with what Adeline was trying to do.
His silence seemed to give the woman hope as she stepped closer and placed her hand on Shane’s chest.
“I fell for you the moment I saw you. You’re really hands— ah!”
“Where do you think you’re touching?”
“Wh, what…?”
“Disgusting.”
SLAP!
Shane slapped the woman’s hand away with a loud smack and took out a handkerchief to wipe his own hand.
He acted as if he had touched something filthy.
The woman’s face turned red with humiliation.
“Did you just hit a woman?!”
“Is there a problem?”
Shane sighed.
“You didn’t have to go that far! You’re so gentle with your wife!”
“You’re not my Adeline.”
“…….”
“You’re not even an acquaintance. There’s no reason I should tolerate unpleasant behavior just because you’re a woman.”
“What kind of man are you…?!”
Shane didn’t even bat an eye at the outraged woman’s accusations.
After all, what use were words to a woman who, despite being a candidate for the crown princess, was shamelessly trying to spend the night with a married man?
“You picked the wrong person to mess with, Miss. This guy is a famous mad dog.”
Edwin, who had stepped out, pulled the woman close by her shoulder and said.
“Shane, violence is a bit much.”
“I merely pushed her away. It was self-defense.”
“Adeline wouldn’t be angry about someone just touching her. Right, Adeline?”
“…Well, yes….”
Adeline, who had come out, didn’t know what expression to make as the woman gaped at her.
She felt too sorry to be angry.
Was he like this five years ago too?
Adeline had never understood why people coldly laughed whenever she said Shane was kind. Now, she thought she was beginning to understand.
Adeline had always believed that Shane’s change was due to her death, thinking he had truly been kind but misunderstood by others.
‘But if he had always been like this to everyone else…’
No wonder people thought she was spouting nonsense when she said Shane was kind.
“It’s better not to approach him. He bites anyone who isn’t his master.”
“Don’t call my husband a dog, Your Highness….”
Shane, who had been expressionless, beamed at Adeline, standing beside Edwin, as if a flower had blossomed.
See, he’s doing it again. He’s showing with his whole body that you’re special.
Adeline covered her mouth with her hand to hide her twitching lips.
“Are you done, Adeline?”
“Yes….”
“I waited quietly. Please praise me.”
Shane lowered his head and playfully nuzzled his face against hers.
‘If I find this cute, I’m doomed….’
Oh, but she was already doomed.
So she had to win.
No matter how much the nightmares tormented her, she had to overcome them, find the dark sorcerer, kill them, and secure a future where she could live by Shane’s side.
Thusly, Adeline vowed.
