Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 145
Just as Lloyd had said, she had no inconveniences at all in living here.
Not only the bedroom, but every door in the one-story house was unlocked. The garden was spacious as well.
Only the unusually tall iron gate remained firmly shut.
There were no servants, so she had to handle some of the household chores herself. But back when it was just her and Lloyd living together, they had taken care of everything on their own anyway.
As Lloyd grew older, he took over most of the chores, but in truth, Adeline was faster and more efficient when she did things herself.
‘I was just being stubborn, insisting on leaving it to him….’
This was much more comfortable for her. She had already spent five years living far from the aristocratic life. Having someone attend to her every need was convenient, but it made her uncomfortable.
What truly sent shivers down her spine was that the furniture, curtains, colors, wallpaper patterns—everything was arranged exactly to her taste.
Whether it was Emma’s doing or Shane’s, it was terrifying that they had figured her out this well.
‘Lloyd said he’s only known about this place for a short time, so he wouldn’t have had time to offer advice.’
How could they have gotten everything so perfectly right, without a single thing out of place?
Even the furniture placement and color combinations were similar to the one-story house she had lived in with Lloyd, making this place feel almost identical.
Could they know? Do they know everything? About how and where I’ve lived?
‘Just how much have they figured out…?’
Adeline rubbed her temples.
“Is there anything else you need?” Lloyd asked, holding a notepad.
Adeline glared at him with mock indignation.
“With your memory, why are you carrying a notepad? Acting all formal now.”
“I thought I’d try keeping a warden’s diary.”
Lloyd answered seriously, without a hint of humor.
“I’ve been appointed as both your servant and the warden by your husband, so I should show some dedication, shouldn’t I?”
“I know you don’t get along with him.”
“I never said we’ve started getting along. But I’ve agreed to cooperate with him, so I’ll act accordingly.”
“…”
“You can go ahead and call me a traitor.”
“…”
Adeline walked over to the single armchair by the window and slowly sat down. Even the cushion’s firmness matched her taste exactly.
Shane’s words, “A single glance is all I need,” suddenly came to mind. Clearly, he hadn’t just been looking at the surface.
Adeline rested her chin on the armrest of the chair and stared intently at her servant.
“Lloyd.”
“Yes?”
“There’s only one thing I ask of you.”
“Not to betray you?”
“No.”
“What do you mean? You want me to stay by your side even if I betray you?”
“I promised I’d never abandon you, but I never asked you not to abandon me.”
“What are you talking about? Please, explain it in a way I can understand. You usually explain things simply.”
“Don’t get angry.”
“How could I not be angry? You’re basically saying you’d keep a traitor by your side!”
“Why are you interpreting it like that?”
“Master.”
“I just don’t want you to worry about me so much.”
“…”
“That’s all.”
That was it, at least when it came to Lloyd.
Even without the nightmares constantly reminding her, ‘You’re a mere contaminant in this world,’ she had already asked herself countless times. Whether she really belonged here, whether her existence was ruining everything.
Especially with Lloyd, since she had brought him in herself, she felt responsible for ensuring his life didn’t become miserable because of her.
Of course, she was often too busy taking care of herself to look after him the way she wanted to… but in her heart, that’s what she wished.
However, feelings that aren’t communicated are utterly useless.
“What does that even mean?”
Once again, Adeline had failed to choose her words properly. At the very least, her timing was definitely wrong. Hearing the emotion in Lloyd’s voice, her vision grew dark. Adeline sighed softly, covering her eyes with her hand.
I should just cut off my tongue or something…
