Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 155
It was an irrational decision.
Princess Mia of Brubewein was imprisoned, and Kaitlyn Blair was beheaded on the spot.
Despite being the suspect in an attempted poisoning of a high-ranking noble in the presence of the Imperial Crown Prince, there wasn’t a shred of solid evidence, and yet the swift execution was carried out.
It was a unilateral move that was bound to provoke resistance, but Edwin remained firm.
“There will be a formal trial, at least in appearance. Keep the princess alive.”
“Shall we treat her for now?”
Genevieve asked as she approached Edwin, who turned his head toward her.
“You must know when to give and when to take, Genevieve. If you’ve decided to kill, you must crush thoroughly to make an example.”
“I see.”
Though his voice was gentle, as if teaching a younger sister, the content was unsettling.
“The timing is perfect. I need to set an example before my coronation to ensure a peaceful reign.”
Without that justification, neither Emma’s pleading nor Edwin’s anger would have persuaded Empress Viola to approve so easily. Both Edwin and his mother were the kind of people who, even in the midst of fury, could still calculate every move.
That’s the nature of politicians and those in power—something Genevieve knew she could never become, no matter how many lifetimes passed.
Soon, they both turned their attention back to their respective tasks.
Genevieve approached Shane.
“Who’s watching over Adeline?”
“Lloyd, for now.”
“Just him, alone?”
Her voice carried a note of doubt, and Shane looked at Genevieve as if surprised by her tone.
“That boy wouldn’t be able to refuse Adeline anything.”
“And you say that as if you could.”
Instead of responding directly, Genevieve dropped her gaze to the bloodstained carpet beneath Shane’s feet.
If she intended to handle things the way she had before, Genevieve would never have gotten involved in something like this. She preferred to live her life turning a blind eye, playing the part of a coward. It was just easier.
Though she had become desensitized to the violence happening before her, she still didn’t want to be the one wielding it.
Yet here she was, silently witnessing the execution of a woman who had attempted to poison Adeline, without so much as a trial. She didn’t feel guilty, but she worried that if Adeline found out, she might be disappointed in her.
In truth, perhaps Genevieve had become more like Edwin, a person she had once thought she couldn’t understand.
Both had become warped, unaware of the cracks in themselves, focusing only on preserving the things they considered beautiful.
“Well, I’ve refused Adeline’s requests before when she was imprisoned under your orders.”
She had some experience, after all.
“If Adeline tries to escape, nothing will change. She can’t stand seeing people die because of her. She’ll come back to me on her own.”
“Ah, yes. That does make sense.”
Genevieve spoke as if it were someone else’s concern.
Shane noticed that the serene-faced Saintess was, in reality, just as angry as he was.
In fact, everyone here was likely feeling the same way.
They were furious at that insignificant little wench from Brubewein, but more than that, they were angry at themselves for failing to stop her.
And there was also the anger directed at Adeline, who was withering away, unable to do anything against an adversary who just looked so frail and weak.
“Even so, you should go check on her.”
“Yes.”
Genevieve responded briefly and turned away without further protest.
They had little reason to interact beyond what was necessary for Adeline. They weren’t companions in need of conversation, just tools and a master.
Genevieve found that arrangement to be the most comfortable.
“Jenny, are you all right? You look pale.”
“What’s there to be unwell about?”
Genevieve truly felt fine. Resting her cheek against her husband’s palm, she closed her eyes and softly said,
“The guilty have simply been punished.”
“……”
“There are people in this world you should never cross.”
Harrison couldn’t readily respond.
Genevieve understood that, with his strong sense of justice, he might not be able to grasp the harshness of what had transpired.
From an outsider’s perspective, it was easy to see them as the villains.
