Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 48
The dining room showed no trace of the early morning.
Just hours ago, Genevieve had been sitting there venting her frustrations. The servants at the Blanchard estate were impressive in their professionalism.
“Sit down.”
“Why are you alone?”
“Genevieve already left.”
“No, I mean…”
She was asking why he was there without anyone serving him.
But Adeline couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud.
Being born into a prestigious noble family, Adeline was used to being attended to by others during her 23 years of life. However, except for the past month, she had spent the recent years, especially the last five, living alone with Lloyd, She had more or less reverted back to her previous life’s habits.
Lloyd was competent, but Adeline didn’t entrust him with minor tasks.
They ate together, and she dressed herself.
But that was when they were living in seclusion. When dining in the mansion, she was served. Someone poured her water, changed her utensils, and brought her dishes from right in front of her.
Since childhood, Adeline had tried to think of each meal as if she were dining in an upscale restaurant, paying for the service.
‘I always wanted to tip them out of gratitude…’
She had imagined several times calling the chef to give a tip for the excellent service. That made her feel a bit better.
“Breakfast will be brought to you. Sit down.”
Shane pulled out a chair for her himself.
“Why are you doing that?”
“Then who will?”
Shane seated Adeline in the chair and returned to his seat.
Breakfast was simple. It was morning, and after drinking the night before, her stomach was unsettled, so she couldn’t eat much. Shane spoke.
“Doesn’t it bother you having people around?”
“Not really? I don’t mind.”
“Even if you clam up like a shell when someone comes around?”
“I’m just trying to be careful with my words. It’s not because I’m uncomfortable.”
Shane chuckled. Adeline bristled, feeling as if he had seen through her.
“I’m telling you, I’m not bothered at all.”
“Alright. I’ll try not to have people around as much as possible.”
“It’s fine!”
“If you feel uncomfortable, just tell me.”
“I’m really okay! Despite how it may seem, I was quite popular, you know?”
“Yes, you were popular. I know that very well.”
Even though I’ve been a recluse for the past five years, damn it…
Adeline recalled the moment she reunited with Genevieve. She believed that her dead social skills had somewhat revived by now.
‘…I really should go back to meeting more people again.’
Since returning, the only people she had met were her family, Shane, Genevieve, and Edwin. If she stretched it, Lucian could be included in that list as well.
She missed ordinary interactions with ordinary people.
“And you’re not home much anyway. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“I’ll be staying home.”
“What!”
“Is that so surprising?”
Shane took a sip from his glass. It was a simple action, yet remarkably graceful. While Adeline was momentarily lost in thought, Shane added,
“It’s only natural for a newlywed man who married only yesterday to stay home, no?”
“…Oh, right…”
Please, make me forget…
“But still, you’re busy.”
Duke Blanchard was a member of the parliament, a noble with a say in the nation’s major affairs. Alongside the crown prince, he was part of the core team running the country, separate from the administrative duties. He couldn’t possibly be idle.
He shouldn’t be. He mustn’t be.
“They’re all things I can choose not to do if I don’t want to.”
“But as a noble, you should fulfill your duties…”
She almost criticized herself for speaking well while being a runaway. Well, Adeline just comforted herself by repeating the phrase, ‘No, it’s okay to be lenient with yourself, honey.’
“By procedure, I should return to the territory to see my father, but he’ll come to Delmuz for the founding festival, so that’s taken care of.”
“You don’t have to worry about me—just do what you usually do.”
I’m more comfortable when you’re not around.
Adeline had many things to do.
The culprit who attacked Genevieve was still not caught.
It couldn’t be conclusively said that it was the work of a sorcerer, but the possibility was high. Even if it wasn’t, as long as the sorcerer lived, he would continue to target Genevieve’s life.
To find the sorcerer hiding among the nobles, she needed to expand her range of activities. There was also the possibility that things could differ from the novel, so she needed to spend more time with Genevieve.
Shane let out a short laugh. The sharpness at the end of that sound made Adeline blink a couple of times.
“It seems you’re forgetting, Adeline.”
The relaxed atmosphere changed in an instant.
“I appreciate you pretending that you willingly married me…”
“……”
“But I will not let you run away again.”
Shane said, his blue eyes crinkling in a sweet smile.
“I will never let you leave this house alone, my love.”
