Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 68
Imagining another future, it was like a hellish scenario.
If Shane would have merely ignored an affectionate fiancée, Edwin would have flaunted another woman in front of her.
The most horrifying aspect was the possibility of becoming the next empress if their engagement wouldn’t get called off.
“I need to marry off my son quickly, too.”
“Please don’t speak of Prince Edwin’s marriage like it’s trash, Your Majesty.”
“I can’t just choose anyone. If she forgets her place and status like the princess of Remvi and runs off with another man, it’ll be quite the problem.”
“There’s no way that would happen twice.”
“Indeed, it shouldn’t happen twice. Edwin settled for adequate compensation, but I wanted to overturn the whole situation. It was infuriating. She was the one who chased after Edwin first, claiming she loved him.”
Adeline listened intently to the story of Edwin’s broken engagement.
“She fell for a rebel leader, betrayed her parents, and made her man a king.”
“You liked her because she was tough, didn’t you?”
“That’s right. I liked her, which made it even more infuriating…”
It seemed that even in the engagement with the Remvi princess, Edwin was the secondary male lead. The princess of Remvi didn’t get captured by the rebel leader—she overthrew her parents herself and placed the crown on her man’s head. Adeline thought she’d like to meet her someday.
Viola’s preferences were clear. That’s why she only doted on Adeline until she ran away.
Adeline pretended to be a demure noble lady, maintaining distance from people and avoiding deep relationships, as acting sweetly was the safest approach. Occasionally, she was entangled in Edwin’s plans, approaching someone intentionally or probing their intentions.
“So, Adeline, I need you to help.”
“I’ll do whatever I can. Just leave it to me.”
“Blend in with the children and tell me in detail what they’re thinking. You can use any means necessary. Can you do that?”
Adeline sensed the nuance hidden in Viola’s words. When Adeline looked at her, Viola smiled.
“It was a mistake to think you were just quiet. Really, you can’t judge a person by their appearance. Who would have thought you could deceive the whole world so perfectly on your own? Tsk, you really should have married my son… such a waste.”
“…”
I… plead the fifth…
Adeline swallowed her excuse. Emma sipped her tea, pretending not to hear.
It was confirmed that no one believed in the miracle of the Saintess.
***
Emma insisted Adeline be careful and let her go.
The audience with the Empress lasted barely an hour, but to Adeline, it felt like she had aged ten years. She was utterly drained.
‘I didn’t fake my resurrection!’
She couldn’t understand why she felt like the star of a failed magic show. It was humiliating.
Shane said,
“If you’re tired, we can go back now.”
“I still need to see Genevieve.”
“I told you she doesn’t want to see anyone.”
Edwin chimed in, his voice petulant like a child avoiding his mother’s scolding.
“I’ll wait in front of her door until she agrees to see me. Even if it takes all night.”
Shane scoffed.
“That’s not going to happen. We’re leaving before dinner.”
Adeline glanced at Shane.
“Skipping one meal won’t be a big deal.”
“It is a big deal, Adeline. I’ll carry you out in front of everyone if I have to.”
Shane grinned. His mouth smiled, but his eyes were cold. He seemed genuinely irritated. Adeline knew he was serious about carrying her out like a sack.
Still, she had no intention of giving up.
“Persistent women aren’t popular, Adeline.”
“Sometimes you have to be persistent.”
Edwin smirked beside her, but Adeline remained resolute.
“And Genevieve likes me. She’ll open the door soon.”
She believed that sometimes people need time alone to sort out their feelings. However, her instinct told her that wasn’t the case with Genevieve.
Genevieve had shut herself away after being hurt. It was good that she was seeing her husband, but fundamentally, she didn’t know how to lean on others. If she could have endured it, she would have swallowed it alone and pretended to be fine.
The fact that she couldn’t even pretend meant she was deeply shaken.
The fact that Genevieve specifically refused to see her meant that Adeline was the cause of her distress.
“Genevieve, I’ll wait until you open the door.”
So Adeline stood in front of Genevieve’s door. She had been waiting for fifteen minutes now.
