Chapter 112

No matter how capable Lloyd was, he couldn’t be the one who’d dress her up. The maid, who looked to be in her mid to late teens, finished the makeup with a tense face and stepped back half a step.

Thanks to the light makeup, her complexion looked a bit better.

“This won’t fool Mother, will it?”

“If Lady Bertrand’s eyes are just for show, it might.”

“…….”

“Give up or spill everything.”

Adeline let out a small laugh.

For Lloyd to say something like that without asking any questions meant his dissatisfaction had reached its limit.

There were times in her childhood dreams when she had tried to tell Lloyd the truth.

Lloyd mostly accepted it without any reaction, but not long after, he was brutally and horrifically killed.

Adeline had no intention of telling anyone about the existence and potential danger of the sorcerer until it was completely gone. Even if it meant not being able to confess to Shane.

So today, she needed to be firmly prepared.

The door opened with a knock, and Shane peeked in.

“Adeline, are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Lloyd’s displeased gaze followed her closely. Pretending not to notice, Adeline got up and walked toward Shane.

“Don’t run, you might trip.”

“What do you take me for….”

“After lying down for so long, your muscles might have weakened. You need to be careful.”

“…….”

Isn’t that a bit harsh….

“I’m joking. Let’s go.”

“You weren’t joking.”

Shane wrapped an arm around her waist and looked down at her face.

“Don’t worry, Adeline. Even if your leg muscles weaken and you can’t use them, I’ll hold you up.”

Is it really okay not to worry….

She thought he had changed since he gave up on confinement and didn’t ask anything, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

When she glared at him, he smiled brightly.

“I wouldn’t mind carrying you around for the rest of our lives.”

“I’ll walk. I’ll even go for walks.”

“That’s disappointing.”

His voice was full of genuine regret.

She really couldn’t let her guard down.

***

Today was the day a ship carrying foreign royalty and nobility was arriving at the port.

Among the distinguished guests on board was a strong candidate for the crown princess, and Edwin, Shane, Genevieve, and other prominent figures of the empire were scheduled to welcome them at the port.

Adeline insisted on attending the event.

In the dream, Adeline had attended that event and nearly got crushed by falling debris, but Shane had saved her. Shane would have been able to save her without getting hurt, but for some reason, he got injured.

‘I have no idea what happened….’

There were fragmented memories.

Adeline was sure that the “culprit” was at the center of those memories.

The person who laughed behind Shane when he stabbed her.

The person who said something to Edwin.

The person who comforted the kneeling and crying Genevieve after she killed her.

Every time she tried to identify the face, she lost consciousness and woke up from the dream.

She didn’t know how she died, but if she woke up because she died, there must be some clue at that moment.

She might finally be able to see the sorcerer’s face, or at least….

“Adeline.”

Adeline stopped her thoughts and looked up.

The carriage had already stopped.

At some point, Shane had been staring at Adeline’s face. He blinked awkwardly and stepped back a bit.

“If you don’t want to talk, you don’t have to.”

“…….”

“It’s torture watching you wither away, keeping everything to yourself, but I know you won’t answer even if I ask. You haven’t been hiding things for just a day or two.”

“…….”

“But I know you feel sorry for me, begging you to love me, so you comfort me….”

Shane took Adeline’s hand and kissed the back of it.

“I know you pretend to seduce me strangely and comfort me. I’ll endure it, Adeline.”

“What was strange….”

“Even that makes me happy.”

Embarrassing……

“I won’t ask anything, just don’t do anything dangerous.”

“…….”

“If you promise that, I’ll do anything you want. I’ll be good.”

He acted like a gentle puppy.

But Shane always wanted something Adeline couldn’t give.

This time, too.

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