Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 171
The kiss between the two didnât last long.
That was because someone came to call for them.
When a rough-sounding voice, probably belonging to a sailor, said something, Harrison replied, and soon after, the two left the cabin.
Holding her breath, Adeline silently watched Genevieveâs reaction.
What a front-row seat to such a vivid scandalâŚ
The cabin, divided by thin wooden planks, offered practically no soundproofing. No matter how much those walls were wooden, they barely functioned as walls if they allowed the sounds of lips meeting and even moans to slip through.
If Adeline and Genevieve hadnât hidden first or had made any noise, they would have been caught long ago. Fortunately, two man and woman entered the adjacent room after they were hidden, so they hadnât been discovered.
Of course, just by stabbing Lloyd and kidnapping the two, the betrayal was already clear.
But the shock of overhearing an adulterous affair added a whole new level.
Inwardly cursing, Adeline clutched Genevieveâs hand tightly.
You wretched bastard, with a face like a bear, you had to go and pull all this. As if betrayal wasnât enough, now an affair too? At least Edwin had the looks to match his scandalous behaviorânot that being handsome justifies cheating, but still, itâs something you can mentally prepare for. But you? SeriouslyâŚ
âWho do you think you are, hurting my girl?!â
Genevieveâs face was pale, to a pitiful degree.
Adeline almost wished she would get angry, but her violet eyes were simply calm and quiet, which made it even more painful. Adeline leaned forward, meeting Genevieveâs gaze.
Genevieve, who had been lost in thought, snapped back into focus.
âLady Adeline? Is something wrong?â
âNo, itâs just⌠you seemed a bit shaken.â
âWell, itâs not exactly pleasant to hear my husband, with whom I was sleeping side by side until yesterday, entangled with another womanâŚâ
ââŚâŚâ
âBut considering that Iâve already been betrayed and kidnapped by that husband, Iâm not sure if I should feel shocked again at this point.â
âOh, reallyâŚ?â
âIf things had happened in the reverse order, maybe Iâd be hurt.â
Genevieve spoke in a cynical tone, her gaze flat and unemotional.
Since Genevieve claimed to be fine, Adeline thought it would be rude to ask again, so she swallowed down the words, âYou donât seem fine at all.â
âWell⌠if youâre okay, thatâs a relief.â
The problem was that anyone could see she was not okay.
âRight now, itâs more important to get you out of here safely, Lady Adeline.â
âWe have to escape together.â
Adeline quickly added, sensing that Genevieve was about to say something like, If only one of us can get out, you should be the one to survive. Adeline had no desire to hear lines that sounded like they would trigger a death flag.
âEvery time a character says something like that in a situation like this, they end up dyingâŚâ
The Saintess meeting a tragic endâif that happened, it was the beginning of the end for everyone. It would open up a dystopian world.
Adeline had a sense of duty to ensure Genevieveâs survival.
Yes, part of the reason was that Genevieve was the female lead and the Saintess.
If she died, the world would supposedly fall into ruin. Even if it was a world that didnât particularly favor her, it was where her loved ones lived, so of course, she wanted to protect it.
But aside from all those reasons, Genevieve was someone Adeline just wanted to protect.
Not because she was some all-powerful protagonist, but because she felt more like a little sister who had endured a terribly difficult life, stirring up a natural protective instinct.
âThe kind of protagonist who even makes the villains fall for herâŚâ
Maybe it was because Adeline was, in a way, a villain that sheâd fallen so easily for Genevieveâs charm. Who would have thought sheâd discover her identity as a villain here?
Adeline let out a small laugh, then collected herself and focused on the present situation.
Despite how composed she looked, Genevieve couldnât be in her right mind.
Even if it had been a loveless marriage, having her spouse betray and cheat on her would be deeply shocking. Moreover, Genevieve had been starting to open her heart to him.
It might not have been a fiery, movie-like love, but it was clear she had quietly allowed him into her life.
She looked at him with eyes that clearly showed she trusted him.
Adeline couldnât forgive the man who had betrayed that trust, especially knowing that Genevieve, in truth, found it difficult to trust others.
Which was why she needed to keep her wits about her and lead Genevieve out of there.
