Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 179

Could this all be a dream I’m having because I’m already dead?

Adeline blinked, dazed, taking a few seconds to comprehend the situation.

The blade that would have taken her life if he’d been even a moment later had fallen to the wooden floorboards, and the heavy body had collapsed at her feet.

Adeline caught her breath, watching the blood from the man’s body seep between the planks. If Shane hadn’t arrived just in time, it wouldn’t be that man lying there—it would have been her.

Just like in so many of her nightmares.

The man was still breathing, and although it wasn’t her place to say it, she hoped that he wouldn’t die, even though he’d almost killed her under the sorcerer’s control.

Adeline managed to clear her throat and speak.

She hoped to sound calm, but her voice came out thick with emotion.

“Is it really… you, Shane?”

“Who else would it be?”

His level tone still sounded angry.

Normally, she would have hugged him right away.

But Shane kept his distance, not even reaching out to her.

But he came. Adeline fought back the tears threatening to spill. She was simply relieved not to have died without seeing him again. That alone was enough.

The fact that he was here—nothing else mattered.

Genevieve had assured her that Shane would come, but she hadn’t known that they’d fought.

Adeline had believed he’d finally reached his limit with her.

“Shane, ah!”

As she tried to rush to him, someone grabbed her arm. At the same time, a cold blade pressed against her neck.

It was Harrison’s sword.

“Don’t move, sir.”

Formal words weren’t going to make a difference now. Adeline glanced back, catching a partial view of Harrison’s tense face.

“If you try anything, I’ll cut this woman.”

Like he wouldn’t cut me regardless…

“I know very well I can’t match you, Your Grace,” Harrison said, voice tight. “I don’t have the skill to face you head-on.”

It was only a matter of seconds.

After taking down the man who’d tried to kill Adeline, Shane had spotted Harrison and immediately moved to strike him down.

Harrison had only managed to seize Adeline as a shield because he’d been standing close to her. If he’d been any slower, Shane’s sword would have pierced his throat.

This was why Shane hadn’t reached out to her.

“But I can kill her before you kill me.”

“Don’t be presumptuous, Harrison.”

“Don’t move! Right now—”

Harrison’s breath was rough, practically in her ear. His grip on her arms was tight, revealing his tension.

God, his breathing is disgusting. Filthy cheat.

Adeline tried to turn her head, but even the slightest movement made the blade press into her skin. Harrison suddenly shouted.

“Let Kaitlyn go right now!”

“So that woman’s name is Kaitlyn?”

Shane smiled coldly.

“I thought she was dead. Who would’ve thought she was a fake? Quite a cute little trick.”

“Damn it, tell him to back off!”

Harrison’s arm trembled with agitation, causing the blade to repeatedly press and lift against her neck. Compared to the beating she’d just endured, the pain was minor, but the sense that a wrong move could kill her tightened in her throat.

Then Harrison shifted his stance, practically lifting Adeline off her feet. From this position, she could finally see over Shane’s shoulder.

The first person she saw was Genevieve.

Genevieve was sitting on the ground, with Edwin holding her by the shoulders.

Both looked tense as they watched her.

A little farther off, Kaitlyn was also on her knees, with a blade pressed to her throat, just like Adeline. The weapon was a dark, painted dagger.

When she saw the face of the person holding the dagger, Adeline leaned forward unconsciously.

The blade bit into her neck, but she couldn’t hold back.

Adeline’s voice broke as she cried out,

“Lloyd!”