Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 221

The relationship between Lloyd and Genevieve was neither good nor bad.

To be more precise, Lloyd felt nothing, while Genevieve simply didn’t like him.

Adeline believed Genevieve to be a bright and cheerful person, someone deserving of universal love. She was convinced that the strained relationship between the two was due to Lloyd’s brusque demeanor, but that wasn’t the case.

The dislike was entirely one-sided—from Genevieve.

‘She’s not as sunny as Master thinks she is.’

Lloyd knew the truth about her.

Genevieve wasn’t sunny or cheerful—she was cynical and pessimistic.

She was sharp, quick to calculate, and had a precise grasp of reality, knowing exactly when and where to draw the line.

She had a slightly ruthless side and could adapt to misfortune.

Those who grow up exposed to violence, whether they like it or not, understand its utility. Having experienced firsthand that neither misfortune nor suffering guarantees salvation, Genevieve had no hesitation or guilt when it came to using violence.

Although she hated unnecessary trouble and usually came across as moderate, her rare moments of ferocity were unstoppable.

Much like Lloyd himself.

At their core, they were more alike than anyone might believe.

Who would think that the essence of the god’s most noble saintess and that of a former street urchin assassin could be so similar? But they recognized the likeness in each other at a glance.

Both had been shaped by childhoods riddled with relentless violence and abuse.

Despite their similar natures, Genevieve was relatively sociable—just not with Lloyd. She never initiated conversations with him, and her gaze and tone toward him were cold.

For Lloyd, Genevieve’s attitude was nothing new.

People who cared too much about Adeline often behaved that way toward him. Shane and Genevieve were the most obvious examples, but even the Bertrand family occasionally failed to hide their true feelings.

The reason was simple: jealousy.

Adeline had abandoned ‘us’ but had taken ‘you’ with her.

Jealousy seemed strong enough to overcome even hatred, as Genevieve and Shane appeared to share a sense of solidarity on this matter despite their mutual animosity.

Lloyd had done nothing wrong. Both he and those who disliked him knew that. That was why he carried himself with confidence, while they disliked him and tried—awkwardly—to hide it.

“You wouldn’t know. But there are things you don’t know that I do.”

“And I doubt what you know is as horrifying as what I know.”

Even at Genevieve’s sharp words, Lloyd smiled calmly.

“Are you asking for pity?”

“Who said anything about that? I’m just saying you should be grateful for how lucky you are.”

“No need to tell me. I know that better than anyone.”

“Ugh, you’re so arrogant and annoying.”

How could anyone see this as some harmless kitten pouncing around?

Genevieve grumbled to herself, “Why did she choose you of all people?”

“Even if it weren’t me, Master would never have chosen you.”

It wasn’t often someone could feel superior to the pope and saintess, but Lloyd did as he smirked and said,

“Thanks to Master running away, you became the pope instead of Duke Blanchard’s wife.”

“Even if Adeline hadn’t left, I would have never gotten entangled with that man. I’d rather die first!”

“Who knows? Your judgment isn’t always the best.”

Lloyd tapped his chest, just below the shoulder, near his heart—pointing to the wound Harrison had inflicted.

Genevieve, furious at Lloyd for poking at her literal sore spot, snapped,

“I already apologized for that! And if we’re assigning blame, shouldn’t we question Crown Prince Edwin for appointing Harrison as a knight of the imperial guard? I assumed he was vetted, being in such a position.”

“I never said His Highness the Crown Prince had a good eye for people.”

Lloyd shrugged indifferently.

“…If not for Adeline, you’d already be dead for treason.”

“I know.”

Well, not even Shane could do anything to Lloyd, so who else could possibly harm him?

Lloyd smirked mischievously. Living as a fox backed by a tiger was rather enjoyable.