Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 237

“I’ll decline.”

“I figured you’d say that, so I already declined.”

Edwin answered before Shane could even finish speaking.

“Then why are you even telling me this?”

Just to annoy me?

Shane glared at Edwin, openly showing his irritation, and Edwin shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. Shane’s nostrils flared as if he was trying to suppress his frustration.

As Adeline recalled the history of the Kingdom of Remvi, she locked eyes with Edwin. Edwin twisted his lips into a crooked smile.

His relaxed demeanor was distinctly aggravating. Watching him deliberately provoke Shane without crossing the line where Shane could lash out made it clear—he had fully mastered the art of messing with him.

Since shedding the frame of the ‘sinister control freak second male lead’ stereotype, Edwin had changed a lot.

He seemed to have left behind the reckless playboy life that worried everyone who watched and was now focusing on national affairs. As a result, Shane was being frequently dragged into busy schedules.

‘And when he’s free, he comes to see Lisa.’

He came by so often that at one point, they wondered if he had too much free time, and later, they suspected he might have an interest in Genevieve.

Genevieve had responded to Adeline’s reasonable suspicion with a subtle expression—equal parts pity and exasperation.

That look alone was enough for Adeline to quietly drop her suspicions.

It seemed neither Genevieve nor Edwin had any interest in marriage anymore.

While Empress Viola was still desperate to see her son marry, Edwin, who had entirely stopped even casual dates, was shockingly indifferent.

‘Is it because he got tired of the whole dating game, or maybe the experience of nearly being stabbed worked as a wake-up call?’

From that turning point, Edwin had only quit playing around with romance. He was still a meticulous and strategic tactician, influencing the politics of every empire and kingdom on the continent—mostly in ways unfavorable to the other parties.

Whether he’d been killed by a woman’s dagger during his playboy phase or assassinated out of political revenge, one thing was certain—Edwin would not die peacefully.

“Remvi is just the beginning, Shane. In the future, Lisa will have countless proposals coming her way.”

“No need to say it—I plan to reject them all.”

“Honestly, I’d prefer it if Lisa stayed single forever and lived near me, but…”

“Get your wording straight. Not near you, near us.”

“Why are you being so picky, between us?”

“……”

“Lisa is practically like my own daughter. She’s the child of my dearest friends, after all.”

Edwin spoke with a disarming sincerity, but both Shane and Adeline’s reactions remained icy. Adeline spoke up.

“My daughter has nothing to do with Your Highness.”

“It’s a bit hurtful when you put it so bluntly.”

And why should I care if you’re hurt?

Though she refrained from saying it aloud out of basic politeness, her silence and sharp gaze spoke volumes. Edwin looked slightly wounded.

“You can’t keep her hidden forever, you know. Marriage proposals are inevitable. Wouldn’t it be better to guide her toward a more suitable match?”

Shane and Adeline exchanged a glance.

Nice sales pitch.

Not buying it.

“If you’re planning to use my daughter for some kind of political trade, you should drop that idea now. If you’re so keen on matchmaking, why not sell yourself off first?”

“I’m working on getting myself married off, too. But listen, don’t just get angry—hear me out. Building connections is important. Lisa has never had a chance to meet friends her age, has she?”

Connections were indeed important.

Adeline had spent most of her life avoiding people, including her family, after being plagued by nightmares at the age of nine. However, for most children, it was natural and beneficial to provide an environment where they could socialize with peers.

She looked at Shane, who then spoke.

“I never had any friends, and it was fine.”

“I was there for you.”

“……”

“It was kind of the same thing. We even attended the Meyer Academy together.”

Meyer Academy was a two-year institution for noble teenagers, primarily attended by heirs or those in need of connections. However, few actually took the education seriously.

It was more of a social gathering space for young nobles than an educational institution.

Shane didn’t respond, and Adeline could bet all her wealth that he hadn’t considered anyone in his group of peers from that time as a friend.

“The marriage proposal has already been rejected, so I’m just suggesting we help Lisa make some friends. It’s not a big deal.”