Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 29

Delmuz was abuzz with excitement.

People had been bored for over a month after Saintess Genevieve’s sudden marriage, so the lack of new gossip left them restless.

Naturally, any issue related to the Saintess and Duke Blanchard had always fascinated people to the point of obsession. Adding absurd feats like a resurrection and a miracle into the mix only intensified the frenzy.

In every salon and at every party, whenever two or more people gathered, the topic was Adeline Bertrand.

Public opinion was divided.

This resurrection is absurd. It’s a scam with a look-alike!

The Saintess performed a miracle. Doubting it is blasphemy. It’s foolish not to believe the evidence before our eyes!

However, such chatter remained confined to private and secretive spaces. Openly doubting Adeline Bertrand meant going against those who accepted her as genuine.

Adeline wished that only a few brave voices would speak out. Leaders who could resist media manipulation and make rational judgments were what society needed.

Not some duke who bribes the press to spread fake news!

Not some royalty who, blinded by their own schemes, pretended not to see through the sham resurrection by the Saintess!

People who could stand firm and speak out needed to lead!

“There are no such people, which is why Green Windsor is doomed….”

“Will it fall before you, Master?”

“…Lloyd, can’t you learn to be subtle?”

“I have no role model to learn from, so no.”

Adeline pretended to sob, but as unbothered as Lloyd was, he continued his tasks.

“I told you not to lie on the sofa, Miss. Move. I need to clean.”

“Someone else will clean it later.”

“It’s my job. Also, move quickly. Lord Jeff will be here soon.”

“Ah… Is there still more to buy?”

“If you want a wedding prepared in a month, there’s plenty.”

“So damn cold….”

Lloyd scoffed loudly, making sure she heard.

“Don’t my brothers harbor any doubts?”

“They hired me right away when I said I came because I heard you returned.”

“That’s suspicious too.”

Well, everything was suspicious.

Adeline still doubted that Gregory, Emma, Patrick, and Jeff truly believed in the fairytale nonsense of the Saintess’s miracle.

“They might have been shocked and momentarily fooled by Genevieve’s act, but they wouldn’t possibly keep doubting nothing.”

They weren’t naive people, yet no one showed any sign of skepticism.

Adeline groaned and sat up from the sofa. It was time to get up, regardless of Lloyd’s nagging.

It had been ten days since Shane kidnapped her. She’d only been back in Delmuz for eleven days, but it felt as though she had almost perfectly returned to her life from five years ago.

Strictly speaking, she was less busy than five years ago. Emma and Gregory, concerned for her health, declined all external invitations. She was spared from attending tea parties, salons, charity events, and other gatherings, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t busy at all.

Adeline spent her days shopping, from the moment she opened her eyes until she went to bed. It felt like she had bought everything that existed, yet there was still more to buy. In a world without factories, the sheer abundance of items was astounding.

“Adeline, can I come in?”

“You’re already inside.”

What’s the point of asking while opening the door?

Jeff chuckled as he replied.

“I was just being polite.”

“Then at least knock for politeness.”

“Are you planning to do something sneaky?”

“What would I be doing sneakily…?”

There’s so many eyes watching.

Adeline mumbled while glancing behind Jeff.

Jeff didn’t respond, just smiled mysteriously.

‘Is he suspicious? Or not? I can’t tell what he’s thinking, damn it.’

It felt like walking on eggshells.

“Hello, Adeline. You look beautiful today!”

A face she had grown used to over the past few days greeted her with a bright smile. It was the owner of one of Delmuz’s most famous boutiques, Madame Harper.

Until five years ago, Adeline mainly used another boutique, but she had heard of Madame Harper’s reputation. It was famous for having high-profile clients and a high nose. But it turned out she was Jeff’s long-time business partner.

Jeff had provided the initial capital for Madame Harper, and he was still one of its biggest investors.

‘I thought he just traveled and ran a small business… but that wasn’t the case?’

Adeline realized she didn’t know much about the Bertrand family. In the novel, they only appeared when the family fell apart due to the daughter’s tyranny.

Madame Rachel Harper spoke up.

“Today, we’ll just confirm your measurements one last time. Since we’re on a tight schedule, we’ll start working right away.”

“Does that mean we’ve bought everything now?”

The answer came from a different direction. It was her mother, Emma.

“What do you mean? There’s still so much to prepare!”

“Mother, please….”