Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 32
“They’re treating her with such care, she must be the real deal.”
“Were the Bertrand family always this close…?”
“Aren’t they known for being cold-blooded…?”
“I remember the young lady of House Bertrand always being alone.”
“Could it be they’re protecting her to prevent her from being exposed as a fake?”
As soon as someone mentioned ‘fake’, Emma Bertrand, who had been conversing with the eldest son, shot a sharp glare. The whispering people hid their faces behind their fans.
If Emma Bertrand, who was close to the Empress, marked you, survival in high society was impossible.
The Marquisate of Bertrand was known for its pragmatic nature.
Though pragmatism was just a polite way to say it, their reputation was predominantly that of calculating cold-bloodedness.
The Marchioness was considered moderate among them, but she was no less unyielding when it came to crucial moments.
There was even a joke that Bertrand never smiled after Adeline’s death, but today, the matriarch was smiling as sweetly as sugar in front of her youngest child.
The intense vigilance kept everyone from approaching, only watching carefully.
“Lady Adeline!”
“Genevieve!”
Genevieve broke through the crowd and immediately embraced Adeline.
Her entrance wasn’t befitting a saintess, but thanks to her, the Bertrand family’s guard loosened slightly.
Emma and Patrick moved aside, and Jeff also stepped back, saying he would stay nearby. It was an act of consideration to let them talk comfortably.
People murmured again.
She must be the real deal…
Adeline sighed quietly. Why aren’t they more suspicious? Maybe all the conspiracy theorists had frozen to death.
“It’s been so long, Lady Adeline! I missed you!”
“I missed you too. No, I should be formal since this is a public occasion. You’re the Saintess now.”
“Please speak comfortably. Everyone knows you’re my savior.”
“…Savior….”
“You did save my life.”
Adeline smiled faintly.
“Well, technically….”
“What’s there to debate? Because you’re my savior, the Goddess returned you to us.”
“Enough….”
“That’s why you’re a living incarnation of grace….”
“Please, stop.”
“I’ll stop.”
Any more and she felt she would cry. Genevieve smiled mischievously.
“Where is Prince Edwin?”
“He’s over there. He’ll be here soon. It’s no use trying to escape after finishing up your tasks. His Grace told us to keep a close eye on you.”
“Meticulous punk.”
“He is a thorough man, yes….”
Genevieve tactfully agreed. Adeline sighed. It seemed she could see the title of ‘Deputy’ following Genevieve’s name.
“I’ve been so busy that I haven’t been able to visit. I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing for you to apologize for. It’s all because of that crazy guy who wants to get the wedding done within a month.”
“Even so.”
“You’re sleeping well, right? You look tired.”
“…Adeline, who is worrying about whom….”
Adeline fell silent for a moment. If she thought about it, Genevieve was also in cahoots with Shane. She had cooperated with him to deceive the Bertrand family.
But that was a separate matter.
“It’s my choice to worry. I’ve heard Shane is working people to the bone…!”
Genevieve’s purple eyes wavered momentarily.
“Why do you go along with his unreasonable demands? If you don’t like something, you should say so, Genevieve.”
“…Adeline, that’s….”
She was clearly being overworked. She wasn’t okay, that much was certain.
Just as Adeline was about to speak with certainty, Edwin approached.
“Adeline, you’re here.”
“Your Highness.”
“Why does the bride-to-be look like that?”
Edwin blinked.
“What’s wrong with my expression?”
“You look like you want to kill someone.”
“There is someone I want to kill.”
“I hope it’s not me. It wouldn’t look good to execute a resurrected person blessed by the Goddess for treason.”
“You make such chilling jokes….”
“Well, if I did execute you, Shane would probably kill me in turn.”
“Ha-ha.”
Adeline laughed coldly, and Edwin shrugged. The bride-to-be now looked like she could kill two people with ease.
Genevieve subtly slipped out of Adeline’s embrace. Edwin didn’t miss the fact that Genevieve had tears in her eyes.
Edwin extended his hand.
“I can’t take the first dance from the bride-to-be, so I’ll have to ask the Saintess to be my partner. Genevieve.”
“I have a husband.”
“He won’t be jealous of me.”
Genevieve glanced over Edwin’s shoulder.
Adeline followed her gaze. She wanted to see the female lead’s husband’s face but couldn’t find him.
“Then gladly.”
“Can you be alone for a moment, Adeline?”
Adeline waved both hands, saying, who do you take me for, a child?
*
A little while later.
“So you’re Adeline Bertrand? Not just a con artist who looks like her?”
“….”
Oh, please. I wish I wasn’t…
