Chapter 46
Adeline was not the type to black out.
When she woke up from being drunk, she always remembered everything.
Today, though, she woke up with a startâas if someone had slapped her cheek. And, try as she might, but she couldnât recall what happened the previous evening.
She felt ashamed to have shown such a relaxed appearance in front of Shane. Groaning, she pressed her fingers against her eyes.
âThatâs why I told you not to drink.â
âI didnât know it was alcoholâŚ.â
She was amazed that this old manâs voice was hers. She had transcended age and gender.
âHere, water.â
Struggling, she sat up and took the glass of water Shane offered.
She hadnât washed up before falling asleep, so she must have looked a mess. Her hair, once pinned up, was now disheveled, and the house dress she had changed into upon returning to the manor was wrinkled.
In contrast, Shane had already changed into clean clothes and his face was fresh. The male leadâs handsome appearance remained unshaken today once again.
Itâs not like she actively wanted to look pretty in front of him, but his persistent gaze made her self-conscious.
âWhat are you staring at?â
âYouâre beautiful.â
â…Your taste is seriously so weirdâŚ.â
âI know. My taste isnât the only thing thatâs strange.â
It felt odd to have him readily agree that heâs weird.
Right, anyone who marries for the sole purpose of revenge isnât normal. Adeline convinced herself. It was surprising that he was aware of it.
âWhereâs Genevieve? Did His Highness Edwin leave?â
âHis Highness Edwin left early in the morning before you got drunk. And Genevieve⌠Sheâs probably still sleeping.â
âDonât tell me you left her in the dining room?!â
âI havenât checked.â
âHow could you! It was cold at dawn, what if she catches a cold! Ah, seriously. I need to wake her up.â
âWash your face first.â
Adeline paused. Wiping the corner of her mouth with her wrist was an instinctive action. Shane smiled warmly.
âYouâre pretty even when you drool.â
ââŚâŚ.â
âŚShould she hit him, even just once?
***
She washed her face and changed clothes. Just as she managed to get rid of Shane and was straightening her appearance, Genevieve knocked on the door.
âI came to say goodbye because I have to leave before breakfast.â
Fortunately, she looked well. She hadnât slept in the dining roomâsomeone had woken her, and she slept in a guest room.
Maybe Genevieve wasnât the type to black out either, as she awkwardly avoided eye contact.
âThis feels like the morning after a company dinnerâŚ.â
The colleague who acted like a decade-long friend during the dinner would always look at her sheepishly once sober.
âHaha, Adeline. Did you sleep wellâŚ?â
âYes. How about you, did you sleep well? Do you have a headache?â
âOh, I donât get hangovers.â
Our dear female lead has become a drunkardâŚ
âI drink often with my husband, too.â
And sheâs also a married woman nowâŚ.
Adeline felt like she was watching the married life of an idol she had adored during her school days. That feeling when a complete stranger, whom you feel like you raised, gets married and has kids.
âCongratulations on your marriage. Iâm sorry I couldnât stop it.â
âWhatâs that supposed to mean? Which is it?â
Adeline burst into laughter.
Genevieve, who had been watching cautiously, smiled bashfully in response.
Knowing a bit about Genevieveâs upbringing, Adeline hated seeing her being so cautious. No matter how many times Adeline told her that she was the protagonist of this world and didnât need to worry about others, Genevieve always gauged the other personâs mood before speaking.
âBoth are sincere. I know you dislike marriage, Adeline, so Iâm sorry, but Iâm also glad youâve returned to Delmuz.â
âIâm also glad to see you again, Genevieve.â
There was no need to mention that seeing Shane again was anything but joyous. Genevieve spoke.
âPlease take this, Adeline. Itâs a bracelet. I blessed it myself.â
âYou didnât have toâŚ.â
Adeline thought of the health bracelets sold at tourist spots as she accepted the bracelet from Genevieve. It was a thin gold thread bracelet.
Its value couldnât compare to a mere health bracelet⌠The almost weightless bracelet felt burdensome.
Genevieve lowered her voice and whispered.
âI really donât want to imagine it, but if something dangerous happens, break this bracelet and call me. Iâll come to save you, no matter what.â
Genevieve was quite solemn.
In the novel, the sole role âAdelineâ had was to die to awaken the female lead. The world wanted Adeline dead for that purpose, and even though she didnât die, she must have fulfilled enough of that role to be let go.
She believed she was released because she had distanced herself from the male lead and female lead, as the villainess couldnât possibly stay together with them.
It was the inevitable outcome if Adeline wanted to keep on living.
But this had only left Genevieve riddled with guilt.
Had things followed the novel, she would have certainly died, sparing her from witnessing the guilt of those left behind.
âNo matter what happens. Even if His Grace is terrifying, please.â
âOkay. Thank you.â
Most of the dangerous situations Genevieve imagined probably involved Shane.
Adeline didnât say that Shane was originally Genevieveâsâthat their positions had changed.
âAt least now youâll have some free time. Until the Winter Founding Festival, that is.â
âThatâs right. Several of my expeditions have already been canceled. Iâm so excited!â
Genevieveâs face brightened noticeably. Behind her, Adeline could almost see the house elf from a certain movie saying, âDobby is⌠free!â
âIâm going to sleep all day! I wonât wake up even if my husband tries to wake me! If he does, Iâll just cry!â
ââŚâŚ.â
Her modest wishes, spoken with such hope, brought tears to Adelineâs eyes.
Jujuba
Adorei a referĂŞncia do Harry Potter, ĂŠ minha sĂŠrie de filmes favorita, alĂŠm dos livros, que sĂŁo excepcionais!!!