Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 57

I really, hate you, Shane.

I know.

I hate you….

Yes, yes. I know.

There was no way he didn’t know.

But after Adeline disappeared, it felt like Shane was living by inhaling hot sand instead of air. Every moment, every second, the realization that she wasn’t there choked his heart, making it unbearable.

The irretrievable last moment never left his mind, and sometimes it was hard to withstand the impulses. Even if he was alive, the one person he loved wasn’t here. She left without telling him how to be happy….

I hate you. You, who abandoned me.

You, who made me realize how horrible the world is without you.

So, I can’t let you go. Even if you cry.

Even if you hate me.

He pulled Adeline, who was curled up and asleep, closer to him, holding her tightly.

Only when her warm skin and hot breath touched his skin did he finally feel like he could finally breathe.

You’re alive.

You’re here, alive… Adeline.

Shane fell into a deep sleep.

***

He fired some of the mansion’s staff.

It wasn’t difficult since those who had worked since the time of the previous duke had already moved to the estate, leaving only the newer employees. The selection was left to Lloyd.

Shane was always bothered by the presence of the boy chosen by Adeline, but he had to admit, regardless of his feelings, that the boy was very useful.

It took Lloyd less than two days to investigate the pasts and tendencies of the mansion’s staff. He identified those who leaked information, were susceptible to bribes, or had many weaknesses.

He then left the list he didn’t want to see on Shane’s desk and went out to carry out Adeline’s orders.

‘Of course, he would hate it.’

I hate it too.

Back then, he genuinely threatened a child who was half his size. It was an unworthy memory for Shane as well.

He knew it was petty jealousy.

But seeing the boy stick close to Adeline made his jealousy boil uncontrollably. Even at moments like this.

“Lloyd… water….”

Adeline’s voice, rough and scratched, weakly called another man’s name.

Her hand, stretched out from the bed, flailed in the air before stopping. She probably remembered that she had sent her attendant away.

Unable to resist the impulse, Shane grabbed Adeline’s hand.

If she had the strength, she would have shaken it off immediately, but her hot hand stiffened for a moment before going limp.

It didn’t mean she wasn’t rejecting him.

Yet, Shane couldn’t help but feel happy as he covered her hot forehead with his palm. Adeline took a dry breath.

“The fever won’t go down.”

“Ugh….”

Adeline muttered with a slightly frustrated expression on her flushed face.

“You were tired. It’s no wonder you collapsed. There were so many stressful things.”

Mocking me now, are you? Adeline let out a hollow laugh.

“Whose fault do you think that is?”

“It’s my fault.”

Shane admitted readily.

“That’s why I’ll take responsibility.”

“Then would you kindly and responsibly get lost? Seeing you just makes my fever rise.”

Despite her harsh words, Shane didn’t even blink and said,

“You need to take more medicine.”

“Get lost….”

“If you take it on an empty stomach, it’ll upset your stomach. Should I bring you some simple soup?”

“I’ll throw up.”

Adeline declared. She was trying to act composed, but the occasional haziness in her eyes showed that it was difficult for her to stay conscious.

“Is there anything you want to eat?”

“Nothing….”

“Anything you want me to do?”

“Why do you keep asking when you won’t listen even if I tell you to leave….”

“You know me well.”

“If you could just stop talking….”

Adeline, who was about to scold him, closed her mouth and frowned. She looked even paler, as if she was feeling nauseous. Shane pulled a chair closer to the head of the bed.

Adeline edged away.

“Get away, you’ll catch it.”

“I’ve never caught a cold in my life.”

“…So obnoxious….”

“That’s why I’m telling you—I’m fine. I’m probably more useful than your attendant.”

“You….”

What gives him such confidence when he’s probably never taken care of a sick person in his life? Adeline looked at him with disdain.

“Why are you seriously competing with a child?”

“…….”

“Lloyd is so… cute….”

As long as Adeline found Lloyd adorable, there would never be a day when she got along well with Shane. In truth, even without that, Shane and Lloyd’s temperaments were completely incompatible.

Shane decided it would be better to bring medicine rather than talk at length to a sick person.

“Wait a moment. I’ll get more medicine.”

Adeline couldn’t respond.

‘Her fever has risen.’

She wasn’t coughing much, but she had a high fever and severe body aches.

The physician of the Blanchard family didn’t keep a large supply of cold medicine.

Except for the long-deceased former duchess, no one in the family had been weak enough to fall ill with the changing seasons.

The physician, having to attend to a weak patient for the first time in a long while, had been quite flustered and brought various medicines, but he hadn’t yet found the right one for Adeline. It was dangerous to take a lot of medicine at once, so he was giving her small doses and monitoring her condition.

As Shane tried to get up, Adeline grabbed his hand tightly.

“…….”

Shane looked at Adeline, half-asleep with her eyes closed, clutching his hand.

“Adeline, I need to get your medicine.”

Adeline didn’t respond.

With a frown on her nose and her eyes shut, she seemed to have fallen asleep while trying to hide her weakness.

The grip of her hand was as weak as a feather.

He could easily shake it off with a light tug. However, Shane, careful not to let Adeline’s curled fingers slip from his, sat back down gently, ensuring not even the slightest movement to jostle her.

He stayed there, watching her sleep all night.