Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 58
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After interrogating the culprit of the second attack, Edwin went to see Genevieve.
âIs the Saintess resting?â
âYes, but sheâs holed up without eating. She seems deeply shocked.â
âThatâs unusual. Sheâs usually so spirited.â
Edwin glanced back.
Harrison, the knight of the imperial guard who married the Saintess, looked worried. Noticing Edwinâs scrutiny, his face flushed red.
âIf youâre her husband, wouldnât she let you in?â
âI, Iâm still on duty, Your Highness.â
“What’s the big deal? I’ll give you a break starting now, so why don’t you go comfort our treasure?”
Even with the light-hearted joke, Harrison’s cheeks turned bright red as if they were on fire.
The knight from the western region of Green Windsor had no powerful family or wealth but had joined the guards purely based on his skills.
It was common for younger sons of nobles, who wouldnât inherit titles, to become knights or civil servants for their own success or their family’s honor.
Being assigned to the guards was a significant honor and a position hard to achieve without backing.
How close one could get to the Emperor or Crown Prince was a measure of inherent power.
Harrison, serving the Crown Prince who prioritized skills, was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.
“Show off your youthful charm that melted the Saintessâs heart.”
“No matter how much Your Highness teases me, I wonât get flustered. I’m used to it now.”
“Oh. You’ve improved.”
“Even someone as dull as me can tell when youâre joking after spending all day with you, sire.”
“Thatâs quite impressive. Good job.”
Though it wouldn’t help much when his face was bright red.
Harrison was a tall, towering figure, even more so than Edwin, with a thick body that made him look like a living shield. Next to him, the delicate Saintess looked like a cicada on an old tree.
His face was handsome, but his massive build made his first impression quite intimidating.
Surprisingly, he was three years younger than Genevieve and had a shy personality, often blushing silently when she teased him.
Edwin often teased him, wondering what charm he used to capture the Saintess’s heart. But in reality, it was more accurate to say it was his heart that was captured rather than made the conquest.
The marriage was Genevieveâs decision.
âAlthough it seems Harrison confessed first.â
Harrison had reportedly said he would be content just knowing she knew his feelings, not daring to hope to be her husband.
“If I can just stay by your side, I shall want nothing more. But I am a man and might not be able to control my desires, so please donât come too close and keep your distance. So, like now, please, uh, Saintess, I implore you to⊠to step backâŠ.”
“So, what youâre saying is that you like me, Harrison?”
“Yes, maâam.”
“Then let’s get married.”
“Pardon?!”
“Letâs get married. Itâs good, right? I like you too.”
Genevieve then took Harrisonâs hand and declared to Edwin that she would marry him.
âIt felt like she just wanted to get it over with while looking for a marriage partnerâŠ.â
Edwin thought it was quite a straightforward proposal.
Harrison stood close to Genevieveâs door, cautiously asking,
“Jenny, itâs me. May I come in?”
Since they hadn’t spent much time together, Harrison still seemed like a man with a crush on Genevieve. After a few more hesitant words at the door, it finally opened.
Edwin patted Harrisonâs shoulder in encouragement, like he was cheering for his sister and her husband.
For the record, he hadnât visited his actual sister in months.
Edwin smirked as he watched Harrison disappear through the door that hadnât opened for him.
Not long after meeting Genevieve, there had been an emotional undercurrent between them.
But at that time, Edwin had a fiancĂ©e, even if only in name, and from the day Genevieve found out, she hadnât shown any emotion towards him.
He didnât regret it. But seeing Genevieve treat Harrison well as her husband sometimes made him feel a bit petty.
Edwin tilted his head. The sudden increase in the Saintess’s strength…
âIs it because of the power of marriage? If so, maybe I should consider it too.â
Or maybe itâs because Genevieve reunited with Adeline.
