Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 71

The world turned upside down overnight.

Genevieve had grown up enduring long-term abuse from her stepfather.

Her mother, too busy walking on eggshells around the man, pretended not to notice when her daughter was often kicked.

Like a servant, she was tormented with housework, and even before her unhealed body could recover, new wounds would appear.

It was, quite literally, hellish days.

One day, hiding in a corner of the garden after disobeying her stepfather’s orders, Genevieve encountered a man who, at first glance, seemed to be of high status. His clothes looked of high quality, his hair neatly arranged, and his features so well-defined it was hard to look away.

However, despite his beautiful appearance, Genevieve felt nothing but fear towards him.

The man was expressionless, and his sapphire-like blue eyes held nothing but coldness.

Even her stepfather, who frequently beat her, sometimes showed pity or at least some emotion in his cruelty, but this man had nothing. Genevieve’s sense of crisis was not so low as to feel any affection for someone who intended to take her away despite having no interest.

However, upon seeing the man, her stepfather trembled, shouted for him to do as he wished, and fled.

After that, her memory became hazy.

People, who seemed to be the man’s employees, washed her and dressed her in soft clothes she had never worn before.

Then the man suddenly took her to the imperial palace and declared her to be the <Saintess>.

The most surprised was Genevieve herself.

“Me, sir…?”

Even though she thought it couldn’t be true, she couldn’t immediately deny it because she was terrified of having to return to her stepfather’s house.

She didn’t want to go back.

Genevieve wanted to live like a human.

She didn’t want to wash clothes in cold water until her fingers were chapped, live under constant scrutiny, or worry about being kicked by her stepfather’s boot at any moment.

So, even though she thought she couldn’t possibly be the Saintess, she didn’t voice her denial.

The man who had brought her was called Shane Blanchard, heir to a duchy.

He was such an influential person that he could seemingly transform someone without proven abilities into a <Saintess>. Unable to speak up and declare herself a fraud, Genevieve ended up staying at the imperial palace as a guest.

The luxurious life, which she thought would be endlessly comfortable, was not as pleasant as she had expected.

Her heart was uneasy with the guilt of deceiving people, and those who saw through her began to loathe her.

Not only did they gossip openly, but they also began covert, malicious harassment that only Genevieve could detect.

It was around that time.

“This is my fiancée, Adeline. She asked to be introduced to you.”

“Nice to meet you, Genevieve. Oh, may I call you Genevieve?”

Shane introduced his fiancée.

Even then, Genevieve felt no particular affection for Shane. Although he was the benefactor who saved her from her stepfather, he was also a very frightening person.

She preferred the crown prince, who occasionally visited and asked questions out of curiosity, then left.

At least the crown prince wasn’t scary.

“You can call me whatever you like. Please feel free to speak informally.”

“Is that okay? Even though you’re the Saintess.”

“I’m still young.”

“There can’t be much difference in our ages.”

Shane remarked.

“She’s not the official Saintess yet, Adeline. You don’t need to speak formally.”

“Y-Yes. It’s not yet official….”

Genevieve, who had been looking at the floor nervously, finally raised her head.

The person Shane brought was a beautiful woman with platinum blonde hair that resembled sunlight. Her hair was similar to Genevieve’s, but while Genevieve’s hair was closer to silver, hers was nearer to gold.

The woman, whose warm green eyes sparkled and who smiled brightly, briskly approached and grabbed Genevieve’s hand.

“Really? Then I’ll think of you as a younger sister. Take care, Genevieve.”

“What? Oh, um, yes?”

“You must have had a hard time with Shane and Crown Prince Edwin, since they lack consideration. You must have been uncomfortable and it must have been difficult to talk about it. Now that I’m here, tell me if anything is troubling you.”

“I wasn’t… really having a hard time.”

Genevieve glanced at Shane.

Shane had seemed displeased since introducing Adeline, and when she grabbed Genevieve’s hand, his frown deepened. Genevieve worried that Shane might cut off her hand at any moment.

“Maybe I should ask for a room in the palace too. There is a room my mother uses, but…”

“You can use my room.”

“What are you saying? Why would I use your room? What if strange rumors start?”

“We’re engaged, what’s strange about that?”

“Umm…”

Adeline averted her gaze awkwardly. She then smiled brightly at Genevieve, who was blinking in confusion.

“Or come to my house. I have a lot I want to give you. They’re all things that would suit you.”