Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 72

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Genevieve spent a few days at the Bertrand residence.

Adeline provided her with dresses, accessories, and shoes, saying they didn’t suit her. Even with her lack of discernment, Genevieve could tell that the dresses had never been worn.

“The real gift is on order, so it will take some time.”

“It’s already more than enough….”

In the mornings, Adeline would come to wake her and they would have meals together, and she took Genevieve to various places.

They attended plays, art exhibitions, and even took a cruise. Adeline suggested they spend summers at a summer villa and winters at the Bertrand Marquisate. To help the shy Genevieve, Adeline took her to several parties. Genevieve didn’t dance even once, just following Adeline around.

“Why are you being so kind to me?”

“Well… because you’re cute?”

“…I don’t know how I’ll ever repay this debt. Actually, I….”

“What debt?”

“…”

“There’s no debt, Genevieve. It’s enough if you were happy and enjoyed yourself.”

“But.”

I’m not really a Saintess. Genevieve couldn’t bring herself to say it. Perhaps misunderstanding her conflicted expression, Adeline said,

“You’re the protagonist of this world, Genevieve. You deserve to be as happy as you want.”

“What?”

“That way, I’ll be happy too.”

“…”

“When you succeed later, just remember me fondly. Then it’ll be an investment.”

Adeline laughed brightly.

It was around that time.

Rumors started circulating that the girl brought by the Young Duke of Blanchard wasn’t a Saintess but his lover.

It was a dreadful story.

Genevieve wanted to refute it, but besides Adeline and Edwin, few people talked to her.

‘What if Lady Adeline hears the rumor and feels uncomfortable?’

Genevieve swore to the Goddess that she had never harbored any romantic feelings for Shane.

“Please believe me, Lady Adeline! I’ve never done anything shameful!”

“Huh? I know. It’s a pity.”

“What?”

“Give it a try. Shane is a good guy.”

“What…?”

“He’s handsome, rich, smiles a lot, and is kind. I’m sure he’s devoted too.”

Even Genevieve, who didn’t know Shane well, understood that he was devoted.

It would be more strange if someone who couldn’t take his eyes off Adeline wasn’t devoted.

“Kind? Smiles a lot?”

“Don’t you like men who smile a lot?”

“What? No, that’s not the issue… We’re talking about the Young Duke of Blanchard, right…?”

“Just call him Shane.”

“How could I dare.”

“Shane probably likes you too. You’re so cute and pretty.”

Adeline stroked Genevieve’s hair and emphasized,

“There’s no way he would dislike you, so you don’t need to worry at all! Not even a little bit!”

This isn’t right. This is…

For the first time that day, Genevieve felt pity for the scary Shane Blanchard.

But just because Adeline didn’t misunderstand didn’t mean the rumors disappeared.

The rumors grew more elaborate by the day.

A maid allegedly saw the two having a secret rendezvous at the Blanchard residence. They were always together, making it hard to even watch. The Marquis of Bertrand’s daughter pretended not to notice. She cried every night, having lost her fiancé to the impostor she cherished as a sister.

Sometimes, even at church or the palace, Genevieve heard the whispering.

If it’s this bad for me, what about Adeline?

Genevieve didn’t feel like attending the ball, but as a ‘candidate’ for the position of Saintess, she had no choice. She had to go when called. Wearing a dress Adeline had given her to a party hosted by the imperial family, Genevieve heard malicious voices.

“That’s her? The one who stole her caretaker’s fiancé.”

“Oh my, she’s a vixen.”

“Look at her, she looks like she could easily seduce a man.”

“The Young Duke of Blanchard is cruel too. Pretending to care only for his fiancée, then bringing that dirty girl as the Saintess. She must be his lover.”

“Maybe it’s because Lady Bertrand is so cold. Men prefer submissive women they can control over haughty ones who ignore them.”

“Probably…”

“Disgusting…”

Genevieve’s face burned with shame.

No. I hate Shane Blanchard. I wouldn’t take him even if he was given to me. Just because he’s handsome doesn’t mean anything. He treats people like stones. He doesn’t even treat me like a fellow human being.

This was beyond any affection. He had to treat her like a human being first for any feelings to develop.

But Genevieve couldn’t speak up.

She was never good at standing up in front of people. Raising her voice would bring her stepfather’s slap.

But the injustice was unbearable. She was about to speak out despite her fear when another voice interrupted.

“What did you just say?”

“What? Oh, Lady Bertrand…”

“Who did you call dirty?”

“What?”

Genevieve went pale. It was Adeline’s voice. Adeline had heard all those filthy words. As she was about to step forward, a thunderous voice rang out.

“It’s just an engagement. It’s not a marriage, and it was an engagement decided by our parents when we were young. I don’t want to hear such criticism from people who easily commit adultery.”

“But Lady Bertrand, it’s true that the Saintess impostor clung to your fiancé.”

“I wish she had clung to him…”

“What?”

“And she’s not an impostor. Genevieve is definitely the Saintess.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because Shane brought her.”

Adeline’s firm voice showed no hesitation.

Even though Genevieve knew that trust wasn’t in her but in Shane, her heart pounded.

“Genevieve is the Saintess. Without a doubt.”

That statement was the trigger.

Genevieve managed to awaken her divine power, even if only partially.