Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 73

Adeline was someone who gave Genevieve motivation.

If Shane was her first savior, Adeline was the one who solidified the ground for Genevieve to stand on.

There was no question as to whom she relied on more.

She lost such a person right before her eyes. Adeline died trying to protect her. This was a great wound for Genevieve, and she couldn’t forgive herself, so she threw herself into work as if to punish herself.

But even that work was unsatisfactory. Although Adeline’s death fully awakened her purification abilities, they were insignificant compared to the previous Saintess.

So, she couldn’t bear the thought of Adeline being in danger again.

When Genevieve cried, apologizing for her lack of ability, Adeline, with a tone that made it seem so obvious, said she could do it.

When Adeline said she could do it, somehow it felt like it would really happen.

Genevieve wanted to meet Adeline’s expectations and trust, and that always became a motivation.

***

Genevieve’s quarters were the same room she had stayed in as a guest, so it wasn’t in a great location. Currently, there were hardly any guests, so most of the outer palace was empty, but soon guests with invitations for the Winter Founding Festival would arrive and fill it up.

The crown prince had considered giving a section of the palace to her as a wedding gift to the palace guard, but her husband Harrison was horrified at the idea, so it was dismissed.

The Pope repeatedly pleaded to for the Saintess’s return, but Edwin firmly refused to return her for the time being.

Both attacks had occurred within the church.

The church couldn’t argue against the reasoning that she couldn’t be left in a place where her safety couldn’t be guaranteed.

Thanks to this, Genevieve temporarily stopped her main duties and began catering her schedule to the imperial palace’s dictation.

Although it wasn’t the season for social events, salons and tea parties were frequently held indoors where it was warm. Occasionally, parties were held by families with enough leisure.

Today was one of those events.

Since palace guards were forbidden from attending parties while on duty, Edwin naturally became Genevieve’s partner.

“It’s not a bad feeling to have a married woman as a partner. Adds a sense of forbidden pleasure.”

“Don’t say such dirty things.”

“Genevieve, you’ve become strangely sharp-tongued since Adeline returned.”

“Me? That’s not possible.”

Genevieve lightly laughed off Edwin’s mischievous provocation. Over five years, even the wall that seemed insurmountable between them had been broken down.

“If your husband isn’t here, it’s okay to go alone.”

“It’s customary to have an unmarried sister as a partner… but escorting a princess while the Saintess is present would be laughable. Besides, you’re the top priority for protection now.”

“…”

Genevieve had not yet mentioned to Edwin about the dark magic hex she had told Adeline.

Edwin must have already caught and investigated the culprit without saying anything to Genevieve, so she thought it was even. Adeline said Genevieve could do anything, but nothing had been proven yet.

“If you dress up like this.”

“……”

“No one would guess you’re the Saintess, Genevieve.”

Edwin smiled broadly. Genevieve, unsure how to respond, just blinked.

“You look like a noble lady.”

“Oh, um, thank you….”

Unsure if it was a compliment or not, Genevieve decided to just brush it off. If she took everything Edwin said seriously, she would be worn out. She realized that early on, in her second year of knowing him.

“Oh, here they come. How dare they get more attention than me.”

Genevieve perked up her ears.

The reason Genevieve and Edwin attended the bothersome party was because of those two people.

After getting married, the Duke and Duchess of Blanchard, who had been holed up at home, suddenly started going out as if they had been waiting for this moment.

Except for places exclusively for women, they attended every event together as a couple.

‘Lady Adeline seems to be investigating something.’

Seeing that Shane wasn’t stopping her, it probably wasn’t anything dangerous.

They sometimes mingled with the Bertrand family members and attended every ball held in Delmuz. Thanks to this, within less than a month, Adeline’s popularity soared to the heights it had reached five years ago.