Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 95

Lucian bowed his head and whispered softly.

“What’s the reason you can’t smile?”

Lucian, impeccably dressed, wore a black raven mask that covered half of his face. Despite only his chin, lips, and cheeks being visible, it was clear from the glances he attracted that he was a handsome man.

“Why are you here?”

“Count Dalton’s masquerade ball is famous for many reasons.”

“Are you listening to me…”

“Famous for its debauchery.”

“Wow, I’m leaving.”

“You’re going to sneak back to the palace alone? I’m not sure if you can, but go ahead, farewell.”

“You scoundrel…”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

Lucian grinned nastily.

“Despite having no money, they throw these debauched and extravagant parties. If they have this kind of money, they should pay off their debts.”

“Oh, so you’re here to collect.”

“There’s nothing more effective than showing up at an unexpected place to pressure an unfaithful debtor.”

Lucian laughed mischievously.

Adeline was certain that Lucian appearing in front of Count Dalton was his most private moment. Like when he was doing something he couldn’t show others.

“Then I wasn’t even needed…”

“That’s right. It’s just my spite.”

“……”

“I thought I could pay you back for stomping on me with your military boots, but I had to stop halfway.”

Lucian tapped his cheek with his index finger. His cheek was smooth, without a single scar.

“I couldn’t help it. It got resolved.”

“You discarded me right away, after using me for all sorts of investigations.”

Adeline had sought Lucian’s help as a precaution.

Back then, Adeline had decided to capture and kill the sorcerer. However, she didn’t have the proper means to kill him.

In case she couldn’t kill the sorcerer and ended up in danger, or in case Shane confined her, Lucian was the only one who could take her away from Shane.

But without the sorcerer, all those scenarios were unnecessary.

Thus, she ended up in debt.

Adeline was prepared for Lucian to demand something in return soon.

‘It’s not like I asked him to kidnap me from the palace…’

Would it be a good thing to not be surprised when someone covered her mouth as soon as she entered a room? While all experiences are valuable, she wanted to stop having these kinds of experiences.

Lucian had told her to repay part of her debt, and Adeline decided to comply, thinking of it as paying an insurance penalty.

“This isn’t the time for this…”

“When and how I collect the debt is up to me, isn’t it? Do I need to consider the debtor’s circumstances?”

“Now is the time to focus on restoring trust…”

“Trust? Whose?”

“Mine.”

“Give it up.”

“……”

“You’re wishing for the impossible.”

Lucian smirked. Adeline imagined how fun it would be to hit his face with the glass in her hand. It calmed her frustration a bit.

Would she be able to return before Shane came back?

He had been very busy lately, returning only in the wee hours of the morning, but she couldn’t be sure if today would be the same.

‘He might already know.’

She could almost hear the sound of his already low trust hitting rock bottom.

Though she hadn’t wanted to be kidnapped, she couldn’t just blame Lucian since it was her choice that led to her being in debt.

Secrets, whether big or small, create distance between people. Adeline’s secret was no different. Trust isn’t something that can be gained while hiding something.

‘I’ll tell him everything when I get home.’

Hiding something was never Adeline’s forte.

She only managed it because she had no other choice back then.

On the day she realized she was free, Adeline wanted to tell Shane everything. That she liked him too, that she had no choice because of the things that happened to her…

She had no idea where to start, but she believed that once she opened up, she could somehow convey it.

Even if Shane didn’t believe her and accused her of talking nonsense, Adeline needed to say it.

Otherwise, she couldn’t dare speak of her true feelings.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Shane was so busy that it was hard to see him.

Had she not been staying in the palace, it would have been even harder to catch a glimpse of him.

Adeline spent most of her days with Genevieve, Emma who had entered the palace, or Empress Viola. Shane appeared twice a day no matter where they were.

And each time, he made sure to hug her as promised.