Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 96
Hugging in front of Emma was mortifying, but she somehow managed to endure it.
Emma, who had been delighted about their marriage, unexpectedly chased Shane away with a reluctant expression.
On the other hand, Empress Viola was very surprised by the sight, but eventually became firmly resolved to meet a daughter-in-law before winter ended.
But even that was brief. He really just came to see her face and then left.
It seemed like he returned to the bedroom every night, but she never actually saw his face. She only had vague memories of him stroking her hair or holding her while she was half-asleep.
She needed to see his face to confess everything.
âNow I understand why he didnât want to work…â
Edwin didnât allow Shane to escape alone.
The attempt on the Saintess’s life wasnât something that could be resolved in just a few days.
If the culprit had been from another country, it would have been better, but since it was a domestic incident involving a key figure of the church, the situation was escalating daily instead of being resolved.
Fortunately, it hadnât been made public, so the media was quiet, but those in the know were well aware of the situation.
The Pope, apparently on the brink of death, couldnât even get out of bed, and other countries were fiercely protesting that the Empire wasnât properly protecting the Saintess.
Shane Blanchard, as the guardian who discovered and protected the Saintess, naturally became extremely busy.
Since she was the one who persuaded the unwilling Shane, Adeline couldnât complain about how busy he was.
Adeline had no choice but to postpone the day she would confess the truth. However, she decided to show her feelings through actions, increasing their physical contact by hugging him first instead of pushing him away.
She hoped he would understand, but Shaneâs expression only darkened.
Far from being happy, he looked displeased.
Finally, he didnât even come to see her yesterday.
How could she fix this situation when, after deciding to show her feelings through actions, she ended up running away from him again in just a few days…?
âNo matter what you do, that man will never trust you.â
âDonât speak with such unwarranted confidence. Thatâs just discouraging me.â
When she spoke gloomily, Lucian chuckled.
âIf it gets tough, put it on credit. Iâll make an exception for you.â
âYou have a knack for making curses sound sweet…â
He meant that if things went awry with Shane, she should tell him and he would help her escape.
âThanks to you, the Crown Prince is sticking to me persistently, so Iâm thinking of moving my base of operations.â
Gasp…
Adeline looked at Lucian with pity.
âHe canât kill us all, so heâs trying to swallow us whole. Iâll take you and run if it comes to that.â
Anything less and escaping from Shane with Adeline would be impossible.
Adeline realized that Lucian had been prepared to help her at his own risk. She was relieved it hadnât come to that and that the penalty for breaking their deal was just this minor spite.
âThen wait for me.â
âHurry up.â
Returning as quickly as possible was her only hope.
As Lucian said, sneaking back to the palace alone was impossible. She didnât have a penny.
âWould it be better to say I was kidnapped and escaped from the kidnapper…?â
It would make things easier for her, but it wasnât fair to Lucian. This spite was repayment for her debt, not him harming her.
The best option was to return quietly without being caught, explain that she had no choice in this outing, and confess all her secrets.
Her past life, the novel, their roles, and the predetermined future.
Even the nightmares that relentlessly pursued her.
What happened next would be up to Shane.
Even if Shane grew tired of her, she was prepared to accept it.
Adeline headed to the table. Finger foods were laid out, but no one seemed interested in the food. She planned to fill her stomach while waiting for Lucian.
The raven half-mask, paired with Lucianâs, had an opening for the mouth, making it convenient to eat.
The black dress with exposed shoulders would clearly show if her stomach bulged, but she didnât care. There was no one she wanted to impress.
She began emptying plates like someone at a buffet when she heard murmurs around her.
âDid Lucian cause trouble?â
He should just quietly collect the money… Adeline munched on a shrimp canapĂ© and looked towards the crowd. She spotted someone who shouldnât be there.
Adeline gasped and ducked under the table.
âWhy is he here?!â
Though wearing a mask, it was undoubtedly Shane.
