Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 100

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 18. Truth Belongs to Each Person (4)

“You’re awake, sleepyhead princess.”

“Ugh, that’s gross. Are you crazy?”

The words tumbled out without passing through my thoughts.

Jeff, who had entered carrying an armful of flower bouquets and groceries, put on a deliberately hurt expression. Patrick, who followed behind him, also seemed a bit intimidated as he hunched his shoulders.

“Isn’t that a bit too harsh, Edelaine…”

“Think again about which side was harsher, Jeff.”

Edelaine replied coldly.

Whatever fantasy he had about his sister, Jeff sometimes said cheesy things he must have learned somewhere.

He seemed to see her as a sickly younger sister, someone who needed protection, but Edelaine had no desire whatsoever to live up to his strange expectations.

Sickly? That wasn’t in her dictionary.

‘I just have low durability.’

The two were completely different things.

Siblings should be able to exchange words that might seem a bit harsh without hesitation – that was the proper way.

“Thanks to Jeff, the Greenwinsor Empire has become an oil-producing nation.”

When Edelaine spoke, Jeff grumbled as he set his load down on the table.

“Greenwinsor would be an oil-producing nation even without me.”

“I’m so proud to have a brother who contributes to national industry.”

“…Fine, seeing your sharp tongue, you seem perfectly healthy.”

It wasn’t something to be proud of, but she was confident that even if she fell into the sea, only her mouth would float.

Since her tongue had come alive, she brought up the words she’d been holding back.

“I’m sorry for making you worry. Thank you.”

“…”

“…”

Patrick and Jeff pressed their lips tightly together with expressions that were hard to describe.

It seemed strange to thank them when she was confined by her brothers, but she couldn’t help saying it because she knew how much the two had worried about her while she lay sick in bed.

While she was tormented by dreams, those around her suffered being tormented by her.

Jeff made a strange expression and spoke through gritted teeth.

“You only pick annoying things to say, then suddenly do this thinking someone will be moved…”

“Your eyes are teary, Jeff.”

“You’re mean.”

Patrick, who had been listening to his siblings’ conversation, chuckled and said.

“You’re exactly the same with me, Jeff.”

“Edelaine and I are different cases.”

Jeff grumbled sulkily. He didn’t seem to realize that grumbling itself was acting like a cute younger sibling.

Patrick and Edelaine had a full 10-year age gap.

With Jeff, it was an 8-year difference.

Because of the large age gap, even though they spent their childhood together, Edelaine didn’t really play with them much. They just occasionally met and doted on her.

On the other hand, Patrick and Jeff, with only a two-year difference, spent almost their entire childhood and school years together.

The two looked more like friends than brothers, but both tried to maintain their dignity in front of their youngest sibling and had never shown themselves bickering.

“There’s no difference. Since long ago, you’d act up then somehow know to come over and do cute things when I wanted to punch you.”

“Me…?”

Jeff’s face read ‘You thought I would do cute things?’

“Yes. Just like now.”

“…”

“It’s the same how only your smooth talking improved from wandering around outside.”

“Brother…”

“And how your eyes light up like a cat’s whenever you want to tease your brothers.”

Patrick shrugged his shoulders. Jeff spoke as if he’d just remembered something.

“Right, Edelaine. Brother brought home a bride candidate.”

“What!”

Edelaine’s eyes widened at the radical news about her eldest brother, who had shown no signs of romance, let alone marriage, even past the age of 33.

The marriageable age in this world was quite early.

Women didn’t go past their early to mid-twenties, and the atmosphere was that men should all be married by their mid to late twenties.

Especially for nobles, marriage was a means to expand power, so it was almost impossible to find cases where a family heir was neither married nor engaged.

Edelaine had naturally assumed Patrick would have started a family with someone by now, but he was still single.

‘Come to think of it, that’s the same for Jeff…’

Both had their respective fiancées, but Patrick’s engagement was broken off due to his partner’s infidelity, and Jeff received notice of broken engagement from someone disappointed in his neglect. He was basically dumped.

She thought they’d quickly find other partners, but surprisingly there had been no news since then.

They looked decent enough, so maybe both lacked popularity.

Patrick spent most of the year at the Bertrand Estate, and Jeff said he had no time for romance while wandering the continent doing business.

But even during wars, love blooms, children are born, and people do what they do.

Actually, what Edelaine found most surprising was that their parents left them as bachelors.

Edelaine had been engaged to Shane at a very young age.

Though it was an engagement made under the imperial court’s recommendation and pressure that they couldn’t resist, it proceeded because the marquis couple accepted it.

That all three siblings had gone through engagements once was proof that they weren’t indifferent to their children’s marriages.

Yet they left both the heir who should continue the family line and the second son as bachelors past thirty. Even Emma didn’t seem to particularly pressure them about marriage.

“He brought a very young bride candidate.”

“Refrain from misleading words, Jeff. I’m merely providing protection upon request.”

“But brother, you personally requested the Prince to protect her.”

“…”

Patrick’s eyebrows twitched. Edelaine realized this was the moment Patrick had mentioned about ‘wanting to punch someone.’

Jeff’s tongue knew no restraint.

“But normally, would you bring her to the victim’s house?”

“It’s better than the Imperial Palace.”

“Well, that’s true. That place curses people day and night.”

“It won’t last long. I’m just providing temporary shelter.”

“Soon the King of Brubewin will have to abdicate taking responsibility for the poisoning incident, so she’ll have nowhere to return to. Then you might have to take care of her forever.”

“I just need to find her a suitable marriage arrangement.”

There was no way someone would take responsibility for another person’s life after just a few dances and brief conversations.

Edelaine also wanted to find out what intentions or feelings Patrick had, making her tongue itch, but if she joined the conversation here, she might get punched by Patrick for the first time in her life.

Edelaine was an adult.

She should act like an adult.

“Am I finally getting a new sister-in-law?”

“…Edelaine.”

“Sorry.”

Apologies and thanks are better when quick.

Edelaine asked, trying to change the subject.

“Are Mother and Father busy?”

Patrick and Jeff exchanged glances.

Gregory was raising his voice demanding that the remnants of the Brubewin Kingdom, specifically Kaitlyn and Princess Mia, should be executed. Even though his eldest son had brought one of them right into the middle of their house, his stance showed no signs of wavering.

Emma was equally cold, persuading Empress Viola that it would be better not to leave future troubles while gathering public opinion in social circles.

The brothers also agreed on executing Kaitlyn.

Harrison was already dead, but his death wouldn’t be revealed publicly.

Knight Harrison was recorded as having died in an unfortunate carriage accident on a rainy night a few days ago.

The body was quickly cremated. No one mourned him.

The Saint would announce that despite being “very sad about her husband’s unfortunate death, she decided to become Pope instead of holding a funeral, respecting his wishes of supporting her during his lifetime.” Several articles were already being prepared.

If they wanted to keep Kaitlyn alive, Edelaine would have to persuade her parents.

Especially since Patrick wanted to keep Princess Mia alive, he placed his hand on Edelaine’s shoulder.

“Edelaine, I have a favor to ask.”

“Yes, brother. I’ll do anything!”

Jeff flared up.

“Wait, then I have a favor too!”

“I’ll refuse.”

“Without even listening to what it is?!”

“That’s just how it is.”

Discrimination is rampant in this world.

Edelaine made up her mind while listening to Patrick’s request.

The end of ‘characters’ wasn’t conveniently disappearing like in novels. As long as they were human, life continued. But it was clear that everything was being wrapped up.

‘I need to wrap things up too. There’s still something I need to say.’

*

She took a deep breath. She had agonized until her head felt like it would burst over where to start the story, but what came out of her mouth was barely this much.

“Shane. Don’t be surprised and listen carefully…”

“What are you trying to say?”

Seeing Edelaine’s obviously tense appearance, Shane’s smiling face grew clouded. Suspicion and wariness settled in his blue eyes.

“It’s not cheating, divorce, or a change of heart.”

Not jade, marriage, or insurance either…

“Then there’s nothing to be surprised about.”

“That’s the thing… It’s, well…”

Who the hell ate up all my vocabulary…

Edelaine squeezed her eyes shut and just blurted it out.

“I had died.”

Shit, this isn’t it.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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