Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 107

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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 19. The Protagonist’s Duty (3)

Even the grace period that seemed like it could last forever had come to an end.

The date for Saint Genevieve’s papal coronation had been set.

Even without Saint Genevieve’s request to attend, using health as an excuse for seclusion was reaching its limits.

Edelaine had no choice but to return to the Blancarde Estate.

She needed to have a dress fitted to attend the ceremony, and no matter how well Jeff knew them, she couldn’t invite Madam Harper and Rachel to the hideout.

No matter how comfortable it was, that place’s original purpose was a prison.

A luxurious and safe prison.

‘Is a prison where the captive doesn’t want to leave still a prison or not…’

To Edelaine, that place was similar to a resort on the Maldives Island that required a private jet to reach.

Jeff grumbled.

“How am I supposed to explain that a suburban house has stricter security than the Imperial Palace? Unless Rachel is an idiot.”

No matter what, it was impossible to pass it off as a plausible and ordinary convalescence.

While Edelaine ran around the palm-sized garden, even the seasons had changed.

During that time, the Founding Festival had concluded successfully and the Pope’s death was announced.

The next Pope would be decided by vote, though no specific candidates were designated.

However, this remained a formal rule. Long ago, priests would be locked away for days voting, but now, though unspoken, everyone tacitly knew who the next Pope would be before voting even began.

This time was no different.

As if by agreement, unanimous votes poured in for the Saint, who wasn’t even a cardinal.

And it was announced that she had become the next Pope by unanimous decision.

Simultaneously, the deceased Pope’s will was also made public. Setting aside personal character or preferences, the fact that a figure who had been respected by the people as Pope for a long time left a will hoping the Saint would succeed him played a significant role in creating a favorable atmosphere for Saint Genevieve.

“Only in death did he finally become somewhat helpful.”

Emma said cynically while lifting her teacup.

“The Saint becoming Pope will be a good example that women can also become leaders. Both I and Her Majesty the Empress have come to see him in a new light because of that one will.”

There had never been a single female Pope in this world’s history.

Even though people who followed a goddess had gathered, Emma had always thought it unjust why women couldn’t become leaders.

The goddess probably never said she preferred old men more.

If Saint Genevieve became Pope, she would be incredibly busy handling practical affairs and going on purification expeditions, but her life would bring about overall change.

“He only came to his senses right before dying. When that old fool was in his prime, he was truly unbearable to watch.”

“What was he like?”

“Every orphanage sponsored by the Church had that old fool’s bloodline.”

“…”

“Not a single one was officially recognized, but anyone could see they were his blood. Every single one resembled only the father, not taking after their mothers at all.”

Basically, clergy were supposed to remain celibate.

However, taking responsibility wasn’t impossible. Even if they couldn’t pass on their family name to the children born, they could have provided financial support. But the Pope completely feigned ignorance. Even when faced with faces that looked exactly like his own.

Among them, five or six were conspicuously living as clergy.

Both father and children knew they were blood relatives, yet they smiled at each other pretending not to know. The children also took after their father in having unusual personalities.

That didn’t mean the children got along with each other either.

One of the internal figures who had threatened Saint Genevieve was the Pope’s eldest son, and the central figure of the faction wanting to make Saint Genevieve Pope was the Pope’s youngest son.

It was a complete mess either way.

Dramas of various genres were simultaneously playing worldwide.

“Even His Majesty the Emperor didn’t spare financial support.”

“Birds of a feather flock together.”

More precisely, it was a dog that defecated and buried it versus a dog that defecated and didn’t clean up.

“Right. Her Majesty the Empress nagged him so much about that matter that he went to a provincial palace and hasn’t returned for years. I hear he’s doing all sorts of shameful things, but what could he possibly be thinking…”

Emma frowned and shook her head.

The reason Empress Viola wanted to advance Edwin’s marriage and coronation was because of lingering anxiety about what the secluded Emperor might do.

It would be best if he died quietly in the distance, but if he were swayed by someone’s nonsense and committed some crazy act, it would become troublesome.

“Her Majesty the Empress didn’t tell him not to have affairs, but not to make illegitimate children. How could that be so difficult?”

“He must be… healthy…”

“Well, they say that’s a man’s instinct.”

“If you live only by instinct, you can’t be called human.”

“That’s right. But except for your father, I’ve never seen a man who doesn’t cheat.”

Emma let out an “Ah!” and smiled mischievously.

“If your husband cheats, tell me immediately. I’ll divorce him right away.”

“…Would he cheat?”

“You never know what people will do, so we’ll have to watch for now, right? But… it would be fascinating. The idea of that boy seeing someone other than you as human…”

Emma added indifferently that it would be faster to worry about floods in a desert.

It wasn’t the cheating itself that was fascinating, but the very stage of seeing people as human.

In some ways, it was tremendous trust.

Just then, Madam Harper, Rachel, lightly knocked on the door and entered.

“May I interrupt?”

“We were waiting for you, Rachel. Please come in.”

Emma stood up and welcomed Rachel.

Rachel set down the large suitcase she had brought and winked.

“You’re mentally prepared, right, Edelaine?”

To Edelaine’s ears, those words sounded like “Are you ready, soldier!”

It was time to show the results of physical training with her tiger instructor-like husband. Edelaine nodded solemnly.

Complete defeat.

Just one month of training wasn’t enough to handle the tireless Emma and Rachel.

In her previous life, Edelaine was the type who would go to the mart, buy only what she needed, and leave.

She enjoyed purchasing itself but had no interest in the process of comparing and choosing products.

How could they argue for 30 minutes over two products that looked identical no matter how you looked at them? When she suggested buying both, that wouldn’t work either. They said the significance lay in choosing the most suitable item. Edelaine couldn’t understand it at all.

Eventually, after about two hours had passed, she decided to keep her mouth shut and diligently play the role of a doll.

In fact, there was nothing else she could do.

It didn’t even end in one day. Rachel and Emma visited the Blancarde Estate for an entire week. Emma was so delighted, saying she wanted to go shopping with her daughter, that Edelaine couldn’t even say it was difficult.

‘Right, what’s the big deal about being tired? When Mother is so happy.’

But physical stamina and mental stamina were completely different domains. She had diligently honed her swordsmanship and marksmanship for war, only to be annihilated by incoming artillery.

She wanted to return to that cozy prison.

“So this is why you’re so exhausted?”

There was laughter in Saint Genevieve’s voice.

“I don’t even have the strength to speak anymore…”

“I thought you were finally going on a date with me.”

“No! I need to perk up! You came to see me even though you’re busier than I am!”

Edelaine, who had been slumped over the table, vigorously straightened her upper body.

‘I can’t disappoint my female lead!’

Now she knew this world was different from the novel, but still, to Edelaine, Saint Genevieve was the ‘female lead.’

To Edelaine, the ‘female lead’ was someone she would always want to support and wish happiness for.

That would never change for the rest of her life.

Saint Genevieve, meeting her eyes, smiled broadly.

It wasn’t the tearful smile from when they first met, nor the tired, resigned, powerless smile from when they met again.

The shadow-cast face from their first meeting was now completely gone. Though she looked like perfect sunshine, Edelaine knew better than anyone how many wounds she had swallowed and digested.

That was so admirable.

*

It was a perfect day.

The rich vestments and neatly pinned platinum hair made Saint Genevieve’s beauty shine even more brilliantly.

Even the sunlight felt like a blessing.

Amidst the pouring applause, Saint Genevieve smiled majestically like a goddess.

What is a protagonist?

‘Who could ever imagine that this magnificent new Pope was exhausted like a deputy next to a manager until just recently.’

Edelaine thought while clapping. Saint Genevieve was living a life befitting the protagonist chosen by this world.

A pitiful birth, an unfortunate upbringing, dramatic rise in status and reversal, and growth.

However, this world was not a novel, and Saint Genevieve was not the only protagonist.

If we are all protagonists, then what were we born for? If our lives aren’t meant to die for someone else, then how should I live my life now?

If she too is a protagonist, then what should she do now?

In Edelaine’s opinion, protagonists are given duties along with hardships.

To ultimately become happy.

To love.

To smile.

As a reader who wished for all stories to have happy endings, Edelaine believed that was the protagonist’s duty.

‘Being a protagonist isn’t easy.’

It’s not as easy as being a mid-story dropout villain. There’s still a long way to go.

Edelaine took Shane’s hand. Shane smiled habitually without knowing what Edelaine was thinking, and kissed her just as habitually.

“Shane.”

Instead of scolding him for kissing when many eyes were watching, Edelaine called his name softly.

“I will definitely make you happy.”

“That’s impossible, Edelaine.”

“….”

“I couldn’t be any happier than this.”

Edelaine ended up laughing.

They would smile, they would love, and they would ultimately be happy.

*

Keith had been watching them from afar for quite some time.

He smiled smoothly with his uninjured face and finished preparing to return to the Emperor’s side.

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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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