Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 16
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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 3. The Villainess is Resurrected (5)
‘Edelaine Bertrand’s’ comeback stage was set for the evening ball of a charity event hosted by the Church.
Of course, it was a decision that didn’t reflect even a fingernail’s worth of Edelaine’s opinion.
A schedule squeezed in just to briefly show her face before the wedding ceremony. She wouldn’t need to stay long, but they said it was necessary to show her together with Saint Genevieve and Prince Edwin.
Her partner was Jeff.
“Shane said he’d come even if late. Don’t be too disappointed, Edelaine.”
“Actually, I’m glad.”
She didn’t want to see Shane’s face if she could help it.
He seemed genuinely busy, as fortunately she hadn’t seen Shane’s face for ten days since the day he returned from meeting Edwin. Thanks to that, her mind was at ease, if only briefly. Though she couldn’t avoid it today.
‘I’m glad Jeff oppa is my partner. I don’t have to see him yet.’
When she grabbed his arm like a spoiled child, Jeff’s eyes warmed.
“You still like oppa better?”
“Of course. There’s no comparison.”
“That bastard would cry if he heard that.”
Jeff chuckled.
Patrick, the eldest son who would inherit the title and estate, didn’t seem to have any personal friendship with Shane, but Jeff, the second son in a relatively free position, seemed to treat Shane quite comfortably. That’s what she gathered from listening to him speak these past few days.
It seemed they’d had minor interactions since childhood, though she didn’t know the details.
After realizing the world wanted her dead, she had perhaps avoided her family even more diligently than Shane. As a result, despite being blood relatives, she knew less about them than strangers.
All she knew was their roles in the original story and their childhood personalities.
Lloyd was the only person Edelaine had kept close.
The rest she had only shallow, broad relationships with.
How shallow? Even though only a few years had passed, she couldn’t recall the faces and names of people she had once socialized with quite closely.
“What if someone talks to me…”
According to the ‘setting,’ today was the day after that day five years ago for Edelaine.
So she should remember the faces and names of acquaintances, but unfortunately, Edelaine couldn’t even remember who she had been close with. Actually, that wasn’t the only thing she couldn’t remember.
“There’s nothing to be nervous about. We’re behind you.”
Patrick, who ended up escorting Emma in place of the busy Gregory, spoke firmly. Unlike someone known for being rigid and stiff but gentlemanly, he was quite threatening.
Jeff leaned down and whispered.
“Straighten your shoulders, Edelaine. If anyone says anything, tell oppa everything.”
“With oppas acting so scary, who would dare say anything…”
As expected of a villain family…
It was fortunate Gregory wasn’t here. Even with just Emma, Patrick, and Jeff, it was already scary enough to make weak-hearted people wet themselves.
‘Their eyes are like hunting dogs.’
If she hid behind her family, no one would rashly approach to talk. A little hope arose.
Edelaine entered the evening ball with an unnecessarily imposing backdrop.
*
Edelaine Bertrand instantly drew people’s gazes.
Her platinum hair, neatly styled down, shone brilliantly under the evening ball’s lighting. The simple pearl accessories were like a halo.
The beauty with her slender, long neck, cream-colored skin with a healthy flush, and large green eyes like a deer’s appeared exactly unchanged from before.
As if she had defied time.
Even the murmuring sounds stopped. People held their breath and stared at the woman who had returned from death.
The victim who died saving the Saint.
If Edelaine’s fiancé hadn’t been Shane Blancarde, her death would have been worthy of being commemorated as an achievement.
The reason it couldn’t was because of the scandal rumors that circulated between Shane Blancarde and Saint Genevieve.
For those two to be united, it was better for the sacrificed fiancée’s existence not to be highlighted.
Though it was meaningless now that the Saint had married another man.
“It’s really Edelaine Bertrand.”
“My goodness… Could it really be true?”
“I even offered flowers at her coffin.”
“This is impossible…”
Among the whispering people were several young ladies who had been close with Edelaine.
Some turned pale as if seeing a ghost, others seemed pleased, but none dared approach.
Because the Bertrand Family members were fiercely surrounding Edelaine Bertrand. They looked ready to bite to death anyone who spouted nonsense.
“Seeing how they’re doting on her, she must be real.”
“Were the Bertrand Family people originally close…?”
“Weren’t they famous for being ruthless…?”
“The Bertrand young lady used to go around alone before.”
“Then are they surrounding her because they’re afraid of being caught as fake?”
As soon as the word ‘fake’ came out, Emma Bertrand, who was conversing with the eldest son, sent a sharp glance. The whispering people hid their faces behind fans.
Getting on Emma Bertrand’s bad side, who was close with the Empress, meant you couldn’t survive in high society.
House of Bertrand was famous for its practical tendencies.
But practical was putting it nicely – they were mainly reputed to be calculating cold-bloods.
Among them, the Marchioness was on the moderate side, but she was equally unmoved by sentiment at crucial moments.
After Edelaine’s death, there were jokes that the Bertrands never smiled, they were so cold, but seeing today, that wasn’t quite true. At least in front of their youngest daughter, they smiled as sweetly as sugar.
Due to such fierce vigilance, no one could approach and only watched nervously.
“Lady Edelaine!”
“Genevieve!”
Genevieve, who came running through the crowd, instantly embraced Edelaine.
It was an entrance unbecoming of a Saint, but thanks to her, the Bertrand Family’s guard relaxed a little.
Emma and Patrick left separately, and Jeff also stepped aside, saying he’d stay nearby. It was consideration to let them converse comfortably.
People murmured once again. She must be real…
Edelaine sighed quietly. Why don’t they doubt more? All the conspiracy theorists must have frozen to death.
“It’s been so long, Lady Edelaine! I missed you!”
“I missed you too. No, since this is a formal occasion, I should use honorifics. Since you’re the Saint.”
“Please speak comfortably. Everyone knows you’re my benefactor.”
“…Benefactor…”
“You did save my life.”
Edelaine smiled vaguely.
“If you put it that way…”
“What is there to argue about? Because you’re my benefactor, the Goddess returned you to us too.”
“Stop…”
“So Lady Edelaine is a living embodiment of grace…”
“Please stop, I’m begging you.”
“I’ll stop.”
She felt like she might cry if it continued. Genevieve smiled mischievously.
“Where is His Highness Edwin?”
“He’s over there. He’ll come soon. It’s no use trying to run away after just finishing your business. His Grace ordered us to keep you well secured.”
“That thorough bastard.”
“He is thorough, yes…”
Genevieve skillfully played along. Edelaine lamented. She seemed to see the title ‘Deputy’ behind Genevieve’s name.
“I’ve been too busy to visit you. I’m sorry.”
“What do you have to be sorry for? This is all because of that crazy bastard trying to finish a wedding within a month.”
“Still.”
“Are you sleeping properly? You look tired.”
“…Lady Edelaine, really, who’s worrying about whom…”
Edelaine fell silent for a moment. Strictly speaking, Genevieve was also in cahoots with Shane. She had cooperated with him to deceive the Bertrand Family.
But that was separate from this.
“It’s my choice to worry. From what I heard, that Shane guy works people to the bone…!”
Genevieve’s violet eyes wavered for a moment.
“Why are you going along with all his unreasonable demands? You need to say no when you don’t like something, Genevieve.”
“…Lady Edelaine, that’s.”
She was definitely being overworked. There was no doubt she wasn’t okay.
Just as Edelaine was about to speak with conviction, Edwin approached.
“Edelaine, you’re here.”
“Your Highness.”
“What… why does a bride-to-be look like that?”
Edwin blinked his eyes.
“What kind of expression am I making?”
“Like you’re about to kill someone.”
“There is one person I’d like to kill.”
“I hope that’s not me. It would look bad to execute a resurrected one who returned by the goddess’s grace on charges of treason.”
“Your jokes are quite brutal…”
“Well, if I executed you, I’d probably die at Shane’s hands too.”
“Haha.”
When Edelaine let out a cold laugh, Edwin shrugged his shoulders. Now the bride-to-be looked like she could easily kill two people.
Genevieve quietly slipped out of Edelaine’s embrace. Edwin didn’t miss that Genevieve’s eyes were glistening with tears.
Edwin extended his hand.
“I can’t steal the bride-to-be’s first dance, so I’ll have to ask the Saint to be my partner. Genevieve.”
“I have a husband though.”
“He won’t be jealous of me.”
Genevieve looked over Edwin’s shoulder.
Edelaine followed her gaze. She wanted to see the female lead’s husband’s face, but couldn’t find him.
“Then I’d be delighted.”
“You can be alone for a while, can’t you, Edelaine.”
Edelaine waved both hands, saying who did he think she was, some little child.
A moment later.
“You’re Edelaine Bertrand? Not some con artist who just looks similar?”
“…”
Well…
I wish I wasn’t either…
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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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