Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 36

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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 7. Villains Are Supposed To (7)

The world turned upside down overnight.

Genevieve had grown up suffering abuse from her stepfather for a long time.

Her mother, busy watching her stepfather’s moods, pretended not to notice even when she saw her daughter being kicked around.

She was tormented with household chores like a servant, and before her frail body could fully heal, new wounds would appear.

Those were truly hellish days.

The man she met while hiding in a corner of the garden, disobeying her stepfather’s orders, seemed to be someone of high status at first glance. Quality clothing, neatly arranged hair, refined features that were hard to look away from.

However, despite his beautiful appearance, Genevieve felt fear first when she saw him.

The man was expressionless, and his sapphire-blue eyes held nothing but coldness.

Even her stepfather, who would beat her at the drop of a hat, occasionally showed pity, and his cruel violence at least revealed readable emotions, but this man had nothing. Genevieve’s sense of crisis wasn’t low enough to feel favorable toward someone who showed no interest yet wanted to take her away.

However, when her stepfather saw the man, he trembled and shouted to do as he pleased before running away.

After that, her memories weren’t very clear.

People who appeared to be the man’s employees bathed her and dressed her in soft clothes she had never worn before in her life.

Then the man suddenly took her to the Imperial Palace and called her the 【Saint】.

The most surprised person was Genevieve herself.

“Me…?”

Though she thought it couldn’t be true, she couldn’t immediately deny it because she was afraid of having to return to her stepfather’s house.

She didn’t want to go back.

Genevieve wanted to live like a human being.

She wanted a life where she didn’t have to do laundry in cold water until her fingers cracked, didn’t have to live watching others’ moods, and didn’t have to constantly worry about being kicked by her stepfather’s boots.

So even though she thought there was no way she could be the Saint, she couldn’t bring herself to voice that claim.

The man who brought her was called Archduke Shane Blancarde.

He was someone of such tremendous status that he could apparently disguise someone who hadn’t even proven their abilities as the 【Saint】. Without being able to say a single word about being fake, Genevieve ended up settling in as a guest of the Imperial Palace.

The luxurious life she thought would be nothing but comfortable wasn’t as good as expected.

Her heart was troubled by the guilt of deceiving people, and people appeared who saw through her and regarded her with displeasure.

Not only did they gossip openly, but insidious harassment that only Genevieve herself could recognize began.

It was around that time.

“This is my fiancée, Edelaine. She asked me to introduce you.”

“Nice to meet you, Genevieve. Ah, may I call you Genevieve?”

Shane introduced his fiancée.

Even then, Genevieve felt no fondness for Shane. Though he was her benefactor who had saved her from her stepfather, he was also too frightening a person.

The Crown Prince, who occasionally visited to ask one-sided questions out of curiosity before disappearing, was much better.

At least the Crown Prince wasn’t scary.

“You can call me whatever you like. Please speak comfortably to me too.”

“Would that be alright? You’re the Saint.”

“I’m young, after all.”

“There probably isn’t much age difference though.”

Shane said.

“She’s not even an official Saint yet, Edelaine. You don’t need to speak formally to her.”

“R-right. Not even official…”

Genevieve, who had been watching others’ reactions and only looking at the floor, finally raised her head.

The person Shane had brought was a beauty with platinum hair resembling sunlight. It seemed similar to her own hair, but while Genevieve’s hair was closer to silver, hers was closer to gold.

The woman with sparkling warm green eyes smiled brightly and strode over to firmly grasp Genevieve’s hands.

“Shall we do that then? I’ll think of you as a younger sister. Please take care of me, Genevieve.”

“Huh? What? Yes?”

“Shane’s a guy and His Highness Edwin lacks consideration, so you must have had a hard time, right? You must have had many inconveniences but found it difficult to speak up. Now that I’m here, tell me anything if you have troubles.”

“I haven’t had a hard time…”

Genevieve glanced at Shane nervously.

Shane had looked displeased since introducing Edelaine, and when she grabbed Genevieve’s hands, he openly frowned. Genevieve worried anxiously that he might cut off her hands that Edelaine was holding.

“Maybe I should ask for a room in the Imperial Palace too. Though there is a room my mother uses…”

“You can just use my room.”

“What are you saying. Why would I use your room. What if strange rumors spread…”

“We’re engaged, so what would be strange about it.”

“Mmm…”

Edelaine averted her gaze as if troubled. Then she smiled brightly at Genevieve, who was just blinking.

“Or let’s go to my house together. I have many things I want to give you. They’re all things that would suit you.”

***

Genevieve spent several days at the Bertrand Estate.

Edelaine gave her luxuries like dresses, accessories, and shoes, saying they didn’t suit her. Even Genevieve, who lacked discernment, could tell these were dresses that had never been worn.

“The real gifts are being made to order now, so they’ll take some time.”

“This is already more than I deserve…”

Every morning she would come wake her personally, eat meals together, and take her to various places.

They went to plays, art exhibitions, and rode pleasure boats. She said it would be nice to go to the summer villa in summer and to the Bertrand Viscountcy in winter. For Genevieve, who was shy around strangers, she took her to several parties. Genevieve never danced once and just followed behind Edelaine.

“Why are you so good to me?”

“Well… because you’re cute?”

“…I don’t know how I’ll ever repay all this debt. I’m actually…”

“What debt?”

“…”

“You’ve never owed any debt, Genevieve. I just want you to be joyful and happy.”

“But.”

I’m actually not really a Saint or anything. Genevieve couldn’t bring herself to say those words. Somehow misunderstanding her conflicted expression, Edelaine said.

“You’re the protagonist of this world, so you can be as happy as you want, Genevieve.”

“Huh?”

“Because that makes me happy too.”

“…”

“Later when you succeed, just think fondly of me. Then this becomes an investment.”

Edelaine laughed it off cheerfully.

It was around that time.

Rumors spread that the girl Archduke Blancarde had brought wasn’t the 【Saint】 but his lover.

It was a terrible story.

Genevieve wanted to refute it, but aside from Edelaine and Edwin, there was no one who would have a proper conversation with her.

‘What if Lady Edelaine hears the rumors and becomes displeased?’

Genevieve swore to the goddess that she had never harbored romantic feelings for Shane.

“Please believe me, Lady Edelaine! I have never done anything shameful!”

“Hm? I know. That’s too bad.”

“Huh?”

“Give it a try. Shane’s a good guy.”

“Huh…?”

“He’s handsome, rich, laughs well, and he’s kind. I don’t know for sure, but he’s probably devoted to one person.”

Even Genevieve, who didn’t know Shane well, could tell he was devoted to one person.

It would be stranger if someone who wouldn’t even glance elsewhere when Edelaine was in front of him wasn’t devoted to one person.

“Kind? Is he? Does he laugh well…?”

“You don’t like men who laugh easily?”

“Huh? No, that’s not the problem… You are talking about Archduke Blancarde, right…?”

“Just call him Shane.”

“How could I dare to.”

“Shane probably likes you too, doesn’t he? Since you’re so cute and pretty.”

Edelaine stroked Genevieve’s hair while emphasizing, “There’s no reason for me to dislike you, so I don’t mind at all! Not even a little bit!” This wasn’t right. This was…

For the first time that day, Genevieve felt pity for the terrifying Shane Blancarde.

However, just because Edelaine didn’t misunderstand didn’t mean the rumors disappeared.

The rumors grew more elaborate day by day.

A maid had seen the two enjoying secret meetings at the Blancarde Estate. They were constantly clinging to each other, making it unbearable to watch. Lady Bertrand had no choice but to pretend not to notice. Poor thing, she cried every night after having her fiancé stolen by the Saint imposter she had cherished like a sister.

Even Genevieve, who occasionally attended church while staying at the Imperial Palace, often heard whispers.

If it was this bad for me, what must it be like for Edelaine?

Though she had no desire to attend the ball, Genevieve was being treated as a guest in her position as a Saint ‘candidate.’ When summoned, she had no choice but to go. At the Imperial-hosted party, wearing the dress Edelaine had given her as a gift, Genevieve heard malicious voices.

“That girl? The one who supposedly stole her benefactor’s fiancé.”

“My goodness, what a vixen.”

“Look at her face, she’s certainly pretty enough to seduce men.”

“Grand Duke Blancarde is truly cruel. After pretending to care only for his fiancée, he brings in such a filthy girl claiming she’s a Saint. She’s obviously his mistress.”

“Isn’t it because Lady Bertrand is so cold? Men prefer obedient women they can manipulate over proud women who won’t pay them attention.”

“That must be it…”

“Disgusting…”

Her face flushed red with shame.

No. I hate Shane Blancarde. I wouldn’t take such a scary man even if he were offered to me. Good looks aren’t everything when he treats people like stones. He doesn’t even treat me like a human being in the first place.

This was a problem that went beyond feelings of attraction. One should at least be treated as human before harboring any kind of affection.

However, Genevieve couldn’t step forward.

She had never been good at standing up in front of others. Whenever she raised her voice, her stepfather’s hand would come flying.

But she couldn’t bear the injustice. Just as she was suppressing her fear to say it wasn’t true, another voice was heard.

“What did you just say?”

“Pardon? Oh my, Lady Bertrand…”

“Who did you call disgusting?”

“Pardon?”

Genevieve turned pale. It was Edelaine’s voice. Edelaine had heard all those filthy words. As she was about to step forward, a thunderously clear voice came first.

“It’s merely an engagement. We’re not even married, just engaged by our parents’ wishes when we were children. I don’t want to hear such criticism from people who commit adultery so easily.”

“But Lady Bertrand, it’s true that Saint imposter dared to cling to your fiancé.”

“I wish she would cling to him more…”

“Pardon?”

“And she’s not an imposter. Genevieve is definitely a Saint.”

“How… do you know that?”

“Because Shane brought her.”

Her firm voice didn’t waver in the slightest.

Though she knew that faith was directed toward Shane rather than herself, Genevieve’s heart still pounded.

“Genevieve is a Saint. Without a doubt.”

Those words were the catalyst. Genevieve finally manifested her divine power, even if only partially.

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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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