Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 78

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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 14. Deceiving and Being Deceived (7)

It was a completely irrational handling.

The princess of Brubewinn was imprisoned, and Caitlin Blair was beheaded on the spot.

Though she was the culprit who tried to poison a high-ranking noble in the presence of the Empire’s crown prince, it led to summary execution without a single proper piece of evidence. Despite the arbitrary flow that couldn’t help but create backlash, Edwin was hardline.

“We’ll hold a trial, even if just for formality. Keep the princess alive.”

“Should I treat her once?”

When Genevieve spoke up, Edwin turned his head toward her.

“You must distinguish well between when to give and when to take, Genevieve. If you’ve decided to kill, you must thoroughly crush them to make an example.”

“I see.”

It was an affectionate voice as if teaching a younger sister, but the content was quite ominous.

“The timing is just right too. I need to show an example before ascending the throne so my reign will be completely peaceful.”

Without such justification, no matter how much Emma pleaded and Edwin raged, Empress Viola would never have readily permitted it.

The man before her and his mother were the type who could calculate this and that even while furious to their very core. If that’s what politicians and power holders were like, Genevieve could never become similar even if reborn.

The two soon turned their eyes away from each other and focused on their respective tasks.

Genevieve approached Shane.

“Your Excellency, who is watching Lady Edelaine?”

“Lloyd is, for now.”

“That boy alone?”

At the suspicious voice, Shane looked at Genevieve as if surprised.

“That boy won’t be able to refuse Lady Edelaine’s requests.”

“You speak as if you could refuse.”

Instead of answering immediately, Genevieve lowered her gaze to the blood-stained carpet beneath Shane’s feet.

If she planned to only do what she had done before, Genevieve wouldn’t have gotten involved in such matters. She was comfortable with a life of appropriately turning a blind eye and living somewhat cowardly.

She had become as numb to the violence happening before her eyes as she was accustomed to it, but she disliked being the perpetrator of it.

However, Genevieve had condoned the scene of killing the woman who tried to poison Edelaine without trial. She felt no guilt, but she did worry that if Edelaine found out, she might be disappointed in her.

In truth, perhaps Genevieve had already become a similar person to Edwin, whom she thought she couldn’t understand.

Twisted and lacking somewhere, unknowingly trying to confine only beautiful things in her arms.

“I’ve already tried refusing Lady Edelaine’s requests when she was captured by Your Excellency.”

She was somewhat experienced.

“Even if Edelaine runs away, nothing changes. That girl won’t be able to stand people dying because of her, so she’ll return to me on her own.”

“Ah, well. That would be the case.”

Genevieve commented as if it were someone else’s business.

Shane realized that the Saint, who had a calm expression, was actually as angry as he was, contrary to appearances.

In fact, everyone gathered here would be the same.

They were angry at the Brubewinn Kingdom’s lackeys, but more than that, they were angrier at themselves for barely being unable to stop them.

They were also angry at Edelaine, who had been withering away, unable to handle even such trivial things.

“Still, you go.”

“Yes.”

Instead of arguing, Genevieve answered briefly and turned around.

They had no occasion to face each other for long unless it involved Edelaine, nor were they the type who needed conversation.

It would be most appropriate to describe them as tool and master.

Genevieve was most comfortable with that too.

“Jenny, are you alright? You look pale.”

“What would there be to not be alright about?”

Genevieve was truly fine. She leaned her cheek against her husband’s palm, closed her eyes, and said:

“The one who committed a sin simply received punishment.”

“….”

“There are people in this world who must not be touched.”

Harrison couldn’t readily answer.

Genevieve judged it wouldn’t be strange if the upright man couldn’t understand this harsh judgment.

Judging by the situation alone, anyone would see them as evil.

In fact, it wasn’t different. They were excellent villains.

Genevieve could no longer criticize Shane. It seemed like just recently she had shouted at him that he should listen to Edelaine’s story, but before she knew it, she was in a position to understand him.

Harrison had met Genevieve as the ‘Saint.’

Even if he was disappointed that she wasn’t saintly, it was her burden to bear.

But reason and emotion were different things. While Genevieve thought he had reason to be disappointed, she hoped he would still like her.

Having chosen him merely for convenience, now that she had given her heart, not wanting to lose him was outrageous selfishness, yet she hoped only he wouldn’t change.

Harrison didn’t say he understood, but instead held Genevieve’s hands in return.

*

“Lady Edelaine, I’m here!”

Genevieve deliberately called out cheerfully as she threw open the door.

As Shane had said, only Lloyd was guarding the hideout where Edelaine was confined, but the boy was doing more than one person’s worth of work.

The boy who seemed likely to help Edelaine escape calmly blocked his master’s escape route, watched for outside intrusion, and greeted Genevieve.

He blocked Harrison’s unscheduled visit, saying he had never received permission to allow it, but finally let him into the house only after hearing he was her husband and Edwin’s guard knight.

Genevieve had to swear to Lloyd several times that she would definitely take responsibility for any incidents.

Even after making the Saint swear in God’s name, he had a frowning face as if displeased.

Genevieve clicked her tongue at how he treated Harrison as an unwelcome guest to the end.

It seemed much more reliable to station one boy than to station dozens of unhelpful personnel.

In the end, she had no choice but to leave Harrison with Lloyd. She could understand why Shane trusted that boy.

In a way, it was because the two resembled each other.

“Genevieve!”

Edelaine, who had been sitting by the window, jumped up.

Her eyes were bloodshot red and her complexion was pale to the point of being ashen. Genevieve’s mouth fell open.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t sleep a wink all night?”

“Genevieve, where’s Shane?”

Edelaine urgently grabbed Genevieve’s arm and asked.

“His Excellency still has remaining business and couldn’t come.”

“I have something to tell Shane. I need to meet him right now. Either call Shane or take me to him!”

“I can’t do that.”

“Genevieve.”

“My assigned role is to care for Lady Edelaine’s health so you don’t collapse. I have no authority beyond that.”

“What authority is there in crime! What kind of division of labor is this?!”

Edelaine raised her voice as if frustrated and pressed with an anxious expression.

“Don’t tell me you’ve already done something? Tell me no. The Kingdom of Brubewinn has nothing to do with this, it’s just me alone, damn it, just me alone lost in delusion!”

“Do you think they’d believe that?”

Genevieve’s voice rang quite coldly.

“What kind of delusion did you have that you could know the type of poison in advance and prepare for it? Lady Edelaine, you’ve told too many lies.”

“Genevieve….”

“If you tell me everything, I’ll help you too. I’ll at least prevent innocent people from getting involved. But if you won’t, then I can’t help it either. Already….”

“Already?”

Instead of answering, Genevieve only smiled bitterly.

“The mage Caitlin Blair is dead, but.”

“She’s not dead.”

Edelaine’s eyes widened. Genevieve turned around in surprise at the familiar voice.

Lloyd, with a sword stuck in his chest, hung limply with his neck caught by Harrison. He threw the boy’s body aside as if shaking filth from his hands, then smiled toward his wife.

“Lloyd!!”

Edelaine’s scream seemed to come from far away. Genevieve only looked at Harrison’s mouth.

There are people you shouldn’t mess with, Jenny.

Her consciousness cut out.

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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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