Genevieve stood next to Shane - with a facial expression worthy of the title of the First Servant of the Goddess, folding her hands on her chest, she reverently said:
“I just awakened my powers...I was sorely lacking in them.”
Adalyn, still in her mother's arms, shot a withering look in her direction.
[Genevieve...and you there too?!]
But she hastily lowered her eyes, modestly folded her hands, and continued with pious humility:
“But the Goddess heard my prayers, which lasted for five years... Yes, it took time, but now...”
[Yes, she even knew how to change the degree of her game! If there were awards for Best Actor, Genevieve would definitely go home with gold.]
“...Now I was able to bring my benefactress, Lady Adaline, back to life!”
Gregory, Patrick and Jeff's eyes became misty, even they began to succumb to the skill of this holy actress.
[No, no, no! It shouldn't be like this!]
Adaline should have immediately jumped up and denied everything. [Saying that this is nonsense. That they are a couple of crazy people who kidnapped her and are fooling everyone.]
[But...the mother's grip was so fragile and warm that she simply could not open her mouth.]
“Why didn’t you say so right away?”
“Did you give me a chance?” - Shane objected coldly. “You attacked me, blaming me for Adaline’s death, without even giving me an opportunity to explain myself.”
“This is...”
“Five years...” he continued. “She was, as it were, dead for five years. I wasn't sure if it would be possible to resurrect her. I didn't want to give you false hope. I thought I’ll tell you when everything works out.”
One lie followed another, sliding from his lips as easily as water.
[This bastard... Damn crazy, is putting on a show!] - Adaline raged inside.
[But Gregory, Patrick and Jeff are not those who are easily fooled.]
[Gregory, as befits the father of a villainess, was an extremely suspicious person. At best, a model of aristocratic honor, at worst, a cunning and intriguer.]
[Patrick, who managed the affairs of the marquisate since childhood, and Jeff, who had seen half the continent in trade affairs, were also not the most gullible.]
[They can't believe the substitution. Now they will demand evidence and expose all the lies.]
She believed it. But...
"So that's why you didn't officially break off your engagement." - Gregory muttered in a low voice.
[No!]
Adaline screamed to herself, but couldn't get out a word.
With this phrase, as if with permission, the expressions on Patrick and Jeff's faces began to change.
“I told you so. I'm not going to marry anyone but Adaline." - Shane said with emphasis.
“...You really said that.”
"Because Adaline is alive."
[No. You yourself were sure that I was dead.]
Adaline moved her lips silently, unable to utter the truth. Shane, catching her gaze, just grinned so that only she could see.
Genevieve, meeting her eyes, looked with regret, and delivered the decisive blow.
“By the name of the Goddess, this is Lady Adaline Bertrand. I took care of her with my own hands..."
[Wooed? Yes, I wasn’t sick! There was nothing to treat!]
“I changed her clothes myself, took care of her day after day.”
[So that's why you insisted that I take off my dress. She said it was uncomfortable to sleep in...]
“It’s definitely her. If there's one word in all of this, it's a lie..."
“...I will be immediately rejected by the Goddess and will lose my sacred power forever.”
[Please don't put the fate of the entire continent on the line to confirm my identity...]
“But as you can see, I am still a servant of the Goddess.”
[The perfect ending to the play.]
Adaline trembled with betrayal.
[Instead of building their romance, this couple - the protagonist and the saint - teamed up to destroy it.]
“But we ourselves saw her body that day...” Patrick began hesitantly.
"Enough." - Gregory interrupted him. His voice was hoarse, cracked.
“If they are willing to go this far, then we have no more doubts...Adaline.”
"…"
"I'm sorry. When your most cherished wish comes true, a person simply...can’t believe it. But this is just a pathetic excuse. I'm sorry."
Adaline couldn't answer. She stood silently, like a child who had swallowed tears.
Looking at the decisive father, the crying mother, the brothers, whose faces began to melt with doubts...
“Welcome back. For real...welcome back."
"...Yes..."
There was a tightness in my chest.
[A guilty conscience moaned silently.]