“She is treated with such care...Probably the truth is real.”
“Has the Bertrand family always been this close-knit?”
“Aren’t they famous for being cold?”
“I remember that the daughter of the Marquis Bertrand always kept to herself.”
“What if they are taking care of her so that no one will guess that she is a fake?”
As soon as someone uttered the word “fake” out loud, Emma Bertrand, who had previously been talking with her son, shot a razor-sharp look towards the gossipers.
The ladies immediately hid behind their fans, as if they could protect them from punishment.
If Emma Bertrand, close to the Empress herself, decided to exclude someone from secular society, that was the end.
The Marquisate of Bertranov has long been famous for his “pragmatism” - a polite euphemism covering up his predatory calculations and icy temperament.
The marquise herself was reputed to be the gentlest of the family, but she also knew no mercy at decisive moments.
There was even a cruel joke that after Adaline’s death, none of the Bertrands smiled anymore.
But today the Marquise beamed with a smile as sweet as syrup as she looked at her youngest daughter.
The tense tension kept everyone at a respectful distance; no one dared to approach.
Everyone just watched.
"Lady Adaline!"
"Genevieve!"
Without hesitation, the Saint parted the crowd and rushed towards Adaline, enveloping her in her arms.
The appearance was completely un-Santis, but thanks to her, the wall of Bertrands retreated a little.
Emma and Patrick politely stepped aside, and Jeff said that he would remain nearby, out of politeness, to give them a chance to talk privately.
The crowd began to whisper again.
[So, the truth is real...]
Adaline sighed quietly.
[Why don't they doubt? Have all those who like to plot have long since frozen out somewhere alone?]
“So many years have passed, Lady Adaline! I missed you so much!”
“I missed you too. Although...we are in public. Now you are a Saint."
“Please talk to me like before. Everyone knows that you are my savior."
"...Savior..."
"You really saved my life."
Adalyn smiled faintly.
“Well, if we really get too picky about the facts...”
“There’s nothing to argue about here! It was because you saved me that the Goddess brought you back to life!”
"Enough..."
"Because you are mercy incarnate..."
"Please shut up."
“Okay, okay, I’ll shut up.”
Any more and Adaline would have burst into tears. Genevieve smiled mischievously.
"Where is Prince Edwin?"
"Over there. Now it will do. There's no point in trying to escape once you've finished your "task." His Lordship told us to keep an eye on you."
"Neat bastard."
“Yes, he’s such a pedant...” Genevieve agreed softly.
Adaline sighed. I could almost see the title “Edwin’s Deputy” next to my friend’s name in my head.
“I really wanted to visit you, but I still can’t... I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. It's all because of that crazy guy who wants to have a wedding in a month."
"Anyway..."
“Do you even sleep well? You don't have a face."
“...Adaline, who else cares about whom here...”
Adaline fell silent.
Come to think of it, Genevieve was also involved in the plot with Shane. She helped him deceive the Bertrand family.
But now it seemed like something secondary.
“I will still worry. I was told that Shane harasses everyone until their last breath..."
Genevieve's violet eyes trembled.
“Why do you agree to all his whims? If you don't like something, say so. Genevieve, you don’t have to endure everything.”
“...Adaline, this is...”
She was clearly on edge. She was not doing well, Adaline had no doubt about that anymore.
At that moment, Edwin approached them.
"Adaline, you're here."
"Your Highness."
"Why does the bride look like she's ready to kill someone?"
Adaline blinked.
"What's wrong with my face?"
“It says: “I’m going to stab someone now.”
“There is one like that...”
“I hope not me. It would not be very nice to execute someone whom the Goddess herself brought back to life.”
“You also have an icy sense of humor...”
“Well, even if I execute you, Shane will still take revenge.”
“Ha...” Adaline chuckled hoarsely.
Edwin shrugged his shoulders indifferently.
Now the bride looked like she could kill two people at once and not blink.
Genevieve quietly slipped out of her embrace.
Edwin noticed that there were tears in the saint’s eyes.
He extended his hand to her:
“I can’t take away the bride’s first dance, so I’ll ask the Saint to accompany me. Genevieve?
“I actually have a husband.”
"He won't be jealous."
Genevieve glanced over Edwin's shoulder.
Adalyn followed her, but could not find the face of the main character’s husband with her eyes.
“In that case, with pleasure.”
“Are you going to be alone for a while, Adaline?”
She waved her hands:
“What kind of question? What am I to you, a child?
---After some time.
“So you are Adaline Bertrand? Isn’t it some impostor with the same face?”
"..."
[Honestly...it really would be better not to be me.]