The bell rang.
The great church bell, which sounded only twice a day, at six in the morning and at six in the evening, struck noon, announcing a blessing to the newlywed couple.
For Adaline, this ringing sounded not like a blessing, but like a curse.
Bom...Bom...
It was as if her life itself was coming to an end.
[If only one madman would break into the temple now and kidnap me... If only I could seduce one of them...]
[Sorry, regret came too late. I should have gone on dates more often...]
“In the name of the Goddess, from now on you are husband and wife. May her blessing be with you all the days of your life.” - Genevieve said, folding her palms and sublimely voicing the holy parting words.
After that, Adaline could no longer claim, even out of stubbornness, that she and Genevieve had switched places.
The man and woman standing in front of the altar, everything about them was right... except for one thing.
[Genevieve already had a husband.]
[And no matter how sad Adaline was, she could not encourage adultery. Never.]
“Adaline. Raise your head."
"..."
[Besides, if we are talking about an adulterer, then why such a thing?]
[Madman. With eyes full of rage. Like the embodiment of evil. Looking at him is both pathetic and scary at the same time.]
Shane lifted her veil with his glove.
"Smile."
“...Try to be in my place yourself. Could you smile?"
"I think yes."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. Adaline turned away, following his gaze.
The central cathedral was flooded with sunlight at noon.
The cool, clear air made facial features especially clear.
The former Duke of Blanchard was absent for health reasons, but the Crown Prince arrived on his behalf with a letter of congratulations from the Emperor.
Almost everyone gathered here - the Blanchards' relatives, influential aristocrats, and relatives.
Emma and Gregory, Patrick and Jeff - all cried from excess of feelings.
[Somewhere in the crowd, no doubt, was Lloyd. And Lucian was most likely hiding and watching from afar.]
[It can be said that everyone she knew gathered on this...cursed day.]
Shane looked at her again and said:
“Everyone is safe. Thanks to you."
"You're a rare bastard."
“Oh, that sounds like a compliment. Smile while you’re praising.”
"..."
“A bride receiving a saint’s blessing should not look as if she is being led to a ceremony...”
Adalyn chuckled involuntarily. Empty. No joy.
[They really didn’t sell her, but she was like a hostage. I couldn't escape anywhere.]
[If it weren't for the threat against Genevieve and her family, Adaline would have fled long ago. And not only from Delmez, but also from this Empire.]
“Here. Even so, it’s better.”
"Hey, wait..."
Shane's finger touched her chin, lifting it slightly.
[Ah...]
Adalyn's eyes widened.
She knew Shane was handsome.
[In a world where there was no other entertainment, she often looked at his face like a silent movie.]
[I'm sure it would have won every art award imaginable, even without lines and plot.]
[In stories where the character has a name, the appearance is always above average. And he is the main character.]
So she thought she was used to it...but she wasn't.
Embarrassed, Adaline made a strange expression on her face, probably quite funny for his tastes.
[It was...a ridiculous wedding.]
[Made in a hurry in a month, without joy, without love.]
[Marry the woman who deceived you just to make her unhappy? It’s hard to even call this madness.]
[What pleasure can you get from ruining someone else's life event?]
[This is not happiness. This is something different. Much darker.]
...And then.
Soft kiss.
A touch of lips at the corner of her mouth, and he immediately pulled away.
[Did this really happen?]
Adaline continued to look at his face.
He smiled. It's like he owns the whole world. Looks like he's happy.
---The gala reception was cancelled.
Immediately after the wedding, Adaline was taken to the Blanchard estate.
[The dress is beautiful, the hair is styled, but...isn’t this captivity?]
[Prisoners at least get time.]
[Oh, they just hold me and threaten me in real time.]
[Living under the same roof with a man who wishes you misfortune, not knowing what will happen tomorrow...]
[Maybe I should burst into tears right in front of him?]
[Shout in hysterics that I’m going crazy?]
[Or lock yourself in a room and pretend to be a pathetic shadow of a person?]
[If such performances would help, she would play them.]
[Adaline might not have done that if it would have given Shane a reason to let her go.]
[But alas...small scenes won't work anymore.]
[Even her award-worthy acting skills were useless.]
[She already used this trick once.]
[Shane and her family won't believe it anymore.]