Adaline's quality of life has skyrocketed.
[Despite the fact that Shane was constantly watching her and was always nearby, all her basic needs were now one hundred percent satisfied, she was fed, slept and surrounded by care.]
[There was no need to even go to the dining room anymore; Shane himself brought food, perfectly tailored to her taste, and exactly when needed. To be honest, it was even more convenient this way. The table was always overflowing with treats, more than she could eat, and as a result she regularly overeated.]
[Even though she wasn’t allowed to go outside the mansion, Adaline still did what she wanted.]
She read books about sorcerers and thoroughly analyzed the reports that Lloyd brought.
[The attacks on the Saint have stopped. Security at the church has been increased, and Genevieve's reduction in public events has reduced the risk of new threats.]
[However, just knowing that sorcerers existed, she couldn't afford to relax.]
[There was much less information about them than she had expected, which is why she really wanted to get into the Great Library of Delmez at least once. At times like these, she especially missed the search engines from her old life.]
When Adaline locked herself in the office for a long time, Shane sat quietly next to her, reading a book. He never asked what she was doing.
But as soon as she looked up, he was already getting up and putting in front of her what she needed.
Adaline seriously began to suspect: [maybe the ability to read minds is a basic trait of all male heroes?]
One day, unable to bear it, she asked directly:
[Do you happen to read minds?]
Shane replied with a slight weariness in his voice:
[It only takes one look at you.]
[I don't think it's written all over my face.]
[I look at more than just the face.]
[What is he “looking at” then?]
He didn’t answer, and Adaline became even more convinced: [yes, that’s right, he can read minds.]
[Besides...he didn't do anything.]
[Although he threatened to kill everyone around him if they didn't get married, Adaline initially prepared for the worst. She was determined that even if everything was against her will, she would not cry. He'll just take it as a rabid dog bite.]
[But Shane kept his word.]
[He really just slept next to her - literally.]
[The Duchess had her own bedroom, study and dressing room at the Blanchard estate. But, as is usually the case, her bedroom was connected to her husband’s room.]
Even if Adaline fell asleep alone, she woke up in the morning, and it turned out that Shane was lying next to her, hugging her.
[Clothing always remained immaculate.]
[Is he a saint? Or...Maybe he just treats me like a thing. Toy.]
[The version with childhood trauma and obsessive attachment seemed quite logical.]
[Probably so. He will be satisfied and let go.]
There were more and more touches between them.
[Nothing obscene, just a hand on your waist or shoulder. Light, fleeting gestures that are difficult to find fault with.]
[Too small to complain...and too fast to move away.]
[And now, his arm was wrapped around her waist.]
As soon as she looked at him, Shane pulled away slightly. And after a couple of seconds he took her hand.
“Even if you let go of my hand, I won’t run.” - Adaline said coldly.
Shane just laughed quietly.
“You know that even if you run, you won’t get far. I'll catch it anyway. So go quietly."
“Do you even know where we’re going?”
"Certainly. I'm leading you. Consider this a gesture of goodwill."
With these words, he intertwined their fingers. Adaline immediately gave him an icy look.
[What other “good will”? It's sticky, to be honest...]
“Do you always flirt like that?”
“It’s just my style of kindness.” - he answered without a shadow of embarrassment.
“And no one scolded you for this?”
"Never."
[If he looked like an ordinary person, he would have been imprisoned long ago. Or at least accused of harassment twenty times.]
[This is why you can’t trust appearances.] - Adaline was angry.
[Discrimination based on appearance is the same social ulcer as alcoholism or neglect of safety.]
Shane lifted their clasped hands and kissed the back of her hand lightly.
“I only do this to you.”
[Crazy.] - thought Adaline. Without saying a word, she just walked forward.
Shane just grinned.