Adaline met Genevieve's gaze as she was about to leave.
The saint, noticing them, opened her violet eyes in surprise, but immediately smiled joyfully and hurried to Adaline:
“Lady Adaline! You should have warned me that you were coming...!”
“I wanted to make it a surprise. By the way, am I even allowed to come here?”
“Of course you can. Almost everyone here is connected to the church in one way or another.”
Seeing Shane, Genevieve nodded politely and asked:
“Have you eaten yet? Our church serves very decent food. Now it’s just before lunch, stay and eat.”
"We're busy." - Shane answered instead of Adaline. But Genevieve still continued to look only at her. In the end, Adaline took the floor:
“No, I'm not busy. Genevieve, can you show me what they feed you here?”
“Then let’s eat in my chambers!”
"Shane, do you mind?"
He answered dryly, with his usual wry smile:
“You wanted to go to the Central Library. If you eat first, you’ll see that evening will come.”
“Is today the only day I can?”
“And in general, men are not allowed into the Saint’s chambers.”
“Then eat in the cafeteria.”
“Stop it. If we’re not together, then let’s go straight home.”
Genevieve laughed. Adaline gave her a questioning look.
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s just...you swear so cutely. It’s clear how attached you are to each other.”
“Not a bit.” - Adaline snapped.
“Come with me. We'll talk on the way." - Genevieve suggested.
She unobtrusively took Adaline by the elbow and led her forward, placing her between herself, the guard and Shane. The Saint’s caution and organization inspired respect. Adaline was pleased, at least Genevieve would be safe.
Adaline couldn't shake the feeling of guilt. Everything inside sank at the thought that the attack, which coincided with the article about the “resurrection,” may have happened because of her.
[If this continues, I won’t be surprised if the next attack happens during Sunday service.]
[Expecting the worst has become her habit.]
[She noticed what others missed, also a consequence of this habit.]
And now...
"...!"
Almost simultaneously the following happened:
Adaline abruptly pushed Genevieve away, and the tall priest grabbed her by the neck and threw her into the wall with all his might.
But before her back could hit the stone, Shane had already drawn his sword and cut off the attacker’s hand.
“Ah-ah-ah! My...my hand!
The severed hand fell to the floor with a dull sound.
"Arrest! He attempted to kill the Saint!”
"Ugh..."
The priest, fainting from pain, writhed on the floor while the temple knights and servants neutralized him. Genevieve screamed, but the paladins had already taken her away.
Adalyn sat on the floor in shock, her back pressed against the wall. My heart was beating so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of my chest.
The sound of cut flesh still rang in my ears.
When the hand closed around her neck, Adaline instinctively closed her eyes. She saw almost nothing...and, to be honest, she didn't want to.
I felt my neck, it was hot, there would obviously be a bruise there.
There was a black boot on the floor next to the severed hand.
Shane. He was silent, as if not daring to say anything.
Finally, he asked in a cold voice:
“Does it hurt?”
“Of course it hurts...Help me get up. My legs can't hold me up."
He shook the blood off his sword with a movement, walked over and sat down next to her. The sleeves of his clothes were spattered with blood, but he carefully wiped her cheek.
“Didn’t your parents teach you not to go where it’s dangerous, Adaline?”
"I..."
“Or do you always rush forward as soon as something happens?”
“I...I was just scared that Genevieve would get hurt.”
“That is, she shouldn’t, but can you?”
She didn't answer.
“As soon as I saw the blood, that’s all, my legs gave way. But you still climb forward! What were you thinking?
Shane gritted his teeth. He was clearly holding back so as not to scream.
"Damn...If I weren't there..."
Adaline glanced at his face. It was pale, almost painful.
[But it was me who was grabbed by the throat...]
[He reacted too quickly, as if he sensed in advance that something would happen.]
[If he had not grabbed the sword and cut off her arm, her neck and back would have been littered with bruises.]
[But now, looking at him, it seemed as if they had just tried to kill Shane.]
Adaline whispered:
"...Sorry?"
“Is this what you call an apology?”
“I don’t think a saved person should apologize. But you're angry."
"I do not accept such apologies."
"Then thank you...for saving me."
Shane didn't answer.
He was silent.
Adaline called quietly:
"Shane?"
He suddenly lowered his head, pressing his forehead to her shoulder, to the hollow between her neck and collarbone.
A long, heavy exhale escaped him.
Adaline froze, then slowly raised her hand and carefully ran her fingers through his smooth black hair.