Chapter 25

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 7. The Villainess Was Originally (3)

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It was a total defeat.

"Ah... What more can I do...? Even if I give it my all, it's no use..."

She clung to her last shred of conscience and tried her utmost to push him away, but it was an iron wall of iron walls. Why are you making me the villain here, you kidnapper...

By now, things should have gone according to plan—Edelaine fighting with Shane and drifting apart in cold silence.

But Edelaine hadn't even managed to pick a fight or put any distance between them. Instead, she'd only drawn out an even firmer confession.

In the end, she'd gained absolutely nothing.

Who could've guessed he'd go that far?

To take it all in stride and still be thrilled... utterly shameless.

She didn't doubt that Shane's persistent childhood pursuit and confession had been genuine.

But she'd assumed it was just some shallow imprint or force of habit.

Even giving him the benefit of the doubt a hundred times over—even if that young boy's love had been real—shouldn't he have snapped out of it by now, after all the scams she'd pulled?

No pride? No sense of calculation? If Shane were her little brother, Edelaine would've packed him lunches and begged him to dump a woman like her.

She's a con artist—stay away from her. But that con artist was her.

To Edelaine, Shane Blancard was a gentle, affectionate fiancé. Objectively, though, he was proud and aloof, with sharp likes and dislikes. He ignored anything outside his interests. Blunt as a hammer, in short.

For all his excellence and intellect across the board, he treated fools as less than human. So it wasn't like he couldn't calculate gains and losses.

...Why on earth did I ever believe this guy was genuinely kind...?

Because to her, he acted like he'd hand over his liver and gall on a platter—always so tender. No matter how hard she pushed, only kindness came back.

Edelaine dredged up a very old memory.

It was shortly after their engagement.

Her initially distant fiancé had, at some point, grown terribly attached to her. He was four years older, so "following her around" might sound off, but that's exactly what he did.

It was quite the hassle.

"But she's so pretty and cute. Like a little human puppy..."

An eleven-year-old boy, seeing her as a puppy.

Truth be told, Edelaine found Shane's constant clinging burdensome.

At her young age, she hadn't thought deeply about their engagement. She saw him as a childhood friend their families had paired off—nothing more. Even a good friend—great for occasional gawking—was tiresome to meet so often. Honestly, annoying.

Do I really have to play with a kid at my age?

Yet steadfast Shane kept trailing after her relentlessly.

Even when she dodged him, somehow he always tracked her down.

When she tried excuses like being busy or having other matters a few times, he started showing up unannounced, no warning.

Realizing surprise visits were even more irritating, Edelaine stopped turning him away after a few failures. She figured he'd get bored if she humored him a little.

After several meetings, she discovered that Shane—whom she'd dismissed as just a cute kid—had a surprisingly cynical side.

His relationship with his parents, especially his mother, must've been rocky...

He hadn't even cried at his mother's funeral.

Rumors swirled from all directions. Adults gossiped mercilessly, as if the child deserved to hear it all.

The kid didn't act his age, wasn't cute enough to love—that's why, right?

Of course, Shane had always been precocious and brilliant beyond his years.

Perhaps too brilliant and gifted, he tended to view the world lightly. He could have anything he wanted and do anything flawlessly, after all.

But his effortless success grated on her a bit, so she prodded teasingly.

"Must be nice, born with everything handed to you. More you have, easier life gets, right?"

"Not born carrying heavy burdens?"

"..."

"People who just defer decisions and shove off responsibility seem even more comfortable. If things go wrong, blame the decision-maker and call it a day. Sure, if it's their own life on the line—and they didn't choose it—it's unfair."

What must it feel like, your choices swaying others' lives in the balance?

"I didn't ask to shoulder others' fates either. Same boat."

"Being a noble isn't easy, huh..."

"You say that like it's different for you."

"I'm the baby of the family. The tough stuff? My big brothers handle it."

I'm the immature one... Edelaine reflected.

The boy's profile looked so grown-up as he thought it through.

That day was especially fine, and their terrace tea dragged on with idle chatter. Lost in thoughts of the pleasant sunlight, she dozed off before she knew it.

She wasn't sure how long she'd slept, but she woke with a start.

Having napped in the sun, she braced for anger—even from her good-natured fiancé—or a scolding from her mother about her sunburnt face.

But Shane was shading her face with his hand.

"Awake? Was just thinking I should wake you."

He smiled dazzlingly.

It was the moment her "cute kid" fiancé became one person: Shane Blancard.

*

The puppy she'd raised died.

Young puppies sometimes pass suddenly for no clear reason.

Edelaine cried for two straight days.

It was the first time she'd seen a living thing die since her rebirth. Still terrifying, horrific.

Warm, soft, wriggling the night before—cold and rigid by morning. That was unbearable. She missed the puppy's scent and touch.

Shane stared at her tear-swollen face for a long while before speaking.

"You loved that puppy that much?"

"It slept with me every night... It liked me."

Impossible not to adore. Thinking of it brought fresh tears streaming.

Shane knelt before Edelaine and guided her hand to his head.

"Honestly, it stings that it wasn't me you loved most."

Jealous... of a puppy?

"But seeing you cry hurts my heart. You can treat me like a puppy if you want."

It was a strange thing to say, but his sincere attempt at comfort came through. Her sobs finally eased; she sniffled.

"Why do living things have to die? Why can't they just not?"

"If people only got born and never died, the world would turn into a maggot-ridden pit..."

"...Shane... You look like cotton candy, but you're spicy..."

"...Not a compliment, is it?"

"...I miss the puppy, and it makes me sad... but I'm not looking for a replacement. I just... Death scares me so much."

"Hmm."

Shane looked troubled. He clearly couldn't grasp why it frightened her.

Still, he picked his words with care. Since she didn't want a puppy substitute, he racked his brain for something else.

"Then I'll hold your hand forever."

"..."

"I'll stay with you for life. I won't leave you alone when it's scary. That'll make it less frightening, right?"

What kind of promise is that—like dying together? Terrifying...

Instead of picking at his clumsy comfort, Edelaine just gripped the hand holding hers.

Sweaty, damp palm.

Warm body heat.

Awkward consolation.

A promise probably impossible to keep in reality.

Right now, you chase after me because you like me, but grow a little older and it'll change fast.

That confident face, certain it wouldn't change, pledging eternity so lightly.

Stay together forever. What a kid. Future's unpredictable.

These were the empty promises of childhood.

But right now... it's sincere.

Foolish little puppy.

What to do. I like you.

You seem so lovable.

You promised to stay when I'm scared.

So I'll make sure you're happy.

Edelaine rubbed her damp eyes, lost in thought.

Your blue eyes like the sea—so dazzling.

How can you be this pretty? You, smiling at me.

You're just a kid making forever promises lightly, but I'm no kid, so I won't say it aloud.

I'll make you—the lonely one—truly happy.

*

But you don't have to stay by my side forever.