Chapter 6

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 3. The Villainess Revives (4)

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Delmuse was abuzz with excitement.

It had been over a month since Saintess Genevieve's sudden marriage, leaving people bored without fresh gossip. But folks had always gone wild for anything involving the Saintess and Duke Blancard.

Now, with impossible seasonings like "resurrection" and "miracle" thrown in, the uproar was inevitable.

In any salon or party, as soon as two or more people gathered, the talk turned to Edelaine Bertrand.

Public opinion was split down the middle.

"Resurrection is nonsense. It's just a scam with a stand-in!"

"The Saintess performed a miracle. Doubting it is blasphemy. With proof right in front of us, refusing to believe is foolish!"

But the loud debates were confined to secretive private spaces.

Openly questioning Edelaine Bertrand was tantamount to picking a fight with those who accepted her as real.

Edelaine hoped it was a minority voicing doubts.

Those who could judge rationally without being swayed by power-tied media were the true leaders this society needed.

Not some duke buying fake articles with bribes!

Not imperial royals who knew the Saintess's resurrection was phony but played along for their own schemes!

People with backbone who spoke their convictions boldly!

"That's why Greenwinter is doomed..."

"Will it fall before you do, Mistress?"

"...Lloyd, can't you learn to beat around the bush for real now?"

"No examples to follow."

Edelaine sniffled dramatically, pretending to cry. Lloyd ignored her, focusing on his tasks.

"I told you not to lie on the sofa. Move, please. I need to clean."

"Someone else will get it."

"It's my job. And we're short on time—Jeff's coming soon."

"Ah... Still stuff left to buy?"

"With a wedding in a month? Plenty."

"So cold..."

Lloyd snorted loudly enough for her to hear.

"Your brothers don't suspect anything?"

"Told them you came back after hearing the news. They bought it and hired extra help."

"Suspicious."

Well, everything was suspicious.

Edelaine still couldn't believe Gregory, Emma, Patrick, and Jeff swallowed the fairy tale of the Saintess's miracle.

'They might've been shocked at first and fallen for Genevieve's scam, but they can't keep ignoring the doubts forever.'

They weren't that gullible—yet no one showed a hint of suspicion.

Edelaine groaned from the sofa, propping herself up.

Even without Lloyd's prodding, it was time to rise.

Ten days had passed since Shane kidnapped her.

Only twelve days back in Delmuse, but Edelaine had nearly perfectly returned to five years ago.

Stricter, it was even quieter than five years prior.

Emma and Gregory, worried about her stamina, had declined all external invitations. No minor tea parties, salons, galas, or charity events—great, but not idle.

Edelaine shopped from dawn till dusk.

Seemed like she'd bought every worldly good, yet more remained. Amazing how abundant goods were without factories.

"Edelaine, may I come in?"

"You're already in."

What's the point of asking at the door?

Jeff grinned.

"Just politeness."

"Knock politely, then."

"What sneaky stuff you up to?"

"What sneaky stuff...?"

With all these eyes around. Edelaine glanced behind Jeff, muttering.

Jeff just smiled mysteriously, saying nothing.

'Suspicious? Or not? No clue what he's thinking, damn it.'

Like sitting on pins.

"Hello, Edelaine. Looking lovely today!"

A face familiar from recent days beamed a greeting.

Owner of Madam Harper's, one of Delmuse's famed dress shops.

Five years ago, Edelaine patronized others, but knew its reputation. Famous for high-nosed clientele of elites, it turned out to be Jeff's longtime business partner.

Jeff funded its startup and remained a top investor.

'Thought he just traveled and ran a small shop... Guess not.'

She knew little of the Bertrand family. The novel only covered their downfall from her rampage.

Madam Harper—Rachel—said,

"Just final measurements today. Schedule's tight, so straight to sewing."

"All bought now?"

The reply came elsewhere. Mother Emma.

"What nonsense. So much left to prepare."

"Mother, please..."

"Old clothes are preserved, but outdated. All new."

Jeff chimed in.

"Essentials are picked. Rest slowly."

"Really? Still shortages."

"Time aplenty now."

"Ah..."

Tears welled in Emma's eyes. Edelaine groaned forebodingly.

"Yes, now... so much time...!"

Jeff handed Emma a handkerchief.

"Show them whose daughter Edelaine is. No loose talk."

"Yes. No one dares speak carelessly."

"..."

By now, most in Delmuse gossiped about Edelaine Bertrand. Some newspapers nudged conspiracy theories.

"Idiots doubt even with eyes."

"An intellectual would suspect..."

"Don't worry, Edelaine. Mother will protect you."

"No one's out to hurt me..."

"No worries for you."

"I'm worried about you, Mother..."

Worried she'd dehydrate from crying.

Last ten days, tears at every turn—no real talk possible. Facing overly solemn Emma pricked even her thick-skinned conscience.

Comforting crying Emma, her eyes met Jeff's. He smiled enigmatically.

'Suspicious. Definitely suspicious...'

Jeff said,

"Tonight's star will be our Edelaine, Mother."

"I'll make her the protagonist."

To be protagonist, parading in rags might work best. Call her mad, ship to convent. That'd be nice...

'No, when I fled to convent, someone pushed me off a cliff...'

The nightmare hadn't restarted.

But core issues lingered unsolved.

The five years in Delmuse without 'Edelaine Bertrand.'

Edelaine pondered Lloyd's report.

Biggest change: Saintess Genevieve.

'Did Genevieve learn cloning or something?'

Even skimming, her schedule was inhuman.

A normal person would've collapsed from overwork in months, but saintly awakening granted self-healing to endure.

'No wonder she looked drained...!'

That pretty girl! Our heroine!

Shane was inhumanly demanding. Even a machine would've overheated.

Endless pollution purges, monster hunts domestically and abroad, plus mandatory appearances at imperial and church events.

Shane inherited title, matched her busyness, but skipped social circles. Rumors stuck to his icy personality, indifference, and sculpted beauty—praise only.

'Crown Prince had it easy.'

Saintess and male lead glued to palace fighting warlock—perfect for him.

Aged emperor secluded in vacation palace for health; Crown Prince gripped all power, a winged lion. No wonder his complexion glowed.

By now, original ending should've nabbed the warlock.

'Where's the real villain?'

Post-assault five years ago Edelaine exploited, warlock vanished.

Unless struck by lightning, Genevieve still faced unprecedented peril.

'Warlock, your laziness screwed my life too.'

Edelaine fumed wrongly. Not wishing Genevieve near-death repeats, of course.

Her death ends empire, world. Must prevent.

Edelaine knew only warlock was imperial noble. Plot diverged hugely—plot knowledge useless.

How to find warlock among Greenwinter's nobles?

'This should've been male lead's role.'

Thinking of Shane, Edelaine slapped her cheek hard. Lloyd startled.

"Crazy?"

"No, just reflecting."

"Reflect by slapping?"

"Multitasking."

Lloyd eyed her like a lunatic.

"Keep going? I'll do it."

"Done."

Overthinking, overreflecting breeds self-loathing. Action changes reality.

So, plan divorce now.

'Title: The Revived Villainess Wants a Divorce...'.

Damn my life.