Chapter 7

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 3. The Villainess Revives (5)

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Edelaine Bertrand's grand return was set for the church-hosted charity gala.

Of course, it was a decision that didn't take her opinion into account in the slightest.

It was a brief appearance slotted in before the wedding—just enough to show her face. She wouldn't have to stay long, but it was necessary to be seen alongside Saintess Genevieve and Crown Prince Edwin.

Her partner was Jeff.

"Shane said he'd come, even if it's late. Don't be too disappointed, Edelaine."

"I'm actually relieved."

She had no desire to see Shane's face if she could help it.

He must have been busy, because thankfully, she hadn't laid eyes on him in the ten days since returning from her meeting with Edwin. It had given her a brief respite. But tonight, there was no escaping him.

'At least my partner is Jeff. I can hold off on seeing him a little longer.'

She grabbed his arm playfully, and Jeff's gaze softened warmly.

"You still prefer your big brother, huh?"

"Of course. There's no comparison."

"That guy would cry if he heard you."

Jeff chuckled lightly.

The heir, Patrick, who would inherit the title and lands, didn't seem to have any personal ties with Shane. But Jeff, the second son with a freer position, treated Shane with surprising ease—or so it seemed from the conversations she'd overheard lately.

They must have had some minor interactions since childhood, though she didn't know the details.

Ever since realizing the world wanted her dead, she'd avoided her family even more diligently than she'd avoided Shane. As a result, despite being blood relatives, she knew less about them than most outsiders did.

All she knew were their roles in the original story and their personalities from childhood.

The only person Edelaine had kept close was Lloyd.

The rest, she kept at a shallow, superficial distance.

How shallow? Even people she'd been fairly friendly with back then— their faces and names didn't come to mind after just a few years.

"What if someone talks to me...?"

In the 'setting,' today was the day after that fateful event five years ago for Edelaine.

So she should remember her acquaintances' faces and names, but unfortunately, she couldn't even recall who she'd been close to. And that wasn't the only thing she'd forgotten.

"No need to worry. We've got your back."

Patrick spoke firmly as he escorted Emma in Gregory's absence due to his busy schedule. It was uncharacteristically intimidating for a man known as rigid and formal yet gentlemanly.

Jeff leaned down and whispered.

"Chin up, Edelaine. If anyone says anything, tell your big brother."

"With you guys acting this scary, who would dare...?"

Who wouldn't call this the villainess's family...?

It was a relief Gregory wasn't here. Even with just Emma, Patrick, and Jeff, it was intimidating enough to make the faint-hearted tremble.

'Their eyes are like hunting dogs.'

Hiding behind her family should keep people from approaching rashly. A glimmer of hope sparked.

With her unnecessarily dignified entourage in tow, Edelaine entered the gala.

*

Edelaine Bertrand drew every eye in an instant.

Her platinum hair, slicked back smoothly, gleamed brilliantly under the gala lights. The simple pearl adornments resembled a halo.

Her slender, long neck; creamy skin flushed with healthy color; and large, deer-like green eyes—the beauty appeared utterly unchanged from the past.

As if she'd defied time itself.

Even the murmurs fell silent. People held their breath, staring at the woman risen from the dead.

The sacrifice who had saved the Saintess and perished.

If her fiancé hadn't been Shane Blancard, her death might have been honored as a heroic deed.

But the rumors swirling between Shane Blancard and Saintess Genevieve had prevented that.

It simply looked better if the existence of the sacrificed fiancée wasn't highlighted when those two came together.

Now that the Saintess had married another man, it was all meaningless anyway.

"It's really Edelaine Bertrand."

"No way... Is it actually her?"

"I even left flowers at her coffin."

"Impossible..."

Among the whispering crowd were a few young ladies who'd been close to Edelaine.

Some paled as if seeing a ghost, others looked pleased to see her, but none dared approach.

The Bertrand family surrounded Edelaine with fierce protectiveness. It was as if they'd tear apart and devour anyone who dared speak out of turn.

"They dote on her so much—she must be real."

"Were the Bertrands always this close-knit...?"

"Weren't they famous for being heartless?"

"I thought the Bertrand lady always went around alone."

"Are they hovering like that because she's a fake and they fear exposure?"

The moment "fake" was uttered, Emma Bertrand shot a sharp glance from where she conversed with her eldest son. The whisperers hid behind their fans.

Being marked by Emma Bertrand, who was close to the Empress Dowager, meant survival in high society was over.

The House of Marquis Bertrand was infamous for its pragmatic nature.

Pragmatic was putting it nicely; they were more accurately known as calculating cold-bloods.

The Marchioness was considered moderate among them, but even she didn't let emotions sway her in crucial moments.

After Edelaine's death, rumors spread that the Bertrands never smiled, they were so icy. But tonight proved otherwise. They smiled sweetly like sugar, but only for their youngest daughter.

Their intimidating vigilance kept everyone at bay, merely watching.

"Lady Edelaine!"

"Genevieve!"

Genevieve pushed through the crowd and threw her arms around Edelaine in one swift motion.

It wasn't very saintly, but it eased the Bertrand family's guard slightly.

Emma and Patrick stepped away, and Jeff excused himself to give them space nearby—a considerate gesture for a private chat.

The crowd murmured again. She must be real...

Edelaine sighed softly. Why aren't they doubting more? Did all the conspiracy theorists freeze to death?

"It's been so long, Lady Edelaine! I've missed you!"

"I've missed you too. No—formal occasion, right? As befits the Saintess."

"Please, speak comfortably. Everyone knows you're my benefactor."

"...Benefactor...?"

"You saved my life, didn't you?"

Edelaine smiled faintly.

"If we're splitting hairs..."

"What's there to split hairs about? The goddess returned you because you're my benefactor."

"Enough..."

"That's why you're the living embodiment of grace..."

"Please stop. I'm begging you."

"Okay, I'll stop."

Any more and she'd cry. Genevieve grinned mischievously.

"Where's His Highness Edwin?"

"Over there. He'll be here soon. No escaping after dumping all that work and running off—His Grace made sure to hold him."

"What a thorough bastard."

"He is diligent, yes..."

Genevieve chimed in smoothly. Edelaine sighed inwardly. She could almost see "proxy" after Genevieve's name.

"I've been too busy to visit. I'm sorry."

"What do you have to apologize for? This is all because of that lunatic trying to rush the wedding in a month."

"Still."

"You sleeping okay? You look exhausted."

"...Lady Edelaine, who’s worrying whom here...?"

Edelaine fell silent for a moment. Strictly speaking, Genevieve was in cahoots with Shane. She'd helped him deceive the Bertrand family.

But that was separate from this.

"It's my concern. From what I've heard, Shane works people to dust...!"

Genevieve's violet eyes flickered briefly.

"Why put up with it? Say no to what you don't like, Genevieve."

"...Lady Edelaine, that's."

She was definitely being overworked. Something was wrong, no doubt.

The moment Edelaine opened her mouth with conviction, Edwin approached.

"Edelaine, there you are."

"Your Highness."

"What's with that face... on a bride-to-be?"

Edwin blinked.

"What about my face?"

"You look like you could kill someone."

"There is one person I'd like to kill."

"I hope it's not me. Executing a resurrection by the goddess's grace for treason would look bad."

"Your jokes are brutal..."

"True. If I executed you, Shane would kill me."

"Ha."

Edelaine let out a cold huff of laughter, and Edwin shrugged. Now the prospective bride looked ready to kill two people effortlessly.

Genevieve slipped subtly from Edelaine's embrace. Edwin didn't miss the tears glistening in her eyes.

Edwin extended his hand.

"I can't steal the bride's first dance, so I'll ask the Saintess instead. Genevieve."

"I have a husband."

"He won't be jealous of me."

Genevieve glanced over Edwin's shoulder.

Edelaine followed her gaze. She wanted to see the heroine's husband, but couldn't spot him.

"Then with pleasure."

"You can handle being alone for a bit, right, Edelaine?"

Edelaine waved them off. As if she were a child.

A moment later.

"You're Edelaine Bertrand? Not some fraud who just looks similar?"

"......"

Yeah...

I wish I weren't, either...