CHAPTER 167……………………………..
Having slept through the whole day, my head throbbed for a while even after opening my eyes.
Ouch.
Adel couldn’t get up easily from the bed and blinked several times.
…So I really am pregnant, it seems.
I’ve gone through all sorts of things, but this was the first time I had fallen asleep as if collapsing. Adel placed both hands on her belly and gently caressed it.
“…….”
A smile spread across her face for no particular reason. Just the fact that she was doing this, that there was a baby inside her, felt miraculous. She smiled, and smiled again, grateful that both she and the baby were safe.
“Oh my, sister. You’re awake.”
“…Noela.”
Noela had opened the door and was surprised to see Adel awake.
But the one who was truly startled wasn’t Noela—it was Adel.
“…Did you go there again?”
“I never leave my friends alone. Our friendship is eternal, after all.”
“…….”
“That’s why… I really liked it there. As you know, I no longer have much interest elsewhere. So, since you’re going to hand her over anyway, it would be great if you could include that villa for me as well. Then I wouldn’t have to move my friend around secretly.”
Her audacity in making such a direct request was impressive.
Still, compared to the past, when she would schemed around in circles, this was much better, and Adel nodded with quiet approval.
“Very well. That’s nothing.”
“I knew you’d say that, sister.”
“…Thanks for the compliment, but could you stop that prayer thing for a moment?”
Seeing Noela kneel beneath the window, making the sign of the cross as if in penance, Adel’s expression hardened.
“I’m sorry. It’s just become a habit lately… Would you like to do it with me?”
“…No.”
Did Rebecca the priestess feel this way when she looked at me?
Which rhythm am I supposed to follow?
Adel was confused. It seemed she had truly been reborn as the protagonist, but it didn’t look like a particularly good turn of events.
Yet, at least in that moment, the way she prayed to the god Enes was so reverent, it could rival the devotion of a reincarnated archangel.
“Noela, let me ask you something.”
By now, Adel was curious. How were the fates of the protagonists supposed to unfold?
“What do you think of the prince?”
“Huh? The prince? Ah… the director’s younger brother?”
“…….”
“He should be downstairs. This is his private villa. But… why do you ask?”
Even from her tone, it was obvious enough that the answer had already been heard.
Still, she had once been the heroine.
Feeling dazed, Adel rested her arm on one bent knee.
“Even when you see him, you don’t feel anything?”
“Feelings? Sister, is this really the time to think about that?”
“…Then what do you think about?”
“Excuse me for saying this, but I value friendship over love. Since someone mocked my friendship, I will make sure they pay the price until their last breath.”
“….”
What a pine-tree-like girl.
Adel gave a wry smile and nodded lightly.
She couldn’t help how Noela was.
Still, with that mindset, if she focused on Chloe, she wouldn’t even have time to commit other misdeeds.
She wouldn’t slander innocent people, covet wealth, or exploit others’ feelings to bring about her own ruin.
Noela’s goal was simple: in true protagonist fashion, she was full of conviction and steadfastness.
In doing so, she could avoid the ending of a villainess at the end of the century—maybe even shape it into a happy ending.
“Sister? Why are you smiling?”
“Nothing. It just looks good to see you like that.”
Adel got up and patted Noela’s shoulder encouragingly.
Then she picked up her gown and stood before the mirror. She tied it loosely around her belly, careful not to compress it, and skillfully styled her hair.
“Well then, I suppose it’s time for me to meet my own ending.”
