HPBLL - Chapter 16

Stella agreed to receive a critique from Roy once a week.

Roy told Stella that it would be best to keep this a secret.

'Well, it doesn't matter to me.'

Artists were rare among the nobility. Unless it was just a hobby, there were numerous problems that a nobleman faced from the moment he introduced himself as an artist. If the works he presented did not receive favorable reviews, it could become a disgrace to the nobleman and his family.

'I can't cause trouble for the Duke's family.'

Moreover, Stella has not officially debuted. She has merely been recognized for her potential by Roy. If this fact becomes known in the notoriously troublesome social circles, it will not be well-received. Roy also published books while concealing his identity until his talent was acknowledged by the nobility.

"I heard you went out today."

The problem was Kendrick. Should she tell Roy that she had decided to show him the writing? Or would it be better not to? Stella nodded as she pondered this.

“I've been going out a lot lately.”

Lately, Stella has been going out often to attend writers' gatherings. Even so, the frequency wasn't that high, but it seemed to feel that way because Stella used to stay cooped up in her room so much.

"I know, right. What about the meal?"

Suddenly, Kendrick’s face crumpled as he looked at her. It wasn’t because he felt Stella was answering his words half-heartedly. It was because of the scent emanating from her.

"Did you happen to run into Young Master Skyle today?"

Cool mint scent.

"No. Why the sudden question?"

'Then that means it's another man's scent.'

On top of that, it's the same scent that was there last time.

She knew because Kendrick's businesses include those related to chemicals, including perfumes. Mint scent is typically used in products for men. And if she came back with that scent ingrained in her body...

'It must mean they've been together for quite a long time.'

The mere thought of Stella drinking with another man at a garden party made his stomach churn. He couldn't stand it.

“Here I go again today.”

"What is it?"

He grabbed her wrist.

"Smells like a man."

Stella couldn't help but be flustered. It was something she hadn't anticipated. To think Kendrick would figure out she had been with Roy just by the smell.

The smell?

Come to think of it, sje do think Roy had a refreshing scent. However, it wasn't strong. Rather, it was subtle. She had only caught it when their bodies were close as she was concentrating on the manuscript.

"I smell that same scent again."

Kendrick might not have simply smelled Roy's scent. He must have instinctively sensed the traces of the time Stella and Roy had spent together.

"Who is that guy?"

Kendrick's voice grew sharp. Stella instinctively felt that she had to confide in Kendrick about Roy.

"Actually, I decided to learn to read from Roy Andra."

Kendrick wanted to root for her. However, he felt that Roy Andra was a dangerous man.

"I will assign you a knight as an escort. Make sure to take him with you when you go to the Marquis Andra's mansion."

Stella noticed that Kendrick was wary of Roy. She also knew that it was better not to get close to a man her spouse was wary of. However, hadn't Kendrick kept Sia by his side until now simply because she was competent? So, she thought this much was acceptable.

"All right."

And Roy saw right through Kendrick's mind.

He's obviously a surveillance guard.

As soon as he saw Stella accompanied by a burly knight, he had a hunch. That her husband was keeping him in check. With the Duke's crest even engraved on his left chest, he must be a knight of quite high rank. However, Roy greeted Stella with a bright smile, as if he didn't care about such things at all.

"Welcome, Lady Stella. We have been waiting for you."

"Thank you for welcoming me, Young Master Andra."

Afterwards, Roy taught Stella various things. Literature was one of those arts that seemed simple yet was incredibly complex. It did not require many materials, but it demanded a great deal of time and effort.

"In a novel, you cannot be careless about anything—characters, setting, plot, or title."

As Stella listened to him, she felt her heart and mind filling up. Indeed, Roy hadn't become a bestselling author for nothing.

"Yes."

"Stella, your outstanding quality is precisely your ability to create cases like this. Cases that immerse the readers."

There were times when, as she listened intently to Roy's story, their bodies drew close. Each time, the back of Roy's head stung. It was because of Kendrick's knight she had brought along.

"On the other hand, other things are lacking. We need to select the location and time a little more precisely."

After finishing their critiques, they would go downtown to have a meal together or stop by a cafe. They would stop by to talk about life and writing. It was a truly enjoyable time.

'It's fun.'

It was about Skyle, not Kendrick. When was the last time I met someone new and engaged in a conversation on my own initiative?

After meeting a few times and feeling somewhat close, Stella casually asked about loneliness.

"Since you majored in medicine, you must know something about rare diseases."

Roy nodded. Although he had gone abroad to study medicine and ended up being more devoted to literature, it was not that he hadn't studied medicine.

"Do you happen to know anything about the disease of loneliness? I'm thinking about using it as material for a story."

As he listened to Stella, hw recalled the conversation he had with the magic students. It was a topic that came up briefly during their conversation, and since it was so long ago, he didn't remember the details clearly.

"I think I've heard a legend related to the disease of loneliness."

"A legend?"

"It is a legend from the kingdom."

Stella's eyes sparkled.

"When did I hear that?"

Roy tried to recall his memories.

"I don't remember right now. I can look it up for you if you want."

Then, Stella's face lit up.

If Roy were her husband, he would always make Stella smile. He would have whispered words of love incessantly and bought her flowers every day. That was the kind of person he was. Someone who had to possess whatever he set his sights on. Someone who protected what was his, no matter what. He was smart and clever.

'I have to approach slowly. With someone like Stella.'

Roy didn't care who her husband was. What did that matter? Her deep, thoughtful purple eyes and her lips that moved whenever she spoke. Her piercing gaze and a confident demeanor. Even her fidgeting fingers. There wasn't a single thing Roy disliked about her. Roy couldn't stop his heart from falling for Stella.

'The more I look at it, the more I covet it.'

Roy was worried that Stella might feel burdened by him. The moment one feels burdened, one cannot get close to that person. However, because of the clear reason that he was teaching her to read, she did not feel burdened by Roy even though he stayed by her side.

And Roy knew that fact very well.

'It would be nice if that troublemaker weren't there.'

Roy glanced at Adrian's knight, who was still glaring at the back of their heads from behind. He pulled up a chair and sat close to Stella. Then he spoke in a low voice.

"Stella, how is it with your husband?"

Stella smiled faintly at Roy, who was asking a flustering question with a cautious attitude. It was an awkward relationship—neither good nor bad.

"Well, I don't know. What do you think?"

Of course, he would. There’s no way a husband wouldn’t treat someone as charming as Stella well.

'I never thought I’d hear something like this in my life.'

Stella liked Roy. It wasn't simply because he seemed like he would be helpful in her life, but because she liked his true nature. Things like his promise to stay with her until her sadness ended, or his attitude that made Stella feel like a truly good person. Strangely, being with him filled her with self-esteem.

"That's right. We get along well."

Stella lied. She didn't want to deliberately show him her shadow. She was bothered by the slight hesitation she had before speaking, but fortunately, Roy didn't ask about it in detail.

"I think he's a good person. He supports his wife's dreams like this."

Roy folded the corners of his eyes in half again and smiled prettily.

***

Meanwhile, Kendrick was racking his brains in the office. It was because of the rumors about Stella.

There is talk again these days because the Duke's carriage is frequently seen downtown.

"You mean Stella is going to enjoy a night ball wearing a mask, or trying to rescue a young mistress?"

"These days, rumors have even started circulating that Stella is having a secret affair with a commoner. And a man who is already married, at that."

Kendrick crossed his arms and leaned back on the sofa. His mouth tasted bitter. Why on earth did the baseless rumors about his wife never stop?

"Is that the end?"

One of the attendants cautiously continued speaking.

"There are... many strange new rumors."

Kendrick nodded as if to say something.

"Stella slit her wrists out of fear of repercussions after the Duke found out she had an affair..."

"Ha..."

Kendrick slammed his whiskey glass down with a thud. The nearby servants flinched in surprise. Kendrick shook his head nervously. To think that her attempt to take her own life had been distorted like this. He couldn't even bring himself to laugh.

And there were also rumors circulating that Stella hadn't gone out for several months because of drugs.

"Drug?"

"Yes. They say it doesn't look like a drug at all on the outside. It is beautifully packaged like a perfume bottle, and they said that when you open the lid, it emits a sweet, fruity scent. Just smelling it makes you feel good and dizzy."

Come to think of it, he remembered hearing a few rumors about it as well.

"If you drink it all, you'll be intoxicated by euphoria and hallucinate for at least half a day."

He had heard that obtaining drugs through the black market or dark guilds wasn't that difficult. He recalled Stella's unstable state a few months ago. Although she appears quite fine now while writing, back then, there was a possibility that she might have relied on drugs.

'No. What are you thinking right now?'

As rumors piled up layer upon layer, it reached the point where even her husband began to suspect Stella. He shook his head in skepticism. The growing rumors about Stella were disgusting and repulsive.

"What about Stella?"

"She has not returned home yet."

He took a sip of whiskey. He was worried that Stella might find out about this rumor while meeting someone outside.

'I can't stop her from going out, either.'

For the first time in a while, life began to return to her face. Kendrick, who was always worried that she might slit her wrists like last time, could not suppress Stella. Letting out a short sigh, Kendrick finished his report and scanned the waiting servants, aides, and secretaries.

"Make sure Stella never hears about this."

"I will keep this in mind."

Kendrick rubbed his throbbing forehead. For the past few months, he had poured his heart and soul into trying to bury the rumors about Stella. The funny thing was, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't find the source of the rumors.

"Um, Duke."

Kendrick raised his head and looked at the servant who had spoken.

Regarding the rumor that Stella promised a future with another man even before her marriage, several men were mentioned as potential candidates.

'You don't know the limits.'

Kendrick was handed Stella's scandal list. As he remembered it, Stella was not a woman who enjoyed seeing multiple men. Nevertheless, the list felt just as unpleasant.

"Good job."

The list contained the names of several men, starting with Anton Geron. However, most of them were names that Stella had never once spoken aloud.

"If someone can keep spreading rumors to this extent, they cannot be an ordinary noble."

Up until now, the rumors hadn't spread because Stella had stayed at home. However, now Stella has been going out frequently to learn to read and write. It will become increasingly difficult to keep the rumors under control as before.

"Surely not, is it royalty?"

He vowed to root out the rumor as soon as possible.

"Contact Crown Prince Fabian."

I'm inviting you to dinner tonight.

Previous                Next