"Is there anything you need for writing?"
"I wish there were more bookshelves."
Kendrick stood in Stella's study, recalling their conversation from the previous night. The reason he had come to her workspace without a word was simply to rearrange the bookshelf. It was a sort of surprise gift. He had also brought candy and chocolate so she could eat them if she needed something to snack on while writing.
Drugs.
Then, suddenly, one of the rumors came to mind. He wanted to open the desk drawer right in front of him.
If Stella had taken sedatives.
They must have hidden it here.
The study was her own space, untouched by Kendrick, and since she could come and go freely, it was the perfect place to hide drugs. He didn't believe the other rumors about Stella. However, the story about drugs wasn't entirely unbelievable. Yet, seeing that not a single drawer was locked, there was no way Stella would use drugs. Kendrick decided to put the chocolate he had brought inside the drawer instead of placing it on the desk.
Dalgrak.
Kendrick couldn't believe his eyes.
Why is this coming out here?
A pink bottle and a white bottle. They were exactly the same as the drug said to be in vogue among noble ladies. He took them out to check. His eyes were particularly drawn to the dazzling pink bottle. It was the 'love potion' Stella had received from God.
As always, when they were talking at a quiet cafe after the critique was over, Roy gave Stella a book as a gift.
It's the legend of the loneliness disease he mentioned last time.
It was something Roy had retrieved for her through his connections in the kingdom. It was like a book that collected various legends passed down through the kingdom.
"If you are curious, you can read it right away."
Stella thanked Roy and read the book in front of him. She was so absorbed that she didn't even notice Roy's gaze.
The preface of the book stated that it included legends passed down from the Age of Magic.
Angela Chanzeria was a powerful sorceress. Her magical power was so immense that she could barely manage it herself. Her strength was such that she alone could either save or destroy a nation, so empires and kingdoms alike spared no effort in recruiting her. A red aura was her defining characteristic. Angela not only used magic to prevent casualties from natural disasters such as landslides and earthquakes but also served as a formidable weapon of war. There was only one sorceress who could rival her: Hajean Lurias.
...And so, Hajean and Angela fell in love with each other. However, because they belonged to different nations, this love could not be realized... Angela contracted an illness of unknown origin. As the disease worsened, she lost control of her magical power. Upon learning this, the kingdom terminated its contract with Angela... Angela worried about the damage her magical power would inflict on the world. She sought out Hajean Lurias and made a request.
"Seal my magic. That way I can sleep peacefully."
However, Hajean refused.
"It is impossible for me to suppress your magic power with my own strength."
"Try to do it somehow."
Angela continued to plead. Having no other choice, Hajean sealed Angela away. He threw her into the sea and poured all his magical power into binding her. Thus, the Great Sorceress Angela Chanzeria met her end.
Roy looked at Stella, who was engrossed in the book he had brought, with a loving gaze. He was also curious about what kind of writing she intended to produce using this material.
In this legend, the disease Angela contracted is called the disease of loneliness. Hajean poured out his magical power on the seashore for a whole week to kill Angela.
Stella lifted her head.
"That is why wizards fear falling into the sea. Hajean poured out life-draining magic to kill Angela, and since that has no effect on ordinary people but harms wizards, they believe that the magic Hajean poured out back then still remains in the sea. Especially the southern sea of the Empire."
"...Southern Sea?"
Angela was a wizard of the Kingdom, and Hajean was a wizard of the Empire. The prevailing theory is that the sea where Hajean sealed Angela is the southern sea of the Empire.
For some reason, she felt a chill. It occurred to her that she might have contracted the disease of loneliness because she had fallen into the southern sea as a child. No, wait a minute.
'I'm not even a wizard, so why did I get loneliness sickness?'
Stella felt conflicted, so she slowly closed and opened her eyes.
"Then, what is the cure if one contracts the disease of loneliness?"
"It is possible, but it will be very difficult."
"Why?"
Hajean felt devastated after sealing Angela. He thought that if he had learned medicine, he might have been able to heal Angela instead of sealing her. From then on, he made an effort to learn medicine.
"Hajean left behind a magic stone before he died. A magic stone with the power to cure Angela's loneliness disease."
However, Angela was already dead and had passed away. Even Hajean could not bring a dead person back to life. Therefore, when Hajean died, the Imperial Household collected the magic stone.
"They say the magic stone he left behind is among the treasures that the Imperial Family does not reveal."
It was said that among the magic students, only the story was passed down that if they had Hajean's magic stone, they might be able to cure the disease of loneliness.
'Imperial treasure.'
Stella clutched the hem of her skirt tightly. Although the symptoms of loneliness disease had not yet appeared, she did not have much time left to suffer from it. She did not want to let her second life be tossed about by loneliness disease and lose it pitifully.
'Should I ask Kendrick for help?'
She heard that Kendrick was quite close to the Crown Prince. Roy tilted his head toward Stella and asked.
"What's wrong with your expression? You look unwell."
Stella shook her head in surprise.
"Um, then, to get Hajean's magic stone, I guess stealing it from the Imperial Palace is the only option?"
At her words, Roy suddenly burst into laughter. Hahaha. The sound of healthy laughter echoed in Stella's ears. As she always felt, Roy laughed a lot and was cheerful.
"Are you planning to steal?"
Roy reached out his hand with an expression that showed he was going crazy over how adorable Stella was. He stroked her hair briefly. He could feel the stinging gaze of the guard behind him, but this time, he couldn't bear it.
"It's not that, but... I really want Hajean's Magic Stone."
There is also a way to become a member of the Imperial Family. If you become a member of the Imperial Family through marriage, or if you become a high-ranking official, the probability of possessing Hajean's Magic Stone increases.
As usual, Stella headed to the study as soon as she returned to the Duke's mansion.
"Welcome back, Lady Stella."
"Did you have a pleasant time, Madam?"
As she passed through the hallway, several servants she encountered bowed deeply in greeting. When she reached the study, she noticed something strange.
Why are Kendrick's knights here?
The two knights he usually had with him were standing in front of the door to her study. Upon seeing Stella, they greeted her politely, stepped aside, and opened the door. The sound of Stella's heavy footsteps seemed unusually loud.
"Honey."
What she encountered in the study was a new bookshelf placed haphazardly, candy and chocolate scattered on the desk, and Kendrick sitting on the sofa with a gloomy expression. At her call, Kendrick turned his head slightly. Seeing the low, subdued look in his eyes, Stella sensed that something was wrong.
"What's wrong?"
Stella approached him. As she got closer, things that had been hidden by Kendrick came into view.
'How did Kendrick... that?'
Stella quickened her pace upon seeing the sparkling love potion.
"Did you rummage through my study?"
"I was going to leave some chocolate and candy in the drawer."
She was flustered and tried to retrieve the vial. However, Kendrick stopped her by grabbing Stella's wrist.
"I'm done explaining, so now you tell me. Why are these in your drawer?"
"These things?"
Kendrick probably doesn't know what this drug is.
"Surely you didn't drink this, did you?"
"Why? Are you afraid I'll turn into a lunatic after drinking?"
Stella couldn't hide her bewilderment at Kendrick's prickly attitude. These were gifts from God to Stella. Especially that love potion, which God had placed in her hand even though she hadn't wanted it. Why was Kendrick speaking so sharply when he didn't even know what this drug actually was?
"Stella, are you aware that rumors have spread that you bought drugs?"
'Drug?'
He thought it was all just a rumor. But now that such blatant evidence has emerged, he doesn't know how to handle it either.
Stella found it hard to figure out what he was talking about. So, you're saying I bought drugs...?
"If it was that hard, you should have just told me. Instead of using these low-quality drugs."
He clutched the love potion tightly.
"Kendrick, you don't mean to think this is a drug, do you?"
"Then what does this mean?"
"That..."
Stella agonized over many things in a short amount of time. Would anyone believe her if she told them she died, met a god, received a love potion, and then returned to the past? Wouldn't they treat her like a madwoman and call a psychiatrist again?
Then, it gets in the way of her divorce.
She decided not to tell the truth.
"It's just juice. Juice that helps improve concentration."
"Then, I guess I can drink this? I've been having a hard time lately because my concentration has been lacking."
Kendrick opened the cap of the vial as if to drink it. An alluring, sweet scent instantly filled the room. Kendrick frowned. It was exactly the same description he had heard from the servant last night.
"They said if you drink this, you'll hallucinate for half a day."
Since it is night now, the effects of the medicine will wear off by tomorrow morning. Then he can simply resume his duties as a Duke, so it wasn't a big problem.
"Kendrick, wait! Don't drink that."
"Why? You said it was just juice."
Kendrick would rather Stella be honest.
"Um, this isn't actually a drug, but you still shouldn't drink it."
Stella grabbed his arm as if pleading. However, Stella could not overcome the height difference. When Stella refused to tell the truth to the very end, Kendrick brought his lips to the drug as if to spite her. Gulp. A fresh and sweet scent filled the throat.
'No.'
The love potion didn't matter to Stella. She tried to knock the bottle away, intending to stop Kendrick from drinking it somehow, but Kendrick's hand gently wrapped around Stella's wrist.
Kendrick drank the love potion down to the last drop. It tasted intoxicating.
"K-Kendrick. Are you okay?"
Kendrick's eyes seemed to glaze over. Startled, Stella grabbed his cheek and checked his complexion. At that, Kendrick's pupils dilated. Wherever her fingertips touched, it burned, and his face instantly turned bright red.
"Stella."
Was her name this sweet?
Kendrick pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.
Thump, thump. It seemed as though the sound of Kendrick's pounding heart could be heard even by the knights outside the study.
"I wish there were more bookshelves."
Kendrick stood in Stella's study, recalling their conversation from the previous night. The reason he had come to her workspace without a word was simply to rearrange the bookshelf. It was a sort of surprise gift. He had also brought candy and chocolate so she could eat them if she needed something to snack on while writing.
Drugs.
Then, suddenly, one of the rumors came to mind. He wanted to open the desk drawer right in front of him.
If Stella had taken sedatives.
They must have hidden it here.
The study was her own space, untouched by Kendrick, and since she could come and go freely, it was the perfect place to hide drugs. He didn't believe the other rumors about Stella. However, the story about drugs wasn't entirely unbelievable. Yet, seeing that not a single drawer was locked, there was no way Stella would use drugs. Kendrick decided to put the chocolate he had brought inside the drawer instead of placing it on the desk.
Dalgrak.
Kendrick couldn't believe his eyes.
Why is this coming out here?
A pink bottle and a white bottle. They were exactly the same as the drug said to be in vogue among noble ladies. He took them out to check. His eyes were particularly drawn to the dazzling pink bottle. It was the 'love potion' Stella had received from God.
***
As always, when they were talking at a quiet cafe after the critique was over, Roy gave Stella a book as a gift.
It's the legend of the loneliness disease he mentioned last time.
It was something Roy had retrieved for her through his connections in the kingdom. It was like a book that collected various legends passed down through the kingdom.
"If you are curious, you can read it right away."
Stella thanked Roy and read the book in front of him. She was so absorbed that she didn't even notice Roy's gaze.
The preface of the book stated that it included legends passed down from the Age of Magic.
Angela Chanzeria was a powerful sorceress. Her magical power was so immense that she could barely manage it herself. Her strength was such that she alone could either save or destroy a nation, so empires and kingdoms alike spared no effort in recruiting her. A red aura was her defining characteristic. Angela not only used magic to prevent casualties from natural disasters such as landslides and earthquakes but also served as a formidable weapon of war. There was only one sorceress who could rival her: Hajean Lurias.
...And so, Hajean and Angela fell in love with each other. However, because they belonged to different nations, this love could not be realized... Angela contracted an illness of unknown origin. As the disease worsened, she lost control of her magical power. Upon learning this, the kingdom terminated its contract with Angela... Angela worried about the damage her magical power would inflict on the world. She sought out Hajean Lurias and made a request.
"Seal my magic. That way I can sleep peacefully."
However, Hajean refused.
"It is impossible for me to suppress your magic power with my own strength."
"Try to do it somehow."
Angela continued to plead. Having no other choice, Hajean sealed Angela away. He threw her into the sea and poured all his magical power into binding her. Thus, the Great Sorceress Angela Chanzeria met her end.
Roy looked at Stella, who was engrossed in the book he had brought, with a loving gaze. He was also curious about what kind of writing she intended to produce using this material.
In this legend, the disease Angela contracted is called the disease of loneliness. Hajean poured out his magical power on the seashore for a whole week to kill Angela.
Stella lifted her head.
"That is why wizards fear falling into the sea. Hajean poured out life-draining magic to kill Angela, and since that has no effect on ordinary people but harms wizards, they believe that the magic Hajean poured out back then still remains in the sea. Especially the southern sea of the Empire."
"...Southern Sea?"
Angela was a wizard of the Kingdom, and Hajean was a wizard of the Empire. The prevailing theory is that the sea where Hajean sealed Angela is the southern sea of the Empire.
For some reason, she felt a chill. It occurred to her that she might have contracted the disease of loneliness because she had fallen into the southern sea as a child. No, wait a minute.
'I'm not even a wizard, so why did I get loneliness sickness?'
Stella felt conflicted, so she slowly closed and opened her eyes.
"Then, what is the cure if one contracts the disease of loneliness?"
"It is possible, but it will be very difficult."
"Why?"
Hajean felt devastated after sealing Angela. He thought that if he had learned medicine, he might have been able to heal Angela instead of sealing her. From then on, he made an effort to learn medicine.
"Hajean left behind a magic stone before he died. A magic stone with the power to cure Angela's loneliness disease."
However, Angela was already dead and had passed away. Even Hajean could not bring a dead person back to life. Therefore, when Hajean died, the Imperial Household collected the magic stone.
"They say the magic stone he left behind is among the treasures that the Imperial Family does not reveal."
It was said that among the magic students, only the story was passed down that if they had Hajean's magic stone, they might be able to cure the disease of loneliness.
'Imperial treasure.'
Stella clutched the hem of her skirt tightly. Although the symptoms of loneliness disease had not yet appeared, she did not have much time left to suffer from it. She did not want to let her second life be tossed about by loneliness disease and lose it pitifully.
'Should I ask Kendrick for help?'
She heard that Kendrick was quite close to the Crown Prince. Roy tilted his head toward Stella and asked.
"What's wrong with your expression? You look unwell."
Stella shook her head in surprise.
"Um, then, to get Hajean's magic stone, I guess stealing it from the Imperial Palace is the only option?"
At her words, Roy suddenly burst into laughter. Hahaha. The sound of healthy laughter echoed in Stella's ears. As she always felt, Roy laughed a lot and was cheerful.
"Are you planning to steal?"
Roy reached out his hand with an expression that showed he was going crazy over how adorable Stella was. He stroked her hair briefly. He could feel the stinging gaze of the guard behind him, but this time, he couldn't bear it.
"It's not that, but... I really want Hajean's Magic Stone."
There is also a way to become a member of the Imperial Family. If you become a member of the Imperial Family through marriage, or if you become a high-ranking official, the probability of possessing Hajean's Magic Stone increases.
***
As usual, Stella headed to the study as soon as she returned to the Duke's mansion.
"Welcome back, Lady Stella."
"Did you have a pleasant time, Madam?"
As she passed through the hallway, several servants she encountered bowed deeply in greeting. When she reached the study, she noticed something strange.
Why are Kendrick's knights here?
The two knights he usually had with him were standing in front of the door to her study. Upon seeing Stella, they greeted her politely, stepped aside, and opened the door. The sound of Stella's heavy footsteps seemed unusually loud.
"Honey."
What she encountered in the study was a new bookshelf placed haphazardly, candy and chocolate scattered on the desk, and Kendrick sitting on the sofa with a gloomy expression. At her call, Kendrick turned his head slightly. Seeing the low, subdued look in his eyes, Stella sensed that something was wrong.
"What's wrong?"
Stella approached him. As she got closer, things that had been hidden by Kendrick came into view.
'How did Kendrick... that?'
Stella quickened her pace upon seeing the sparkling love potion.
"Did you rummage through my study?"
"I was going to leave some chocolate and candy in the drawer."
She was flustered and tried to retrieve the vial. However, Kendrick stopped her by grabbing Stella's wrist.
"I'm done explaining, so now you tell me. Why are these in your drawer?"
"These things?"
Kendrick probably doesn't know what this drug is.
"Surely you didn't drink this, did you?"
"Why? Are you afraid I'll turn into a lunatic after drinking?"
Stella couldn't hide her bewilderment at Kendrick's prickly attitude. These were gifts from God to Stella. Especially that love potion, which God had placed in her hand even though she hadn't wanted it. Why was Kendrick speaking so sharply when he didn't even know what this drug actually was?
"Stella, are you aware that rumors have spread that you bought drugs?"
'Drug?'
He thought it was all just a rumor. But now that such blatant evidence has emerged, he doesn't know how to handle it either.
Stella found it hard to figure out what he was talking about. So, you're saying I bought drugs...?
"If it was that hard, you should have just told me. Instead of using these low-quality drugs."
He clutched the love potion tightly.
"Kendrick, you don't mean to think this is a drug, do you?"
"Then what does this mean?"
"That..."
Stella agonized over many things in a short amount of time. Would anyone believe her if she told them she died, met a god, received a love potion, and then returned to the past? Wouldn't they treat her like a madwoman and call a psychiatrist again?
Then, it gets in the way of her divorce.
She decided not to tell the truth.
"It's just juice. Juice that helps improve concentration."
"Then, I guess I can drink this? I've been having a hard time lately because my concentration has been lacking."
Kendrick opened the cap of the vial as if to drink it. An alluring, sweet scent instantly filled the room. Kendrick frowned. It was exactly the same description he had heard from the servant last night.
"They said if you drink this, you'll hallucinate for half a day."
Since it is night now, the effects of the medicine will wear off by tomorrow morning. Then he can simply resume his duties as a Duke, so it wasn't a big problem.
"Kendrick, wait! Don't drink that."
"Why? You said it was just juice."
Kendrick would rather Stella be honest.
"Um, this isn't actually a drug, but you still shouldn't drink it."
Stella grabbed his arm as if pleading. However, Stella could not overcome the height difference. When Stella refused to tell the truth to the very end, Kendrick brought his lips to the drug as if to spite her. Gulp. A fresh and sweet scent filled the throat.
'No.'
The love potion didn't matter to Stella. She tried to knock the bottle away, intending to stop Kendrick from drinking it somehow, but Kendrick's hand gently wrapped around Stella's wrist.
Kendrick drank the love potion down to the last drop. It tasted intoxicating.
"K-Kendrick. Are you okay?"
Kendrick's eyes seemed to glaze over. Startled, Stella grabbed his cheek and checked his complexion. At that, Kendrick's pupils dilated. Wherever her fingertips touched, it burned, and his face instantly turned bright red.
"Stella."
Was her name this sweet?
Kendrick pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.
Thump, thump. It seemed as though the sound of Kendrick's pounding heart could be heard even by the knights outside the study.
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