Kendrick had grown up as the diligent heir to the Duke of Adrian since childhood. Therefore, no matter how unwell he was, he could not afford to neglect his duties as a Duke. Yet, a schedule that took him too far from the Duke's mansion was also difficult. It felt as though his strength drained the further he was from Stella. No matter how much candy he ate, that sense of despondency could not be filled.
"Give me the Duke's family schedule if it's organized."
So Stella and Kendrick had to coordinate their schedules to some extent.
"Are you having dinner with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince next week?"
Stella had been extremely interested in the Imperial Family lately. No matter how hard she rummaged through her memories from just before her death, she had no recollection of hearing anything about the Imperial Family's exclusive writer. This meant that she couldn't just sit idly by. For just like in her previous life, she would end her life without ever holding Hajean's magic stone in her hands.
"I don't want to show you my disheveled self, so stay close to me."
Stella nodded readily. She thought she could use this opportunity to bring up the position of exclusive royal writer to Fabian. Even if she didn't ask him to make her his exclusive writer, she could suggest holding an exam to select a writer.
"All right."
As she thought about the Crown Prince, a fact came to mind.
Crown Prince Fabian was also the head of the marriage and divorce department.
As soon as Stella returned to the past, she sent a divorce petition to the Imperial Family. She filed for divorce because she knew Kendrick would never sign it. However, the lawsuit was simply dismissed.
Stella also shared a connection with Crown Prince Fabian, having attended the same academy. The Fabian she remembered was by no means a soft-hearted person. He was a prickly, blunt man who always spoke his mind.
She wonders how that person remembers her.
Stella hoped that the conversation with Fabian would go smoothly on that dinner day.
The Duke's family was bustling about.
Fabian had been invited at 8 o'clock. However, the Duke's kitchen was bustling about as if a spark had been ignited. Watching the scene of the banquet being prepared, Kendrick lightly touched his forehead as drowsiness washed over him. Stella looked at him with concern.
"Honey, you look very pale."
There were deep shadows under his eyes. At Stella's words, Kendrick looked at her with a slightly resentful expression.
"It's okay."
Kendrick's voice wasn't good either. It was slightly hoarse at the end, and fatigue was evident. And no wonder, Kendrick had a restless night's sleep yesterday. The only time Stella could comfortably get away from Kendrick was when he was asleep. Last night, she made sure Kendrick was asleep and headed to the study to finish writing.
- Ugh, ugh.
When she returned to the bedroom at dawn, she was faced with Kendrick clutching his heart and head, crying out in pain. Stella could not hide her bewilderment at the sight of him. At the same time, she felt deeply sorry for Kendrick. Kendrick hugged Stella tightly and closed his eyes, but he could not fall asleep for even two hours. Then, Kendrick woke up at his usual time and carried out his duties as the Duke.
'You only slept an hour or two. Go get some sleep.'
"You won't be able to get up if you keep doing that."
"I have time left. It's okay."
"That gentleman might be able to arrive before the appointment time."
Kendrick knew Fabian well. He was eloquent and appeared outwardly considerate and gentle, but he was self-centered. If his schedule got mixed up and the timing became awkward, he could have arrived at the Dukes' mansion earlier than the time he was invited.
"It’s not just an hour or two, but would he really come three hours early? And if he does come while he's asleep, I’ll make sure to treat you well."
"You want me to leave you and Fabian alone? Absolutely not."
Kendrick's hand, gripping Stella's, tightened.
"Prince Fabian will be surprised to see that you have turned into a panda."
Left with no choice, Kendrick went into the bedroom and lay down after her persistent persuasion. In truth, he was feeling exhausted from accumulated fatigue.
"I'm going to sleep for just one hour."
"All right."
"Give me the Duke's family schedule if it's organized."
So Stella and Kendrick had to coordinate their schedules to some extent.
"Are you having dinner with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince next week?"
Stella had been extremely interested in the Imperial Family lately. No matter how hard she rummaged through her memories from just before her death, she had no recollection of hearing anything about the Imperial Family's exclusive writer. This meant that she couldn't just sit idly by. For just like in her previous life, she would end her life without ever holding Hajean's magic stone in her hands.
"I don't want to show you my disheveled self, so stay close to me."
Stella nodded readily. She thought she could use this opportunity to bring up the position of exclusive royal writer to Fabian. Even if she didn't ask him to make her his exclusive writer, she could suggest holding an exam to select a writer.
"All right."
As she thought about the Crown Prince, a fact came to mind.
Crown Prince Fabian was also the head of the marriage and divorce department.
As soon as Stella returned to the past, she sent a divorce petition to the Imperial Family. She filed for divorce because she knew Kendrick would never sign it. However, the lawsuit was simply dismissed.
Stella also shared a connection with Crown Prince Fabian, having attended the same academy. The Fabian she remembered was by no means a soft-hearted person. He was a prickly, blunt man who always spoke his mind.
She wonders how that person remembers her.
Stella hoped that the conversation with Fabian would go smoothly on that dinner day.
***
The Duke's family was bustling about.
Fabian had been invited at 8 o'clock. However, the Duke's kitchen was bustling about as if a spark had been ignited. Watching the scene of the banquet being prepared, Kendrick lightly touched his forehead as drowsiness washed over him. Stella looked at him with concern.
"Honey, you look very pale."
There were deep shadows under his eyes. At Stella's words, Kendrick looked at her with a slightly resentful expression.
"It's okay."
Kendrick's voice wasn't good either. It was slightly hoarse at the end, and fatigue was evident. And no wonder, Kendrick had a restless night's sleep yesterday. The only time Stella could comfortably get away from Kendrick was when he was asleep. Last night, she made sure Kendrick was asleep and headed to the study to finish writing.
- Ugh, ugh.
When she returned to the bedroom at dawn, she was faced with Kendrick clutching his heart and head, crying out in pain. Stella could not hide her bewilderment at the sight of him. At the same time, she felt deeply sorry for Kendrick. Kendrick hugged Stella tightly and closed his eyes, but he could not fall asleep for even two hours. Then, Kendrick woke up at his usual time and carried out his duties as the Duke.
'You only slept an hour or two. Go get some sleep.'
"You won't be able to get up if you keep doing that."
"I have time left. It's okay."
"That gentleman might be able to arrive before the appointment time."
Kendrick knew Fabian well. He was eloquent and appeared outwardly considerate and gentle, but he was self-centered. If his schedule got mixed up and the timing became awkward, he could have arrived at the Dukes' mansion earlier than the time he was invited.
"It’s not just an hour or two, but would he really come three hours early? And if he does come while he's asleep, I’ll make sure to treat you well."
"You want me to leave you and Fabian alone? Absolutely not."
Kendrick's hand, gripping Stella's, tightened.
"Prince Fabian will be surprised to see that you have turned into a panda."
Left with no choice, Kendrick went into the bedroom and lay down after her persistent persuasion. In truth, he was feeling exhausted from accumulated fatigue.
"I'm going to sleep for just one hour."
"All right."
"Stay by my side until I fall asleep."
After putting Kendrick to sleep, Stella walked around the Duke's mansion, preparing to welcome Fabian. She checked to see if the cleaning was done properly and gave instructions to repair any areas that were lacking. She expected to be able to welcome the Crown Prince smoothly without any particular problems.
"Lady Stella, it is said that the Imperial carriage has entered through the main gate."
"Already?"
Until she realized that Fabian had arrived 2 hours and 40 minutes before the scheduled time. Stella considered waking Kendrick, but withdrew her hand when she saw him sleeping soundly.
'I just have to guide them to the drawing room.'
It was Fabian who arrived early without keeping the appointment time. So, it was not a breach of etiquette for Kendrick not to show his face to him.
'You come.'
Fabian was a handsome man with brown hair and blue eyes. His eyes were not large but had a deep gaze, his nose was prominent, and his thin lips gave him a sharp appearance.
"It's been a long time, Your Highness Crown Prince Fabian."
Stella greeted him with an elegant smile befitting a Duchess.
The Crown Prince glanced over Stella's back.
"Where did Duke Adrian go, and why is only his wife out here?"
"The Duke has another engagement earlier. He won't be late for the banquet, so please don't worry."
Fabian did not expect to run into Stella like this today. Well, since Stella lives here, he can see her face, but he never imagined she would greet him instead of the Duke.
'Wasn't she on bad terms with the Duke?:
He walked silently, following Stella without revealing his true feelings.
'I finished work nearby early, so I came over first. I hope I haven't been rude."
"It’s alright. Please follow me. I will escort you to the reception room."
Fabian and Stella had a brief conversation in the drawing room. Since they were not close personally, their conversation was mostly about politics and economics.
'Hoo.'
Fabian felt that Stella was quite brilliant. No, he had known Stella was smart ever since they attended the academy. It was just that she was overshadowed by Skyle; Stella was quite a prodigy herself. She was pretty and possessed a mature beauty uncharacteristic of her peers, so much so that she had been the subject of conversation several times, even in Fabian's classroom, where he was a senior. She might not know it, but there was even a fan club dedicated to Stella.
Well, the fever died down after the cheating scandal, but Stella also seemed to have lost her luster after that incident.
"You know quite a bit about reading the flow of the economy."
In any case, Stella was now somehow different. Her face was flushed with color, and her eyes were bright and alert.
'It's like looking into the future.'
"It’s not like I didn’t study economics at all."
Stella smiled, feigning humility. Fabian took a sip of tea. He had unintentionally come to know the couple's private affairs in detail. When Stella filed for divorce with the Royal Family, Fabian, curious about the backstory, leaked information to Kendrick. Kendrick then came to him and asked him to stop the divorce from Stella. It was a futile effort.
Stella can't get a divorce anyway.
Because there is no basis to file for divorce.
Kendrick respected her, never cheated on her, and certainly never committed violence.
"That's unexpected. I thought you would feel uncomfortable seeing me."
"Why?"
So, naturally, Fabian rejected Stella's request for divorce.
"Didn't I ignore your request for a divorce?"
Stella smiled faintly at Fabian's sudden remark. As expected, the rumors were true that he was the type to say whatever he wanted.
"That can't be true. Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince merely did what you were supposed to do."
"Then you don't have any thoughts of divorce anymore?"
Stella's hand, which was holding the teacup, paused for a moment at his question.
"Oh, don't get me wrong. I didn't ask out of personal curiosity."
"Then, what is the purpose of the question?"
"It would be troublesome if another request like that came in. I hope Duke and Duchess Adrian continue to be at peace."
Stella looked at him as if asking what he meant.
"Peace in the empire is maintained only when the nobles are at peace.'
Stella and Kendrick's divorce was highly likely to lead to a split between Lanedict and Adrian. At best, there were only two ducal families in the Empire. It would not be good if the relationship between Adrian and Lanedict soured.
"It’s not for nothing that divorce isn’t easily granted."
So, one couldn't help but worry even more. It was obvious that if they split, the lower nobles would also walk a tightrope and cause chaos.
'Ah.'
Stella understood everything he said. It was a reason so fitting for a Crown Prince. After finishing his words, Fabian calmly drank his tea.
"It would be a different story if Adrian had asked for the divorce first."
As far as he knew, Kendrick had no flaws. If anyone had to find one, it was Stella. There had been a lot of bad rumors about Stella for some time now. Most of them were lewd stories about her promiscuous private life. Lately, the number of rumors has increased. This was probably the reason Kendrick had invited him.
"I believe that having freedom to divorce contributes more to the happiness of the people than living a lifetime with someone they have no heart for."
"You're good with words. In that case."
Fabian smiled crookedly.
"What is the reason for the divorce? What did Sir Kendrick do wrong?"
Stella clenched her fist tightly. She no longer wanted to blame Kendrick, nor did she have anything to blame him for.
"It is not my husband's fault. It is just."
She hesitated, wondering if this was the right way to bring up the subject. After all, Stella had only wanted to meet Fabian today to talk about the Imperial Household Author. Nevertheless, she had to finish speaking.
"I no longer want to live as a man's wife. I want to do my own thing and contribute to the empire."
"A help? How do you plan to be of help?"
Fabian's attitude was still cynical.
"I want to become an author."
"Huh, author?"
Stella felt like she was walking on thin ice.
"This is interesting. Lady Stella has always been interesting."
Soon, he burst into laughter. The atmosphere was quite different from the laugh Roy often wore. Stella waited for his laughter to stop. She intended to continue her story, regardless of whether he was mocking her or not. She knew very well that wanting a divorce because of a dream was ridiculous. However, she had her own circumstances. It was just that she had not had the opportunity to persuade Fabian by explaining her situation.
"But why don't you stop here? You should consider the hurt your husband might feel."
Fabian glanced behind Stella. There stood Kendrick, his neck flushed red.
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