Stella thought it was only right to offer Roy some tea for supporting her. So, she led Roy to the drawing room and came up to the bedroom, supported by Kendrick.
"Explain it."
Candy wrappers were scattered in the bedroom. It felt like the trace of him suffering in pain all night, and a pang of sadness washed over me.
'I wonder why he stayed out all night without saying anything.'
His voice was low and rough. Stella had clearly said she would 'come home' late. However, she didn't return until the morning. And even then, she was being supported by another man. What really angered him was that he had confirmed the identity of the man with the mint scent that had been emanating from Stella all this time. It was when she stepped out of the carriage, letting Roy rest his shoulder on hers.
Besides, he wonders why she brought the man along.
He wanted to punch Roy.
"I went to the Hamelian Forest for work, and an accident happened."
"The forest? Why didn't you tell me you were going to the forest?"
Roy tried to knock on the door of the couple's bedroom, even though he knew it was impolite. The door was open, perhaps because he had entered in a hurry.
"I told you last time that you should keep your distance from Roy Andra."
He was about to say that he would leave, as the tea was fine. However, when he heard his name through the open door, he unconsciously held his breath.
"Ha."
He was worried about Stella's injury, and he only supported her because he was afraid she might break a bone while walking. But to think that the so-called husband, instead of worrying about his wife's health, got angry first.
Is this what Stella calls a husband, and lives with him?
To begin with, Roy didn't like the fact that Stella came straight home either. Shouldn't she have gone to the hospital first?
"Please do not push her so hard, Duke."
Roy knocked on the door to make his presence known. Kendrick visibly furrowed his brow as Roy interrupted his conversation with Stella.
"How could you scold your wife instead of worrying about her when she came home injured?"
Stella expected Kendrick to get angry. However, the current situation exceeded Stella's expectations.
"Why did you come up here when you weren't in the drawing room?"
"I also came to say that I would just go inside because I am not feeling well."
"The Duke's doctor will be here soon, so you should get treated before you go."
It was Stella who was getting tired of their intense battle of wills.
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, but it is all right. I studied medicine myself."
She was bothered by Roy continuing to stand by the door. However, inviting him into the bedroom and offering him a seat wasn't a good idea either. Just then, Roy stared intently at Stella.
"Is there a first aid kit in this room by any chance?"
Stella pointed to the dressing table drawer.
"Excuse me, but may I come in?"
Roy approached Stella, holding a first-aid kit, knelt on one knee, and examined her. Kendrick was displeased by the sight of Roy touching Stella's leg. However, he could not stop himself from treating his wife.
"Ahh."
"Please bear with it just a little longer."
After applying medicine to several places, he wrapped bandages where necessary. He casually raised his head and looked at Kendrick.
"The doctor is running late."
Kendrick wore a relaxed expression as if he found his provocation amusing.
"Thank you for the treatment."
As soon as Roy let go of his hand, the Duke's doctor arrived.
"Your Excellency, I apologize for being late. Ah, I see the Duchess is not feeling well today."
As the doctor approached, Roy stepped back. Roy knew that Stella would be in a difficult situation if he stayed there.
"Well then, I'll be going now."
"Take care on your way home, Roy. I can't see you off because I'm not feeling well. I'm sorry."
"No."
The doctor carefully removed the bandage to check Stella's wound.
"Take care on your way in, Young Master Andra."
Roy greeted Kendrick and turned to leave. The room and bed where Stella and Kendrick had spent their honeymoon. The two of them are sitting there, talking in hushed tones. Roy felt conflicted. Stella watched Roy's retreating figure. She felt bad for making him leave as if he were being chased away.
"Roy was just helping me up, honey."
Kendrick fiddled with Stella's injured leg. Stella felt that it was not right to let Roy go like this. As she stood up to greet him again, Kendrick grabbed her.
"Uh-huh. Kendrick. This."
He grabbed Stella's arm and pulled her into his embrace.
"Quiet, Stella. I couldn't sleep a wink yesterday because you weren't here."
Roy stopped in his tracks and turned around at Stella's weakened voice. He gritted his teeth at the sight of Stella in Kendrick's arms. Roy left the Duke's mansion with a hardened expression.
The doctor examined her bruised limbs, re-wrapped the bandages, and stood up, straightening his back.
"There is nothing for me to do. The treatment is already perfect."
When she didn't come home last night, Kendrick mobilized all available resources to try to find her. Had she not returned early in the morning, he would have assumed she had been kidnapped and started a full-scale search.
Do you remember how long Adrian's history is?
Before Stella returned, Kendrick had planned to yell at her and get angry when she came, but seeing her come back hurt like this, Kendrick felt soft-hearted. Just looking at her face made the corners of his mouth melt.
The discipline is just as strict as that of the Imperial Household. There is even someone who records the major and minor events that occur within the Duke's household.
Nevertheless, he couldn't let Stella commit an act like this again.
"Your staying out overnight today will definitely be recorded. Our future generations might see it again and again. If you act so carelessly, it will only disgrace your own reputation."
"Yes. I'm sorry."
'Should I make them sign a written agreement?'
He wanted to get confirmation from her that she wouldn't leave Adrian. However, if he shackled her like that, she would only struggle desperately to break free from his obsession. He suppressed the urge to thrust the written agreement in her face right then and there and pushed Stella's hair back.
"It would be best to avoid going out for the time being."
"Yes?"
"What would people think of me if the Duchess went around wrapped in bandages?"
Stella fell silent at his words. From his perspective, it was something that could be considered dishonorable. Not only would there be rumors of a feud, but rumors that Kendrick was shameless would also follow.
"If you want to study writing, do it at Adrian. I won't stop you."
"One week. Then I'll take exactly one week off."
"It's no use until your leg is fully healed."
And so, Stella suddenly got a break. Kendrick really liked this situation. He didn't have to wait for Stella to come, and the frequency of his eating candy decreased significantly.
"Kendrick. I'm okay now."
"You're still limping. Don't push yourself too hard."
As Stella's wound healed and the pain subsided, she tried to persuade Kendrick from time to time.
"It’s because I need to travel the world and observe people to write better."
However, Kendrick was not swayed by Stella's persuasion. For one thing, she was a patient, and it was obvious that if Stella went outside, she would be scurrying around again.
"People-watching? Fine."
Stella expressed her desire to go outside whenever she saw Kendrick, and Kendrick listened to her and brought a playmate.
"Duchess Stella Adrian. Hello. I am Lily."
"I'm Jerina. Nice to meet you."
"It's Shimizu! Hehe."
When the three people came in and introduced themselves, Stella stared at them with a blank expression.
"Since you said you wanted to look at people... I found someone for you."
She scanned the three people one by one. Not only was she dumbfounded by Kendrick's decisiveness, but unpleasant memories also came to mind.
"Explain it."
Candy wrappers were scattered in the bedroom. It felt like the trace of him suffering in pain all night, and a pang of sadness washed over me.
'I wonder why he stayed out all night without saying anything.'
His voice was low and rough. Stella had clearly said she would 'come home' late. However, she didn't return until the morning. And even then, she was being supported by another man. What really angered him was that he had confirmed the identity of the man with the mint scent that had been emanating from Stella all this time. It was when she stepped out of the carriage, letting Roy rest his shoulder on hers.
Besides, he wonders why she brought the man along.
He wanted to punch Roy.
"I went to the Hamelian Forest for work, and an accident happened."
"The forest? Why didn't you tell me you were going to the forest?"
Roy tried to knock on the door of the couple's bedroom, even though he knew it was impolite. The door was open, perhaps because he had entered in a hurry.
"I told you last time that you should keep your distance from Roy Andra."
He was about to say that he would leave, as the tea was fine. However, when he heard his name through the open door, he unconsciously held his breath.
"Ha."
He was worried about Stella's injury, and he only supported her because he was afraid she might break a bone while walking. But to think that the so-called husband, instead of worrying about his wife's health, got angry first.
Is this what Stella calls a husband, and lives with him?
To begin with, Roy didn't like the fact that Stella came straight home either. Shouldn't she have gone to the hospital first?
"Please do not push her so hard, Duke."
Roy knocked on the door to make his presence known. Kendrick visibly furrowed his brow as Roy interrupted his conversation with Stella.
"How could you scold your wife instead of worrying about her when she came home injured?"
Stella expected Kendrick to get angry. However, the current situation exceeded Stella's expectations.
"Why did you come up here when you weren't in the drawing room?"
"I also came to say that I would just go inside because I am not feeling well."
"The Duke's doctor will be here soon, so you should get treated before you go."
It was Stella who was getting tired of their intense battle of wills.
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, but it is all right. I studied medicine myself."
She was bothered by Roy continuing to stand by the door. However, inviting him into the bedroom and offering him a seat wasn't a good idea either. Just then, Roy stared intently at Stella.
"Is there a first aid kit in this room by any chance?"
Stella pointed to the dressing table drawer.
"Excuse me, but may I come in?"
Roy approached Stella, holding a first-aid kit, knelt on one knee, and examined her. Kendrick was displeased by the sight of Roy touching Stella's leg. However, he could not stop himself from treating his wife.
"Ahh."
"Please bear with it just a little longer."
After applying medicine to several places, he wrapped bandages where necessary. He casually raised his head and looked at Kendrick.
"The doctor is running late."
Kendrick wore a relaxed expression as if he found his provocation amusing.
"Thank you for the treatment."
As soon as Roy let go of his hand, the Duke's doctor arrived.
"Your Excellency, I apologize for being late. Ah, I see the Duchess is not feeling well today."
As the doctor approached, Roy stepped back. Roy knew that Stella would be in a difficult situation if he stayed there.
"Well then, I'll be going now."
"Take care on your way home, Roy. I can't see you off because I'm not feeling well. I'm sorry."
"No."
The doctor carefully removed the bandage to check Stella's wound.
"Take care on your way in, Young Master Andra."
Roy greeted Kendrick and turned to leave. The room and bed where Stella and Kendrick had spent their honeymoon. The two of them are sitting there, talking in hushed tones. Roy felt conflicted. Stella watched Roy's retreating figure. She felt bad for making him leave as if he were being chased away.
"Roy was just helping me up, honey."
Kendrick fiddled with Stella's injured leg. Stella felt that it was not right to let Roy go like this. As she stood up to greet him again, Kendrick grabbed her.
"Uh-huh. Kendrick. This."
He grabbed Stella's arm and pulled her into his embrace.
"Quiet, Stella. I couldn't sleep a wink yesterday because you weren't here."
Roy stopped in his tracks and turned around at Stella's weakened voice. He gritted his teeth at the sight of Stella in Kendrick's arms. Roy left the Duke's mansion with a hardened expression.
***
The doctor examined her bruised limbs, re-wrapped the bandages, and stood up, straightening his back.
"There is nothing for me to do. The treatment is already perfect."
When she didn't come home last night, Kendrick mobilized all available resources to try to find her. Had she not returned early in the morning, he would have assumed she had been kidnapped and started a full-scale search.
Do you remember how long Adrian's history is?
Before Stella returned, Kendrick had planned to yell at her and get angry when she came, but seeing her come back hurt like this, Kendrick felt soft-hearted. Just looking at her face made the corners of his mouth melt.
The discipline is just as strict as that of the Imperial Household. There is even someone who records the major and minor events that occur within the Duke's household.
Nevertheless, he couldn't let Stella commit an act like this again.
"Your staying out overnight today will definitely be recorded. Our future generations might see it again and again. If you act so carelessly, it will only disgrace your own reputation."
"Yes. I'm sorry."
'Should I make them sign a written agreement?'
He wanted to get confirmation from her that she wouldn't leave Adrian. However, if he shackled her like that, she would only struggle desperately to break free from his obsession. He suppressed the urge to thrust the written agreement in her face right then and there and pushed Stella's hair back.
"It would be best to avoid going out for the time being."
"Yes?"
"What would people think of me if the Duchess went around wrapped in bandages?"
Stella fell silent at his words. From his perspective, it was something that could be considered dishonorable. Not only would there be rumors of a feud, but rumors that Kendrick was shameless would also follow.
"If you want to study writing, do it at Adrian. I won't stop you."
"One week. Then I'll take exactly one week off."
"It's no use until your leg is fully healed."
And so, Stella suddenly got a break. Kendrick really liked this situation. He didn't have to wait for Stella to come, and the frequency of his eating candy decreased significantly.
"Kendrick. I'm okay now."
"You're still limping. Don't push yourself too hard."
As Stella's wound healed and the pain subsided, she tried to persuade Kendrick from time to time.
"It’s because I need to travel the world and observe people to write better."
However, Kendrick was not swayed by Stella's persuasion. For one thing, she was a patient, and it was obvious that if Stella went outside, she would be scurrying around again.
"People-watching? Fine."
Stella expressed her desire to go outside whenever she saw Kendrick, and Kendrick listened to her and brought a playmate.
"Duchess Stella Adrian. Hello. I am Lily."
"I'm Jerina. Nice to meet you."
"It's Shimizu! Hehe."
When the three people came in and introduced themselves, Stella stared at them with a blank expression.
"Since you said you wanted to look at people... I found someone for you."
She scanned the three people one by one. Not only was she dumbfounded by Kendrick's decisiveness, but unpleasant memories also came to mind.
- No wonder the Duke is acting that way, Stella being so clueless. I heard he's seeing his secretary?
- No. I heard you're totally smitten with a bar girl.
- Really? Anyway, abandoning your first wife and cherishing another woman is the same, isn't it? Hahaha.
Three playmates hired by Kendrick for the lonely Stella. Although they came as Stella's playmates, they badmouthed her without realizing she was listening. On top of that, they even brought up Kendrick's scandal, the origin of which was unknown.
That's strange.
The timing of Kendrick's rescue was different from last time, so how could the same people he had taken in as companions back then have been chosen? Her intuition told her they were suspicious. That wasn't all. Behind that mask of a seemingly kind smile lay a hidden desire to mock and disparage Stella. It was enough to give her goosebumps.
"Stella. These are playmates for you."
As Kendrick introduced her, the three people's eyes focused on Stella.
"Shouldn't you return the greeting?"
She felt uncomfortable around them. She did not want to be in the same space as them. Surely, if she swore, threw things, or caused a scene right here, she would not suffer the same fate as last time.
"Nice to meet you. Let's get along well from now on."
Stella smiled with a composed expression. The smile was so warm that, on the surface, there was nothing strange about it. Stella was surprised even after saying it. It was because she had spoken like a Duchess who was truly glad to have a playmate but had to maintain her composure.
"Now that you have a playmate, the reason you couldn't write because you couldn't see people has disappeared."
"All right."
She gave up on leaving Adrian's place until her leg healed. No, for the time being, she needed to focus more on other things.
The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed.
She looked at the three playmates standing in front of Stella and Kendrick with a polite expression, as if shy and excited. Because they had been recruited in a hurry, there were no young ladies from high-ranking families, but they were all from households with decent reputations.
This incident is definitely related to that child.
To think you would speak ill of the Duchess inside the Duke's mansion.
On top of that, their behavior was too reckless.
Stella couldn't believe that all of this was a coincidence. After they had all left following their greetings, Stella grabbed Kendrick.
"Kendrick, by any chance, what were your criteria for finding a playmate? It couldn't have been easy to find a playmate for someone over twenty."
"I selected people with a good reputation."
"Who conducted that background check?"
Kendrick blinked for a moment. He hadn't really consciously thought about it, but it was highly likely that Sia had handled the matter regarding socialite rumors.
"Is it Sia by any chance?"
"I suppose so. Why is there a problem?"
He asked, worried that there might be something weighing on Stella's mind. However, Stella shook her head with a nonchalant expression.
"No."
- No. I heard you're totally smitten with a bar girl.
- Really? Anyway, abandoning your first wife and cherishing another woman is the same, isn't it? Hahaha.
Three playmates hired by Kendrick for the lonely Stella. Although they came as Stella's playmates, they badmouthed her without realizing she was listening. On top of that, they even brought up Kendrick's scandal, the origin of which was unknown.
That's strange.
The timing of Kendrick's rescue was different from last time, so how could the same people he had taken in as companions back then have been chosen? Her intuition told her they were suspicious. That wasn't all. Behind that mask of a seemingly kind smile lay a hidden desire to mock and disparage Stella. It was enough to give her goosebumps.
"Stella. These are playmates for you."
As Kendrick introduced her, the three people's eyes focused on Stella.
"Shouldn't you return the greeting?"
She felt uncomfortable around them. She did not want to be in the same space as them. Surely, if she swore, threw things, or caused a scene right here, she would not suffer the same fate as last time.
"Nice to meet you. Let's get along well from now on."
Stella smiled with a composed expression. The smile was so warm that, on the surface, there was nothing strange about it. Stella was surprised even after saying it. It was because she had spoken like a Duchess who was truly glad to have a playmate but had to maintain her composure.
"Now that you have a playmate, the reason you couldn't write because you couldn't see people has disappeared."
"All right."
She gave up on leaving Adrian's place until her leg healed. No, for the time being, she needed to focus more on other things.
The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed.
She looked at the three playmates standing in front of Stella and Kendrick with a polite expression, as if shy and excited. Because they had been recruited in a hurry, there were no young ladies from high-ranking families, but they were all from households with decent reputations.
This incident is definitely related to that child.
To think you would speak ill of the Duchess inside the Duke's mansion.
On top of that, their behavior was too reckless.
Stella couldn't believe that all of this was a coincidence. After they had all left following their greetings, Stella grabbed Kendrick.
"Kendrick, by any chance, what were your criteria for finding a playmate? It couldn't have been easy to find a playmate for someone over twenty."
"I selected people with a good reputation."
"Who conducted that background check?"
Kendrick blinked for a moment. He hadn't really consciously thought about it, but it was highly likely that Sia had handled the matter regarding socialite rumors.
"Is it Sia by any chance?"
"I suppose so. Why is there a problem?"
He asked, worried that there might be something weighing on Stella's mind. However, Stella shook her head with a nonchalant expression.
"No."
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