Stella slowly opened her eyes, which she had closed for a moment. She saw the clear sky. At the same time, pain shot up from her lower back. She turned her head and saw drops of blood dripping.
"Kendrick?"
Sia pushed Stella aside to save her. Her body moved reflexively, even though she knew she would be struck by the knife. Stella, slammed to the floor, clutched her waist and stood up.
'It hurts so much.'
Kendrick arrived at the courtroom just before the director lunged at her, allowing her to stop her in time. In her haste, she gripped the blade with her bare hands, sending bright red blood dripping down. Thanks to this, neither Stella nor Sia was hurt. Kendrick smirked and kicked the director hard.
To think you're acting cocky with such meager strength.
The sound of a sword clinking was heard. Not only had the prisoner escaped, but he had also injured the Duke and Duchess, so the pale knights rushed in breathlessly to escort her back. The one who appeared to be the highest-ranking stood before Kendrick and bowed deeply. Stella could not tell what they were talking about. However, even from a distance, it was clear that Kendrick was angry.
Ugh.
Stella clutched her waist and groaned. Kendrick's gaze instantly fixed on her. Turning around to see someone supporting her, he saw Sia helping her up with a worried look on her face.
"Ahhh."
"Are you okay? I should have pushed a little more gently."
Stella barely managed to get up with Sia's support. Kendrick, who had hurriedly approached, also had eyes filled with worry.
"Stella. Are you okay?"
She nodded. Even though it hurt like a bruise, this level of pain would soon subside. Kendrick lightly kissed her forehead.
"If I had come a little sooner, none of this would have happened."
Kendrick furrowed his brow as if blaming himself. Just then, someone called out to him. Judging by the uniform, it appeared to be a superior officer to the knights escorting the prisoner.
"Duke."
Kendrick looked at him with a sharp gaze.
"I am truly sorry. I never expected her to suddenly draw a sword and run away..."
Kendrick didn't even blink an eye at his groveling attitude.
"I will make sure this never happens again."
Stella felt anxious. Kendrick wasn't originally emotional. That is why he used to make cool-headed judgments no matter how angry he was, but ever since taking the potion and falling for Stella, he had become an emotional person. Sure enough, his hand clenched. Blood flowed from beneath Kendrick's tightly clenched fist.
"Is that even something you can say?"
He looked like he was about to get angry at any moment. Stella clenched Kendrick's fist tightly.
"Honey."
Although Stella resented them for failing to keep a close eye on the director, ultimately, she was not hurt. Above all.
“I'll be going now.”
"Kendrick?"
Sia pushed Stella aside to save her. Her body moved reflexively, even though she knew she would be struck by the knife. Stella, slammed to the floor, clutched her waist and stood up.
'It hurts so much.'
Kendrick arrived at the courtroom just before the director lunged at her, allowing her to stop her in time. In her haste, she gripped the blade with her bare hands, sending bright red blood dripping down. Thanks to this, neither Stella nor Sia was hurt. Kendrick smirked and kicked the director hard.
To think you're acting cocky with such meager strength.
The sound of a sword clinking was heard. Not only had the prisoner escaped, but he had also injured the Duke and Duchess, so the pale knights rushed in breathlessly to escort her back. The one who appeared to be the highest-ranking stood before Kendrick and bowed deeply. Stella could not tell what they were talking about. However, even from a distance, it was clear that Kendrick was angry.
Ugh.
Stella clutched her waist and groaned. Kendrick's gaze instantly fixed on her. Turning around to see someone supporting her, he saw Sia helping her up with a worried look on her face.
"Ahhh."
"Are you okay? I should have pushed a little more gently."
Stella barely managed to get up with Sia's support. Kendrick, who had hurriedly approached, also had eyes filled with worry.
"Stella. Are you okay?"
She nodded. Even though it hurt like a bruise, this level of pain would soon subside. Kendrick lightly kissed her forehead.
"If I had come a little sooner, none of this would have happened."
Kendrick furrowed his brow as if blaming himself. Just then, someone called out to him. Judging by the uniform, it appeared to be a superior officer to the knights escorting the prisoner.
"Duke."
Kendrick looked at him with a sharp gaze.
"I am truly sorry. I never expected her to suddenly draw a sword and run away..."
Kendrick didn't even blink an eye at his groveling attitude.
"I will make sure this never happens again."
Stella felt anxious. Kendrick wasn't originally emotional. That is why he used to make cool-headed judgments no matter how angry he was, but ever since taking the potion and falling for Stella, he had become an emotional person. Sure enough, his hand clenched. Blood flowed from beneath Kendrick's tightly clenched fist.
"Is that even something you can say?"
He looked like he was about to get angry at any moment. Stella clenched Kendrick's fist tightly.
"Honey."
Although Stella resented them for failing to keep a close eye on the director, ultimately, she was not hurt. Above all.
“I'll be going now.”
Kendrick's injury was severe. It seemed like something serious would happen if he wasn't treated immediately.
'To think you grabbed a blade with your bare hands.'
Stella's hands were also heavily stained with blood. Kendrick looked at Stella as if it couldn't be helped. Perhaps feeling a little relieved, his gaze softened.
"Go in first and sit in the carriage."
Stella shook her head.
“My back hurts. That's why.”
Stella was too anxious to leave Kendrick behind like this.
"Help me get home."
Kendrick picked up Stella with a helpless expression. The people around them widened their eyes in surprise.
"Kendrick, hand...!"
Stella was shocked when Kendrick lifted her up as if nothing had happened, despite having a severely injured hand. Kendrick supported her below the knee with the back of his injured hand.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure no blood gets on your clothes."
'No, it's not like that.'
Stella struggled slightly to get off.
"It will be harder if you move, so please stay still."
He doesn't usually speak this harshly to Stella, so he must have been really angry.
Stella silently got into the carriage while being held in his arms.
***
The doctor, having received the call, rushed over in a panic. Kendrick had a large diagonal cut on his hand. The wound was deep, and the bleeding had not yet stopped. Kendrick reached out his hand as if nothing were wrong, and the doctor tried to treat his hand first.
He said, " Look at Stella first, not Kendrick.
The doctor wore a troubled expression at his words.
"Duke, if you keep bleeding, you might get anemia."
Stella, who was sitting next to Kendrick, asked.
"What about the scar?"
"The knife mark will likely remain for at least a year or two. If you take good care of it, it can eventually disappear. I will monitor your condition frequently until the wound heals."
The doctor, having finished treating Kendrick, also checked on Stella.
"It’s not a big problem. I just strained my muscles a little because I fell awkwardly."
"Understood. Good job."
After the doctor left, Stella glanced at Kendrick. Her throat tightened.
Stella couldn't write a single word today because she had been to court. However, Kendrick held her hand tightly and wouldn't let go.
"Kendrick?"
And shook his head.
"No."
Stella laughed in disbelief.
"Kendrick, aren't you working?"
"There won't be any immediate problem even if we have Sia do that."
No, but still.
Kendrick was originally a man who valued his family above all else. While many nobles relied solely on their family lineage and hired managers separately, Kendrick personally managed the affairs of the family.
"I ordered the documents to be brought, so you may handle them in this room."
"I don't think that's really necessary."
Kendrick stroked Stella's head.
"How can you focus on work when you're injured? Your back hurts, so take a rest for a while."
"You're more hurt than me."
"Stella, isn't it because you're in a dangerous situation?"
Kendrick stuck close to Stella and wouldn't let go, using security as an excuse.
'I really need to find a wizard soon to give him a proper examination.'
Stella bit her lip tightly, looking troubled.
"The director has already been arrested. You can rest assured."
There are often cases where prison breaks succeed.
"Since you threatened so much, the director's security will be even tighter."
“She might have hired someone beforehand to take care of you before the trial. After all, she thinks all her misfortunes are your fault, Stella.”
"Even so, it won't work."
Stella made a displeased face.
"It's a good thing I arrived on time. If I hadn't been there, you would have...!"
Kendrick's eyes flickered. It felt like she was seeing a lot of emotional moments from him lately. It felt like tears would well up if she touched him just a little more, but she didn't want that to happen. Kendrick avoided Stella's gaze and lowered his eyes.
"Since you're so skinny, isn't it obvious you sprained your back just from falling for a moment?"
He fiddled with her shoulder and arm.
"It doesn't look like a sprain."
"I'm going to double your meal portions starting today.'
'Twice as much?'
She shook her head.
"No, I do not want."
"Seriously, you don't listen at all."
He kissed Stella's forehead again, appearing angry.
'It's not falling at all, is it?'
Stella had no choice but to visit the doctor again. After hearing the whole story, the doctor also wore a perplexed expression, as he had never encountered such a situation before.
“Hmm… How about detaching yourself emotionally?”
It’s not a very good idea, but she can’t think of a suitable solution. One thing is certain: Kendrick is abnormally obsessed with Stella right now. It seems like a sort of separation anxiety.
"Separation anxiety?"
"If you are apart from Stella, you will keep having bad thoughts."
"For example?"
"He will be worried and anxious all day, fearing that something might go wrong with Stella. It seems like a symptom that developed after witnessing the scene where Stella nearly died. Or, it could have been there for a while but has become more serious because of this incident."
'Then what should I do...'
There must be a way to foster independence in a child.
Stella looked at him with anticipation.
"It is so rare for a married couple to have a case like this."
The anticipation in his eyes faded.
'I suppose so.'
Stella rubbed her sweaty hands on the hem of her skirt. Kendrick's symptoms are this severe; what if he succumbs to the disease of loneliness and dies?
"What if I disappeared without warning?"
The doctor's eyes widened at her words.
"Oh dear."
And he asked as if worried.
"Is something wrong?"
Stella lied first.
"No."
If she told the family doctor that she had contracted the disease of loneliness, there was a high probability that the news would reach Kendrick's ears. She was not ready to tell him yet. The doctor let out a sigh of relief at her denial.
"That's a relief. That would be the worst-case scenario."
"Is it really that bad?"
He nodded.
Judging by Kendrick's current symptoms, it is highly likely that he will go crazy.
'I'm going crazy...'
Stella thought of Kendrick, who would get anxious if she left her seat even for a moment. It was a story that was entirely plausible.
"He could also end up becoming a neurotic tyrant."
Stella nodded.
"Then maybe it would be better to tell him in advance?"
"If you absolutely have to go, that is better. However, if possible, neither of us should leave."
Stella looked at him as if asking him to say the reason.
When we parted and met again.
A strange tension flowed.
Because Kendrick will go beyond pathological and become fanatically obsessed with Stella.
I couldn't think of a good way to solve this problem.
"You told me earlier to try cutting off the affection, didn't you?"
"Yes, Madam."
"In what way?"
The doctor pondered for a moment, wondering if he had thought of a specific method.
“You're showing your ugly side.”
“My ugly side?”
“What if you act in a way that Mr. Kendrick doesn't like?”
Stella tilted her head. Hmm. Come to think of it, before the regression, Kendrick was really exhausted because Stella would get upset and make a fuss over trivial matters. But now, thanks to the potion, the more Stella craves Kendrick's affection, the more he should like it.
"I can't guarantee it, but if anything comes to mind, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try."
Stella nodded. She intended to make him lose all affection for her differently.
***
When Stella went down to the dining room at mealtime, the long table was filled with food.
"You're finally here."
He hugged Stella tightly and pulled out a chair for her.
"I specifically ordered that they prepare foods that give you energy today."
Just as he said, the table was filled with all kinds of meat dishes. From venison to lamb. It was a table overflowing with greasy food.
"You have to eat a lot to stay healthy."
Kendrick sat beside Stella and cut her steak. Although she was almost softened by his thoughtfulness, she composed herself.
'I have to cut ties.'
I can't let you obsess over me forever.
Stella gave a soft, beautiful smile.
"Kendrick, I want to eat freshly picked wild strawberries."
Previous Next
Comments
Post a Comment