Kendrick put a candy in his mouth out of habit. That was the only way to slightly lessen the throbbing pain in his heart. Lara wandered around, seemingly bored. When everyone avoided her while keeping an eye on Kendrick, she approached him.
Whining, whining...
And she bit Kendrick's pant leg. With a helpless expression, he held Lara in his arms and focused on his work.
"Kendrick, from now on, think of this as me."
Perhaps because Stella's voice came to mind, holding Lara did seem to bring a sense of peace. Still, it wasn't quite like Stella. The thrill and shivers he felt when holding her hand, and the wave of happiness and relief that washed over him. Stella was indeed like a drug.
"But it's really cute."
Meanwhile, his subordinates glanced at Kendrick, who was holding Lara in his arms. When he approached to submit documents, he could not take his eyes off Lara even while reporting. Days like this repeated themselves. Before long, Kendrick became accustomed to working with Lara in his arms.
It is cute.
He also stroked Lara's head from time to time.
"It seems you cherish that puppy, Duke."
"Why?"
"You look like you're in a good mood."
Kendrick fiddled with his chin and mouth with a blank expression.
"I see."
Stella watched as Kendrick grew to care for Lara. She felt relieved to think that Kendrick now had at least one more person to rely on, even if it wasn't her. Yet, a corner of her heart ached.
'I guess I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.'
Stella turned away from that emotion.
"Lara really looks up to Kendrick."
"Of course. I take such good care of her."
There was one thing she was overlooking. The reason Kendrick opened his heart to Lara was. Two of those reasons were Stella. To Kendrick, Lara was still nothing more than a precious gift Stella had given him and a cute creature.
"Woof woof!"
If Stella were to disappear, leaving Lara behind, the more Kendrick looked at Lara, the more Stella would come to mind.
"I'm glad to see that Kendrick seems to be doing well even when I'm not around."
"What?"
Kendrick's hand, which had been stroking Lara's back, paused for a moment.
"When I go to the orphanage, and you get bored, you can just stay with Lara."
Stella spoke with a deliberate giggle as if it were no big deal. Kendrick looked up at Stella as if to say something, but closed his mouth upon seeing her peaceful expression.
'Since last time.'
There were many things Stella said that bothered him.
'Why are you saying that?'
As she said, Stella visited the orphanage frequently. That was just how things turned out. Hearing that the facilities at the Duke's Orphanage were good, many parents began leaving their children there. Consequently, the orphanage was understaffed, and the system had not yet been properly established.
Stella was worried that the side effects would increase as the number of children suddenly grew. So, whenever she had a spare moment, she would visit the orphanage to look after the children.
'To get closer to everyone, I guess an activity where we make something would be good.'
To Stella, all the children at the orphanage were lovely and pretty, but there was one child in particular who was like a sore thumb.
'Besides, since Lina can't speak, it has to be an activity that can be done smoothly without words.'
Lina was unable to speak after experiencing abandonment and then being separated from her older brother.
"I'm coming with you today, Stella."
"Yes."
Stella often went to the orphanage with Roy. Even though he knew she was terminally ill, he didn't ask for details. Stella was truly grateful for that. Today, she went to the orphanage and ran into Lina. Stella learned one thing. It was baking time.
She saw it when she followed Lina out to the garden alone, as she was not socializing with the other children.
"Wow, it's pretty."
Lina let out an admiring sound and followed the butterfly around. Stella kept quiet. It wasn't that Lina couldn't speak; it was that she chose not to.
"Stella. When are you coming?"
Roy came out to look for Stella.
"Uh?"
Soon, Lina spotted Stella. Stella wore a look as if she hadn't seen anything. Lina opened her eyes wide.
"Lina was there too."
Roy smiled kindly and acknowledged Lina.
"I was in the kitchen, but the breeze was nice, so I just came out."
Stella spoke while deliberately emphasizing that she hadn't been out for long. However, Lina didn't seem reassured. Stella deliberately put on a calm expression and entered the room where the children were gathered. Lina quietly followed her in.
Stella and Roy made cookies with the children. As Roy sat at the table, kneading the dough, two boys were playing around and poured flour all over his face. Since it didn't seem like they did it on purpose, the children were startled.
"Ack. I'm so sorry, Author."
Roy's condition was serious. His head and face were covered in flour to the point where he looked like a snowman.
'I was prepared to ruin some of my clothes, but I didn't expect them to turn out like this.'
Roy laughed out of disbelief rather than anger. Stella approached him with surprised eyes and brushed the flour off. The sound of another teacher scolding two children could be heard.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes."
He spoke in a whisper.
"But, I don't think I can return to Marquis Andra's mansion like this."
Roy was now undeniably a Marquis. Although he made time to write with Stella and volunteer at an orphanage, he was a busy man himself. Moreover, as the Marquis leading a family, he had his dignity to uphold.
"That's true."
He would not be able to show others his hair stained white with flour. Moreover, if the villagers were to see Roy looking like a snowman while he was traveling in the carriage...
"Stop by the Duke's mansion to wash up before you go."
His reputation was being tarnished. Yet, washing up at the orphanage was another risky move. Stella felt sky-high guilt toward Roy.
"Anyway, Adrian has plenty of rooms there, too."
Roy nodded.
"Yeah. I understand."
Lately, Kendrick had habitually gazed out the window. He did so especially on days when Stella went out somewhere, waiting with curiosity to see when she would return. This time, too, he confirmed that Stella's carriage had entered the Duke's mansion. However, even as time passed, no servant came to announce Stella's return. Left with no choice, he spoke first.
"Is Stella in the study?"
"Huh? I haven't heard the news that she has arrived yet."
The attendant had no idea she had entered. It was strange.
'I saw Stella's carriage.'
"Yes?"
One person asked cautiously.
"If it concerns you, shall I check it out?"
"Yes."
Kendrick nodded. Soon, the servant approached him, looking even more wary. Kendrick stared at him as if to say, "Speak."
"Lady Stella is currently entertaining guests."
"Guest?"
Kendrick was annoyed by the servant's attitude of constantly rolling his eyes. What was he hesitating about?
"Um, well..."
"Say it."
"The guest is Marquis Roy Andra."
Kendrick's eyebrows furrowed. Lara, unaware of her owner's feelings, was nestled in Kendrick's arms with a nonchalant expression.
"What is the reason?"
"She did not explain in detail."
Kendrick tapped the table. Roy being in a room with Stella, and not telling him why... There was plenty of room for suspicion. Kendrick trusted Stella. But even so, he didn't have the patience to stay silent. His heart was pounding unpleasantly.
"Are you going to go?"
The servant looked up at Kendrick with a worried expression. When Kendrick looked down at him as if annoyed, the servant turned his gaze to the side. Kendrick silently headed toward where Stella was. Her voice was heard.
"Roy."
It sounded like she was sweetly calling another man's name. Kendrick also didn't like the fact that Stella was addressing Marquis Andra so casually.
"Here are new clothes."
'Clothes?'
So, does that mean you are taking off your clothes right now?
"The clothes you took off were so dirty, so I made them wash them."
"Yes?"
"Yeah. I asked discreetly, so it won't get known."
Kendrick gritted his teeth. A secret request? Why?
His steps were weighed down. The door was slightly ajar, and Roy was visible through it. He was wearing a bathrobe. Kendrick clenched his fist tightly.
"Then I'll be right outside. Put on some comfortable clothes and come out."
Stella opened the door and ran into Kendrick. Her big eyes widened even more at the unexpected situation.
"What is going on right now?"
"Ah, Kendrick. How did you know to come?"
'I was actually planning to come see you because I thought there might be a misunderstanding.'
Stella thought it was more important not to let others see Roy covered in flour. Servants have mouths that are both heavy and light, so the rumor that Marquis Andra had appeared at Duke Adrian's mansion covered in flour would spread in an instant. And that rumor would likely grow increasingly distorted as it spread.
'Kendrick's gaze is so cold.'
Stella had merely brought him clothes herself so that no one else would see him covered in flour. However, Kendrick's eyes were shining brightly.
"Was that all it meant?"
"Huh? What do you mean...?"
Roy's blonde hair was wet and sexy. His blue eyes also had the same look as Stella's.
'Why is this bastard here?'
Kendrick grabbed Stella's wrist and pulled her.
"Follow me."
He didn't want to argue with Stella in front of another man. Lara followed closely behind Kendrick and Stella with her aching leg.
"Lara."
Stella shook off Kendrick's hand because she was worried about Lara and heard the sound of Lara's legs dragging.
"Even in a situation like this, you...!"
Kendrick wore a look that suggested he had a lot to say but couldn't find the words. He sighed and ran his hand through his forehead.
"I'm sorry. But really, it's not a situation for you to misunderstand."
He looked at Stella with a hollow expression.
"I don't want to feel this way, but I find myself doubting you."
'Doubt?'
Stella bit her lip tightly. Why is he suspicious first without even listening to the story? Just as she was starting to feel hurt.
"You told me I could meet other women, prepared to leave while giving me a puppy as a gift, and silently brought another man to my mansion to wash him."
Stella couldn't help but be surprised by what Kendrick said. He knew everything—that Stella was preparing to leave, and her plan.
Whining, whining...
And she bit Kendrick's pant leg. With a helpless expression, he held Lara in his arms and focused on his work.
"Kendrick, from now on, think of this as me."
Perhaps because Stella's voice came to mind, holding Lara did seem to bring a sense of peace. Still, it wasn't quite like Stella. The thrill and shivers he felt when holding her hand, and the wave of happiness and relief that washed over him. Stella was indeed like a drug.
"But it's really cute."
Meanwhile, his subordinates glanced at Kendrick, who was holding Lara in his arms. When he approached to submit documents, he could not take his eyes off Lara even while reporting. Days like this repeated themselves. Before long, Kendrick became accustomed to working with Lara in his arms.
It is cute.
He also stroked Lara's head from time to time.
"It seems you cherish that puppy, Duke."
"Why?"
"You look like you're in a good mood."
Kendrick fiddled with his chin and mouth with a blank expression.
"I see."
***
Stella watched as Kendrick grew to care for Lara. She felt relieved to think that Kendrick now had at least one more person to rely on, even if it wasn't her. Yet, a corner of her heart ached.
'I guess I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.'
Stella turned away from that emotion.
"Lara really looks up to Kendrick."
"Of course. I take such good care of her."
There was one thing she was overlooking. The reason Kendrick opened his heart to Lara was. Two of those reasons were Stella. To Kendrick, Lara was still nothing more than a precious gift Stella had given him and a cute creature.
"Woof woof!"
If Stella were to disappear, leaving Lara behind, the more Kendrick looked at Lara, the more Stella would come to mind.
"I'm glad to see that Kendrick seems to be doing well even when I'm not around."
"What?"
Kendrick's hand, which had been stroking Lara's back, paused for a moment.
"When I go to the orphanage, and you get bored, you can just stay with Lara."
Stella spoke with a deliberate giggle as if it were no big deal. Kendrick looked up at Stella as if to say something, but closed his mouth upon seeing her peaceful expression.
'Since last time.'
There were many things Stella said that bothered him.
'Why are you saying that?'
As she said, Stella visited the orphanage frequently. That was just how things turned out. Hearing that the facilities at the Duke's Orphanage were good, many parents began leaving their children there. Consequently, the orphanage was understaffed, and the system had not yet been properly established.
“Stella, this is a new child who just joined us.”
“This one just arrived, too.”
'To get closer to everyone, I guess an activity where we make something would be good.'
To Stella, all the children at the orphanage were lovely and pretty, but there was one child in particular who was like a sore thumb.
'Besides, since Lina can't speak, it has to be an activity that can be done smoothly without words.'
Lina was unable to speak after experiencing abandonment and then being separated from her older brother.
"I'm coming with you today, Stella."
"Yes."
Stella often went to the orphanage with Roy. Even though he knew she was terminally ill, he didn't ask for details. Stella was truly grateful for that. Today, she went to the orphanage and ran into Lina. Stella learned one thing. It was baking time.
She saw it when she followed Lina out to the garden alone, as she was not socializing with the other children.
"Wow, it's pretty."
Lina let out an admiring sound and followed the butterfly around. Stella kept quiet. It wasn't that Lina couldn't speak; it was that she chose not to.
"Stella. When are you coming?"
Roy came out to look for Stella.
"Uh?"
Soon, Lina spotted Stella. Stella wore a look as if she hadn't seen anything. Lina opened her eyes wide.
"Lina was there too."
Roy smiled kindly and acknowledged Lina.
"I was in the kitchen, but the breeze was nice, so I just came out."
Stella spoke while deliberately emphasizing that she hadn't been out for long. However, Lina didn't seem reassured. Stella deliberately put on a calm expression and entered the room where the children were gathered. Lina quietly followed her in.
Stella and Roy made cookies with the children. As Roy sat at the table, kneading the dough, two boys were playing around and poured flour all over his face. Since it didn't seem like they did it on purpose, the children were startled.
"Ack. I'm so sorry, Author."
Roy's condition was serious. His head and face were covered in flour to the point where he looked like a snowman.
'I was prepared to ruin some of my clothes, but I didn't expect them to turn out like this.'
Roy laughed out of disbelief rather than anger. Stella approached him with surprised eyes and brushed the flour off. The sound of another teacher scolding two children could be heard.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes."
He spoke in a whisper.
"But, I don't think I can return to Marquis Andra's mansion like this."
Roy was now undeniably a Marquis. Although he made time to write with Stella and volunteer at an orphanage, he was a busy man himself. Moreover, as the Marquis leading a family, he had his dignity to uphold.
"That's true."
He would not be able to show others his hair stained white with flour. Moreover, if the villagers were to see Roy looking like a snowman while he was traveling in the carriage...
"Stop by the Duke's mansion to wash up before you go."
His reputation was being tarnished. Yet, washing up at the orphanage was another risky move. Stella felt sky-high guilt toward Roy.
"Anyway, Adrian has plenty of rooms there, too."
Roy nodded.
"Yeah. I understand."
***
Lately, Kendrick had habitually gazed out the window. He did so especially on days when Stella went out somewhere, waiting with curiosity to see when she would return. This time, too, he confirmed that Stella's carriage had entered the Duke's mansion. However, even as time passed, no servant came to announce Stella's return. Left with no choice, he spoke first.
"Is Stella in the study?"
"Huh? I haven't heard the news that she has arrived yet."
The attendant had no idea she had entered. It was strange.
'I saw Stella's carriage.'
"Yes?"
One person asked cautiously.
"If it concerns you, shall I check it out?"
"Yes."
Kendrick nodded. Soon, the servant approached him, looking even more wary. Kendrick stared at him as if to say, "Speak."
"Lady Stella is currently entertaining guests."
"Guest?"
Kendrick was annoyed by the servant's attitude of constantly rolling his eyes. What was he hesitating about?
"Um, well..."
"Say it."
"The guest is Marquis Roy Andra."
Kendrick's eyebrows furrowed. Lara, unaware of her owner's feelings, was nestled in Kendrick's arms with a nonchalant expression.
"What is the reason?"
"She did not explain in detail."
Kendrick tapped the table. Roy being in a room with Stella, and not telling him why... There was plenty of room for suspicion. Kendrick trusted Stella. But even so, he didn't have the patience to stay silent. His heart was pounding unpleasantly.
"Are you going to go?"
The servant looked up at Kendrick with a worried expression. When Kendrick looked down at him as if annoyed, the servant turned his gaze to the side. Kendrick silently headed toward where Stella was. Her voice was heard.
"Roy."
It sounded like she was sweetly calling another man's name. Kendrick also didn't like the fact that Stella was addressing Marquis Andra so casually.
"Here are new clothes."
'Clothes?'
So, does that mean you are taking off your clothes right now?
"The clothes you took off were so dirty, so I made them wash them."
"Yes?"
"Yeah. I asked discreetly, so it won't get known."
Kendrick gritted his teeth. A secret request? Why?
His steps were weighed down. The door was slightly ajar, and Roy was visible through it. He was wearing a bathrobe. Kendrick clenched his fist tightly.
"Then I'll be right outside. Put on some comfortable clothes and come out."
Stella opened the door and ran into Kendrick. Her big eyes widened even more at the unexpected situation.
"What is going on right now?"
"Ah, Kendrick. How did you know to come?"
'I was actually planning to come see you because I thought there might be a misunderstanding.'
Stella thought it was more important not to let others see Roy covered in flour. Servants have mouths that are both heavy and light, so the rumor that Marquis Andra had appeared at Duke Adrian's mansion covered in flour would spread in an instant. And that rumor would likely grow increasingly distorted as it spread.
'Kendrick's gaze is so cold.'
Stella had merely brought him clothes herself so that no one else would see him covered in flour. However, Kendrick's eyes were shining brightly.
"Was that all it meant?"
"Huh? What do you mean...?"
Roy's blonde hair was wet and sexy. His blue eyes also had the same look as Stella's.
'Why is this bastard here?'
Kendrick grabbed Stella's wrist and pulled her.
"Follow me."
He didn't want to argue with Stella in front of another man. Lara followed closely behind Kendrick and Stella with her aching leg.
"Lara."
Stella shook off Kendrick's hand because she was worried about Lara and heard the sound of Lara's legs dragging.
"Even in a situation like this, you...!"
Kendrick wore a look that suggested he had a lot to say but couldn't find the words. He sighed and ran his hand through his forehead.
"I'm sorry. But really, it's not a situation for you to misunderstand."
He looked at Stella with a hollow expression.
"I don't want to feel this way, but I find myself doubting you."
'Doubt?'
Stella bit her lip tightly. Why is he suspicious first without even listening to the story? Just as she was starting to feel hurt.
"You told me I could meet other women, prepared to leave while giving me a puppy as a gift, and silently brought another man to my mansion to wash him."
Stella couldn't help but be surprised by what Kendrick said. He knew everything—that Stella was preparing to leave, and her plan.
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