The second thing that changed was the interior of the mansion.
"People are staring at me so much."
Kendrick laid cushions in Stella's study and in the hallway she frequently passed through. Whenever Stella walked past, stepping on the cushions, she could feel the servants looking at her with curiosity.
"But what can you do? Your health comes first."
It was because he was worried that Stella might collapse while walking.
'It's not quite that extreme.'
Loneliness disease was a condition where one lost sensation before suffocating; it was not like anemia, where one would collapse one after another. Of course, there were times when the body would completely drain of strength, but it wasn't that time yet.
"I think Kendrick is mistaken about my illness."
Stella went to see doctor Harald.
"I think it's because he feels at ease only when he's doing something."
Harald spoke from Kendrick's perspective.
"Moreover, that disease is not yet widely known. Since we don't know what symptoms might appear, it would be best to be as careful as possible."
Stella could understand him. However, the frustration did not go away.
'I can't exactly say I died and came back to life, either.'
It was because she knew the future.
"If you are that worried, let me tell him one more time."
Harald visited Kendrick and explained the disease of loneliness again. It was a strange disease in which one gradually loses the senses of taste, pain, hearing, sight, and touch, and the corpse retains warmth even a week after death. Around the time symptoms appear, one may suffer from a high fever or lose strength in the body. However, Kendrick did not listen carefully to Harald's words.
"Stella won't end up in that situation. I'll handle it on my own before that happens."
"There is no precise cure for this disease yet, Duke. I only know the stage of its progression."
Kendrick conspicuously summoned another doctor to the Duke's mansion. It was not that Harald was an incompetent doctor; after all, he was one of the top doctors in the Empire. However, Kendrick could not let Stella die as Harald had said.
"Three doctors will be visiting the Dukes' mansion tomorrow as well. There were originally four, but one was sent away due to a bad reputation. Please get examined even if you are busy."
"Kendrick, when am I supposed to write?"
Stella considered telling him about the Hajean magic stone. But she became afraid. Then Kendrick would want Stella to become the Imperial Writer with all his heart. What if she were to disappoint him? Fear of what would happen afterward consumed Stella.
"Is that important right now? Your life is the most important thing."
Kendrick spent a fortune bringing people in from abroad and even gathered up names of people living in seclusion in the mountains.
"Since the disease of loneliness is such a rare illness..."
"I have heard that the disease is related to magic."
However, there was no significant harvest.
"Magic? What is the exact cure?"
"I'm not really... sure about that either. I'm sorry."
It would be nice if he could easily find decent wizards. Bringing wizards from other countries for private use is illegal, and finding wizards from the Empire was also difficult. Most of them likely live hiding their identities or operate secretly under the supervision of the Imperial Family," Kendrick thought.
'Should I ask Fabian for help?'
However, he was currently overseas. Stella felt uneasy looking at Kendrick. It felt like Kendrick was trying to deny reality.
'Did I say it for nothing?'
She was worried that she might cause a disruption to the work.
"Sia. Kendrick is busier than ever because of me these days, isn't he? Getting food, looking for a doctor."
Stella went to see Sia to ask about the exact situation.
"That..."
Sia showed an attitude as if she was about to say something, but stopped short.
"Yes. Well, he must be busy."
"Why? Do you have something to say?"
Stella looked at her with sparkling eyes, as if she had wanted to say it deep down.
"Actually, I saw something a little strange."
"What is it?"
She still looked hesitant. However, she was now a definite close associate of Stella.
"I'm not sure if I should say this, but..."
'What? I'm even more curious.'
After much deliberation, Sia leaned toward telling Stella.
"It's okay, so go ahead and tell me."
"I opened the office door early in the morning to hand in the documents, but... Kendrick... well..."
Stella stared intently at Sia as if curious.
"I noticed he was wiping away tears."
'tears?'
She couldn't believe what Sia said.
"Kendrick?"
Sia added as if making an excuse.
"Not sobbing, but just pressing a handkerchief against their eyes?"
Whatever it is, doesn't it mean Kendrick cried?
"Please keep it a secret that I told you this."
"Yes."
It felt strange to think that he had quietly wiped away his tears when Stella wasn't around. She wasn't even this surprised when she saw Roy cry. It seemed to be because she had known him for a long time.
'Because he was always someone she could lean on.'
He never showed tears in front of her.
Stella remembered Kendrick being sad when she first regressed, but she hadn't heard that he shed tears. Kendrick didn't show any signs of sadness in front of Stella.
"Kendrick, do you like me that much?"
Sometimes he would smile broadly.
"Tomorrow is a day you can use the whole day. How could I be in a bad mood?"
Stella had promised Kendrick a day in exchange for retracting her demand for the Duke's seat. And that day was tomorrow.
"Where are you going?"
"I can't tell you that."
Stella had no clue what Kendrick wanted to do with her. Come to think of it, it seemed they hadn't had many proper dates since getting married. Because of their positions as Duke and Duchess, they had to be mindful of public scrutiny, and they didn't have much time either. After all, Kendrick came home late every evening.
'I'm really curious.'
When they woke up in the morning, Stella had to change into a commoner's clothes. Kendrick did the same. Instead of dignified armor or suits, they wore comfortable everyday clothes. Even rustic attire suited Kendrick handsomely. Stella also wore a simple dress instead of an elegant gown. Since her purple hair stood out, she rolled it up.
"That's unexpected."
"Why?"
"Because it's the first time seeing Kendrick's down-to-earth side."
It was truly the first time she had seen him in such casual attire. After all, he had been the rigid leader of Adrian from the moment she first saw him.
"I thought it would be good to try a lot of things I haven't done before. Above all."
Lara lunged at Kendrick.
"I hoped there would be a day when you could rest without a care in the world."
Lara mostly stayed in Kendrick's arms, perhaps finding his broad embrace cozy.
"But do you have to work all day?"
"I finished everything in advance yesterday."
And so their date began. It was fascinating. Although a couple of knights were likely providing cover in hiding, it was nonetheless their first time walking down the street together on a date. The date course Kendrick had planned was ordinary but substantial.
1) Ordering a course meal at an exotic restaurant famous among young people
2) Go to the beautiful flower gardens and meadows near the Duke's residence.
3) Go to a popular cafe these days
4) Enjoying the night view while eating something delicious.
The first course was quite satisfying. While the Duke's chef is highly skilled, the food at this restaurant was also quite delicious. Above all, there was a sense of happiness derived from eating unique food outside.
"How did you know that?"
Kendrick was silent.
"Did you have Sia look into it?"
"No. I found it myself."
"Kendrick?"
"Yeah. While going around to various places during lunchtime."
Stella couldn't help but smile at how cute it was to think that Kendrick had personally sought out such great restaurants. His ears turned slightly red. Next was the flower garden. Perhaps because it was the time when others were busy working, there weren't many people around. Since the garden was so vast and full of trees, she occasionally spotted couples secretly on dates.
"Did Kendrick find this place himself, too?"
Stella also felt dizzy at the thought that she and Kendrick would be one of them.
"It's a place I found out by asking several people."
It was when she was sitting in the grass. As she slowly looked around, she saw a couple kissing a short distance away. Stella glanced at Kendrick.
'You wouldn't be thinking of arresting them for public indecency, would you?'
She worried that the Kendrick she knew might actually do that. However, Kendrick only looked at them for a moment before quickly focusing on Stella. As the strength drained from Kendrick's arm, Lara lunged at Stella's face.
'Huh?'
Lara licked Stella's lips with a cute expression. It was a form of affection. This happened often at home, but Kendrick was startled, worried that Stella might get hurt, so he pulled Lara away from her. He immediately checked to see if there were any injuries.
"I'm fine. I kiss Lara often like that."
Kendrick silently took out a handkerchief and tapped her lips to wipe away Lara's saliva.
'It smells good.'
The strange thing is that this situation lasted for a few minutes.
'I think it's all done now.'
Why is Kendrick still tapping Stella's lips?
Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, Stella gently pushed Kendrick's chest. Only then did Kendrick withdraw his hand. Stella took out a mirror and checked her face.
"My makeup is all gone."
"You're pretty even without doing that."
Kendrick's face kept turning red for some reason. Is it because of the sunlight? It's in the shade here, so it's actually pretty good.
"Kendrick, is it very hot?"
Stella reached out and stroked Kendrick's cheek. Suddenly, she recalled what had happened not long ago. They had kissed in Stella's study, looking at each other from exactly this angle. Becoming aware of that fact made Stella's face flush.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
Stella tried to back away, apologizing for no reason. But Kendrick's arm wrapped around Stella's waist.
"What?"
"Just..."
She can't exactly say she apologized because she remembered kissing him while looking at him. Stella bit her lip. Her lips turned even redder.
"You're the one who's red."
Kendrick placed his hand on Stella's cheek. Stella had a small face, while Kendrick had large hands. His hand completely covered Stella's cheek. In this awkward position, Stella's cheek ripened.
'Is it okay to do this outside?'
Stella, who had always acted upright as a noble lady, somehow felt a sense of depravity. Just then, Kendrick's lips lightly brushed against Stella's. She squeezed her eyes shut at the tingling sensation.
"People are staring at me so much."
Kendrick laid cushions in Stella's study and in the hallway she frequently passed through. Whenever Stella walked past, stepping on the cushions, she could feel the servants looking at her with curiosity.
"But what can you do? Your health comes first."
It was because he was worried that Stella might collapse while walking.
'It's not quite that extreme.'
Loneliness disease was a condition where one lost sensation before suffocating; it was not like anemia, where one would collapse one after another. Of course, there were times when the body would completely drain of strength, but it wasn't that time yet.
"I think Kendrick is mistaken about my illness."
Stella went to see doctor Harald.
"I think it's because he feels at ease only when he's doing something."
Harald spoke from Kendrick's perspective.
"Moreover, that disease is not yet widely known. Since we don't know what symptoms might appear, it would be best to be as careful as possible."
Stella could understand him. However, the frustration did not go away.
'I can't exactly say I died and came back to life, either.'
It was because she knew the future.
"If you are that worried, let me tell him one more time."
Harald visited Kendrick and explained the disease of loneliness again. It was a strange disease in which one gradually loses the senses of taste, pain, hearing, sight, and touch, and the corpse retains warmth even a week after death. Around the time symptoms appear, one may suffer from a high fever or lose strength in the body. However, Kendrick did not listen carefully to Harald's words.
"Stella won't end up in that situation. I'll handle it on my own before that happens."
"There is no precise cure for this disease yet, Duke. I only know the stage of its progression."
Kendrick conspicuously summoned another doctor to the Duke's mansion. It was not that Harald was an incompetent doctor; after all, he was one of the top doctors in the Empire. However, Kendrick could not let Stella die as Harald had said.
"Three doctors will be visiting the Dukes' mansion tomorrow as well. There were originally four, but one was sent away due to a bad reputation. Please get examined even if you are busy."
"Kendrick, when am I supposed to write?"
Stella considered telling him about the Hajean magic stone. But she became afraid. Then Kendrick would want Stella to become the Imperial Writer with all his heart. What if she were to disappoint him? Fear of what would happen afterward consumed Stella.
"Is that important right now? Your life is the most important thing."
Kendrick spent a fortune bringing people in from abroad and even gathered up names of people living in seclusion in the mountains.
"Since the disease of loneliness is such a rare illness..."
"I have heard that the disease is related to magic."
However, there was no significant harvest.
"Magic? What is the exact cure?"
"I'm not really... sure about that either. I'm sorry."
It would be nice if he could easily find decent wizards. Bringing wizards from other countries for private use is illegal, and finding wizards from the Empire was also difficult. Most of them likely live hiding their identities or operate secretly under the supervision of the Imperial Family," Kendrick thought.
'Should I ask Fabian for help?'
However, he was currently overseas. Stella felt uneasy looking at Kendrick. It felt like Kendrick was trying to deny reality.
'Did I say it for nothing?'
She was worried that she might cause a disruption to the work.
"Sia. Kendrick is busier than ever because of me these days, isn't he? Getting food, looking for a doctor."
Stella went to see Sia to ask about the exact situation.
"That..."
Sia showed an attitude as if she was about to say something, but stopped short.
"Yes. Well, he must be busy."
"Why? Do you have something to say?"
Stella looked at her with sparkling eyes, as if she had wanted to say it deep down.
"Actually, I saw something a little strange."
"What is it?"
She still looked hesitant. However, she was now a definite close associate of Stella.
"I'm not sure if I should say this, but..."
'What? I'm even more curious.'
After much deliberation, Sia leaned toward telling Stella.
"It's okay, so go ahead and tell me."
"I opened the office door early in the morning to hand in the documents, but... Kendrick... well..."
Stella stared intently at Sia as if curious.
"I noticed he was wiping away tears."
'tears?'
She couldn't believe what Sia said.
"Kendrick?"
Sia added as if making an excuse.
"Not sobbing, but just pressing a handkerchief against their eyes?"
Whatever it is, doesn't it mean Kendrick cried?
"Please keep it a secret that I told you this."
"Yes."
It felt strange to think that he had quietly wiped away his tears when Stella wasn't around. She wasn't even this surprised when she saw Roy cry. It seemed to be because she had known him for a long time.
'Because he was always someone she could lean on.'
He never showed tears in front of her.
Stella remembered Kendrick being sad when she first regressed, but she hadn't heard that he shed tears. Kendrick didn't show any signs of sadness in front of Stella.
"Kendrick, do you like me that much?"
Sometimes he would smile broadly.
"Tomorrow is a day you can use the whole day. How could I be in a bad mood?"
Stella had promised Kendrick a day in exchange for retracting her demand for the Duke's seat. And that day was tomorrow.
"Where are you going?"
"I can't tell you that."
Stella had no clue what Kendrick wanted to do with her. Come to think of it, it seemed they hadn't had many proper dates since getting married. Because of their positions as Duke and Duchess, they had to be mindful of public scrutiny, and they didn't have much time either. After all, Kendrick came home late every evening.
'I'm really curious.'
When they woke up in the morning, Stella had to change into a commoner's clothes. Kendrick did the same. Instead of dignified armor or suits, they wore comfortable everyday clothes. Even rustic attire suited Kendrick handsomely. Stella also wore a simple dress instead of an elegant gown. Since her purple hair stood out, she rolled it up.
"That's unexpected."
"Why?"
"Because it's the first time seeing Kendrick's down-to-earth side."
It was truly the first time she had seen him in such casual attire. After all, he had been the rigid leader of Adrian from the moment she first saw him.
"I thought it would be good to try a lot of things I haven't done before. Above all."
Lara lunged at Kendrick.
"I hoped there would be a day when you could rest without a care in the world."
Lara mostly stayed in Kendrick's arms, perhaps finding his broad embrace cozy.
"But do you have to work all day?"
"I finished everything in advance yesterday."
And so their date began. It was fascinating. Although a couple of knights were likely providing cover in hiding, it was nonetheless their first time walking down the street together on a date. The date course Kendrick had planned was ordinary but substantial.
1) Ordering a course meal at an exotic restaurant famous among young people
2) Go to the beautiful flower gardens and meadows near the Duke's residence.
3) Go to a popular cafe these days
4) Enjoying the night view while eating something delicious.
The first course was quite satisfying. While the Duke's chef is highly skilled, the food at this restaurant was also quite delicious. Above all, there was a sense of happiness derived from eating unique food outside.
"How did you know that?"
Kendrick was silent.
"Did you have Sia look into it?"
"No. I found it myself."
"Kendrick?"
"Yeah. While going around to various places during lunchtime."
Stella couldn't help but smile at how cute it was to think that Kendrick had personally sought out such great restaurants. His ears turned slightly red. Next was the flower garden. Perhaps because it was the time when others were busy working, there weren't many people around. Since the garden was so vast and full of trees, she occasionally spotted couples secretly on dates.
"Did Kendrick find this place himself, too?"
Stella also felt dizzy at the thought that she and Kendrick would be one of them.
"It's a place I found out by asking several people."
It was when she was sitting in the grass. As she slowly looked around, she saw a couple kissing a short distance away. Stella glanced at Kendrick.
'You wouldn't be thinking of arresting them for public indecency, would you?'
She worried that the Kendrick she knew might actually do that. However, Kendrick only looked at them for a moment before quickly focusing on Stella. As the strength drained from Kendrick's arm, Lara lunged at Stella's face.
'Huh?'
Lara licked Stella's lips with a cute expression. It was a form of affection. This happened often at home, but Kendrick was startled, worried that Stella might get hurt, so he pulled Lara away from her. He immediately checked to see if there were any injuries.
"I'm fine. I kiss Lara often like that."
Kendrick silently took out a handkerchief and tapped her lips to wipe away Lara's saliva.
'It smells good.'
The strange thing is that this situation lasted for a few minutes.
'I think it's all done now.'
Why is Kendrick still tapping Stella's lips?
Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, Stella gently pushed Kendrick's chest. Only then did Kendrick withdraw his hand. Stella took out a mirror and checked her face.
"My makeup is all gone."
"You're pretty even without doing that."
Kendrick's face kept turning red for some reason. Is it because of the sunlight? It's in the shade here, so it's actually pretty good.
"Kendrick, is it very hot?"
Stella reached out and stroked Kendrick's cheek. Suddenly, she recalled what had happened not long ago. They had kissed in Stella's study, looking at each other from exactly this angle. Becoming aware of that fact made Stella's face flush.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
Stella tried to back away, apologizing for no reason. But Kendrick's arm wrapped around Stella's waist.
"What?"
"Just..."
She can't exactly say she apologized because she remembered kissing him while looking at him. Stella bit her lip. Her lips turned even redder.
"You're the one who's red."
Kendrick placed his hand on Stella's cheek. Stella had a small face, while Kendrick had large hands. His hand completely covered Stella's cheek. In this awkward position, Stella's cheek ripened.
'Is it okay to do this outside?'
Stella, who had always acted upright as a noble lady, somehow felt a sense of depravity. Just then, Kendrick's lips lightly brushed against Stella's. She squeezed her eyes shut at the tingling sensation.
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