'A treasure.'
Stella felt that in this life, there were unusually many people who cared for her. She had formed a new bond with Roy, and the same went for the children at the orphanage, including Lina. Her relationship with Kendrick was no exception. Even if it was due to the potion, Kendrick was completely smitten with Stella.
'And above all.'
"Lady Stella, um..."
Her relationship with Sia has also changed completely opposite. What was once a bitter rivalry has turned into quite a good friendship. Even now, Sia is the one who comes to see Stella first. In the past, they wouldn't have gone out of their way to meet unless it was for work.
"Why?"
"I saw something strange."
Stella wore a faint smile.
"What? Did Kendrick wipe his eyes again?"
However, Sia's expression looked serious.
"No."
Once again, Sia hesitated to speak. Judging by the fact that she came all the way here, she must have made up her mind. Stella was puzzled. Was it really that serious?
"Yes? Just say it. It's okay."
Sia spoke up about Stella's relaxed attitude.
"By any chance, do you know about the young lady who came to see Mr. Kendrick yesterday?"
'Young Lady?'
It was something she knew absolutely nothing about. Although she was curious, Stella still maintained her composed demeanor. Misunderstanding this, Sia continued speaking as if relieved.
"I knew you would hear. I came here worried that you might not know, Stella, but it turns out my worries were for nothing."
'It's enough to make Sia worried?'
Stella slammed the book shut and looked at her.
"No. I haven't heard anything like that. A woman came to visit?"
All traces of relief vanished from Sia's face. Her expression contorted in anxiety.
"Tell me in detail what the situation is."
"To be honest, I know a lot about the women around Lord Kendrick. I’ve looked into them personally, and I’m well-versed in the business connections and the aristocrats in his circle."
'Come to think of it, Sia was interested in Kendrick, too. I had forgotten.'
Stella nodded while listening to her.
"But the person I saw yesterday was a woman I had never seen before."
"She didn't just come to propose a new business?"
Sia shook her head.
"It was somehow different."
The reason Sia suspected her was obvious. She was suspicious from the moment she appeared.
"That woman sent a note to Lord Kendrick without even revealing her name."
'A note?'
Normally, other nobles would reveal their last and first names, so a note? It was certainly suspicious. Stella was becoming increasingly curious about the matter.
"But when Lord Kendrick still wouldn't meet, she came to find him in person. That's when Kendrick started to get agitated."
It was hard to imagine Kendrick looking agitated. Because she had never once seen Kendrick shaken or waver in front of another woman.
"How did Kendrick get agitated?"
"His eyes were trembling violently, and he seemed a little agitated. And when the young lady whispered something to Lord Kendrick…."
'She whispered...?'
Sia gasped for breath while speaking hurriedly. In the meantime, Stella thought.
'Kendrick isn't the type to give someone a handicap like that.'
Certainly, something is off about this whole thing.
"Then Kendrick's expression hardened, and he took the woman and moved to another seat."
Sia explained the matter in great detail. It was something she would have had no idea about before her regression. Suddenly, she recalled the rumor she had heard when she was sick, just before she died.
'Could the woman Kendrick meets in a few years be the woman Sia is talking about right now?'
Stella bit her lower lip.
"The atmosphere felt a bit off, and it was weighing on my mind, so I thought I’d feel better letting you know, Lady Stella."
Sia cautiously glanced at Stella. Stella maintained a composed expression as if nothing were wrong.
"Thank you for telling me."
Sia carefully took Stella's hand.
"I'm always on Stella's side."
Stella was grateful to Sia. After all, she had risked danger to bring up this story. It was a new feeling to realize that this child, whom she used to hate, now felt like a reliable presence.
"I hope Lady Stella doesn't get sick, and I hope you are happy forever."
The bond with Sia was precious.
'That's touching.'
It seemed that the biggest part of the change in Stella's destiny in her second life was probably Sia.
"I'll look into it, too. I'll find out how Lady Stella can be cured."
"Sia, by any chance... how about leaving the Duke's family?"
"Yes?"
Sia opened her eyes wide in surprise.
'I thought a lot about whether I should say it, but as expected.'
It seemed like a good idea to tell Sia in advance. Of course, it was something that might cause Stella some trouble, but if Sia rose to a higher position, the scope of her ability to help Stella would also expand. Stella wore a troubled expression for a moment.
"Is something wrong, Lady Stella?"
'I don't think you did anything particularly wrong.'
It felt as though Sia's inner thoughts could be read. Stella smiled slightly and spoke.
"It's not that I'm trying to let you go because I dislike you. It's just..."
How should I bring this up? No matter how much Stella beat around the bush, it was clear that Sia would be dumbfounded. Stella decided to just tell the truth.
"What would you do if I knew the secret of your birth?"
"A secret of birth?"
Sia tilted her head as if surprised.
"Yes."
She revealed the secret of Sia's birth that she knew. She stated that Sia was the Emperor's daughter and even mentioned that this fact might be revealed in the future.
"Are you saying that I am the Princess?"
However, Sia's reaction was merely lukewarm.
"Yes."
"That can't be. I've never once heard my mother say anything like that."
As expected, Sia did not believe it.
"Why did you suddenly make such a guess?"
Instead, she looked at Stella with a puzzled expression. Stella hesitated, wondering what to say, and mumbled something vague.
"Just... I heard there are a lot of people with green eyes like yours in the Imperial Family."
Sia still looked indifferent.
"Weren't your mother's eyes not green?"
"That is true, but... there are a few commoners with green eyes. Even though they are rare, that wouldn't be enough evidence."
"You never know. Why don't you come to the Imperial City with me tomorrow?"
After Stella's persuasion, Sia reluctantly nodded.
The pace of turning the pages was unusually slow today. It was because something Sia had said earlier in the day was weighing on her mind. Stella turned the pages slowly, glancing at Kendrick, who was holding hands beside her. Like Stella, he was also going about his own business.
"Do you have anything to say?"
Kendrick senses Stella's gaze like a ghost. It was to the point where he could think of her even while working. He had tried to keep quiet because Stella's gaze, which had been clinging to him for a while, was cute, but he simply couldn't stand it because he was curious about the reason.
"Yes?"
Stella feigned ignorance as if she knew nothing.
'Was it too obvious that I was staring...?'
Stella wondered if Kendrick might be the first to mention what happened earlier in the day. It was difficult for Stella to bring it up first, as it would be tantamount to revealing that one of Kendrick's aides was passing on Kendrick's affairs to her. Stella simply shook her head.
"No. It's nothing."
At her denial, Kendrick fixed his gaze back on his documents.
'Looks like he doesn't intend to tell me.'
Stella also turned her head. At first, she felt fine, but as time went on, her heart sank. Since there was no mention from Kendrick, negative thoughts began to creep in.
'If this is the beginning of Kendrick's affair.'
She has to leave here without any regrets.
Stella vowed over and over again not to be soft.
'But what if it's just a misunderstanding?'
Stella's gaze turned to Kendrick again, then quickly returned to her book. She didn't want him to find out that she had something to tell him. It was a dilemma. If Kendrick continued to act so sweetly, she might gradually open her heart to him.
'Because I didn't refuse the kiss and just did it.'
Stella raised her hand and fiddled with her lower lip. She didn't want Kendrick to suffer because of her, so she would find the antidote to the potion by any means necessary. What if, as a result, Kendrick's heart leaned back toward that woman?
'I'll probably get hurt again.'
Kendrick turned completely toward Stella.
"Stella, is something bothering you?"
"Yes?"
"Your expression has been a bit strange for a while."
Stella smiled awkwardly and swept her hair back. She chose to change the subject.
"Hmm... why didn't you bring Lara today?"
"I heard the limping has gotten worse, so I left it with a specialist."
"Ah, I see."
Stella nodded.
"If I had known you would be worried, I would have explained this beforehand. I'm sorry."
To think he paid attention to even such a small change in expression. Kendrick was so sweet. But this wasn't love; it was the potion. Her mouth felt dry.
"It's okay."
Stella raised the corners of her mouth to hide her disappointment and took a sip of tea.
Today was the day she was entering the palace with Sia. Jerista Palace was a beautiful palace with a harmony of white and gold. The walls were pure white, but the pillars and roof were painted gold. It was a dazzling combination.
'It sparkles whenever I come here.'
Upon entering this place, the sunlight felt inexplicably stronger. Even though she was riding in the carriage of the famous Duke Adrian family, security checks could not be avoided entirely. Moreover, Stella had entered the palace to have an audience with the Emperor. The carriage stopped in the center of the palace, and a man approached.
"Hello."
It was Anton Geron, the Captain of the Royal Guard. It had been a long time since she had seen his face. Since he was not a pleasant person to face, Stella got straight to the point.
"I have requested an audience with His Majesty."
Anton answered as if he knew.
"His Majesty's upcoming schedule is running a little behind. I think you will have to wait."
"I understand."
"It looks like it will take at least an hour. If you find it difficult to wait in the carriage, you may look around elsewhere and come back."
The business must have been finished, but Anton Geron did not leave. Stella had felt this for a while, but his gaze was always sticky.
'Is there something on my face...?'
Stella fiddled with her cheek.
"Lady Stella, what should we do?"
It was just when it got hot.
"Then, would you like to take a walk?"
Stella pondered Sia's question for a moment before deciding to look around the Imperial Palace. Anton Geron extended his hand. Since it would have been rude to ignore such an escort, she took his wrist and stepped down. Sia was escorted by someone who appeared to be his subordinate. Just as Stella was about to walk with Sia, Anton Geron followed them.
"I will escort you."
Hearing him speak to her in polite language felt awkward. Anton Geron had spoken casually to Stella when they were young because he was Skyle's friend. Then and now, the fact that he made her uncomfortable hadn't changed.
"That's good."
"You haven't changed."
Stella looked at him at the unexpected answer.
"Yes?"
"No."
Anton Geron bowed to Stella as she walked away. Sia called out to her in an intrigued tone.
"Lady Stella."
"Why?"
"Is that person interested in Stella by any chance?"
Stella felt that in this life, there were unusually many people who cared for her. She had formed a new bond with Roy, and the same went for the children at the orphanage, including Lina. Her relationship with Kendrick was no exception. Even if it was due to the potion, Kendrick was completely smitten with Stella.
'And above all.'
"Lady Stella, um..."
Her relationship with Sia has also changed completely opposite. What was once a bitter rivalry has turned into quite a good friendship. Even now, Sia is the one who comes to see Stella first. In the past, they wouldn't have gone out of their way to meet unless it was for work.
"Why?"
"I saw something strange."
Stella wore a faint smile.
"What? Did Kendrick wipe his eyes again?"
However, Sia's expression looked serious.
"No."
Once again, Sia hesitated to speak. Judging by the fact that she came all the way here, she must have made up her mind. Stella was puzzled. Was it really that serious?
"Yes? Just say it. It's okay."
Sia spoke up about Stella's relaxed attitude.
"By any chance, do you know about the young lady who came to see Mr. Kendrick yesterday?"
'Young Lady?'
It was something she knew absolutely nothing about. Although she was curious, Stella still maintained her composed demeanor. Misunderstanding this, Sia continued speaking as if relieved.
"I knew you would hear. I came here worried that you might not know, Stella, but it turns out my worries were for nothing."
'It's enough to make Sia worried?'
Stella slammed the book shut and looked at her.
"No. I haven't heard anything like that. A woman came to visit?"
All traces of relief vanished from Sia's face. Her expression contorted in anxiety.
"Tell me in detail what the situation is."
"To be honest, I know a lot about the women around Lord Kendrick. I’ve looked into them personally, and I’m well-versed in the business connections and the aristocrats in his circle."
'Come to think of it, Sia was interested in Kendrick, too. I had forgotten.'
Stella nodded while listening to her.
"But the person I saw yesterday was a woman I had never seen before."
"She didn't just come to propose a new business?"
Sia shook her head.
"It was somehow different."
The reason Sia suspected her was obvious. She was suspicious from the moment she appeared.
"That woman sent a note to Lord Kendrick without even revealing her name."
'A note?'
Normally, other nobles would reveal their last and first names, so a note? It was certainly suspicious. Stella was becoming increasingly curious about the matter.
"But when Lord Kendrick still wouldn't meet, she came to find him in person. That's when Kendrick started to get agitated."
It was hard to imagine Kendrick looking agitated. Because she had never once seen Kendrick shaken or waver in front of another woman.
"How did Kendrick get agitated?"
"His eyes were trembling violently, and he seemed a little agitated. And when the young lady whispered something to Lord Kendrick…."
'She whispered...?'
Sia gasped for breath while speaking hurriedly. In the meantime, Stella thought.
'Kendrick isn't the type to give someone a handicap like that.'
Certainly, something is off about this whole thing.
"Then Kendrick's expression hardened, and he took the woman and moved to another seat."
Sia explained the matter in great detail. It was something she would have had no idea about before her regression. Suddenly, she recalled the rumor she had heard when she was sick, just before she died.
'Could the woman Kendrick meets in a few years be the woman Sia is talking about right now?'
Stella bit her lower lip.
"The atmosphere felt a bit off, and it was weighing on my mind, so I thought I’d feel better letting you know, Lady Stella."
Sia cautiously glanced at Stella. Stella maintained a composed expression as if nothing were wrong.
"Thank you for telling me."
Sia carefully took Stella's hand.
"I'm always on Stella's side."
Stella was grateful to Sia. After all, she had risked danger to bring up this story. It was a new feeling to realize that this child, whom she used to hate, now felt like a reliable presence.
"I hope Lady Stella doesn't get sick, and I hope you are happy forever."
The bond with Sia was precious.
'That's touching.'
It seemed that the biggest part of the change in Stella's destiny in her second life was probably Sia.
"I'll look into it, too. I'll find out how Lady Stella can be cured."
"Sia, by any chance... how about leaving the Duke's family?"
"Yes?"
Sia opened her eyes wide in surprise.
'I thought a lot about whether I should say it, but as expected.'
It seemed like a good idea to tell Sia in advance. Of course, it was something that might cause Stella some trouble, but if Sia rose to a higher position, the scope of her ability to help Stella would also expand. Stella wore a troubled expression for a moment.
"Is something wrong, Lady Stella?"
'I don't think you did anything particularly wrong.'
It felt as though Sia's inner thoughts could be read. Stella smiled slightly and spoke.
"It's not that I'm trying to let you go because I dislike you. It's just..."
How should I bring this up? No matter how much Stella beat around the bush, it was clear that Sia would be dumbfounded. Stella decided to just tell the truth.
"What would you do if I knew the secret of your birth?"
"A secret of birth?"
Sia tilted her head as if surprised.
"Yes."
She revealed the secret of Sia's birth that she knew. She stated that Sia was the Emperor's daughter and even mentioned that this fact might be revealed in the future.
"Are you saying that I am the Princess?"
However, Sia's reaction was merely lukewarm.
"Yes."
"That can't be. I've never once heard my mother say anything like that."
As expected, Sia did not believe it.
"Why did you suddenly make such a guess?"
Instead, she looked at Stella with a puzzled expression. Stella hesitated, wondering what to say, and mumbled something vague.
"Just... I heard there are a lot of people with green eyes like yours in the Imperial Family."
Sia still looked indifferent.
"Weren't your mother's eyes not green?"
"That is true, but... there are a few commoners with green eyes. Even though they are rare, that wouldn't be enough evidence."
"You never know. Why don't you come to the Imperial City with me tomorrow?"
After Stella's persuasion, Sia reluctantly nodded.
***
The pace of turning the pages was unusually slow today. It was because something Sia had said earlier in the day was weighing on her mind. Stella turned the pages slowly, glancing at Kendrick, who was holding hands beside her. Like Stella, he was also going about his own business.
"Do you have anything to say?"
Kendrick senses Stella's gaze like a ghost. It was to the point where he could think of her even while working. He had tried to keep quiet because Stella's gaze, which had been clinging to him for a while, was cute, but he simply couldn't stand it because he was curious about the reason.
"Yes?"
Stella feigned ignorance as if she knew nothing.
'Was it too obvious that I was staring...?'
Stella wondered if Kendrick might be the first to mention what happened earlier in the day. It was difficult for Stella to bring it up first, as it would be tantamount to revealing that one of Kendrick's aides was passing on Kendrick's affairs to her. Stella simply shook her head.
"No. It's nothing."
At her denial, Kendrick fixed his gaze back on his documents.
'Looks like he doesn't intend to tell me.'
Stella also turned her head. At first, she felt fine, but as time went on, her heart sank. Since there was no mention from Kendrick, negative thoughts began to creep in.
'If this is the beginning of Kendrick's affair.'
She has to leave here without any regrets.
Stella vowed over and over again not to be soft.
'But what if it's just a misunderstanding?'
Stella's gaze turned to Kendrick again, then quickly returned to her book. She didn't want him to find out that she had something to tell him. It was a dilemma. If Kendrick continued to act so sweetly, she might gradually open her heart to him.
'Because I didn't refuse the kiss and just did it.'
Stella raised her hand and fiddled with her lower lip. She didn't want Kendrick to suffer because of her, so she would find the antidote to the potion by any means necessary. What if, as a result, Kendrick's heart leaned back toward that woman?
'I'll probably get hurt again.'
Kendrick turned completely toward Stella.
"Stella, is something bothering you?"
"Yes?"
"Your expression has been a bit strange for a while."
Stella smiled awkwardly and swept her hair back. She chose to change the subject.
"Hmm... why didn't you bring Lara today?"
"I heard the limping has gotten worse, so I left it with a specialist."
"Ah, I see."
Stella nodded.
"If I had known you would be worried, I would have explained this beforehand. I'm sorry."
To think he paid attention to even such a small change in expression. Kendrick was so sweet. But this wasn't love; it was the potion. Her mouth felt dry.
"It's okay."
Stella raised the corners of her mouth to hide her disappointment and took a sip of tea.
***
Today was the day she was entering the palace with Sia. Jerista Palace was a beautiful palace with a harmony of white and gold. The walls were pure white, but the pillars and roof were painted gold. It was a dazzling combination.
'It sparkles whenever I come here.'
Upon entering this place, the sunlight felt inexplicably stronger. Even though she was riding in the carriage of the famous Duke Adrian family, security checks could not be avoided entirely. Moreover, Stella had entered the palace to have an audience with the Emperor. The carriage stopped in the center of the palace, and a man approached.
"Hello."
It was Anton Geron, the Captain of the Royal Guard. It had been a long time since she had seen his face. Since he was not a pleasant person to face, Stella got straight to the point.
"I have requested an audience with His Majesty."
Anton answered as if he knew.
"His Majesty's upcoming schedule is running a little behind. I think you will have to wait."
"I understand."
"It looks like it will take at least an hour. If you find it difficult to wait in the carriage, you may look around elsewhere and come back."
The business must have been finished, but Anton Geron did not leave. Stella had felt this for a while, but his gaze was always sticky.
'Is there something on my face...?'
Stella fiddled with her cheek.
"Lady Stella, what should we do?"
It was just when it got hot.
"Then, would you like to take a walk?"
Stella pondered Sia's question for a moment before deciding to look around the Imperial Palace. Anton Geron extended his hand. Since it would have been rude to ignore such an escort, she took his wrist and stepped down. Sia was escorted by someone who appeared to be his subordinate. Just as Stella was about to walk with Sia, Anton Geron followed them.
"I will escort you."
Hearing him speak to her in polite language felt awkward. Anton Geron had spoken casually to Stella when they were young because he was Skyle's friend. Then and now, the fact that he made her uncomfortable hadn't changed.
"That's good."
"You haven't changed."
Stella looked at him at the unexpected answer.
"Yes?"
"No."
Anton Geron bowed to Stella as she walked away. Sia called out to her in an intrigued tone.
"Lady Stella."
"Why?"
"Is that person interested in Stella by any chance?"
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