"Just because.'
'He's not telling me today either.'
She thought it was really unexpected. She was so engrossed in Sia's affairs that she was pretending not to remember anything about that woman, but it kept weighing on her mind.
"By any chance, did a friend from your hometown come to visit? Or perhaps another guest?"
Kendrick said it flatly.
"No. I've never done that. Why?"
"Ah. I heard Kendrick grew up in the western estate from a young age."
Unlike Lanedict, Adrian's roots were not in the capital. Nevertheless, the reason Adrian did not fall behind Lanedict was that it was no exaggeration to say that most of the western part of the Empire belonged to Adrian. Kendrick handled politics and business in the capital, while the previous Duke and Duchess had returned to the west after retirement and were governing the region.
"Yes."
"A friend might come from there, so feel free to call."
Stella smiled as if it were nothing. Kendrick was expressionless.
"Yes."
Come to think of it, Kendrick didn't talk much about his time there, considering he had grown up in the western estate as a child. Stella lowered her head again and turned the page. Watching her, Kendrick spoke.
"Anyway, I won't be able to sleep until you do."
"Yes. Then please wait a moment."
He seemed worried that Stella might be harmed. Because of this, Stella quickly closed her book. Repetitive days followed. A few days later, it became clear that Sia was the Princess.
[The Emperor's Hidden Daughter?]
[The Arrival of the Lost Princess!]
[Sia? Lucia?]
Articles poured out that clearly showed they wanted to write sensational content, but were wary of the imperial court.
"I'm sorry for telling you late."
"No, Lady Stella. If it weren't for you, I would have lived my whole life without knowing who my father was."
There was a time when Sia wondered who her biological father was. It was when a new baby was born into the Viscount family to which she had been adopted. Having been instantly cast aside, she had to live on edge at all times. It was then that her curiosity about her biological father intensified. Even if not out of resentment, she wondered what kind of person he was to live without even trying to find his own child.
"Thank you."
Although it was sudden, the secret was revealed by Stella. While it is uncertain what the future holds once she begins living in the Imperial Palace, it will not harm Sia's life. Sia kissed the back of Stella's hand. It was a kiss filled with respect.
"If you're really grateful, would you grant me a favor?"
Stella wore a small smile. She had wanted a picture like this ever since she first returned.
"By all means."
Having Princess Sia on her side. Thanks to her, it seemed like things would go much more smoothly.
"I have to meet the Imperial Wizard."
The Emperor had quite a few children. That was the reason why Fabian was still busy consolidating his position even now, several years after becoming Crown Prince.
"A wizard?"
That is why, even if Sia becomes the Princess, she will not be able to approach the Imperial wizard immediately. It will take a lot of time.
"Yeah. I have something to ask him."
Sia nodded.
"I'll do my best."
Stella considered it a great gain just to have Sia as a card. Before leaving, Sia grabbed Stella's sleeve with a look that seemed to weigh on her mind. Stella looked at her as if asking what was wrong.
"But are you really going to be okay?"
"What?"
"I mean the woman who came back then."
Stella tried hard to put on a nonchalant expression.
"You haven't heard anything from Kendrick yet, right?"
Stella just gave a relaxed smile.
"You don't need to worry about that. Sia, just focus on settling into the Imperial Household with peace of mind."
"All right."
As Stella watched Sia return to the Imperial Palace, she thought to herself that this would likely be the last time she spoke to Sia comfortably. Meanwhile, Sia was so preoccupied with that woman, as if it were a grave matter, that it weighed on her mind even on her final journey. Influenced by this, Stella also began to feel agitated.
And then something happened that ignited the commotion. It began with a mysterious guest who came to see Stella. One day, a request came in saying that someone wanted to meet her.
"Lady Stella, a guest has arrived."
"Who is it?
"It is Anton Geron."
"Why him?"
Stella wore a sour expression. The servant added the reason for his visit.
"He said he had something to give to Lady Stella."
Stella tapped the table and pondered. He was someone she didn't particularly want to see. However, there must be a reason why he had come all the way here.
"Yes. Tell them to come in."
It seemed best to hear the reason first. Anton Geron appeared quite calm. They exchanged brief greetings.
"I heard you had something to give me."
She got straight to the point. Anton Geron rummaged through his pockets with an ah.
"It seemed like you dropped this item when you left."
What was on the table was a small button.
"Ah..."
It wasn't even Stella's.
"This isn't my button."
'You came to me to give me this?'
Something was very strange. Stella looked at Anton Geron, unable to take her suspicious gaze off him.
"Ah. I must have seen it wrong. I apologize for bothering you."
"Thanks for the thought. It's good tea, so please feel free to enjoy it."
Stella intended to leave Anton Geron in the drawing room and get up first. However, he stopped her.
"There is something else I would like to give you."
He made a rummaging sound and took something out.
"Book...?"
"I heard that Stella is writing. I prepared this in case it might be of help."
It was an unexpected gift. Stella accepted it with a sour expression. Upon receiving it, she realized it wasn't a novel, but a dictionary. An Imperial Language Dictionary.
"Thank you."
At Stella's greeting, Anton Geron stood up as if he had finished his business. Stella's gaze followed him up. He uttered a meaningful remark and disappeared.
"Please feel free to contact me anytime if you need help."
Stella wondered why Anton Geron had suddenly brought this book. Had this happened before? No, it hadn't. Although he had brought photos proving Kendrick's infidelity a few years later, he hadn't brought a book like this. It seemed that Stella had given him an excuse to come find her by running into him at the Imperial Palace.
'What could be their ulterior motive?'
Stella casually opened the dictionary. A photograph fluttered out.
"What's this?"
When she turned the dictionary over, several photos fell out in a shower.
She couldn't possibly suppress her sigh. It was a good thing no one was in the room. Stella was so shaken that she couldn't keep a straight face.
'Kendrick...'
They were all photos of Kendrick with other women. They were not obscene photos. However, in one of them, the woman was caressing the corner of Kendrick's eye. The composition cleverly obscured the woman's face.
'It's obviously a strange picture.'
Stella covered her mouth. Kendrick and the woman were wearing different colors of clothes. In other words, it meant they had met multiple times.
To think Kendrick was the kind of man who would get this close to another woman.
'That makes no sense.'
Her heart pounded. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. The thoughts of divorce, which she had temporarily set aside, grew strong again. Stella pounded her chest. The heavy feeling would not go away. She rummaged through other photos as well.
"Letter...?"
Most of the photos showed Kendrick handing a letter to this woman.
'I need to check this.'
Kendrick had already lied to her once. He feigned ignorance when asked if a visitor had arrived. In that case, it was highly likely that he would make excuses or lie even if she asked him directly. Stella did not want to live with Kendrick if it meant turning a blind eye to everything.
'Let's follow them first."
If Stella ordered someone to join her, Kendrick would find out. Moreover, Kendrick was paying close attention to Stella's every move. He had her entire schedule in his hands, including when she went to meet Roy. He could not order Adrian's knights to follow Duke Adrian.
'Even so, meeting Anton Geron is dangerous.'
The risk was too great. First of all, she didn't trust him. It was hard to even guess why he had sent such a photo. Stella felt uneasy, thinking it might be a trap he was setting to take something away from Stella.
"Roy, can you figure out where this is?"
Stella asked Roy for a favor. The location where the photos were taken was consistent. It must have been a hideout where they met periodically. Roy helped Stella without asking many questions. However, being quick-witted, he must have already suspected something had happened to some extent from the moment Stella brought the photos.
"It looks like the Krit Hospital. They say it's a recently opened hospital."
"Thank you."
"Shall I go with you?"
Stella intended to plant people at the Krit Hospital. Since they had met here several times, the next meeting would likely take place here as well. Stella bit her lip. It would certainly be better to have one more friend with her than to stake out alone.
"Yes."
Stella nodded. On the night before she was scheduled to visit the Krit Hospital with Roy, Kendrick was kind to Stella, too.
"Kendrick, you said your heart pain is less these days, even when you can't see me, right?"
At her question, Kendrick placed his hand on his chest.
"I've definitely become numb. It still hurts, though."
Stella smiled as if relieved, but it was an act. She forced herself to lick her dry lips while maintaining her expression.
'The fact that the pain is fading means that his heart is gradually drifting away.'
Stella wiped the bitter smile from her face. Now that Sia was gone, there was no friend nearby to share personal stories with.
'Ah!'
She suddenly thought of another connection.
'Marie.'
Whenever he thought of Marie, endless thoughts dominated his mind. His mind was already complicated enough. Seeing that Stella looked unhappy, Kendrick glanced at her.
"Is something bothering you, Stella?"
Stella's gaze turned toward Kendrick. Something is bothering her. Right now, the person who bothered and made her most uncomfortable was none other than Kendrick. Since she couldn't say this frankly, Stella simply shook her head.
"It's just that I have a lot to write about. Don't worry about it."
Hopefully, tomorrow, she could face the truth. If the photo turned out to be fake, she could simply go back to Anton Geron. Whatever the case, Stella wanted to know the truth and avoid the situation before she got hurt.
'He's not telling me today either.'
She thought it was really unexpected. She was so engrossed in Sia's affairs that she was pretending not to remember anything about that woman, but it kept weighing on her mind.
"By any chance, did a friend from your hometown come to visit? Or perhaps another guest?"
Kendrick said it flatly.
"No. I've never done that. Why?"
"Ah. I heard Kendrick grew up in the western estate from a young age."
Unlike Lanedict, Adrian's roots were not in the capital. Nevertheless, the reason Adrian did not fall behind Lanedict was that it was no exaggeration to say that most of the western part of the Empire belonged to Adrian. Kendrick handled politics and business in the capital, while the previous Duke and Duchess had returned to the west after retirement and were governing the region.
"Yes."
"A friend might come from there, so feel free to call."
Stella smiled as if it were nothing. Kendrick was expressionless.
"Yes."
Come to think of it, Kendrick didn't talk much about his time there, considering he had grown up in the western estate as a child. Stella lowered her head again and turned the page. Watching her, Kendrick spoke.
"Anyway, I won't be able to sleep until you do."
"Yes. Then please wait a moment."
He seemed worried that Stella might be harmed. Because of this, Stella quickly closed her book. Repetitive days followed. A few days later, it became clear that Sia was the Princess.
[The Emperor's Hidden Daughter?]
[The Arrival of the Lost Princess!]
[Sia? Lucia?]
Articles poured out that clearly showed they wanted to write sensational content, but were wary of the imperial court.
"I'm sorry for telling you late."
"No, Lady Stella. If it weren't for you, I would have lived my whole life without knowing who my father was."
There was a time when Sia wondered who her biological father was. It was when a new baby was born into the Viscount family to which she had been adopted. Having been instantly cast aside, she had to live on edge at all times. It was then that her curiosity about her biological father intensified. Even if not out of resentment, she wondered what kind of person he was to live without even trying to find his own child.
"Thank you."
Although it was sudden, the secret was revealed by Stella. While it is uncertain what the future holds once she begins living in the Imperial Palace, it will not harm Sia's life. Sia kissed the back of Stella's hand. It was a kiss filled with respect.
"If you're really grateful, would you grant me a favor?"
Stella wore a small smile. She had wanted a picture like this ever since she first returned.
"By all means."
Having Princess Sia on her side. Thanks to her, it seemed like things would go much more smoothly.
"I have to meet the Imperial Wizard."
The Emperor had quite a few children. That was the reason why Fabian was still busy consolidating his position even now, several years after becoming Crown Prince.
"A wizard?"
That is why, even if Sia becomes the Princess, she will not be able to approach the Imperial wizard immediately. It will take a lot of time.
"Yeah. I have something to ask him."
Sia nodded.
"I'll do my best."
Stella considered it a great gain just to have Sia as a card. Before leaving, Sia grabbed Stella's sleeve with a look that seemed to weigh on her mind. Stella looked at her as if asking what was wrong.
"But are you really going to be okay?"
"What?"
"I mean the woman who came back then."
Stella tried hard to put on a nonchalant expression.
"You haven't heard anything from Kendrick yet, right?"
Stella just gave a relaxed smile.
"You don't need to worry about that. Sia, just focus on settling into the Imperial Household with peace of mind."
"All right."
As Stella watched Sia return to the Imperial Palace, she thought to herself that this would likely be the last time she spoke to Sia comfortably. Meanwhile, Sia was so preoccupied with that woman, as if it were a grave matter, that it weighed on her mind even on her final journey. Influenced by this, Stella also began to feel agitated.
***
And then something happened that ignited the commotion. It began with a mysterious guest who came to see Stella. One day, a request came in saying that someone wanted to meet her.
"Lady Stella, a guest has arrived."
"Who is it?
"It is Anton Geron."
"Why him?"
Stella wore a sour expression. The servant added the reason for his visit.
"He said he had something to give to Lady Stella."
Stella tapped the table and pondered. He was someone she didn't particularly want to see. However, there must be a reason why he had come all the way here.
"Yes. Tell them to come in."
It seemed best to hear the reason first. Anton Geron appeared quite calm. They exchanged brief greetings.
"I heard you had something to give me."
She got straight to the point. Anton Geron rummaged through his pockets with an ah.
"It seemed like you dropped this item when you left."
What was on the table was a small button.
"Ah..."
It wasn't even Stella's.
"This isn't my button."
'You came to me to give me this?'
Something was very strange. Stella looked at Anton Geron, unable to take her suspicious gaze off him.
"Ah. I must have seen it wrong. I apologize for bothering you."
"Thanks for the thought. It's good tea, so please feel free to enjoy it."
Stella intended to leave Anton Geron in the drawing room and get up first. However, he stopped her.
"There is something else I would like to give you."
He made a rummaging sound and took something out.
"Book...?"
"I heard that Stella is writing. I prepared this in case it might be of help."
It was an unexpected gift. Stella accepted it with a sour expression. Upon receiving it, she realized it wasn't a novel, but a dictionary. An Imperial Language Dictionary.
"Thank you."
At Stella's greeting, Anton Geron stood up as if he had finished his business. Stella's gaze followed him up. He uttered a meaningful remark and disappeared.
"Please feel free to contact me anytime if you need help."
Stella wondered why Anton Geron had suddenly brought this book. Had this happened before? No, it hadn't. Although he had brought photos proving Kendrick's infidelity a few years later, he hadn't brought a book like this. It seemed that Stella had given him an excuse to come find her by running into him at the Imperial Palace.
'What could be their ulterior motive?'
Stella casually opened the dictionary. A photograph fluttered out.
"What's this?"
When she turned the dictionary over, several photos fell out in a shower.
She couldn't possibly suppress her sigh. It was a good thing no one was in the room. Stella was so shaken that she couldn't keep a straight face.
'Kendrick...'
They were all photos of Kendrick with other women. They were not obscene photos. However, in one of them, the woman was caressing the corner of Kendrick's eye. The composition cleverly obscured the woman's face.
'It's obviously a strange picture.'
Stella covered her mouth. Kendrick and the woman were wearing different colors of clothes. In other words, it meant they had met multiple times.
To think Kendrick was the kind of man who would get this close to another woman.
'That makes no sense.'
Her heart pounded. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. The thoughts of divorce, which she had temporarily set aside, grew strong again. Stella pounded her chest. The heavy feeling would not go away. She rummaged through other photos as well.
"Letter...?"
Most of the photos showed Kendrick handing a letter to this woman.
'I need to check this.'
Kendrick had already lied to her once. He feigned ignorance when asked if a visitor had arrived. In that case, it was highly likely that he would make excuses or lie even if she asked him directly. Stella did not want to live with Kendrick if it meant turning a blind eye to everything.
'Let's follow them first."
If Stella ordered someone to join her, Kendrick would find out. Moreover, Kendrick was paying close attention to Stella's every move. He had her entire schedule in his hands, including when she went to meet Roy. He could not order Adrian's knights to follow Duke Adrian.
'Even so, meeting Anton Geron is dangerous.'
The risk was too great. First of all, she didn't trust him. It was hard to even guess why he had sent such a photo. Stella felt uneasy, thinking it might be a trap he was setting to take something away from Stella.
"Roy, can you figure out where this is?"
Stella asked Roy for a favor. The location where the photos were taken was consistent. It must have been a hideout where they met periodically. Roy helped Stella without asking many questions. However, being quick-witted, he must have already suspected something had happened to some extent from the moment Stella brought the photos.
"It looks like the Krit Hospital. They say it's a recently opened hospital."
"Thank you."
"Shall I go with you?"
Stella intended to plant people at the Krit Hospital. Since they had met here several times, the next meeting would likely take place here as well. Stella bit her lip. It would certainly be better to have one more friend with her than to stake out alone.
"Yes."
Stella nodded. On the night before she was scheduled to visit the Krit Hospital with Roy, Kendrick was kind to Stella, too.
"Kendrick, you said your heart pain is less these days, even when you can't see me, right?"
At her question, Kendrick placed his hand on his chest.
"I've definitely become numb. It still hurts, though."
Stella smiled as if relieved, but it was an act. She forced herself to lick her dry lips while maintaining her expression.
'The fact that the pain is fading means that his heart is gradually drifting away.'
Stella wiped the bitter smile from her face. Now that Sia was gone, there was no friend nearby to share personal stories with.
'Ah!'
She suddenly thought of another connection.
'Marie.'
Whenever he thought of Marie, endless thoughts dominated his mind. His mind was already complicated enough. Seeing that Stella looked unhappy, Kendrick glanced at her.
"Is something bothering you, Stella?"
Stella's gaze turned toward Kendrick. Something is bothering her. Right now, the person who bothered and made her most uncomfortable was none other than Kendrick. Since she couldn't say this frankly, Stella simply shook her head.
"It's just that I have a lot to write about. Don't worry about it."
Hopefully, tomorrow, she could face the truth. If the photo turned out to be fake, she could simply go back to Anton Geron. Whatever the case, Stella wanted to know the truth and avoid the situation before she got hurt.
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