Roy went near the Krit Hospital with Stella. He carefully observed her expression. She was frozen as if covered in thin ice. He knew that such a question could be hurtful, but he didn't want to hold back.
"..."
Stella remained silent. She seemed lost in thought. Roy, not particularly expecting an answer, turned his gaze away. In the silence, Stella's small voice dropped abruptly.
"I don't know."
It was a voice so small and weak that he wouldn't have heard it if he hadn't listened carefully. That was all she could say. After all, she hadn't yet decided how to handle the situation either. Unable to hide her troubled feelings, she just bit her lip helplessly.
"I'm going to listen to what you have to say first."
"If he begs, will you accept him?"
Stella shook her head. That wasn't the case. If it was true that Kendrick's heart had gone to another woman, even for a moment, she had no intention of taking him back. But if it wasn't true, she would at least listen to his story.
"Do you like that person that much?"
Stella bit her lip hard. She had been biting her lip a lot lately. Roy watched Stella's tired profile and fidgeted with his hands.
"Stella, do you know the story about Mrs. Andes?"
Stella did not seem to be interested in what Roy was saying. She looked at Roy with unfocused eyes. Madame Andes was a woman with a fairly good reputation in society. She had many followers and was a person of proper conduct.
"I heard she remarried a Viscount from the southern region not long ago."
'Why the sudden question?'
Stella didn't listen to him. Her mind was full of Kendrick.
"I'm just saying that there are people who live that well."
Roy gave a bitter smile. No matter what expression he wore, Stella had no interest in him.
"Roy. Look over there."
Following Stella's gaze, the figure of the woman seen in the photograph came into view. Not long after, Kendrick also appeared. Stella's eyes trembled violently.
'At such a critical time.'
Roy bit the inside of his mouth for no reason. There wasn't much time left until the Imperial Writer's Exam. He was exchanging letters with magic students, trying to find a way to cure Stella's illness, but there was no clear solution. As expected, obtaining Hajean's magic stone was the most certain method.
'If that's the case, she shouldn't be doing this here; she should be devoting herself to writing.'
Roy thought that Kendrick was nothing but a source of harm in Stella's life. Stella, however, paid no attention to Roy's thoughts. She stared intently at Kendrick and the woman. She could not hear their voices.
'That photo wasn't a lie. Kendrick lied to me.'
Stella squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them. Just before opening them, she had worried that they might be kissing. However, they didn't seem close enough to engage in such public displays of affection. They were exchanging letters. Stella looked around Kendrick.
'He parked the carriage far away and walked.'
It meant that he was hiding the fact that he was meeting her even from his closest confidants. Stella became extremely curious about the secret behind this meeting.
"What are you handing over?"
At Roy's sigh, Stella said the correct answer only to herself.
'Letter.'
Stella recalled the incident at the Duke Lanedict estate not long after her regression. She had once encountered Kendrick with another woman on the banquet hall terrace. However, back then, seeing that made her feel neither worried nor heartbroken. Yet, seeing how anxious she feels now...
'It must mean that the heart I had emptied has been filled again.'
Stella resolved to empty her mind again. Then, after giving Roy a glance, she appeared before Kendrick. Kendrick, who had been whispering to another woman, looked in her direction.
"Stella?"
He couldn't contain his bewilderment. Stella could see his eyes trembling.
"Ah, hello, Duchess."
On the other hand, the woman conversing with Kendrick was relatively composed. Although she appeared surprised by her sudden appearance, she soon bowed her head in greeting. Stella gazed at her for a moment. She was a woman with dark brown hair and eyes. Her features were not striking, but her eyes, nose, and mouth were harmonious. Kendrick seemed bewildered.
"How did you get here, Madam?"
"..."
Stella retold her memory. No matter how hard she thought about it, she was a woman she had never seen before. Roy also appeared.
"So Marquis Andra was here too."
Even in the midst of this, Kendrick made it obvious that he was not happy to see Roy. Stella looked at him with a sneer.
"More than that, I'm curious why you're here."
Stella couldn't help but speak sarcastically.
"From what I've heard, it sounds like this isn't the first time you've been here."
Kendrick kissed the back of Stella's hand right in front of her. Stella observed her expression. Her eyebrows twitched slightly, but it was not out of jealousy.
'What on earth is their relationship?'
Noticing that Stella was conscious of her, she bowed again.
"Doctor Decrit?"
It was definitely a name she had never heard before. Even Roy, who had connections in the medical field, seemed to have no idea.
"I was Lord Kendrick's caregiver when he was young. When he was in the West."
Hearing that she was from the western region, Stella understood why her face looked unfamiliar. However, something was puzzling.
'You're this young even though you're a caregiver?'
"To be precise, I was his caregiver's daughter. My mother was the Duke's caregiver, so I often went along to assist her."
"Then why did you come to the capital?"
"I recently opened a new hospital in the capital, so I stopped by to say hello while I was at it."
Kendrick was silent.
"Is that Kendrick?"
"... That's right."
Stella tried to stay as calm as possible.
"Then why am I hearing rumors that you had multiple secret meetings?"
Doctor Decrit tried to explain.
"Ah, that is..."
However, Stella stopped this.
"I asked Kendrick."
To this, he answered.
"I was hearing news about the western region."
"The western region?"
Doctor Decrit also nodded as if to say he was right.
Since Kendrick was currently engrossed in his business in the capital, he inevitably neglected the western territories, despite the fact that they were several times larger than the capital. Consequently, while the former Duke and Duchess were managing them, he could not fully entrust them to them, as they were growing old.
"However, since Doctor Decrit happened to come up to the capital, I was periodically gathering information about the situation over there."
As soon as the explanation was finished, Doctor Decrit gave a good-natured smile.
"Then I shall be going now, Duke."
Stella looked at her with eyes that were much more relaxed.
"I apologize for causing a misunderstanding by coming all the way here unnecessarily. From now on, I will visit you in person."
Doctor Decrit left. The incident seemed to be settled for now.
"You must have been through a lot of emotional distress."
Kendrick spoke to Stella as if he were apologetic.
"I'm sorry for the misunderstanding."
She had heard the explanation, but there were still parts she couldn't quite trust. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it didn't feel like the situation had been resolved satisfactorily. Nevertheless, Stella was convinced that Kendrick hadn't had an affair with that woman. She deliberately raised the corners of her mouth to shake off her embarrassment. Kendrick seemed relieved by her smile.
"How about going to bed early today instead of writing?"
It was Roy whose expression hardened at this. Stella, however, did not change her expression at all, as it was something she heard from him every day.
"But how did you know this place? Did you do some background checks?"
Stella was about to shake her head, but paused for a moment. Although she hadn't personally investigated him, she felt uneasy about having received his photo without mentioning it. Worried that Kendrick might be offended, she cautiously raised her head to gauge his reaction, but he was actually smiling.
"To think you were so worried that my heart might lean elsewhere."
"No, it's not really like that..."
Kendrick held Stella tightly in his arms.
"So cute."
Stella glanced at Roy out of the corner of her eye. She was embarrassed to show her friend her awkward state. Roy stepped back and averted his gaze.
"Stop it."
Stella gently pushed Kendrick's chest. Kendrick was still wearing a relaxed smile. Kendrick reached out his hand toward Roy as well.
"The Marquis must have had a hard time helping my wife."
Roy held Kendrick's hand.
"No, not at all. I only helped because Stella asked."
Sparks flew even as they shook hands.
"Why don't you come to the Duke's estate and have a cup of tea before you go?"
Kendrick invited Roy to his house with the intention of provoking him. Roy saw right through his intentions. Just as he was debating whether or not to fall for Kendrick's provocation, Stella also grabbed Roy.
"Yes, Roy. Stay for dinner too."
She made the suggestion purely out of goodwill. She was grateful to him for always silently helping her by her side. Roy could have refused Kendrick's provocation, but he could not refuse Stella's kindness.
"Then, I will gratefully accept your kindness."
She boarded the carriage to return to the Duke's mansion. Stella closed her eyes for a moment. She had been suffering greatly ever since receiving the photos from Anton Geron. As the tension finally released, drowsiness seemed to wash over her. Kendrick gently tapped her cheek. The sensation was thrilling.
Ahem, a cough was heard. Kendrick turned his gaze. He saw Roy looking out the window with a gloomy expression. Even though he was pretending not to care, it was obvious that he was paying attention to them.
"Marquis Andra's territory seems quite peaceful."
When Stella was asleep, he could engage in a war of nerves without having to be mindful of her mood. Roy thought that he couldn't possibly be simply praising her.
"To think you're looking after someone else's wife instead of taking care of the estate."
'Just as I expected.'
It was undoubtedly sarcasm. Kendrick emphasized the phrase "someone else's wife." Roy smirked. He may be Stella's husband, but what exactly does this man know?
'You don't know anything.'
Roy couldn't lose either.
"It seems Stella cares for the Duke very much. Judging by how hard she tries not to hurt him."
It was a meaningful remark.
"What are you talking about?"
"How about going to bed early today instead of writing?"
Roy roughly guessed the situation after hearing what Kendrick had said earlier.
"Don't you know why Stella is so obsessed with the position of Imperial Writer?"
Kendrick furrowed his brows.
Wasn't it just for self-realization?'
Kendrick was seething with anger at Roy's attitude, which seemed to suggest he knew something Kendrick didn't.
“What would you do if the two of them were to have an affair?”
It was still before they arrived. Even just lending her someone from the Marquis’s household would have been helpful to Stella, but since he was going to do it anyway, he wanted to be by her side.
Stella remained silent. She seemed lost in thought. Roy, not particularly expecting an answer, turned his gaze away. In the silence, Stella's small voice dropped abruptly.
"I don't know."
It was a voice so small and weak that he wouldn't have heard it if he hadn't listened carefully. That was all she could say. After all, she hadn't yet decided how to handle the situation either. Unable to hide her troubled feelings, she just bit her lip helplessly.
"I'm going to listen to what you have to say first."
"If he begs, will you accept him?"
Stella shook her head. That wasn't the case. If it was true that Kendrick's heart had gone to another woman, even for a moment, she had no intention of taking him back. But if it wasn't true, she would at least listen to his story.
"Do you like that person that much?"
Stella bit her lip hard. She had been biting her lip a lot lately. Roy watched Stella's tired profile and fidgeted with his hands.
"Stella, do you know the story about Mrs. Andes?"
Stella did not seem to be interested in what Roy was saying. She looked at Roy with unfocused eyes. Madame Andes was a woman with a fairly good reputation in society. She had many followers and was a person of proper conduct.
"I heard she remarried a Viscount from the southern region not long ago."
'Why the sudden question?'
Stella didn't listen to him. Her mind was full of Kendrick.
"I'm just saying that there are people who live that well."
Roy gave a bitter smile. No matter what expression he wore, Stella had no interest in him.
"Roy. Look over there."
Following Stella's gaze, the figure of the woman seen in the photograph came into view. Not long after, Kendrick also appeared. Stella's eyes trembled violently.
'At such a critical time.'
Roy bit the inside of his mouth for no reason. There wasn't much time left until the Imperial Writer's Exam. He was exchanging letters with magic students, trying to find a way to cure Stella's illness, but there was no clear solution. As expected, obtaining Hajean's magic stone was the most certain method.
'If that's the case, she shouldn't be doing this here; she should be devoting herself to writing.'
Roy thought that Kendrick was nothing but a source of harm in Stella's life. Stella, however, paid no attention to Roy's thoughts. She stared intently at Kendrick and the woman. She could not hear their voices.
'That photo wasn't a lie. Kendrick lied to me.'
Stella squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them. Just before opening them, she had worried that they might be kissing. However, they didn't seem close enough to engage in such public displays of affection. They were exchanging letters. Stella looked around Kendrick.
'He parked the carriage far away and walked.'
It meant that he was hiding the fact that he was meeting her even from his closest confidants. Stella became extremely curious about the secret behind this meeting.
"What are you handing over?"
At Roy's sigh, Stella said the correct answer only to herself.
'Letter.'
Stella recalled the incident at the Duke Lanedict estate not long after her regression. She had once encountered Kendrick with another woman on the banquet hall terrace. However, back then, seeing that made her feel neither worried nor heartbroken. Yet, seeing how anxious she feels now...
'It must mean that the heart I had emptied has been filled again.'
Stella resolved to empty her mind again. Then, after giving Roy a glance, she appeared before Kendrick. Kendrick, who had been whispering to another woman, looked in her direction.
"Stella?"
He couldn't contain his bewilderment. Stella could see his eyes trembling.
"Ah, hello, Duchess."
On the other hand, the woman conversing with Kendrick was relatively composed. Although she appeared surprised by her sudden appearance, she soon bowed her head in greeting. Stella gazed at her for a moment. She was a woman with dark brown hair and eyes. Her features were not striking, but her eyes, nose, and mouth were harmonious. Kendrick seemed bewildered.
"How did you get here, Madam?"
"..."
Stella retold her memory. No matter how hard she thought about it, she was a woman she had never seen before. Roy also appeared.
"So Marquis Andra was here too."
Even in the midst of this, Kendrick made it obvious that he was not happy to see Roy. Stella looked at him with a sneer.
"More than that, I'm curious why you're here."
Stella couldn't help but speak sarcastically.
"From what I've heard, it sounds like this isn't the first time you've been here."
Kendrick kissed the back of Stella's hand right in front of her. Stella observed her expression. Her eyebrows twitched slightly, but it was not out of jealousy.
'What on earth is their relationship?'
Noticing that Stella was conscious of her, she bowed again.
“Hello. This is Doctor Decrit, who used to be Mr. Kendrick's caregiver.”
It was definitely a name she had never heard before. Even Roy, who had connections in the medical field, seemed to have no idea.
"I was Lord Kendrick's caregiver when he was young. When he was in the West."
Hearing that she was from the western region, Stella understood why her face looked unfamiliar. However, something was puzzling.
'You're this young even though you're a caregiver?'
"To be precise, I was his caregiver's daughter. My mother was the Duke's caregiver, so I often went along to assist her."
"Then why did you come to the capital?"
"I recently opened a new hospital in the capital, so I stopped by to say hello while I was at it."
Kendrick was silent.
"Is that Kendrick?"
"... That's right."
Stella tried to stay as calm as possible.
"Then why am I hearing rumors that you had multiple secret meetings?"
Doctor Decrit tried to explain.
"Ah, that is..."
However, Stella stopped this.
"I asked Kendrick."
To this, he answered.
"I was hearing news about the western region."
"The western region?"
Doctor Decrit also nodded as if to say he was right.
Since Kendrick was currently engrossed in his business in the capital, he inevitably neglected the western territories, despite the fact that they were several times larger than the capital. Consequently, while the former Duke and Duchess were managing them, he could not fully entrust them to them, as they were growing old.
"However, since Doctor Decrit happened to come up to the capital, I was periodically gathering information about the situation over there."
As soon as the explanation was finished, Doctor Decrit gave a good-natured smile.
"Then I shall be going now, Duke."
Stella looked at her with eyes that were much more relaxed.
"I apologize for causing a misunderstanding by coming all the way here unnecessarily. From now on, I will visit you in person."
Doctor Decrit left. The incident seemed to be settled for now.
"You must have been through a lot of emotional distress."
Kendrick spoke to Stella as if he were apologetic.
"I'm sorry for the misunderstanding."
She had heard the explanation, but there were still parts she couldn't quite trust. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it didn't feel like the situation had been resolved satisfactorily. Nevertheless, Stella was convinced that Kendrick hadn't had an affair with that woman. She deliberately raised the corners of her mouth to shake off her embarrassment. Kendrick seemed relieved by her smile.
"How about going to bed early today instead of writing?"
It was Roy whose expression hardened at this. Stella, however, did not change her expression at all, as it was something she heard from him every day.
"But how did you know this place? Did you do some background checks?"
Stella was about to shake her head, but paused for a moment. Although she hadn't personally investigated him, she felt uneasy about having received his photo without mentioning it. Worried that Kendrick might be offended, she cautiously raised her head to gauge his reaction, but he was actually smiling.
"To think you were so worried that my heart might lean elsewhere."
"No, it's not really like that..."
Kendrick held Stella tightly in his arms.
"So cute."
Stella glanced at Roy out of the corner of her eye. She was embarrassed to show her friend her awkward state. Roy stepped back and averted his gaze.
"Stop it."
Stella gently pushed Kendrick's chest. Kendrick was still wearing a relaxed smile. Kendrick reached out his hand toward Roy as well.
"The Marquis must have had a hard time helping my wife."
Roy held Kendrick's hand.
"No, not at all. I only helped because Stella asked."
Sparks flew even as they shook hands.
"Why don't you come to the Duke's estate and have a cup of tea before you go?"
Kendrick invited Roy to his house with the intention of provoking him. Roy saw right through his intentions. Just as he was debating whether or not to fall for Kendrick's provocation, Stella also grabbed Roy.
"Yes, Roy. Stay for dinner too."
She made the suggestion purely out of goodwill. She was grateful to him for always silently helping her by her side. Roy could have refused Kendrick's provocation, but he could not refuse Stella's kindness.
"Then, I will gratefully accept your kindness."
***
She boarded the carriage to return to the Duke's mansion. Stella closed her eyes for a moment. She had been suffering greatly ever since receiving the photos from Anton Geron. As the tension finally released, drowsiness seemed to wash over her. Kendrick gently tapped her cheek. The sensation was thrilling.
Ahem, a cough was heard. Kendrick turned his gaze. He saw Roy looking out the window with a gloomy expression. Even though he was pretending not to care, it was obvious that he was paying attention to them.
"Marquis Andra's territory seems quite peaceful."
When Stella was asleep, he could engage in a war of nerves without having to be mindful of her mood. Roy thought that he couldn't possibly be simply praising her.
"To think you're looking after someone else's wife instead of taking care of the estate."
'Just as I expected.'
It was undoubtedly sarcasm. Kendrick emphasized the phrase "someone else's wife." Roy smirked. He may be Stella's husband, but what exactly does this man know?
'You don't know anything.'
Roy couldn't lose either.
"It seems Stella cares for the Duke very much. Judging by how hard she tries not to hurt him."
It was a meaningful remark.
"What are you talking about?"
"How about going to bed early today instead of writing?"
Roy roughly guessed the situation after hearing what Kendrick had said earlier.
"Don't you know why Stella is so obsessed with the position of Imperial Writer?"
Kendrick furrowed his brows.
Wasn't it just for self-realization?'
Kendrick was seething with anger at Roy's attitude, which seemed to suggest he knew something Kendrick didn't.
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