"I am so frustrated that I simply cannot keep quiet."
"Andra, stop beating around the bush and speak straight."
Roy had been in disbelief all this time. To think that her husband, Kendrick, didn't even know about Stella's illness until now.
"Stella's loneliness disease."
Roy knew he had crossed the line, but he couldn't stop. He looked for a moment at Stella, who was sleeping with her head resting on Kendrick's shoulder.
"The only cure is Hajean's Magic Stone."
As soon as Roy finished speaking, a scene flashed through Kendrick's mind.
"That is why Stella is so obsessed with the position of Imperial Writer."
When Fabian visited the Duke's mansion, Stella suddenly brought up the story of Hajean's magic stone.
'Then, is that it?'
Kendrick bit his lower lip. He hadn't been able to understand why Stella devoted herself to writing to the point of damaging her health, but now he could understand.
Stella struggled to survive on her own without telling Kendrick anything.
"Duke, you don't even know how Stella found out that you and that woman are meeting."
No.
Stella was not alone. She was relying on a man other than him. Kendrick looked at Roy with blazing eyes.
When Stella opened her eyes, Roy was not there. She looked at Kendrick with a puzzled expression.
'Did they really fight?'
Come to think of it, Kendrick's expression wasn't very good either.
"Kendrick, where did Roy go?"
Stella lightly grasped the edge of Kendrick's sleeve. His gaze rested on her hand, then slowly approached and met her eyes. She blinked. Warmth returned to Kendrick's cold expression. He spoke with a faint smile.
"He says that something important suddenly came up."
"Really? That's a shame."
As Stella let go of his sleeve, Kendrick looked straight ahead and walked again. He thought he shouldn't show her his anger. However, he kept clenching his fists. The words he had shared with Roy kept swirling in his head.
"Duke, you don't even know how Stella found out that you and that woman are meeting, do you?"
This sounded exactly as if there was a hidden agenda behind Stella finding out about this. Even after that, everything Roy said irritated Kendrick.
"Do you want to never set foot in the Duke's mansion again?"
"Stella will still come looking for me. Because I will be of more help than you, Duke, in saving her life."
Kendrick gritted his teeth. Roy hadn't crossed the line due to the difference in status, but Kendrick couldn't help but get angry nonetheless. He was even more furious because most of what was said was true.
He felt that things were getting increasingly complicated. This feeling had persisted ever since the moment Lady Decrit appeared before his eyes.
'I have to get that woman away from me quickly.'
He clenched his fist tightly.
Lady Decrit held Kendrick's weakness. The reason he had fled was to study abroad. Lady Decreet knew that.
"My younger sibling resents you a lot."
Kendrick knocked her away.
"May I let the world know about this?"
However, the thought that Stella might find out about it suddenly scared him. She was already looking for a divorce. If this shameful secret were exposed as well, she might be even more disappointed in him.
"Threats? How ridiculous."
"Please write letters to my younger sibling. So that they can read them whenever they have a spare moment."
Was accepting her offer so readily the cause of the trouble? Kendrick glanced at the sleeping Stella.
While she was asleep, Kendrick entered Stella's study. Roy's words had made him wonder how Stella had found out about his meeting with Lady Decrit. It was easy for Kendrick to notice. Stella, in her disarray, hadn't even been able to properly clean up the traces.
'What's this?'
There were several photos of Kendrick with Lady Decrit on the desk. It gave him goosebumps. Kendrick ran his hand through his hair.
'It wasn't just a rumor.'
This was a photograph that someone had brought to Stella.
Perhaps because he had lied to Stella today, he became even more curious about who was behind this. He laughed hollowly.
Finding the person who handed over the photo was surprisingly easy.
"Hasn't Stella had any visitors recently?"
"Um... Mr. Anton Geron came and went. However, he didn't stay long; really just for a brief moment, about five minutes? They talked for a bit, and he left right away."
Since Stella hadn't gone out of her way to keep him quiet, Kendrick went straight to find Anton Geron.
"What brings you here, Duke?"
The reason he hadn't looked for this man until now was that he only had suspicions, not physical evidence. Kendrick thought the most likely culprit spreading the malicious rumors about Stella was Anton Geron. He was certain of it, seeing as the rumors died down as soon as he asked Fabian to keep an eye on him.
"You gave the photo to my wife before you left."
Furthermore, bringing the photo to the Duke's estate like this could prove that he had conducted a background check. However, Kendrick did not want to make a big deal out of this yet. If the photo became public knowledge, it was only a matter of time before Stella would be put on the chopping block as well.
"What is the reason you can't stop being interested in us?"
"I merely did what was right."
Kendrick laughed in disbelief.
"What?"
Isn't it too arrogant of someone who spread malicious rumors about Stella?
"Does someone who prioritizes morality so much manipulate rumors from behind the scenes?"
"I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, Duke."
"You will find out soon enough. I will find the physical evidence."
Anton Geron smirked.
"Did you come all the way to the Imperial Palace just to threaten me to that extent?"
Kendrick stared at him intently. No matter how hard he tried to see the good in his eyes, they did not look clear. They were filled with a sinister shadow.
Kendrick turned to get out of the way. A small echo ran through Anton Geron's mind.
'The couple says the exact same thing.'
Stella had come just a few hours before Kendrick arrived.
"Thank you for sending the photos. I cleared up the misunderstanding with my husband."
"Do you really think that is a misunderstanding?"
Anton Geron found this situation irritating. To think Kendrick was acting so nonchalant, knowing he was secretly meeting another woman. Before he could say anything more, Stella drew a line.
"It's okay if you stop caring about me now."
From her perspective, those words carried a great deal of meaning. Anton Geron was a connection that could not simply be dismissed as a bad relationship. Not only had they known each other since childhood, with Skyle caught in the middle, but Stella had also decided to divorce because of something he had said before her regression.
'Was it for my sake when he told me Kendrick was having an affair back then?'
Stella still could not understand the intentions of a man named Anton Geron. One thing was certain: she no longer wanted to get entangled with him. Stella's determination was clearly evident in her facial expression.
Geron finished reminiscing and stood up. He then greeted Kendrick.
"Then, please take care on your way home."
At Geron's shameless attitude to the very end, Kendrick closed the door without a word. Geron shook his head and thought. Whatever the case, it was undeniable that he had become an enemy to that couple. However, there was something they were overlooking.
Rumors about Stella are circulating in high society.
The starting point was not Anton Geron.
Stella thought that the matter had been settled for now. She had revealed to Kendrick that she was terminally ill, and after visiting Anton Geron and telling him not to do it, he, too, had quieted down. Stella went to visit the children at the orphanage.
"Lady Stella, isn't it difficult for you to find your way here?"
She hadn't been able to visit this place often because she felt uneasy after receiving the photo of Kendrick and Doctor Decrit together.
"That's not the case at all."
The newly hired orphanage director was Teria. Perhaps because she was the director Sia had chosen, she seemed even more trustworthy. Stella tried to treat all the children equally. She knew better than anyone that visible discrimination was no different from violence.
However, despite that, there was a child who weighed on her mind even more.
"Is this a picture you drew?"
Lina approached Stella, holding a drawing. Lina also seemed to be gradually opening her heart to Stella.
"It's pretty."
Lina nodded.
"Thank you. I'll cherish it."
Lina stretched out her arm. And she pointed at the bracelet with her finger.
"You mean this is a reward for the bracelet?"
Nodding again. Stella smiled slightly and stroked her hair.
"You're such a good girl, my Lina."
While the children were engrossed in something else, Teria quietly spoke to Stella.
"Lina likes Lady Stella a lot."
"Yes?"
"Yesterday, she even asked me when Lady Stella was coming."
She didn't show it, but deep down, she was very happy. Lina was quiet, but because she had a gentle personality, she got along well with the other children. Watching Lina from a distance, Stella thought to herself.
'I wonder why she is pretending not to be able to speak.'
Stella had no intention of interrogating Lina, pretending to know that she was deceiving others. However, she was curious. What circumstances led that little child to hide her voice?
When Stella returned to the Duke's mansion, something tremendous was waiting for her. A servant was standing beside the carriage as Stella disembarked, wearing a bewildered expression.
"Lady Stella, um... There is something you need to check."
"What's wrong?"
She wondered how urgent the matter must have been for him to come all the way out here to wait for Stella.
"A gift arrived from the Duke of Lanedict, but... It's not easy to handle."
He looked as if he were about to burst into tears at any moment. What on earth was this gift that was causing the Duke's servants such distress?
"Gift?"
'Is it another pill to help you get pregnant, or something like that?'
Stella sighed and followed the servant. There, a truly amazing gift awaited her. Blink, blink. A handsome young man with a refreshing appearance was sitting in the drawing room. Fair skin and a youthful face. The blush on his cheeks made him look even more refreshing. His black hair covering his forehead reached just above his eyes, and beneath them lay blue eyes. His arms were as solid as chestnuts, making it obvious that he was a boy who exercised in his own way.
'What on earth is this thing?'
Stella asked, making no attempt to hide her bewilderment.
"Is this a gift my mother sent?"
"That is correct."
'A boy as a gift...?'
The servants' gazes fixed on him. Everyone wore bewildered and puzzled expressions.
"I don't know how you ended up here, but rest well and go back."
Stella decided that she should not get involved with this child for long.
"Um..."
He smiled affectionately at her as he reached out his arm toward Stella with sparkling eyes, but she drew a clear line.
"Give this child a cookie and send him home."
"Andra, stop beating around the bush and speak straight."
Roy had been in disbelief all this time. To think that her husband, Kendrick, didn't even know about Stella's illness until now.
"Stella's loneliness disease."
Roy knew he had crossed the line, but he couldn't stop. He looked for a moment at Stella, who was sleeping with her head resting on Kendrick's shoulder.
"The only cure is Hajean's Magic Stone."
As soon as Roy finished speaking, a scene flashed through Kendrick's mind.
"That is why Stella is so obsessed with the position of Imperial Writer."
When Fabian visited the Duke's mansion, Stella suddenly brought up the story of Hajean's magic stone.
'Then, is that it?'
Kendrick bit his lower lip. He hadn't been able to understand why Stella devoted herself to writing to the point of damaging her health, but now he could understand.
Stella struggled to survive on her own without telling Kendrick anything.
"Duke, you don't even know how Stella found out that you and that woman are meeting."
No.
Stella was not alone. She was relying on a man other than him. Kendrick looked at Roy with blazing eyes.
***
When Stella opened her eyes, Roy was not there. She looked at Kendrick with a puzzled expression.
'Did they really fight?'
Come to think of it, Kendrick's expression wasn't very good either.
"Kendrick, where did Roy go?"
Stella lightly grasped the edge of Kendrick's sleeve. His gaze rested on her hand, then slowly approached and met her eyes. She blinked. Warmth returned to Kendrick's cold expression. He spoke with a faint smile.
"He says that something important suddenly came up."
"Really? That's a shame."
As Stella let go of his sleeve, Kendrick looked straight ahead and walked again. He thought he shouldn't show her his anger. However, he kept clenching his fists. The words he had shared with Roy kept swirling in his head.
"Duke, you don't even know how Stella found out that you and that woman are meeting, do you?"
This sounded exactly as if there was a hidden agenda behind Stella finding out about this. Even after that, everything Roy said irritated Kendrick.
"Do you want to never set foot in the Duke's mansion again?"
"Stella will still come looking for me. Because I will be of more help than you, Duke, in saving her life."
Kendrick gritted his teeth. Roy hadn't crossed the line due to the difference in status, but Kendrick couldn't help but get angry nonetheless. He was even more furious because most of what was said was true.
He felt that things were getting increasingly complicated. This feeling had persisted ever since the moment Lady Decrit appeared before his eyes.
'I have to get that woman away from me quickly.'
He clenched his fist tightly.
Lady Decrit held Kendrick's weakness. The reason he had fled was to study abroad. Lady Decreet knew that.
"My younger sibling resents you a lot."
Kendrick knocked her away.
"May I let the world know about this?"
However, the thought that Stella might find out about it suddenly scared him. She was already looking for a divorce. If this shameful secret were exposed as well, she might be even more disappointed in him.
"Threats? How ridiculous."
"Please write letters to my younger sibling. So that they can read them whenever they have a spare moment."
Was accepting her offer so readily the cause of the trouble? Kendrick glanced at the sleeping Stella.
While she was asleep, Kendrick entered Stella's study. Roy's words had made him wonder how Stella had found out about his meeting with Lady Decrit. It was easy for Kendrick to notice. Stella, in her disarray, hadn't even been able to properly clean up the traces.
'What's this?'
There were several photos of Kendrick with Lady Decrit on the desk. It gave him goosebumps. Kendrick ran his hand through his hair.
'It wasn't just a rumor.'
This was a photograph that someone had brought to Stella.
Perhaps because he had lied to Stella today, he became even more curious about who was behind this. He laughed hollowly.
***
Finding the person who handed over the photo was surprisingly easy.
"Hasn't Stella had any visitors recently?"
"Um... Mr. Anton Geron came and went. However, he didn't stay long; really just for a brief moment, about five minutes? They talked for a bit, and he left right away."
Since Stella hadn't gone out of her way to keep him quiet, Kendrick went straight to find Anton Geron.
"What brings you here, Duke?"
The reason he hadn't looked for this man until now was that he only had suspicions, not physical evidence. Kendrick thought the most likely culprit spreading the malicious rumors about Stella was Anton Geron. He was certain of it, seeing as the rumors died down as soon as he asked Fabian to keep an eye on him.
"You gave the photo to my wife before you left."
Furthermore, bringing the photo to the Duke's estate like this could prove that he had conducted a background check. However, Kendrick did not want to make a big deal out of this yet. If the photo became public knowledge, it was only a matter of time before Stella would be put on the chopping block as well.
"What is the reason you can't stop being interested in us?"
"I merely did what was right."
Kendrick laughed in disbelief.
"What?"
Isn't it too arrogant of someone who spread malicious rumors about Stella?
"Does someone who prioritizes morality so much manipulate rumors from behind the scenes?"
"I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, Duke."
"You will find out soon enough. I will find the physical evidence."
Anton Geron smirked.
"Did you come all the way to the Imperial Palace just to threaten me to that extent?"
Kendrick stared at him intently. No matter how hard he tried to see the good in his eyes, they did not look clear. They were filled with a sinister shadow.
“It would be best if you stopped meddling in our marriage.”
'The couple says the exact same thing.'
Stella had come just a few hours before Kendrick arrived.
"Thank you for sending the photos. I cleared up the misunderstanding with my husband."
"Do you really think that is a misunderstanding?"
Anton Geron found this situation irritating. To think Kendrick was acting so nonchalant, knowing he was secretly meeting another woman. Before he could say anything more, Stella drew a line.
"It's okay if you stop caring about me now."
From her perspective, those words carried a great deal of meaning. Anton Geron was a connection that could not simply be dismissed as a bad relationship. Not only had they known each other since childhood, with Skyle caught in the middle, but Stella had also decided to divorce because of something he had said before her regression.
'Was it for my sake when he told me Kendrick was having an affair back then?'
Stella still could not understand the intentions of a man named Anton Geron. One thing was certain: she no longer wanted to get entangled with him. Stella's determination was clearly evident in her facial expression.
Geron finished reminiscing and stood up. He then greeted Kendrick.
"Then, please take care on your way home."
At Geron's shameless attitude to the very end, Kendrick closed the door without a word. Geron shook his head and thought. Whatever the case, it was undeniable that he had become an enemy to that couple. However, there was something they were overlooking.
Rumors about Stella are circulating in high society.
The starting point was not Anton Geron.
***
Stella thought that the matter had been settled for now. She had revealed to Kendrick that she was terminally ill, and after visiting Anton Geron and telling him not to do it, he, too, had quieted down. Stella went to visit the children at the orphanage.
"Lady Stella, isn't it difficult for you to find your way here?"
She hadn't been able to visit this place often because she felt uneasy after receiving the photo of Kendrick and Doctor Decrit together.
"That's not the case at all."
The newly hired orphanage director was Teria. Perhaps because she was the director Sia had chosen, she seemed even more trustworthy. Stella tried to treat all the children equally. She knew better than anyone that visible discrimination was no different from violence.
However, despite that, there was a child who weighed on her mind even more.
"Is this a picture you drew?"
Lina approached Stella, holding a drawing. Lina also seemed to be gradually opening her heart to Stella.
"It's pretty."
Lina nodded.
"Thank you. I'll cherish it."
Lina stretched out her arm. And she pointed at the bracelet with her finger.
"You mean this is a reward for the bracelet?"
Nodding again. Stella smiled slightly and stroked her hair.
"You're such a good girl, my Lina."
While the children were engrossed in something else, Teria quietly spoke to Stella.
"Lina likes Lady Stella a lot."
"Yes?"
"Yesterday, she even asked me when Lady Stella was coming."
She didn't show it, but deep down, she was very happy. Lina was quiet, but because she had a gentle personality, she got along well with the other children. Watching Lina from a distance, Stella thought to herself.
'I wonder why she is pretending not to be able to speak.'
Stella had no intention of interrogating Lina, pretending to know that she was deceiving others. However, she was curious. What circumstances led that little child to hide her voice?
***
When Stella returned to the Duke's mansion, something tremendous was waiting for her. A servant was standing beside the carriage as Stella disembarked, wearing a bewildered expression.
"Lady Stella, um... There is something you need to check."
"What's wrong?"
She wondered how urgent the matter must have been for him to come all the way out here to wait for Stella.
"A gift arrived from the Duke of Lanedict, but... It's not easy to handle."
He looked as if he were about to burst into tears at any moment. What on earth was this gift that was causing the Duke's servants such distress?
"Gift?"
'Is it another pill to help you get pregnant, or something like that?'
Stella sighed and followed the servant. There, a truly amazing gift awaited her. Blink, blink. A handsome young man with a refreshing appearance was sitting in the drawing room. Fair skin and a youthful face. The blush on his cheeks made him look even more refreshing. His black hair covering his forehead reached just above his eyes, and beneath them lay blue eyes. His arms were as solid as chestnuts, making it obvious that he was a boy who exercised in his own way.
'What on earth is this thing?'
Stella asked, making no attempt to hide her bewilderment.
"Is this a gift my mother sent?"
"That is correct."
'A boy as a gift...?'
The servants' gazes fixed on him. Everyone wore bewildered and puzzled expressions.
"I don't know how you ended up here, but rest well and go back."
Stella decided that she should not get involved with this child for long.
"Um..."
He smiled affectionately at her as he reached out his arm toward Stella with sparkling eyes, but she drew a clear line.
"Give this child a cookie and send him home."
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