"Is Lino doing well?"
Stella asked Skyle for news about Rincasta, who had left for Lanedict. Sercia knew that Lino had brought the ledger that had been swapped with the fake one. Lino said that he had told Stella he was going back to his family and had returned to Lanedict.
"Mother has deep trust in Rincasta. It also seems he is carrying out a secret mission."
Stella was worried that Lino's lie might be discovered. Skyle went back and forth between Lanedict and Adrian whenever he had time to deliver the news.
"He's not as weak as you think. He's the ace of the Lanedict ducal family, you know."
The saying that Rincasta was actually incredibly skilled was not a lie. News had already reached them before a month had even passed.
No, it’s not news; he just brought the ledger.
"Did you... Just bring this?"
Lino shook his head.
"I brought them safely without getting caught. Sercia ordered me to create false ledgers."
Kendrick spread rumors in high society that there were individuals systematically stealing the ledgers of aristocratic families, and the rumors reached the ears of Duke Lanedict. Up to this point, everything was going according to Stella's plan. However, her prediction went awry at the next stage. Sercia had the real ledgers hidden and fake ones created, and she had Rincasta carry out this task.
It's like leaving a fish in the care of a cat.
"Thanks to you, I was able to get the work done quickly."
As Kendrick had said, things proceeded quickly. First, they looked through Lanedict's ledgers to find traces of tax evasion.
"Look here. And here, too."
Stella drew up the plan, and Rincasta executed it. It was Skyle and Kendrick's turn to wrap things up. Kendrick asked Stella one last question.
If this matter reaches the Imperial Family, Lanedict will face a slump for a while.
"And that is not all. Not only do they have to pay a massive fine, but they also lose their honor."
"Are you really okay?"
Kendrick looked at Stella and Skyle at the same time.
"The same goes for Sir Skyle."
Skyle didn't have much attachment to Lanedict anyway. To be precise, he didn't particularly have a desire to inherit the family line and maintain power. The older he grew, the more he realized just how shallow his parents' false love was, the kind that sought to exploit their children.
"Won't you regret it? Things are going to get complicated when you inherit the Duke's position."
In the past, he knew that but didn't try to escape it, but as his relationship with Stella progressed, many things changed.
"It’s fine. In fact, it’s more comfortable for me to shake off all this mess before I move on."
Of course, Skyle and Stella loved the Lanedict estate and its people. However, that did not mean they could bury Lanedict's corruption.
As the conversation wrapped up, Stella stroked Lino's head. Even though the weather wasn't particularly hot, beads of sweat had formed on his forehead. He was trying to act nonchalant, but he, too, must have been tense the entire time until he safely escaped Lanedict.
"Good job, Lino."
Lino accepted Stella's touch for a few minutes. Then, he quickly turned his head to look at Stella.
"What about Lina?"
"She'll be at the orphanage."
Although Lino had brought Lina to the Duke's mansion and they stayed for a few days last time, she soon returned to the orphanage where her friends were. Lino suddenly stood up, as if he missed Lina.
"Then I'll be going."
Both Kendrick and Skyle nodded.
Stella was about to wave to Rincasta, but then paused.
'Huh?'
She couldn't put any strength into her hands. It was the first symptom to appear as her body stiffened from the disease of loneliness. However, as Stella recalled, the symptoms of the disease first appeared when she was 23. It wasn't yet time for the symptoms to manifest.
'Nah, it must be my imagination.'
Stella raised her hand again and waved to Rincasta. He also bowed and disappeared.
Kendrick was a man of action rather than words. True to his reputation for decisiveness, the affairs of the Duke of Lanedict proceeded swiftly.
"Starting tomorrow, the Imperial House will thank Lanedict."
Stella opened her eyes wide in surprise.
"Just like this?"
"You have to grab it firmly the moment you do it."
Stella imagined what expressions her parents would be making by now. This empire was a nation notorious for its strong imperial power. Therefore, if it became known that the Imperial Family was grateful to Lanedict, other nobles would also distance themselves from the Lanedict family.
I see.
Stella asked Skyle for news about Rincasta, who had left for Lanedict. Sercia knew that Lino had brought the ledger that had been swapped with the fake one. Lino said that he had told Stella he was going back to his family and had returned to Lanedict.
"Mother has deep trust in Rincasta. It also seems he is carrying out a secret mission."
Stella was worried that Lino's lie might be discovered. Skyle went back and forth between Lanedict and Adrian whenever he had time to deliver the news.
"He's not as weak as you think. He's the ace of the Lanedict ducal family, you know."
The saying that Rincasta was actually incredibly skilled was not a lie. News had already reached them before a month had even passed.
No, it’s not news; he just brought the ledger.
"Did you... Just bring this?"
Lino shook his head.
"I brought them safely without getting caught. Sercia ordered me to create false ledgers."
Kendrick spread rumors in high society that there were individuals systematically stealing the ledgers of aristocratic families, and the rumors reached the ears of Duke Lanedict. Up to this point, everything was going according to Stella's plan. However, her prediction went awry at the next stage. Sercia had the real ledgers hidden and fake ones created, and she had Rincasta carry out this task.
It's like leaving a fish in the care of a cat.
"Thanks to you, I was able to get the work done quickly."
As Kendrick had said, things proceeded quickly. First, they looked through Lanedict's ledgers to find traces of tax evasion.
"Look here. And here, too."
Stella drew up the plan, and Rincasta executed it. It was Skyle and Kendrick's turn to wrap things up. Kendrick asked Stella one last question.
If this matter reaches the Imperial Family, Lanedict will face a slump for a while.
"And that is not all. Not only do they have to pay a massive fine, but they also lose their honor."
"Are you really okay?"
Kendrick looked at Stella and Skyle at the same time.
"The same goes for Sir Skyle."
Skyle didn't have much attachment to Lanedict anyway. To be precise, he didn't particularly have a desire to inherit the family line and maintain power. The older he grew, the more he realized just how shallow his parents' false love was, the kind that sought to exploit their children.
"Won't you regret it? Things are going to get complicated when you inherit the Duke's position."
In the past, he knew that but didn't try to escape it, but as his relationship with Stella progressed, many things changed.
"It’s fine. In fact, it’s more comfortable for me to shake off all this mess before I move on."
Of course, Skyle and Stella loved the Lanedict estate and its people. However, that did not mean they could bury Lanedict's corruption.
As the conversation wrapped up, Stella stroked Lino's head. Even though the weather wasn't particularly hot, beads of sweat had formed on his forehead. He was trying to act nonchalant, but he, too, must have been tense the entire time until he safely escaped Lanedict.
"Good job, Lino."
Lino accepted Stella's touch for a few minutes. Then, he quickly turned his head to look at Stella.
"What about Lina?"
"She'll be at the orphanage."
Although Lino had brought Lina to the Duke's mansion and they stayed for a few days last time, she soon returned to the orphanage where her friends were. Lino suddenly stood up, as if he missed Lina.
"Then I'll be going."
Both Kendrick and Skyle nodded.
Stella was about to wave to Rincasta, but then paused.
'Huh?'
She couldn't put any strength into her hands. It was the first symptom to appear as her body stiffened from the disease of loneliness. However, as Stella recalled, the symptoms of the disease first appeared when she was 23. It wasn't yet time for the symptoms to manifest.
'Nah, it must be my imagination.'
Stella raised her hand again and waved to Rincasta. He also bowed and disappeared.
***
Kendrick was a man of action rather than words. True to his reputation for decisiveness, the affairs of the Duke of Lanedict proceeded swiftly.
"Starting tomorrow, the Imperial House will thank Lanedict."
Stella opened her eyes wide in surprise.
"Just like this?"
"You have to grab it firmly the moment you do it."
Stella imagined what expressions her parents would be making by now. This empire was a nation notorious for its strong imperial power. Therefore, if it became known that the Imperial Family was grateful to Lanedict, other nobles would also distance themselves from the Lanedict family.
I see.
Kendrick glanced at Stella, who answered briefly and turned her gaze to her book.
"You know what? Don't you want an apology from them?"
"An apology? I haven't really thought about it."
If she had any lingering desire to maintain a relationship with them, she might have tried to get an apology. However, Stella now had no attachment to them whatsoever.
'Will I feel a little better if I accept an apology?'
Kendrick stared intently at Stella, who had a strange expression on her face.
Afterward, rumors circulated that Adrian had reported Lanedict for tax evasion. The Duke and Duchess Lanedict attempted to retaliate using Adrian's ledger, which Rincasta had provided, but to no avail. It was because the ledger was fake. Realizing Rincasta's betrayal and that Stella was behind it, they sent a letter to Adrian.
"What on earth are you doing? How dare you let filth splatter on Lanedict?"
"I don't know what it is, but this is all a misunderstanding."
"If Lanedict is ruined because of you, know that you will be held accountable."
Stella thought this letter was ridiculous for being so unreasonable in its refined tone. A few more letters followed, but the tone was quite different.
"Let's meet and talk."
"Please tell Duke Adrian to speak well of the Imperial Family."
Stella did not reply. Frustrated by this, Duke and Duchess Lanedict came to visit in person.
"What brings you here? Mother, Father."
Stella and Skyle were eating cake together.
"Skyle...?"
Duke and Duchess Lanedict were taken aback upon discovering Skyle in Adrian. They had originally intended to persuade Stella to help cover up the double-entry ledger. If Stella did not help, they planned to go to Skyle.
"Why are you here?"
Their eyes trembled.
"Why are you so surprised? It’s not like I’ve come to a place I shouldn’t have."
Skyle's attitude made them realize that even their last hope had been shattered.
"The two of you weren't exactly close siblings."
Stella slowly gazed at the Duke and Duchess. It was the first time in her life she had seen them dressed in simple, calm black clothes instead of their extravagant attire. Stella had no desire to engage in casual conversation.
"I have something to discuss. Please tell me the reason for your visit first."
Stella spoke to her mother and father in a flat tone. She did not get angry or shout. Duke and Duchess Lanedict looked quite haggard.
"I'm sorry for everything that's happened. I'm also sorry that I couldn't take good care of you because I was busy."
"It was unavoidable since you put the family first."
Stella finally realized that Kendrick had deliberately leaked the information that Adrian had reported Lanedict. He must have hoped they would apologize to her. However, in Stella's eyes, their apology was merely a formality. She did not want to drag this out.
\Even such an apology doesn't soothe my feelings.'
Stella stared straight into their eyes.
"I get it. I see what you're apologizing for. But..."
Stella didn't change her expression at all. Skyle was the same.
"Mother, Father's tax evasion is a separate matter from me."
The Duke and Duchess Lanedict's expressions contorted as they anticipated her next words.
"Pay the price for your sins yourself."
Stella left without a word. She didn't care, even though harsh words could be heard from behind her—calling her an unfilial daughter, saying she was ungrateful for being raised, and stabbing them in the back. As she hurried down the hallway, footsteps drew closer behind her.
"How can you just leave like that, all by yourself? You should take me with you."
Skyle followed Stella, complaining. She matched Skyle's walking pace.
"Let's finish the cake we couldn't eat earlier."
The Duke and Duchess Lanedict were being held back by Kendrick and the ducal knights as they screamed at the top of their lungs. Stella felt a little sorry for Kendrick, but this time, she wanted to get out of the situation.
"Yes."
Stella gave a faint smile.
***
The world became abuzz.
His title was not revoked because it was not a grave crime like treason. However, Lanedict faced financial difficulties as he had to pay not only a massive fine but also overdue taxes. Furthermore, as Lanedict's image deteriorated, his business also seemed to be suffering from a downturn.
The Empire currently faced two major issues. One was the aforementioned tax evasion case involving Lanedict, and the other concerned the Elt tribe, referred to as barbarians.
'Marie.'
"Stella, you should refrain from going out alone for the time being. If you do go, make sure to be accompanied by at least three knights."
"Why? Is it because of the Elt tribe?"
Kendrick nodded.
It was a time when the Elt tribe still had a poor image. No, prejudice against the Elt race persisted even before Stella's death. They were a wandering race that roamed various nations and were not welcomed wherever they went.
"All right."
Stella readily nodded. However, inwardly, she was thinking something else.
'I have to go find Marie.'
Whenever Stella felt depressed, she would occasionally visit the hill near the Duke's mansion. And there, she had found Marie collapsed. However, she thought that this time, finding Marie might not be as easy as it used to be.
"Yes, if you're going somewhere, come with me."
Skyle, who was standing beside her, casually remarked. Lately, Stella felt trapped between the boundaries of these four people: Kendrick, Skyle, Roy, and Rincasta. It didn't really matter since Roy didn't live with them, but Kendrick, Skyle, and Rincasta spent most of their days at the Duke's mansion.
"Yes. Take me anywhere."
Stella felt worried. She had to find Marie while out for a walk and bring her back, just like in her previous life, but she felt that if Skyle and Rincasta were nearby, they wouldn't even let her get close to Marie. Stella thought to herself as she sipped her tea with a composed expression.
'How do I shake off these men?'
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