[Hello, Stella. I think I can now grant your request from back then. I will visit the Duke's estate soon with the Imperial Wizard.]
Before Sia left, Stella had asked for an opportunity to meet the Imperial Wizard. She didn't expect much, thinking it would take a long time since it wouldn't be easy for Sia to adapt to the Imperial Household and gain the right to have a mage accompany her.
'To think she kept her promise like this.'
Kendrick approached her, curious about the contents. Stella grabbed Kendrick's hand and hopped up and down. She rarely showed this much affection, so Kendrick's eyes were filled with curiosity.
"Did the Princess say she would give you gold and jewels as a gift?"
Stella shook her head.
"It's better than that.'
She excitedly grabbed Kendrick's two arms.
"She says she will bring the wizard here!"
"Imperial Wizard?"
She carefully placed her hand near Kendrick's heart. He was better than when he had just taken the love potion, but she had heard that he still suffered from slight pain where Stella couldn't see him.
"You said there are still times when your heart hurts."
"It's bearable."
"Still. You never know when the pain might get worse again. When the wizard comes, I’m going to ask if he can make an antidote for that potion."
Stella thought it was fortunate that she could get an antidote, even now.
"If I participate in the selection of Imperial Writers, I might have to leave the Duke's household for a few months."
Kendrick's pupils wavered slightly at her words.
"It would be a big problem if the symptoms worsened then."
"Yes."
He simply wanted to be with Stella for a long time and often. So he hoped she wouldn't get sick, and he was afraid she might die. It felt strange to realize that she worried about him just as much as he worried about her. He smiled slightly.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Because you look cute worrying about me."
It was sad that he had to be apart from Stella while she watched the Imperial Writer selection. However, it was a pleasant feeling that Stella thought of him like this.
"I love you."
"..."
Kendrick hugged Stella. There were often moments like this. The moment Kendrick told Stella he loved her. But Stella said nothing.
Since returning to the past, she had never once told Kendrick that she loved him.
Stella left Kendrick in the bedroom and headed to the study. As she walked down the hallway, she fiddled with her heart. She felt a mix of conflicting emotions. Although Kendrick always expressed his affection unilaterally, he had never said he felt hurt.
'I can't say that yet.'
She had faith in Kendrick, but there was still something unsettling about him. She doubted whether he would love Stella as much as he does now without taking a love potion. Also, she had seen a photo from her previous life where he was seen with another woman, giving off a strange vibe.
'Let's focus on this first.'
Stella has to go to the post office tomorrow. It was to send the book to the publisher.
There are a total of ten candidates for Imperial Writers, selected through two methods. Seven of them are chosen through a writing contest hosted by the Imperial Family. Since they are Imperial Writers, naturally, writings that suit the tastes of the royal family are selected, but because the judging is conducted strictly anonymously, their fairness has never been questioned.
The remaining three are selected from among authors who have published books, and this method naturally favors veteran or famous authors.
Since she had only been writing for a few months, she had naturally been working on practice pieces, hoping to advance to the finals using the first method. However, Roy had a slightly different perspective.
"Why don't you try publishing what you've written so far as a book, even now?"
Roy said that it would be more advantageous to try various methods. Stella also decided that there was some truth to his point.
'Roy told me to publish it with his publisher, though.'
She didn't want to do that. She didn't want to be criticized for needlessly using the connections of a great writer named Roy to publish a book.
The place she was sending her writing to was Big Big Publishing. It was a fairly large publisher with high recognition in the publishing industry, to the extent that Gael, a famous author, had published his books exclusively at Big Big. She had sent her writing anonymously once before, and since they had responded positively, she decided to send the entire volume this time. They also liked Stella's writing because it was fresh, and said they would publish it as soon as possible if she wanted.
She felt a sense of pride for no reason, so she slightly raised the corners of her mouth.
Thud.
'Nosebleed?'
Stella covered her nose with a handkerchief.
After receiving a call from the publisher, she cut back on sleep and pushed herself too hard. For some reason, her neck felt stiff, and all the strength drained from her body.
'I need to get some rest after I get back tomorrow.'
Stella had no energy since morning.
'Uh...'
Puzzled, she recalled having had a nosebleed the day before. It seemed that overexerting herself for a few days had caused serious trouble. However, she had no intention of resting for the time being.
She had to go to the post office today. It was the perfect timing, as Skyle said he couldn't come to the Dukes' estate because he was too busy with work. Stella had to stay home all day tomorrow, as it was the day Marie was waking up. The day after tomorrow was the day she was to show Roy jer writing, and the Imperial Wizard was scheduled to visit the day after that.
'Good.'
After checking her schedule, she put on simple, inconspicuous clothes and stepped out onto the street.
'I should send it off quietly.'
She intended to publish this book under a false identity. If Skyle or Kendrick found out, they might try to throw a party to celebrate the publication. Therefore, she decided to hide the news of the book's release from them as well.
The post office was in a remote location.
It was a dark alley lined with bars. However, since it was a place frequently patrolled by knights, the crime rate was very low, and because it was broad daylight, she wasn't worried.
'I don't want to go to a busy downtown area and stand out for no reason.'
The dizziness would not go away, so she quickened her pace. She wanted to finish work quickly and go back. However, she slowed her steps at a sight she spotted while passing by a bar.
'That woman's face looks familiar...'
At that moment, the woman turned her head slightly.
"The Young Lady Decrit?"
Their eyes met, but the woman picked up her cup while looking elsewhere, as if she didn't know Stella. Upon closer inspection, her hairstyle and attire were completely different from the Lady of Decrit. While the Lady of Decrit had worn neat and tidy clothes and tied her hair back tightly, befitting a council member and Kendrick's confidant, the person Stella was looking at now was entirely different. Her curly hair reached down to her waist, her eye makeup was heavy, and she was wearing clothes too vulgar for a noblewoman.
'It must be my imagination.'
She gazed for a moment, then quickened her pace again.
She thought she had mistaken the person because she wasn't feeling well.
"Please send this to Big Big Publishing."
Stella left the post office after finishing her business. It would have been better to take the main road, but she had to pass through this alley to get home quickly.
'I keep losing strength in my body.'
It was strange.
my last life.'
Even when the symptoms of loneliness disease began to appear, her senses became numb one by one as she repeated the same cycle of losing strength as she does now. If this really was the early stage of loneliness disease, it was highly likely that the problem was caused by something that had changed from her previous life.
She walked hurriedly, trying to convince herself it was due to overwork. However, before she could even get out of the alley, she had to lean against a wall to rest. She could not properly control her swaying body.
'If I collapse like this, Kendrick will be worried.'
There was a risk that his heart condition, caused by the miraculous medicine, might flare up again. Also, tomorrow was the day a minor incident was to occur.
'For Marie's sake, I must not close my eyes here...'
She took one step at a time with unfocused eyes. Her eyes kept closing. Then, with a thud, unable to bear the strength draining from her body, she collapsed.
"No!"
Stella screamed and sat up. When she came to her senses and looked around, she was in someone's room. Thinking she might have been kidnapped, she checked her hands and feet. Fortunately, she was not bound. As she lowered her feet under the bed, the door opened. Stella flinched in surprise.
"Are you okay?"
"Doctor Decrit...?"
She looked the same as before. Neatly tied hair and tidy attire. She was completely different from the woman she had seen at the bar.
"Where am I? No. Why am I here?"
"This is my house. I saw Lady Stella collapse and brought you here."
Stella did not let go of her suspicions.
'How did you know I collapsed there?'
"Were you watching me the whole time?"
Lady Decrit opened his eyes wide in surprise. She looked as if she were upset about being suspected of such things.
"I stopped by the post office and saw a woman staggering. I watched her out of concern, and when I saw her collapse, I ran over to her, but I never imagined it would be Lady Stella..."
Seeing Decrit trail off in distress, Stella felt sorry and bit her lower lip. If she had fallen into the hands of some strange people, she could have been in a terrible state.
"Sorry. I misunderstood for no reason."
"No."
Decrit shook her head with a kind-looking smile.
"But how did you end up alone in such a dark alley? Without a knight to escort you."
"I have something to do alone."
Stella looked around the room. She couldn't see the clock.
"What time is it now?"
"It's two in the afternoon."
That's a relief. It hasn't been that long.'
"I said I would be home by 11 at the latest, but only three hours have passed," Decrit said with a smile.
"Don't worry. I just saw a knight from the Duke of Adrian's family and am on my way back after telling him that Lady Stella is here. If you wait just a moment, the Duke's carriage will arrive."
"Thank you."
Stella thanked her, but something was weighing on her mind.
'Why is a knight from the Duke's family here?'
The Duke's knights only patrol the Duke's territory.
"It looks like Kendrick sent someone over because he was worried about Stella staying out overnight."
"Staying out?"
"Yes. Stella, you woke up just one day after collapsing."
"What?"
Stella got out of bed in surprise. She then hurriedly moved to find her coat.
"Why are you so flustered?"
Stella ran her hand through her hair with a troubled expression.
"Kendrick must have been really worried."
'He might have been in pain again, just like before.'
Stella frowned and hardened her lips. It was evident that she was worried about Kendrick. Seeing this, Lady Decreetspoke with a mocking tone.
"How much do you trust the Duke, Lady Stella?"
Before Sia left, Stella had asked for an opportunity to meet the Imperial Wizard. She didn't expect much, thinking it would take a long time since it wouldn't be easy for Sia to adapt to the Imperial Household and gain the right to have a mage accompany her.
'To think she kept her promise like this.'
Kendrick approached her, curious about the contents. Stella grabbed Kendrick's hand and hopped up and down. She rarely showed this much affection, so Kendrick's eyes were filled with curiosity.
"Did the Princess say she would give you gold and jewels as a gift?"
Stella shook her head.
"It's better than that.'
She excitedly grabbed Kendrick's two arms.
"She says she will bring the wizard here!"
"Imperial Wizard?"
She carefully placed her hand near Kendrick's heart. He was better than when he had just taken the love potion, but she had heard that he still suffered from slight pain where Stella couldn't see him.
"You said there are still times when your heart hurts."
"It's bearable."
"Still. You never know when the pain might get worse again. When the wizard comes, I’m going to ask if he can make an antidote for that potion."
Stella thought it was fortunate that she could get an antidote, even now.
"If I participate in the selection of Imperial Writers, I might have to leave the Duke's household for a few months."
Kendrick's pupils wavered slightly at her words.
"It would be a big problem if the symptoms worsened then."
"Yes."
He simply wanted to be with Stella for a long time and often. So he hoped she wouldn't get sick, and he was afraid she might die. It felt strange to realize that she worried about him just as much as he worried about her. He smiled slightly.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Because you look cute worrying about me."
It was sad that he had to be apart from Stella while she watched the Imperial Writer selection. However, it was a pleasant feeling that Stella thought of him like this.
"I love you."
"..."
Kendrick hugged Stella. There were often moments like this. The moment Kendrick told Stella he loved her. But Stella said nothing.
Since returning to the past, she had never once told Kendrick that she loved him.
***
Stella left Kendrick in the bedroom and headed to the study. As she walked down the hallway, she fiddled with her heart. She felt a mix of conflicting emotions. Although Kendrick always expressed his affection unilaterally, he had never said he felt hurt.
'I can't say that yet.'
She had faith in Kendrick, but there was still something unsettling about him. She doubted whether he would love Stella as much as he does now without taking a love potion. Also, she had seen a photo from her previous life where he was seen with another woman, giving off a strange vibe.
'Let's focus on this first.'
Stella has to go to the post office tomorrow. It was to send the book to the publisher.
There are a total of ten candidates for Imperial Writers, selected through two methods. Seven of them are chosen through a writing contest hosted by the Imperial Family. Since they are Imperial Writers, naturally, writings that suit the tastes of the royal family are selected, but because the judging is conducted strictly anonymously, their fairness has never been questioned.
The remaining three are selected from among authors who have published books, and this method naturally favors veteran or famous authors.
Since she had only been writing for a few months, she had naturally been working on practice pieces, hoping to advance to the finals using the first method. However, Roy had a slightly different perspective.
"Why don't you try publishing what you've written so far as a book, even now?"
Roy said that it would be more advantageous to try various methods. Stella also decided that there was some truth to his point.
'Roy told me to publish it with his publisher, though.'
She didn't want to do that. She didn't want to be criticized for needlessly using the connections of a great writer named Roy to publish a book.
The place she was sending her writing to was Big Big Publishing. It was a fairly large publisher with high recognition in the publishing industry, to the extent that Gael, a famous author, had published his books exclusively at Big Big. She had sent her writing anonymously once before, and since they had responded positively, she decided to send the entire volume this time. They also liked Stella's writing because it was fresh, and said they would publish it as soon as possible if she wanted.
She felt a sense of pride for no reason, so she slightly raised the corners of her mouth.
Thud.
'Nosebleed?'
Stella covered her nose with a handkerchief.
After receiving a call from the publisher, she cut back on sleep and pushed herself too hard. For some reason, her neck felt stiff, and all the strength drained from her body.
'I need to get some rest after I get back tomorrow.'
***
Stella had no energy since morning.
'Uh...'
Puzzled, she recalled having had a nosebleed the day before. It seemed that overexerting herself for a few days had caused serious trouble. However, she had no intention of resting for the time being.
She had to go to the post office today. It was the perfect timing, as Skyle said he couldn't come to the Dukes' estate because he was too busy with work. Stella had to stay home all day tomorrow, as it was the day Marie was waking up. The day after tomorrow was the day she was to show Roy jer writing, and the Imperial Wizard was scheduled to visit the day after that.
'Good.'
After checking her schedule, she put on simple, inconspicuous clothes and stepped out onto the street.
'I should send it off quietly.'
She intended to publish this book under a false identity. If Skyle or Kendrick found out, they might try to throw a party to celebrate the publication. Therefore, she decided to hide the news of the book's release from them as well.
The post office was in a remote location.
It was a dark alley lined with bars. However, since it was a place frequently patrolled by knights, the crime rate was very low, and because it was broad daylight, she wasn't worried.
'I don't want to go to a busy downtown area and stand out for no reason.'
The dizziness would not go away, so she quickened her pace. She wanted to finish work quickly and go back. However, she slowed her steps at a sight she spotted while passing by a bar.
'That woman's face looks familiar...'
At that moment, the woman turned her head slightly.
"The Young Lady Decrit?"
Their eyes met, but the woman picked up her cup while looking elsewhere, as if she didn't know Stella. Upon closer inspection, her hairstyle and attire were completely different from the Lady of Decrit. While the Lady of Decrit had worn neat and tidy clothes and tied her hair back tightly, befitting a council member and Kendrick's confidant, the person Stella was looking at now was entirely different. Her curly hair reached down to her waist, her eye makeup was heavy, and she was wearing clothes too vulgar for a noblewoman.
'It must be my imagination.'
She gazed for a moment, then quickened her pace again.
She thought she had mistaken the person because she wasn't feeling well.
"Please send this to Big Big Publishing."
Stella left the post office after finishing her business. It would have been better to take the main road, but she had to pass through this alley to get home quickly.
'I keep losing strength in my body.'
It was strange.
my last life.'
Even when the symptoms of loneliness disease began to appear, her senses became numb one by one as she repeated the same cycle of losing strength as she does now. If this really was the early stage of loneliness disease, it was highly likely that the problem was caused by something that had changed from her previous life.
She walked hurriedly, trying to convince herself it was due to overwork. However, before she could even get out of the alley, she had to lean against a wall to rest. She could not properly control her swaying body.
'If I collapse like this, Kendrick will be worried.'
There was a risk that his heart condition, caused by the miraculous medicine, might flare up again. Also, tomorrow was the day a minor incident was to occur.
'For Marie's sake, I must not close my eyes here...'
She took one step at a time with unfocused eyes. Her eyes kept closing. Then, with a thud, unable to bear the strength draining from her body, she collapsed.
***
"No!"
Stella screamed and sat up. When she came to her senses and looked around, she was in someone's room. Thinking she might have been kidnapped, she checked her hands and feet. Fortunately, she was not bound. As she lowered her feet under the bed, the door opened. Stella flinched in surprise.
"Are you okay?"
"Doctor Decrit...?"
She looked the same as before. Neatly tied hair and tidy attire. She was completely different from the woman she had seen at the bar.
"Where am I? No. Why am I here?"
"This is my house. I saw Lady Stella collapse and brought you here."
Stella did not let go of her suspicions.
'How did you know I collapsed there?'
"Were you watching me the whole time?"
Lady Decrit opened his eyes wide in surprise. She looked as if she were upset about being suspected of such things.
"I stopped by the post office and saw a woman staggering. I watched her out of concern, and when I saw her collapse, I ran over to her, but I never imagined it would be Lady Stella..."
Seeing Decrit trail off in distress, Stella felt sorry and bit her lower lip. If she had fallen into the hands of some strange people, she could have been in a terrible state.
"Sorry. I misunderstood for no reason."
"No."
Decrit shook her head with a kind-looking smile.
"But how did you end up alone in such a dark alley? Without a knight to escort you."
"I have something to do alone."
Stella looked around the room. She couldn't see the clock.
"What time is it now?"
"It's two in the afternoon."
That's a relief. It hasn't been that long.'
"I said I would be home by 11 at the latest, but only three hours have passed," Decrit said with a smile.
"Don't worry. I just saw a knight from the Duke of Adrian's family and am on my way back after telling him that Lady Stella is here. If you wait just a moment, the Duke's carriage will arrive."
"Thank you."
Stella thanked her, but something was weighing on her mind.
'Why is a knight from the Duke's family here?'
The Duke's knights only patrol the Duke's territory.
"It looks like Kendrick sent someone over because he was worried about Stella staying out overnight."
"Staying out?"
"Yes. Stella, you woke up just one day after collapsing."
"What?"
Stella got out of bed in surprise. She then hurriedly moved to find her coat.
"Why are you so flustered?"
Stella ran her hand through her hair with a troubled expression.
"Kendrick must have been really worried."
'He might have been in pain again, just like before.'
Stella frowned and hardened her lips. It was evident that she was worried about Kendrick. Seeing this, Lady Decreetspoke with a mocking tone.
"How much do you trust the Duke, Lady Stella?"
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