"Just... I heard Roy talk about his time studying abroad today, and I was curious what Kendrick was like."
"There's no particular reason. I just went because I thought it would be helpful for the future."
Kendrick's tone became not just stiff, but cold. As if he sensed it himself, he immediately softened his expression and changed the subject.
"You must be tired. When are you going back to your room?"
"Just a moment. I'll just tidy up the desk."
Stella hurriedly tidied up her desk. Kendrick watched her tidy up. Old newspapers were scattered messily on Stella's desk.
"It's an old newspaper."
"I was wondering if there might be anything that could be a good topic for a story."
Stella smiled nonchalantly. Among the many newspapers, there was one section that Stella had marked with a large star. Kendrick's gaze fell upon it. It was the section covering incidents and accidents that had occurred in the western region. Thinking she had nothing more to hide, Stella asked Kendrick.
"Kendrick, do you happen to know about this incident?"
He read the article with a somber expression.
"It seems there was quite a bit of talk about it. Since you were studying abroad at the time, you might not know."
He drew a clear line.
"I don't really know."
For some reason, Kendrick's facial muscles looked stiff.
"Did you perhaps hear something from doctor Decrit?"
"No. It's not like that."
Kendrick shook his head with a troubled expression.
"The victim of this case is Dr. Decree's younger sister."
Stella covered her mouth in surprise.
"I’d prefer not to run into that young lady if possible."
He stared intently at Stella, who was still unable to contain her bewilderment.
"She's a woman who doesn't like me that much."
When Kendrick went that far, Stella had no choice but to press her lips together tightly.
The next day arrived. Today was the day Sia was coming. Delighted, Stella prepared to welcome Sia early. The sun was hot, so Rincasta held a parasol over her. He had just returned from spending a few days at the orphanage with Lina. At the appointed time, the imperial carriage arrived.
"Seeing you smiling, it seems you were on good terms with the Princess."
At Lino's words, Stella realized that she was smiling.
"Yes."
The carriage stopped in front of Stella. She had naturally assumed that she would come with the Imperial Wizard, but she was the only one getting out of the carriage.
"Did you come?"
"Duchess Stella. It's been a long time."
With so many eyes watching, she couldn't speak like she used to.
"By the way, you came alone?"
"The wizard will be here in the afternoon. I came early because I wanted to speak with the Duchess quickly."
Stella and Sia exchanged greetings and chatted about this and that. Just then, a group of attendants passed by, stopped, and greeted them. Marie was among them, standing at the very back with a sullen expression. The quick-witted Sia immediately noticed Marie's presence.
"Huh? Isn't this kid from the Elton tribe?"
"That's right."
"Why are the Eltons here?"
Stella said as if it were no big deal.
"I have her on hand because she is quick with her hands and we get along well."
Sia smiled faintly at her words. Stella's attitude of treating people regardless of their status or race was worthy of emulation.
"That's so typical of Stella."
Sia smiled softly and spoke to Marie.
"Hi?"
"Hello."
Marie, whose pronunciation had improved since last time, bowed at the waist to greet.
Sia said in the drawing room.
"The Imperial Family has a lot on their mind these days."
Sia did not state the subject, but Stella quickly realized that she was talking about the Elton tribe.
"I just hope everything passes without any trouble. It would be nice if everyone were free of prejudice, like Stella."
At the time, the empire was in turmoil, divided between those who rejected the Eltons and those who argued that they should be embraced.
"The problem is that it's splitting into two factions, right?"
"That's right. The people need to break down barriers and unite their hearts. Oh, and... I hear there is something like that as well."
Stella looked at Sia with a curious expression, wondering what she would say next.
"Human experimentation."
'You're going to experiment on humans?'
"It's not the Age of Magic, so how could such a thing happen?"
"Of course, I think so too. If such an act had been committed, it would be strange for the Imperial Family not to know. Still, just in case, I intend to investigate."
Stella, surprised by a fact she had absolutely no idea about, simply blinked.
"So, Stella, could you help too?"
"Me?"
"The Imperial Family has limited resources available to investigate this case. If you could help us even just a little, Stella, we will certainly reward you."
Stella felt that Sia had not changed at all, even though she had become the Princess. She was struck by the thoroughness of coming in advance to bring up such political matters. Although Stella was busy with the selection of imperial writers, she did not refuse her proposal.
'It’s just lending the Duke’s manpower.'
Stella gave a gentle smile.
"I will discuss it with the Duke."
And as she listened to Sia about how well she had adapted to the Imperial Palace and what had happened, she lost track of time. Not long after, the Imperial Wizard Kratex arrived.
Kratex pulled up his hood and visited the Duke's mansion. He was a person with striking, mysterious gray eyes and gray eyebrows. Due to his androgynous aura, Stella was initially confused as to whether he was male or female, but she realized she was a female wizard from the soft voice that came out when she parted her lips.
"Greetings. I am Kratex, an Imperial Wizard who has come at the summons of Princess Sia."
At Stella's request, Sia vacated the room. In other words, Kratex and Stella were the only two people in the room. Kratex stood upright, and her expression was calm.
"You must be ill."
'So you notice even that right away.'
Stella nodded. However, her top priority was not her physical condition. Stella carefully took out a bottle containing a white potion. It was the potion that had allowed her to read Skyle's memories after taking a sip.
"This isn't of this world.'
As soon as Kratex saw the bottle, she immediately realized that this object was not ordinary.
'You know right away. That's a relief.'
Stella had taken out this medicine to test her abilities before asking questions in earnest. Kratex's voice was clear and transparent, but lacked pitch, giving it an inhuman feel. After asking Stella for permission, she opened the lid of the potion and smelled its fragrance.
"What kind of medicine is this?"
Fortunately, perhaps out of the wizards' courtesy, they did not ask where the medicine came from.
"It's a medicine that allows you to read people's memories and minds if you take it."
"Hmm, that's quite a precious medicine."
"There is this much medicine left. How much longer can I use it? What about the expiration date?"
"I haven't figured out the recipe, but this is quite a fine piece. With this amount, you could use it three or four more times. It looks like it would easily last for several hundred years."
'Oh, that's a relief.'
Stella originally intended to use this potion to read Marie's memories. However, when she read Skyle's mind, she realized how convenient and useful it was. At this unexpected good news, the corners of Stella's mouth curled up slightly. Deciding to leave the test at that, she took a love potion from her bosom. As soon as the potion appeared, Kratex's expression changed strangely.
"It smells sweet. Is this a bewitching potion? This is the first time I've encountered a potion with such strong magical power."
And, as if feeling dizzy, she squinted one eye slightly.
"My husband drank this."
Then Kratex looked slightly surprised.
Stella briefly explained what had happened to Kratex. She confessed everything, from how Kendrick had become obsessed with her for a while after drinking this, to the severe heart pain he felt when he was away from Stella, and even the fact that he suffered from headaches while sleeping.
"Fortunately, it's not that bad right now. He said his heart still aches, but it's bearable."
Stella was about to add, "I'm worried the pain might get worse again." But seeing the wizard's wide eyes, she couldn't.
"This is a big problem."
'What?'
"This medicine is not one whose effects will wear off in just a few months. It contains a magical power strong enough to cause a throbbing headache in those sensitive to it. This medicine will only make things worse, not subside."
"But Kendrick said he's getting better?"
"That is precisely why it is even more of a problem. Even if things have calmed down now, you never know when, where, or what kind of magic might torment Lord Kendrick."
Stella hadn't imagined the situation was this bad. She asked urgently.
"Then, what about the antidote?"
The antidote was Stella's only hope. However, Kratex's attitude was firm.
"There is no antidote."
"What?"
Her face turned pale. Stella expected that everything would work out well if she just met the Imperial Wizard and made a request.
"Even if you make it, it won't work. This potion is too powerful. No matter who makes it, it is difficult to perfectly counteract it."
'No...'
Stella felt her hope dissipate. She could vividly picture Kendrick groaning in pain on the first day he took the potion.
"At best, we can make painkillers. But even that won't last long. You will develop a tolerance, so even if you take the medicine, you will soon feel the pain again."
Stella found it hard to accept the situation. She placed her hand on her forehead. Her head was throbbing so much that it felt like she was burning up.
'If only I hadn't brought that magic potion back then.'
She didn't need to feel this guilty toward Kendrick.
Stella fidgeted with her hands, unable to control her feelings of guilt.
"That isn't the only thing you need to worry about, Lady Stella..."
"Then, you're saying there's absolutely no way?"
Kendrick was still young. At most, he was in his early twenties. He would live for at least several more decades. And he was supposed to live a long life as Adrian's great leader. A sense of guilt, as if she had ruined his life, kept weighing on her. So, even while interrupting Kratex, she asked for a way to save him.
"It’s not that there is absolutely no way to solve it. It sounds absurd, but it is a very clear method."
"What is that?"
Stella wanted to fulfill the conditions she mentioned as much as possible to help Kendrick stop hurting.
Kratex hesitated and then spoke.
"Stella is leaving this world."
The room fell silent in an instant.
"If you drink a love potion and fall in love, its power does not fade until you realize that the other person has completely vanished from this world. This is especially true if the potion is so powerful that no antidote works."
'If I die, all of this will end?'
"There's no particular reason. I just went because I thought it would be helpful for the future."
Kendrick's tone became not just stiff, but cold. As if he sensed it himself, he immediately softened his expression and changed the subject.
"You must be tired. When are you going back to your room?"
"Just a moment. I'll just tidy up the desk."
Stella hurriedly tidied up her desk. Kendrick watched her tidy up. Old newspapers were scattered messily on Stella's desk.
"It's an old newspaper."
"I was wondering if there might be anything that could be a good topic for a story."
Stella smiled nonchalantly. Among the many newspapers, there was one section that Stella had marked with a large star. Kendrick's gaze fell upon it. It was the section covering incidents and accidents that had occurred in the western region. Thinking she had nothing more to hide, Stella asked Kendrick.
"Kendrick, do you happen to know about this incident?"
He read the article with a somber expression.
"It seems there was quite a bit of talk about it. Since you were studying abroad at the time, you might not know."
He drew a clear line.
"I don't really know."
For some reason, Kendrick's facial muscles looked stiff.
"Did you perhaps hear something from doctor Decrit?"
"No. It's not like that."
Kendrick shook his head with a troubled expression.
"The victim of this case is Dr. Decree's younger sister."
Stella covered her mouth in surprise.
"I’d prefer not to run into that young lady if possible."
He stared intently at Stella, who was still unable to contain her bewilderment.
"She's a woman who doesn't like me that much."
When Kendrick went that far, Stella had no choice but to press her lips together tightly.
***
The next day arrived. Today was the day Sia was coming. Delighted, Stella prepared to welcome Sia early. The sun was hot, so Rincasta held a parasol over her. He had just returned from spending a few days at the orphanage with Lina. At the appointed time, the imperial carriage arrived.
"Seeing you smiling, it seems you were on good terms with the Princess."
At Lino's words, Stella realized that she was smiling.
"Yes."
The carriage stopped in front of Stella. She had naturally assumed that she would come with the Imperial Wizard, but she was the only one getting out of the carriage.
"Did you come?"
"Duchess Stella. It's been a long time."
With so many eyes watching, she couldn't speak like she used to.
"By the way, you came alone?"
"The wizard will be here in the afternoon. I came early because I wanted to speak with the Duchess quickly."
Stella and Sia exchanged greetings and chatted about this and that. Just then, a group of attendants passed by, stopped, and greeted them. Marie was among them, standing at the very back with a sullen expression. The quick-witted Sia immediately noticed Marie's presence.
"Huh? Isn't this kid from the Elton tribe?"
"That's right."
"Why are the Eltons here?"
Stella said as if it were no big deal.
"I have her on hand because she is quick with her hands and we get along well."
Sia smiled faintly at her words. Stella's attitude of treating people regardless of their status or race was worthy of emulation.
"That's so typical of Stella."
Sia smiled softly and spoke to Marie.
"Hi?"
"Hello."
Marie, whose pronunciation had improved since last time, bowed at the waist to greet.
Sia said in the drawing room.
"The Imperial Family has a lot on their mind these days."
Sia did not state the subject, but Stella quickly realized that she was talking about the Elton tribe.
"I just hope everything passes without any trouble. It would be nice if everyone were free of prejudice, like Stella."
At the time, the empire was in turmoil, divided between those who rejected the Eltons and those who argued that they should be embraced.
"The problem is that it's splitting into two factions, right?"
"That's right. The people need to break down barriers and unite their hearts. Oh, and... I hear there is something like that as well."
Stella looked at Sia with a curious expression, wondering what she would say next.
"Human experimentation."
'You're going to experiment on humans?'
"It's not the Age of Magic, so how could such a thing happen?"
"Of course, I think so too. If such an act had been committed, it would be strange for the Imperial Family not to know. Still, just in case, I intend to investigate."
Stella, surprised by a fact she had absolutely no idea about, simply blinked.
"So, Stella, could you help too?"
"Me?"
"The Imperial Family has limited resources available to investigate this case. If you could help us even just a little, Stella, we will certainly reward you."
Stella felt that Sia had not changed at all, even though she had become the Princess. She was struck by the thoroughness of coming in advance to bring up such political matters. Although Stella was busy with the selection of imperial writers, she did not refuse her proposal.
'It’s just lending the Duke’s manpower.'
Stella gave a gentle smile.
"I will discuss it with the Duke."
And as she listened to Sia about how well she had adapted to the Imperial Palace and what had happened, she lost track of time. Not long after, the Imperial Wizard Kratex arrived.
***
Kratex pulled up his hood and visited the Duke's mansion. He was a person with striking, mysterious gray eyes and gray eyebrows. Due to his androgynous aura, Stella was initially confused as to whether he was male or female, but she realized she was a female wizard from the soft voice that came out when she parted her lips.
"Greetings. I am Kratex, an Imperial Wizard who has come at the summons of Princess Sia."
At Stella's request, Sia vacated the room. In other words, Kratex and Stella were the only two people in the room. Kratex stood upright, and her expression was calm.
"You must be ill."
'So you notice even that right away.'
Stella nodded. However, her top priority was not her physical condition. Stella carefully took out a bottle containing a white potion. It was the potion that had allowed her to read Skyle's memories after taking a sip.
"This isn't of this world.'
As soon as Kratex saw the bottle, she immediately realized that this object was not ordinary.
'You know right away. That's a relief.'
Stella had taken out this medicine to test her abilities before asking questions in earnest. Kratex's voice was clear and transparent, but lacked pitch, giving it an inhuman feel. After asking Stella for permission, she opened the lid of the potion and smelled its fragrance.
"What kind of medicine is this?"
Fortunately, perhaps out of the wizards' courtesy, they did not ask where the medicine came from.
"It's a medicine that allows you to read people's memories and minds if you take it."
"Hmm, that's quite a precious medicine."
"There is this much medicine left. How much longer can I use it? What about the expiration date?"
"I haven't figured out the recipe, but this is quite a fine piece. With this amount, you could use it three or four more times. It looks like it would easily last for several hundred years."
'Oh, that's a relief.'
Stella originally intended to use this potion to read Marie's memories. However, when she read Skyle's mind, she realized how convenient and useful it was. At this unexpected good news, the corners of Stella's mouth curled up slightly. Deciding to leave the test at that, she took a love potion from her bosom. As soon as the potion appeared, Kratex's expression changed strangely.
"It smells sweet. Is this a bewitching potion? This is the first time I've encountered a potion with such strong magical power."
And, as if feeling dizzy, she squinted one eye slightly.
"My husband drank this."
Then Kratex looked slightly surprised.
Stella briefly explained what had happened to Kratex. She confessed everything, from how Kendrick had become obsessed with her for a while after drinking this, to the severe heart pain he felt when he was away from Stella, and even the fact that he suffered from headaches while sleeping.
"Fortunately, it's not that bad right now. He said his heart still aches, but it's bearable."
Stella was about to add, "I'm worried the pain might get worse again." But seeing the wizard's wide eyes, she couldn't.
"This is a big problem."
'What?'
"This medicine is not one whose effects will wear off in just a few months. It contains a magical power strong enough to cause a throbbing headache in those sensitive to it. This medicine will only make things worse, not subside."
"But Kendrick said he's getting better?"
"That is precisely why it is even more of a problem. Even if things have calmed down now, you never know when, where, or what kind of magic might torment Lord Kendrick."
Stella hadn't imagined the situation was this bad. She asked urgently.
"Then, what about the antidote?"
The antidote was Stella's only hope. However, Kratex's attitude was firm.
"There is no antidote."
"What?"
Her face turned pale. Stella expected that everything would work out well if she just met the Imperial Wizard and made a request.
"Even if you make it, it won't work. This potion is too powerful. No matter who makes it, it is difficult to perfectly counteract it."
'No...'
Stella felt her hope dissipate. She could vividly picture Kendrick groaning in pain on the first day he took the potion.
"At best, we can make painkillers. But even that won't last long. You will develop a tolerance, so even if you take the medicine, you will soon feel the pain again."
Stella found it hard to accept the situation. She placed her hand on her forehead. Her head was throbbing so much that it felt like she was burning up.
'If only I hadn't brought that magic potion back then.'
She didn't need to feel this guilty toward Kendrick.
Stella fidgeted with her hands, unable to control her feelings of guilt.
"That isn't the only thing you need to worry about, Lady Stella..."
"Then, you're saying there's absolutely no way?"
Kendrick was still young. At most, he was in his early twenties. He would live for at least several more decades. And he was supposed to live a long life as Adrian's great leader. A sense of guilt, as if she had ruined his life, kept weighing on her. So, even while interrupting Kratex, she asked for a way to save him.
"It’s not that there is absolutely no way to solve it. It sounds absurd, but it is a very clear method."
"What is that?"
Stella wanted to fulfill the conditions she mentioned as much as possible to help Kendrick stop hurting.
Kratex hesitated and then spoke.
"Stella is leaving this world."
The room fell silent in an instant.
"If you drink a love potion and fall in love, its power does not fade until you realize that the other person has completely vanished from this world. This is especially true if the potion is so powerful that no antidote works."
'If I die, all of this will end?'
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