Alone in her office as usual, the blonde-haired woman sat surrounded by stacks of reports and documents, each demanding her attention. As she flipped through each file, her glistening amethyst eyes moved steadily down each line until a knock broke her focus.
“Come in,” Blake said, her eyes still on the paper.
“Excuse me, Lady Blake.” The maid entered and approached the desk with an envelope in hand. “A letter arrived for you today from Northland Academy. It seemed urgent, so I brought it to you right away.”
Blake’s attention shifted from the reports to the envelope the maid had set on her desk. From its quality alone, she could tell it was official correspondence from the Academy with its seal.
“Thank you,” Blake said, turning to the maid. “You may go.”
Once the maid had left, the omega set her pen down and broke the letter’s seal. Inside was an invitation from the Academy, offering her the chance to join their faculty as a lecturer this year. Then Blake remembered: every year, the Academy carefully handpicked experts across various fields to serve as lecturers. Most considered it an honor to be recognized and qualified by the Northland Academy.
“Ah right,” Blake said, her expression relaxing. “I remembered my colleagues mentioning this in last month’s meeting.”
Blake was an active diplomat of Northland, and an exceptionally gifted one. At just 25, she had already earned the rank of 1st Grade Envoy, qualifying her to handle sensitive, high-stakes negotiations, often serving as the right hand to a Counselor or Ambassador. This made her the youngest diplomat on record in Northland’s history to earn such a rank at such a young age. It was customary for House Albrecht’s secretary to hold diplomatic status, as they were expected to attend formal meetings alongside representatives from other territories, standing beside the Head of Northland.
It was no surprise the Academy would reach out to invite someone like Blake as one of the lecturers this year.
She paused, considering whether to accept the invitation. Her hands were already full with these reports piling up endlessly on her desk. Ever since Anthony had become the Duke of Northland, things had been… less than ideal.
Despite Blake raising concerns multiple times, both her elder brother and her mother dismissed them outright. Neither showed any willingness to consider her perspective, even though she was the family’s appointed secretary. With Stella and Lady Alicia no longer in the house, the manor had grown cold and empty to her.
Adding to her unease, Theo had been visiting the Albrecht estate often ever since Anthony became Duke. She made every effort to avoid him whenever he was here, keeping their interactions to the bare minimum. Something about him felt off, though she couldn’t quite determine it. Perhaps it was her instincts warning Blake to keep her distance, to stay as far away from him.
“Maybe a change in scenery would do me good,” Blake said, exhaling softly.
The manor that was once a warm, familiar home had become nothing more than a shell of its former self. Blake picked up her pen, replying to the invitation and sealing it for delivery. Since this would be her first time returning to the academy as a lecturer, it might turn out to be a new experience for her.
What she didn’t know was that something entirely unexpected was waiting for her…
Another new day at the Academy.
Stella and her friends walked down the corridor toward their lecture. Over the past week, the alpha had overheard her upperclassmen chatting excitedly about this year’s lecturers.
“It seems everyone is quite excited for some reason…?” Lisette said, glancing around at everyone.
“I bet they’re talking about the advanced diplomacy’s lecturers this year,” Astrid said.
“For some reason, they’re more excited about the lecturers than the class itself,” Stella commented. “If I remember correctly, aren’t the lecturers usually retired diplomats?”
Stella chimed in, since it had been practically the only conversation she had overheard all week. The alpha had taken the class in her past life, so she was already familiar with its content. Back then, the lecturers had been seasoned, retired diplomats. They had free time on their hands, bound to no other obligations, happy to spend time teaching future generations. Meanwhile, Astrid tried to recall her conversation with her relatives, several of whom sat on the board of education, and vaguely remembered something about changes this year.
“I remembered my aunt mentioned changes this year…” Astrid muttered, then shrugged it off. “Oh well! I’ll just ask Lady Elaine for us.”
“Eh?” Lisette looked caught off guard. “You mean Lady Elaine Schwarzenberg?”
Astrid nodded, nonchalant. As expected of the beta woman, she had a real talent for making friends, thanks to her cheerful, friendly personality. It was no surprise to Stella that she had made friends with so many upperclassmen too.
“Yup, we became acquainted last week at the library, when I helped her find a book,” Astrid said, spotting a familiar brunette in the distance. “Oh! There she is, Lady Elaine!”
“Hmm?”
Elaine turned, noticing Astrid waving cheerfully before approaching. Stella and Lisette followed close behind until the three of them stood before two upperclassmen, each wearing a blue-shaded bow, the mark of a third-year. The air carried a subtle minty floral scent coming from Elaine.
“Good morning, Lady Astrid,” Elaine said, wearing an amicable smile. “Do you all need something from me?”
“We were curious about the lecturers for this year’s advanced diplomacy course,” Astrid said. “Everyone’s been talking about it. Do you happen to know anything?”
“Oh? Yes, of course!” Elaine said, her smile growing wider. “Diplomacy’s one of my majors.”
Elaine shared with them what she heard last week from her professors. Rather than the usual line of retired diplomats, the Academy had decided to bring in an entirely new batch of expert lecturers this year, which explained why every second-year and third-year had been over the moon about it.
“It’s a dream come true to learn under my role model.” Another upperclassman beside Elaine chimed in. “I can’t believe I’m going to be graced by Lady Blake’s presence.”
“What!?” Astrid said, her eyes widening. “Are you referring to Lady Blake Albrecht?”
“There is only one Lady Blake that we could possibly be talking about,” Elaine said, chuckling.
Astrid and Lisette gasped as a wave of envy washed over both of them. After all, no one at the Academy was unfamiliar with Lady Blake’s name or her achievements. She had become an inspiration to people across all of Northland.
“I’ve always dreamed of becoming someone as amazing as Lady Blake.” A soft smile touched Elaine’s lips. “She’s an idol to every omega.”
Her achievements had surpassed those of her peers, carving out a legend all her own, walking a path most were discouraged from ever taking. Blake Albrecht was an idol, something close to a heroine, to omegas and ladies across all of Northland. She had inspired countless young women to be braver and chase their own aspirations. While everyone chattered on enthusiastically, Stella stood frozen, unable to produce a word.
“…”
The surrounding voices faded into silence. Stella sank into her own pool of thoughts, unable to believe what she had just heard.
T-That can’t be possible… Stella thought quietly.
The alpha wasn’t sure how to feel, how to act. She didn’t even know where to begin. One of her last memories of Blake was the day they had lunch together in the dining hall. Her elder sister made sure the chef prepared the Duchess’s favorite dishes and tea, hoping to cheer her up. Even though it had been months since she had last seen her, it felt like only yesterday that she was wrapped in Blake’s warm embrace.
“Wait a minute,” Astrid said, as though something suddenly clicked for her. “Isn’t Lady Blake your sister?”
Stella snapped back to reality as all eyes turned to her. Before anyone could notice her unusual expression, she nodded and went along with the conversation.
“Yeah,” Stella said. “She’s my older sister.”
“I’m honestly convinced at this point that the genius and charisma run in your family…” Astrid sighed dramatically, prompting light laughter from everyone around them.
The conversation carried on as Stella eventually drowned beneath the noise in her head. A peculiar mix of emotions churned in her stomach. The alpha pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling softly before masking everything behind her usual amicable smile, hoping no one would notice the frustration underneath.
For the entire day, Stella was far too distracted to focus on her classes.
She had thought she was prepared for whatever changes might come her way once enrolled at the Academy, but she hadn’t expected a change this significant so soon. The thought of possibly seeing Blake soon brought a mix of joy, anxiety, and guilt.
When had Stella last spoken to Blake?
It had been the very day she had decided to abandon her future and return to the past. When she made that decision, she hadn’t told Blake, not even a proper goodbye. Back then, Stella hadn’t had the heart to tell her. If she had, the elder sister would’ve done everything in her power to talk her out of it. The Duchess had left that night with no intention of looking back, carrying the guilt that persistently clung to her.
Her gentle sister had always offered unconditional support, especially after Ophelia’s and Matteo’s funeral. Consumed by guilt and regret, Stella had found herself unable to smile properly. She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen Blake smile either, not since. The sister had stood by Stella’s side through it all, reassuring her that she wasn’t alone.
In the evening, the alpha decided to pay Ophelia a visit in her bedchamber, where she was enjoying her quiet night studying. It was obvious to the omega that Stella had come with a purpose. Someone like her wouldn’t visit in the middle of the night otherwise.
“It’s pretty rare for you to visit me at this hour,” Ophelia said, glancing at Stella from the corner of her eye. “You need something, don’t you?”
“Diplomacy is one of your chosen majors, right?” Stella asked, striding towards her.
“It is, so?” Ophelia asked.
“Well, my classmates had been talking about this year’s list of lecturers for advanced diplomacy, and it got me curious about what you’re learning this year.” Stella continued with a steady voice. “Would it be possible for me to see the course outline?”
Stella had taken her time to craft a believable excuse, so Ophelia wouldn’t catch on to her true motive. The omega met her fiancée’s gaze, her expression enigmatic as always, before sliding a sheet across the table.
“There you go,” Ophelia said.
The alpha took the paper nervously, scanning for a single name, and found it.
Blake Albrecht, 1st Grade Envoy:
Lecturer, Foreign Ethnography & Advanced Languages II
Her eyes lingered on her sister’s name longer than she meant to. Something flickered behind those blue eyes, and Ophelia caught it. She had known this alpha long enough by now to know Stella was no good at hiding her joy.
“Honestly, you could’ve just said you wanted to see Lady Blake,” Ophelia said, nearly laughing. “It’s quite obvious you’re delighted.”
Stella’s brows furrowed with a mix of embarrassment and frustration, like a child caught red-handed. She did her best to hide her excitement, but it was in vain under the omega’s sharp gaze. Seeing how flustered Stella was, Ophelia hardly needed confirmation to know she was right. Still, the stubborn alpha couldn’t quite back down from the excuse she had already given.
“I’m just interested in the subject, okay?” Stella muttered. “Diplomacy is one of my chosen majors.”
“Sure,” Ophelia said, still smiling.
She had seen through Stella’s intentions the moment she had asked to see the course outline. When Ophelia first spotted Blake’s name on the list earlier that week, she had known it was only a matter of time before Stella found out, and likely tried to reach her elder sister. Sure enough, Stella soon felt those watchful green eyes settle on her.
“…I’m not going to run away if that’s what you’re thinking,” Stella said out of the blue, as though she had read her fiancée’s mind.
“I haven’t said anything yet,” Ophelia said, tilting her head slightly. “Someone is awfully flustered today.”
The omega smirked and relished the sight of her fiancée rattled. It was a rare thing to see Stella lose her composure, and she couldn’t resist teasing her, just a little.
“Shut up…” Stella muttered under her breath, sliding the sheet back.
Even from this distance, her pink-tinted cheeks were visible, and the omega couldn’t hide her satisfied smirk. The alpha looked like a clumsy puppy. Something stirred inside Ophelia, a sudden urge to tease her.
“Now that you’re here,” A smirk touched Ophelia’s lips. “I’ll claim my reward.”
Ophelia grabbed Stella by the collar, tugging her close. Caught completely off guard, the alpha tumbled forward into her, catching the nearby table just in time to steady herself. While Stella focused on not falling onto her fiancée, the mischievous omega seized the moment and sank her teeth into her alpha’s bare neck.
“—!!”
Ophelia’s warm breath brushed against her skin before a sudden pain shot through it. Stella winced, pulling back at once. For a moment, she stood there, stunned, before realizing what the omega had done to her.
“Oww…!” Stella grumbled, touching the spot where it stung. “What was that for?”
“Since I did you a big favor,” Ophelia said, grinning from ear to ear. “Shouldn’t I get something in return too?”
“Fine,” Stella muttered, the stinging pain gradually becoming sharper. “But ow…did you really have to bite that hard?”
“You should be grateful I’m doing you a favor.” Ophelia shrugged.
“Enlighten me how?” Stella said, her eyes narrowing halfway.
The sting sat just above the crook of her neck, a spot impossible to hide beneath her shirt collar. That had clearly been intentional. Ophelia couldn’t resist the temptation to tease her adorable alpha, to let the whole Academy know exactly who Stella belonged to.
“I thought some pain would make it manageable for you,” Ophelia said, her smile widening. “Since you might get a little too excited again if I were gentler.”
“O-Ophelia—!” Stella’s voice rose a pitch.
The more Ophelia poked at her, the redder her face and ears became. Even when Stella was fuming, she was still an adorable, grumpy puppy in her eyes. The omega knew that if she marked the alpha like last time, she would be the one to lose control.
“Ugh, this is going to be so hard to hide…” Stella muttered, rubbing the mark.
“That’s the point,” Ophelia said. “Anyway, it’s past curfew. Good night.”
Just like that, the conversation was over. Ophelia ushered the frustrated alpha back to her own room. Stella stood there a moment, dumbfounded, before finally accepting her defeat. She made her way back while wondering how she would hide the bruised mark tomorrow. Perhaps a bandage would do, though she would certainly face many questions about it…
Waiting patiently for next week to arrive, Stella had already decided that she would go see Blake.
Even if it meant skipping geopolitics.
According to Ophelia’s schedule, Blake would be giving her first lesson today that afternoon. After weighing her options, the young Albrecht decided she would, at least, watch her sister from afar. Technically, she wasn’t supposed to meet Blake for another three years, but this might be the only chance she would get.
“Professor Agnes is going to be furious when she finds out,” Stella muttered. “But, oh well.”
If she got caught, Stella was prepared to accept whatever punishment came, as long as she could see Blake today. She hid in the library until the lunch hour ended, checking the time every so often until 15 minutes had passed. Stella slowly opened the door to peek outside, finding the corridor empty and quiet.
This was the perfect time to move.
“If I remember, the lecture hall is in Block A, Room 307…” Stella muttered quietly. “Should take about five minutes to get there.”
Just as she thought the coast was clear, Stella heard footsteps approaching from behind. It was a combination of bad timing and pure coincidence that led another student straight into her path. To make matters worse, Stella knew that man. A first-year student, just like her.
“What are you doing here, Lady Stella?” A young man asked.
“Uh…” Stella muttered as her eyes met his.
Out of all people, she had to run into Kenric Chaplin, the youngest son of Marquis Chaplin. He was just on his way to class from the infirmary. He didn’t hide his surprise when he found Stella in the corridor.
“Hasn’t the geopolitics class already started?” Kenric asked.
“Well…” Stella muttered softly.
In that moment, she wished she could’ve come up with a believable excuse, but she hadn’t prepared one. With a hopeless sigh, Stella decided she might as well come clean to the ashen-haired beta man instead.
“I’m sorry to ask this,” Stella said, meeting his gaze. “Could you look the other way, just this once?”
“What do you mean?” Kenric asked.
“I have something important to attend to right now,” Stella said. “I don’t think I’ll make it to class today.”
It didn’t take Kenric long to understand what she meant. As she had expected, the man had no intention of cooperating. As the son of Marquis Chaplin, a Chief Justice of the Northland Supreme Court, law and order practically ran in his blood. Kenric firmly refused to go along with Stella’s request.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do that,” Kenric said, shaking his head. “Skipping class is a serious violation of the Academy’s rules, and I can’t encourage it without a legitimate reason.”
“Ugh…”
“If you insist on going,” Kenric said. “Then I’ll have no choice but to report you to Professor Agnes and to Professor Rosalind.”
The alpha faced a difficult decision: carry on with her original plan, or give up entirely. Stella knew her reason was personal, but it felt important enough to justify breaking the rules, just this once. A glimpse of Blake’s face was more than enough to steel her resolve.
“Unfortunately, I won’t let you stop me. This might be the only chance I’ll have to see my sister before the next time,” Stella said. “I know what I’m doing is a violation of the rules, and yes, my reason is personal. You can tell Professor Agnes the truth.”
“…” Kenric fell silent.
“I need to see Blake,” Stella muttered, soft enough for just their ears.
His eyes stayed on Stella before a pause hung in the air. Seeing persistence glinting in her blue eyes, his resolve slowly began to waver. As she waited for his answer, the alpha noticed his expression soften before letting out a defeated sigh.
“…I’ll tell Professor Agnes that you went to the infirmary, that you weren’t feeling well. That should be fine.” Kenric said. “But after that, I would suggest you actually head there to make your alibi real.”
“You’re going to help me?” Stella asked, taken aback by his sudden change of heart.
Just moments ago, Kenric had been adamant about stopping her. As curious as she was about why, this wasn’t exactly the time to ask.
“You should get going before I change my mind,” Kenric said.
“Right. Thank you,” Stella said, wearing a smile of relief. “I’m truly in your debt.”
Without looking back, Stella took off at once. She didn’t know what had changed Kenric’s mind, but she gladly took the chance. At least once, the alpha wanted to see her sister.
Stella made the final turn down the third-floor corridor and arrived at her destination. Just as she was about to confirm the room number, a faint, nostalgic voice reached her ears. Her eyes widened, lips pressed together, and she leaned in to peer through the gap in the lecture hall door.
That gentle voice was all the confirmation she needed.
A long blond-haired woman stood at the podium, dressed in a flowing midnight green gown. She delivered her lecture with quiet, effortless grace.
"The first is the false cognate: a word that looks and sounds like one in your own language but carries a different legal weight.” Blake continued. “A term that means 'guarantee' in one tongue may mean only 'assurance' in another, the difference between a binding obligation and a hopeful sentiment.”
Despite her delicate appearance, Blake’s voice carried through the entire hall with unwavering confidence. Every eye in the room was drawn to her, spellbound by her immaculate beauty and poise. That was her elder sister. Blake Albrecht. The woman Stella had admired for as long as she could remember. Stella’s gaze lingered on her before she found herself drawn back into the past.
Stella had watched Blake sacrifice so much for House Albrecht, offering unconditional support from the very beginning. She always put others first, and herself last. After Anthony and Lady Yvette were sent to the Imperial Capital Penitentiary, it had been the two of them left to shoulder the weight of the family.
But ever since Ophelia and Matteo’s deaths, Stella had been neglecting her family. Whether it was Alicia, Blake, or Linda, the Duchess spared little to no thought for their concerns. They had always voiced their worries, again and again, but Stella had stayed deaf to their pleas. She became consumed by the divine artifact, the Jeweled Egg of Abundance, and its magical powers to rewind time.
I’m sorry I left without telling anyone. Stella thought quietly.
She had no regrets about her decision to go back, but that didn’t mean the guilt wasn’t there. The truth was that she had left them behind in the dark, too afraid to face them. Seeing Blake now brought a peculiar mix of relief and guilt that refused to fade. As much as she wanted to go to her, she knew she couldn’t.
I don’t deserve to see you yet, not right now. I’m sorry. Stella let out a quiet breath.
Listening to the voices of reason whispering at the back of her mind, Stella slowly stepped away from the door. A long exhale escaped between her lips as she smiled bitterly. It was for the best. The alpha should leave without Blake ever knowing she had been here.
“At least, I got to see you,” Stella whispered. “Please, stay safe until we can meet again.”
Glancing at the overhead clock in the corridor, Stella realized it was almost time to go. The ten minutes she had spent would be worth whatever trouble came later. The alpha took Kenric’s suggestion and hurried toward the infirmary to build her alibi. Fortunately, professors rarely checked the infirmary logbook. Most students had no reason to lie or skip class.
Unfortunately, today wasn’t most days.
As Stella rounded the final corner toward the infirmary, she froze. Her eyes landed on that familiar red-haired woman speaking with the physician in the corridor. It was only a matter of seconds before they noticed the Albrecht standing there, awkward, realizing she had arrived too late.
“There you are, Lady Stella. Lord Kenric mentioned you weren’t feeling well.” Professor Agnes said. “Dr. Lavina and I were just wondering where you had gone.”
“Uh…”
Unfortunately, Stella had underestimated Professor Agnes Montclair. She taught geopolitics to first-years, and Lady Agnes had never been shy about showing her discontent with Stella, not since the very first week. In class, the alpha was always graded far more harshly than everyone else. Perhaps it was because the Albrecht alpha had stolen the spotlight from her precious niece, Dahlia.
In less than 24 hours, news had already spread throughout the class that Stella and Kenric had landed themselves in trouble with Professor Agnes. It wouldn’t surprise the alpha if Ophelia and the other upperclassmen had caught wind of it as well. The next morning, the two were summoned early to the headmistress’s office over their misconduct. Accompanied by Professor Rosalind, they walked down the hallway together in silence.
“…So, did you get to see your sister?” Kenric asked quietly, just enough for Stella alone to hear.
“Yes, I did,” Stella whispered.
“I see.” A soft smile touched Kenric’s lips. “I’m glad.”
Unfortunately, their interaction was brief. Stella missed her chance to apologize to him the moment they reached the office door. Inside, Professor Agnes and another middle-aged woman were already waiting. The blue-haired woman was the headmistress, director of the Academy, Lady Edna Dreschner.
“Now that the two of them are here,” Professor Agnes said. Her tone sharp. “I would like to address what happened yesterday.”
She briefed the headmistress on the incident: Stella had skipped her class, and Kenric had lied on her behalf, fabricating an alibi to avoid accountability. Naturally, Professor Agnes held nothing back, seizing the chance to harshly condemn the A-star student, in particular. She even went so far as to suggest the matter be made public, setting an example to remind other students that rules were not meant to be broken.
“As first-year students, what these two have done is a breach of integrity.” Professor Agnes continued.
“I understand your concerns, Professor Agnes. But public condemnation seems excessive for a matter like this, especially given it’s their first offense.” Professor Rosalind stepped in to defend her students. “A formal written apology, reflecting on their actions, should suffice.”
“Excellence in academics does not grant immunity from the rules.” Professor Agnes argued. “If anything, it places a greater responsibility on them to set an example.” Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
“I still believe we should hear their reasons before we consider any disciplinary action.” Professor Rosalind said. Her tone stayed firm and steady. “Their outstanding records until now speak for their diligence.”
“You shouldn’t be so lenient, Professor Rosalind. This is how your students learn to exploit your sympathy to escape consequences.” Professor Agnes pressed on, refusing to back down. “Being overly forgiving isn’t the proper way to discipline and correct misbehavior.”
“I must respectfully disagree. Publicly condemning them isn’t discipline. It’s humiliation,” Professor Rosalind said, calm and graceful. “I wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen to any student, Lady Stella and Lord Kenric included.”
The brunette-haired woman maintained her cordial smile and poise through the entire heated exchange. It was clear neither of them intended to back down. Whatever Lady Rosalind said, Professor Agnes insisted both students deserved punishment regardless of their reasons.
“Hmm. I believe I’ve gained a clear understanding of the situation after reviewing your report yesterday,” Headmistress said, interrupting them with a quiet smirk on her lips. “However, before we determine any punishment, we should at least hear what they have to say.”
The blue-haired woman leaned back in her seat, her attention settling on Stella. Yet the alpha saw little point in defending herself, not when her reason was far too personal. Instead, she decided to do what she could to save Kenric and take the fall alone.
“If I may, Headmistress Dreschner, I’d like to request that Kenric be spared the punishment. He did nothing wrong.” Stella said unhurriedly. “I was the one who forced him to help when he had meant to stop me. If anyone deserves to be punished, it’s me.”
The only thing left for her to do was to stand up for Kenric. Truthfully, Stella felt guilty for dragging the young man into her mess and taking the fault on her behalf. What she hadn’t expected was for Kenric to step forward himself.
“I must disagree with you, Lady Stella,” Kenric said, his tone resolute. “I share the responsibility too. I chose to help you, and I don’t regret that choice.”
Stella was at a loss for words. Kenric could easily have stayed silent, let her take the fall for him, but he hadn’t. The man insisted on carrying his own share of accountability. The headmistress nodded and listened quietly. Her expression stayed indecipherable the whole time before her gaze settled back on the alpha.
“I appreciate honesty and the desire to take accountability from you both,” The headmistress continued. “But I would still like to hear your reason.”
Though Stella tried to avoid the question, the headmistress pressed for an answer before deciding on any punishment. Realizing there was no room to deflect, the alpha let out a breath.
“My elder sister, Blake, was the lecturer for the advanced diplomacy course today,” Stella said. “It had coincided with Professor Agnes’s class.”
Unlike second-years and third-years, first-years faced stricter attendance requirements. Skipping classes wasn’t permitted. Knowing full well the consequences, Stella had chosen to skip anyway. The alpha made no attempt to justify what she had done and prepared to accept whatever punishment they saw fit.
“Sentimentality doesn’t excuse breaking the Academy’s rules. Every student here has someone they care about, and yet they still manage to follow them.” Professor Agnes wasted no time condemning the alpha harshly. “It’s disappointing that you lack the discipline to control your own impulses.”
“I never expected you to understand my reason in the first place, Professor Agnes,” Stella said. That red-haired woman’s words didn’t faze the alpha in the slightest. “If I had to choose again, I would still make the same decision.”
Without hesitation, Stella met Lady Agnes’s gaze head-on. Younger or not, she was a proud Albrecht. She had no intention of bowing her head to anyone who had shown her neither cordiality nor respect. Clearly, Stella’s attitude and words further fueled Lady Agnes’s growing discontent.
“Watch your tone, young lady.” Professor Agnes shot back. “Must I remind you how to speak cordially to your elders?”
“My apologies. Allow me to correct my language.” Stella’s voice stayed calm. “Since you seemed so eager to defame Lord Kenric and me in public, allow me to kindly remind you that I am an Albrecht, and the daughter of the late Duke.”
Unbothered by her implied threat, something shifted in Stella’s gaze. She was no longer willing to sit back quietly while the professor continued to berate her and Kenric both, consequences be damned.
“With such eagerness to condemn my name in public, should I assume you have some ulterior motive to humiliate the name of the Albrecht?” Stella’s words commanded complete silence in the room.
No one in their right mind would dare cast shame on the Albrecht name, and Stella knew precisely how to plant doubt in Professor Agnes.
“You—!” Lady Agnes started to say something, but she was then cut off.
“Okay, I believe that is enough.” With just one single clap, the headmistress interrupted and diffused the tension at once before it could escalate.
Once everyone had spoken their part, it was her turn to command the room.
“Professor Agnes, I must kindly remind you that you’ve gone a bit overboard with this. A justified punishment should suffice, especially since they’re only in their first year with an impeccable record thus far.” Headmistress Edna continued. “I believe they already understand the consequences of their actions and are willing to accept whatever punishment follows.”
“…I understand.” Lady Agnes finally took a step back. “My apologies for my earlier behavior, Headmistress Dreschner.”
“That is quite all right.” The headmistress smiled as she returned her gaze to Stella. “We, too, are capable of mistakes, just like our students here.”
The headmistress had always been curious about the alpha before her. Ever since the start of the term, she had wondered how this woman could possibly make her precious niece talk nonstop about her. Having witnessed Stella’s character today, her lips curled with fascination.
“Lady Stella Albrecht, is it?” Lady Edna’s grin widened, ear to ear. “You are truly an interesting lady. I’m intrigued.”
“…?” Stella fell silent, completely dumbfounded.
“Astrid could never stop talking about you.” The Headmistress continued. “I’ve always wondered what kind of person you were to make her speak so highly of you.”
When their eyes met, Stella couldn’t help but feel puzzled by her sudden warmth. The headmistress could spot a diamond in the rough when she saw one, and here one stood right in front of her.
“Would you two like to take the second-year diplomacy course?” The headmistress said, resting her chin on her hand.
The room fell silent as every eye widened for a moment. A few seconds later, Professor Agnes asked for clarification. It turned out that the headmistress had been considering letting first-year students take advanced courses, provided they showed enough potential. It would be a waste for talented students like Stella or Kenric to spend their time on subjects beneath their level.
“Currently, I’m looking for suitable candidates who would be up for a challenge,” The headmistress said, smiling. “It seems you two fit the bill perfectly.”
Lady Edna had offered this opportunity before, but no students had taken her up on it, fearing it might affect their performance and rank. Ophelia alone had accepted the offer, but the Academy board hadn’t approved her proposal since there weren't enough participants to prove its feasibility.
“Let’s consider it an alternative punishment.” The headmistress said. “You’ll both participate in the trial, completing the second-year’s advanced coursework with satisfactory results, all while maintaining top performance in first-year subjects.”
Judging by her calm demeanor, Stella suspected that this had been the headmistress’s plan all along. Whether Lady Dreschner intended to use their strong academic records as proof for her proposal or not, either way, it was a win-win situation for the alpha.
“So, do we have a deal?” Headmistress Edna said, smiling with quiet confidence.
This priceless offer meant Stella would finally have the chance to meet Blake, but was this truly the right decision? Truthfully, she wasn’t supposed to meet her sister this early. She wished she had some time to think it through, but the headmistress was waiting for her answer right now. As Stella stood there, still conflicted, Kenric stepped forward without hesitation.
“I gladly accept the conditions, Headmistress Dreschner,” Kenric said. His voice was firm and steady.
“Are you sure about this?” Stella asked, turning to the man. She was taken aback by how quickly he had decided, before he turned to meet her gaze.
“I know it’s risky, and it could affect our academic records, but we shouldn’t let an opportunity like this slip by.” Kenric smiled, offering Stella a gentle nudge of encouragement. “Besides, this means you’ll get to see your family more often, right?”
“…”
It was a simple reassurance coming from a young man, yet it was precisely what Stella needed to remember why she was here. Ever since travelling back, Stella seized every opportunity that came her way to change Ophelia’s and Matteo’s fate. It was her fearlessness and persistence that had completely changed her relationship with Ophelia. If Stella desired real change, she couldn’t afford to be afraid of uncertainties. In that moment, it was Kenric’s words that reignited the fearlessness in her once more.
“…You’re right.” Stella smiled, turning to face the woman before her. “I accept the offer too, Headmistress.”
Their answers drew a satisfied grin from the headmistress. She had already known from the start that neither of them would refuse her offer. Lady Edna shifted her gaze toward Professor Agnes.
“Professor Agnes, your niece is also another A-star student, isn’t she? I recall diplomacy being one of her majors too. Do you think Lady Dahlia might be interested in joining in this trial as well?” The headmistress smiled, kindly extending the offer to the professor’s own niece. “Given her caliber, I believe this could be a wonderful opportunity for her too.”
The headmistress knew exactly what she was doing, presenting an offer nearly impossible to refuse. Lady Agnes weighed the benefits for her niece before giving her answer. At the very least, Dahlia stood to gain something valuable from the headmistress’s proposal.
“I’m certain Lady Dahlia would be thrilled by this offer, Headmistress Dreschner.” Professor Agnes said. Her tone softened considerably.
“Then I believe that settles it.” Lady Edna said, clasping her hands together, assuring them everything would be finalized within the next few days.
The two students were dismissed, returning to their lectures at once. Moments after they stepped outside the office, the 30 minutes that had just passed felt like eternity. Both of them finally breathed out a long exhale after holding it in the entire time.
“Well, that was quite unexpected,” Kenric said, wearing a relaxed smile as he turned to meet Stella’s gaze. “But I’m glad things turned out this way.”
“You’re right,” Stella said. “Everything happened so fast, and I think I still need a moment to process it all.”
“Haha, same here,” Kenric said.
Walking down the corridor together, Stella finally had the chance to apologize to the young man for dragging him into her trouble. After all, Kenric had shared half her punishment when it wasn’t even his fault. The ashen-haired man shook his head, reassuring her that he didn’t mind it.
“Diplomacy is one of my majors,” Kenric said. “Whether I take the course this year or next year wouldn’t make much difference. I don’t mind a good challenge.”
Kenric came from House Chaplin, one of House Albrecht’s strongest allies. For generations, the family had been made up almost entirely of lawyers, diplomats, and judges. Marquis Raymond Chaplin, Kenric’s father, had been one of Cedric’s closest friends. The Marquis was a man of integrity whom Stella could truly rely on when she needed guidance.
“Kenric, if you don’t mind me asking,” Stella said. “What made you willing to help me so much?”
It was the only question left unanswered. At first, the beta man intended to stop her, but then suddenly had a change of heart. He had gone even further, taking responsibility for his actions with no regrets. Stella’s confusion was more than justified.
“I can understand how my actions might’ve confused you,” Kenric said, a soft smile touching his lips. “I suppose you could say I relate to how you feel.”
Kenric told her about his elder brother, 4 years older, Bernard Chaplin. The two of them had grown up inseparable, and the elder brother had always been Kenric’s role model. Currently, Bernard was going through his internship and legal training as a magistrate, stationed far from home. As the heir to the marquisate, he intended to follow in his father’s footsteps and become chief justice one day. Because of that, the elder brother rarely came home, except for special occasions or the holidays.
“If I were in your shoes, I would’ve done the same thing,” Kenric said, able to relate to the frustration flickering in Stella’s eyes. “I don’t regret my decision to help you. So please, don’t feel bad about it.”
“I see.” Stella smiled, relief touching her lips. “Thank you, again.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Kenric nodded.
On their way to class, their conversation was surprisingly pleasant and lighthearted. He was far more modest and gentler than she had expected. In just one day, they had gone from strangers to friends. Kenric and Stella had crossed paths before, multiple times, as both studied diplomacy and law together. This was the first time they had spoken.
“Kenric, would you like to sit with me and the others next time?” Stella smiled. “I have a feeling you’ll get along with Astrid and Lisette. I’ll introduce you all to each other.”
“You think so? Well then, if they don’t mind having an introvert around,” Kenric said, almost chuckling. “I’m interested in taking your offer, Stella.”
Coincidence or not, Stella intended to seize this opportunity while she could. The second ally on her list was none other than Kenric Chaplin, for many obvious reasons. As though blessed by the great spirits themselves, opportunities seemed to find her at every turn.
House Chaplin’s influence stood second only to House Albrecht, the family having upheld Northland’s laws for centuries. No political interest, no power struggle, could sway them from the path of justice. They were the only family who would dare put anyone behind bars in the name of justice, even someone who bore the Albrecht name, even the Duke himself.
Stella considered Marquis Raymond Chaplin one of the strongest allies she needed as soon as possible.
During her time as Duchess, she had worked closely with both the Marquis and Bernard. But Stella had no memory of ever meeting Kenric, nor had either of them ever mentioned his name. Then again, even if they had met before, she likely wouldn’t have remembered him. The first 6 months after becoming the Duchess had been chaos. Perhaps their paths had simply never crossed, but not this time.
“By the way, is your neck all right?” Kenric said, tapping his neck lightly. “I noticed you’ve had the gauze on since last week.”
“Huh? O-Oh—It’s just a small scratch.” Stella said, clearing her throat, and instinctively raised her hand to touch the gauze. “Don’t worry about it.”
Ever since Ophelia had marked her, the alpha had tried to hide it beneath the gauze, but it only seemed to draw more attention than she had hoped. Stella had lost count of how many people had stopped to ask her about it by now.
When is this mark going to disappear already?? Damn it, Ophelia! This is your fault! Stella thought, frustrated.