Roughly two months had passed since Stella joined the Academy.
It was peaceful. The alpha had forged new friendships and enjoyed her weekend routine with the Chevalier siblings at the horse stable field, far away from the watchful eyes of the servants. Stella noticed that Reuben would occasionally watch them from a distance, with no intention of making his presence known. Even though their interactions had always been superficial, Stella knew that the chief butler had kept their weekend activity a secret from the Marquis.
During their weekly horse-riding lessons, Ophelia had shown significant improvement through each session. The omega no longer required Stella’s constant assistance.
The alpha watched the two siblings having a quick race, trotting one lap around the Chevalier’s private pasture, before stopping in front of the horse stable. Just slightly surpassing him, the victory went to Ophelia and her chestnut stallion, of course.
“Whoa…” Matteo murmured in awe. “Ophelia, you’re so good at controlling your horse!”
The young man was amazed at how quickly his sister improved through each training session despite her having started roughly four months ago.
“Hmph, this doesn’t pose a challenge to Odin and me,” Ophelia said, smirking with confidence.
She stroked her favorite stallion before she unmounted the horse. The way Ophelia addressed her chestnut horse showed how much she had grown fond of him over the past months.
“That’s because he is one of the strongest stallions in the stable.” Stella interrupted with her arms folded. “I think we’re ready to move on to the next stage. Next week, I’ll teach both of you how to do canter.”
The chestnut stallion, Odin, was the name Ophelia gave to him.
After visiting the horse stable weekly, it was inevitable that Ophelia had grown close to one of the stallions here. Odin was one of the horses that the Chevalier family received as a gift. He had an excellent pedigree, but was also known for his strong temperament. Extremely selective, to the point of refusal. Louis, the family’s equine caretaker, had said that the stallion wouldn’t even allow Theo to ride him for longer than five minutes. This explained how flabbergasted he was when Odin allowed Ophelia to ride him for the first time. One may say that he was a horse of singular loyalty, just to Ophelia.
“Oh, I have good news for you,” Ophelia said, turning to Stella. “You’re going to join this year’s First Snow Hunt.”
It was that time of year once again. The First Snow Hunt was a traditional hunting event among Northland nobles that happened annually before the start of the winter season. It was strictly invitation-only and within the permitted hunting grounds. The family responsible for organizing this year was none other than House Chevalier.
“The date has been finalized, and it will be in three weeks from today,” Ophelia explained, and kept the details concise. “Be grateful that my father allowed you to attend as my fiancée.”
“Just how did you…” Stella’s words trailed off. She wasn’t fully convinced by the news.
This was a large traditional event where many noble families across Northland would gather, including the House Albrecht, House Valens, House Chaplin, and House Lemaire. This meant she would meet her mother and everyone in a public setting. The Marquis, whom Stella remembered, would never allow such a thing as this. And yet, the alpha wasn’t sure what she should be amazed at: the fact that the Marquis permitted her or the fact that Ophelia worked her spell and convinced him?
“I can tell from your face that you’re not convinced.” Ophelia had her gaze locked on her fiancée’s expression.
“…Obviously,” Stella replied, narrowing her gaze.
“To simplify the explanation, Father is rather pleased with the fame you brought to him,” Ophelia said with a satisfied smile. “A simple nudge is sufficient to receive his approval. I will fill you in with the details at the closing date. He has high expectations that you’ll be at your best behavior.”
Even though Stella was uncertain of her methods, they were gradually diverging from the original timeline. Sooner or later, her memories of the future may no longer serve as her advantage.
After a solid 90 minutes of their horse-riding session for the day, the caretaker escorted the horses back to their stable, and it was time for Matteo’s weekly sword training session. Ophelia approached the bench under the tree’s shade, pulling out a book from her satchel. This was a vantage spot where she could watch them comfortably.
“So, have you been doing your physical training as I asked you to?” Stella said while doing her light stretches with the young man.
“Yes, I did them every day as you told me to,” Matteo said.
He was such a studious, hardworking young man as he gazed at Stella with sparkles of admiration. They started with regular swings where she would meticulously correct his form and posture. During training, the older alpha showed no leniency towards him, just like how Lady Alicia used to instruct her.
“Your center of gravity is at your lower abdomen, not your chest.” Stella lectured sternly before tapping his abdomen with the wooden sword.
“Yes, ma’am!” Matteo responded firmly.
“Your shoulders are too tense again. Your strikes are rigid,” Stella said once again as she hit his stiff shoulders with her sword.
“Y-Yes ma’am!” Matteo said, quickly correcting himself.
Matteo had never once complained about Stella’s austere teaching, as this was his way to express gratitude and appreciation for her effort to train him. Countless sweat beads rolled down his face as he swung his sword over and over again until he reached five hundred reps. If it were he two months ago, his hands would tremble and would barely have the strength to grip the sword. Thanks to Stella’s private training, his stamina and endurance had improved significantly.
“Break time is over. We’re going to start the sparring session,” Stella said, smiling. “Try to land a single strike on me.”
The moment Stella got into her fighting stance, the young man reacted and sprang into action.
“Okay.” Matteo nodded.
Stella lowered her guard and sauntered towards him, prompting an immediate physical reaction from Matteo before fear crept up his spine. His eyes could clearly see Stella’s sword swing upward before descending towards him in a single smooth flow, but his body failed to react to it.
“—!!”
It was too late for him to parry. The young boy was forced to block her incoming strikes instead. Stella’s movements were not as fast or as powerful as those of his sword instructor, Captain Jayson. He could see her movements, but his body wasn’t able to follow and react. Matteo could only block and parry, without a chance to strike her back.
“Catch up with me,” Stella said unhurriedly. “I’m using only half of my speed.”
A strong flick of the wrist almost sent Matteo’s sword out of his hand, as though his sword had been hit by an explosion. In seconds, his attention went to his hands, gripping desperately before the weapon could’ve left his hands. It was this exact moment that opened his guard completely to her.
No strike came for him. Just a single palm rested on his abdomen.
He blinked. An explosive force punched into his stomach, almost choking him.
Matteo stumbled backward and quickly regained his balance, but Stella followed up after him at ease. This was a perfect distance for her to easily strike the man. Out of desperation, he attacked to defend himself. Even though he knew it was futile, he had nothing to lose.
“Not bad, Matteo.” Stella’s lips curled before she parried his desperate attack.
It was as if her sword was breathing life. Matteo was helpless, defending himself as the blade stopped a couple of centimeters before it could hit his head. That short moment of pause between the two marked the end of their first match.
“What was going through your mind earlier?” Stella asked with a smile before she retracted her sword to her side.
Matteo only recalled that most of the time, he was on edge the moment they started the sparring session. No matter how fast he tried to move, he noticed his body wasn’t able to catch up with Stella.
“…You’re not moving that fast,” Matteo answered. “But I couldn’t keep up with you at all.”
“That’s because you’re afraid of me,” Stella said, chuckling.
The older alpha gave her feedback to Matteo, who listened with undivided attention. Even if it was not obvious, the slightest fear lurking in one’s heart could easily hinder one’s technique and focus.
“Fear is one of the four poisons of the mind. Don’t forget the feeling you experienced earlier.” Stella smiled. “If you wish to best me in combat, you must believe wholeheartedly that you can defeat me.”
“That’s…going to be difficult,” Matteo said, chuckling wryly. “I don’t know if I could even imagine that.”
Stella reassured him that as long as he trained diligently, he would eventually overcome it. Fear, surprise, doubt, and confusion: these were the four poisons of the mind that the older alpha had learned from her mother ever since she first held a sword. No matter how strong an opponent might be, if they were afflicted by even one of these poisons, victory was certainly within reach.
“For true swordsmanship, physical conditioning is only half of it.” Stella smiled. “Without strengthening the mind as well, one cannot bring out their full potential.”
Teaching Matteo reminded Stella of her mother’s austere training. How nostalgic.
The origin of this teaching traced back to the first Count of Valens, who had passed it down through the family for centuries. Over time, it was adopted as one of the core principles of training within the Knight Order of Northland, and remained so to this day. Although it might have seemed as though Stella was sharing her family’s secret with the young Chevalier, it was merely a guideline. Whether one could truly master it was another matter entirely. Even after years of arduous training under her mother, Stella was still far from reaching Alicia’s level.
After their brief discussion, they resumed their training. The sound of wooden swords clashing grew frequent. A gentle breeze carried with it the soft blending scents of the river and pinewood. From time to time, Ophelia would lift her eyes from her book to watch her two favorite alphas train, before a faint smile rested on her lips. A peaceful moment she looked forward to every week.
Life at the Academy was peaceful and routine, with occasional duels here and there. When a group of prideful noble alphas across Northland gathered in one place, it was as they all expected: a ‘king of the hill’ game. Clashes between alphas were absolutely common, to the extent that Stella heard about them once a week, or at least once every two weeks. It was either to exert their dominance over another, or to compete over the same omega, which resulted in a duel in broad daylight with everyone as witnesses. Unfortunately, just like how it was in the old days, resorting to physical violence was the fastest and easiest way to resolve conflicts between alphas.
Conflicts among omegas? They were just as frequent, more delicate in appearance, yet venomous. A hierarchy existed among them as well, particularly between high-ranked and low-ranked nobles. Passive-aggressive tensions were common, especially when competing for an alpha’s attention. Unfortunately, Stella made herself onto the list of the most sought-after alphas by women in the Academy.
During their free time, Stella approached Lisette and asked to speak in private.
The omega couldn’t help but wonder what Stella wished to speak to her about. As a low-ranked noble herself, Lisette felt she had little to offer her friend, compared to Kenric and Astrid.
“You mentioned you’d like to discuss something with me,” Lisette said. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s good,” Stella said. “I actually have a favor to ask of you…”
Stella knew well that Lisette’s family owned the nation’s postal service, Northland Express. House Clervaux was an ordinary, low-ranked noble house, with little distinction to their name. And yet only Lisette possessed the means to fulfill one of her personal wishes that had been carried over from the past.
“I would like you to deliver this letter on my behalf,” Stella said, pulling a sealed envelope from a hidden pocket inside her jacket and handing it to Lisette. “To be precise, it’s meant for my correspondent.”
“Oh?” Lisette said, her tone carrying a hint of surprise. Just a glance at the envelope, she recognized the distinctive PO box code written on it. “Is this for the Silver Quill Exchange?”
“That’s correct.” Stella nodded firmly with a smile.
Aside from the regular postal service operated by House Clervaux, they also managed a long-standing and rather exclusive program for young aristocrats: the Silver Quill Exchange. One may call it a lighthearted pastime among young, curious nobles. It offered a great chance to expand one’s social circle, build friendships, and perhaps scout for potential suitors. Over the years, it was responsible for many successful matches, which accounted for its popularity even to the present day.
Anyone could partake in the Exchange as early as the age of 15 and remain a participant until reaching 23. The process was simple: fill out an application to receive a PO box code, and registration was complete. From then on, members could send letters to anyone listed in the registry using nothing but the assigned code. The service took great pride in safeguarding its members’ identities, ensuring strict confidentiality. Participants could choose to remain anonymous or reveal themselves from the beginning. It was entirely their choice.
“I see, that explains why you came to me,” Lisette smiled as she accepted the letter from Stella. “Still, I’m surprised you’re part of the Exchange. You don’t seem like the type who’d be interested in something like that.”
“I joined some time ago when I was 15,” Stella said, chuckling softly. “Back then, it was mostly out of curiosity and the hope of making some new friends.”
Stella reminisced about her past, her younger self. She was just an innocent, naïve teenager when she first wrote to her correspondent. For the past five years, they had exchanged letters without ever learning the other’s true identity. It was something they both preferred. The anonymity made their friendship feel genuine. Though only a few months had passed since she last sent a letter, to the alpha, it had been almost 3 years since she had written to her friend.
-///-
The day Stella ascended as Duchess, she was immediately overwhelmed by responsibilities demanding her full attention. Insurmountable damage was left behind by Anthony and the Dowager Duchess, and it was estimated that Northland would need at least a year to recover its former glory. It was her duty as an Albrecht. Lack of experience and maturity wasn’t an excuse. With Northland weakened over the past three years, Stella forced herself to grow into this oversized mantle her father had left behind.
Despite the support she received through her father’s existing loyal allies, the Duchess couldn’t recall how many sleepless nights she and Blake had been having for the first three months before things were finally set in place. Just as she began to believe the worst had passed, the tragedy of the Chevalier siblings struck, leaving a permanent scar of guilt in her heart.
Ophelia’s interventions played a major role in saving Northland and Stella. Regretfully, in the end, she was repaid with an unjust death.
Truth be told, Stella had read through Ophelia’s entire diary. Between the scribbled pages, the Duchess discovered many secrets and carefully laid plans hidden behind the omega’s heartless façade. The more she learned, the deeper the guilt in her heart grew, but she believed this was the least she could do to honor Ophelia’s role in saving Northland.
If there were one person who would remember Ophelia’s sacrifice, at least let it be her.
Stella’s family and Linda knew well that the Duchess possessed a soft, sympathetic heart, much like the former duke. That was why she blamed herself for the siblings’ deaths. Though her wedding to her soulmate had been indefinitely postponed, it did little to weaken the devotion.
If anything, it seemed to deepen it.
Her steady presence and contribution significantly lessened the Duchess’s burdens. Even so, Stella buried herself in her duties, working like a madwoman, as though to distract herself from the lingering guilt. Instead, this only further deteriorated her physical and mental state.
“You need a break, Your Grace,” Blake said, spotting the dark circles beneath Stella’s eyes from across the room. “You’ve been working since dawn.”
“Not now,” Stella replied without looking up at her secretary. “I’m in the middle of reviewing this urgent report.”
Blake let out a heavy sigh before striding over to her desk, snatching the paper out of her hand, and holding it just out of reach. Before her eyes, the Duchess looked like a wilting flower, drained of life and pushing herself recklessly toward collapse. She lost count of how many times she had told Stella to rest, but her younger sister was too stubborn to listen.
“Blake, what are you—” Stella shot back, but was then interrupted when Blake raised a hand to stop her.
Quite unfitting for the secretary to hush the Duchess, but just today, Blake was willing to resort to mild force.
“Not another word. I can handle the rest,” Blake said, narrowing her eyes as she ordered Stella to step outside and rest. “We can’t have Her Grace fall ill so soon after taking her position.”
“There’s no time for that, I have to—” Stella stubbornly started again, only to be cut off once more.
“No means no,” Blake replied firmly, unwilling to back down. “You’re listening to me today, Stella.”
The Duchess fell silent. She was stunned by her sister’s rare display of boldness. Blake exhaled softly and took this opportunity to rest a gentle hand on Stella’s head. Aside from her official duties as the secretary, it was also her responsibility to ensure that her little sister did not push herself to the brink of collapse.
“Please rest for today. Do it for my sake, okay?” Blake murmured, her tone softened with gentle concern. “I’ve asked Linda to help with today’s workload. Go outside and get some fresh air.”
“…Fine.” Stella’s stubbornness finally gave way.
And just like that, the Duchess was escorted out of the office along with her two furry companions. Ever since Ophelia and Matteo’s funeral concluded, Nyx and Lux had been following every step she took. Perhaps they sensed their master’s grief; they never left her side, not even for a moment.
With free time in her hands, Stella felt lost.
What was she supposed to do? For years, she couldn’t remember the last time she enjoyed leisure time. She started with her room, recalling what she used to do for pastime. Training and hunting with her mother? Reading books? Sauntering in the city square? Exploring the hidden gems of the city?
These things used to bring great joy to her spirit, but not anymore. They felt more like a waste of time. She had far more important matters to attend to, to serve and help her people, as the Duchess—until Blake ushered her out.
“I guess…I can start by clearing my messy room.” Stella murmured, sweeping her eyes across her room.
Documents were scattered everywhere, on the table, floor, and couch. She draped her coat over the bed and sorted all those papers by category while the two leopards ran around the room in the background. She picked up the next document and stared at the sketched image of a divine relic that had recently been in her possession. The Divine Egg of Abundance, once owned by the Chevalier family, was currently in her possession. Ever since that day she held it at the shrine, Stella had been relentlessly investigating its origins and powers. Despite going through the records in the secret library, they contained only brief information. As if her ancestors deliberately left it out.
“The Egg of Abundance…” Stella murmured. “Does it truly have the power to turn back time?”
The only clue she managed to find was regarding its power to travel back in time and change the course of history, with an equivalent exchange in return. Of course, nothing is free in this world. However, doesn’t it sound too fictional to believe? Perhaps it was more convincing to children, not adults.
Then a sudden loud thud from behind snapped her from reverie.
Stella was jolted by the sudden noise before she turned to the two naughty leopards. “What are you two doing?”
Purr—Purr—
Something must’ve caught their attention and accidentally knocked most of the books and boxes off the shelf. They were stunned by the loud thud and jumped over to their master’s side at once. Guilt was scribbled all over their round, furry faces.
“Don’t worry, I’m not mad…” Stella whispered, scratching the back of their fluffy ears. “The room is too small for you two to play here.”
Purr—
She collected the spilled contents from the boxes. They were letters. They were old yet well preserved. Stella didn’t recall seeing them at first glance until she turned one of the envelopes over. She froze before memories of her carefree late adolescence flooded back.
As a teen free from responsibilities, she remembered she had once been sending letters for years with a friend through the Exchange, leading up to her father’s passing. It was a friend whose name she had never learned.
“…”
One could say Stella joined the Exchange out of curiosity to interact with peers her age. She had talked to several individuals, but there was only one with whom she stayed connected. Years of exchange turned into a profound friendship between them. Their exchange was unfiltered, straightforward, and invigorating. She gathered the scattered letters with great care and sorted them across the table. Going through each envelope one by one, nostalgic memories of their exchanges resurfaced, and a tint of spark slowly returned to her deadened blue eyes.
“…Flora,” Stella whispered her name.
Her pen name, to be precise. They knew each other by the nicknames they had given one another, never once revealing their true identities. What’s the reason? It was all part of a small game between them. The determined alpha once vowed to find Flora before she turned 23.
Unfortunately, that never happened. Everything fell into chaos right after her father’s passing.
She became a prisoner in Chevalier’s estate, enduring years of abuse and humiliation, before she was freed from them. Stella picked up the last letter from Flora, dated 3 years ago. She thought to herself quietly: would it be too late to try again? Would ‘Flora’ still be waiting for Stella to find her? Part of the Duchess felt it was futile to reach out, but the other part of her still wanted to try.
She had nothing to lose.
Now that she was forced to take a day off, she might as well step outside the estate. Stella changed into a new outfit before she called her four-legged companions over.
“I guess we’re going out to the city today,” Stella said, signaling the two leopards to follow.
Purr—Purr—
Her leopards were visibly excited for an adventure. Stella’s visit to the city was unofficial, and she had her eyes set on the postal office located near the city square. Even if she wasn’t accompanied by guards, people could still recognize the Duchess from afar. She had taken a different entrance exclusive to high-ranked nobles for some privacy.
Despite spending two years at the Academy, Stella made no friends. She was neither in the mood nor did she feel the need to socialize like the others. It served no purpose in her survival, and her heart was closed to everyone except Linda. Hence, Flora could be considered the only real friend Stella ever made growing up, which was why she now found herself standing before the postal office.
The soft peal of the bell reverberated through the establishment as Stella entered. Employees turned to their next customer with a rehearsed smile, only for those expressions to falter in an instant. No one expected the Duchess of Northland herself to walk through their doors.
“Your Grace—!” one of the senior employees stammered, hastily bowing. “To what do we owe the honor of your visit today?”
“Might I inquire whether Baron Clervaux is present today?” Stella said. “If so, could you inform him that I wish to speak with him privately?”
“He is indeed present, Your Grace.” The man lowered his head. “I shall notify him at once of your arrival.”
Without delay, he escorted her to one of the private waiting salons. In just a few minutes of waiting, Baron Clervaux rushed to greet the Duchess.
“It is an honor to receive you, Your Grace,” the old man said, taking the vacant seat opposite her. “How may I be of service today?”
“I have come to inquire about the Silver Quill Exchange,” Stella said, withdrawing a letter from her concealed pocket. Her only clue tied to Flora was the PO box code written on the envelope. “This is more of a request. I would value any guidance you could offer.”
Stella kept her explanation concise and clear. She was looking for a friend who used to be part of the Exchange. Upon hearing the Duchess’s request, the elder man appeared uneasy as he reluctantly delivered the bad news to her.
“My apologies to inform Your Grace that there is little I am permitted to do,” the man replied. “Our service holds confidentiality in the highest regard. However, should Your Grace’s acquaintance have reached the age limit, that individual would no longer remain within the Registry…”
Baron Clervaux explained that the records of previously registered members were scheduled to be destroyed one month after they reached the age limit. This meant that none of the employees, including himself, would know the identities of those involved. Confidentiality and privacy were taken to the highest degree.
“I sincerely apologize for being unable to help you, Your Grace.” The Baron apologized once again.
“I understand,” Stella replied, unsurprised by his answer. “Thank you for taking the time to hear my request, Baron Clervaux.”
In truth, Stella had expected no different. If she remembered correctly, her correspondent would have turned 23 last year. She knew she was pushing her luck, but at the very least, she tried. Just as the Duchess was about to depart, a woman approached her, carrying with her the faint fragrance of chamomile.
“Your Grace,” a blonde-haired omega said, dipping into a graceful bow. The elegance of her manner alone spoke of her noble lineage. “Might you spare me a moment of your time? There is something I must deliver to you.”
The woman cradled a wooden box in her hand before she informed Stella that it was left for the Duchess. At first glance, Stella noticed its exquisite details, carving, and quality. It certainly belonged to a noble. When Stella asked who sent it, the woman shook her head. No information about the sender was provided—only the recipient’s name.
“We were instructed to place this in Your Grace’s hands in person, should you one day honor us with your presence,” she said with a professional demeanor. “We were only told that, once you received it, you would know what it is.”
Her curiosity was aroused. As she took a proper look at the box again, surprise was clearly visible on her face. After a short moment of silence, she reached out to take that box from the woman.
“…When was the last time this was delivered here?”
“It was about two months ago, Your Grace.” She replied promptly.
“I see, thank you.” Stella turned to thank her and noticed she looked somewhat familiar. As if she had seen her somewhere, but couldn’t exactly recall when and where. “Forgive me if I came out disrespectful, but I cannot help feeling that we have met before. Have we?”
Written on her face, she was surprised before she wore a smile on her face.
When she told her that they had once studied in the same class, Stella felt a pang of guilt for not recognizing her earlier. The omega didn’t seem offended at all. If anything, she was surprised that the Duchess even remembered her at all.
“Then would you share your name once more?” Stella asked gently. “I give you my word that I won’t forget it.”
“Hehe, of course.” She beamed softly, lowering her head in a graceful bow. “I am Lisette, the daughter of Baron Clervaux. The pleasure is entirely mine.”
Stella remembered this moment vividly. It was technically the first time they had ever spoken to each other.
Wasting no time, her next destination was to return to the Albrecht estate. Instead of entering the manor, Stella sauntered into the spacious garden where her furry companions could run freely. Finding a cozy spot under the shade of a tree, she sat with legs crossed comfortably. Stella’s fingers ran across the smooth surface of the box before tracing each letter engraved on the lid.
One would understand it to be the owner’s name at first glance, but it wasn’t. It was the recipient’s name.
‘ PINECONE ’
Besides herself, no one understood the significance of that name. That was the name Flora had given her during their letter exchanges. The moment she saw it, she knew this box belonged to her dear anonymous friend. Stella gave it a gentle shake and heard what sounded like a stack of papers inside. Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Stella unlocked the box. Inside was a large collection of letters, all preserved in pristine condition, clear proof of how their owner cherished them.
“These are…”
She turned them over and realized they were all the letters she had written to Flora, neatly stacked in chronological order. The letter at the top was dated 8 years ago—the first letter she ever sent to her. Stella frowned. Why would she return all these letters to her? She went through them, one by one, the dates as they led up to the time of her father’s death. Their last exchange ended abruptly, without any words of parting. However, there was one more letter, different from the rest, an untouched envelope dated two months ago.
It was a letter she had never received—Flora’s final letter.
She carefully peeled back the seal, cradled the letter between her hands with care, and began to read in silence.
[This is a final letter from me to you. If you are reading this, it means I won the bet.
First and foremost, congratulations on your ascension, Your Grace.]
“…”
Stella wasn’t surprised. Through their exchanges, she had long known her friend to be exceptionally intelligent. It was only a matter of time before she uncovered her true identity.
[I know you must be busy undoing many things that happened over the past three years, and I’m glad that you’re the one to inherit the ducal title. I know you will lead our nation and people on the right path. Northland is truly fortunate to have an idiot like you as the duchess.]
“She never changed a bit…” She whispered, wearing a faint smile. “What’s with that backhanded compliment?”
Exactly as Stella remembered, her friend’s candor shone through every word she wrote. Even after she uncovered the duchess’s identity, nothing changed. Stella’s glistening blue eyes trailed past each word, slowly across each line, written with clear intention.
The chilling breeze of autumn combed through her jet-black hair. Even with the noisy, jumping leopards, it didn’t break her focus until she reached the end of the letter.
“…” A sigh escaped Stella’s lips before her cheeks began to ache.
No words were said. Stella didn’t know what words to describe how she felt. Then again, she didn’t need to. When was the last time that a smile had appeared on her face? Her cheek muscles were aching after those muscles had gone unused for quite some time. The two furry companions padded over out of curiosity before lying down beside her. Perhaps they sensed that their master’s mood had begun to lighten.
“Honesty,” Stella grinned, folding the letter and tucking it into the envelope. “After all these years of friendship, the least you can do is tell me who you are!!”
Her composure crumbled before the grumpy alpha threw herself down onto the grassy ground. The leopards jolted in surprise, confused by their master’s sudden reaction, before quickly snuggling up to her. Stella mumbled under her breath before falling into silence once more. Still visibly pouting, she felt as though a heavy weight had lifted from her shoulders. Even though it was faint, a spark had returned to her once-deadened blue eyes.
-///-
Now that she had the chance to do many things she had once failed to do, Stella might as well take this opportunity to track down Flora. There was no harm in searching for her while proceeding with her main quest. On top of that, she was still mad that her friend refused to reveal who she was before ending things with her entirely. Of course, the alpha had no intention of letting things go the way Flora wanted again.
Her first step to find her was to reach out to her again.
Unfortunately, Stella had limited options. Her every action was closely monitored by the servants and the Marquis, making it nearly impossible to send a letter without being caught. The other option was to seek Ophelia’s assistance, which wasn’t the brightest idea either. The pink-haired omega still harbored doubts about her sincerity, and Stella wouldn’t want to worsen the situation. That left her with only one option: the woman standing before her, the daughter of Baron Clervaux.
“I can send the letter on your behalf,” Lisette said with a smile. “Would you also like me to receive the reply on your behalf and deliver it to you?”
“Did you just read my mind?” Stella beamed with relief. “That’s exactly what I wanted to ask of you, since I no longer reside at the Albrecht estate.”
As expected of the daughter of the Baron, she spoke with professionalism and promptly offered her services before Stella could even ask. As they spoke, one thing the alpha genuinely appreciated was that Lisette didn’t pry into her living circumstances. If it were others, they would’ve pressed for answers without hesitation. Lisette knew not to ask questions if Stella wasn’t ready to share.
“Also, I hope you can keep this a secret between us?” Stella sighed with relief. “Although it is quite a trivial matter, I would rather others not learn about my business…”
“I think you mean that you don’t want Lady Ophelia to learn about this,” Lisette said, chuckling playfully.
This prompted an immediate reaction from the nervous alpha. Lisette wasn’t entirely wrong, but it wasn’t quite as she was implying either.
“It’s not what you’re thinking,” Stella said, then sighed. “Gosh, you’re making it sound like I’m doing something shady behind her back…”
“I’m only teasing you!” Lisette chuckled, tucking the letter into her coat’s hidden pocket. “You don’t need to worry about your secret. House Clervaux takes pride in upholding our client’s privacy.”
Once their discussion was over, the two walked back to rejoin their friends. A high-ranked alpha and a low-ranked omega, walking shoulder to shoulder, quickly drew people’s attention. Even though platonic friendship between alphas and omegas was common, that didn’t stop people from making assumptions. Stella soon heard ripples of whispers and the glances directed their way. It was obvious they had much to say about Lisette.
Nobles love a good story to gossip over tea. All it took was just one person to start it, and soon it would be on everyone’s lips. With Lisette being the only low-ranked noble among companions, it was hardly surprising that many assumed the omega had simply leveraged her friendship to ascend the social ladder. Some ladies didn’t try to lower their voices, gossiping in plain sight.
“Is that the omega you mentioned before?” one lady murmured to her friend. “Goodness, she reeks of desperation.”
“Indeed,” the other replied. “She certainly has no shame in setting her sights on an alpha like Lady Stella…”
Stella sighed, lowering her gaze before shooting them a sharp glare. A faint trace of her domineering pheromones was enough to silence them, a clear reminder of their place as they hastily walked away.
“Don’t let those rumors get to you,” Stella said, cheering up her friend. “They’re just jealous that we’re friends.”
“Don’t worry!” She said with a smile. “I knew this would happen sooner or later…”
Nevertheless, Stella remained visibly concerned. The alpha was well aware of the rumors circulating about Lisette over the past week. Jealous ladies had plenty to say. They called her a sycophant, fame chaser, and social climber, and every other name they could think of. The best they could do was to remain indifferent and refuse to give the gossip any attention. The more they showed a reaction, the more it would only fan the flames further. Stella reassured Lisette that people would eventually grow bored and move on to something else to gossip about.
“It takes time before they latch onto a new trend to gossip about,” Stella said, crossing her arms. “The rumors will fade before we even realize it.”
“You’re right,” Lisette nodded. “I hope that would be the case too.”
That was all Lisette could hope for. For a brief moment, she sighed quietly, unease flickering in her eyes, but unnoticed by Stella. As if nothing had happened, the rest of the day continued according to schedule, nothing out of the ordinary.
Down the vacant hallway, afternoon light pierced through the windows as a tall figure strode down the corridor with effortless grace. Trails of faint lavender followed her closely. When Ophelia stood right before the two large doors, Reuben greeted her with a bow. He informed the Marquis of her arrival before letting her through. Once inside, her green eyes settled on her father, seated at his usual study table. From the corner of her eye, the Marchioness was leisurely enjoying her cup of tea. It was just her that was summoned.
“Good afternoon, Father, Mother,” Ophelia said, lowering into a flawless bow. “Is there something you wish to discuss with me?”
“Yes, about what we discussed previously,” the Marquis said, going straight to the point. “I’m certain you remember requesting to bring your pet to this year’s First Snow Hunt.”
“Yes, Father,” Ophelia said, maintaining her poise.
Even if the Marquis approved her request, he still had doubts about exposing the young Albrecht to the public. Former duke’s allies would be there at the event, including House Valens and House Lemaire. His plan must have no mistakes. He was so close to reaching his goal, and no one shall get in his way, not even his own kin.
“You’ve shown great promise and possess an intelligence beyond what your siblings are capable of. That is why I’m more willing to consider your judgment.” The Marquis said, wearing an unreadable expression. “Do I have your word that the Albrecht mutt is truly under your control?”
“Yes. I’ve successfully groomed her into being my loyal dog,” Ophelia replied with quiet confidence, meeting his gaze without hesitation. “Small acts of kindness over the past months were all it took. People grow terribly attached to the hand that feeds and gently pats them.”
A faint curve touched her lips. Thankfully, her composure was enough to convince the Marquis and Marchioness of her capabilities.
“It is as I said, dear. You should trust how capable Ophelia is,” the Marchioness said, taking a sip of her tea. “If it weren’t for her suggestions, which you were initially adamantly against, our plans would never have proceeded this smoothly. Don’t you think?”
“…Very well.” Marquis leaned back against the backrest of his chair. His eyes were devoid of warmth. “I expect to see the fruits of your efforts on the day of the hunt. You’re aware of what will happen if you fail to meet my expectations, understood?”
“Of course,” Ophelia said with a smile. “I’m certain you won’t be disappointed, Father.”
“You may leave.” The Marquis coldly dismissed his daughter and watched her leave his study.
Only the two of them remained. Marchioness Chevalier smiled, hinting at the pride and joy she felt for her own daughter. Out of all the Marquis’s children, Ophelia had proven time and again that she was the most intelligent, mature, and reliable of them all.
“…It is such a shame she was born an omega,” The Marchioness broke the silence as she leaned back into the couch. “I wish Theo could learn a thing or two from her.”
“Speaking of that son, are there any updates from him?” The Marquis asked.
“It seems His Grace has been busy attending social events and holding business meetings with foreign merchants,” The Marchioness said. “Theo has been accompanying the duke quite frequently and has done a good job getting His Grace to warm up to him.”
From the report, it seemed Anthony and Theo were growing close to each other. It was just as the Marquis had intended. As long as the Chevalier continued to display loyalty to his rule and ascension, Anthony would lower his guard at the right moment, just like the former Duke once did.
“Tell him to keep it up. Be his only friend that he can turn to.” The Marquis said, glancing over to the class photo on the bookshelf. “It will be much easier to eliminate him when His Grace has served his purpose.”
His green eyes darkened with animosity and satisfaction, fixed on the beaming man standing beside his young self in the photograph. Loved by all his peers, that cheerful man was Cedric Albrecht. They had once been classmates at the academy. Everyone knew how close they had been for years. Their families had shared centuries of friendship and allegiance, which was precisely why no one would suspect a thing…that it was Marquis Hugh himself who planned his assassination.
Marquis couldn’t elaborate on how satisfied he was when he had gotten rid of Cedric himself. And yet that detestable black hair still seemed to haunt the Marquis. Whenever he looked at Stella, the progeny of his old friend, he could not help but notice how much she had grown to resemble Cedric. Marquis Hugh reminded himself to be patient. In just a few years, everything the Albrecht family possessed would belong to him and the Chevaliers.
“…I’m glad you passed that naivety to your children, Cedric.” Marquis smiled sinisterly, speaking directly to the photograph. “They’ll make wonderful pawns for the Chevalier when we take the ducal throne.”