The duel was over.
No one questioned her power as the woody fragrance still hung over the field. There was something about Stella’s quiet strength that made the alphas around her instinctively yield. The omegas were no different. If anything, their reaction was even stronger. Not a single pair of eyes could look away from her. They may not realize it, but their instincts told them that they were standing before the true alpha.
Stella held her sword in her left hand as she walked over to Ophelia. Believing everything was over, she was cut off by a sharp, piercing scent of leather that cut through the air, sending a warning through her muscles.
“You bastard—!” Luke roared, echoing through the field. “I’m going to kill you…!”
He seized the nearest sword and charged right at Stella, who had her back turned. There was no time for anyone to intervene. The upperclassmen nearby froze in surprise. The audience gasped, some already on their feet, frantic voices rising to warn Stella as he was closing the distance.
“Stella—!” Ophelia's voice cut through the noise, clear and unmistakable.
The female alpha turned her head just in time, sensing his incoming presence. In a single fluid motion, her sword met with his, but Luke’s brute force managed to push her sword back. In just a fraction of a second, she was caught by surprise. With her innate fighting instinct, she redirected the blow before it could reach her.
“…”
Stella took a few steps back, the tingling sensation spreading through her palms as her gaze locked on Luke, who had lost control to his animalistic instinct. His mind and body were solely driven by raw, primal impulse.
“The duel is over,” Stella said. Her voice remained steady. “What you're doing now is simply uncivil of a noble.”
“Who said it's over?!” Luke shot back before lunging at her. “I never yielded—!!”
The upperclassmen shouted for him to stop, but it was futile. His pheromones flooded the air, dense and suffocating, hitting the nearby omegas like a wall. They pressed their hands over their noses, knees weakened by the sudden, overwhelming pressure of his scent. Ophelia, who was much closer to the field than most, showed no signs of faltering, only pressing her lips tight.
“I'll make you pay for this—!” Luke continued to shout at the top of his lungs. “How dare you humiliate me!?”
Perhaps it was the disgrace, his ego being trampled in front of everyone, that rage had taken over him completely. Fueled by adrenaline coursing through his veins, he was much faster and stronger. A relentless barrage of hacks and cleaves forced Stella back with every strike. Each collision cracked like a thunderclap, each impact reverberating through their bones and muscles. Stella realized she needed to end this soon.
“Luke! That’s enough!” One of the upperclassmen stepped forward, but it was pointless. The man was deaf to all noises. “This idiot—!”
“I can handle him just fine.” Stella’s voice cut in while her eyes didn’t leave Luke. “Stand back, or else you’ll get hurt.”
“Stop running away, you coward!!” Luke shouted. “Fight me!!”
Deaf to everything, Luke lunged again, fueled with madness. Nothing would quell his rage until he drew blood. The audience watched with bated breath, eyes fixed on the two alphas clashing before them, but what stood out the most was how calm Stella was. She met every strike with precision and control, deflecting every brutal arc effortlessly. The sharp fragrance of pinewood split through the chaos, slowly and steadily claiming its territory in the air once again.
“…Well then,” Stella murmured to herself. “This is going to hurt.”
The moment his arms rose, Stella’s sword flicked out, striking his hand with precision. The sharp burst of pain exploded through his fingers, causing Luke to grunt in pain and loosen his grip.
Wide open. Stella drew her fist back and snapped it straight into his face.
In that silence, Stella was pretty certain she heard something crack—his nose, most likely. She watched Luke fall back, blood oozing down his nostrils, and thankfully, that ended his rampage.
“U-Ugh…!” Luke groaned, his senses gradually returning to him. “That bloody hurts—!!”
“That was inevitable.” Stella muttered. “You brought this on yourself.”
Stella shook her hand, shaking the ache away. She may have punched harder than necessary out of spite, but she didn't regret it in the slightest. Looking down at him, she found something had shifted in his eyes. The arrogance from earlier was gone as it was replaced by confusion and fear.
“Touch my friends again, or go anywhere near Ophelia,” Stella said, looking down at the man. “And I'll make sure you pay far worse than today.”
Carried by the early winter breeze, Stella’s pheromones diffused across the field. Its gentleness made it easy to mistake for weakness, until one realized they had already been completely swallowed by it. It carried no aggression. It didn’t need to. There was a quiet, unforced confidence to it that made every instinct go still. One that made every instinct quietly agree that this was the scent of someone born to lead the pack.
“A-Ahh…” Luke was at a loss for words. Something deep inside his chest was shivering.
It was a stark contrast to what Luke had unleashed, where his scent had been raw and suffocating. Stella’s was the quiet fragrance of pinewood. He couldn’t help wondering how someone as young as she was could carry such an overwhelming presence far beyond her years.
Shortly after, a group of upperclassmen stepped in to help Luke off the field, pressing a cloth to his nose to stop the bleeding as they went.
One problem resolved, and Stella turned her attention to the next. The stage couldn't have been more perfect. The audience was already gathered, already watching her. If she was ever going to say something, it was now.
“Now that I have everyone’s attention,” Stella said, sweeping her gaze across the audience. “I’d like to use this opportunity to also expose the person responsible for falsely accusing my friend.”
Every eye was on her, exactly as she needed. Stella hadn't planned for today to unfold this way, but a stage this perfect was not something to waste. In contrast to her youthful appearance, her voice carried gravity as she addressed everyone who had played a part in spreading or twisting the rumors. Whether they had started or repeated them.
“To be clear, who I choose to befriend is my business alone,” Stella said. “What made any of you think otherwise?"
The crowd fell into an uneasy silence. Many dared not meet her eyes or speak. It was telling that they knew what they had done wrong. Stella had never measured people by rank or status. What she valued was whether a person was being honest. All she asked of anyone was sincerity.
“I’m aware that jealousy, envy, and dislikes are inevitable.” Stella continued, commanding the area. “What I cannot accept is using Lisette as a means to an end, with the sole intention of getting to me.”
Whispers rippled through the crowd, stirring uncertainty and doubt through every murmur. Then Stella reached into her pocket to reveal a folded piece of paper, holding it between her fingers. All eyes gravitated towards it instantly, and she had a brief moment to think to herself quietly. How fortunate that Ophelia gave this to her just last night.
"Whoever is behind this is certainly not familiar with Northland's Commercial Law,” Stella said, the corner of her lips lifting. “Tracking down who purchased the scent enhancer to frame Lisette was not particularly difficult."
After a brief explanation of the latest Commercial Law, gasps and chatter grew louder. Stella knew how to wield her words, deliberate and measured, and the crowd was swaying before they ever realized it. Though, of course, not everyone was fully convinced. A handful of skeptical eyes could be seen before one of them dared to speak. How had Stella obtained this? And how much of it could actually be trusted?
“How could you be certain what you said and what you’re holding is true, Lady Stella?”
A single voice cut through the noise. It was the same beta classmate Stella had once confronted in the hallway. She wasn’t easily convinced, like her peers. The brunette woman didn’t hesitate to question how Stella obtained the information and its credibility. Before doubts could resurface, another sharp voice interjected before Stella could part her lips.
“That’s bold of you, accusing an Albrecht of lying.”
Ophelia’s voice alone was enough to interrupt everyone’s train of thought. Firm and resolute, drawing every eye towards the omega, making her way to Stella’s side. Her smile radiated confidence, offering no room for doubt.
“I can attest that her evidence is authentic, since I secured it myself,” Ophelia said with poise, crossing her arms. “Petty envy holds no interest for me, but when fabricated scandals indirectly contribute to physical assault on academy grounds against another fellow omega, that is not something I'm willing to overlook.”
The scandals and the assault were two separate matters, but a few could deny that one had indirectly opened the door for the other. As expected of a Chevalier, her presence alone was enough to shift the tide. Ophelia carried herself with effortless grace, every word said deliberately. One may say: truly befitting of an Albrecht’s fiancée. The woman understood the art of timing and waited patiently for the exact moment for her voice to carry the most impact.
“It amazed me how quickly people construct a narrative, painting Lady Lisette as a third wheel in a relationship that was never in question to begin with.” A soft chuckle escaped Ophelia’s lips as she leaned her head against Stella's shoulder, displaying their intimacy. “You all have the nerve to share unsolicited opinions about something that is none of your concern. I know my Stella. Her loyalty belongs to me.”
Her action alone spoke louder than any words, a quiet declaration of how secure their relationship was. Furthermore, no one even questioned her words. It was an undeniably impeccable performance. Even Stella hadn’t seen it coming. Ophelia had offered to help the night before, but the alpha didn’t anticipate it. Certainly, not to this extent. Besides, Stella hadn't come unprepared. She knew that the evidence in her hand only proved that Lisette wasn’t the buyer, but not enough to clear her name.
“In case some are not fully convinced, Stella said. “There is a witness who saw the culprit plant the vial in Lisette's satchel.”
Moments after she ended her sentence, an elegant figure emerged from the crowd, stepping into the spotlight with her head held high. Her light brunette hair caught the sunlight before every eye in the audience recognized her instantly: Lady Elaine of Schwarzenberg.
-///-
“My sincerest apologies, Lady Stella,” Elaine said, lowering her head, carrying an expression of genuine remorse. “Had I come to you sooner, Lady Lisette's name would never have been tarnished this badly.”
This happened roughly an hour before the assault. Kenric requested a private meeting, and he brought Lady Elaine along. This was when all the pieces fell into place. It turned out Elaine had once encountered a certain individual lingering near Lisette’s belongings.
…
It had happened a few days prior, and the details were still vivid in Elaine’s memory.
Professor Rosalind had asked her to retrieve some important documents she had left behind in the lecture room, which was the same room where first-year students left their belongings unattended. As she was about to enter, something from the corner of her eye stopped her. She slid the door and noticed a young lady standing alone in the room.
“Excuse me, you’re not supposed to be here,” Elaine said. “All students are expected to be present at the auditorium right now.”
When Elaine stepped inside, the woman was startled. At that same moment, she also noticed that she quickly tucked something behind her back. The way she moved didn’t sit right with her.
“I-I’m sorry!” The woman said. “I just forgot something. I’ll be quick.”
She lowered her head, as if trying to hide her face. At first, Elaine thought little of it. She collected the documents and turned to leave, but something caught the corner of her eye in that brief moment. A faint glint of glass half-concealed in the lady’s hand. Something about it felt off. But since Elaine was in a rush, the thought slipped away as quickly as it had come until today.
…
When more news of the scandal reached her, her suspicions resurfaced, and she put two and two together. Elaine reached out to Kenric to arrange a meeting with Stella in hopes of sharing what she had seen that day. As for the culprit, even with her attempts to hide her identity, Elaine recognized her. When Stella and Kenric learned who was behind framing Lisette, it didn’t surprise the alpha at all. She already had a hunch who it might be.
“Lady Elaine, when the time comes, would you be comfortable sharing your testimony in front of everyone?” Stella asked. “My words alone wouldn't be enough to convince them. Kenric and I are too close to Lisette for that.”
“Of course! I’m more than willing to help.” Elaine smiled with certainty. “If I’m afraid to stand for what is right, then I’m not worthy to bear my fiancé’s name.”
Stella knew who Elaine was. They had crossed paths several times in her previous life. As the Duchess, she had been a frequent visitor to the Chaplin estate, working closely alongside Marquis Raymond and Lord Bernard. It was through them that she had come to meet the brunette woman who always stayed by Bernard’s side. The softness that could be seen in those eyes was exactly as Stella remembered.
In this life, Elaine was not yet his wife. She was engaged to Lord Bernard, the heir to the marquisate. The corner of Stella’s lips lifted, seeing how she had not changed at all. She didn’t forget to thank her for coming forward, to which Elaine responded with a light shake of her head.
“I should be the one thanking you,” Elaine said. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
Her words carried genuine warmth and gratitude. She made no effort to hide how deeply moved she was by Stella’s and Kenric’s dedication to restoring Lisette’s honor.
“Thank you for fighting for Lady Lisette’s honor. As an omega myself, I'm deeply moved by what you’ve done.” Elaine said, meeting Stella's gaze. “So please, allow me to help you.”
-///-
Before the crowd, Elaine delivered her account with grace, exactly how she had shared with Stella and Kenric the day before. As the alpha gazed over the crowd, she realized that this was enough. The skepticism dissolved almost immediately, before credible evidence and witnesses. A new question began to ripple through the crowd: who had been behind constructing the narrative against Lisette? When curiosity could no longer be contained, a voice rose from the audience, asking whether they knew who the culprit was.
“The academy will handle this matter personally, since this constitutes a serious offense,” Elaine said, nodding firmly before turning to Stella with a soft smile. “I respect Lady Stella’s wish not to disclose the name publicly.”
There was no need to share the culprit's name. Sooner or later, everyone would find out. The Academy had little interest in concerning itself with petty rumors and adolescent scandals. However, this was something else entirely. Deliberately using a controlled substance to defame a fellow student on the academy grounds, which escalated into a physical assault. This wasn’t a matter that the Academy could overlook.
“Funny how quickly attitudes change the moment evidence is presented.” Stella's eyes moved across the crowd. “Don't pretend your hands are clean when many of you were quick to judge simply because Lisette is an omega and that her standing isn't as high as some of yours.”
Watching everyone change so quickly, from abandoning their suspicions, pointing fingers at others, to avoiding accountability. Those behaviors certainly turned Stella’s stomach.
“Were you in Lisette’s place, you might share the same grief and think twice before letting your lips run so freely out of envy and spite.”
The silence that followed spoke louder than anything they could have said. Some averted their eyes, blinded by their own envy, aware that they had played a part in what was done to Lisette. Others nodded along with a subtle smile as though Stella's words had confirmed what they had long believed.
Once one scandal was dismantled, the rest collapsed along with it.
This was it. The scandal dissolved before Lisette’s eyes, her friends standing beside her, believing in her innocence. The weight of the world had finally lifted off Lisette’s chest. While being comforted by Astrid, tears rolled down her cheeks, her eyes swollen from all the crying. It was as though she had finally woken from a long nightmare. When she herself had already accepted her fate, it was her closest friends who never gave up on her, until the very end.
The duel came to an official end.
The upperclassmen Stella had best honored the terms of the duel, although bitter, as they had lost to someone younger than themselves. To her relief, they agreed to ensure Luke doesn’t cause trouble with her again.
Elsewhere, Stella and her friends sat down with the board members of the academy to give their testimony. This meeting was made possible by Professor Rosalind. Right after the assault yesterday, it was Stella who had taken the first step. She had sought the professor out privately and told her everything. She knew she needed someone with authority to bring the matter before the board, and Professor Rosalind, without hesitation, believed her. With the evidence in Stella’s hand and Elaine’s eyewitness account, the headmistress accepted their request and committed to a thorough investigation. It was a minor offence to bring a controlled substance onto the premises, but to use it to fabricate a narrative with malicious intent was an offence of its own.
Before the day had even ended, several classmates approached Lisette to apologize for their actions: the belittlement out of envy, their contribution to spreading rumors, and the small cruelties they fired at her. Some admitted what Lisette had never suspected. They had resented her friendship with Stella and the others, not out of dislike, but because they hadn't possessed the courage like her. Once they came to their senses and saw how blind envy had made them, they gave her the apology she deserved. Even though it would take time for whispers to fade away, this was a fresh start with her name no longer tainted by false accusations. With Ophelia’s bold statement earlier today, Stella doubted any soul would dare to breathe a word of it again.
“I don’t even know where to begin…” Still sniffling, Lisette’s eyes were red and puffy. “Thank you for believing in me. I’m truly indebted to all of you.”
She bowed deeply, expressing her utmost gratitude to everyone who stood by her, Lady Elaine included. Shortly after, the conversation shifted to the matter of the mastermind behind the rumors. Stella knew that Lisette had never been the true target. She was. The reason? No one could say for certain, but envy was the most probable answer. The alpha carved a legend for herself by ranking first in her class, maintaining a flawless academic record, placing at the top of the advanced diplomacy course, and possessing unrivalled swordsmanship. These were qualities that many sought in a partner, and the very same qualities that stirred envy in the hearts of many.
Nonetheless, it was over.
“Thank you for everything, Stella.” Lisette bowed once again. Her voice carried genuine sincerity. “I still haven’t repaid you for last time, and now you’ve saved me again.”
“What do you mean?” Stella asked, her brows lifting slightly.
“I had a feeling you might not remember.” Lisette giggled softly, wearing a tender look across her face, holding onto a secret known just to her. "Do you recall the little incident at Lady Ophelia's debutante ball?"
Stella went quiet for a moment, and then something clicked. The incident and the familiar faces from that day returned to her one by one. The longer she stared at Lisette, the more she saw the face of a young, distressed omega, with long, silky blonde hair and puffy eyes from crying. At the moment of realization, a flicker of surprise crossed Stella’s eyes.
“Wait—you’re that woman back then?” Stella asked, her eyes widening slightly. “I remember you!”
Stella recalled attending the ball alongside her father and her elder siblings. On the day of Ophelia’s debutante ball, there was a minor incident between Lisette and her then-fiancé. He was known as a player in the noble society. Despite his engagement, he held little to no regard for his omega. He even insulted Lisette openly without shame.
No one came forward to help or defend her, except for that Albrecht alpha she met that day. There was never a moment Lisette could forget it: the sincerity in those deep blue eyes, the hand that reached out to her, and the tender smile she wore.
“You looked so different from back then!” Stella said, completely bewildered.
Stella was still surprised that the Lisette before her was the same lady she had met that day. Her hair, which was once long and past her shoulders, was now cut short. And her demeanor changed so much that Stella hadn’t recognized her at first glance.
“Tell me you’re no longer engaged to that man…” Stella murmured.
“After displaying such a crude attitude towards me and the House of Clervaux in broad daylight, my father was livid,” Lisette said, chuckling. “He annulled the engagement immediately.”
Once Lisette filled everyone in on the details, it explained why she showed nothing but deep respect and admiration for Stella from the very beginning and wouldn’t tolerate anyone who spoke against her. When her friends asked why Lisette hadn’t said anything sooner, she bashfully shared her reason. It was never her intention to keep it hidden, but she wanted to prove something to herself first. To become stronger on her own before expressing her sincerest gratitude to the one who gave her the courage to stand tall with her head held high.
“It seems I still have a long way to go…” Lisette chuckled nervously. “I've put myself in your debt again.”
Beneath that disappointment on her face, Stella caught a flicker of perseverance and determination behind those pale green eyes. It was telling that she didn’t want any sympathy. Even with her eyes still puffy from crying, the warmth and optimism in her smile didn’t go unnoticed. Relief settled over them and drew smiles from everyone around her.
“Please watch me, Stella,” Lisette said. “One day, you'll be the one relying on me.”
“I look forward to it,” Stella said, nodding with a smile.
Before they parted ways, Lisette made sure to ask Stella to pass her gratitude along to Ophelia. She hadn’t forgotten those who stepped forward to defend her, including the Chevalier omega. Stella accepted the request, though she also encouraged Lisette to thank her in person when the opportunity arose.
“D-Do you think I should?” Lisette asked, almost anxious. “I’m not sure if she would even want to speak with me…”
It wasn't that she didn't want to approach Ophelia, but the woman carried an air that made her somewhat unapproachable.
“Don’t worry!” A soft laugh escaped Stella. “She won’t bite you.”
That drew light laughter from the others before the conversation drifted naturally from there to something lighter and easier. Moments later, Stella and her friends gathered their things and hurried to their next class. Life at the academy, for now, had returned to normal.
The sun descended early, the sky gradually swallowed by pitch darkness and the eerie, bone-chilling howl of a winter wind. Ophelia took a slow sip of the chamomile tea her handmaiden had prepared, washing away the fatigue that had accumulated throughout the day. Winter was not her favorite season because her body was sensitive to the cold. Every night, she found herself spending her quiet nights next to the fireplace in her chamber. Thankfully, from tonight onwards, she would have the gray coat she had earned draped across her legs, carrying with it a faint woody fragrance.
“Thank you for everything, Ophelia,” Stella said, her voice carrying genuine sincerity. “Truth be told, had it not been for you, I’m not sure how much I could have done to restore Lisette’s honor.”
Sitting across from her was the alpha, having a moment, enjoying a cup of warm tea in her hand. Her reason for visiting tonight was to express her gratitude to Ophelia in person. It was because of the omega that this ended smoothly and easily.
“I didn’t do it for you or your friend,” Ophelia replied, her eyes never leaving the book as she turned to the next page. “I did it for myself, to ensure you remain further in my debt.”
“I know,” Stella said, bringing the cup to her lips. “Regardless of your intention, it doesn’t change how grateful I am.”
The older omega paused, setting the book down on her lap. Those earnest blue eyes never failed to mesmerize her, softening something in her and inevitably peeling the impenetrable façade she had worn for years. Ophelia thought to herself, Stella was too sincere for her own good. She couldn’t help but be concerned about those who would exploit that kindness without a second thought.
And yet, it was precisely those exact qualities that had made Ophelia’s heart beat this strongly against her ribs. Where stubbornness in other alphas bred arrogance, in Stella, it had shaped into something people could describe as righteousness.
“Well then,” Ophelia said. “I trust you haven't forgotten that you owe me a request.”
“I haven’t.” Stella crossed her arms. “So, do you have something in mind?”
“Oh, I have quite a few.” A cunning smirk touched the corner of Stella’s lips, her green eyes flickering with excitement. “There are so many embarrassing things I could ask of you. How about…this?”
Ophelia tilted her head, then deliberately tapped on her lips. A short moment of silence followed, and then Stella reacted. Heat bloomed across her cheeks, her lips parted slightly, as she was unable to maintain her usual poise.
“I—uh…you mean now?” The stutter escaped Stella’s lips.
“Oh?” Ophelia said. “I thought an Albrecht never broke her promise.”
“Who said I won’t?” Stella muttered.
It was just a kiss. They had done that countless times in Stella’s previous life, and yet this moment felt entirely different. The mere thought of it now left her nervous, strangely bashful in a way she couldn’t describe. Why was she reacting like this?
“Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to do it now.” Ophelia chuckled, that suspicious smirk still playing on her lips. "I'll save it for the perfect moment. One I can savor fully. Your worst possible moment."
“…You’re terrible.” Stella sighed, her eyes half-lidded.
“I know,” Ophelia said, grinning from ear to ear.
“Enough about me,” Stella said, exhaling. “When are you going to return my coat?”
Her gaze dropped to her coat, still draped comfortably across Ophelia’s legs as though it belonged to her. Based on her reaction alone, it was telling that she had no intention of returning it.
“I’ve earned it for what I did today,” Ophelia replied, the corner of her lips lifted briefly with satisfaction. “Didn’t I help you and your friend? Besides, I won’t let you freeze to death. I’ll purchase a new one for you if that’s what you’re concerned about.”
“But why my coat specifically?” Stella exhaled with a shrug.
"…Huh?"
A flirtatious smirk played at Ophelia’s lips, playful and deliberate. On the other hand, Stella was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond to that. What she said was nothing out of the ordinary. It was natural for omegas to wrap themselves in their mate’s scent or borrow their alpha’s clothing to nest in. Yet hearing Ophelia state so openly without a trace of embarrassment was enough to make the tips of Stella’s ears heat up.
“Your pheromone carries a rich, charred warmth, and it never fails to stir the heat inside me.” Ophelia chuckled teasingly. “Shall I elaborate further on what I mean—”
"Okay! I get it!” Stella cut her off. “You don't have to continue."
Stella found herself cursing under her breath. Why was she the one getting embarrassed when Ophelia was clearly enjoying this? The omega let out a laugh, completely unrestrained and at ease. Stella’s nerves pulled taut watching this woman savor every second of it.
"My, aren't you adorable,” Ophelia said, grinning widely. “Such a virgin reaction, Stella."
“Shut up.” Stella shot back, embarrassed and fuming. “You’re as old as me. Can you at least act like one?”
Stella, the Duchess, was a few years older than Ophelia, so why was she the one being teased? How could the omega say these things with a perfectly straight face and not a flicker of embarrassment?
“Unlike you, I’m aware of my sexual needs,” Ophelia smirked confidently. “Don’t worry, when I grind your coat in the night, I’ll make sure I’m not being too loud—”
“Ophelia!” Stella cut her off before she could finish, as she was on the very brink of combusting.
What had been heard couldn’t be unheard, and now the poor alpha was going to spend the entire night being self-conscious, wondering whether she might accidentally overhear the omega doing exactly what she said with her coat.
“What is there to be embarrassed about? It’s the nature of any omega.” Ophelia replied with an innocent smile, enjoying her fiancée’s bashful moment. “In exchange, I’m more than willing to offer you my clothes to keep and use to your heart’s content.”
“No, thank you,” Stella said, already exhausted with keeping up with this shameless, cunning woman. “I’m leaving. Good night.”
The alpha returned to her room promptly, leaving behind the smoky trace of pinewood in Ophelia’s chamber. The omega leaned back into the couch, covering her body with Stella’s coat, allowing the pheromones to gently embrace her.
“If you showed a hint of disgust on your face, I wouldn’t tease you half as much,” Ophelia murmured.
Did she tease her fiancée too much? Perhaps. But that was Stella’s fault. No matter how many times she pushed her limits, she never once showed distress or revulsion, never once pushed her away. Just a flustered, fuming puppy being bashful whenever teased. How could Ophelia possibly resist that?
A few days later at the Albrecht’s estate.
In his private study, a black-haired man was surrounded by towers of reports and documents demanding his attention. However, his focus remained fixed on a single letter delivered by his informant. He read it once before his expression darkened. With a sharp exhale, he crushed the paper in his hand.
“What is the meaning of this—!?” Anthony shouted.
The sound of his fist slamming the table reverberated through the entire room. Duke Anthony had been hearing whispers about his half-sister for quite some time. The sister he despised more than anything else. And now, what he received today was a confirmation that Stella was enrolled at the Academy.
“Marquis, how dare you,” Anthony muttered. “This is not part of our agreement!”
He cursed under his breath. As part of their agreement, Marquis Chevalier promised him that Stella would be under his surveillance, so why was she living her life freely at the Academy? Anthony had expected her to be confined within the walls of Chevalier's estate, entirely out of sight and out of his way. There were too many questions unanswered, but there was something else that angered him more.
“Louis, where is Blake right now?!” The Duke turned to the senior butler of the family, his voice barely able to contain rage.
“She is at her office, Your Grace.” The butler responded.
Without further ado, he marched through the hallway, threw open the door to Blake’s office, and let himself in without a knock. Blake’s handmaiden startled at the loud noise and almost lost her grip on the tray of tea in her hands. On the other hand, only Blake remained composed. She set her pen down before turning to face him.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace,” Blake said. “What brings you here today?”
“Don’t play dumb with me,” Anthony shot back. “I’m not in the mood.”
He marched over and slammed his hand onto the table. Through the letter, he learned that Blake had been visiting the academy as a guest lecturer for the past month. With that information alone, he didn’t need proof to put two and two together to figure out that she came into contact with Stella. Anthony knew how much Blake cared for and cherished their sister, born of a different mother.
“How dare you hide this from me?” Anthony grumbled.
“I didn’t consider it important enough to trouble you with,” Blake said. “I received an invitation from the Northland Academy to serve as a guest lecturer, nothing more.”
“I know that filth is at the academy.” Anthony’s eyes met hers, dark with anger. “You met her, didn’t you?”
Blake’s body tensed up, just barely, before she swiftly regained her composure. It had only been a matter of time before Anthony found out about Stella and her situation. A quiet exhale escaped between her lips as she met those raging violet eyes. There was no reason to hide, now that the truth was out.
"Yes, I did. I taught one of the classes she is enrolled in.” Blake answered. “It was a coincidence."
Blake clarified that she was simply fulfilling her duties as a lecturer. She departed from the academy once her job was done and made sure to keep a distance from Stella. What she said was the truth, but Anthony was far from convinced.
"Of course you would say that." A cold laugh escaped the Duke’s lips. "Do you think I would believe you?"
He swung his arm across the table, and everything crashed to the floor. He made no effort to conceal his aggression. Blake flinched at the sudden display of violence, pursing her lips, but showed no retaliation. There was no warmth to be found between them.
"I know you love that thing more than your own flesh and blood, Blake," Anthony said, his tone carrying nothing but contempt.
Blake said nothing.
She let out a quiet exhale before meeting the Duke’s gaze once more. She reassured him that she had not lied, and if he still had doubts, he was more than welcome to use his informant to verify the truth. It was a brief moment of silence before Anthony’s hand shot out, seizing her chin without warning. He wrenched her face towards his before she had the time to react.
“If I find out you’ve been lying to me, don’t think for a moment I’ll hesitate to remind you who the Duke of Northland is,” Anthony said. “It’s your duty to follow my exact orders. Not even Mother will protect you.”
Again, Blake said nothing. There was nothing to say.
“From now on, you’ll inform me of your exact whereabouts whenever you leave this estate,” Anthony commanded, his voice growing colder. “Understood?"
“…Yes, Your Grace,” Blake said.
Their biological mother, Dowager Duchess Yvette, would always side with Anthony, no matter how wrong he was. If he were to raise a hand against Blake, she was certain that their mother wouldn’t come to her defense. Anthony released her with a cruel shove as an act of venting his frustration. Now that he’s standing before Blake, he remembers an important matter that he needed to address: Blake’s marriage interview.
“I heard from Mother that you’ve postponed the marriage interview with Lord Marius again,” Anthony said. “How long are you going to delay this?”
In the eyes of the family, omegas were expected to marry once they reached their prime age. It was through political marriages that families grew powerful and secured allegiance, and the Albrecht family was no exception. It was no surprise that the Dowager Duchess was behind this arrangement, setting her daughter up with the eldest son of Marquis Haines. Blake had reached that age, which was why Anthony and the Dowager Duchess had been pushing the matter. And yet, marriage was the last thing on her mind, especially with Northland’s current decline.
“I have told both you and mother countless times, Your Grace,” Blake said, her tone firm and resolute. “I’ve chosen this path, and nothing is going to change that.”
Blake crouched to gather the scattered documents from the floor. She had lost count of how many times she had said that she had chosen to dedicate her life to serving the Albrecht family as its secretary. Unlike their father and Lady Alicia, they made no effort to understand or respect her decision.
“Don't assume you're irreplaceable.” The Duke's eyes narrowed. “I'll find someone to replace you easily enough.”
“…I doubt it, Your Grace,” Blake said, her composure remaining unperturbed. “No one in Northland understands this nation’s administrative systems and laws better than I do, and I believe you’re aware of that as well as I do.”
“You—!”
As Anthony was about to unleash his frustration, Blake stood her ground, her head held high, and met his gaze without hesitation. Despite her position being significantly beneath his, she was an Albrecht through and through. Pride and honor ran in her blood, and she bowed her head to no one, not even her elder brother.
"With Northland's current troubles, the weight of this year's Ashenfall Tide preparations falls on no one but me,” Blake said. “My expertise is a necessity."
“Grr…” Clenching his teeth, Anthony couldn't refute a single word of it.
Ever since he assumed the ducal title, the household had been buried by an endless tide of reports and crises demanding attention. To make matters worse, Northland's winter was drawing in. Their winter here was notoriously ruthless, unforgiving compared to their neighboring nations. With every Tide came an inevitable rise in death counts from starvation and severe hypothermia. Had it not been for Blake, who single-handedly oversaw the distribution of provisions across every town in Northland, everything would have spiraled into chaos long before now.
Without another word, he turned and marched to the door, pulling it shut behind him with a resounding slam. After a stretch of silence, once it was clear the Duke had truly gone, Blake’s handmaiden finally moved to gather the scattered papers, quietly reorganizing the secretary’s desk to its former order. Blake crouched down to retrieve the picture frame from the floor, brushing the dust from its surface with care before gently setting it back in its place.
It was the first portrait the three Albrecht siblings had ever taken together—back when they were still young and happy.
"I wish we could go back to when we were happy together…"
The moment Blake closed her eyes—it all came back to her like it was yesterday.
Anthony had once been a kind and gentle soul, much like their father. He was a devoted older brother who had always looked after his sisters. It was hard to believe those cold, raging violet eyes had once carried warmth and love. But everything changed the day the Duchess discovered that Stella was an alpha. Their family didn't simply fracture. It imploded, and with it, every bond they had ever shared was shattered beyond repair. What remained between Blake, Anthony, and the Duchess was nothing more than cold, permanent estrangement.
Without their father to unite them, would there ever come a day when their relationships could be amended?
It was a wishful thought, and nothing more.