Chapter : 9. What If She’s Alive?
Asher, who had been investigating Stella’s whereabouts here and there, was summoned urgently to the imperial palace at Theo’s call. The atmosphere between the two men seated opposite each other was heavily weighed down. At the end of the silence, Theo broke it first by asking about the current situation.
“Have you still not found her?” “No. It seems someone behind the scenes has interfered. Otherwise, it would be impossible for her to vanish without a trace like this.” “Who do you think dared to do such a thing?”
A moment of silence made it immediately clear who had hidden Stella. The Empress. Had it not been for her, it would have been impossible to whisk someone away so completely while evading Theo’s eyes. With a bitter heart, Theo chewed on his lip.
“It’s the Empress.” “That is what I suspect.”
Quite a long time had passed since Stella disappeared. Yet, not a single trace of her had been found anywhere in the capital. The only things she had left behind were a single dagger and a meaningless note.
“As long as she’s alive, that’s enough. Then—”
Theo spoke with a horrifyingly distorted face.
“Considering that the star born with that child hasn’t fallen, she must still be alive.”
It was a piece of fortune amidst misfortune, but how long that would last remained unknown. Both men sitting across from each other knew this well. With an anxious look, Theo pressed Asher.
“We don’t have time.” “Yes, I am well aware of that myself.” “Otherwise, I will ask the Empress directly.”
If it was the Empress, the probability of her knowing where Stella was located was high. No, he felt certain that she knew the exact location. Theo hastily tried to raise his body. Then, Asher urgently grabbed Theo’s arm.
“If you do that, Your Highness, the Empress will hide that child even more tightly. So that she can never be found.”
The conversation between the two made little progress. With no appropriate solution, it was natural for the discussion to go in circles.
“Damn it!”
Theo vented his anger. He felt quite resentful of the fact that, due to his poor physical condition caused by the fire at the Bronte family estate, he could not go out and search for her himself. In his original physical state, he would have searched for her directly instead of going through Asher, and he was angry that he could not do so.
“I understand your concern for my sister, but Your Highness’s recovery comes first. Only then can you fight the Empress, can you not?” “Do you trust me?”
Asher blinked his eyes slowly. And he revealed his honest inner feelings, which he had not been able to easily express to anyone else.
“I do not trust Your Highness. However, had Your Highness instigated Stella’s death, you would not be wearing such a desperate expression.” “Desperate—”
Theo let out a hollow laugh.
“For Your Highness, it would actually be better if that child simply vanished. Rather than taking in an Empress with a flaw, it would be more beneficial to take in a proper woman. Isn’t that why His Majesty also permitted Your Highness’s annulment?” “Lord Bronte!” “I am speaking of reality.”
Theo twisted his lips in a sense of helplessness where he could do nothing.
“…” “Even if we find Stella, it will be difficult to marry her anyway.” “The annulment was not my will. If we find Lady Bronte, I will surely reverse it.”
Blue veins bulged on the back of Theo’s hand. Seeing that anger, Asher wore a bitter smile.
“I suppose I cannot answer that I hope it goes well for Your Highness.” “Lord Bronte.” “Yes. Speak.” “Do you cherish your sister?”
Theo’s question was laden with many implications. First, was Asher the one who threatened Stella’s life? Second, is he sincere about finding Stella? Third, how does he plan to handle Stella if she is found? There were others, but the conclusion was one. Is he an enemy or an ally?
“You suspect me.” “…” “I am not blaming you.”
Theo, whose truth had been exposed, smiled bitterly. On the other hand, Asher nodded as if it were natural and looked at him with a somewhat proud gaze. Yet, he did not resolve the curiosity.
“It is not a bad thing for Your Highness to suspect those close to you. To ascend to the throne of the Emperor, one must always be cautious. Even if it happens to be our Bronte family. Therefore, Your Highness, constantly suspect and dig into your surroundings.”
At words more frightening than blame, silence returned, and the sound of a knock came from outside.
“Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.”
Theo and Asher both hardened their faces as they looked at each other. They could not hide their expressions at the visit of the opponent they least wanted to face.
“Your Highness. Once again, do not show signs that you are searching for Stella.” “…”
Theo gave no answer.
“Then, I will take my leave with trust.”
Asher bowed at the waist and turned his body toward the door. At that exact moment, he ended up making direct eye contact with the Empress who was waiting outside. Asher gave a customary greeting to the Empress.
“I greet Her Majesty the Empress. May the brilliant light of the night sky reach Her Majesty…” “Lord Bronte.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” “Do drop by to see me sometime.”
Asher formally replied “I am honored” to her formal words and bowed his head. Feeling the sound of sharp shoe heels growing distant. Meanwhile, Theo watched the Empress strut in with an elegant posture and put strength into the tips of his feet to raise his body. Though a calm tremor arose in his legs from his still-unhealed physical condition, he did not show it.
“I greet Her Majesty the Empress.”
Seeing Theo trying not to show a weak side, the Empress’s eyes curved into half-moons.
“Your Highness, has your body recovered?” “Thanks to Your Majesty’s concern, I have improved a lot.” “Is that so. I am glad.”
Glad—that word was truly pathetic. When in reality, she was likely regretful that she hadn’t been able to kill him. Theo clenched his molars tightly at the Empress’s feigned smile.
“To what do I owe the honor of your visit here?”
Not intending to linger for long, she scanned the window side once before continuing her words.
“I hear Lady Bronte has gone missing. For a child who even sustained injuries to vanish… The shock of the annulment must have been quite significant.”
Theo gritted his teeth. Though the one who inflicted the injuries and the one who spearheaded the annulment was the Empress right before him… he couldn’t even pretend to know. This was the first time he had felt such helplessness, and Theo’s breathing gradually grew rough.
‘It is undoubtedly the Empress who spirited Lady Bronte away! But where did she take her? Which nobles are in contact with the Empress? Damn it, there are too many.’
Due to the Empress’s high standing, it was difficult even to find out who was involved. Asher had told him not to show any signs, but if the Empress came at him like this first, it was a different story. He could not simply stay still.
“Are you saying she ran away?” “How else could she have vanished without a trace like this? Who knows, she might have gone off on a romantic escape.”
A romantic escape—it wasn’t even funny. Theo barely managed to suppress the mocking laughter trying to burst out. As far as Theo knew, all of Stella’s social connections were being monitored by the Empress. If there had been someone she held affection for, the Empress would have pushed her out of the prospective crown princess position long ago.
“Lady Bronte knows nothing of men. Your Majesty knows that best. You need not harbor such worries.” “Oh, is that so?” “Yes, so please rescind the annulment.” “Can you still say that even if Lady Bronte returns as a corpse? To rescind the annulment, and to hold her in your arms forever.” “Your Majesty the Empress!”
Theo’s face turned pale white.
“My, my words were harsh.”
The Empress continued, her eye corners drooping.
“But please understand, Prince Theo. Do you not know how painful it is for a mother to watch her child live while embracing a ghost? I hope that the Prince will find a new match. That is why I asked for the annulment.”
On the surface, she pretended to care for Theo, but she showed not the slightest intention of reversing the annulment. She was refusing to allow even the nominal title of “The Empire’s Star” to be attached to Stella’s name. He already knew that this was to elevate her son, Valery, to the emperor’s throne.
“What if she’s alive?” “A blessing.” “…” “However, I wonder if Lady Bronte herself would choose to become the Prince’s woman of her own accord. If, by any chance, Lady Bronte wishes to return to her seat, I will gladly reconsider the annulment.”
It was an unpleasant remark, but at the mention of reconsidering the annulment, Theo could not speak any further.
“I will believe Your Majesty’s words.”
Stella Bronte—if it was her, she surely would not refuse the position of Empress, and he and she would hold a wedding ceremony and become a married couple.
A summer night illuminated brightly by moonlight. Stella shivered finely at a sudden chill. Jena, who had been by the window, turned around.
“Shall I close the window if you are cold?” “No.” “It will be troublesome if you catch a cold. I’ll leave it open just a crack for some ventilation. How is that?”
Jena turned around after closing the door halfway. A soft breeze blew in and tickled Stella’s hair.
“It’s just right.” “Then, sleep comfortably.”
Jena withdrew with a bright smile. As Jena, who had not left her side for even a moment, vanished, Stella’s world began to be dyed in stillness. She lent her ear to the natural sounds flowing in from outside the window. The sound of crickets blended with the sound of leaves rustling in the wind. Stella lifted the blanket and looked at her own feet.
‘Though it aches a little, I can walk. In a few days, there won’t be any trouble with daily life.’
The time of parting was approaching.
‘Now, I must leave this place.’
That had been decided even before coming here. Even though she had lost all memories, a corner of her heart kept warning her not to trust anyone in this country. Therefore, leaving was the right thing to do. Yet why did she feel such a lingering sense of regret? Stella looked at the wheelchair placed beside her and then turned her gaze to the garden beyond the window. Most of the trees in the residence were smaller than those elsewhere. Except for the large trees providing shade, they were all pruned down short. As if to match the line of sight of a duchess riding a wheelchair. And flowers that the Duke probably wouldn’t like were blooming luxuriantly along the walking path. She figured they were likely flowers the Duchess had loved while she was alive. Looking at them, all the efforts the Duke of Castillo had made for his wife touched her heart.
‘Is family naturally this affectionate? Considering and caring for every little thing.’
The gaze that had reached the end of the garden shifted to the pendant held in her hand.
‘Then why…’
She gripped the pendant tightly. Clouds drifted over, darkening the surroundings.
‘Am I running away from my family?’
Stella had not heard news of the outside world, so she knew nothing. Because all she could remember upon coming here was a brutally echoing voice and her name, Stella Bronte.
‘Do as you please.’
Unlike the voice echoing in her head, Adrian had told her she could do whatever she liked, and naturally, her heart had no choice but to open up to him.
‘Because he said to do everything.’
It felt like she could do whatever she wanted on a whim. The words that no one would say a word against her no matter what she did here sounded so joyful to her. Though she didn’t actually plan to rampage through the mansion, even just the thought warmed her heart.
‘It’s as if this is a place where dreams come true.’
It felt as though she were inside a world where fairies disconnected from reality lived. Stella closed her eyes and felt the surrounding energy. A breeze blew in and affectionately wrapped around her body.
‘It feels like I’ve become a child.’
Wouldn’t she be accepted even if she acted spoiled? Even if she ran into his embrace saying the night was scary, Adrian seemed like he would smile brightly and open his arms for her.
‘It also feels like my body is floating in the sky.’
Was this emotion that arose in just a few days normal? Just as when a single ray of light shines in the dark and nothing else can be seen, he was all she could see. Even when she closed her eyes, his smile lingered before her, making her heart pound like crazy.
‘No. Pull yourself together.’
Stella shook her head fiercely.
‘You can’t live here forever, can you?’
The clouds parted, and moonlight entered, resting lightly upon Stella’s hair. Her violet hair fluttered pleasantly, as if telling her to gather courage.
‘Everything will be fine.’
Just as she barely regained peace of mind like that, the voices of maids passing by the corridor drifted in.
“The little master’s mood is quite fierce, isn’t it? He hadn’t gotten angry even once since the young lady arrived, so what could be the matter?” “People have been going back and forth from the imperial palace.”
At the mention of the imperial palace, Stella’s footsteps naturally moved toward the door. She lent her ears to the stories coming from outside.
