PET 09

Chapter 09

 She Ended Up Being Caught by the One Person She Didn’t Want Finding Out

That had been the last time she saw the man who saved her.

After that, Stella never encountered him again, not even by coincidence, and ten years passed.

“I wonder if he even remembers me.”

Judging by the complete lack of change in his expression when he looked at her, it seemed he remembered nothing at all.

And if that truly was the case, Stella had no intention of bringing it up first either.

After all, they were only people passing briefly through each other’s lives.

‘Besides, he’s a Knight Commander… and a Duke.’

Back then, seeing his swordsmanship and the unusual aura around him, she had known he wasn’t an ordinary person.

But she never imagined he possessed such a status.

“For some reason, he feels even farther away now.”

Just as Stella’s thoughts ended, someone knocked on the door.

At her permission to enter, the physician and servant who had just visited Kainzis’s room stepped inside.

Standing before Stella, they reported on the tasks she had instructed them to carry out.

“As you said, there was an injury on his left shoulder, and I treated it immediately.”

“I went in to assist him, but the Duke said he was fine, so I left afterward.”

“Good. Both of you worked hard. And keep silent about both the injury and the fact that I ordered this.”

“Yes. We understand.”

After the two left, Stella remained alone and forcibly pushed thoughts of Kainzis out of her mind.

“That’s enough. Stop thinking about him any further. He’s only a guest staying at the ducal estate.”

‘From now on, let’s not acknowledge him or pay attention to him.’

At that moment, the door opened and Ella entered.

“My lady, dinner is ready.”

“Alright.”

As Stella rose from her seat to leave the room, she hesitated before asking Ella something.

“Ella. About the Duke earlier…”

“Yes?”

“Doesn’t he seem familiar somehow?”

After asking, Stella anxiously waited for Ella’s answer.

“No. I think it’s my first time seeing him. Is he perhaps someone you know, my lady?”

“No, that can’t be. Let’s hurry.”

Since Ella clearly remembered nothing, Stella shook her head and descended downstairs with her.

‘Well, things were chaotic that day. It makes sense she wouldn’t remember.’

As they headed toward the dining hall, Stella suddenly remembered something and asked Ella,

“What about the thing I asked you earlier?”

“Yes. I already informed them.”

“I feel bad for the head chef. He must’ve spent the entire day preparing for this.”

“He said it was fine, so please don’t worry too much.”

Soon, Stella arrived before the doors to the dining hall.

Taking a deep breath, she signaled to Ella.

Ella opened the doors, and immediately the gazes of the knights already gathered inside—including Kainzis—turned toward Stella.

*

Feeling somewhat embarrassed by all the attention, Stella quickly walked to her seat and sat down.

Directly across from her sat Kainzis.

As though trying to ease the silence that immediately settled over the room, servants entered carrying dishes, and the long dining table was soon completely covered with food.

More than anything, it was not a refined course meal.

Instead, the table overflowed with massive portions of meat, seafood, and all sorts of hearty dishes meant to properly fill hungry knights.

The feast was so plentiful the knights couldn’t hold back their cheers.

Seeing their reactions, Stella barely suppressed her laughter before speaking.

“Our head chef prepared everything very carefully. I hope it suits your tastes.”

As if Stella’s words were a starting signal, the knights immediately attacked the food with frightening speed.

It was less “eating” and more “charging into battle.”

Fortunately for Stella, the knights were so focused on the food that they barely paid attention to her anymore, which made her feel far more comfortable.

Only then did Stella begin eating slowly as well.

‘At least that’s a relief.’

At that moment, one of the knights seated beside Kainzis spoke to Stella.

“My apologies, Lady. These fools haven’t eaten food like this in quite some time. Ah, I’m Vane Royden, vice commander of the Second Knight Order.”

“You must all have suffered greatly during the expedition to the border, so I completely understand. Honestly, I’m just happy the food suits your tastes.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Even while Vane and Stella conversed, Kainzis silently continued eating.

“Will you be departing immediately tomorrow?”

“Yes. We must return directly to the capital.”

“That’s unfortunate. I wish you could stay and rest longer.”

Of course, there was not a single ounce of sincerity in Stella’s words.

At that moment, perhaps because he had been listening to their conversation, Kainzis suddenly asked Stella,

“Do you have no intention of returning to the capital, Lady?”

The question could easily have been considered rude, and Vane hurriedly tried to stop him.

“My apologies, Lady. I’ll apologize on his behalf—”

“It’s alright. Though I admit I’m a little surprised someone would ask me that.”

After thinking carefully for a moment, Stella looked at Kainzis and answered,

“Well… no one from the capital has asked me to return, and I’ve grown quite fond of life here. So for now, I have no plans to go back.”

“Ah, I see.”

The one who responded was Vane.

After eating enough, Stella became the first to rise from the table.

“I’ll excuse myself now. Please continue enjoying your meal comfortably. If you need anything, simply ask our head chef. Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

After greeting Kainzis and Vane, Stella left the dining hall.

The moment she was gone, the atmosphere became noticeably louder, likely because everyone felt more relaxed.

Even outside the hall, Stella could hear the dramatic difference in volume and smiled faintly as she headed back to her room.

*

Once back in her room, Stella threw aside the cumbersome hair ornaments, jewelry, and dress before changing into the comfortable clothes she normally wore.

“My lady, please. We still have guests.”

“So what? They’ll eat and go straight to their rooms anyway.”

Stella reassured Ella before sitting down at her desk.

“Don’t worry. I’ll go to bed early tonight too.”

Ella couldn’t fully trust those words, but because guests were still downstairs, she eventually left Stella’s room.

The moment Ella departed, Stella unfolded a letter and began rereading it from the beginning.

As she read, a smile gradually spread across her face.

‘Hello Stella. You’ve been well, right?

Of course, I’ve been doing well in the capital too. It feels like the cold winter has finally passed and spring has fully arrived. New sprouts are growing again in the Imperial Palace gardens. Though it’s probably still chilly where you are in the North.

Recently, His Majesty assigned me some work…’

“It’s all complaints today. Is he really that busy?”

Even so, the ending of every letter always contained concern for Stella.

‘You’re probably still training hard, aren’t you? Working hard is good, but don’t get hurt. Always take care of your health.’

“Radin…”

After placing the letter aside, Stella laid a fresh sheet of paper on the desk and began writing carefully and sincerely.

Some time later, after finishing the letter and sealing it in an envelope, Stella opened her desk drawer.

Inside were stacks upon stacks of letters Radin had sent over the years.

“I thought he was only saying it casually, but he really kept sending letters to the North all this time. Still, I’m glad he seems to be doing well.”

Radin’s letters occasionally contained stories about the Imperial Palace and the capital.

At least from his writing, everything there seemed peaceful enough.

‘Not that it has anything to do with me.’

Soon, Stella rose from her chair, opened the window, and stepped out onto the terrace.

Feeling the cool breeze and gazing at the night sky, Stella ignored the promise she had made to Ella and slipped out of her room wearing only a robe.

With everyone’s attention focused on the dining hall where the knights were gathered, now was the perfect chance to sneak outside.

As expected, Stella’s long-practiced skills allowed her to escape unnoticed.

‘Good. Nobody caught me.’

Feeling pleased beneath the night sky, Stella soon began walking somewhere.

*

Meanwhile, inside the noisy dining hall—

“A day like this needs alcohol. Please bring us some drinks.”

At Vane’s request, the man who appeared to be the head chef approached them.

“My apologies, but we cannot serve alcohol tonight.”

Surprised by the response, Vane asked,

“Why not, if you have it?”

“Because we were instructed to refrain from serving alcohol due to tomorrow’s schedule and the injured knights. My sincerest apologies.”

At the unexpected explanation, Kainzis spoke before Vane could.

“Understood. You may return.”

At Kainzis’s words, the chef bowed and headed back inside.

“How unexpected. To think someone would even consider that much. Hm? Where are you going, Duke?”

Vane looked up in confusion as Kainzis suddenly stood.

“I’ll be heading in. You all should return before it gets too late as well.”

“Commander.”

Even when Vane called after him, Kainzis simply left the dining hall.

After exiting, Kainzis originally intended to return to his room, but he changed his mind and instead walked outside.

As he wandered through the garden, he noticed a bird perched in a tree and stopped.

‘The Lady’s bird, perhaps.’

The bird neither fled nor showed fear upon seeing him.

Rather, it seemed to be observing him with interest.

Just as Stella had done earlier, Kainzis slowly extended his hand.

But just before his hand reached it, Rai let out a sharp cry and suddenly took flight, soaring past Kainzis toward the entrance of the estate.

Watching the bird disappear, Kainzis found himself following after it almost as if bewitched.

Rai flew toward the estate entrance, though in the darkness the small bird quickly vanished from sight.

‘What exactly am I doing at this hour?’

With that thought, Kainzis stopped walking and prepared to return to the estate.

At least, he would have—if not for the voice that suddenly sounded behind him.

“Rai. Where did you go? I was waiting for you.”

The familiar voice echoed clearly through the dark night.

Kainzis turned around once more and walked toward the source of the sound.

Soon, the silhouette of a person came into view.

As he drew closer, the moonlight fully illuminated her face.

“Shall we go now?”

“And where exactly are you going?”

“Ah!”

Stella had naturally assumed she was alone, so the sudden voice startled her enough to make her immediately turn around.

And there stood Kainzis behind her.

“Duke?”

“At this hour, where are you planning to go?”

“Ah, well…”

Stella rapidly searched for an excuse before replying,

“I simply couldn’t sleep, so I was going for a walk.”

“Dressed like that?”

For someone supposedly taking a walk, her clothes were completely different from earlier, and she wore a robe over them.

And more importantly—

“And if you intend to ride out on horseback, then I believe this is less of a walk and more of an outing.”

“Ah.”

Beside Stella stood not only Rai but also a horse.

Taking all the circumstances together, Kainzis instantly understood that the young lady intended to ride out alone in the middle of the night.

‘This is bad.’

That single thought perfectly summarized Stella’s situation.

Of all people, she had to be caught by Kainzis.

But even in this moment, Stella’s biggest concern wasn’t how Kainzis viewed her.

It was the scolding she would receive from Ella if this was discovered.

Unable to retreat now, Stella decided to extinguish the immediate fire first.

“I would appreciate it if you could keep this a secret.”

Stella nervously waited for Kainzis’s answer.

After a brief silence, he finally spoke.

“Yes. I will.”

“Thank—”

“However, if the Lady is going out, then I will accompany you.”

“What?”

Stella looked even more shocked by that than by being caught in the first place.

‘Didn’t he just say he’d pretend not to notice?’

“Now that I know you’re going out alone this late at night, I cannot simply ignore it.”

“I really will be fine.”

Despite Stella’s attempts to persuade him, Kainzis remained firm.

“You may choose, Lady. Either you do not go out at all, or you go with me. Of course, if you insist on leaving alone, I will immediately inform the estate’s butler.”

‘He looked like he’d just ignore me and leave…’

Realizing Kainzis would not back down, Stella fell into thought.

Should she give up going out entirely?

Or should she really leave together with this man standing before her?

Neither option appealed to her very much.

But there was a very specific reason Stella needed to go out tonight.

In the end, Stella made her decision and looked at Kainzis.

“You must also keep secret what you see tonight, Duke.”

“I promise.”

At Kainzis’s firm answer, Stella finally agreed to go with him.

After all, he would leave tomorrow anyway.

Meanwhile, seeing Kainzis bring his horse over, Stella mounted her own horse first, and Kainzis followed after her.

“Then please follow me.”

With those words, Stella set off, Rai flying after her overhead.

Kainzis watched Stella skillfully guide her horse before following behind.

And so, beneath the cover of night, a strange companionship began.