Chapter : 25
“Duke! Are you all ready?”
“Yes, I’m about to depart now.”
Nox hesitated, as if wanting to say more, and then sighed.
“Are you sure you’ll be fine alone? I’m worried about leaving you behind like this.”
“Of course! I’ve been alone until now, haven’t I?”
“Shall I help you find your friend? It might be useful if we can locate her.”
Deina quickly shook her head.
If he’d offered before the letter arrived, she might have been tempted—but not anymore.
Her precious one was out there, learning and growing in the wide world.
“It’s fine. She’ll come back when it’s time.”
“Understood.”
Nox gave a short reply, then approached his horse, which was snorting as if ready to bolt.
Deina quietly stood, watching him pack the last of his belongings and tighten his bootstraps.
“I want to grow up and someday become a proud Viviwood.”
Stella’s wish wouldn’t leave Deina’s mind.
A proud Viviwood…?
It was a wonderful dream—but for now, it seemed almost impossible. She still had many debts to repay, and the capital was rife with nasty rumors about the Viviwood family.
What can I do to help Stella?
How can I make sure she escapes that brutal ending and lives a happy life? What should I do…?
“Duke! I’ll send word ahead to have a carriage waiting in Baincrute based on your estimated arrival time. From there, you can travel comfortably to the Betelgeuse estate.”
“Do that.”
Baincrute…
Deina frowned slightly and exhaled.
She thought of Geoffrey Sordaven.
Ah, no.
She quickly shook her head, but her heart was already racing.
Reason had lost its way, and a restless feeling took over her.
What if I could… clear the Viviwood family’s name?
Deina swallowed hard and clenched her fists.
If that could help Stella become a proud Viviwood…?
When Stella eventually returned to Wisberry, perhaps they could resolve the matter together. But she and Stella didn’t have the same influence Nox did.
Besides, who knew when Stella would return—or if she would return at all? By that time, Deina might no longer be able to ask Nox for help.
And who knows how long Geoffrey will even stay there…
The thought that this might be her only chance made her increasingly anxious.
Because she’d read the original novel, Deina was the only one who knew that the new weaving technique truly belonged to the Viviwood family. Even Stella herself didn’t know that.
Amidst her tangled thoughts, one thing was certain: the Viviwood family had been falsely accused of stealing that weaving technique, and to clear that injustice, she would have to go to Baincrute herself.
Ugh, my head…
Deina pressed her aching forehead.
She couldn’t afford to get more entangled with the novel’s original characters. Even if she decided to solve the problem, she’d have to do it on her own…
“Then, we’ll be off!”
Clian and Nox placed their boots on the stirrups and mounted their horses in one fluid motion.
Deina watched them anxiously.
If they left now, it might be Stella’s last chance—one that would never come again.
“Young Lady, we’ll go ahead.”
“Please send word once everything is settled!”
Nox and Clian’s horses passed by her, leaving Deina standing alone.
I want to become a proud Viviwood.
Stella’s voice echoed in her ears again.
Ah, forget it—I can’t take this anymore.
Panting, Deina squeezed her eyes shut and shouted:
“Wait, Duke! Please wait a moment!”
Clatter, clunk.
The carriage wheels rattled unevenly.
Deina stared blankly out the window beside her.
I’m crazy.
Then she looked down at the luggage bag lying haphazardly on the floor.
Completely crazy.
She was really going to the capital with Nox?
A wave of panic hit her. Was she truly doing the right thing?
“Young Lady! It’s wonderful you changed your mind at the last minute. Since Wisberry is far from the capital, it’s better you travel with us anyway.”
Clian, riding beside the carriage, spoke cheerfully, clearly unaware of her inner turmoil.
“You only brought some essentials, but I’ll send people later to bring the rest of your belongings.”
Deina was too overwhelmed to even reply.
As she hung her head in distress, a sudden thought struck her.
…No. Let’s think positively.
In the novel, after Stella signed the marriage papers with Nox as a child, she had lived in the provincial estate until just four years ago, when she moved to the capital.
Around that time, rumors began spreading that the Viviwood family had stolen the Feinstein family’s weaving method. Disliking the whispers and gossip that followed her everywhere, Stella withdrew completely, refusing every ball and tea party invitation, isolating herself inside the mansion.
That means the nobles in the capital probably don’t know her face very well. Even Nox and Clian saw me and didn’t doubt I was Stella, right?
If she played her cards right, no one would realize she was pretending to be Stella.
She could go with Nox, find an opportunity to visit Baincrute, locate Geoffrey, and then—no matter what it took—get a proper divorce!
Once she uncovered the truth behind the Viviwood scandal, she could cause a scene or two, make Nox lose affection for her, or even reunite him with the original heroine. Either way, she’d find grounds for divorce.
“Yes, that’ll work.”
Deina murmured to herself.
After all, she knew the main characters’ personalities and preferences by heart from the novel.
It might be a roundabout way, but if all went well, everything could be solved at once.
Expose the truth of the Viviwoods and get divorced from Nox!
“Think positively. Just think positive.”
Deina leaned back against her seat, trying to relax.
Her precious Stella had broken out of her shell and was growing up bravely—surely she could, too.
Yes. That would work.
Taking a deep breath, Deina forced herself to stay calm.
“Sir Hertas, how long will it take to reach Baincrute?”
She asked through the open window. Clian tilted his head thoughtfully.
“Hmm… If we take the public teleportation portals that connect the Empire, we should arrive within a week.”
“A week?”
“Yes. Why, is there something urgent?”
“Oh, no. I just… want to get there quickly.”
It was just a casual comment, but Clian’s expression suddenly turned serious.
After a moment of thought, he called out to Nox ahead.
“Duke! What if we take the Northwestern Canyon route to the Hainsam River?”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“Ah, that’s an old reputation. These days, many travelers prefer that path—it’s much shorter than circling around the mountains!”
Nox turned to glance at Deina at Clian’s suggestion.
Sensing his chance, Clian quickly added,
“The young lady seems eager to reach the capital as soon as possible. Right, my lady?”
“Huh? Oh—well, not exactly, but…”
“If we take the Northwestern Canyon, we’ll save at least two days.”
“But that road is narrow and rough.”
“Trust me! I’ll take the lead.”
Clian grinned confidently.
Deina looked up at him uneasily.
Whenever he said things like that, he was never trustworthy…
“Stella, what do you think?”
Nox asked her directly.
Suddenly given the final say, Deina blinked.
“Uh… then…”
Clian, walking beside the carriage, started raising both hands, chanting eagerly,
“Canyon! Canyon! Canyon!”
Ugh, annoying.
If she didn’t agree, he’d probably grumble and sing ridiculous songs all the way there.
“Then… let’s go through the canyon, since Sir Hertas insists.”
“Understood.”
“Yay! Canyon route, here we go!”
Overjoyed, Clian bounced up and down on his horse.
The poor creature looked close to collapsing under his bear-like weight.
Deina averted her eyes and sank deeper into her seat.
Whatever. The sooner we reach the capital, the sooner I can get everything done.
They had just left Wisberry—there were still many days until they reached the capital.
Deina resolved to use that time to plan her next moves and slowly closed her heavy eyelids.
But only a few hours later, the carriage, which had been moving smoothly, began to shake violently.
With a sharp neigh from the horses, Deina—who had been fast asleep—jerked awake in shock.
What on earth…?
“Young Lady! Don’t come out of the carriage!”
Moments later, Clian’s urgent voice shouted from outside.
