“Of course.”

Kalian smiled at Julia. It was a gentle smile like spring breeze.

“It’s too small a mistake to call rude. Miss Ambrose could be forgiven for everything with just one of her beautiful smiles.”

Miss Ambrose. When he said those words, Kalian’s gaze very briefly touched and fell away from Stella next to him.

Because that was the title used to call Stella until just a few days ago.

Though she had now become the Duchess of Rochester, what would still be familiar to her would be Miss Ambrose.

“Wow……”

Julia, who had become Miss Ambrose now that Stella was married, seemed to have completely mistaken those words as being directed at her.

The tears that had been forming at the corners of her eyes had dried up, and instead a blush appeared on her cheeks.

“You really are as kind and gentle as Sister Stella said.”

Then, as if remembering something, she briefly sighed, “Ah.”

“That’s right, I have one more apology to make to Sister and Duke Rochester. I’m so sorry for not attending the wedding even though you invited me.”

“It’s fine. You said the road collapsed due to falling rocks on the way. You even fainted, are you really alright?”

“Mm-hmm, I’m fine! I’m embarrassed that my body is still this weak. But I’m much better now.”

“Still, rest a little more. When did you arrive in the capital?”

“I arrived just last night. Ah! If only the workers had cleared those stupid rocks a little faster, I would have seen Sister’s beautiful appearance in a white dress.”

Julia lowered her gaze again.

“I’m so disappointed about that…… You must have been so dazzlingly beautiful.”

Kalian, who had been watching Julia genuinely disappointed and Stella looking at her sister with affectionate eyes, suddenly spoke.

“Miss Ambrose really likes my wife.”

“Ah, yes.”

Julia nodded as if embarrassed.

“Sister has always been my idol. Beautiful, kind, and gentle. Plus, we look exactly the same like twins, don’t we?”

Hardly.

Their appearance was roughly similar. But that was because they were blood relatives, and if you looked closely, they were completely different.

The pupils under long eyelashes, the straight nose, the full lips, and above all, the atmosphere was different.

Stella had her own unique atmosphere.

She had that kind of atmosphere that caught people’s attention while making them unable to easily forget her.

It was something others couldn’t easily imitate.

“Oh my!”

Julia suddenly stood up.

“The carriage must be waiting! It’s a hired carriage, so I can’t make it wait long. It looks like the clerk is busy too, so I’ll be going now, Sister.”

“Already?”

“Mm-hmm, I’m really disappointed too…… You know. Hired carriages are so expensive? Actually, I’ve made it wait too long already, so I’m thinking of just sending it back and walking home.”

“But it’s too far to the mansion, isn’t it? You’d have to walk for half a day.”

Genuine concern flowed from Stella’s voice.

“Last time you also walked too long and collapsed from heat stroke.”

“That’s true…… But Sister, you know. Our family’s situation isn’t that good.”

Julia lowered her head. As if understanding her shame and bitterness, Stella also sighed softly.

“In that case, Miss Ambrose, would you like to come to Duke Rochester’s mansion?”

Kalian wore a polite smile.

“We were just planning a small party for those who came to the wedding.”

Originally, it should have been a party that followed the wedding.

But there was absolutely insufficient preparation time, and neither Kalian nor Stella placed much significance on each other’s wedding, so it wasn’t held.

“How about Miss Ambrose coming then to continue the conversation you couldn’t finish today with my wife?”

Kalian was now bringing up that party story.

“And please send back the hired carriage and take our Rochester carriage home.”

“Pardon?”

Julia’s eyes widened.

“But, would that be alright?”

“Of course.”

When Kalian lightly snapped his fingers, a Rochester maid who had been waiting in the back approached.

“Pay for the hired carriage with this money, and help Miss Ambrose return in the Rochester carriage. Tell the mansion to send a new carriage.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Deliberately showing off, Kalian handed the maid a shining gold coin. Julia’s gaze slyly followed the gold coin.

“Follow the maid. She’ll escort you comfortably to the mansion.”

Thank you very, very much. Duke Rochester.”

Julia turned her head to look at Stella.

“Sister, I’ll definitely come to that party! I promise!”

Only after promising several times did Julia leave following the maid.

Stella, who had waved until Julia left the store, expressed her gratitude to Kalian.

“Thank you, Your Grace. For being kind to Julia.”

“She must be a cherished cousin.”

“Yes, she’s my only cousin of similar age…… Actually, our father borrowed a lot of money from Uncle Baizel. Thinking that she’s living like that because of that makes me so, just so sorry.”

Stella smiled bitterly.

“At that age, there are so many things you want to have and buy. Plus Julia attends boarding school, so she must be compared a lot with her peers, but seeing her endure it admirably……”

Stella smiled, noticing Kalian’s gaze. It was a smile meaning she was fine so don’t worry.

Who was worrying about whom?

Kalian clicked his tongue inwardly.

“I took care of her when I was young, and she plays well with the children whenever we meet, so we’ve stayed close. I want to be good to her too.”

“I see.”

Kalian nodded.

“Then I’ll pay more attention too. She’s none other than my wife’s relative.”

Meanwhile, the clerk who had gone to the back of the store returned. He seemed to have been waiting for the conversation to end.

Only after purchasing two small dresses for Mary, one outfit and two hats for Sanderson, and two indoor robes for Mother and Father could Stella and Kalian leave the store.

“Then we’ll send the items you purchased along with the letter you wrote to House Ambrose. Thank you!”

The clerk smiled brightly and saw the two off to the store entrance. But the front of the store was empty.

“The carriage hasn’t arrived yet.”

“It won’t take long.”

But they would have to wait. There was the time needed for the telegram the maid sent to reach the mansion, prepare the carriage, and for the coachman to come here.

“Shall we take a walk in the meantime, wife?”

Kalian politely extended his hand. Stella hesitated for a moment, then took his hand. She couldn’t think of any reason to refuse.

The two walked slowly down the street.

Countless gazes gathered, fell away, and stuck persistently to their backs as the two passed by.

What thoughts were all those people having while looking at her?

Surely they would gossip that a dirty woman had taken the seat next to Duke Rochester through dirty means?

At the sudden thought, Stella’s shoulders almost shrank. But before that could happen, Kalian’s arm firmly held her.

“Don’t mind them.”

Kalian continued speaking while staring straight ahead.

“They’re just curious about us. Hold your shoulders straight and act confidently, wife.”

Kalian, who looked at Stella by only moving his gaze, smiled.

“Because I’m next to you.”

⁕⁕⁕

“Let my wife arrange the party.”

That day, those were Kalian’s words as he walked matching his pace with hers.

“It will be easy with Mrs. Poff’s help. Of course, it doesn’t matter how much money it costs.”

“……But I wonder if I can do it well.”

“It’s fine. You will surely be able to do it well.”

“……”

Recalling the events from a few days ago, Stella fingered the necklace around her neck.

A necklace set with blue sapphires. This was what Kalian had given her as a gift that day.

Along with the ridiculous stubbornness that she would know once she tried them all on, despite her refusal saying she didn’t know his taste.

Thanks to that, hadn’t Stella tried on every necklace and earring in the jewelry store that day?

Whenever she recalled that day, giggles kept leaking out.

“Excuse me, Madam. It’s Poff.”

“Please come in.”

With Stella’s permission, Mrs. Poff entered the room. She smiled brightly upon seeing Stella standing in front of the mirror.

“You look truly dazzlingly beautiful today, Madam!”

“Is it alright?”

At Mrs. Poff’s praise, Stella smiled as if embarrassed.

“This is my first time wearing such a dress……”

“You look so beautiful? I’m sure Grand Madam and the others will like it too.”

Today was the day Stella would meet Grand Madam and the relatives of House Rochester. So for the past few days, hadn’t Stella and Mrs. Poff put their heads together earnestly pondering what dress to wear and what accessories to use?

“I hope so.”

The result of intense deliberation was quite satisfactory, but anxiety still remained.

“Somehow I feel like everyone won’t like me very much.”

It was the first time since the wedding for both Grand Madam and the other relatives. They had only exchanged brief greetings.

Though Grand Madam had received her appropriately, the others had revealed their undisguised disgust and ridicule even in an instant.

‘Would it have been alright if Duke Rochester had been there?’

Unfortunately, some important guest had returned from somewhere far away today. He had also said it was something he absolutely had to go out and handle.

Because of this, Stella had to greet Grand Madam and the relatives alone today.

“But His Grace said he would come for dinner.”

Mrs. Poff subtly brought up the topic while arranging the dress hem. She seemed to have guessed the source of worry upon seeing Stella’s darkened face.

“Besides, aren’t they all members of House Rochester? They won’t be too rude.”

Would that really be the case?

Stella, who had been at the bottom, knew well the other side of nobles. Those who were kind to others often laid hands on commoners, and those who maintained courtesy with gentle words would spout curses when they saw someone even slightly lower than themselves.