The moment the soil collapsed above her head, Stella thought she was going to die.

But strangely, more than the fear of death, she worried more about the pain and suffering Kai would endure after she died.

Stella squeezed her eyes shut while harboring a vague wish to see Kai’s face just one more time. If pain was inevitable anyway, she hoped it would end quickly.

Though it was just a pile of dirt, the weight pouring down on her head was beyond imagination. Stella lost consciousness along with the sensation of her body sinking down before she could even let out a scream.

“It’s time to wake up now.”

A gentle voice penetrated her hazy consciousness. She felt someone brushing hair off her forehead and tenderly kissing her cheek. A smile spread across her face involuntarily from the languid happiness.

“Terra, it’s time to go home.”

However, the name called by the warm voice was not her own.

No, my name isn’t Terra, it’s Stella.

But regardless of the thoughts floating in her head, Stella’s eyes slowly opened. Then Kai’s brightly smiling face looking down at her came into view.

Brilliant sunlight poured down onto his head like jewels through the round leaves.

Kai? Why are you calling me by another woman’s name?

A hurt feeling welled up. But instead of asking why, an unfamiliar name came out of Stella’s mouth.

“Mar.”

Though puzzled by the strange name that came from her lips, Stella unconsciously smiled kindly at the man. At that moment, Stella realized the man smiling gently at her wasn’t Kai.

Though he looked very similar to Kai, his eye color and facial features were slightly different.

At first glance they could be mistaken for brothers, but his nose was slightly shorter than Kai’s and his eyes were rounder. Perhaps because of his downturned eye corners, he looked gentler than Kai.

Just as she wondered who Mar was, she realized he was Weimar Edelgard, the first emperor of the Credion Empire. Or rather, it felt like she had known all along.

Wasn’t he the one who made the silver coins that the earth fairies had brought?

Stella recalled the emperor’s profile embossed on the gold and silver coins. Though she had never seen him in person, she remembered it clearly, almost seeing it right before her eyes.

It was thanks to having examined the coins whenever she had free time, overjoyed by the money that had become hers.

The emperor’s expression on the coin was solemn, and his eyes were sharp, glaring at enemies.

However, the man she actually met had a smile as warm as spring sunshine. Though he was someone she didn’t know well, Stella felt happy just looking at him.

Stella couldn’t understand how she recognized him, or why she called him by such a familiar nickname. But what was even more incomprehensible was him calling her Terra.

Terra must be the goddess of earth?

“Let’s go back to the castle now. It will get cold when the sun sets. It would be terrible if you caught a cold, especially since you’re not alone. You mustn’t forget that you’ve become an ordinary human body now.”

As she listened to the man’s words, Stella unconsciously placed her hand on her belly. She felt the roundly swollen belly.

At the same time, a smile naturally formed from the overwhelming happiness that filled her chest. It was an exhilarating emotion she had never felt when she was in the position of a god.

“Yes. Let’s go back.”

Though her own voice answering kindly felt unfamiliar, Stella unconsciously smiled brightly at the man.

‘Am I looking into Terra’s memories?’

Though the words, actions, and emotions that came out regardless of her will weren’t her own, they felt very vivid.

Though he was a man she didn’t know well, she felt like she could give everything of herself for him at this moment.

This must be Terra’s emotions. Despite the happiness being almost overwhelming, Stella somehow felt tearful. The way they looked at each other and smiled felt more beautiful and precious than anything else in the world.

As soon as she stood up with Mar’s support, her surroundings spun rapidly and the scene quickly changed. At the same time, Stella unconsciously let out a scream from the indescribable intense pain. Stella was lying in bed.

“Nnnngh!”

“Your Majesty! Just push a little more! We can see the baby’s head now!”

Oh my goodness! Am I giving birth right now?

Despite the unbelievable situation, Stella was unconsciously bearing down hard. Her vision blurred and breathing became difficult. Her body arched involuntarily from the pain that felt like her waist was being torn apart.

“Just push a little more!”

“Aaaagh!”

Along with the pain that made her vision fade, she felt something sliding out of her body.

“It’s a prince!”

Along with the midwife’s voice full of joy, the baby’s strong cry echoed.

“Waaah!”

The pain that felt like it would split her whole body quickly became dull and distant, no longer seeming her own. Stella, who had been panting, blinked slowly and suddenly became alert at the familiar shape of the ceiling.

‘This is my room.’

This was her room inside Verdura Castle. The confused feeling lasted only briefly before Stella desperately wanted to see the face of the child she had just given birth to.

The pain that had crushed every joint in her body just moments ago was completely forgotten in her yearning and loving feelings. Stella reached out toward the midwife.

“The baby…”

I want to see. But before Stella could finish speaking, everything spun around again and suddenly she was standing face to face with a red-haired young woman in front of a cliff.

The moment she saw the woman holding a baby wrapped in blue silk swaddling clothes, Stella felt all the blood drain from her body.

No!

“Metelia, give me the baby.”

Stella pleaded desperately while reaching out toward the young woman standing before her. Stella could easily tell that the baby Metelia was holding was the child Terra had given birth to earlier.

“I trusted you.”

The voice of the woman holding the baby sounded highly agitated.

“Please, Metelia. It was all my fault. Please… give the baby back. I’m begging you.”

Hot tears rolled down her cheeks. Her mind went blank and she couldn’t do anything. Her hands and feet trembled and her vision blurred.

“It was supposed to be my position!”

Metelia shouted, seemingly having a fit.

“I know, I know too. I’m sorry, it was all my fault.”

Terra apologized over and over unconditionally. If this situation was caused by her love, then that too must have been wrong. She felt she could do anything if only she could get the baby back.

“He should have been my son!”

As Metelia shouted, the earth’s soil shook like vibrating before floating up into the air.

The soil that had been trembling, tied with invisible threads, clumped together and hardened, becoming pointed like awls. The sharp tips aimed at Terra while swaying precariously.

Even with her life in imminent danger, Terra’s gaze remained fixed only on the baby.

“Please, Metelia. Please.”

Terra pleaded with her hands clasped together in prayer. But the more she begged, the more vicious and fierce Metelia’s expression became. Terra’s pleading seemed to provoke her further.

“You took everything. Not content with taking all the power of blessing, you even took the human I loved. All I wanted was just one human man. I didn’t even desire the earth’s blessing anymore! I didn’t need the position of a god! But you took away the one thing I desperately wanted.”

Tears streamed down Metelia’s cheeks. At the same time, one of the soil awls flew quickly, grazing Terra’s cheek as it passed.

Though Metelia was born as Terra’s twin, for some reason, the earth’s blessing was directed only toward Terra.

Terra’s surroundings were always filled with humans who wanted to be loved by her and their laughter, as she received the love of all things born from the earth.

Metelia even tried offering the earth fairies she cared for to the god to receive divine love, but it was of no use.

Her resentment toward the god gradually shifted to Terra, and it seemed like Terra’s existence was the root cause of all this. As Metelia’s grudge grew, her earth fairies gradually lost their original color and became murky.

“I asked mother. Why did the god grant only you the earth’s blessing? Why wasn’t I chosen? Do you know what the answer was?”

One corner of Metelia’s lips twisted upward. Though it was hard to tell if she was smiling or crying, seeing the tears flowing down her cheeks, Terra was certain Metelia was crying.

“Metelia, please…”

“She said it was because of my greed. Does that make any sense? You’re the one who has everything! I only wanted one thing! Why! How am I the greedy one? How?”

Once again, a soil awl flew toward Terra.

Along with a stinging pain, something warm trickled down her neck. But Terra neither showed signs of pain nor covered her wound with her hand.

“It was all my fault.”

“That’s right. It was all your fault. You should never have been born! So everything must be returned. Wrong things must be eliminated!”

Metelia lifted the baby she was holding high in the air.

“Waaaaaah!”

The baby started crying hysterically, sensing its life was in danger.

“My child should become emperor. That’s the only fair thing. I’ll make all this blessed land mine.”

Just as Metelia was about to throw the baby,

Whoosh!

An arrow that flew from somewhere struck Metelia’s shoulder with a thud. Metelia looked blankly at the arrow embedded in her shoulder, seemingly in shock before slowly raising her head.

In the distance, Mar could be seen rapidly approaching on horseback with a bow. Behind him, numerous soldiers were following, raising dust.

“How could you do this to me…”

Because she had given all her love to Mar, he was the only person her power didn’t work on. To think that he would shoot an arrow at her. Metelia’s face clearly showed sadness and shock.

“I cannot forgive this.”

At that moment, Metelia threw the baby she had been holding with both hands toward the cliff with all her might.

“No!”

Terra threw herself with all her might toward the baby, who was falling off the cliff. She heard Mar’s scream behind her back. Another arrow flew and struck Metelia’s chest.

“Aaaaaah!”

Metelia resented everything.

“I’ll take away everything you have. The god’s blessing! I’ll destroy all of the earth’s blessing!”

The enraged Metelia poured cursed soil and rocks over the baby and Terra. Using divine power meant she could never return to a human body again.

It meant she would never be able to meet her beloved husband and child again. Nevertheless, Terra used all the divine power she possessed to protect the baby.

The light that started from Terra shot up toward the sky and enveloped even Metelia’s surroundings. The round, large light brightly illuminated the surroundings before rapidly shrinking. That was Terra’s last appearance in human form.

Mar, who hurriedly went down the cliff, found the baby completely unharmed but could find no trace of his beloved wife anywhere.

Mar, who had been searching frantically for Terra, found Metelia lying in tatters.

“Metelia.”

Mar approached Metelia and called her name.

“…Mar.”

Metelia reached out toward Mar standing before her. Now that Terra was gone too, she vaguely thought she could take her place. The son Terra left behind could simply be said to have died from illness.

“Mar, take my hand now. Terra can no longer maintain a human body. I’m the only one who can stay by your side.”

As she spoke, Metelia gradually recovered enough to stand on her own.

Metelia thought the reason Mar married Terra was because of the earth’s blessing she possessed. That it was an inevitable choice to make the empire more prosperous and develop it into a great nation.

When Terra used up all her power to protect the child just moments ago, her body scattered, and at that time, some of Terra’s earth blessing had seeped into Metelia as well.

So she thought she could now live happily by Mar’s side like Terra did.

But there was something Metelia overlooked. It was Mar’s absolute love for Terra.

Mar slowly approached Metelia who stood with her arms spread wide. Tears were flowing endlessly from his eyes. The subordinates who had arrived belatedly hurriedly picked up the crying prince who had fallen to the ground.

Metelia was confident she could embrace even Mar’s tears. It felt like everything was finally returning to its rightful place.

But far from choosing Metelia, Mar swung his sword at her with all his might, and the angered Metelia counterattacked with all her strength.

Mar flew back, hit a rock, and lost his life right there.

“See, you should have listened to me.”

Metelia approached the subordinates who were trembling in fear while holding the baby.

Despite being in a life-threatening situation, Mar’s loyal subordinates were protecting the prince, who was just a tiny bundle, with their bodies. Metelia was about to kill the child left alone but changed her mind.

“When you grow up to become emperor, I’ll come back. I’ll make my children, not Terra’s bloodline, inherit the imperial family. All of the earth’s blessing will disappear. It will be too late to regret today then.”

Metelia stared intently at the child and poured all the curses she could muster.

“Until I return, your descendants will hear whispers containing the earth’s curse. Try to survive without going mad. That’s how you’ll earn my favor, won’t you?”

After saying this, Metelia bit her finger to draw blood. Then she made a wound on the whimpering baby’s hand and let her blood drip onto it. The baby burst into loud cries when the wound was made.

Stella now watched Metelia through Mar’s eyes. Metelia wore a silver ring with unreadable letters engraved on her finger, and strangely, Stella’s gaze kept being drawn to it.

That’s when it happened.

“No!”

Along with Terra’s voice, a white light pierced through Metelia’s abdomen. Metelia disappeared along with the shattered white light.

As soon as Metelia vanished, the subordinate holding the prince urgently sucked the wound on the baby’s hand with his mouth. The prince’s red blood mixed with Metelia’s blood tasted bitter and stinging like strong liquor.

But the subordinate continued sucking out Metelia’s blood without rest until his tongue went numb and until the baby’s hand returned to its original color. He was a man with the same hazelnut-colored eyes and platinum blonde hair as Stella.

“Gasp!”

Stella opened her eyes while taking heavy breaths, like someone emerging from water.

“Stella!”

“Princess!”

“She’s awake! The princess is awake!”

Urgent voices calling her poured in from all directions at once. Though her eyes were open, only bright light entered her vision, making Stella anxious.

Then the light that had been blocking her view like fog gradually dimmed, and people’s faces started coming into focus in Stella’s vision.

“Kai?”

The first thing that entered her unstable vision was Kai’s face looking at her with bloodshot eyes.

“Stella.”

Just as Kai was about to embrace Stella, the four earth fairies sitting beside Stella’s pillow rushed into her arms first.

“Stella!”

“Waaaaaah!”

“She’s alive, she’s alive! Thank goodness!”

“If you die one more time, I’ll really kill you! Waaaaaah!”

Oton, Iver, Ark, and Esta clung to Stella and started crying their hearts out. Watching this scene quietly, Kai calmly grabbed the earth fairies by their necks one by one and pulled them away from Stella.

Though Oton, being more tactful, gave way on her own, the earth fairies who were suddenly grabbed tried hard not to be separated from Stella. However, they couldn’t win against Kai who was simply much bigger than them.

Finally, Iver, who had been crying and refusing to let go until the end, only separated from Stella after getting severely scolded by Oton, picking his ears as he moved away.

“How can you be so tactless? We’re all worried about Stella and overjoyed that she’s awake, but how happy must Kai be? Is it right for just us to keep hugging Stella, is it right?”

“It’s not right.”

“Then why are you being so stubborn?”

“I’m sorry. But I just love Stella so much, what can I do?”

“You’re the only one who loves her? I love her too. I love her too! Waaaaaah!”

Oton’s voice, which had been scolding Iver harshly, suddenly became tearful and she hugged Stella again while crying loudly.

The image of her standing with hands on her hips while lecturing just moments ago completely disappeared as she hugged Stella tightly and cried sorrowfully like a child who had found their lost mother.

“I don’t care, I don’t care! Kai can hug her later. We’re going to hug her now! Waaaaaah!”

Seeing Oton’s childlike behavior for the first time, the other earth fairies stood dazed before seemingly deciding they didn’t care and jumping into Stella’s arms again.

Kai, who had just lost Stella right in front of him, could only blink his eyes, not knowing how to respond. His opponents were beings who considered an emperor as insignificant as a stone rolling on the ground.

Before these beings whom he could neither scold nor assert imperial authority over, Kai had no choice but to helplessly wait for his turn.

Even after calming down, the earth fairies were reluctant to leave Stella’s side.

Only after agreeing to wait inside the dollhouse could Kai finally have time to talk with Stella alone.

“To think I have so many rivals.”

Kai was careful as he held Stella tightly. Since she hadn’t fully recovered yet, he couldn’t hug her freely like the earth fairies had.

“What happened?”

No matter how much Stella thought about it, she couldn’t believe she was alive like this. She should have died buried under that enormous pile of dirt.

Moreover, the scenes she had seen while unconscious, or perhaps in the moment her breath had stopped, seemed to hold many mysteries that needed to be solved.

“I found you under the Verdura garden. Under where the glowwort was blooming. When I heard your voice and found you buried in the ground, I thought I was going mad.”

Just recalling that scene seemed so horrific and frightening that Kai’s voice and body trembled. Stella gently stroked his back, feeling both sympathy and guilt.

After staying quietly in Kai’s arms for a while, Stella gently pushed against his chest and hesitantly spoke up.

“I saw Duke Will.”

“I see.”

Kai recalled the remains that the workers had found additionally after digging Stella out of the ground. Duke Will, who had been torn apart by earth spirits, had nothing left but bones.

If it weren’t for his clothes and ring, his condition was so terrible that it would have been difficult to recognize him as Will.

The worker who first discovered his corpse fainted on the spot, and other workers were too afraid to come near, so eventually the shadows had to recover Duke Will’s remains.

The ring that had been invisible while he was alive revealed itself again the moment his life ended. Kai burned that ring engraved with ancient characters along with Will’s remains.

He felt it shouldn’t be kept. Though he worried what if it wouldn’t burn, the ring, perhaps being connected to Will’s life, disappeared burning up instantly like dry firewood when it touched the flames.

While listening to Stella’s explanation, Kai remained calm and composed like someone who had already anticipated everything.

I wish he had gotten angry or surprised instead. Stella’s heart ached more seeing Kai respond so calmly, like it was someone else’s business.

“Duke Will didn’t do it on purpose. He seemed to be under control. If it weren’t for him, I might have died.”

She deliberately raised her voice when talking about how Will had tried to save her. She wanted to comfort Kai somehow.

Hearing this story for the first time, Kai quietly stared at Stella’s face for a moment. The vague feelings of resentment and hurt toward his mentor seemed to heal a little with just one word from Stella.

Reading the subtle change in Kai’s eyes, Stella didn’t miss the opportunity and continued speaking in Will’s defense.

“Whenever he regained consciousness, he tried to save me. In the end, it was because of that woman and the earth spirits.”

Stella unconsciously stopped speaking as past memories came flooding back. No matter how many earth spirits she had seen and fought off with pickaxes, the sight of a person having their flesh torn apart was horrifically nightmarish.

Kai, feeling terribly sorry for not being able to protect her, pulled Stella into another tight embrace.

“I’m sorry. For letting you go through that. For not being by your side.”

He wished it had been his arms that were torn off, that he had been the one buried. Kai held Stella in his arms for a while, dwelling on regrets that were now useless.

“What happened to that woman? Bella took away the woman who tried to attack me… Where is Bella? Is she not hurt?”

“That woman shattered the moment you pushed the light into her.”

Stella recalled the fairy stone Uhu had given her as a gift. She couldn’t explain why she had thought to use it at that moment, but it had been an instinctive action.

Even now, Stella had no way to explain her actions. She could only vaguely think that perhaps Uhu had predicted this moment and given her the fairy stone.

Looking at Stella quietly listening, Kai continued calmly.

“And Bella…”

“Peep!”

Before Kai could finish his sentence, a sound from outside the window startled Stella, making her hide in Kai’s arms before spotting the white eagle outside and slowly pulling away from his embrace.

“Bella?”

“Peeeeeep!”

“Bella!”

Bella had grown so enormous that she couldn’t fit through the window. Only her huge head and neck were visible through the window.

Though she looked like a fearsome beast to anyone else, to Stella she was just her adorable Bella. The same Bella who had risked her life to save her.

Stella tried to stand up from the bed but got dizzy and sat back down.

“Ah…”

When Stella held her head in discomfort, Kai quickly supported her and held her back.

“You shouldn’t get up yet.”

“I want to see Bella up close.”

Kai had no choice but to lift Stella in both arms. At any other time, she would have refused, saying she could stand on her own, but now she had no strength in her body, so she stayed still as Kai carried her.

Kai unconsciously frowned as he carried Stella, who had become much lighter in just a few days. He thought that once Stella could eat properly again, he would need to feed her the most precious and nutritious foods first.

After reaching the window, Kai held Stella with one arm while using his other hand to bring a comfortable couch nearby and place it by the window. Stella secretly admired his tremendous strength.

Kai tenderly kissed Stella’s forehead, who was looking at him with wide eyes, before carefully setting her down on the couch.

The position right by the window allowed her to reach out through it. Watching Kai treat her like she was made of fragile glass, Stella felt both reassured and strangely wanting to act spoiled with him.

When Kai opened the window, Bella immediately thr*st her face forward, clearly having waited for this moment.

Stella was startled at first by Bella’s appearance, which had grown hundreds of times larger than she remembered, but upon meeting Bella’s warm eyes looking at her, she spread both arms and hugged Bella’s head tightly.

“Thank you for saving me. Thank you so, so much, Bella.”

“Peeeeep.”

The enormous Bella immediately nuzzled her head against Stella while making her unchanged weak crying sound. That’s when it happened.

Stella, who had been hugging Bella, suddenly lifted her head as she felt her strengthless body becoming firm.

Bella seemed to notice Stella’s change too, as she leaned her large head against Stella while looking at her with gentle eyes.

“Thank you.”

After thanking Bella once more, Stella suddenly stood up from the couch.

“Stella, you shouldn’t stand up yet!”

Startled by Stella’s sudden movement, Kai quickly lifted her up. But Stella responded with a much more energetic expression than before.

“I’m fine now. I think Bella healed me. I feel overflowing with strength.”

Stella made a fist and showed it to Kai to prove it. Kai adjusted his hold on her with one arm and wrapped his hand around her small, round fist. Then he brought it to his lips and gave it a soft kiss.

“You look too threatening, so I can’t put you down. Other people might get scared.”

When Kai said this with a grin, Stella gave his lips a quick kiss before responding.

“Then shall I stay in your arms a little longer?”

“Good idea.”

Kai released Stella’s fist and reached out to push Bella’s head out the window.

Though Bella tried to resist being pushed out, she had no choice but to leave due to Kai’s merciless hand. Ignoring Bella’s indignant squawking, Kai closed the window and immediately kissed Stella.

That’s when it happened.

The earth fairies, who had their faces peeking out from the dollhouse window, could be heard chattering while snickering.

“Is Stella going to have a baby now?”

“Stupid, babies don’t come from kissing!”

“Then what do you need to do to make one?”

When Iver asked with a blank expression, Oton sighed deeply before whispering in his ear. Iver, who had been listening intently to Oton’s explanation, jumped up in shock.

“That’s not allowed!”

“Hey, will you be quiet?”

“Stella! Get away from Kai! He’s going to plant seeds in you! He’s a really bad guy! My goodness! How can he plant seeds in a person! When he has so much land already!”

“Hey! You idiot! Shut your mouth!”

Oton shouted with a red face at Iver’s outburst. Soon after, under Oton’s direction, Esta and Ark rolled Iver up in a doll blanket and took him outside.

“Sorry. Our child is quite lacking.”

Oton didn’t forget to apologize to the two. However, Esta and Ark, not understanding what Iver had done wrong, exchanged glances trying to figure out the cause of this situation.

In their minds too, planting seeds in a person’s body seemed very wrong. But they kept their mouths shut, fearing they might meet the same fate if they took Iver’s side here.

Watching the earth fairies dragging Iver out of the room like a prisoner, Kai asked in a chilling voice.

“Can I throw away that dollhouse?”

Two days had passed since Stella woke up, but the emperor showed no signs of returning to the main palace. Instead, he even started moving his work items from his office to Verdura one by one.

Verdura, which was already cramped, was about to burst from all the belongings Kai was bringing in almost daily.

Unable to bear it anymore, Stella caught Kai as he came to the room with a dinner tray and pleaded with him.

“Your Majesty, I’ve fully recovered. So I think it would be better for you to move back to the main palace now. Because of me, not only Your Majesty but everyone else is suffering too.”

Stella felt quite uncomfortable about how others were being inconvenienced because of Kai. Verdura was now packed with people everywhere, from the servants’ quarters to the attic.

People even filled the garden, making Stella feel like she was losing her peace of mind. She really missed the humble and quiet Verdura of before.

Seeing Stella’s dark expression, Kai pulled her close and said gently, “Don’t worry, I’ll move back to the main palace soon.”

“Really?”

Stella thought this was truly fortunate. But what he said next made her jaw drop.

“I’m thinking of demolishing all the other castles around Verdura Castle and rebuilding the main palace here.”

“What?”

“You said it yourself, didn’t you? That this place was likely where Terra lived. And I’m thinking of sending the hostage princesses back to their home countries if they wish.”

“Kai!”

Stella hugged Kai tightly with great joy. This was one of the most delightful news she had ever heard.

After hearing about Stella’s vision during her unconsciousness, Kai decided to rebuild the imperial palace centered around Verdura Castle.

Even if it took some time, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the only way everything would return to its proper place.

Of course, his officials strongly opposed this, but whenever that happened, Kai made them eat glowwort fruit so they could see the earth fairies.

As a skilled instructor, Iver, under Kai’s secret orders, would appear before the officials with a ‘ta-da’ like a sacred being, and give long-winded speeches about Terra’s goddess’s blessing and the power of the earth.

Moreover, with his ability to control pigeons at will, everyone ended up agreeing to move the main palace near Verdura.

“What if what I saw was wrong? What if it was just a strange dream?”

“It doesn’t matter. Wherever you are is where I need to be.”

Though Kai could have moved Stella’s residence to the main palace, he didn’t want to. This was land blessed by the Goddess Terra, and it was also where most earth fairies lived.

When the emperor’s decree allowing them to return to their home countries was issued, about half of the hostage princesses decided to leave while the other half chose to stay.

This was because some princesses were promised marriages to Credion nobles, and others, though they hadn’t spoken about it, were in similar situations as Stella and found life here better.

Perhaps because of Annette’s death, not a single princess from the Plant District remained – they all left the imperial palace.

* * *

“If you don’t want to meet them, you don’t have to.”

Kai embraced Stella, who had stopped several times to take deep breaths on their way here. The emperor became restless whenever Princess Stella’s face darkened.

The shadows and servants following the emperor were no longer surprised by his gentle demeanor. His tenderness had become so common when he was with Princess Stella that it was now considered normal.

Their attitude toward Princess Stella couldn’t help but be as devoted as the emperor’s. Princess Stella was the only person in the empire who could influence the emperor.

“No. I really wanted to meet them one more time. I’ll see them.”

Stella stood before the door, taking several deep breaths, clearly struggling.

It was a remote room located in the northernmost part of the main palace, where sunlight barely reached – where Queen Eliza from Amalrune and Beatrice were being detained.

“King Philip is coming personally, I hear.”

“I see.”

Stella nodded calmly at Kai’s words, seemingly having expected it. The king who doted on Beatrice must have felt like the sky was falling when he heard she was detained here.

Although he had never shown her any affection, Stella no longer felt hurt by it.

When he had sent her away like trash by falsifying her bloodline documents, Stella had already let go of any lingering attachment to ‘family.’

Just as the guard standing at the door was about to open it, sounds of what seemed to be two people arguing leaked out from inside.

Stella looked at Kai with a puzzled expression, and Kai smirked as he signaled for the door to be opened.

“I’ll go meet them alone.”

“Why? Let’s go in together. What if they try to harm you?”

“They wouldn’t dare. I have such powerful allies on my side.”

Stella spoke with a comfortable smile to reassure Kai. However, the anxiety didn’t fade from his expression.

“Alright. I won’t go in with you. But I’ll stand outside with the door open. If they threaten you even slightly, I’ll come right in. Is that okay?”

Watching the emperor asking permission even to enter the room, Harman couldn’t hide his sense of pride somehow.

If His Majesty does anything strange now, I can just tell Princess Stella – no, Her Majesty the Empress.

Harman felt like he had gained an incredibly powerful ally that had never existed before. Naturally, his eyes couldn’t help but drip with honey when looking at Stella.

“Yes. I’ll let you know right away if I need help.”

Stella took his hand and smiled to reassure him.

Queen Eliza and Beatrice were people who had treated her like she didn’t exist and ignored her until now.

Since such people would likely still speak harshly to her, Stella didn’t want to show such a scene to Kai.

As Stella entered the room, Kai stared into it with the most murderous expression of all.

“Beatrice, what will you do if you keep refusing to eat like this? Look how dry your skin has become. Your father is on his way now, so you’ll be able to leave here soon.”

Eliza tried to comfort Beatrice, looking worriedly at her who had become noticeably gaunt. Beatrice, who had gone to sleep quietly last night seemingly fully understanding the current situation, was in tears again as soon as she woke up this morning.

“Sob sob, this can’t be happening. This just can’t be. How can he take such a nobody as empress over me? What do I lack compared to her? Mother, you said it yourself! That when the emperor learns of Stella’s common bloodline, he would surely abandon her and choose me!”

Beatrice burst into tears every day, endlessly repeating the same words. Even Eliza, who had initially tried her hardest to comfort her daughter, was gradually growing tired.

However, having not only encouraged her daughter to come here but also deceived the king, she couldn’t say anything even if she got annoyed, so she continued to comfort her daughter while suppressing her irritation.

Since her relationship with her husband seemed already ruined, she needed to at least maintain a good relationship with her daughter.

“Princess Stella has arrived.”

While Eliza was busy comforting Beatrice, the door opened and the servant standing guard outside announced loudly. At the same time, Eliza’s vicious gaze turned toward the door.

But the first person her eyes met was not Princess Stella, but the emperor who was staring into the room with a murderous look.

“Gasp!”

Eliza, who had habitually felt anger rising at Stella’s name, immediately became as meek as a lamb and folded her hands demurely upon seeing the emperor’s face.

However, Beatrice, whose attention was first caught by Stella’s gorgeous and beautiful appearance, failed to notice the emperor standing like a grim reaper outside the door.

She felt frustrated and resentful that while she was being mistreated in this shabby room unable to leave, that commoner Stella was wearing better clothes and more expensive jewels than her.

Beatrice couldn’t contain her sense of humiliation and jumped to her feet.

“You…”

“Beatrice, no.”

Though Eliza urgently tried to stop her daughter, Beatrice somehow found the strength to violently shake off her mother’s restraining arm and rushed quickly toward Stella.

Beatrice thought Stella was the root cause of all this. Every time she thought about Stella while imprisoned here, she wanted to grab her hair and slap her face.

And now that she had come here on her own feet, Beatrice thought this was the perfect opportunity to vent her resentment.

“Who are you to make me be treated like this!”

Just as Beatrice, who had reached Stella in the blink of an eye, raised her arm to slap Stella’s cheek.

With a sharp sound, her arm was yanked upward, seemingly about to be torn off. Beatrice grimaced at her arm that had shot up against her will.

“Ah!”

The emperor, who had been watching from outside, had suddenly approached and grabbed her arm. The shadows hadn’t even had time to intervene.

Beatrice, who hadn’t recognized Kai yet, glared in disbelief before wincing in pain from the pressure on her wrist and struggling to pull it free.

But Kai showed no intention of releasing the tightly gripped wrist. Beatrice felt her wrist was about to break.

“L-let go! Let go of me!”

As Beatrice shouted angrily at Kai who had roughly grabbed her wrist, Eliza quickly approached with a pale face and prostrated herself before the two.

“Your Imperial Majesty, please forgive my immature daughter’s actions. She’s in a weakened state of mind and unable to control herself…”

Beatrice gaped in shock at the sight of her mother prostrating herself and trembling.

Only then did the emperor’s face she had seen at the banquet overlap with the face of the emperor standing before her now. Beatrice felt her mind going blank.

Seeing her daughter trembling in fear, tears flowed endlessly from Eliza’s eyes.

“Kai, it’s alright. I’ll talk to them.”

When Stella touched Kai’s arm that was holding Beatrice’s wrist, he immediately released it, transforming into a gentle lamb.

He hadn’t let go gently but rather thrown it away, causing Beatrice to lose her balance and fall.

“Ah! Uh-huhuhu!”

Beatrice, who had fallen to the floor, burst into tears from feeling wronged, angry, and embarrassed.

Though she looked quite pitiful, Kai only frowned, and his gaze showed not even a hint of sympathy for Beatrice.

“She will be the Empress of the Credion Empire. Try to lay a hand on her one more time, and I’ll cut off not just your wrist but your father’s neck as well.”

At Kai’s chilling warning, Eliza prostrated herself again and begged.

“Never, it will never happen again! I will properly educate my lacking daughter, so please show mercy just this once with your great generosity.”

Stella felt surprised internally to see Kai’s expression change so instantly, but she felt very reassured. She realized once again how nice it was to have someone who would stand up for her without question.

If the earth fairies had come along, they would surely have thrown mud clumps or worms at Beatrice. Stella approached Beatrice with composure, thinking of her reliable allies.

Kai wanted to stay in the room, but Stella sent him out. She couldn’t have a conversation with people who were too scared to even lift their faces because of Kai.

“Have you been well?”

“In your eyes, does this look like being well! Yes, I’ve been well.”

Eliza snapped reflexively but then looked toward the door and lowered her voice again.

“Why did you come here?”

“We were also deceived by Princess Annette when we came here. It’s not our fault. It’s all Princess Annette’s fault, so our Beatrice did nothing wrong.”

Eliza quickly presented Stella with a name to shift the blame to.

“Annette is dead.”

“What? Su-surely the emperor didn’t…”

Eliza asked with a pale face.

“There was an accident. It had nothing to do with His Imperial Majesty.”

Annette had been found covered in blood in the underground prison. Her entire body was mangled, appearing to have been eaten by starving rats.

But what was even more horrifying was that Annette’s young and fresh face had become as wrinkled as that of a woman over ninety.

Stella recalled Annette’s death as it had been reported to her in the most sanitized terms. Though she had no good feelings toward her, she hadn’t wanted such an end for her.

She was a selfish and immature princess who thought she was the best, but Stella wished she could have returned safely to her country like the others.

Though Eliza seemed briefly relieved at Stella’s words, Beatrice’s anxious expression didn’t fade. Eliza hid Beatrice behind her back, seemingly afraid Stella might cast a curse on her.

After appearing lost in thought for a moment, Eliza suddenly took Stella’s hand warmly and smiled. Stella got chills even as she faced her, seeing an expression devoid of any sincerity.

“Stella, you haven’t forgotten that you’re also a princess of Amalrune, have you?”

Seeing Eliza’s intentions too obviously, Stella simply gazed at her calmly without responding.

“Actually, I was secretly happy to hear that you would become empress. Whether it’s you or Beatrice, you’re both of Amalrune’s royal bloodline, so isn’t your glory Amalrune’s glory? You don’t know how proud your father was when he heard you would become empress.”

“Is that so?”

Taking Stella’s flat response as a positive signal, Eliza quickly added more. A hasty hope flickered in her eyes that had shown only despair before.

“Of course. How could we have sent you here if we didn’t consider you of true royal blood? It was all part of your father’s deep intentions.”

Stella quietly observed Eliza as she earnestly spoke nonsense.

“So don’t forget the favor we did by sending you here.”

“Yes. I am grateful that you sent me here.”

“Right? I knew you would understand. Then now, please let us out of this room, and treat us as state guests…”

“But that’s as far as it goes.”

“What?”

“I won’t be seeing either of you again. And I am no longer Stella Oberlite. I am Marchioness Stella Generous of the Credion Empire.”

“So, so you’re going to keep us locked up here like this?”

Eliza burst out. Stella stood up, like she had nothing more to say and looked down at the two as she spoke.

“I came here to give you both one last chance to apologize. After all, I once thought of you as family.”

“Stella!”

“But now I don’t even want your apology.”

Having heard Stella’s words, Eliza moved close to her and whispered quietly.

“Do you think you’ll be safe after this? In Amalrune, there’s a mage who created your bloodline document. If we want to, we can take your life with that bloodline document.”

Stella recalled the memory of feeling like her body was being torn apart whenever she tried to destroy the bloodline document.

Eliza thought Stella would be instantly frightened upon hearing about the bloodline document. But Stella’s eyes remained as calm as a quiet lake.

“Do as you please.”

After saying that, Stella threw the bloodline document she had brought in front of the two. Though Eliza thought something was strange, she couldn’t let go of her attachment and quickly picked up the bloodline document and tore it forcefully.

But the scream came not from Stella but from Beatrice, whom she cherished more than her own eyes.

“Aaaaagh!”

When the startled Eliza turned around, there was a huge wound on Beatrice’s face, looking like it had been cut by a knife. Seeing her daughter’s face covered in blood, Eliza threw away the bloodline document she was holding in horror.

“What have you done!”

“The same thing you did to me.”

Stella left the room, leaving the two wailing behind.

“Did the conversation go well?”

Kai smiled as he heard the crying from inside the room.

“Yes, thanks to you.”

It was the imperial grand mages who had tampered with Stella’s bloodline document. They said that while they couldn’t completely remove the curse on the bloodline document because it was magic that betted one’s life, they could change its direction.

And their target for redirecting the curse was Princess Beatrice, who shared the same father’s blood. Kai was rather pleased with this outcome and gave the mages great rewards.

“I’m glad. Those two acted exactly as you thought they would.”

“Thank you.”

“Anything for the empress.”

Kai, who openly called Stella empress in front of others, looked happier than anyone.

* * *

The emperor’s wedding was so grand and splendid that it seemed otherworldly.

Though Stella, who preferred simplicity, wanted a wedding that wasn’t too extravagant, Kai, who had yielded on everything else, wanted the wedding to be done his way.

He wanted everyone in the empire to look up to Stella and recognize how extraordinary she was.

Of course, Stella was beautiful and extraordinary enough without others’ recognition, but Kai, who wanted to show her off to the entire empire, wished to make the wedding as grand as possible.

“Princess- no, Your Imperial Majesty, you look so beautiful!”

Rudina, who had been crying tears of joy since the morning of the wedding day, burst into tears again upon seeing Stella in her wedding dress.

The wedding dress Kai had prepared was embedded with tiny diamond dust from the veil to the hem of the dress.

Worried it might be too heavy, he had the mages reduce the weight of the dress, so Stella felt light like she was merely wearing feathers despite wearing a dress full of jewels.

“Thank you, Rudina. If you hadn’t been by my side, I wouldn’t have made it this far.”

At Stella’s words, Rudina wiped her tears and smiled brightly.

“I’m the one who should be thankful. I’m alive because of you, Princess. Thank you. Thank you for becoming happy, thank you for becoming healthy, and thank you so much for being alive like this.”

Rudina’s words became increasingly unclear and eventually broke down due to her crying.

Milla and Rudina were awarded the title of count and territory by the emperor in recognition of their service in protecting the empress. He granted them territory near the capital to make it easy to visit Stella.

Milla decided to manage the territory, while Rudina chose to stay by Stella’s side. Though parting with her sister was sad, she wanted to remain by Princess Stella’s side at least for a while.

“Oh right, did you hear the news?”

Rudina, whose eye makeup was ruined by flowing tears, suddenly asked with a bright smile, seemingly just remembering something.

Seeing Rudina’s tear-stained face with the happiest expression, Stella couldn’t help but smile.

“What news?”

Stella, who hadn’t heard much news from Verdura Castle due to wedding preparations, perked up her ears wondering if there was new information.

“They found James’s father.”

Rudina said with a broad smile.

“Really? When? How? Wasn’t he supposed to be dead?”

“Fooka came to visit. He heard rumors about a surviving wolf shapeshifter.”

“Oh my! James must have been so happy. Wasn’t James’s father surprised? James has grown so much in the meantime.”

“I thought so too, but he accepted it naturally. He was actually happy saying his son was finally all grown up.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m so glad.”

Stella expressed genuine happiness.

“Please make sure to thank Fooka for me. Tell him I’ll give him a separate reward.”

“I think Fooka already received a hefty reward from James’s father?”

“How?”

Finding family would probably command an enormous fee. Though it might be prejudiced, Stella didn’t think the wolf tribe would have much human money.

“James’s father gave Fooka a wolf tribe treasure as a gift. It looked like just an ordinary wolf tooth to me, but apparently it has some special power. Fooka was overjoyed saying he’s rich now.”

She could easily imagine how happy Fooka must have been receiving the gift.

“James must be grateful too? Fooka must have been really surprised to see how much James has grown.”

Stella regretted not being able to witness the family reunion. But thinking of James’s happiness made her smile linger.

“Yes. But strangely, those two fight whenever they meet.”

“Who? James and Fooka? Why?”

“That’s what I’m saying. They fight over the most trivial things.”

“What do they fight about?”

While Fooka had a hot temper that could lead to fights, James wasn’t like that. She felt curious about what could make such a gentle, kind child fight with Fooka.

“What was it again? Yesterday they were fighting over who was closer to me, and watching from the side, it was really childish. They’re not kids anymore, I don’t understand why they fight over such things. Who cares who’s closer?”

Rudina shook her head like an older sister thinking of her troublemaking siblings. Watching her, Stella smiled slightly and said, “Really? I think I know why they’re fighting.”

At Stella’s words, Rudina just blinked her round eyes.

* * *

“They’re both truly beautiful.”

Prindella, who was seated among the guests, spoke with a satisfied expression as she watched Stella and Kai standing face to face reading their marriage vows.

“I think Stella is prettier. Almost too good for Kai.”

Melissa, who was staring ahead with narrowed eyes, said while crossing her arms across her chest. Melissa, who had suffered a severe abdominal injury in the previous battle, recovered quickly thanks to Stella’s Wisdom Herb.

Melissa, who already had excellent physical strength, recovered much faster than other injured people.

During Melissa’s recovery, Stella visited her frequently, and Melissa welcomed her with great joy. She didn’t forget to boast to Kai about becoming closer to Stella than before.

“Oh my, Marchioness Melissa! That’s not right. What’s wrong with our Kai?”

Blood is thicker than water, as Prindella retorted indignantly. But Melissa lowered both corners of her lips and shook her head.

“Your Imperial Highness. Do you think I don’t know Kai’s personality? I know his fussy nature better than anyone. That’s why I can’t help but think Stella is too good for him. Besides, you know Stella has powerful supporters. Forces that can’t be compared to mere human military might or power.”

At Melissa’s words, the four earth fairies sitting side by side nearby nodded their heads strongly. Prindella, who had already eaten the luminous fruit Kai had given her, could also see the earth fairies.

The luminous fruit had spread like a trend across the continent and had become an herb that everyone desperately sought.

The price had skyrocketed due to news that eating the fruit not only improved eyesight but also allowed one to see the mysterious earth fairies.

Unintentionally, Stella’s wealth had grown substantially, and in the process, Ian Blake also profited quite a bit.

Though Kai wished for Stella and Ian to no longer be involved, Ian wasn’t someone to miss an opportunity for profit.

In the end, he won the distribution rights by participating in the public bid under an alias and had been conducting trades while thoroughly concealing his identity until now.

“That’s right. We possess very powerful strength.”

Oton spoke proudly with a silver bow tucked at her side. Iver, who sat beside her, also held a spear made of silver, while Ark and Esta sat displaying their brave appearances, holding a dagger and dual swords respectively.

That wasn’t all. The earth fairies roamed throughout the wedding venue with their gleaming weapons, staying extremely alert, scanning their surroundings like Stella’s guards.

Originally, no weapons were allowed in the wedding venue, but no one found the earth fairies’ sparkling weapons threatening.

Only the earth fairies maintained serious expressions and stayed tense, and people couldn’t help but smile as they watched the fairies looking around vigilantly.

“Our empress has quite reliable backing.”

Prindella also spoke with an ever-present smile.

Some earth fairies who had become friends with Prindella would visit her greenhouse, and each time, Prindella would bring the empire’s most skilled baker to bake cookies for the earth fairies.

Thanks to this, Prindella’s popularity among the earth fairies soared daily. Today was the day Oton would take Iver, Ark, and Esta to visit Prindella’s greenhouse.

* * *

After her bath, Stella entered the bedroom wearing the nightgown the maids had helped her put on. Wearing such a flowing nightgown for the first time in her life, Stella kept fidgeting with the hem awkwardly.

The nightgown made of the finest silk felt smooth as glass and soft as cream.

Curious about how she looked, Stella approached the full-length mirror hanging on one wall.

“Oh!”

Though she had roughly expected it, the nightgown the maids had put on her revealed more than she’d thought. The neckline plunged deep, exposing half of her fair chest, and while the skirt was long, it was deeply slit so that even the slightest movement revealed her hips.

That wasn’t all. The soft silk was so thin that it appeared almost completely see-through, showing Stella’s unclothed body underneath.

“What is this?”

Stella looked around for a robe she could wear over it. As she stood there helplessly stamping her feet, she heard the door opening. It seemed Kai had entered.

Startled, Stella grabbed the robe hanging on the vanity chair and put it on.

“Stella.”

As she had expected, it was Kai who entered the room. He seemed to have just finished bathing as well, still having traces of moisture, and his muscular chest was visible through his loosely opened robe.

“Y-you’re here?”

Kai couldn’t help but smile at how cute Stella looked as she tried to cover herself by pulling her robe tight. He had never once imagined such a happy moment would come.

“Are you cold?”

At Kai’s pretend-innocent question, Stella nodded with an awkward smile.

“I think I’m a bit cold. Haha.”

“Then why is your face so red? And you’re even sweating?”

“I tend to sweat when I’m cold.”

Stella chuckled after saying whatever came to mind. Even she knew it made no sense.

“I want to see you.”

Kai said while caressing Stella’s cheek.

“The nightgown is a bit…”

“Why? Too revealing?”

Something about Kai’s questioning tone seemed mischievous, making Stella glare at him reproachfully. Kai chuckled softly before gently lifting her chin for a soft kiss, then whispered:

“I picked out that nightgown.”

“Kai!”

As Stella exclaimed with wide eyes in reproach, Kai seemed even more pleased as he lifted her onto his lap.

“Today felt like it would never come. I almost went crazy. That damned Harman wouldn’t let me anywhere near your room before the wedding – I nearly fired him this time.”

Kai’s nose playfully bumped against Stella’s. Smiles of happiness spread across both their faces simultaneously.

Kai’s lips, which had softly touched Stella’s, slowly traced down her neck to her round shoulder.

Everywhere Kai’s lips touched became feverishly hot, making Stella unconsciously shrink back.

Kai gazed at Stella with heated eyes as he carefully unwrapped the blanket she had wrapped around herself. His initially calm touch grew noticeably urgent and impatient by the time the blanket was almost completely removed.

Kai yanked off her robe and tossed it aside, eliminating it like a rival. Feeling exposed, Stella instinctively covered her chest with her arms.

“You’re so beautiful.”

Never had there been a moment more anticipated, happy, and nerve-wracking than this. Kai’s breath trembled.

Stella gazed steadily at Kai’s eyes that were fixed on her, then unwrapped her arms to embrace his neck.

Though she had to reach up quite high since he was much taller, it didn’t matter. As soon as Stella extended her arms, Kai lifted her up, suddenly making her eye level higher than his.

“I love you.”

At Kai’s simple yet tender confession, Stella gently pressed her forehead against his and replied.

“I love you more, Kai.”

Kai’s large hand cradled Stella’s slender nape. Kissing her, he walked and laid her down on the bed. Her soft platinum blonde hair spread like sunlight across the white bedsheet.

“You know what?”

Kai asked, looking down at Stella.

“What?”

“This nightgown is disposable.”

“What?”

Just as Stella opened her eyes wide, not understanding what he meant, Kai’s hand touched her nightgown and pulled away.

“Huh?”

At that moment, the thin nightgown scattered in the air resembling falling cherry blossom petals.

“Kai!”

As Stella, startled, tried to cover herself with her arms again, Kai gently took her wrists and wrapped them around his neck.

“Sorry for startling you.”

Kai whispered as he placed small kisses on Stella’s reddened lips and neck.

Stella couldn’t decide whether to be angry or laugh, but ended up chuckling at Kai’s sly smile that left her dumbfounded.

“And I’m sorry in advance.”

“For what?”

“Because I won’t let you sleep tonight.”

At Kai’s answer, Stella’s eyes went wide as she tried to say something, but her words were swallowed by Kai’s long, deep kiss.

* * *

Epilogue.

Evening of the wedding day, inside Duchess Prindella’s greenhouse.

Prindella contentedly drank tea while watching the earth fairies running around her greenhouse, treating it like a playground.

Throughout Kai’s wedding ceremony, she had felt happy, but seeing the two standing alone without parents to congratulate them had also made her heart ache.

“Prindella!”

Iver, who had been running energetically around the greenhouse, called out Prindella’s name as he ran over. Though Iver casually called her by name, Prindella didn’t mind at all.

Rather, she felt happy to have gained such a cute and lovable friend.

“What is it, Iver?”

“Well…”

Iver hesitated, seemingly having something to say, looked around, then continued.

“You absolutely can’t tell Oton what I’m about to ask.”

“Alright.”

Finding Iver’s serious expression too adorable, Prindella stroked his round head while offering him some cookies she had prepared.

They were precious cookies made with sugar-coated peanuts. Though the price of the nearly depleted sugar peanuts exceeded imagination, Prindella generously gave the earth fairies cookies filled with them.

These were the same sugar peanuts she had firmly told Kai she had none left of.

Iver carefully took the cookies with both hands and climbed onto Prindella’s shoulder with some effort. Cookie crumbs fell onto Prindella’s dress with soft plops.

Though the nearby maids looked horrified, Prindella smiled gently while lightly brushing off the cookie crumbs from her dress. A sweet fragrance wafted through the air.

Prindella cupped her palm to help the small and cute Iver climb comfortably onto her shoulder.

Successfully perched on her shoulder, Iver whispered into Prindella’s ear.

“Hey Prindella, Oton said that tonight Kai is going to plant a seed in Stella. I’ve been thinking about it, and that just doesn’t seem right – couldn’t you stop Kai? If he really wants to plant seeds, he could plant them in your greenhouse, right? Why does he keep trying to plant them in Stella? Isn’t he crazy?”

“Ah… well, that…”

Prindella fumbled for words, not knowing how to respond, while the maids attending her bit their lips and squeezed their eyes shut trying to hold back their laughter. Just then.

“Hey! Iver, you idiot! Are you asking weird questions again?”

In the distance, they could see an enraged Oton charging like an angry bull. Iver startled and quickly hid behind Prindella.

“I should have just buried you in the ground! I’m so embarrassed I can’t live!”

Oton’s shout, face red with anger, echoed throughout the greenhouse.

I Didn’t Particularly Want to Farm! | The End

T/N: Thank you for reading!

I truly enjoyed translating this story. Won’t be an exaggeration to say that this is my favorite one among all the other ones I’ve translated so far. There are too many hilarious moments to remember but it had been a blast from the beginning all the way to Chapter 200. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did.

And until then, see you in my other works!