Chapter 147
Emma’s words about Nova leaving for the Duke’s Manor left my body frozen in place.
I felt a sudden heaviness in my chest. My lips pressed together, and before I knew it, my hand was reaching out.
Why would Nova go there? Could it be because of Siel…? Didn’t he say he would never meet again…?
No… Wait! He said he was invited by the Duke, so it probably has nothing to do with the Princess…?
Crack!
“If they do end up meeting…”
As I anxiously wandered around the store, it seemed Emma noticed my state and spoke up.
“If you’re worried, why not go see him?”
“But… what reason would I have to do that…?”
Crack!
“Stella, quit biting your nails.”
“Huh?”
Only then did I realize my thumbnail was bitten down to the point of bleeding.
When did it get this bad? My skin was already torn from before.
With a sigh, Emma applied disinfectant to my nails and then wrapped them in a bandage.
“Why are you so anxious? Are you worried about him?”
Unable to say a word, I watched as Emma looked over at Logan, who was busy making bread.
“Well, it’s not like I can’t understand your feelings… that man was quite the charmer in his youth, you know?”
“Really?”
At that, Mr. Logan stumbled and feigned indignation.
“Dear? When did I ever do that…?” “So, I was thinking… should I keep him locked up for life…?”
“Right! I’ve always thought that too!”
I clapped my hands together, and a strange camaraderie was formed.
That Nova guy claims he’s not like that, but women just gravitate toward him like it’s nothing.
He’s even the type to use that to his advantage—a complete alpha male.
Even while working part-time, most female customers would open their wallets just for his calculated smirk.
“It’s like blood doesn’t lie… Lucky for him, I still fixate on him… If not…”
“If not…?”
She smiled and looked at her husband.
“Haha! What could I possibly do to him… he is still the one I love…”
Although she let out a sigh of relief, her next words turned her complexion pale.
“But that cheating girl needs to be dealt with… and maybe… a full-body fracture would do…”
“Emma? Why are you nodding, Stella…?”
“Right… that’s how it works!”
Just when I thought she might let it slide, it turned out Emma—no, Mom—was definitely on the same wavelength.
I may have never been married, but the bond of marriage is priceless, after all… cheating is absolutely forbidden.
Well… I don’t plan to get married anytime soon! But if it ever happens and infidelity occurs…
“That’s absolutely not allowed…”
“So, Stella, if you want anything… you must…”
Tightening the bandage around my thumb, she spoke.
“You need to tie him down once and for all… got it?”
“…Yes!”
“… are you really not mother and daughter…?”
*
Led by a girl claiming to be a maid at the Duke’s Manor named Estelle, Nova exited Siel’s room.
Her confident demeanor seemed to leave Siel speechless, as she watched in a daze.
“W-Wait! Put that down…!”
It was only when they reached a corridor far from the Princess’s room that the maid finally released her grip.
“You… Stella…?”
“What are you talking about? I’m Estelle, the new maid.”
“…Estelle?”
With black hair and captivating wall-eyed gaze—a combination rare to see.
She was stunning enough to catch anyone’s attention anywhere.
Putting aside her mysterious and eye-catching appearance, her intentions were far too clear.
The way she looked at him, along with her tone laced with discontent, made it even weirder that they shared such similar names.
‘What on earth is going on…? Could she be using an illusion charm or something?’
Even the other maids around seemed to feel no sense of unease about her presence. As though she had always been there.
Separate from that, however, Nova felt like he was standing in front of a judge about to be sentenced with that icy gaze.
“Hey, don’t misunderstand, I’m just trying to explain that my talk with Siel wasn’t what you think…”
Suddenly, Estelle stepped forward, cutting him off.
“Misunderstand? I’m not Stella, I’m just a maid!!”
“No…”
‘She literally just told on herself….’ “So… what were the two of you talking about?”
“Ah, there you are, guest. The Duke is looking for you.”
“Wait, really?”
Just as she was about to say something, the butler appeared, calling for Nova.
Estelle bit her lip, scowling, but then she stepped back.
Feeling the burning gaze on his back, Nova followed the butler.
*
After being guided by the butler, Nova arrived at a room where Duke Nuer was busy with his work.
He looked as though he had just returned from a demonic expedition—utterly composed and unruffled.
“Greetings, Your Grace.”
He scrutinized Nova for a moment, a slight smile creasing his lips.
“It’s been a while. Has it been since the Academy? You’ve grown since then.”
“Thank you.”
“I wonder if you were pleased with the gifts I sent.”
That made Nova recall the recent incident.
Not long after the break started, a truckload of gifts—jewelry, valuables, and more—had arrived.
It wasn’t just Nuer; many noble families sent gifts upon hearing that Stella was staying at his place.
“Damn that Laggenpender family likely sent gifts as well, but these ones are far better.”
“May I ask a question?”
“What is it?”
“If it was for Stella, you could’ve just sent it to the Magic Tower… why go out of your way…”
Nuer looked at him as if utterly incredulous.
“Do you think I wouldn’t look into your relationship with her?”
“…”
“Down south, they likely think a young mage has fallen for a commoner, but my eyes aren’t deceived.”
“…I don’t know what you’re talking about… but I doubt you’d understand.”
He too had the unique ability to see through falsehoods, much like Siel did.
And it was clear his perception was greater than Nova’s, making it practically impossible to hide anything.
“I had quite a struggle digging up information, even trading with that miser Vladimir.”
Nuer rifled through papers on his desk, reading them one by one.
“Swordmaster Ras and Death Shadow, world-renowned assassins, all part of a single organization… this Empire seems to have lost its mind…”
“Now it makes sense. For the past ten years, dangerous figures from neighboring countries have been disappearing without a trace. Is the Empire plotting world domination?”
“…I don’t know…”
“The name of the organization is Armada, also known as RA, an incredible group—monsters who eliminate countless major players from the underworld… and the leader is the former commander of the Empire’s Knight Order, Arhan Beruginus?”
“I’m not familiar with that.”
“The most shocking part is right here—the codename Unknown, another name for… the Red Demon.”
On the paper he held were details about Nova’s face and past actions.
“It’s truly unbelievable… and all this at just 15 years old…”
With his eyes closed, Nova let out a deep sigh.
‘There’s no way this goes smoothly…’
He fiddled with the gun at his waist.
Suddenly, Nuer exuded an air of oppressive pressure as he spoke.
“You’ve killed the top ten strongest humans… is that really true?”
