She felt her heart break for him, but also for herself. I already knew this… but why does it still hurt?
Kayden sighed. "This marriage is an obligation. A duty. Nothing more. You deserve better than this, Princess."
Stella took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I understand," she said softly. "And it's okay."
Kayden finally looked at her.
"I don't expect love from you," she continued. "I know that moving on is not easy. But if you respect me, care for me, and fulfill your duty as my husband… that will be enough for me." even though that's her heart desired for his love.
A mix of guilt and relief flickered in Kayden's eyes.
"You are the first person I've ever told about my… pathetic side," he admitted with eyes on the cup of coffee.
Stella shook her head. "Love is not pathetic," she said gently. "If it made you happy, even for a moment, then it was never pathetic. I once heard that the last stage of love… is letting them go."
She smiled, but Kayden noticed the sadness in her eyes. He didn't ask, but he could sense that she, too, had experienced heartbreak before. Her first heart break caused by her boyfriend in her previous life after he cheated on her with her best friend...the only thing she could do was let him go since she loved him more than the betrayal she felt.
He leaned back slightly. "Too much for a first date, huh?"
Stella flinched. "D-Date?" she stammered, her voice cracking.
Kayden smirked. "I think we should get going now, Your Highness."
"O-Oh, yes! You must be busy, Sir Kayden," she said quickly. Then, gathering her courage, she added, "But… you don't have to be so formal with me. You can just call me by my first name."
Kayden looked surprised for a moment before nodding. "If that is what you wish, Lady Stella."
Stella's heart fluttered. He said my name. for the first time since I got into this world.
"Yes, Sir Kayden," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
He glanced down at her. "Shall we go, my lady?"
Stella stood up—only to realize her legs had cramped.
Her body was frail, and sitting too long had caused her legs to go numb. She panicked. In her past life, she had been an athlete who won many medals in taekwondo, but in this weak body, even small things like this were a problem.
"Ahh… Duke, why don't we… talk for a bit more?" she asked nervously.
Kayden narrowed his eyes in confusion. He noticed the slight trembling in her legs.
"Lady Stella," he said in a polite tone. "Do you need help getting up?"
She nodded shyly.
He gave a quiet smile and stood next to her.
she was expecting him to offer his arm.
Instead, he carried her in his arms.
Stella gasped. "Duke Kayden Alderworth!"
The entire café fell silent.
Her maids, who had been waiting nearby, stared in shock. Their eyes practically popped out of their heads.
"Did he just—?"
"Is this the romance we read about in novels?!"
The romance in the novels where a princess is carried by a knight.
"And the princess is none other than our lady?!"
Meanwhile, Stella was too stunned to react. She instinctively grabbed onto his shoulders.
"Sir Kayden! This is embarrassing—please put me down, I beg you!" she said with her face flushed.
He smirked. "Would you rather sit there until your legs recover?"
"B-But there will be rumors! A duke carrying a princess in public—oh no, I can already see my brother unleashing his sword!"
Kayden chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm simply doing my duty as your fiancé. And since we're engaged, the rumors will be positive."
When they finally reached the carriage, Stella's face was burning red. As Kayden saw her flustered expression, he felt something unfamiliar—a lightness in his chest.
She quickly hurried inside and shut the carriage door and slammed it shut. From the transparent window, she bid farewell.
For the first time in a long while… Kayden felt refreshed.
And it was all because of a woman who acted so unexpectedly.
.................................................................................................
Stella finally reached the royal mansion, only to be met with amused and knowing glances from the servants. The rumors had already spread like wildfire.
"Did you hear? The duke carried her in public!"
"A princess being swept off her feet—so romantic!"
"Her Highness was blushing so much, it was adorable!"
Hearing the whispers, Stella stomped her way to her bedroom, feeling her entire soul leave her body in embarrassment.
As soon as she shut the door, she collapsed onto her massive bed, but the room suddenly felt as small as a tiny box.
"Ughhh, what was I thinking?!"
She grabbed her blanket and buried herself inside, kicking her legs like a frustrated child.
Flashbacks.
The way he had carried her so effortlessly.The way everyone had stared.The way he had smirked at her flustered state.
"AHHH!" She rolled around in humiliation.
Then, a knock on the door interrupted her misery.
"Your Highness, the Emperor has ordered a family dinner tonight," her maid informed her.
Stella groaned but composed herself. She couldn't avoid it.
With the help of her maids, she changed into something comfortable yet elegant and made her way downstairs.
As the dining room doors opened, she saw her family already seated at the long, polished table. Even the Empress, Caroline—her mother—was present. Her brother, Arthur, sat at the head of the table, his gaze instantly landing on her with concern.
She quietly took her seat across from him as the dishes were served.
And then—
Laughter.
The Emperor suddenly burst out laughing.
Everyone turned to look at him in confusion.
"I heard you're getting along well with your fiancé, Stella," he said, amusement clear in his voice.
Stella froze. Oh no.
Arthur's fork clinked against his plate as he turned to her, eyes narrowing. "Stella… if he's making you uncomfortable or—"
Ruby interrupted with a gentle smile.
"Duke Kayden is a respectable man. He would never make Stella feel that way, am I right, Stella?"
Stella hesitated for a moment before nodding. Ruby was right—Kayden had never been disrespectful to her.
"Yes, Your Highness... It just happened that my legs went numb, and Sir Kayden was busy and had to leave early. But he didn't want a lady to be left alone like that, which could spread bad rumors. So he helped me to the carriage," she explained as calmly as possible.
Arthur still looked displeased, but at least he didn't press further.
The Emperor smirked, clearly entertained. "Ah, so the Duke is already fulfilling his duties as a fiancé. How admirable."
Stella resisted the urge to hide under the table.