Stella's thoughts briefly returned to the events that had taken place before she left the main Caden residence. She remembered the conversation she had with Evelyn shortly before everything was settled.
A few days earlier...
"Why you?" Evelyn asked seriously.
"Forget about me for now. Something more important happened. Get yourself ready to transfer to the main residence."
Stella answered with unusual excitement, placing a hand on Evelyn's shoulder.
"What? How did that happen?" Evelyn stared at her in surprise.
"Listen. The point is that we need to separate for a while. I'm going to work at Eleanor's residence. She'll be the one convincing her grandmother to approve it."
A hint of satisfaction appeared on Stella's face as she continued, "I asked her to do it myself. I told her that we're from the same family, that you're terribly poor, and all sorts of other nonsense. She felt sorry for you."
As Evelyn listened, her surprise gradually gave way to an amused smile, "Alina, you're really something. I knew you could be relied on."
She paused, then added with a knowing look, "You must have impressed her yesterday as well."
"Well, I did my best."
Evelyn considered the situation for another moment before nodding. "All right, then. You go there, and I'll work here."
Her expression became more serious. "But we should stay in contact. Thomas will arrange everything. Tomorrow, we'll take the letters to the usual place and let them know what happened."
She then glanced toward Stella, "and then you can leave."
Stella sighed dramatically. "Listen, I really didn't want to leave you here by yourself. But it was too good an opportunity to pass up."
Evelyn laughed softly. "Don't worry about it. You did an excellent job."
The conversation had ended there, and from that point onward, everything had fallen into place rather smoothly.
Evelyn would remain at the main residence, while Stella would move to Eleanor's household.
It had been convenient for both of them. Stella no longer needed to spend her days around the people she had been trying to distance herself from, and more importantly, she could write whatever she wanted in the letters according to her own plans.
Now, several days later, Stella found herself waiting outside Eleanor's residence as the young woman's carriage finally returned.
The sun had already disappeared beyond the horizon, leaving the sky washed in fading shades of gold and blue. The evening air had grown noticeably colder, and Stella instinctively pulled her sleeves closer around her arms as she waited near the entrance.
Henry stepped down first before helping Eleanor out of the carriage. Once her feet touched the ground, Eleanor removed her light coat and handed it to Stella. "It's really getting cold these days."
Stella accepted it with a polite smile. "It certainly is, my lady."
She followed Eleanor inside, carrying the coat over one arm.
The residence was quiet at this hour, with only the faint sounds of the household staff moving somewhere deeper inside.
As they made their way toward Eleanor's room, Stella remembered Cecilia's request.
"My lady, Madam said she would like to see you in her room this evening."
"All right. I'll go in a little while."
Eleanor continued walking for a few steps before suddenly stopping. She turned around and handed Stella a small jewelry box. "By the way, did she ask about me? What did you tell her?"
Stella hesitated. For a moment, she wondered whether there was any reason to hide the truth.
"I told her you had a headache and had fallen asleep. I didn't tell her you were out."
Eleanor looked at her silently. Her expression remained composed, but something faint appeared in her eyes. Approval, perhaps even a trace of admiration.
"Good." A small smile touched her lips.
"Well done."
She took the jewelry box back from Stella.
"You can leave now, Alina."
Stella stepped back and gave a respectful bow. "Good night, my lady."
When Stella stepped out of Eleanor's room, she found Henry standing directly in the corridor. He was holding a small bag in one hand.
Stella gave him a brief nod in greeting. "Good evening, Mr. Harry."
Her eyes shifted toward the bag.
"That's for Lady Eleanor, isn't it? Let me take it to her for you."
Henry's expression immediately tightened. "Henry. My name is Henry, Miss."
He lifted the bag slightly. "As for this, Lady Eleanor specifically asked me to bring it to her myself. So, if you don't mind, please let me through."
Stella barely reacted to his irritation, "I see. Then go ahead. See you tomorrow, Mr. Henry."
Without waiting for a response, she continued down the corridor without looking back.
The moment she entered her room, all the energy left her body. She dropped onto the bed, too exhausted to even bother changing properly. Within moments, sleep took her without warning.
Meanwhile, in Eleanor's room, Henry stood a short distance from the balcony doors while Eleanor sat outside.
The evening air had grown noticeably colder. A faint breeze moved through the garden, stirring the leaves and carrying the crisp scent of approaching winter. Eleanor had wrapped a warm coat around herself, its collar drawn loosely around her neck as she rested one arm against the balcony railing.
For several minutes, she simply looked out over the darkening garden.
The paths below were nearly empty, and the soft light from the house spilled across the nearest flower beds, leaving the farther corners of the grounds in shadow.
Eventually, Eleanor broke the silence, "Henry, tell me. What do you think of Alina?"
Henry considered the question before answering in his usual serious tone.
"My lady, honestly, I think she's a smart young woman. She's hardworking as well. I've been observing her as you asked."
Eleanor's gaze remained fixed on the garden. "Then we have the same opinion."
A faint smile appeared on her lips, "I think she's quite clever too. But tell me, if we come to rely on her, do you think she might betray us or let us down someday?"
Henry folded his hands behind his back. "Well, for now, I don't think she would." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "But as for the future, I can't guarantee her loyalty, my lady."
The wind brushed against the balcony again, causing Eleanor's hair to move slightly against her cheek.
"Because she's like everyone else here." His voice remained calm. "She's looking after her own interests as well."
Eleanor gave a quiet, understanding hum.
"Yes. You're right. In the end, everyone follows their own interests."
She remained silent for another moment, her eyes narrowing slightly as she continued watching the garden.
"But there's something about that girl."
Henry looked toward her. "What do you mean, my lady?"
Eleanor leaned back slightly against her chair, her expression relaxed, "I don't know." Her tone remained indifferent.
"She just seems... a little strange somehow."
Henry waited for her to elaborate, but Eleanor offered nothing more. Instead, she reached for the papers on the table beside her.
"Well, whatever the case, she's useful."
She picked up a pen and turned her attention to the page before her. "So I'll keep her closer to me."
Her voice remained calm, almost casual. "Of course, if she does anything other than serve me faithfully, I'll deal with it."
Henry said nothing.
Eleanor lowered her head and began writing, the quiet scratching of the pen filling the balcony. For a while, Henry simply remained where he was, watching her in silence as the cold night settled over the garden.