Chapter 245 - – You’re Different From The Empress (1) (1/2)
Elena and Stella moved to a quiet place where they could talk alone. After entering the room, Stella cast Elena nervous glance.
“May I ask why you wanted to see me privately, Your Highness?”
“There’s no reason for alarm. You have helped me greatly…and I wanted to say thank you.”
When Elena had returned to the past, vicious rumors spread by Helen were rife in society, and she had no one to turn to for help. Elena was forced to blackmail Stella about her secret son and make her cooperate. Elena and Stella’s first encounter was not a good one.
In anticipation of a long conversation, Elena sat down first and gracefully gestured to the seat across from her. Stella sat down as well, looking relieved that she had not been called for a serious reason.
“I see. It’s only natural for me to support the Crown Princess, so words of thanks are not necessary.”
“Countess Viviana. I don’t know how to say this, but I want to repay you and offer you my sincere counsel.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“…Why won’t you speak of your hidden son?”
“…!”
Stella’s expression hardened like steel. She thought Elena had brought her here to offer her gratitude, and Stella instantly raised her walls at the mention of her son.
However, Elena believed this was the best way. The biological father of Viviana’s son would soon appear, and in another reality, Stella had chosen to take her life instead of burdening the Viviana family. That alone was a tragedy, but what followed was even more grief.
Stella’s husband mourned her deeply, and the secret son, who missed his mother, dreamt of revenge. Soon afterwards, they would both be at each other’s throats. Elena wanted to do anything within her power to avoid such an outcome.
Despite the sincerity of Elena’s actions, Stella only looked on with a cold glare.
“I don’t believe you need to be involved in this, Your Highness. You must have forgotten your promise to keep my secret until the end.”
“I don’t mean this as a threat—”
“If you want something, say it honestly. I don’t like listening to roundabout explanations.”
Stella completely misunderstood Elena’s intentions. From the countess’ point of view, she felt threatened that Elena would reveal the secret that she wanted to keep hidden the most.
Elena swallowed her sigh, and continued more carefully than before.
“Please do not misunderstand. My intentions are honest, and I don’t want you to make a choice whose outcome you’ll regret.”
“…”
Stella continued to look suspicious, but Elena continued to say what she had prepared.
“Please consider it. There is no secret in this world that remains eternal. If someone finds out, how will you handle it?”
“That is for me to worry about.”
“Yes. You may even choose to commit suicide to save your honor. But have you ever thought about your family that you will leave behind?”
Stella looked momentarily taken aback, but she soon smoothed out her expression.
“Because you asked me, Your Highness, I will answer. Wouldn’t it be a happier ending if I were gone? My husband will get a new wife, and my son will be able to live more freely than he does now.”
“Don’t you love the both of them enough not to do that?”
“…!”
Stella’s eyes trembled. Count and Countess Viviana had oft been spoken of in society as having the ideal romantic marriage. Elena knew better than anyone that that was true, as she had known it from the future.
“Please think about it again. Do you really believe that your husband will forget you so easily? Maybe your son wants to live his freedom with you.”
“…Have you done further investigations into me and my family?”
“No. This is something anyone can think of without an investigation. I know it’s not easy, but don’t forget that you can still be honest when the last moment comes.”