Stella spent the next few days working during the day and planning her escape at night. She thought of different plans, imagining how each might unfold. She even wondered what would do once she was finally free. In the end, she reached a simple conclusion: When the moment came, she would choose whatever plan fit the situation best.
A month passed like that.
Slowly, the coolness of autumn began to settle in. The sun was no longer as harsh, and the air felt lighter. The heat of summer faded little by little, replaced by soft, cool breezes in the mornings and evenings. After the long, exhausting summer, everything felt calmer.
Days went on as usual daytime with Annie, evenings at the library.
After dinner, she headed there right away, already a bit late, knowing Mrs. Howard was waiting to tell her something important.
She hurried up the stairs and turned into the hallway only to bump straight into someone.
"Ouch…" Her hand went to her forehead as she frowned.
"Ugh… who is it this time?"
A familiar voice replied, calm with a hint of teasing, "still not paying attention? I thought you'd improved since the first time we met."
She lowered her hand and looked up quickly.
"Oh, sorry, Mr. Adam."
Adam replied, his voice calm as ever, "And yet you still stumble over your words. Is sorry really all you have to offer?"
Stella bristled inwardly, "what exactly do you want me to say? Submit a petition? Kneel on the floor?"
Still, she forced herself to stay composed, "I apologize, Sir. I didn't realize it was my mistake," she said softly.
Adam raised his hand slowly, "Very well. No harm done. Just take a moment to breathe," he said.
Stella stepped aside, ready to hurry toward the library, but he stopped her.
"Please wait," Adam said, "Mrs. Howard left for her room just a short while ago, so there's no need to rush. Besides, I was the one who insisted you come now."
"Good grief… is another problem coming my way?!"
That was the only thought that crossed her mind after hearing it, as her shoulders tensed slightly.
Adam continued speaking in his usual calm tone, his expression steady and hard to read, "My brother told me you will soon be going to the West for a special mission. I just wanted to make sure you have been preparing well. He also asked me to inform you that you will be leaving in a week."
Stella blinked in surprise, her lips parting slightly as she murmured, "What? In a week…"
Adam raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint hint of curiosity appearing in his eyes, "What? Don't tell me you are not ready yet? Oh, wait, I forgot you are originally from the West, so this will not be difficult for you like it is for the others."
"Damn… I wish I had lied better."
Her fingers curled slightly at her side, and a trace of irritation passed over her face.
"At least if I had said I was from the South, this would not be happening now!" Stella thought bitterly.
Quickly composing herself, she straightened her posture before replying politely, "yes sir, I am already prepared, so there is no need to worry. Please inform Mr. Liam of the same."
"I think you should tell Annie about this soon," Adam said in a low voice, his tone softening slightly. For a moment, he seemed genuinely concerned, clearly thinking of his sister.
Stella noticed the change, and her expression softened a little.
"Yes, I will," came the quiet reply in the same tone.
Although Annie was still somewhat of a stranger to her, and despite the misunderstanding at the beginning, their relationship had now become closer, more like sisters than a Miss and her nunny.
Adam paused for a second before speaking again, his usual indifferent tone returning, "we may not meet again for a while, so I hope your journey is safe, that you complete your mission, and return quickly. Goodbye."
"I hope so too. Good night, Sir Adam."
With a respectful nod, she turned and headed toward her room, her steps quiet but carrying a slight hesitation.
It was unclear whether this would truly be their last meeting, but most likely it would be, at least from her side.
As the quiet corridor stretched ahead, a question she had always wanted to ask him, but never did, returned to her mind.
"Why did you help me and bring me here in the first place?"
Even though she saw him as somewhat eccentric and arrogant, she could not help but wonder what her life would have been like if she had never met him that day?