After about an hour of discussion between them, Stella finally went out to the garden with Annie.
Inside the mansion, several servants observed this unusual scene with visible surprise, Annie rarely ever left her room, let alone walked outside for leisure.
Stella placed a large white hat on her head to shield her from the sunlight. The fabric was light and wide, partially covering her face and shoulders while softening the brightness that filtered through the sky. Alongside it, she also carried a parasol.
Albinos suffer from a lack of melanin pigment in the skin and hair due to a genetic disorder. This reduces natural protection against sunlight, increasing sensitivity, sunburn risk, and potential skin complications. Many also experience visual discomfort due to strong light reflection.
Annie glanced at the parasol.
"Why did you bring this too?"
"It's to fully protect you from the sun. It'll make walking outside more comfortable."
Annie hesitated for a moment, her expression softening slightly.
"I… I'm sorry."
"There's no need to feel embarrassed. I don't mind. I know you were just upset earlier."
After hearing this, Annie's expression relaxed a little, though she still avoided direct eye contact.
"Now… will you continue? What happened to your friend?"
Stella answered calmly, her tone steady and unreadable, "nothing. In the end, she recovered from her illness and was able to play outside again."
"Oh… I see. She overcame it."
Stella fell silent.
They continued walking deeper into the garden.
The path was lined with carefully maintained flowerbeds, some common and others rare, clearly tended with care by the servants of the mansion. The air carried a faint fragrance of blooming plants, mixing with the gentle rustle of leaves.
Stella began naming the flowers for Annie, occasionally explaining their properties and uses.
"Do you really know all of these? That's impressive… for someone like you."
Stella had always been curious about living things.
She had spent a long time reading books about biology, plants, and nature.
"What a rude way of speaking… for someone in your age."
Annie huffed lightly and continued walking, but her gaze lingered on the flowers longer than before. There was something quieter in her expression now.
A faint trace of longing.
The story Stella had told was not entirely true. The girl in her memory was her childhood friend, Lena.
They had spent most of their childhood together, at school, in their neighborhood, and often in each other's homes. They used to play in a nearby park, especially because Lena loved flowers.
But when they were nine, Lena fell ill with a rare disease, and due to her family's financial difficulties, treatment was incomplete, so her condition worsened until she passed away months later.
During her illness, Stella visited her almost every day, bringing flowers and sitting beside her bed as if nothing had changed. Even when Lena became too weak to leave the bed, Stella stayed with her whenever she could.
One day, Lena whispered that she had listened to her parents and was going somewhere where she could finally play forever.
Those words never left Stella's memory.
A month passed.
' The Plain Of The East' changed with the arrival of spring.
The winter faded, replaced by soft greenery and blooming flowers that spread across fields and roads. Snow melted into water that nourished the soil, bringing life back to the land.
The capital became livelier.
Markets grew busier, and people returned to outdoor life as the days grew longer, the entire region seemed to breathe again.
Inside the Loran mansion, Stella's situation had improved.
Her relationship with Annie had stabilized, and tension between them had eased. She also became more familiar with the servants.
Each morning, she continued her duties with Annie, teaching her, accompanying her, and gradually expanding their activities beyond the garden into the city itself.
In the evenings, Stella often spoke with Carla, gathering information whenever possible.
"I need to get into the library tomorrow. Carla said only family members and head servants are allowed inside."
She had considered bringing Annie, but the girl had already refused more than once.
"I'll need another way."
The next morning, she woke early and continued her routine.
"I'll go in the evening. I'll try to convince one of the servants somehow."
The longer she stayed ignorant about this place, the more dangerous it became for her situation.
That evening, after Annie had gone to dinner with her family, Stella decided it was the right moment.
She headed toward the library instead of the dining hall.
As she approached, she noticed a servant closing the doors, preparing to leave.
The man was elderly but carried himself with discipline and dignity. Though not tall, his posture reflected experience and responsibility.
He noticed her immediately.
" This old man is sharp," Stella thought.
With a polite smile, he said, "Miss, I remember you are the nanny of the Little Miss. How may I help you?"
Stella replied calmly.
"Good evening. I'd like to borrow a book for the young miss's studies."
It was a lie, Annie was still too young, but it was the most natural excuse she could give.
The servant nodded.
"Of course. Tell me the title, and I will bring it."
"Thank you, but I'd prefer to choose it myself. You should rest. I can manage."
The servant smiled.
"No need to worry. I am not tired. Just tell me what you need."
Stella felt her frustration rise slightly.
"The stubborn old man…"
Before she could continue, another voice interrupted.
"Mr. Jacob, I will handle this. You may rest."
Liam, the eldest grandson, had arrived.
The servant bowed respectfully and handed him the key before leaving.
Liam stood calmly, composed and refined as always.
"Good evening, Miss White."
"Good evening, sir," Stella replied.
"I heard you wanted to use the library."
"Yes, for the Little Miss's studies."
"Then follow me."
The library was vast, far larger than Stella expected. Endless shelves stretched in every direction, filled with carefully organized books.
For a moment, she was genuinely impressed, but she quickly focused again.
"Now is not the time…"
She moved toward the sections on history, biology, and chemistry.
Liam observed her quietly.
"You seem interested in science."
"I just got distracted," she replied quickly.
"Is that so?"
" Hhhh , yes ."
As she walked off, she thought inwardly.
"Good thing I didn't admit it. Pretending ignorance is safer sometimes."
She selected two history books and returned briefly to thank him before leaving.
Later, after reading a few pages, she was satisfied.
"This covers the entire history of the continent."
According to the books, this land was considered the center of the world. Most people here did not even know about other continents.
The continent was divided into four regions: North, East, West, and South. Each had a major city :The Blue Pearl, Plain of the East, Lily Pier, and Cloud City.
Each region had its own strengths: agriculture in the South, trade in the East, craftsmanship in the West, and weaving in the North.
"This still doesn't feel complete…"
Her attention shifted suddenly toward the window.
In the garden, she saw two figures,a man and a woman,standing close.
The woman handed him something quietly.