In the Loran household, the family was still gathered around the dinner table in the evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Loran were engaged in conversation, while their grandchildren listened attentively.
Upstairs in her room, Stella sat in front of her untouched dinner plate, lost in thought.
She seemed to be in a deep, meditative state.
"How did they find out? I must've left something behind without realizing it."
The more she thought about it, the more fear and frustration grew.
"Good thing I managed to hide my reaction in front of him earlier, or he might've become suspicious, and Mrs. Howard's timing was perfect."
Mrs. Howard, the new housekeeper who had arrived two weeks after Hannah's escape, was a woman in her forties from the Eastern region and an old acquaintance of Mrs. Loran.
With a kind heart and somewhat cheerful nature, she left a good impression on Stella, especially since outings were allowed whenever requested, and certain tasks were occasionally excused.
"Should I take this chance and run away now?"
A hand went to her head; she tapped it lightly and muttered.
"Of course, you'd be the biggest fool on earth if you did that, Stella!"
Disappearing now would be like walking into a hornet's nest. In a place like this, vanishing suddenly would make her the first suspect.
Even without labeling her as an intruder, they might assume she was spying for a rival family, and that alone could cost her life.
"Should I make up another story about my family?"
Every possible plan crossed her mind, yet none seemed useful.
"I shouldn't have stayed here this long."
Five months had already passed in the house, and by now, everyone had grown used to her presence, though some still found her strange sometimes.
"I need to find a way to get out of here, as soon as possible."
Morning came with a gentle breeze that softened the summer heat, but anxiety ran deeper than any passing wind.
As usual, Stella woke at six, had breakfast, then went to Annie's room to give her lessons, followed by a short walk in the garden.
The summer sun was never pleasant to her, despite every precaution.
After lunch, she went into the city for a while with a few maids, having received permission from the head housekeeper.
Upon returning, she spent time in the library, tidying up, cleaning, and diving into more books in search of knowledge about the continent.
Reading had already helped her understand much about the continent.
But just as she was fully absorbed in one of the books, a noisy entrance disrupted her focus.
It was Carla.
"Carla, why do you never knock? Do you always like doing that?" Stella asked flatly.
"Oh, I'm really sorry, Alina! I didn't mean to scare you."
"What is it?"
Carla leaned closer and lowered her voice.
"I overheard Mrs. Howard talking to the cook. Some important guests are coming to the house in three days."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, apparently they're from a friendly family."
Carla's friendship had become one of the most valuable things Stella had gained since arriving.
More than just a source of gossip, she sometimes brought truly important news.