Chapter 98.2

After coming down to the kitchen ahead of the Archduke, Isabella was still in a daze while drinking the tea Jack, the caretaker, had served her.

Was she feeling sick because of the alcohol she drank yesterday or was it because she felt empty from Duke Kyar’s surprising declaration?

She didn’t have an appetite at the moment.

Soothing the chills she felt all over her body with warm tea, she watched the garden outside the kitchen window blankly.

“Are you done eating or did you just drink tea this morning?”

Upon hearing Duke Kyar’s voice behind her, Isabella turned to look over her shoulder.

“You’re here, Your Grace. I’m feeling a little sick.”

“But you have to eat, Isabella. Here. Drink some warm soup.” He said as he unbuttoned his shirt and rolled up his sleeves.

Wow.

The Archduke’s seductive forearm caught her eye.

Each muscle, vein, and tendon became more visible every time he moved.

Isabella remembered him walking to the bedroom while he swung those solid arms freely.

At that time, his eyes looking at her burned with obvious desire.

Why did he change his mind?

“Your Highness,” Isabella called him carefully. “Did I make a mistake last night?”

Ignis had told her about last night’s disastrous dark history of her snoring in her sleep but she never thought that the Archduke was shallow enough to do this solely for that reason.

Smirking, Duke Kyar mumbled. “Last night?”

Seeing him smile like that, Isabella must have really done a terrible mistake.

“You are so adorable that it’s hard for me to watch.”

“What do you mean?”

Blushing hard, Isabella lowered her head.

She couldn’t bear to hear the Archduke say anything behind her back.

Wondering what had changed her mind was slowly driving her insane.

“Isabella.” He called her in a low voice.

Isabella raised her chin to look up at him.

“Do you want me to—” The Archduke trailed off, his lazy smile seducing the f*ck out of her.

Bewitched, Isabella’s gaze didn’t waver as she stared into the depths of his dark eyes.

She gave him a slight nod.

“Then we should hurry up and get married.”

“What?”

Isabella knew what was wrong with him now.

“Just think about it and tell me when it would be a good time. But if you don’t want us to get married early, I can wait for you to make a decision as long as you want.”

The Archduke was lying.

Isabella suppressed a laugh as she regarded him.

It appeared like he was the one who wanted to get married as soon as possible.

Perhaps, Isabella will be wed to him sooner this time compared to before.

Her patience was running out.

**

Duke Kyar observed Isabella and Seria as they welcomed each other with excitement.

These two ladies just met yesterday.

Why were they acting like they hadn’t seen each other in a year?

Duke Kyar regarded Seria with disapproval.

Her admiration for Isabella seemed to be a little too much.

Standing next to him was Prince Victor.

He must have noticed Duke Kyar’s jealousy because he suddenly settled his arm around his shoulder.

“Allen, you’re too possessive.” He began. “ Of course, I’m also jealous that Seria seemed to like Isabella so much, but my reaction is more subtle compared to yours. Women hate controlling men. Aren’t you afraid that Isabella will get sick of your behavior and run away?.”

Duke Victor pursed his lips when the cold air permeated from Duke Kyar’s skin.

After greeting Seria, Isabella glanced at Duke Kyar and asked, “Your Highness, would you like to visit the tea house with Duke Victor for a moment? We will follow both of you after me and Princess Seria are done looking for herbs.”

Duke Kyar wanted to go with them but he was worried that Isabella would get tired of him for being too clingy like Duke Victor had stated.

Duke Kyar reluctantly accepted Isabella’s offer.

“Yes, of course, Isabella.”

“I’ll be right back., Your Highness

When he saw Isabella smile,  turn her back on him, and walk arm-in-arm with Princess Seria, his blood boiled in envy but he tried to be subtle about it.

Then, he proceeded to enter the tea house with Prince Victor trailing after him.

“Allen, what are you doing? After making all the concessions—”

To avoid Rafael’s mockery, Duke Kyar didn’t dare admit his worst fear about Isabella getting tired of him and kept his mouth shut, instead.

Finally, the two entered the teahouse, climbed the stairs toward the second floor, and settled down by the window where they could see the herbal shops and the two ladies well.

Duke Kyar, who was currently looking out the window, rubbed his tired and drowsy eyes.

“Why do you look so tired as if you hadn’t slept well, Allen?” Duke Victor looked at Duke Kyar with a knowing grin. “Don’t tell me last night—”

He frowned. “Nothing happened.”

Duke Kyar exhaled a heavy sigh as he recalled Isabella’s sensual appearance last night.

He couldn’t get the image out of his mind.

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