Chapter 99.2

He went further inside his shop to check it, and he returned to Duke Kyar afterward.

“It’s authentic.” He announced brightly. “I will reduce the ring size immediately. Please wait here for a minute.”

It took quite a long time despite the word ‘minute.’

Duke Kyar stood there for a long time, looking bored, until the jeweler approached him and held out a ring that was reduced to a smaller size.

He also didn’t forget the change.

“Please check if it is up to your liking, Your Highness.”

He examined the ring and nodded.

“Don’t you want t check the change?”

“It’s alright. I’m sure that you have counted it beforehand.” Duke Kyar replied curtly.

The jeweler handed him the blue velvet box.

A small smile spread across his face as he imagined Isabella wearing it when he finally received the ring.

“Where have you been earlier?”

When she and Seria exited the medicine shop to go to the tea house, she was embarrassed to see Duke Victor sitting there alone.

After a long time, Duke Kyar returned to the teahouse and informed Isabella that he had gone out for a while because he had something else to take care of.

“I went out to buy something. I’m tired, Isabella. I need to wash up first.”

Isabella nodded slowly as she looked at him.

Was this his attempt at sulking?

Duke Kyar started undressing in front of her as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Isabella was mesmerized at the sight of his fingers unbuttoning his shirt.

“You must have liked my body quite a bit.” He smirked.

Isabella hurriedly lowered her head in chagrin.

She hated him for asking that even though he already knew.

After taking his shirt off, Duke Kyar carried a towel in his hand and went into the bathroom.

Isabella sighed inwardly while staring at his back, exposing muscles.

Shaking her head, Isabella approached the window and saw Ignis resting in a tree branch in the garden.

Night had already fallen, but Ignis hadn’t returned to the bedroom yet.

Isabella cleared her head from lustful thoughts and got herself some fresh air.

When she visited the garden, Ignis flew toward her upon seeing her there.

“Do we have to leave tomorrow? I want to stay here for a few more days!” Ignis grumbled as if he had no desire to leave Arpeon.

“Your Highness, Duke Kyar, had to leave on an expedition to defeat the dark forces.”

“Then why don’t we stay here for a few more days? Do you have to return to Rubella Castle with him?”

“Ignis, we can visit Arpeon some other time. From now on, I’ll start seeing Seria often.”

Isabella couldn’t comply with Ignis’ request because she had already decided to follow Duke Kyar on the beast-hunting expedition.

“I’m sorry, Ignis.” She said soothingly.

Ignis merely snorted.

“Then, I’ll spend the rest of the night in this garden! You’re not going to do anything weird with him without me, aren’t you?”

When he narrowed his eyes at her, Isabella sighed heavily.

It felt like it had been a long time since that happened.

The gloomy night was troublesome and full of suffering.

“Don’t worry, Ignis. Nothing will happen between us.”

“Then, why are you speaking in such a regretful tone? Do you want something to happen?”

Isabella’s face heated up at Ignis’ question. “N-No! It’s not like t-that! I’m not w-wishing for anything to happen!”

“Then, why are you stuttering?”

“It’s because you’re being absurd! Whatever. I’m going in. I’m tired.”

Fanning her hot face with her hands to cool it down,  Isabella hurried back before Ignis could nag at her again.

“Anyway, Ignis must have caught on quickly,” Isabella muttered to herself in chagrin.

She couldn’t believe that Ignis had noticed her carnal intentions at once.

Isabella hurried up the stairs to go back to her room and meditate so that she could regain her peace of mind but when she opened the door, Isabella was surprised to see Grand Duke Kyar standing there with only a large towel wrapped around his waist.

After examining his bare, well-sculpted physique, she stepped backward in shock and twisted her ankle.

“What?”

Losing her balance, Isabella fell backward.

Duke Kyar’s large hand reached out to her back.

Thanks to him, she hadn’t fallen to the floor but it wasn’t really her intention to be hugged while the Grand Duke was naked.

Isabella was half mesmerized by his pectoral muscles rubbing against her cheek that she couldn’t tell whether the thumping sound of her heart was hers or his.

She must be out of her mind for wanting to keep leaning on his bare chest.

“How long are you going to stay like this?” He asked hoarsely, slowly dropping the hand resting on her back.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Isabella, who stood upright, glanced at his chest muscles in regret.

No other pie such as this would have fallen from the sky.

“You sound disappointed.” He said, lifting her chin slightly with his hand.

“No, I don’t. I’m not.”

“I’m confident I’ll do very well.” He smiled lazily.

Duke Kyar’s handsome face was terribly seductive.

“But it can’t be helped that you don’t intend to get married early.” He murmured, gently scouring her lips with his thumb.

Isabella’s heartbeat pounded in her ears.

“It’s all right. I’m pretty patient.”

“Let’s do it. I’ll marry you.”

Eventually, her patience ran out first.

“As soon as possible.”

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