Chapter 102.1

“What is this?”

“This is a communication bracelet. You can always contact me if you put it on.”

Isabella already knew how to use it.

What surprised her was that he came here to give it to her.

“Did you return to Rubella Castle because of this? You didn’t even rest.”

He nodded slowly at her question.

“I’m fine, Isabella. I’m not tired.”

“That’s not the point right now.”

She felt apologetic for some reason.

Had she forced him to do this because of her evident anxiety?

Isabella bit her lip and lowered her head.

Then, Duke Kyar’s hand soothingly caressed her lips, urging her to release them.

He patted his finger on her chapped, bleeding lip that she had bitten all day.

Sighing, he muttered, “You have a bad habit, Isabella.”

“I’m afraid you’re pushing yourself too hard because of me. Were you in the dark forest until midnight?”

“It’s not because of you. It’s me. I thought I could endure all the hardships  if I heard your voice just like this.” Duke Kyar said calmly, and his kind words touched her.

“Aren’t you tired? What’s the situation in the dark forest? Is it that bad?”

Chuckling, he replied, “Ask one thing at a time.”

“I already told you that I’m fine, and the forest is under control. The dark energy might have gotten stronger, but we got there earlier and created new magic as a counterattack. You don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

“You’re not hurt, are you?”

“No one and nothing can hurt me because I wouldn’t allow it. Don’t worry about me, alright? Just take care of yourself. You will be busy anyway, so you’ll have less time to worry about me.”

Eyes widening in surprise, Isabella raised her head to look at him.  “What?”

What did he mean by those cryptic words?

“You’ll figure out what I meant tomorrow. Also, don’t forget to contact me when you have time.”

He tapped his forefinger on the turquoise jewel of her communication bracelet.

Glancing down at the bracelet, Isabella nodded. “I’ll contact you whenever I have time.”

Isabella was worried that he might be tired but was it selfish for her to say that it felt nice to see him like this?

“Are you leaving right now, Your Highness?”

“I think we should. I like that I could see your face before I leave.”

Isabella smiled faintly at him, thinking the same thing.

“By the way, the medicine you gave me helped a lot.”

“Did you try them?”

“Yes. Whenever I  ran out of energy, I took it and recovered real quick.”

Isabella’s face brightened, so glad that her medicine helped him.

Duke Kyar’s eyes twinkled when he smiled at her. “I think you’re most ecstatic when I give you compliments about your medicine. In addition to that, seeing you this happy made me feel relieved. Now I can leave  Rubella Castle in peace.”

Warmth flushed Isabella’s cheeks at those heartfelt statements.

“If you want to hear my voice, just think about me a lot.”

Isabella knew that the communication bracelet would connect her to him immediately if she focused on him enough.

“I will, Your Highness. Also, think of me when you are about to rest.”

“It seemed like you know how communication bracelets work. Did you use it before?” Duke Kyar asked warily, and Isabella shook her head.

“Not really. I just heard about it.”

Duke Kyar might wonder why she had used a communication bracelet before when it was clear she couldn’t afford the luxury item.

Fortunately, the Archduke seemed to believe her excuse.

“I see.” He mumbled.

When Duke Kyar glanced at the window, he saw that the sky had already turned to dawn.

“I’m afraid I have to go now.”

Duke Kyar lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

“Have a safe trip, Your Highness. I’ll be waiting.” She said as she looked up at him.

Duke Kyar nodded with a grin.

Their separation was regretful, but she was relieved that the communication bracelet would allow her to contact him whenever she wanted.

Isabella stared at the turquoise jewel on her wrist fondly.

**

Luches glanced worriedly at Marc, who had yawned repeatedly while drinking tea.

“Did you not sleep well last night?”

“Oh, yes, I didn’t. I’m exhausted from the long conversation I had with His Highness at dawn.” Mark replied weakly, recalling Duke Kyar suddenly visiting him in his bedroom at dawn.

“You had a conversation with your Highness at dawn? Isn’t he at the beast hunting expedition?”

“He returned to Rubella Castle for a bit. He was here to give His Lady a communication bracelet.”

“A communication bracelet?”

“His Highness must have struggled to be away from her.”

Luches frowned at the word “her.”

“The Archduke was really into her in just a short time.”

“Yes. It surprised me that His Highness had already given the lady a marriage proposal.”

As soon as Marc mentioned the ‘marriage proposal,’ Luches spouted the tea he was drinking.

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