Chapter 106.1

She didn’t think she would see Kyle until his school vacation starting next week, so her heart burst at his sudden appearance.

“Did Young Master Kyle come?”

“Yes, he’s waiting for you at the Drawing Room. He wanted to say hi.”

“I’ll be right down.”

Meeting Kyle after a long time made her anxious heart tremble.

She wanted to get along with Duke Kyar’s nephew again like she used to.

She took a nervous step, wishing Kyle would open up to her again.

Before entering the drawing-room, Isabella’s voice quivered when she addressed Anna.  “Wait a minute.”

Isabella paused to catch her breath and caress her cheeks with her hands.

“Young Master is a bit shy, My Lady. Don’t worry about  being awkward in front of him.” Anna whispered to Isabella.

Isabella knew that as well.

An amused smile spread across her lips when she recalled Kyle treating her awkwardly initially, but that didn’t even last long.

Once Kyle had opened his heart and mind to her, he approached her without hesitation.

An adorable image of the past Kyle, who trusted and relied on her, gave her the courage she needed to regain her composure.

“All right. I should go alone and meet him now.” She said.

Anna nodded and opened the door to the drawing-room carefully.

When Isabella entered the parlor full of antique furniture, she saw Kyle–sitting in a chair twice his size–rising to his feet.

The thirteen-year-old Kyle she wasn’t familiar with stood there.

Isabella suppressed her excited squeals upon seeing Young Master Kyle’s face.

In her memory, the kid was shorter than ‘Kyle,’ but he still possessed those pale, chubby cheeks.

Young Master Kyle was already cute in her memory, but she had no expectations that Duke Kyar would be more appealing in this life.

Isabella winced when she caught herself reaching out to hug Kyle without even thinking, and she immediately dropped her arms to each of her sides.

“Hello, Young Master Kyle. My name is Isabella.” She greeted him brightly.

Kyle lowered his head politely and said,  “Nice to meet you, Isabella, as he examined her with wary eyes. My name is Kyle. Kyle Kyar.”

“I am so curious about you. I’m glad to meet you like this, Young Master Kyle.”

Isabella often sent Casa to watch over Kyle, hoping the fire spirit could provide her with some news about him.

Her heart broke into pieces every time she found out that Kyle appeared alone.

Since then, she had been waiting for that fateful day when she could finally enter Rubella Castle and meet him again.

Kyle was as important to her as the Archduke.

“You can speak to me comfortably, Isabella. I heard that you’re about to marry my uncle soon.” Kyle said politely, but she could tell that he remained vigilant around her.

“Yes. We’ll be a family soon.”

At that moment, Duke Kyar’s voice came from behind.

Kyle and Isabella quickly turned to greet the Archduke as he entered the drawing-room.

“You’re here, uncle.”

“Long time no see, Kyle. I thought you weren’t supposed to be here yet since your school vacation will start next week.” Duke Kyar asked bluntly.

Kyle glanced nervously at Duke Kyar and Isabella.

Archduke Kyar might have asked his nephew without much thought, but that question might embarrass Kyle since the child was still wary of him.

“I’m sure you’re here to see your uncle since we will all celebrate his birthday tomorrow. Am I right, Master Kyle?” She asked gently.

Kyle nodded with a stiff countenance.

“I didn’t forget about my birthday tomorrow, Isabella. I thought you were the one who forgot about it because you didn’t show up in front of me this morning.” Duke Kyar whined.

Isabella looked at Duke Kyar and grimaced.

“That’s not the point right now,” Isabella whispered.

“That’s more important to me.”

Kyle’s expression darkened when he heard his uncle’s words.

The poor child must have assumed that his uncle had valued the time he spent with his fiance more than his nephew, who had visited him in the North after a long time.

“Your Highness.”

“Well, I’m done greeting both of you, so I’ll go up to my room now. Uncle. Auntie.”

She didn’t even have a proper conversation with Kyle yet.

“What? Already?” Isabella asked regretfully.

Kyle lowered his head again and walked out of the drawing-room in silence.

Isabella couldn’t take her eyes off Kyle’s back for a long time.

Duke Kyar’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Why do you look so sad all of a sudden?”

“I couldn’t even say hello to your nephew properly.”

“You’ll see him again at dinner time.” Duke Kyar gave her a half-shrug.

How could he be so indifferent?

Isabella exhaled a soft sigh.

He had no idea how much she missed Kyle.

“Isabella, the way you look at Kyle seemed more affectionate than how you look at me… or was this just a misunderstanding on my part?”

Duke Kyar was acting immature again, which made Isabella’s lips pout.

How could he be jealous of his nephew?

“You aren’t answering me either. Is this what we are going to be like? Is Kyle more important to you than me? I know that you love children, but how can you betray me like this? You kept telling me you were busy when I asked you to make time for me. But as soon as you heard that Kyle had arrived at Rubella Castle, you came running in the direction of the drawing-room.”

As Duke Kyar’s fiery complaints poured out like rapid shots, Isabella clutched her skirts tightly with her hands.

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