CH 35.2

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“No, I came here to see if you needed some new herbs. I think it’s time for you to order a lot of them.”

“I happened to write down the herbs I  currently needed. Hold on a second.”

Isabella handed Marc a list of herbs she had written down in advance.

“Thank you.” She said, and Marc quickly waved his hands in dismissal.

“No, of course, it’s something I have to do. Do you like your new necklace?” He asked as he examined the pendant on her collarbone.

“Yes, but I think the pendant is a magic stone. The necklace had magic on it, is that right?” She asked carefully, and he nodded.

“Do you know what kind of magic this one has?”

“I don’t know. However, I do know that this necklace is expensive enough to buy a castle.”

“What?”

Isabella asked, startled.

‘Was I wearing a castle around my neck?’ Isabella thought as she caressed her trembling heart.

Her hands shook terribly when she heard the price of the necklace that Duke Kyar had given her without much thought.

“Your Highness cares about you a lot.”

If he found that saving her was too much of a problem, then that, in itself, was a problem.

Isabella couldn’t believe he had given her such an expensive necklace.

She didn’t know what the hell he was thinking.

“There is no magic in  this necklace that would harm you, so you must not remove it.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve been working so hard. How about taking a rest and going on a vacation?”

Isabella, who hadn’t recovered from the shock of discovering the price of the necklace yet, was surprised at Marc’s suggestion.

“A vacation?”

“There is an excellent hot spring in the north. A medicine dealer also sells rare herbs nearby.”

Isabella was more interested in the medicine herb dealer than the hot spring.

Of course, hot springs were very also unique.

Soaking in hot spring waters would relieve her fatigue.

“Really?”

“If you don’t mind, would you like me to make a reservation for you there tomorrow? I also think it would be good if you slept the day away.”

No pressure for a day.

That would sound heavenly.

In the meantime, Ignis could also leave the castle with her.

If she went to the hot springs, brilliant ideas might strike her like lightning.

Isabella nodded as she thought about it.

“I like it. I think it will be great.”

“Then I’ll make a reservation.”

“Thank you, Marc.”

Mark smiled and greeted her farewell.

Isabella hummed while watching Marc leave the room.

It was her first time traveling alone.

In addition to that, it would be perfect to have a medicine store near a hot spring.

Until then, she had no idea that there was a hidden secret to this trip.

**

Isabella’s carriage ran through a snowy forest road.

She smiled as she looked at the forest path under the mountain opposite the mountain where she came from.

She saw this mountain every day opposite the place where she lived, but she never dreamed that a hot spring existed here.

Well, she didn’t know this since she only saw it every day from afar.

She had never thought of moving out from her mountain cabin until she met Duke Kyar.

Come to think of it.

Meeting Archduke Kyar was a significant turning point in her life, and she felt grateful for him.

After traveling through a winding road, her carriage stopped in front of a small cabin.

She was glad to see a mountain cabin similar to the one she used to live in.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow, My Lady.” The footman said, and Isabella nodded quickly before getting off the carriage.

Just thinking about enjoying this quiet space alone made her feel better instantly.

She could see white steam rising from the hot spring behind the cabin.

Isabella’s heart fluttered at the thought of soaking in the hot spring while relishing the scene of beautiful snow.

Isabella hurried into the cabin to unpack before she could do that.

At that moment, she saw the face of a person who shouldn’t even be here in the first place.

Why on earth is Duke Kyar here?

It seemed like he just went into the hot spring earlier.

He sat on his bed wearing a loose robe that exposed his solid chest.

Blinking slowly, Isabella glanced up at his wet black hair.

“Why are you here?”

There was still one more day left for Duke Kyar to return from his beast expedition.

But Isabella couldn’t understand why he was here in the cabin with her.

“There is nothing like traveling that could deepen a relationship between men and women. Yet, I think there is more.”