CH 49.2

She prepared thirty of them so that Duke Kyar could drink one bottle a day, and it would last a month.

Yet, her problem wasn’t the nutritional supplements but the other gift she had prepared.

She drew her face on a piece of paper with the word “Wish Voucher” written.

“Is this too childish?”

Would Duke Kyar still like it even after seeing it?

She wanted to do something special for Duke Kyar on his birthday, but she couldn’t develop a good idea.

And so, she decided to make this wish coupon, stating that she would grant the receiver’s wish except for anything related to love and marriage.

Since it was his birthday, she wanted to do something special for him.

Yet, she was distraught, thinking about it.

After all, Duke Kyar can have whatever he wants.

“He will like it, wouldn’t he? Oh, I don’t know!”

Face flushed with warmth, Isabella gave up worrying and placed her wish coupon in the wooden box and the vitamins.

She would hand over the present as soon as she woke up tomorrow morning.

“Isabella! It’s past dinner time. Why are you doing this?”

Isabella smiled shyly while staring at the gift she would give the Archduke.

But upon hearing Ignis’ voice, she glanced up at him.

She also checked the wall clock and found out that Ignis had told the truth.

Indeed, it was already past dinner time.

Duke Kyar didn’t like her being late for dinner.

He was obsessed with their mealtime, and he claimed it was the longest event where he could observe her face up close.

Isabella left her room, went downstairs, and hurried to the Dining Hall before Duke Kyar personally sent her food to her bedroom.

But then, her feet refused to walk towards the table upon seeing Archduke Kyar stare at Angela Viant’s face.

He literally couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Usually, Duke Kyar would have welcomed her before anyone else when she entered the Dining Hall, but now he wasn’t even looking at her.

His undivided attention seemed to be focused on Angela.

Her heart ached just by watching the Archduke fall head over heels over her beauty.

She didn’t know how to explain this feeling, but it hurts.

With trembling hands, Isabella grabbed her skirts and turned around to leave the Dining Hall.

Then, she went straight to the garden.

Her chest felt so tight that she wanted to go outside and breathe some fresh air.

Isabella noticed that her fingers still clutched the fabric of her skirts too tightly.

She tried to inhale deeply and exhale, but it didn’t feel refreshing.

She was interested in Duke Kyar.

Maybe she took his heart for granted, thinking that his feelings for her wouldn’t change.

She had no idea that her heart was beating for him all along… but what if his emotions had influenced her unconsciously?

Tears ran down her face as soon all the feelings he had for him—buried deep down—finally resurfaced.

She clenched her teeth to hold them back, but nothing could stop it once her tears started pouring.

Duke Kyar’s unwavering gaze on Angela’s face was all she could think about.

It was familiar to her because that’s how he looked at her.

Unfortunately, it was now directed at another woman.

She should have foreseen that moment since she found out that Angela looked and smelled like Duke Kyar’s mother.

Marigold.

Isabella stood there in a daze without even wiping her tears.

“Isabella? What are you doing here?” Prince Victor asked from behind her.

Isabella immediately covered her tear-stained cheeks with her hands.

“Why didn’t you show up at dinner?”

Prince Victor approached her and paused.

He quickly noticed that Isabella was crying.

Moving closer, Prince Victor lowered his head and whispered in her ear, “What’s the matter?”

Isabella shook her head without removing her hands from her face.

“What’s wrong with you? I don’t know you very well, but I don’t think you’re the type to cry over small things.”

Isabella wished that Prince Victor would just stop asking her anything and disappear.

Perhaps, it would be better if she would become one with the wind.

“If you wanted me to mind my own business, shall we just go then?

Isabella nodded, still covering her face with her hands.

“But what shall we do? I’m afraid I can’t.” Prince Victor murmured in a tone that indicated he was in trouble.

Since she couldn’t understand what he was talking about, Isabella took her hands off her face.

It was then–

“What are you two doing here?”

Isabella heard Archduke Kyar’s cool voice behind her back.