CH 74.1

Isabella was so embarrassed.

She couldn’t believe the Archduke still remembered her cry like a mad woman.

“Do you remember when we ran into each other in the mountains?” She whispered.

Duke Kyar sneered in recollection.

“Yes, but it didn’t happen just once. You don’t remember peeking at me behind some big tree every time I trained in the mountains.”

Why did he know about that?

Isabella assumed she was hidden out of his sight.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your training. If I was on your way–”

“Why are you doing this? Do you have some kind of hidden agenda?”

“I don’t understand what you mean. I don’t have any hidden agenda.” Isabella answered with a shake in the head.

Duke Kyar’s body began to emit cold air.

” Was it a coincidence for a stalker like you to join an archery competition beforehand and become a pharmacist the next moment?”

It wasn’t a coincidence, but Isabella did all these things so that she could meet him.

She couldn’t admit all her efforts so far for fear the Archduke might think it strange.

After all, he caught her obsessing over him, and he might use that as an excuse to kick her out.

Isabella knew how cold the Archduke could be if he weren’t interested, even if it was a woman.

“You might think it’s hard to believe, Your Highness. But, it’s just a coincidence.”

Isabella’s gaze didn’t waver as she stared at him.

Insisting without shame was the only way to survive this.

“My original job is as a pharmacist, Your Highness. I spent most of my time supplying medicine to a shop at the market. It’s been a long time since Princess Seria and I met, and she informed me that Rubella Castle was looking for a medicine maker. I asked Prince Victor for a recommendation letter through my friend so that I could finally have a stable job and make my life comfortable.” She explained calmly.

The Archduke never took his gaze away from her face.

“I participated in the archery competition because I needed money so badly. You already know that I live in the mountains. I’ve been hunting since I was young, so I’m very good at archery.” Isabella finished, but the Archduke remained suspicious.

“You didn’t tell me the most important thing.”

“What do you mean?”

“The reason why  you watch me while I train in the mountains.”

Isabella was doomed.

She wanted to change the subject, but the Archduke wouldn’t let her go.

What excuse should she use?

Her brain had stopped working.

How could she possibly explain her ‘stalker-ish’ behavior to Duke Kyar?

“That’s—-”

Blushing hard, Isabella clutched the fabric of her skirts tightly and spoke,  “I just like handsome faces, Your Highness. I usually feel good when I see one. It gives me strength. I’m so sorry for this.”

The Archduke laughed at her excuse.

It was better to be mistaken for a pervert who adored handsome faces compared to a stalker.

“So you watch me during training to see my handsome face?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I have lascivious intentions about you, Your Highness. I know my place.”

“So, you aren’t thinking about something naughty?”

“I don’t have evil thoughts or hidden agendas. I’m just a normal person who admires handsome faces.”

Isabella never thought she was a good liar, but she somehow had to hide her feelings for him.

She avoided Duke Kyar’s intense gaze.

He stared at her for a long time before he withdrew the ice into the air.

“We shall see. I indeed need a good pharmacist. However, if your abilities don’t pass the standard I need, I would have to fire you.”

It was clear that Isabella hadn’t cleared all of his doubts, but she was glad that he didn’t kick her out immediately and gave her a chance.

“I’ll do my best, Your Highness.”

The Archduke’s head turned to the book he was reading beforehand.

“Your Majesty.”

Isabella carefully placed the tranquilizer on the table.

“I made this medicine for you. It would be great if you took it when you woke up. And if you don’t mind, can I study more about your sleeping patterns and symptoms?”

” Do you want us to sleep together under the guise of studying my symptoms?” Duke Kyar asked sharply as his piercing gaze rested on her face.

Isabella hurriedly shook her head ‘no.’

As expected, the Archduke didn’t trust her.

Perhaps, he was waiting for her to set a trap, and then he would pretend to fall for it.

It took her a while to respond.

She shouldn’t let her guard down around him.

Isabella had to hide her feelings so as not to get caught.

“I’ll be waiting outside your bedroom, Your Highness.”

“All night?”

“Yes. Do not be surprised if I suddenly knock on your door early in the morning.”

Duke Kyar informed her that his nightmares would usually wake him up and make him sob loudly, so Isabella assumed she would hear him cry from the other side of his bedroom door.