CH 80.1

“Did he die for you? He must be a man of his word.”

Duke Kyar’s sarcastic remarks earlier made her scowl.

Duke Kyar might not remember the past, but she couldn’t stand him speaking ill of her loved one.

Isabella’s anger was thrown out of the window upon seeing the Archduke’s half-naked body.

He was about to loosen his belt and take off his pants, but he stopped moving.

Isabella couldn’t take her eyes off his sinewy abs and muscles, but she knew she had to.

She couldn’t turn her head away from his masculine beauty every time she saw him like this.

His form was as perfect as a Greek God sculpture.

‘The man deserved to be displayed in a museum at Louvre, Paris.’ Isabella thought grudgingly as she examined him from head to toe.

Her eyes went round when she found a dark red wound near Duke Kyar’s heart.

She hadn’t seen it before.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” He whispered with one eyebrow slightly raised.

Isabella hurried to his side and reached out to touch it.

It appeared like he had been stabbed with a sharp object.

“How did you get hurt, Your Highness? When did it happen? Why?  Please tell me. Are you in pain?” She asked frantically while giving gentle caresses on his chest.

Duke Kyar clutched her hand as if he didn’t want her to snatch it back.

He raised his head and looked at her in amazement.

As if on cue, Duke Kyar’s cheekbones turned red as a tomato.

“I guess you don’t treat me as a man, Isabella.” Duke Kyar growled low, and it made Isabella blush as well.

“Sorry, Your Highness. I’m sorry. I was just surprised to see that wound in your chest that I stopped–”

Duke Kyar exhaled a heavy sigh and released her hand.

“I’ll go outside then.”

“All right, just turn around. You don’t even see me as a man, so stop pretending to be shy in front of me.”

Duke Kyar’s words made her speechless.

Isabella turned around and kept her mouth shut.

The Archduke seemed angry at her from the look on his face.

After all, she realized his reaction was natural since she touched his body without permission.

Isabella was fortunate that the Archduke didn’t freeze her on the spot.

“I’m so sorry, Your Highness! I didn’t mean to touch you.”

Isabella lowered her head and apologized to him multiple times.

She had no idea if he was annoyed with her or not.

“When did you get that wound, Your Highness? You haven’t answered me yet. Doesn’t it hurt? The wound looked like it was already healed completely, though.”

“This had been a scar for a long time.” He answered.

Isabella’s eyes widened in shock. “What?”

“You don’t have to worry about it. It doesn’t hurt me anymore.”

“You’ve had that scar for a long time? May I ask how did you get that wound?”

She had seen Duke Kyar’s naked form several times but had never seen that wound before.

He approached her while wearing a robe with only a thin string tied around his waist.

“I don’t know. I don’t remember how this wound came about.”

Isabella didn’t understand how he could have a scar on his heart and couldn’t remember where he got it.

Why did he have that scar that didn’t exist before?

The punctured scar reminded Isabella of Descartes when a sharp icicle stabbed him in the heart.

Maybe that’s why the wound bothered her so much.

“I think you mistook me for another man, Isabella. I’m not him.”

Isabella glanced at him with concern and immediately lowered her head.

She was aware that Duke Kyar found her blue eyes a nuisance.

**

Duke Kyar was trapped in a small dark room when he heard a familiar voice.

“Don’t forget–”

He opened his eyes and listened to that mysterious voice.

He had no idea where it came from, but the sound broke his heart, and all he could feel was pain.

Duke Kyar didn’t even realize that he was sobbing hard.

The pain slowly subsided when he felt Isabella’s warm embrace.

“Are you alright?” She asked gently, and Duke Kyar slowly nodded.

“That’s a relief.”

Isabella smiled at him, and it made him thirsty suddenly.

“Please give me some water, Isabella.” His voice cracked when he said it, and Isabella hurried to the table.

While Duke Kyar watched her back, he suddenly recalled the voice in his dream.

It was the first time he heard them.

What should he not forget?

His heart had acted strangely upon hearing those earnest words.

Isabella approached Duke Kyar while holding a leather canteen, and her free hand reached for his heart.

“Is it painful?” She stared at him in concern while spreading her palm against his chest.

“I’m alright.”

“Drink this water first.”

He took Isabella’s leather canteen and drank a lot of water, but he found it strange that it didn’t quench his thirst.

The sight of this woman in front of him was the reason.

Isabella made him feel this unquenchable thirst, and Duke Kyar had no idea why.

It was similar to what happened yesterday.

Everyday.