Escaping the Archduke of the North’s Obsession - Chapter 89-2

The city came in second next to the capital when it comes to population.

Isabella trusted that Seria could manage the pharmacy in Arpeon.

‘I had to meet Seria to discuss this in great detail.’ Isabella thought as she put her friend’s letter back into the envelope.

She was looking forward to the herbs Seria had bought for her.

Isabella’s eyes twinkled as she thought about her new collection of herbs, but all that excitement faded when she faced the tailor and the jeweler.

It would be nice if the tailor simply measured her body size and was done with it.

But did he have to treat it like he was in a competition?

The tailor wrote her measurements covertly on paper as if he didn’t want anyone to see them.

It was also their job to study a lot of books about design, and she had no idea that there were different kinds of dresses all over the world.

Although the gowns were beautiful, they looked highly uncomfortable.

Isabella chose a few dresses among them that were easier to wear before sending the tailor back.

Unfortunately, the jewelers attacked her next.

Isabella could only give them a blank stare when they presented the expensive sets of jewelry they’d brought, explaining them with enthusiasm.

She couldn’t care less about where these precious jewels were mined from and spent her time thinking about how many herbs she could buy from the total costs of all these priceless ornaments.

Duke Kyar had already paid money for all of these, so Isabella couldn’t return them.

Various useless yet expensive jewelry pieces were piled into small mountains in front of her table.

Was it just her imagination, or was the scale of His Highness’ gifts grander than before?

Isabella sighed when she glanced at the gifts.

Duke Kyar went too far.

Again.

“I had this strange feeling that you don’t like my gifts, Isabella.”

Isabella looked over her shoulder when she heard His Highness’ voice.

When did he come to her room?

She saw the Archduke scowling at her as he leaned against the door frame.

” When did you come?”

“Just now. Don’t you like them? You didn’t open a single one, either, as if you aren’t interested.”

He frowned at the set of jewels piled on her table.

“No, I like it a lot, Your Highness.”

Isabella smiled sweetly, appreciating the Archduke’s efforts in preparing all these presents.

Both of them heard a knock on the door.

“Yes?” Isabella answered.

The door opened, and the servants came in, carrying a wooden box of herbs.

The herbs from Arpeon that Seria had sent seemed to have arrived.

Contrary to Seria’s letter where she said that she only bought a few herbs for her, many of them were placed in front of her.

“All of these herbs are from Princess Seria.” The servant said.

Isabella’s blue eyes twinkled while examining the rare herbs.

These were the herbs she wanted so badly.

Duke Kyar cleared his throat and called, “Isabella.”

Isabella was so distracted by these herbs that she forgot His Highness was there with her.

“Am I misunderstanding something, or are you more interested in the herbs Princess Seria sent you than the jewels I gave?” Duke Kyar asked carefully.

Isabella shook her head.

“No, I prefer your presents, Your Highness.”

Duke Kyar narrowed his gaze at her as if he had sensed her lies.

“You’re not very good at lying.” He remarked bluntly.

Isabella flashed him an awkward smile.

Clutching his arm,  Isabella led him to the sofa.

“Honestly, I prefer herbs compared to jewelry or dresses.”

“What a unique taste.”

“So don’t give me these kinds of gifts anymore, Your Highness. You’re wasting money for no reason.” Isabella said seriously once both of them were seated.

“I just wanted to see you like it.”

“I know and I’m happy about that.”

“Never mind. You don’t have to pretend liking it. Tell me what you want. Do I just have to buy you some herbs?”

Isabella shook her head at his question.

“I already get so many herbs from Princess Seria.”

Archduke Kyar glared at the boxes of herbs Princess Seria had sent.

When he looked like he was about to freeze the herbs, Isabella spoke quickly.

“It’s not just about gifts. I thought of something I really wanted to do with you, Your Highness.”

Duke Kyar’s expression softened at that.

“What do you want to do?”

“Umm—-”

“What is it? Tell me anything.”

“Travel. I want to travel with you, Your Highness. I know you’re very busy, but would you like to travel with me if you have time on the weekend?”

If she wanted to go to Arpeon to meet Seria, she thought it was great to go with the Grand Duke but he simply lowered his head and said nothing for a while.

Did this mean he wouldn’t like to go on a trip with her?

Did he have any other plans for the weekend?

“If you’re busy, I will just——-”

He, who had his head lowered, quickly raised his head and answered. “I’m not busy.”

However, his chiseled cheeks were too red.

“Are you sick, Your Majesty? I think you caught a bad fever.”

Isabella tried to feel Duke Kyar’s forehead but his large hand grabbed her wrist faster.

“You’re really—–” With a redder face, he mumbled words that were hard to catch as he got up from the sofa. “How bold of you to do this?”