“Would you like some tea, Your Highness?” She asked while glancing at the door. I’ll boil some before I leave.”

Duke nodded and didn’t say anything.

Isabella entered her cabin, closed the door, and opened her bag to take the water container out.

After asking the fire spirits to boil the tea for them, she observed his back from the small window.

Until now, Isabella couldn’t believe that he was there.

She feared that all of this was just a dream and Duke Kyar would disappear like a mirage when she blinked and opened her eyes.

**

Duke Kyar wore a foolish grin while sitting on a wooden chair.

He couldn’t understand what he was doing here but was genuinely embarrassed when he recalled himself ordering all the knights to train for tonight.

He knew he was being childish, but he didn’t want Evan to come to the mountains and see the meteor shower with Isabella.

Duke Kyar didn’t even intend to follow her this far.

Even if he made sure that Evan wasn’t going with her, Duke Kyar paced in front of the castle gates while thinking about seeing the meteor showers.

The instant he saw Isabella leaving the castle late at night, he couldn’t bear to leave her alone.

He stalked her on the pretext that he protected all the workers who served him in Rubella Castle.

Duke Kyar thought it was ridiculous for a woman to leave Rubella Castle with just a single bird on her shoulder and a lamp in her hand,  but it was amazing to see her climb the mountain as if she didn’t fear anything.

He couldn’t keep stalking her in silence when she tripped over a tree root.

It was humiliating to be caught following her like a stray cat, but he had no choice but to show himself and make sure she wasn’t hurt.

“Wow, I can see the stars tonight.”

Hearing Isabella’s voice made him look over her shoulder.

Duke Kyar saw her approach him while carrying a tray of teacups.

“This tea is made from flowers called ‘Clamen,’ and I included this ingredient in your medicine, Your Highness. Drinking this at night will calm your mind and body.”  Isabella said as she gave him a cup of the fragrant flower tea.

“Did you bring this in advance?”

“I had a few dried petals and herbs left in this cabin. I haven’t taken everything to Rubella Castle yet.”

“Tell me if you need anything from here. I’ll command someone to get them for you.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Isabella replied with a smile.

She tilted her head back and looked up at the twinkling stars in the night sky.

“Isn’t it beautiful, Your Highness?”

He couldn’t take his eyes off Isabella’s profile.

Every time Isabella turned her head slightly to the left or right, the fine silver strands of her long hair caught his eye as it fluttered in the soft breeze.

“Yes, it’s beautiful.” He murmured, mesmerized.

Duke Kyar couldn’t take his eyes off her beauty.

Isabella shone more than the stars she admired in his seemingly numb heart.

The Archduke placed his hand near his beating heart before looking heavenward.

His theory proved to be true.

Indeed, she was more fascinating to look at than these stars, and it didn’t take long for his eyes to land on her face again.

Whether she was too heartless or fortunate, Isabella still kept her eyes above them instead of looking at him.

Had she seen a star in the sky representing her dead lover who looked a lot like him?

I’m sure she did, considering that she was a woman who believed that every situation had a silver lining.

He clenched his teeth at the jealousy squeezing his heart, and he felt this burning thirst inside of him once more.

Duke Kyar lifted the cup and drank the warm flower tea to quench it, but it gave him no peace.

“Huh? A meteor just fell!” Isabella turned to him and shouted excitedly. “Did you see that, Your Highness?”

He quickly glanced at the sky and  asked,  “Where?”

“There. There. The meteors are falling again!”

She pointed at them as much as her two forefingers could.

“Did you know that your wish will come true if you make a wish while the meteors are falling?”

“What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”

“It’s a very famous story, Your Highness! We should make a wish together. It’s not easy to see them, you know? It’s my first time watching the meteor shower.”

His lips twitched when she said it was her first time.

“First time, huh?”

“Yes, I think it’s very mysterious and pretty to see them in person.”

The jealous thoughts sprouting in his mind like weeds vanished instantly when Isabella mentioned it was her first time.

Duke Kyar was glad that her first time watching the meteor shower was with him.