He suppressed a grin as he looked at Isabella who had prayed to the heavens.

She had her palms together while looking at the falling stars.

She was as adorable as a child when he saw her purse her lips in concentration while making a wish.

Duke Kyar wondered what her wish was about.

Finally, Isabella lowered her hands and informed him, “I made a wish.”

“What did you wish for?”

“I made a wish for you, Your Highness.”

“A wish for me?”

Isabella smiled.

“Yes, but I can’t elaborate. If I say it out loud, my wish for you might not come true. Did you make a wish, Your Highness?”

Duke Kyar only had one thought when he saw her sparkling blue eyes.

‘I wish your heart was mine, Isabella. I wish to receive your love and affection.’

Duke Kyar got up from his chair in embarrassment.

The quiet and intimate atmosphere must have gotten into his head and made him insane.

“It’s already late, Isabella. We should return to Rubella Castle now.” Duke Kyar said and Isabella rose from her chair with regret.

“Yes, Your Highness. Could you please wait a moment?”

Isabella placed their teacups back on the tray and carried them to the cabin while Duke Kyar picked up the chairs and followed her without a word.

Duke Kyar felt sorry for her, too, but he had no idea what else to do if he stayed here with her.

Whenever he is in front of this woman, his instincts always override his reason.

**

Isabella took her bag and exited the small cabin.

Then, she approached Lucis and held his reins.

“Get on, Isabella.” Duke Kyar told her as he pointed at Lucis.

“Me? Oh no, Your Highness. You should ride him. I don’t mind walking.”

He remarked, “Will this weak donkey survive if I get on his back?”

Lucis whined softly as if he just uttered a complaint.

Duke Kyar smirked as he watched him.

“You are pretty smart for an ugly animal. I can’t believe that you understand us a bit.” Duke Kyar spoke. “This donkey’s mother might also think that he was ugly as well.”

“Even Lucis isn’t good enough for him,” Ignis complained.

“Ride your beloved donkey, Isabella. He would appreciate your weight rather than mine.” He urged, forcing Isabella to climb onto Lucis’ back.

After checking if Isabella had properly settled down on top of the animal, Duke Kyar walked while carrying the lamp in one hand and the reins in the other.

“If you have known Princess Seria since childhood, were you originally from the Lilith Kingdom?” He asked out of the blue.

Isabella couldn’t speak for a moment. “What?”

“Your parents were also from the Lilith Kingdom, right? Are they still there?”

Isabella replied when she recalled the story Seria had arranged for her about her past.  “Oh, I don’t remember anything about my parents. Both of them died when I was young.”

“How did your family get here in Acnis Empire, then? Rubella Castle is quite far from the Lilith Kingdom since it’s located in the North.”

“I’m here because of my distant relative, Your Highness.”

“You lived in that small cabin with your relative?”

“Yes, but we couldn’t stay together for long. Not long after I came, my relative’s aunt died of illness.”  Isabella added in case Duke Kyar would ask more about her relative’s aunt.

“You must have been lonely, Isabella.”

Isabella smiled, remembering him saying such similar things before.

‘I don’t feel lonely when I am around you, Your Highness.’ Isabella thought as she looked at him warmly.

However, she only swallowed those sweet words and stored them in her heart until His Highness would be ready to accept that declaration.

Their conversation wasn’t that special, but she adored the fleeting moments she had with him tonight that the hour they spent to return to Rubella Castle felt so short.

As she glanced at the castle gates from a distance, Isabella called Duke Kyar, “Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

“Your Highness, please go ahead and enter the castle. I wanted to stay outside a little longer.”

She was already aware of the strange rumors circulating every time she came in and out of the Archduke’s bedroom.

Isabella had to be cautious to preserve His Highness’ reputation.

Maybe, that’s why Duke Kyar had told her not to come to his bedroom anymore.

It would be bad for people to see them entering the castle together this late.

“Why are you doing this, Isabella?”

“I thought it would be good for the both of us. Stranger rumors might pop out of nowhere and damage our reputation.”

“I don’t care about rumors like that, Isabella, so just go in with me.”

Isabella winced at his straightforward answer.

“No. I still think it’s better for us to go separate.”

“Perhaps, you cared more about the rumor and not me.” Duke Kyar said coolly.

Isabella stared at him in dismay.

“I’m not like that.”