“I’m very upset about this rumor, as well. I had no idea where it came from. I guess it also frustrated Knight Evan in some way that he tried to help me get rid of it.”

Isabella waved her hand in dismissal, and Anna’s eyes went wide with interest.

When the maid attempted to comment on that, Isabella placed a dark blue moisture pack over her mouth and said, “Don’t talk, or you might get wrinkles.”

“Knight Evan and I are not dating. He just wanted to help me manage these strange rumors. I know you tried to help me with them in the past and I appreciate it. I’m glad that there’s someone on my side who trusted me. They don’t scare me because I know that I‘m telling the truth. Don’t you think that these strange rumors would die down quickly?”

Isabella glanced down at Anna and smiled.

Anna nodded in agreement.

“Thank you. You are so wise, Anna. I knew that you would trust me.”

Isabella thought she succeeded in persuading the maid to believe her.

She loved the face mask she gave her, making her feel at ease.

She was thankful that Anna had pledged her loyalty to her as she caressed her soft skin.

Anna knew almost all of the servants here in Rubella Castle, so those who had spread malicious rumors about Isabella should be careful.

Isabella should also keep away from His Highness until the rumors were gone.

She came out of Anna’s room to visit Marc with His Highness’ medicine in her hands.

“Should I give this medicine to the Archduke?” Marc asked, and Isabella nodded.

“Yes, please.”

“Are you asking me to do this because of the rumors?”

Isabella winced.

She had to visit Duke Kyar in the morning, but the strange rumors might escalate if she came in and out of his bedroom late.

She had to sneak in and out carefully so that no one could see her.

“Don’t let the rumor get to your head, Isabella.”

“That’s right. It would be too chaotic if His Highness found out about this.”

Marc exhaled a heavy sigh.

Was he worried about this rumor as well?

“But yesterday, I really–”

The butler was about to bring it up, but he shook his head and changed his mind.

“No, don’t worry about that nonsense. I don’t believe it either.”

Marc said and she relaxed.

If Mark cared about it, it wouldn’t reach the Archduke.

However, life wasn’t supposed to go as expected, and Isabella didn’t know that.

Duke Kyar was walking in the garden, wondering why Isabella showed up in his dream while she was having a conversation with Marc.

The dream lingered in his mind all day.

Every time he thought about it, he wanted to see Isabella suddenly.

Duke Kyar frowned when he saw Evan from a distance.

Evan did him no wrong so it was strange why the Knight’s face always get on his nerves.

Maybe, the reason was that Evan seemed closer to Isabella than him, which made him feel jealous.

Duke Kyar witnessed other Knights approach Evan.

“Evan! Are you dating the pharmacist?”

“It’s strange. Are both of you in a relationship?”

“I also heard a rumor that Isabella and His Highness had something special going on. What’s the truth?”

Archduke Kyar’s steps halted the instant he heard Isabella’s name flowing out of the knights’ mouths.

Isabella and Evan were dating?

He didn’t hear the rest clearly.

“No. We’re not dating.”

“What do you mean no? I heard you were dating Isabella.”

Evan sighed and explained to his fellow knights. “I said that because I was bothered by the strange rumors about Isabella.”

“Why do you care about that?”

“I know, right? What’s good about being involved with the woman in the rumors?”

“She must be extraordinary seeing that she seduced you as well as the Grand Duke.”

As the knights continued to gossip, Archduke Kyar approached them along with the cold air surrounding him.

When they felt something cold behind their backs, Evan and the knights looked over their shoulder to see what was going on.

“What kind of girl do you think Isabella is?”

At his cool question, the knights lowered their heads nervously.

“If you want to stay here in the castle and continue working as a dark knight, you’d better stop spreading those stupid rumors.”

As the knights stared at his cold, dark eyes, all of their bodies trembled in fear.

**

*KNOCK*

*KNOCK*

Sitting in front of the desk while studying some new herbs, Isabella jumped up from her chair upon hearing the loud knocks.

“Who is it?” Ignis, who was dozing off at the desk, cawed with his eyes wide open. “Who dares to knock on the door like that?”

Then, they heard another banging on the door.

“It’s me. The Grand Duke.”

Isabella hurriedly opened the door for the rude guest.

Isabella’s blue eyes widened the moment she saw Archduke Kyar’s furious face.

“Your Highness?”

“Are you avoiding me because of a strange rumor?” He asked her with a pained gaze.

Isabella’s chagrin grew even more.