Are you sure we are going to meet this pharmacist?” Luches whispered.

Marc nodded calmly.

“Yeah, well, actually, I kind of expected this. His Highness’ eyes light up every time he saw Isabel—I mean, this girl. The pharmacist.”

“This girl—I mean, the pharmacist.” Luches sighed heavily and asked, “Do we really have to address her as such?”

“You were His Highness’ classmate in the past. That is why he asked you, of all people, to serve him. And if he wanted the pharmacist to be regarded as that, that is how you are going to address her.”

“Is this what the Archduke had wanted?” Luches’ big eyes widened in shock. “Was His Highness thinking about marrying that pharmacist?”

“It’s too early to talk about marriage, but I think it’s possible. It’s the first time I’ve seen him like this.” Marc replied calmly before taking a sip of his tea.

Luches leaned down toward Marc.

“Are you sure that the Archduke was crazy obsessed with her like what the rumor said? What if that pharmacist gave him a strange drug—-”

“Assistant Luches, don’t ever talk about that again. Did you know that the Archduke would take away all the people caught spreading these rumors?”  Marc whispered in his ear.

“I know, I know. I’m just frustrated, wondering how the Archduke fell in love with that woman.”

“Me? I’m a little relieved. I was worried that His Highness would live alone for the rest of his life.”

“It might be better to live alone.”

“Wouldn’t that be worse for us?”

Luches sighed deeply.

“I don’t know what’s right or wrong anymore. I just hope the pharmacist isn’t a witch or something.”

“I’ve just known her but I don’t think he’s a bad person. She also seemed familiar to me for some reason. You have to believe that she is kind and sincere. That way, our lives will be more peaceful—-”

Marc pursed his lips when he saw His Highness exiting the garden.

“Her existence might make our lives worse.”

Mark winked at Luches to be quiet, but the tactless man wouldn’t shut up.

“Who’s ruining your life?”

Luches’ stiffened at the sound of Duke’s voice from behind.

“No. No one.  Luches talked to me about the recent play he just watched. The heroine’s good acting impressed him and he keep thinking of her every day. Luches is having a hard time these days.” Marc replied to Duke Kyar to settle the situation immediately.

Duke Kyar glanced down at Luches with a frown.

“Ah yes, that’s right. My life is a mess because I keep thinking of her. Hahaha! I feel so lovesick these days.”

“Well, I know how it feels. You should admit your feelings for her. That would make you feel better.” Duke Kyar suggested and Luches nodded in agreement.

He was glad that His Highness seemed to believe his excuse.

“I’m relieved that you have a woman in your heart. Still, Luches?”

Duke Kyar called his attention and Luches raised his head in surprise. “Yes, Your Highness?”

“Don’t go near Isabella. Don’t laugh at Isabella. Don’t even ask questions about the weather.”

Luches blinked at the absurd statement.

“Do you understand?” Duke Kyar asked again for confirmation.

Luches nodded. “Yes, Your Highness. I’ll never get near Isabel— her.”

Liking Luches’ answer, Archduke Kyar smirked and turned to Marc again.

“Bring in the most talented tailors the jewelers.” The Grand Duke said.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Marc replied with a respectful bow.

**

Back in the office, Archduke Kyar picked up the documents he had to look at today but the letters didn’t catch his eye properly.

“I miss you already.” He murmured, looking forward to Isabella’s appearance in the Dining Hall.

Isabella seemed determined but soft-hearted at the same time and that worried him.

How was she going to live in this tough world?

Well, she just had to stick next to him all the time.

How will Isabella react once the tailors and the jewelers visit her in her room?

As he imagined Isabella’s reactions, he recalled the dream he had last night.

He didn’t know if it was precognition or not, but he also had a dream about Isabella.

It was just a dream but he was offended yet again when he thought of Isabella smiling at Luches.

He smiled as if he knew why he was insanely jealous in that dream.

Luches greeted her and asked her about the weather with a smile.

In fact, he thought he might get crazier in the present compared to his dream if that really happened.

He frowned as he recalled his dream of giving her all kinds of gifts just to see her smile.

Strangely, seeing himself in a dream with Isabella made his competitive spirit rise.

Isabella’s snobbish smile was the last scene of her dream. In his dream, he didn’t see Isabella’s bright smile until the end.

“You’ll show me.”

He smiled confidently, imagining Isabella’s reaction.

I couldn’t believe myself competing with myself in my dream, but I didn’t want to lose strangely.