Escaping the Archduke of the North's Obsession

Returning to her room in a good mood, Isabella’s eyes widened when she found a red-haired woman sitting on her bed.

“Ifrit!”

“How have you been? Were you staying in Rubella Castle all this time? I’ve heard some news about you through the fire spirits.”

Isabella approached Ifrit and said, “I tried to call you a few times, but you didn’t answer. I was worried.”

“I was in the spirit world. That’s why it took me a while to get here. There is a problem with the Spirit King of the Earth. I think I have to stay in the Spirit World for now.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Just send Ignis to me if there’s an emergency. I’ll come to your aid no matter what.”

Isabella smiled gratefully.

“I can’t thank you enough for your help so far, Ifrit. Now that I’m in Rubella’s Castle, please don’t worry too much about me.”

“I’m still worried, Isabella. The dark forest is extraordinary.”

Isabella’s eyes went round when Ifrit talked about it.

“What’s wrong with the dark forest?”

“I’m not sure, but the dark forest was created when the system disappeared. I think the energy of the Demon King had permeated that place. I heard that the magic is stronger this time.”

Isabella nodded quickly and said, “That’s right.”

“I don’t know the exact reason, but I think it’s better to be careful. I’m not certain if it was the Demon King’s fault or it was because the Earth King had gone weak.” Ifrit said.

Isabella’s anxiety grew.

“We turned back time three years ago. The devil didn’t come back to life, did he?”

“I don’t think so. His Kingdom seemed to have disappeared as well. Still, we had to be on guard against the dark forest since the boundary was there, and the devil’s energy might have leaked. This is just my guess, so don’t be too anxious.”

Ifrit patted her shoulder when Isabella’s pupils started shaking in fear.

“Even if the real devil shows up in this place, we can’t lose. I have a lot of strong allies to help us out, so if you need my help, Isabella, make sure you find me.” She reassured her, and Isabella felt a little relieved.

However, she still didn’t want to call the Queen of the Fire Spirits.

If that happens, they will have to deal with many casualties.

She thought about creating enough medicine to help everyone in an emergency.

“Have you made any progress with him?”

Ifrit changed the subject, and Isabella smiled.

“I think Duke Kyar and I were closer than when I first came to this Castle.”

Isabella also felt that Duke Kyar’s gaze had changed since the first moment she saw him.

It might not be love yet, but at least he seemed interested.

She also considered whether to summon the courage to confess her love on his birthday twenty days later.

“That’s a relief. I would love you until the day I die. You have told me in the past. I’m sure I’ll love you again.”

It was still hard for Isabella to recall that tragic scene.

How could those three words “I love you” sound so heartbreaking?

“I’d like to talk longer, but I have to go now,  Isabella. I’ll come back when I am free.”

Isabella looked at Ifrit, who stood up from her bed in regret.

“Yes, Ifrit. Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.”

Ifrit’s body was enveloped in red light before she disappeared.

Left alone, Isabella exhaled a sigh as she recalled the conversation she had with Ifrit about the dark forest.

As she patted her pounding heart, she hoped there was no need to summon Ifrit for bad things.

**

As Isabella made medicine for Archduke Kyar in the pharmacy, she tilted her head at the people watching her as they passed by.

Somehow, their intense scrutiny felt malicious.

What was going on?

“Isabella.”

Just in time, Anna came into the drugstore, calling her name.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’m here because I have a question,” Anna told her hesitantly.

“Please go ahead.”

“I’m asking this just in case… Do you really have that kind of relationship with His Highness?”

Isabella’s eyes widened at Anna’s unexpected question.

“What?”

“No. Someone said they saw you and His Highness last night. I heard you went out late at night and returned at dawn. It’s not true, right? That person who had spread the rumor was just lying, right?”

It was true that she watched the meteor shower with the Grand Duke but if she admitted that, the rumor would even spread like wildfire.

Their relationship was nothing to do with them yet but if this rumor went around, Archduke Kyar might not like it.

As she agonized over the rumor, she saw Evan entering the pharmacy with a smile as he approached her.

Evan circled an arm around her shoulder and asked. “So you went to see the meteor shower alone last night?”

Isabella looked up at Evan in bewilderment.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep the promise about our date, Isabella. I didn’t know I’d get a night drill all of a sudden. But you can’t go and watch it alone again. It’s dangerous at night.”

Evan winked and pointed outside the drugstore.

It appeared like a lot of servants had gathered to keep a close eye on them.