Escaping the Archduke of the North’s Obsession

“Allen.
It’s a misunderstanding.
I just wanted to shake your hand and ask for your kind cooperation as a business partner.
Can you please return my frozen hand to its original state?”  Prince Victor said as he glanced down at his frozen right hand with a wide grin.

Ria watched the scene from the sidelines and gasped in surprise.

She quickly raised a towel and wrapped Prince Victor’s frozen hand with it.

“No.
I don’t think it’s a bad idea either if I just allowed it to melt slowly.” Prince Victor took his words back.

His smile didn’t fade as he observed Ria warm his hand up.

Prince Victor was glad that Ria was worried about him.

Duke Kyar regarded Prince Victor with indifference and unfroze his hand instantly.

“That’s a relief, Your Highness.
Your hand is back to normal.” Ria exclaimed, and Prince Victor nodded with regret.

“I know.
Allen changes his mind easily.
Fickleness is his charm, though.”

Archduke Kyar scowled at him, and Prince Victor changed the topic immediately.

“Ria, shall we go get dinner now? Since I helped you with your work this morning, will you eat with me?” Prince Victor asked.

Ria looked troubled for a moment, but then, she nodded.

’

Prince Victor handed Isabella a bag full of gold coins while wearing a self-satisfied smile.

He appeared as he had just managed to conquer the world.

“We’ll go first, My Lady.
Please take your sweet, sweet time over here.” Prince Victor whispered.

Isabella flashed him an awkward smile.

“Have a nice meal, sister.”

“Well, enjoy your meal, Ria.”

“Yes!” Ria replied excitedly.

Then, Prince Victor escorted her out of the temporary warehouse.

Isabella approached Duke Kyar while carrying her heavy purse.

He was still in a bad mood.

“I’ve made a lot of money today.
I owe it all to you, Your Highness.” She said with a smile.

’

Yet, Duke Kyar’s face remained an impenetrable mask.

His countenance was too grim for her to dismiss it as mere jealousy, and it was different from the happy and relaxed duke she had met last night.

“Is there something wrong, Your Highness?” Isabella asked him carefully.

Duke Kyar’s lips were pressed in a mulish line, and he simply stared at her with deep, dark eyes.

As she glanced up at him, Isabella wondered if he had suppressed his feelings for her sake.

She wished he would just say something because his silence was more frustrating to deal with.

Perhaps, he didn’t want to tell her about it?

“If you didn’t plan on answering my questions, I guess I’ll have to be on my way, Your Highness.”

Isabella lowered her head at him and walked away.

Duke Kyar seized her by the arm.

Standing behind Isabella’s back, he suddenly wrapped one muscled arm around her shoulder.

The other hand that had clutched her arm trembled.

’

Isabella didn’t know the reason behind it.

“Your Highness?”

“I had this terrible nightmare, Isabella.
I dreamed about you being with someone else.”

He murmured in exasperation as if he didn’t want to recall any of it.

“It felt so real that it had started to scare me.
Please don’t leave me for someone else, Isabella.”

When his heavy exhales touched her sensitive nape, Isabella felt like his dark anxiety wanted to eat her alive.

Was it just a coincidence that he also experienced a strange nightmare the same day she had one?

“You might consider me childish just because I can’t distinguish dreams from reality.” Duke Kyar said sullenly as if he was angry at himself for revealing his weakness.
“But can we stay like this a little longer, Isabella? Please help me calm myself.”

Reaching out, Isabella slowly grabbed the arm that he had wrapped around her shoulder.

She wanted to quell his anxiety.

No, this might calm her as well.

’

“Your Highness.
As I told you earlier, I have made a lot of money.
Do you want to go for a walk? I’ll buy you something delicious.”

He suppressed a laugh.
“I guess it’s not a bad idea to act like a child once in a while.”

“Do you want to go with me, then?”

“Isabella.
If you ask me to go somewhere, I’ll even go to hell with you.”

Isabella lowered her head shyly before looking up at him.

“First, I just offered that we eat something delicious, and the next, you’re saying that you are fine with going to hell with me? I’d like to have a peaceful day today, Your Highness.”

He caressed the silver strands of her hair and nodded in agreement.

**

When Isabella returned to her room, she rushed straight into the closet.

It’s a little weird to call it a date, but she wanted to pick a beautiful dress for this special event.

She usually wears comfortable dresses that are easy to put on and remove.