Escaping the Archduke of the North's Obsession

Marc scrutinized the documents Isabella gave him and the medicine she placed on the table.

“You were the supplier of natural painkillers sold at Marcel’s medicine shop?”

“Yes.” Isabella answered quickly.

“I wanted to meet the pharmacist at Marcel’s medicine shop, and it worried me that the owner refused to tell me who it was. I had no idea we’d meet like this.”

“You wanted to meet me?”

Isabella’s eyes widened in surprise.

“I’m sure you heard about it from Prince Victor. I told him that I was looking for someone good at making medicine. The Archduke couldn’t sleep well these days, and he always seemed to have a headache.”

“Your Highness, Duke Kyar? Was he suffering from insomnia by any chance?”

“No. It was the nightmares that prevented him from sleeping well rather than insomnia. He doesn’t remember the nightmare at all, but it has taken a toll on him mentally every time he wakes up. I think the Archduke didn’t want to deal with it. That is why he wouldn’t sleep. Fortunately, the natural painkillers you made did a great job.”

Did Duke Kyar suffer mentally from a nightmare he couldn’t remember?

It didn’t make sense.

Perhaps, she could understand what was wrong with him if she saw the Archduke in person.

“Can you create a medicine that can help him relax his mind and body?”

“Yes, I can. But did the Archduke have such a bad condition that he needed this?”

“He would wake up from his nightmares and sob for about thirty minutes afterward. He didn’t seem to hear anything, no matter how much I talked to him.  Perhaps,  drinking medicine might make him feel better.”

“I think I’ll have to figure it out first. Then I can judge what kind of medicine I should make to suit his  condition.”

Mark nodded in agreement.

“Yes, you should. I’ll discuss this with the Archduke further after returning from his training.”

Come to think of it.

Duke Kyar was scheduled to train in the mountains today once a month.

It was the only day she allowed herself to observe him to her heart’s content and commit his face to memory.

It was a pity that she could not see him train, but at least she could see the Archduke more often in Rubella Castle from now on.

The thought alone made Isabella’s heart pound.

“So, can I start working here in Rubella Castle?”

“If you make an effective painkiller for the Archduke, then, of course, it’s a yes. I will be eternally grateful to Prince Victor for introducing such valuable talent. You can stay here and keep making them because it would be hard for His Highness to manage his daily activities without this.”

Mark smiled kindly at Isabella, and her emotions stirred at the sight.

She often saw him smile in the past, and she missed it so much.

Isabella clenched her fists in determination.

“Yes, I can make it for His Highness.”

As she stared at Marc’s smile, Isabella realized that she had successfully gotten inside Rubella Castle.

“If you need anything to create the medicine for the Archduke, come to me anytime. The maid will show you the room. Her name is Anna.”

“Yes, thank you, Marc. I’ll work hard and do my best!” Isabella exclaimed.

The maid called Ana approached her.

“You are Isabella, right?”

“Yes, ma’am. I look forward to working with you. And this is—-”

Isabella gave Anna a pill that cures muscle pains.

She had also given it to Marc as a sample.

This particular maid consistently bought medication for muscle pain from her in the past.

Isabella did this to get along well with the rest of  Rubella Castle as a servant.

It would be impossible to escape Anna’s and Marc’s hawk-like gaze.

“I made this medicine for the muscles, Anna. Please try it. If you apply it to a sore area, it will cool and alleviate the pain.”

“Really? I’ve been suffering from muscle pain these days. Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

“Please come and see me if you need them again.”

Isabella handed it over and smiled at her.

Anna coughed low and nodded.

“Well, I’ll think about it if the medicine is effective.”

Isabella knew better than anyone how much Anna would love this drug.

With this medicine, it would not be difficult to win Anna’s heart.

Heart pounding crazily at the thought of staying in Rubella Castle again, Isabella eagerly followed Anna.

She couldn’t wait to meet Archduke Kyar here.

**

Strangely, he couldn’t concentrate on the training today.

Frowning, Grand Duke Kyar opened his closed eyes.

He had never been like this before and it annoyed the hell out of him.

Archduke Kyar’s eyes turned to the large tree at the beginning of the winding road where the silver-haired woman would always hide to watch him but she wasn’t there today.

What’s going on?