“I don’t know if I can help you, but I’ll do my best.”
April’s face instantly brightened up.
Isabella patted April’s hand before she slowly released it.
It was difficult to stop her urge from holding onto that soft, soft hand.
Yet, she didn’t want April to fear her and consider her a pervert.
“Thank you. I was quite at a loss. I attended the academy to get closer to Kyle, but I didn’t even get to know him better.”
She couldn’t believe that this girl had entered the Academy because of Kyle.
Isabella shouldn’t simply dismiss it as a child’s feelings.
“If you don’t mind, may I ask how old you are, princess?”
“I’m eleven this year.”
She nodded slowly.
Isabella guessed so.
It touched her heart that such a lovely princess adored Young Master Kyle.
Kyle had died alone in the original novel.
“I’ve liked Kyle since I was seven.”
Isabella smiled.
“But Kyle is not interested in me at all.” April said sullenly as she wriggled her tiny fingers.
“How did Isabella get acquainted with Kyle?”
April glanced up at her with round pink eyes in curious wonder.
“Well, I got acquainted with him in the easiest yet most difficult way at the same time.”
“What? How?”
“April. Showing sincerity is the way to win someone’s heart. That’s the easiest thing to do. But showing your true feelings isn’t as easy as it may seem. It feels worse for those people who like someone.”
She, too, had the most difficult time dealing with Duke Kyar.
Normally, it would be easier to speak one’s mind if one didn’t care, but if a person likes someone, it is more difficult to reveal one’s genuine emotions.
“Can you show and explain to me what you mean?”
“Of course. You have a lot of opportunities to get to know Kyle before that, but I will help you while you’re here.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Please come with Master Kyle down here at Rubella Castle if you are free. I can make excuses for you.”
“Isabella.”
April’s small hand reached out so that she could hold Isabella’s fingers.
“Shall we make a plan for today?” Isabella whispered, and April nodded grimly.
**
Isabella glanced at April sitting next to Kyle in the dining room.
She already felt full just observing how cute the children were.
“What are you looking at?” Archduke Kyar asked.
Isabella removed her gaze from Kyle and April to face the Archduke.
“What?”
“Something strange is going on. People who usually liked to eat a lot wouldn’t eat very well these days.” Duke Kyar said worriedly as he glanced at her untouched plate.
“You don’t like the food, Isabella?”
Isabella shook her head hastily.
“No, it’s very delicious, Your Highness.”
“Why don’t you eat it if it is so delicious, then? You usually moan when you eat something good. You don’t usually care what other people do because you are too focused on eating.”
Did she do that?
Isabella scratched her cheek awkwardly.
“If you don’t like it, I’ll ask the chef to cook another one that will suit your taste.”
“No, I think the food is great. I’ll eat, Your Highness. I’ll just focus on eating now.”
Isabella diligently sliced the lamb on the plate with a knife.
As soon as she put it in her mouth, she realized that she had moaned indeed.
“Hmmm.”
It surprised her that Duke Kyar knew the habits she didn’t even know herself.
Duke Kyar looked satisfied at her expression and resumed his meal.
Isabella decided to focus on her meal for now.
It wasn’t just because the food was delicious.
She finished her meal quickly and wiped her mouth with a napkin.
When the desserts were served, Kyle and April were busy drinking tea.
“If you don’t mind, can I ask a favor, Kyle?” She asked.
Kyle nodded without hesitation.
“I’ll do anything for you, sister.”
“I was supposed to show Princess April around the woods after this meal, but I remembered that I still had to make medicine. It’s pretty urgent, so I’m afraid I can’t postpone it because it was already reserved. Could you show Princess April around the forest on my behalf?”
Isabella squeezed his hand, and Kyle looked troubled for a moment.
In the meantime, Isabella and April’s eyes met.
April looked nervous while waiting for Kyle’s answer.
“Well, I guess I can show the princess around the forest, as you promised her, sister.”
“Thank you very much, Young Master Kyle.”
Kyle shook his head.
“It’s not a very difficult request, sister. Princess April, I’ll come and visit your room in half an hour.”
“Thank you, Kyle. I’ll wait patiently until you arrive.”
Isabella smiled as she glanced at the two.
The atmosphere between them was amiable.
She walked out of the restaurant happily while Duke Kyar followed behind.
“What are you thinking, Isabella?” He asked in a low voice that only she could hear.
“Did you know that Princess April likes young master Kyle?”
“Really?”
“Yes, isn’t she adorable? The princess said she wanted to get acquainted with him.”
Duke Kyar nodded slowly as if he finally understood her strange behavior in the Dining Hall.
“Please come with me to the woods later, Your Highness.”
“Why? Don’t you want those two to be alone?”
“I’ll catch up with you in secret. I need your help, Your Highness. Will you help me?”
Isabella looked at him with big blue eyes, and Duke Kyar suppressed a wide grin.
“Well, if you need my help.”
“Thank you. They are still young, but I hope they’ll get to know each other better after this.”
“Well, I don’t think Kyle had ever talked about having many friends before.”
“I think he is a quiet boy in the Academy, too. We should pay more attention to Young Master Kyle.”
As Isabella got closer to April, she learned a little about Kyle’s life at the academy.
She said Kyle spent most of his time in the library or the fields.
Isabella was relieved that Kyle became more cheerful In Rubella Castle, but he hadn’t completely opened up to people yet.
She hoped that April would be the one to open Kyle’s heart.
Maybe Kyle’s memories and experiences at the Academy would be more unforgettable.
“Kyle is lucky for having a good aunt like you.”
Isabella shook her head as she watched Duke Kyar getting ahead of himself.
Well, it wasn’t entirely wrong.
In autumn, Isabella thought about…… she was preparing herself to marry him.
Isabella blushed every time she thought about it.
**
Half an hour later, Isabella crept toward the forest and met Duke Kyar there.
When they walked a little faster, Isabella saw Kyle’s and April’s backs as they moved ahead of them.
Duke Kyar and Isabella stalked them while hiding behind trees so that the children would not find out.
“It’s quiet and beautiful out here. It’s different from the royal forest.”
“Yes.”
“I heard it’s cold in the North when the autumn season begins. Is it true?”
“Yes.”
“But I think I should experience it myself.”
“Yes.”
Kyle’s replies were short every time April started conversations.
Isabella heard from April that Kyle was quiet, but she had no idea how quiet he was.
However, April didn’t give up and kept talking to Kyle.
The princess’s determination looked so beautiful in Isabella’s eyes.
“I wonder what the forest would look like if it’s covered by snow. I like snow. It’s a pity that it doesn’t often snow in the Capital.”
“It’s beautiful. Snowy forests are more beautiful.”
For the first time, Kyle spoke longer statements.
Princess April’s face lit up.
“Really? Wow, I think it would be gorgeous if I saw it in person! Too bad I couldn’t. My late mother also came from a country where it snows a lot. So when I see snow, it warms my heart.”
Princess April must not have been the queen’s child.
She heard that the Emperor had more than ten concubines.
“I like it, too. Snow.” Kyle continued as he looked around the forest dreamily. “That’s why I want to stay in the North for a long time.”
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