Escaping the Archduke of the North's Obsession - Chapter 111.2

Isabella’s eyes widened in shock as soon as she saw blue streams pouring down from the magnificent waterfalls.

She had no idea that this beautiful place existed in the Western Mountains.

She had only visited a hot spring around this area, and it was her first time coming across such beautiful waterfalls.

“What do you think?” He asked.

Smiling, Isabella answered.  “It’s gorgeous, Your Highness. This place possessed the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen in all of Rubella.”

“The hot spring down here is good too. Oh!” Frowning slightly, Duke Kyar murmured. “I assumed you have visited the hot spring before.”

So, the Archduke had remembered things in their past through his dreams.

“Yes, but it’s my first time seeing these waterfalls, Your Highness. Thank you for bringing me here.”

“I’m glad you like it here. But that small bird looks more excited than you.” Duke Kyar said as he watched Ignis fly excitedly around the waterfalls.

Isabella chuckled. “I know. He felt cooped up in Rubella Castle for a long time and appreciated being out here again.”

Ignis glanced at her as if he knew Isabella was talking about him.

The happy little firebird flew to her side.

“Isabella! It’s so nice out here! I didn’t know there was such a place in the North!”

“Right? It’s beautiful, right?”

Duke Kyar gave her a questioning glance when he heard her talk to the animal.

“Oh. I just think Ignis likes this place, Your Highness.”

Grinning widely, Duke Kyar muttered. “It’s interesting to see you communicate with that loud bird.”

Ignis seemed furious at the Archduke’s comment.

“How dare that man look down on me? I am a Higher Spirit of Fire!”

“Calm down, Ignis.”

“Isabella. You told me that the bird is a High-Level Spirit of Fire, but he doesn’t look like it. Appearance-wise.” Duke Kyar said.

“Isabella! Why did the bastard know I am a Great Spirit of Fire?” Ignis screeched as he flapped his wings with aggression. “When did you tell him?”

“I told him I am contracted to the Queen of the Fire Spirits earlier.”

“Is that so?” Ignis asked gravely, and his little body shifted into its original form without warning.

The large phoenix stared down at Duke Kyar with arrogance.

Isabella merely shook her head at his behavior.

Ignis almost always grab the opportunity to show off his actual appearance.

“Amazing transformation!” Duke Kyar praised him as he examined the phoenix in admiration. “So this is the little bird’s true form?”

“I’m not just a bird, you bastard!” Ignis cawed loudly. “I’m a High-Level Spirit of Fire!”

Duke Kyar didn’t even bat an eye when he responded, “I don’t see that much difference except that both of you have loud chirps.”

It was true that Ignis’ words could very well sound like chirps to the people who didn’t have the power to sense the spirits around them.

Ignice snorted, hating what Duke Kyar had said.

White steams of smoke had come out of Ignis’ nose out of frustration.

Duke Kyar scowled at him.

“I think Ignis was cuter when he was small. He turns ugly if he becomes this big.”

Duke Kyar crushing his pride, made Ignis’ large form tremble in anger.

“Rude bastard. Why do you still look down on me when I am in this mighty form !”

“Stop Ignis.”

“I hate him! Hmph!”

Ignis snorted once again.

He decided to explore the waterfall rather than deal with the Archduke’s insults.

The two didn’t get along well since they met, and Isabella worried that this incident had made their relationship worse.

It would take forever for these two to get close.

“He looked pretty cool,  flying above us with the long, red wings of his.” Duke Kyar had praised the phoenix too late.

Isabella glanced at the Archduke with regret. “I’m sorry that Ignis didn’t hear it.”

“Why?”

“Ignis doesn’t know how to handle compliments. Please compliment him more next time. You know that Ignis is like a family to me, right? Please think of him as my family and love him, too.”

“I never dreamed of becoming a family with a high-ranking fire spirit.” Duke Kyar said.

Isabella burst out laughing.

“But we aren’t going to just stand like this, are we?”

“Shall we sit down?” Isabella asked him, unfolding the picnic mat she had brought.

“Give it to me. I’ll do it.”

Snatching it from her, he carefully spread the mat so that they could sit in comfort.

He sat on it first before he reached out a hand.

Then, he naturally pulled her into his embrace.

“Are you happy with going on a picnic with me?” He asked curiously with his arms around her.

“Yes, I love it.”

Caressing the hand he was already holding, he asked her another question.”What else do you want to do besides this?”

“Well, I don’t know.”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to enjoy the festival together?”

Isabella nodded slowly at what he said.

“Yes, but that’s impossible to do before our marriage. Let’s go see the snowflake festival together after we get married.”

“I can make it possible.”

“What?”

“No. I said what I said.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

However, Isabella soon found out that he was serious.

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