The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 100: A Blatant Insult To The Lady

Chapter 100: A Blatant Insult To The Lady

The carriage jolted along the cobblestone path, its wooden wheels clattering against the uneven ground. As the afternoon sun streamed through the window, the carriage’s interior was bathed in a warm glow. Anna gazed out the pane, watching the passing scenery of trees and houses.

It was a beautiful and unfamiliar place, but the princess couldn’t shake off the feeling of nervousness that consumed her as she contemplated the upcoming meeting with the king. Never before had she met someone of such high stature from another kingdom, and the thought of it made her stomach churn with anxiety.

Having mixed emotions, the princess reclined in her seat, her gaze fixed on Rafe, who sat across from her with Ayden. Despite their initial reluctance, she had insisted that they share the carriage together, and now she turned to them with a question, hoping to ease her troubled mind.

"Rafe, can I ask you a question about His Majesty?"

The healer’s eyes widened in focus, and he replied cautiously, "Of course, my lady. What would you like to know?"

Ayden, seated beside the healer, perked up with curiosity at the question.

"What kind of person is he?"

Rafe took a moment to consider before responding. His eyes wandered momentarily before settling back on her.

"I would say that His Majesty is a kind and generous king, and he only enforces strict measures against those who break the law."

The princess then asked about the proper way to greet the king when she met him later or if there were any specific protocols to follow. The healer couldn’t help but smirk at her concern, knowing she was nervous about meeting the king.

"The protocol is likely similar to that of Ardel or any other kingdom. Typically, we greet him by saying ’Greetings, Your Majesty, the Sun of Cassian’."

Anna nodded, taking note of the helpful remark and quickly memorised it.

Her eyes sparkled with interest as she asked, "What about Her Majesty, the Queen? How do I greet her?"

Rafe smiled and replied, "Mostly the same, except she would be addressed as ’the Moon of Cassian’."

"How fascinating!" Anna exclaimed. "Cassian has so many cultures that I didn’t know about. I’ve only learned a little bit from Ayden."

Rafe couldn’t help but notice that Anna was unfamiliar with Cassian’s history. When he told her about the admiral of the Ro’an Empire army ascending to the throne and becoming the first King of Cassian, he saw the surprise in her expression.

"So, you’ve never read about Cassian and our kings, have you?" Rafe asked.

He was confident that Anna was unaware of Cassian’s royalties because the name ’Raychard’ did not trigger any reaction from her. If she had known, she would have recognised the name from the start and realised that Kyren belonged to the royal family.

Anna confirmed Rafe’s belief by shaking her head. She explained that there were no books about the kingdom’s history or its kings in Constance. All she knew was that Cassian was a secluded kingdom located in the north.

"I wouldn’t be surprised if most foreigners had that kind of perception," Rafe replied in agreement. "I told you the other day why Cassian keeps to itself."

Anna nodded again, her expression clouded with worry as she recalled their earlier conversation about the four lords’ betrayal and the reason for the kingdom’s isolation.

Anna’s voice faltered as she asked in a quiet tone, "Would His Majesty despise me for being an Ardelian?" Her hands fidgeted nervously with her skirt.

"My lady, His Majesty surely wouldn’t be after getting to know you!" Ayden interjected, his voice filled with reassurance. "He would be proud of you when he learns of all the help you’ve provided us."

Rafe didn’t immediately answer, his thoughts turning to the fact that Anna was a Princess of Ardel and, therefore, a descendant of a treacherous lord. Although he was worried, the healer knew that Kyren was confident in his ability to justify Anna’s presence to his brother. Therefore, he decided to put his concerns aside.

"His Majesty doesn’t hate people for no reason," the healer finally replied, his voice calm and steady. "Please don’t worry about anything. The commander will be right there with you and ensure everything goes smoothly."

The sudden halt of the carriage brought Anna’s attention to the window, revealing that they had reached a crossroad of Gantz.

Anna’s eyes widened with curiosity as she took in the sights before her. The scenery was different, and the vast and highly dense area was a stark contrast to the settlements they had passed earlier. It appeared that they were getting closer to a bustling location.

"Where are we?" Anna asked eagerly.

"This is the heart of Gantz, the city centre," Rafe replied with a smile.

Anna was captivated by the sight of the city up close. Ardel’s castle was situated on a hill that was distant from the central city, so Anna had never seen such a view before.

Her eyes sparkled with amazement, and her jaws almost dropped in awe. Her two palms were latched on the window pane as she took in the view.

"Have you ever been to a city centre before, my lady?" Ayden asked, noticing her mesmerised expression.

"No. I’ve never been to one in my entire life," Anna replied, still captivated by the bustling view before her.

Ayden’s curiosity was piqued as he asked, "You never even went to the city centre of Constance?"

Anna’s expression turned heavy as she replied, "No, I didn’t. I was always sick, so I was not allowed to move around freely."

As they continued further into the city centre of Gantz, Anna’s eyes widened at the sight of a large fort with towering structures and guild halls within its walls, encompassing a busy place inside.

The surrounding area was alive with the hustle and bustle of the city’s inhabitants, visitors, and merchants going about their daily tasks. It was evident that Gantz was a thriving and prosperous city.

"That is the plaza," Rafe pointed out, gesturing to the busiest part of the area within the main gate.

The princess’s excitement was palpable as she exclaimed, "Oh, what a wonderful place!"

Rafe noticed her enthusiasm and offered, "Perhaps you would like to take a walk around? You are free to go wherever you want here, of course, escorted for your own safety. Do you want to?"

Anna was about to say yes when her eyes noted Ayden’s physical condition. The assistant healer’s swollen face had reduced, but the bruises and cuts were still visible and healing.

The princess then turned to Rafe and said, "I don’t think it’s convenient for Ayden. He needs to get some rest. We should make our way to the mansion without delay."

"My lady, please do not worry about me," Ayden replied with a reassuring smile. "I appreciate your concern, but I feel much better. I will rest in the carriage while you explore the plaza with Mr Amares. I would be pleased to know you had a wonderful experience in Gantz."

Initially hesitant, Anna eventually agreed to the assistant healer’s persistence and happily embraced the idea. Rafe relayed the message to Alex, who enthusiastically offered to escort them. The arrangement aligned perfectly with his desire to prolong their return journey to the mansion.

The carriage entered the main gate and parked in a designated area. Opening the carriage door, Rafe descended first and then assisted Anna in getting down.

As she stepped into the bustling square, her eyes were immediately drawn to the magnificent fountain standing proudly in the centre. Its crystal-clear waters cascaded gracefully, creating a soothing melody that filled the air.

Numerous shops surrounded the fountain area, each adorned with vibrant and enticing display windows. The facades of the establishments sparkled with an array of colours, drawing Anna’s attention and igniting her curiosity.

The windows showcased a variety of wares, from exquisite jewellery glistening under the sunlight to intricately crafted artisanal goods and dresses that reflected the rich culture of Gantz.

Anna couldn’t resist the allure of the shops and found herself wandering from one window to another, captivated by the beautiful displays. Each store offered something unique and enticing, and she eagerly took in the sights.

As they watched her, the two men couldn’t help but smile. Her behaviour was that of an excited child, eager to explore and discover all the new place had to offer.

Anna’s steps came to a sudden halt as her gaze fixated on a breathtaking dress adorned in a delicate pastel peach hue elegantly displayed upon a mannequin. Her eyes remained transfixed, meticulously examining every intricate detail of the silken fabric that whispered tales of grace and beauty.

Just as the princess was lost in her admiration, Rafe, the ever-attentive healer, approached her and gently inquired, "Are you captivated by the dress, my lady?"

Startled by the interruption, Anna turned towards Rafe, a surprised expression gracing her features.

Anna let out a small laugh and said, "Oh, no. I was just browsing. Besides, I don’t have any money to purchase anything."

The healer replied, "Don’t worry, my lady. If you desire anything, just let us know. We’ll make sure you get it."

"I know that the mansion’s servants may have provided new attires for you, but considering your small stature, it’s unlikely they have your exact measurements," the astute healer suggested, his voice filled with practicality. "By purchasing a dress from a shop, we can ensure a better fit for you, and the seamstress can make any necessary alterations immediately."

Anna’s eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect. The idea of selecting her own dress was a novel experience for her. "Do you really think so?" she asked eagerly.

"Absolutely," Rafe affirmed, his confidence reassuring. "But let’s explore some better shops further down the road. I know a few places that offer exquisite options."

With a delighted nod, the princess agreed. They continued their journey, venturing a little further until they reached a quieter street lined with high-end boutiques, exuding an air of elegance and luxury.

Rafe guided Anna to a particularly prestigious boutique, which, at first glance, seemed intimidatingly expensive.

"Are you certain this is the right place, Rafe?" Anna hesitated, her gaze fixed upon the exclusive boutique before them.

Its pristine white door frame and shimmering glass windows exuded an air of luxury that felt both intimidating and enticing.

Rafe reassured her with a gentle smile. "You deserve nothing less than the best, my lady. Trust me, and please come this way," he said, opening the door for Anna.

As they entered the boutique, Alex graciously waited outside, giving them the space to explore. A well-dressed boutique worker emerged from within, exuding an air of sophistication and professionalism. She greeted Anna and Rafe calmly.

"Hello, how may I assist you today?" the boutique worker inquired.

Rafe confidently said, "We are here to purchase some dresses for the lady. Please provide her with your finest service."

The worker’s expression turned dismissive as she glanced at the princess’s plain, commoner attire, giving a sense of surprise at them. With a hint of condescension, she uttered words that dripped with judgment.

"I’m sorry, but the prices here may not suit someone like this lady. Perhaps you should consider visiting a shop that aligns better with your budget."

As the degrading words reached her ears, Anna stood there, utterly speechless. The blatant offends aimed at her appearance left her momentarily stunned.

The unexpected insult hung in the air, causing a mix of shock and indignation to sweep over Rafe. His voice grew louder as he addressed the worker’s audacity.

"How dare you insult us! Do you have any idea who we are?" The healer’s tone conveyed his righteous anger, unwilling to accept such mistreatment.

"Please refrain from causing a scene, Sir. We take pride in maintaining a respectable establishment," the boutique worker retorted, her tone laced with defensiveness.

"Respectable establishment?" the healer’s voice boomed with righteous anger. "You dare utter those words after humiliating your own customer? Your attitude is far from respectable!"

The healer’s outburst echoed through the boutique, drawing the attention of Alex, whose keen senses picked up on the commotion. With urgency, the knight swiftly entered the store.

"What is happening here?" Alex’s voice resonated with authority, demanding an explanation.

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