The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 106: The Mysterious Howling

Chapter 106: The Mysterious Howling

Anna found herself in the grand duke’s opulent private library, a sanctuary of knowledge and tranquillity.

The room exuded an air of refined elegance. It was adorned with rich mahogany bookshelves that reached from floor to ceiling and were lined with leather-bound tomes of various sizes and subjects.

The shelves were meticulously organised, and each book found its rightful place among the literary treasures.

Soft, plush carpets covered the polished wooden floor, muffling any sound and adding to the serene atmosphere. Comfortable and plush armchairs were strategically placed throughout the room, inviting visitors to sink into their embrace and lose themselves in the written word.

Large windows stretched across the walls, allowing ample natural light to flood the room and cast a warm glow upon it.

From her vantage point near the window, Anna could see the vibrant colours of the late afternoon as golden sunlight bathed the landscape outside.

The grand duke’s private library was a haven of intellectual indulgence and aesthetic delight. It provided the princess with a serene escape from the outside world, a place where she could lose herself in the realms of imagination and knowledge.

With each turn of the book page, she found solace, enlightenment, and a profound sense of joy, all while basking in the gentle embrace of the day.

The library contained a handful of exclusive collections of books, some similar to the library of Ardel’s castle. Most related to war strategies, politics, theological writings and devotional literature.

Little books were on poetry. But one book, in particular, attracted Anna’s attention, and she couldn’t bring herself to put it down from the moment she laid eyes on it and flipped the page.

She had always fancied reading fiction, novels, plays and poetry. But romance stories were always among her top favourites.

The book captivated her heart.

It was a novel about a commoner who fell in love with a duke’s daughter during childhood and, when he grew up, fought to be a renowned knight by killing monsters such as wyverns and dragons.

Despite facing many challenges, he was able to win over the heart of his crush and eventually marry her. However, there was one major obstacle that he had to overcome — the female character had been living in seclusion and enduring abuse from her family in secret.

"How romantic!" the princess exclaimed as she read the part in which the male character kissed his bride publicly and declared his love to her.

As she immersed herself in the book, a gentle breeze wafted through the open window, carrying the crisp scent of autumn with it. The delicate rustling of pages blended harmoniously with the soft whispering of the wind, creating a symphony of calmness.

The breeze continued to play with Anna’s hair, gently caressing her face as if nature itself aligned with her contentment. However, as the wind grew stronger, its chill began permeating the room.

Sensing the cold, Anna set aside her book, carefully marking the page with a bookmark, and stepped towards the window to close it.

"It’s getting chillier these days," she murmured to herself, rubbing her shoulders to ward off the cold breeze. With the window closed, she turned her attention back to the cosy interior of the library.

Anna carried her book away from the window, her gaze drifting towards a plush armchair and an inviting study table nearby. Contemplating the perfect place to resume her reading, she considered the possibility of occupying the chair, which appeared to be the finest among others.

"I hope His Highness won’t mind if I take a seat," she mused, a hint of anticipation in her voice.

Happily, she pulled out the chair and settled into it, gently placing her book on the table. Though comfortable, the chair was slightly oversized for her small frame, prompting Anna to adjust its position and pull it forward to bring herself within proper reach of the table.

Just as she settled into her reading position, she heard a hollow sound beneath her foot as it pressed against the carpet beneath the table. Curiosity piqued, she paused momentarily, contemplating the source of the unexpected noise.

Anna furrowed her brows as she heard the unusual sound. She cautiously stepped on the spot again, then stomped onto another area of the floor, noting the distinct variations in the sound it produced.

"Is there a hole down here?" Anna wondered. She bent down and began to search, her fingers gingerly pulling at the edge of the carpet. To her surprise, she discovered something hidden beneath the table.

"A trap door!" Anna exclaimed, taken aback by the unexpected find.

Memories of Ardel’s castle and its secret passages meant for escape flooded her mind, making her realise that such clandestine features were not uncommon in noble mansions.

Contemplating the possibilities, the princess pondered aloud, "I wonder where this leads."

Seating herself on the floor, she leaned closer to the trap door and listened intently. A faint sound reached her ears, gradually growing clearer.

Anna listened again, her senses sharpened by the eerie sound emanating from below. There was no mistaking it. Something lurked in the depths of the hidden space beneath the trap door.

Fear gripped the princess’s heart as her mind raced with unsettling thoughts.

Could it be the presence of a ghost?

The instinct to retreat overwhelmed her, but just as she was about to move away, the desperate voice pierced again, sounding like a plea for help.

The possibility that someone might be held captive beneath the hidden passage sent a surge of conflicting emotions through Anna’s heart.

Fear continued to grip her, intertwining with a growing sense of compassion. Her mind raced, torn between self-preservation and a deep-rooted desire to offer aid to a potential victim.

In the face of uncertainty, the princess took a deep breath, steeling herself against the fear that threatened to consume her and made up her mind.

With determined hands, she lifted and grasped the knob of the trap door and pulled with all her might. The door resisted, sealed shut and unyielding. Undeterred, she persisted, trying repeatedly until, with a final exertion of strength, the trap door finally creaked open.

As it did, the howling voice from within became ominously distinct.

A chill ran down the princess’s spine, causing her hair to stand on end as she peered into the mysterious darkness that lay beyond the opened trap door.

Could it be that someone was being held captive underneath the passage?

Nervously, Anna called out into the darkness, her voice echoing through the hidden space. "Hello?" she trembled, her anxiety palpable. "Is there someone there?"

In response to her inquiry, the haunting howling reverberated once more, its clarity sending a shockwave of fear through Anna’s shaken body. Overwhelmed, she instinctively fell back into a sitting position.

Something was definitely down there!

The notion that the grand duke, a figure of authority and nobility, could be concealing a sinister nature sent shivers to her. The idea of his possible involvement in the mysterious presence beneath the trap door filled her with a mix of nervousness and dread.

Momentarily, Anna contemplated seeking assistance from the mansion’s occupants, but a lingering doubt held her back. Loyalty to the grand duke ran deep among his trusted companions.

Could they be accomplices in his malevolent schemes?

The thought seemed preposterous, as she had known and lived with the knighthood members for months and had no reason to suspect their demeanour.

Rationalising the situation, Anna reassured herself, "Since this is His Highness’s private library, they likely haven’t ventured into this secluded area. They may be unaware of the existence of this trap door. The servants might know, but they are the grand duke’s persons."

She clung to this belief, determined to dispel any doubts about the integrity of those she had come to trust.

Taking a moment to collect her thoughts, Anna weighed her options carefully.

The sound echoed once more, heightening her anxiety. Anxious and driven by a mix of curiosity and concern, she resolved to face her fears head-on and embark on a daring investigation, determined to uncover the truth.

"I’m coming down! Just hold on!" Anna’s voice quivered with determination and concern as she reassured the voice from below.

The passage beneath the trap door remained dimly lit, urging Anna to find a light source. Her gaze quickly fell upon a candlestick and matches resting on the table.

Eagerly, she seized them and struck a match, igniting the flame that flickered to life. The soft glow provided a sense of comfort and guidance in the otherwise dark and mysterious space.

A spiralling staircase revealed itself, leading downwards into the unknown depths. The end of the stairs remained obscured, cloaked in darkness that seemed to swallow the feeble illumination of the candle.

Anna’s heart raced with a mixture of fear and determination, her mind filled with thoughts of those who might be in desperate need of her help.

Summoning every ounce of courage she could muster, the princess took a hesitant step onto the staircase. Her tiny feet steadily descended, each movement accompanied by a whispered prayer for safety and guidance.

Fear clung to her, but her anxiety and worry for the unknown individual propelled her forward.

As the voice beckoned once again, Anna’s resolve strengthened.

"Don’t worry! I’m coming to save you!" she shouted, her voice trembling yet filled with determination.

With each step, she pushed through her fear, driven by the belief that she could make a difference and bring salvation to the one who called out for help.

The narrow passage confined Anna’s movement, allowing only enough space for a single person to pass. Cobwebs adorned the walls and ceiling, prompting her to silently pray that no spiders would emerge, for she held a deep aversion towards them. Each step forward was accompanied by a sense of trepidation, heightened by the presence of the eerie webs.

Finally, at the end of the passage, a door stood before her.

Anna hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest, yet her curiosity urged her onward. With trembling hands, she reached out, twisted the knob, and pulled the door open just enough to steal a glimpse beyond.

In an instant, a blinding light accompanied by a powerful gust of wind assailed her senses, prompting her to instinctively close her eyes and shield her face with the back of her hand. The sudden breeze extinguished the light on the candlestick in mere seconds.

As the door swung open forcefully, propelled by the mighty wind, it narrowly missed striking Anna’s face. The sudden transition from darkness to overwhelming brightness made her eyes ache with discomfort. She kept her eyes tightly shut for a brief moment, allowing her vision to adjust.

Slowly, she summoned the courage to open her eyes, revealing the sight before her.