The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 108: The True Raychard

Chapter 108: The True Raychard

Meredith’s eyes widened, her expression growing severe as the introduction unfolded. However, the other women seemed unfazed by the revelation.

"So, you’re a new member. No wonder I’ve never noticed you before," remarked the lady with the blonde bangs. "I’m Sylvia Rogers, by the way. The new girls have always been enthusiastic, introducing themselves as the Raychards," she chuckled, hinting at a pattern.

"Yeah, we have several Raychard ladies joining us today, in fact," added the lady with the spyglass.

Anna was perplexed by their explanation. As if to add to the confusion, a younger girl, approximately fifteen years old, introduced herself, saying, "I’m Selena Raychard," with a friendly greeting.

"And I’m Suzy Raychard," another woman chimed in.

One by one, the new fan club members proudly introduced themselves, each using the surname Raychard.

Anna couldn’t help but feel utterly confused by the situation, her puzzlement evident in her expression.

"Are you all Raychards too?" Anna asked.

"Of course we are! We’re all the Raychard girls!" admitted Sylvia with a hint of pride.

Anna was left utterly bewildered, her mind racing with confusion and unanswered questions. Throughout her time with Kyren, he had only ever mentioned having a brother and his brother’s family.

None of these women standing before her bore any resemblance to him, indicating that they were not related by blood. The surname ’Raychard’ was shared among them, but Anna couldn’t fathom why.

Where had these unexpected family members come from? What was their connection to Kyren?

The puzzle pieces of her understanding were scattered, leaving her desperate for answers that seemed to elude her grasp.

Meredith, who had a distinctively different look, furrowed her brows. Observing Anna’s bewildered state, thoughts raced through her mind. It was clear to her that the princess had previously mentioned not knowing the Grand Duke, and her reaction didn’t indicate any falsehood.

"My lady..." Rania began to say something, but Meredith quickly raised her hand, signalling her to remain silent.

Rania couldn’t understand why Anna suddenly admitted to being a fan of the club when she had previously claimed to have never met the Grand Duke. She also had shown little interest in their discussions with her about him.

"Don’t say anything, and don’t make a move!" Meredith warned Rania in a hushed whisper, her gaze fixed on Anna with an intense glare.

The personal maid quickly closed her mouth, casting her gaze downward.

"You must closely connect to the royal tailors to acquire the ’royal silk.’ Just be cautious and avoid getting caught smuggling a piece of it to make your dress," advised the woman who had inspected the princess’s attire, breaking Anna’s state of bewilderment.

The princess felt compelled to respond, but the ladies quickly redirected their attention to the main gate and left her behind, eagerly searching for the silhouette of their beloved idol.

Taking advantage of the moment, Meredith pulled Anna aside from the crowd, catching her off guard.

"Who are you really? Be honest!" she demanded, her voice filled with urgency.

"I told you. I’m Anna Raychard," Anna replied in confusion.

Meredith squinted her eyes, studying the princess intently. "You’re not lying, are you?" she questioned.

Anna shook her head vehemently. "No, I assure you, I’m not lying. But, why are these friends of yours saying that they are the Raychard too?" she asked back.

Meredith avoided answering Anna’s question and asked another instead. "How are you connected to the royal family? You claimed to be from elsewhere and never having met His Highness!" she persisted, seeking the truth.

"I have no connection to them whatsoever! I’m here with my husband. We’ve been summoned for an audience with His Majesty, the King," Anna finally admitted, revealing the true reason for her presence in Gantz.

"An audience with His Majesty..." Meredith’s voice trailed off, her eyes shaking as she processed the information.

It was highly unusual for the Knights of Gerhard to meet the king without the presence of their commander, the grand duke.

"Could you please explain what’s going on?" asked Anna with a creased forehead.

With a serious expression, Meredith looked at Anna again to reaffirm.

"Tell me... Who is your husband?"

Anna felt uneasy under Meredith’s intense gaze. The lady’s grip on her arm remained firm, refusing to let go.

"Why do you want to know? You don’t even answer my questions!" the princess asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.

"Just say it already!" Meredith insisted, her urgency growing.

"Kyren... Kyren Raychard," Anna replied, her words filled with nervousness.

At the revelation, Meredith’s jaw dropped, and her face flushed with blood. She released her grip on Anna’s arm, looking utterly shocked.

Anna hadn’t lied about her official name.

The surname Raychard was exclusively reserved for members of the royal family; the king, queen, their daughters, and the grand duke. The previous king had no siblings, and the siblings of the first King of Cassian before him didn’t use the surname.

It was a surname bestowed solely upon the first king by Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress of Ro’an. As the current king was already married and had a queen, marriage to the grand duke was the only way for a woman to bear the surname officially.

Meredith could hardly believe her eyes. There was no doubt that the petite woman standing before her was none other than Kyren’s bride. She shook her head slowly, unable to comprehend the situation.

"It can’t be! He declared himself celibate! It’s impossible! How could he suddenly marry you?" she muttered to herself, her eyes filled with a sense of disappointment.

Meredith wanted to feel anger towards this woman. She had admired the Grand Duke since childhood when Kyren was the Crown Prince. But somehow, there was no exasperation within her.

Instead, she was only overwhelmed by a profound sense of shock. Whenever she thought of Gerhard now, all she could envision were the hazel eyes of Sir Alex Jarr.

"What are you talking about? I don’t understand," Anna asked. Her emerald eyes blinked in confusion.

Meredith regarded Anna with a curious expression.

"Are you not aware of who your husband is?"

"Of course I am! My husband is the Knight Commander of Gerhard," Anna stated confidently.

The noble lady took a deep breath and exhaled nervously. "That is his military rank! I’m talking about his true identity, royal status and lineage!"

Before Anna could respond, Sylvia suddenly shouted, capturing everyone’s attention.

"Oh, my God! It’s His Highness, the Grand Duke! He’s coming this way!"

Anna’s eyes darted toward the woman. The crowd surged forward, filled with frenzied excitement and cheers.

Realising the danger Anna was in, Meredith swiftly shielded her and urgently whispered, "Run! Run before they find out!" she warned her.

"Run? Why?" Anna questioned, her voice filled with both confusion and concern.

Before the noble lady could answer, a loud masculine shout came. Their eyes turned to the incoming voice.

***

The group trotted on their horses, making their way back to the mansion. As they reached a crossroad, Kyren signalled for them to halt. They found themselves atop a hill, granting them a clear view of the fans gathered at the mansion’s main gate.

"They’re already here," Luke remarked with a resigned sigh. "Your fans certainly have a knack for knowing when you’re in Gantz, commander."

Realising that passing through the crowd would be challenging, Damon spoke up, "Do you want us to wait first?"

"No, let’s proceed. It’s already late afternoon, and we must reach the palace," Kyren replied. "Also, from now on, please address me by my royal title."

The knights smiled, understanding the significance of his request. With this announcement, the moment had finally arrived for the commander to reveal himself as the grand duke to his wife.

"Your Highness, considering the large number of fans, only three of us are available to guard you. Would that be sufficient?" Eli asked with genuine concern. "Should I call back Sir Navin?"

Eli referred to their second-in-command knight, who had requested to be excused after meeting with the admiral.

"No need to disturb him. He hasn’t had the chance to see his family, especially his newborn child. Let him spend some time with them," Kyren replied, understanding the significance of family time.

Eli nodded, acknowledging the grand duke’s decision. The group proceeded cautiously, slowly making their way forward. Damon’s gaze suddenly fixated on a woman in a striking purple gown. Her long, wavy, auburn hair and body language seemed oddly recognisable.

"I wonder who that woman is. She looks strangely familiar," Damon pondered aloud.

"You haven’t laid eyes on any woman except for the lady in months, Sir McQuinn. All would seem familiar to you!" Luke teased, lightening the mood.

"No, really, Sir Parker. The more I look at her from behind, the more familiar she seems. Take a look," Damon insisted.

Luke approached and followed the knight’s pointing finger, examining the woman in question. Kyren, who focused on riding, paid little attention to their conversation.

Luke squinted his eyes, then suddenly widened them in surprise. "Wait... isn’t that... our lady?" he exclaimed.

Kyren abruptly halted Maximillian, his warhorse, and turned his gaze towards Luke.

"What did you say?"

"There... She looks different, but I’m certain that woman is Lady Raychard," Luke confirmed with an astonishing tone.

Kyren’s piercing blue eyes narrowed as he shifted his gaze toward the figure Luke had pointed out. His irises dilated with a mix of shock and recognition as he saw Anna among the crowd.

"What the h*ll!" Kyren exclaimed, his voice filled with panic.

Anna’s safety was now in grave danger as the fans of his lurked around, and he couldn’t bear the thought of her being harmed by them. He couldn’t fathom why his wife suddenly appeared among them when she should’ve been in the mansion, waiting for him safely.

Turning to Eli, the grand duke’s voice trembled with urgency as he issued orders.

"Go to the palace and request backup from His Majesty! Ask for a hundred palace guards to be sent to the mansion immediately!"

"Yes, Your Highness!" Eli responded promptly, swiftly turning his horse and galloping towards the palace to fulfil the urgent request.

Kyren’s nerves were on edge, his mind racing with worry. Amid his distress, his eyes caught sight of a woman pulling Anna aside, gripping her arm as if engaged in a struggle.

"Oh, no!" the grand duke’s instincts took over, and without a second thought, he rushed towards the chaotic crowd, driven by his worry for Anna and the need to protect her.

"Your Highness, wait for us!"

***

Kyren rode Maximillian with a swiftness akin to the wind.

Abruptly halting amidst the excited crowd, he dismounted hastily and sprinted toward the commotion. The unexpected display of attention left the fans astounded.

Throughout the years, the grand duke had never acknowledged their presence, merely passing by without a second glance, regardless of the attention they showered upon him. Countless flowers and gifts had been left at his main gate, all ignored until this very moment.

"Clear the way immediately!" Kyren’s voice boomed with anger, his gaze piercing and commanding.

The sudden shift in his demeanour sent shivers through the crowd. His loyal knights, Damon and Luke, raced behind him, dismounting from their warhorses as they arrived.

Overwhelmed by the grand duke’s daunting presence, the fans retreated, making way for him. Their eyes fell on his mesmerising figure. But Kyren paid them no heed. His gaze fixed forward as he reached the spot where Anna and Meredith were.

The noble lady stood in stunned silence, rendered speechless by the grand duke’s unexpected arrival. Never before had she been granted the opportunity to see him up close, and witnessing his commanding presence now made her fully comprehend the extent of his striking handsomeness.

To everyone’s astonishment, Kyren reached out and firmly grasped Anna’s wrist, holding her hand and taking her away from Meredith.

The impulsive action sent shockwaves through the entire crowd, as they had never witnessed the grand duke showing such intimacy with any woman in their whole lives.

"Are you all right? Were they harming you?" he asked with deep concern, his worry evident in his voice.

At that moment, he cared not for the stares and whispers of the onlookers; his sole focus was on Anna’s well-being.

"I’m all right, Kyren. No one has harmed me," Anna reassured him.

As the words left her lips, Sylvia, who stood near them, couldn’t contain her shock and confusion.

"Why... why is His Highness holding your hand? And why are you calling him by his first name?" Her bewildered expression mirrored the astonishment shared by the surrounding crowd.

Anna looked at her in surprise.

"His Highness? What are you talking about? This is my husband, Kyren Raychard."