The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 121: His Condition

Chapter 121: His Condition

Eric returned to the knights’ quarters, his face illuminated by a triumphant smile with Rafe faithfully by his side. The atmosphere in the lounge crackled with anticipation as the rest of the men anxiously awaited news of their recent endeavour.

However, Drystan and Alex had already sought solace in slumber, embracing the respite their weary bodies craved after the long punishment.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Eli sprang to his feet as he saw the duo entering, his eyes fixed on Eric.

"How did it go?" he inquired eagerly, his enthusiasm contagious.

Eric’s smile grew wider, an aura of accomplishment surrounding him.

"The mission is complete. They have reconciled!" he declared, his voice brimming with satisfaction.

"Thank goodness, you did it!" Luke sighed in relief.

"Yes. It was a great success! They have found common ground, and, more importantly, she has confessed her feelings to him," added the second-in-command knight.

"Reveal it to us!" Eli urged, leaning forward eagerly.

Eric’s voice carried a blend of awe and happiness. "Our lady has expressed her profound love for His Highness without a shadow of a doubt."

A collective gasp filled the room, followed by a chorus of delighted exclamations. Ayden’s eyes sparkled with happiness, his heart swelling with the enchantment of excitement.

"Oh, how romantic!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his joy.

"It couldn’t be more obvious to anyone that they shared mutual feelings," Damon asserted with a grin.

Ayden’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, his hands clasped together in hope. "It won’t be the same with a clear confession! What about His Highness? Has he admitted his feelings as well?"

A sigh escaped Eric’s lips, his expression tinged with frustration.

"That stubborn man refuses to acknowledge it. I discreetly eavesdropped after leaving the room, hoping to catch a single word of confession from his mouth, but it never came." He paused and shook his head.

"We had a conversation before our lady entered the master suite, and he insisted that he wasn’t in love with her, that he merely cared for her," said Eric.

"Isn’t that the same thing?" Eli interjected, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Ayden’s eyes widened, disbelief etched across his face. "No! Definitely not the same at all! Love encompasses so much more than care or concern."

Eric nodded in agreement.

"I find it hard to believe His Highness denies his feelings for our lady. He has shown such intense devotion and a near-obsession with her," the brunette knight added.

His grey eyes were lost in contemplation as his thoughts swirled within his mind.

"You’re right! To get such a confession from a lady you cared so much, wouldn’t anyone’s heart melt over it?" asked Luke.

"I truly cannot fathom what goes on in his mind. However, if he genuinely desires her happiness, he should muster the courage to confess his own feelings," Eric voiced optimistically. "A woman always longs to know how her man truly feels about her."

Turning his attention to Rafe, Eric noticed the healer’s contemplative silence. The healer’s countenance was shadowed, his expression brooding and deep in thought.

"Why are you so quiet?" the knight inquired, seeking Rafe’s perspective.

"Please don’t tell me you’re inclined to believe His Highness’s words."

The healer shook his head, his eyes filled with understanding.

"I’m not so blind as to miss it! I can sense the depth of their love for each other. But..." He hesitated, his words trailing off as he concealed his thoughts.

"But what?" Ayden questioned, his curiosity rose.

Rafe sighed, his gaze averted as if burdened by unspoken concerns.

"I... I have matters to attend to," he muttered, his voice tinged with a hint of unease.

The rest of the men exchanged uncomfortable glances, clearly taken aback by the healer’s peculiar behaviour. The sudden departure left them feeling uncertain and somewhat awkward in its wake.

"He must be quite emotional, witnessing His Highness finally receiving such profound love," Ayden speculated, his voice laced with awe. "After all, he was the one who encouraged His Highness to marry our lady."

A realisation hit upon them, and Eli chimed in with a wry smile, "So, this entire marriage was instigated by our very own cupid."

"We mustn’t forget to also express our gratitude to him for his efforts. And I must say, Rafael’s acting skills are not half bad!" Eric chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "For now, let’s allow the couple to relish their moments together. They might get a little mushy, but it’s important to let them be."

Damon joined in the laughter, his voice filled with joy.

"Indeed, it’s far more enjoyable to witness them in an affectionate state rather than one turning into a fiery dragon and the other becoming a silent statue."

The camaraderie among the men blossomed as laughter filled the room. Amidst the banter, Eric interrupted, sensing the need to depart.

"Well, gentlemen, I’ve finished my task here. It is time for me to make my way back."

Eli’s curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, "Why so soon, Sir Navin?"

Eric grinned, saying, "My wife is waiting for my return. She has been quite upset with me since I informed her about my need to return to His Highness’s mansion. I can’t blame her, really. I’ve been away for months, leaving her to endure labour challenges without my presence."

Understanding nods passed between the knights and the assistant healer. They recognised the importance of Eric tending to personal responsibilities and the delicate balance between his duty and familial obligations.

"By the way, Rachel’s confinement has ended," Eric announced with excitement in his voice. "I was thinking of throwing a party to celebrate the birth of my second son. How about having it at my sister-in-law’s place the day after tomorrow, in the evening?"

Luke’s eyes lit up with enthusiasm.

"That’s a splendid idea! Tomorrow, His Highness and the Lady will meet His Majesty, the King, in the morning. It’s the perfect timing to gather and celebrate before we return to Gerhard."

Eric nodded, his smile widening.

"Indeed, it aligns perfectly. We can not only commemorate the arrival of my son but also rejoice in the reconciliation between His Highness and the lady."

"I will make sure to inform His Highness and the lady about the upcoming celebration," Damon affirmed with a nod. "It has been quite some time since we last had a joyous gathering."

"Excellent," Eric replied, his voice filled with anticipation. "We shall reconvene for dinner on the day after tomorrow."

Ayden’s eyes twinkled with gratitude as he looked at Eric. "Thank you, Love Coach, for your invaluable assistance in bringing the couple back together."

Eric playfully saluted, a smile of contentment gracing his lips, before turning to leave. His heart swelled with profound satisfaction, knowing that he had played a significant role in guiding the couple back into each other’s arms.

The joy of witnessing their renewed embrace of love filled him with indescribable warmth and fulfilment.

***

The night was enveloped in a serene ambience as the air was still, and a sense of tranquillity settled over it, foreshadowing the significant day that awaited the couple. The following morning would hold great importance as they eagerly anticipated their long-awaited audience with the king.

Anna sat nervously on the edge of the bed, her fingers twisting anxiously in her lap. Earlier that day, she had inadvertently revealed her deepest emotions to Kyren, her heart laid bare amidst the chaos of the orchestrated scheme by her husband, Eric, and his accomplice, Rafe.

Now Kyren already knew her feelings for him.

In the quiet sanctuary of their shared space, Anna couldn’t help but wonder if her love was reciprocated. The fear of potential rejection gnawed at her, making her hesitant to voice the question that lingered on the tip of her tongue.

Her mind was flooded with a whirlwind of thoughts. What if Kyren didn’t feel the same way? What if her vulnerability had only pushed him further away? The weight of uncertainty pressed upon her, making her fidget with restless anticipation.

Anna questioned whether she should boldly ask the question that burned within her or wait for Kyren to reveal his own heart.

’Let’s leave it as it is for now,’ Anna decided inwardly, acknowledging the need to set aside her worries and uncertainties for the time being.

As she tucked her emotions and unanswered questions away, another matter of concern emerged in the princess’s mind. Tomorrow would mark the significant occasion of meeting Kyren’s family. The weight of this impending meeting settled upon her, causing excitement and apprehension to stir within her heart.

Noticing her unrest, Kyren removed his robe and hung it on the stand, approaching her with gentle concern.

"What’s on your mind?" he asked as his expression was full of warmth.

Anna’s eyes met his, her lips trembling slightly as she voiced her concerns.

"I... I’m worried about tomorrow... about meeting His Majesty, the King.

Feeling the weight of her unease, the grand duke took her hand and sat beside her, a reassuring smile gracing his lips.

"So, you’re nervous about meeting my family," he stated playfully, attempting to lighten the mood.

Anna nodded. A mixture of anxiety and affection was vivid in her eyes.

"Of course I am! I can’t even imagine what to say to him. And now that I think about it, I don’t even know his name."

Kyren’s smile widened, and he gently squeezed her hand, offering his unwavering support.

"His name is Kyden, and he is married to Emelda, the Queen," he explained.

Anna’s eyes widened as she made an unexpected discovery.

"Oh... his name rhymes with yours," she remarked with interest.

"Indeed," the grand duke replied with a faint smile. "Kyden is actually my twin brother. We share a unique bond as fraternal twins."

Anna’s surprise deepened as she absorbed this revelation.

"You have a twin brother?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder.

"Yes, I do," he confirmed as he revealed. "He is slightly younger than me. I was the first-born."

Anna furrowed her brows, her mind racing with questions and comparisons.

"First-born... Wouldn’t that make you the rightful heir to the throne?" she inquired, her curiosity driving her to delve deeper into Cassian’s succession traditions. "In Ardel, for instance, the first-born male would automatically become the heir, while a female would only inherit if there were no legitimate male heirs. Wasn’t it similar throughout the continent, or does Cassian follow a different cultural tradition?"

Kyren cleared his throat and explained the slight variation in his kingdom’s customs.

"Indeed, there is a slight distinction. Considering our kingdom’s profound focus on military and weaponry, the throne of Cassian is exclusively inherited by males. So, in a sense, you are correct. I was the designated heir to the throne," he revealed, a touch of nostalgia colouring his voice.

Anna’s eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and intrigue.

"That would have meant you were a crown prince!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with astonishment. "Then... why didn’t you ascend to the throne?"

The grand duke paused, contemplating his response, before sharing his innermost thoughts.

"I made a conscious choice not to ascend," he revealed, his voice filled with conviction. "When considering the qualities required of a king, I realised that Kyden would be a superior choice. He possesses a unique blend of approachability, administrative prowess, and wisdom. Compared to me, he exudes a remarkable level of civility and composure. Moreover, his wife, Queen Emelda, is a graceful, noble lady who is compassionate and astute. Together, they complement each other perfectly and suit to be the royal reigning couple."

Pausing for a moment, his gaze turned introspective. "Furthermore, I have my own circumstances that would render me unfit to assume the role of a king," he shared cautiously.

Anna’s curiosity grew even more vital, her gaze fixed upon him.

"You told me that your father passed away three years ago, and since then, you’ve been serving His Majesty, the new king. I also heard from one of your fans that you proclaimed to adopt celibacy. So, I assume you declined to ascend to the throne after the previous king’s demise and made the announcement simultaneously."

Kyren exhaled deeply, his gaze momentarily shifting away from the princess as he stared ahead, lost in thought.

"So, you’ve heard..." He spoke with a blend of resignation and understanding as if he had anticipated this conversation. The news of his celibacy proclamation spread widely among the people of Cassian throughout the years.

Anna’s curiosity grew, and she leaned in closer, her eyes filled with genuine concern.

"I’m curious to know what happened, Kyren. What were the circumstances that led to your decision? And why did you choose celibacy, especially when you had a multitude of maidens who were attracted to you?"

A solemn expression crossed Kyren’s face as he prepared himself to recount a tale burdened with untold secrets.

"Anna... I have a condition..."

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