The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 127: The Princess Of Ardel

Chapter 127: The Princess Of Ardel

The procession entered the palace courtyard, where a picturesque scene met their eyes. The surroundings had transformed into a breathtaking autumn oasis, where nature’s vibrant colours painted a tapestry of golden hues.

The trees stood tall, their leaves adorned with shades of fiery red, burnt orange, and shimmering gold.

The meticulously manicured garden within the courtyard added an ethereal touch to the scene. Delicate flowers swayed gracefully, their petals mirroring the warm tones of the surrounding foliage.

The sound of water trickling from a nearby fountain provided a soothing melody, enhancing the serene ambience.

Descending from the carriage that stopped at the main entrance, the couple stepped down and entered the palace, followed by the knights and the healer of Gerhard. The chamberlain and the palace guards warmly welcomed them.

Charles, the chamberlain, whose gaze was fixed on the grand duke’s hand holding his wife firmly, couldn’t help but smile genuinely. His respect for their bond was evident in his demeanour.

"Welcome, Your Royal Highness and my lady," Charles greeted them with a respectful bow.

Kyren nodded in acknowledgement, his regal poise unwavering, while Anna reciprocated with a graceful gesture of her own.

"Hello, my lady. My name is Lord Charles Enos, the chamberlain of His Majesty," Charles introduced himself.

"Hello. How do you do, Lord Enos? Please to meet you," Anna greeted him.

"Please call me Charles, my lady," the chamberlain responded. Then, his eyes returned to the grand duke.

"All the ministers are eagerly anticipating the introduction of the new lady to the court. However, His Majesty has decided that today’s proceedings will be a private session, held exclusively between Their Majesties and your entourage in the grand throne hall," the chamberlain explained, his tone conveying a sense of importance.

Kyren nodded graciously in understanding, appreciating the chamberlain’s briefing.

"Noted, Charles. Thank you for the information," he acknowledged.

Extending his hand in a gesture of guidance, the chamberlain urged the couple to proceed down the ornate hallway that lay before them.

The polished marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of sun rays from the pristine windows, casting a warm and inviting light throughout the corridor.

The air was filled with a subtle fragrance, a delicate blend of polished wood and fresh flowers. The couple made their way through the palace, and every person they encountered bowed respectfully, their gestures filled with deference and respect.

Yet, it was impossible to ignore the curious gazes that followed Anna, the grand duke’s new bride. Like fragile tendrils of sound, whispers began to emerge among them, their hushed voices carrying a mixture of curiosity and speculation.

However, the voices swiftly dissipated as Kyren’s piercing glare fell upon them. His commanding presence and authoritative aura silenced the murmurs, instilling a sense of caution and respect in those who had dared to indulge in idle gossip. The weight of his gaze was a stern reminder of his position and the expectations he held for the conduct within the palace walls.

The people quickly averted their eyes, their focus returning to their duties as they continued their tasks with renewed diligence. The air regained its peaceful tranquillity. The only sound now was the soft echoes of footsteps against the palace’s opulent floors.

The entourage stopped at the grand threshold of the throne hall. Anna could feel her blood surging through her veins, a mix of anticipation and nervousness, as she braced herself to face the King and Queen of Cassian for the very first time.

Kyren glanced at her with a reassuring smile.

"This is it," he whispered, his voice laced with excitement and confidence.

Unlike Anna, the grand duke appeared unshaken by any apprehensions, his demeanour radiating a sense of calm and assurance.

Charles signalled to the doorkeeper with a subtle nod. With a sense of ceremony, the majestic doors, adorned with exquisite carvings, swung open, revealing the spectacle beyond. The grandeur of the throne hall unfolded before them, a sight that took Anna’s breath away.

Her heart pounded with an intensity that resonated within her chest, its rhythm echoing the moment’s significance. The weight of expectation and the magnitude of this encounter seemed to reverberate through her very being.

The chamberlain stepped forward, his voice commanding attention as he made the formal announcement.

"Announcing the arrival of His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke of Gerhard, his wife and the knighthood members," he proclaimed, his words resounding with reverence.

As Charles’s voice dissipated into the vast expanse of the throne hall, Anna summoned her courage. Hand in hand with Kyren, she moved forward, stepping into the regal presence of the King and Queen.

The sheer grandeur of the space immediately captured the princess’s gaze. A splendid red velvet carpet stretched from one end of the room to the other, leading the way towards the hall’s focal point.

At the far end, a magnificent dais stood proudly adorned with intricate carvings and embellishments, serving as the elevated platform for the king and queen’s thrones.

Seated upon the thrones, Anna’s eyes were drawn to the royal figures before her. The king, a man of wisdom and charisma, possessed a commanding presence that emanated from his every pore.

His deep blue eyes sparkled with intelligence and understanding, while his golden blonde hair added a touch of regal elegance to his slender appearance.

Beside him sat the queen, exuding captivating beauty that was both enchanting and dignified. Her black hair was styled in a bun, gracefully framing her face.

Her warm, inviting, light brown eyes held a depth of knowledge and compassion, and her radiance was enhanced by an air of enchantment that effortlessly surrounded her.

Their steps moved forward, and to Anna’s surprise, the king stood up and went down the dais, followed by the queen.

Kyren gracefully bowed before King Kyden, setting an example for the knights and the healer, who knelt in reverence. The grand duke’s voice resonated through the hall as he spoke, paying homage to the esteemed King and Queen of Cassian.

"Greetings to the Sun and the Moon of Cassian," he hailed, his words carrying a deep respect, followed by his subordinates.

King Kyden warmly reciprocated the greeting, extending a hand for a shake and gently patting his back gently, pulling the grand duke into a brotherly embrace.

"Greetings, brother. Welcome back," he greeted with genuine affection.

Queen Emelda, radiating grace and elegance, joined the exchange. Her voice was melodic as she addressed the grand duke and his team, acknowledging their return.

"Welcome back, everyone. It has been a while, Kyren," she greeted.

Kyren responded to the queen’s words with a respectful nod.

"Yes, it has been some time, Your Majesty, my Queen," he acknowledged, his voice carrying a sense of loyalty and familiarity.

The knights and the healer respectfully stepped aside, allowing Kyren and Anna to face the king and queen directly. The focus of the room was now solely on the couple.

Taking the initiative, Kyren introduced his wife, placing a supportive hand behind her back.

"Let me introduce you. This is my wife, Anna Raychard."

Anna, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiousness, struggled to find her voice. Her tongue felt numb as she attempted to form the words.

"Gree... Greetings to the Sun and the Moon of Cassian," she stammered, her voice indicating her slight hesitation.

She curtsied, her movements graceful yet filled with a hint of nervousness. The royal couple exchanged a glance, their astonishment evident.

"Greetings to you, and welcome to Gantz. I am King Kyden, Kyren’s twin brother. I’ve heard a few things about you from the knights," said the king.

Queen Emelda approached Anna with open arms, a genuine warmth radiating from her as she enveloped her in a loving embrace. A wide smile graced her rosy lips, conveying both happiness and acceptance.

"Welcome to the family, Anna. My name is Emelda," she greeted, her words filled with sincerity and joy.

Turning to her husband, the queen’s eyes twinkled with admiration as she spoke softly, appreciatively.

"Her eyes are beautiful, aren’t they?" she remarked, her words a testament to her genuine appreciation for Anna’s unique and captivating features.

"Indeed, and she’s also quite pretty," the king nodded in agreement. "I must say, Kyren, I didn’t expect you to be interested in a lady with a petite figure," he teased, his gaze shifting towards the grand duke.

Anna’s cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, feeling both flattered and slightly self-conscious under the attention.

Kyren’s tone carried a hint of pride as he spoke up, defending his choice. "I am only interested in her, not other women. Anna is exceptional. And, in case you haven’t heard yet, she’s remarkably well-versed in the Ro’an language."

"Oh, really?" King Kyden’s mischievous smile played upon his lips as he turned his attention towards Anna. "Well then, let us put her skills to the test."

Clearing his throat, the king prepared to engage the princess in a conversation, a lighthearted challenge in the making.

The room held an air of anticipation as all eyes turned towards the princess, eager to witness her fluency in the language for which she had been praised.

"Gey ar, sarin. So, ker ennam es Anna?" King Kyden greeted, his Ro’an accent adding a touch of familiarity and warmth to his words.

(Greetings, sister-in-law. So, your name is Anna?)

Anna’s eyes blinked momentarily, adjusting to the change in language and the unexpected address.

"Gey ar. Siyes... Ettar ennam es Anna, Kyden Majestè," she replied, her voice steady and respectful.

(Greetings. Yes... My name is Anna, Your Majesty, King Kyden.)

King Kyden’s eyebrows arched, surprised by the fluency of her mouth. He continued smiling, appreciating Anna’s response.

"Ker andrea kama ke rè ciaft in te Ro’an len."

(Your husband claims you’re proficient in the Ro’an language.)

The princess’s demeanour displayed a mix of modesty and honesty.

"Ettar weolly es bast en hat ettar vè drean. It warl be sar arc et yas ettar ma uli orissa," she admitted, her voice hinting humility.

(My knowledge is based on what I’ve learned. It would be too much to say I’m an expert.)

King Kyden nodded appreciatively, his smile widening as he admired Anna’s sincerity.

"Ke rè bliss. Hat ke weol es mahar," he responded warmly, his voice carrying a sense of admiration and respect.

(You are humble. What you know is valuable.)

Queen Emelda and Kyden watched the exchange with anticipation, their eyes fixed upon Anna and Kyden, full of excitement.

Alex and Drystan, the two knights in attendance, exchanged a glance of curiosity as they heard the unfamiliar language flowing between the king and their lady. Their attention then turned to Rafe, a source of knowledge and understanding amidst the unfamiliarity.

"What are they talking about?" Drystan whispered to Rafe.

Alex leaned closer, his ears tuned to catch the whispered response.

"Just a normal conversation in the Ro’an language," Rafe summarised, his tone calm and composed. The healer’s words reassured the knights, allowing them to relax and redirect their focus back to the intriguing interaction before them.

"Ere das ke drean te len?" King Kyden asked with genuine interest, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

(Where did you learn the language?)

"Fere ettar oris ant ey drian eparisim," Anna replied.

(From my teacher and by reading books.)

"Eparisim?" the king furrowed his brows, momentarily puzzled by the unique word.

"It means books, Your Majesty," she explained gently.

"’Books in Ro’an is ’epars’," the king corrected her, a slight grin touching his lips.

Anna hesitated for a moment, her gaze meeting King Kyden’s with a mix of respect and determination.

"Forgive me for saying this, but ’books’ in general is indeed translated as ’epars’. However, I was referring to the specific collection of medicine-related books. In that context, it is accurately called ’eparisim’."

The explanation left King Kyden momentarily bewildered, his eyes widening in realisation. His slight grin turned into a wide smile as he turned to Kyren.

"She is indeed proficient! You have found yourself a talented wife, brother!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine admiration and delight.

The room filled with a light-hearted energy, appreciating the remarkable abilities of the lady who had become a part of the royal family.

"Thank you. She is talented," Kyren smiled, acknowledging the compliment with a sense of pride.

King Kyden’s astonishment grew as he absorbed the depth of Anna’s language proficiency. His eyes sparked with the light of admiration.

"I didn’t know that a commoner of Ardel could learn the language so well," he remarked, his voice filled with genuine awe.

The grand duke, seizing the opportunity to reveal Anna’s true identity, spoke up with a hint of excitement. "Your Majesty, my wife is not a commoner. She is the Princess of Ardel," he declared.

The king and queen’s expressions transformed drastically, their features shifting from surprise to shock. The room fell into a stunned silence as the gravity of Kyren’s statement sank in.

"What did you say?"