The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 135: An Urgent Revelation (II)

Chapter 135: An Urgent Revelation (II)

An indescribable fury ignited within him as Alex’s words reached Kyren’s ears.

"She did what? How dare she!" the grand duke erupted, his voice filled with righteous anger. "I will demolish that boutique this instant! They will pay for insulting my wife!" he thundered, rising from his seat.

Sensing the intensity of his emotions, Anna swiftly reached out and held his arm, halting his impulsive reaction.

"I knew you would react like this! That’s precisely why I didn’t want to tell you in the first place!" Anna interjected, her voice laden with exasperation.

"They dared to look down upon you! By doing so, they insulted me as well!" Kyren retorted fiercely, his fury unabated.

Remaining composed, Alex intervened, providing a crucial piece of information. "Your Highness, at the time of the incident, the boutique worker was unaware of the lady’s true identity because she was dressed in a commoner’s outfit," he explained, shedding light on a pivotal detail.

The queen, surprised by this revelation, expressed her disbelief.

"She wore a commoner’s outfit?" she inquired, her voice filled with astonishment.

Understanding the need for clarification, Drystan stepped forward to shed light on the matter. "The lady had never worn a fancy dress since she was brought to the camp. Throughout our time there, she chose to dress in more modest attire," he explained, emphasising the simplicity of Anna’s wardrobe during their stay.

"It was only upon our arrival at the mansion that she changed into a more elegant dress, befitting her newfound status."

"Before you accuse me of not providing her with proper outfits, let it be known that I insisted on purchasing fine dresses for her while we were at the camp. However, she adamantly refused," Kyren clarified to the queen with a sincere expression.

Anna, fully aware of the discussion surrounding her clothing choices, spoke up with conviction.

"Your Majesty, I assure you it was not a matter of mistreatment. I simply didn’t feel that wearing extravagant dresses at the camp was necessary. I found more comfort and ease of movement in the attire of a commoner," she explained, her voice calm and resolute. "It allowed me to blend in, move around freely, and was easier to care for."

Her words aimed to dispel notions of neglect or deprivation while highlighting her preference for practicality and comfort.

The grand duke’s anger surged as he turned his attention to Rafe, demanding to know the exact boutique they had visited. "Which boutique did you take her to? I’m going to teach them a lesson they won’t forget!" he declared, his voice seething with fury.

Anna, alarmed by Kyren’s escalating rage, urgently pleaded with him.

"Kyren, please! Don’t do it! It won’t solve anything," she implored, her voice filled with concern and a hint of desperation.

Kyren’s determination remained unwavering as he responded firmly, "No, Anna! I won’t stand for anyone looking down on you, whether they know who you are or not. I can’t tolerate such disrespect."

"You promised me that you wouldn’t engage in reckless behaviour again," the princess reminded her husband.

The grand duke hesitated, torn between his desire to protect his wife and his commitment to restrain his impulsive tendencies. Before he could respond, Anna issued a firm ultimatum.

"If you don’t listen to me, I won’t talk to you again," she threatened, her voice laced with determination.

The king and queen watched the couple teetering on the edge of another heated argument. Concern etched on their faces.

The grand duke paused, his burning desire momentarily extinguished by the weight of his own actions. The thought of another confrontation with the princess, after experiencing the pain and distance that had plagued their relationship for the past two days, filled him with a profound sense of dread.

Turning to face Anna, he found himself captivated by the depth and vulnerability in her doe-like emerald eyes. They bore into his soul, brimming with hope and an unwavering devotion that tugged at his heartstrings.

At that moment, a wave of realisation washed over him.

This remarkable woman had bared her heart openly, confessing her love for him, and he couldn’t bear to see her sad again.

"Fine! If that’s what you wanted, I won’t take any action." Finally, Kyren relented, giving in to Anna’s plea. With a sulking expression, he begrudgingly sat down, crossing his arms over his chest.

Rafe, Drystan, and Alex breathed a collective sigh of relief, grateful for the grand duke’s withdrawal from his initial vengeful intentions.

Queen Emelda leaned towards her husband, a sense of intrigue evident in her whispered words.

"Did your brother truly surrender to his wife’s threat? This is quite peculiar. I’ve never witnessed him yielding easily to anyone in such a manner before," she murmured, her voice filled with curiosity and disbelief.

The king replied quietly, reciprocating her calm tone, a mischievous grin gracing his lips.

"Indeed! No one has managed to tame him quite like this. It’s rather fascinating, wouldn’t you agree?" he whispered back, a hint of amusement colouring his words.

Caught in their private exchange, the grand duke couldn’t help but notice the royal couple’s suppressed laughter and secretive demeanour. Intrigued by their behaviour, he inquired, "What are you two whispering about, Your Majesties?"

Queen Emelda, momentarily taken aback, quickly composed herself and responded with a playful smile, "Oh... nothing of consequence, dear brother. Just a harmless conversation between spouses."

Though still curious, the grand duke accepted her response with a shrug, not pressing the matter further.

Meanwhile, a glimmer of amusement danced in the eyes of the king and queen as they shared their playful secret, leaving the grand duke puzzled but content to let it go.

The king then cleared his throat and spoke up.

"Since Anna has made this statement, it is only fair to call upon the boutique worker to testify," proclaimed King Kyden resolutely.

Anna’s face lit up with a grateful smile, appreciating the king’s willingness to seek the truth.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Additionally, if it would be helpful, you can also summon the ladies from the fan club. Lady Grey introduced me to them as her friends," the princess suggested, her voice filled with hope.

"Do you remember who they are?" asked the king.

Anna nodded. She recounted the names of the ladies who introduced themselves to her, including Lady Sylvia Rogers.

Recognising the significance of the matter to his sister-in-law, King Kyden nodded in agreement.

"Very well, since this holds great importance to you, I shall summon all of them immediately to seek their confirmation," he declared. His commitment to resolving the issue was evident in his words.

Without delay, the king called upon his chamberlain, relaying the message and instructing him to gather the boutique worker and the ladies from the fan club for their testimonies. Charles swiftly departed, carrying out the king’s orders with a sense of urgency.

***

Anxiety consumed Anna as she anxiously waited in the antechamber, her fingers fidgeting restlessly as she paced back and forth. Kyren observed her with concern, his gaze fixed upon her.

"Try to calm down, Anna. It won’t be much longer. His Majesty will summon us as soon as he finishes his interrogations," the grand duke reassured her, his voice comforting and steady.

"I’m trying to. But this is just too nerve-wracking!"

Meanwhile, the witnesses had been summoned to testify regarding the incident. In due time, Charles, the chamberlain, approached them with important news.

"His Majesty has concluded his questioning of the witnesses. He requests the presence of Your Highness and my lady in the throne hall," he conveyed, his tone speaking a sense of urgency.

With a sense of anticipation, the couple promptly followed the chamberlain, their footsteps echoing through the corridors as they made their way to the throne hall.

Upon entering the throne hall, Anna and Kyren found King Kyden seated on his majestic throne. The witnesses who had been summoned had been dismissed, leaving only the king and queen in the regal chamber.

Addressing the grand duke and his wife directly, the king spoke with a sense of resolution.

"I have thoroughly questioned all the witnesses and am satisfied with the answers. Anna, you were indeed telling the truth," he declared, his voice carrying a weight of authority and fairness. "Therefore, I hereby grant the immediate release of Lady Grey from her confinement."

A surge of relief washed over Anna, her eyes meeting with gratitude and triumph.

"Thank you so much, Your Majesty! I really appreciate it!"

The king and queen exchanged smiles, sharing a moment of understanding and appreciation. The king’s surprise at Anna’s seemingly modest request transformed into admiration for her perspective on freedom and its value.

"I never anticipated that the precious gift you sought would be your friend’s freedom," the king remarked, his tone laced with a mix of amusement and genuine interest. "While I could have easily granted her release, I believe it is important to set a positive example for our people and demonstrate to them that offence against the royal family is not to be taken lightly."

Anna nodded.

"I understand, Your Majesty. Though it may seem unconventional to some, an individual’s freedom holds immeasurable worth to me. What good is all the wealth and luxury in the world if one is devoid of personal liberty?" she expressed, her voice carrying a touch of passion and determination.

The king’s grin widened, acknowledging the unique perspective and strength within Anna. Deep down, he recognised that his brother had found a remarkable and intriguing woman—one who appeared delicate on the outside but possessed unwavering resolve within.

"You have a keen insight, Anna," the queen chimed in, her own smile mirroring her husband’s sentiments.

"Thank you once again, Your Majesty. If you don’t mind, may I have your permission to go and retrieve Lady Grey myself?" Anna requested, her voice filled with a mix of gratitude and determination.

Surprised by his wife’s request, Kyren interjected, his concern evident.

"Why would you want to do that? She is surely still in the dungeon. It’s a gloomy and unsettling place, unsuitable for someone like you!" he countered, his protective instincts kicking in.

Gently yet firmly, Anna explained her rationale, her eyes reflecting her genuine concern.

"Lady Grey is likely terrified at this moment. According to Miss Miller, her personal maid, she is a timid person who can easily become agitated. If she sees a familiar face, it may bring her some comfort and calm her down. Please, allow me to go and fetch her," she pleaded, her voice tinged with compassion.

The king considered Anna’s words, recognising the sincerity behind her request. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded in agreement.

"Very well, you may go. However, I will not let you go alone. My chamberlain will show you the way, and you need to bring Kyren or your escorts with you," he declared, acknowledging the grand duke’s protective instincts towards his wife.

"Fine, I shall go with Anna," the grand duke conceded.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty, I believe it would be better for me to take Sir Jarr with me," Anna respectfully proposed. "He knows Lady Grey well, and her seeing Kyren might only further frighten her, thinking the grand duke intends to punish her."

Anna then turned to Kyren and said, "Please grant us some time. I will not hesitate to call you if I need your assistance."

The grand duke hesitated, concern etching his features. "Are you certain about this? The dungeon can be a truly frightening place," he cautioned, his worry for Anna’s well-being evident.

The princess’s eyes shimmered with determination as she reminisced about her own time spent locked in a cell in the barrack during the unjust arrest by the Bargesian army. A wistful smile graced her lips.

"I will not be afraid of such a place. Knowing that you are here close to me, nothing can intimidate me. Please trust me in this matter," she reassured, her voice carrying an unwavering sense of faith.

The grand duke, initially reluctant, felt his heart heavy with concern for his wife’s safety. However, he recognised the strength and conviction within her. With a sigh, he finally relented and summoned Alex to accompany Anna.

Without the slightest hesitation, the petite princess stepped forward, her resolve unwavering, as she embarked on her mission to release her dear friend from the confines of the prison.

Accompanied by her esteemed escort, she ventured into the dungeon’s depths, their footsteps echoing through the cold, dimly lit corridors.