The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 139: [Bonus - ] A Determined Confession

Chapter 139: [Bonus Chapter] A Determined Confession

Alex’s eyes widened in astonishment as he felt the touch of her lips grazing his cheek. His face quickly turned a shade of crimson, resembling a ripe pomegranate, as the rush of emotions flooded through him. He was taken aback by the unexpected display of affection, unsure how to respond.

"Wha... what are you doing?" Alex’s hazel eyes wide-opened, full of shock as he turned to her.

"It’s a thank you kiss!" Meredith said hastily.

The knight, momentarily surprised by the unexpected kiss, found himself at a loss for words. His gaze remained fixed on Meredith’s pale face, his mind racing to process the situation and find an appropriate response.

After a brief pause, the knight cleared his throat and stood up.

"Forgive me, Lady Grey, but it is considered an indecent act for a maiden to kiss an unmarried man," he stated, his tone reflecting a sense of decency.

Meredith, undeterred by his words, mustered her courage to explain herself.

"But you have saved me three times already. I felt compelled to show my gratitude somehow," she pleaded, her eyes filled with sincerity.

"Nevertheless, it remains improper. We barely know each other," he persisted with caution.

Unwilling to let her feelings go unspoken, Meredith summoned her bravery and revealed her true emotions.

"I know, and because of that, I want to know you more," she confessed. "The truth is... I... I like you! I’ve been thinking about you since we met at the plaza."

The weight of her confession reverberated through Alex’s heart, causing it to thunder with a mixture of surprise, uncertainty, and confusion.

Caught off guard, he quickly rose and stepped backwards, averting his gaze as if seeking solace from the sudden rush of feelings within him.

"Lady Grey... this... this is too sudden," he stammered, his words struggling with his internal emotions to comprehend the situation.

Desperate not to be misunderstood, Meredith implored him. "Sir Jarr, please listen! It may seem ridiculous, but I genuinely mean what I said. Please give me a chance to prove it to you," she pleaded, her sincerity resounding in every word.

"Aren’t you a devoted fan of His Highness? You’re the president of his fan club, remember?" Alex asked in confusion.

As they entered the room previously, his sharp eyes had caught a glimpse of the paintings of the grand duke hanging on the wall, despite Meredith’s attempt to prevent him from looking.

The lady took a deep breath, her nervousness palpable as she tried to find the right words.

"I was... I mean... I still adore him," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "But it’s not the same. I can’t explain it fully, even to myself. But I’m certain about what I feel in my heart."

This moment marked a significant milestone for Meredith. She had bared her soul, revealing a truth that had remained hidden within her until now.

The weight of her emotions and the situation’s uncertainty left her vulnerable and exposed. Yet, beneath it all, her voice had an unwavering resolve, a determination that propelled her forward.

For the first time in her life, she summoned the courage to express a fragile and profound feeling toward a man, breaking through the barriers of her own apprehension.

This act of bravery stirred a mix of anticipation and trepidation within her, as she was unsure of how her revelation would be received.

But at that moment, as the words left her lips, there was a sense of liberation, a freeing of the emotions she had kept hidden for so long. The room fell into a brief silence as their feelings hung in the air, waiting for a response.

"You must be confused right now due to your situation. I think it’s best if I leave," the knight hastily retreated.

Meredith’s heart sank as she witnessed his sudden move. Desperation filled her voice as she tried to make him understand, "No, I’m not confused! My feelings for you are sincere, and I knew it from the first time we met! And after the occurrences between us, I can’t help but admire you."

"Lady Grey, I do not possess the grandeur and stature of His Highness, the Grand Duke of Gerhard, to be admired by any woman," Alex replied with unwavering determination. "I am simply a knight dedicated to fulfilling my duty to my knighthood."

Meredith’s voice shook with hope as she interjected, her words bearing the weight of her feelings.

"But you are more than great to me," she expressed earnestly. "You are not only my saviour but also a person of remarkable kindness and attentiveness. If it were merely duty, you could have easily abandoned me during the commotion at Gerhard’s mansion. Yet, you carried me away from the chaos, and today, you stood by my side from the moment you took me out of the prison and even carried me to my bed."

Her voice carried a mixture of gratitude, admiration, and a burgeoning affection that she struggled to put into words.

Alex, grappling with his own emotions, pleaded with her, "Please... let’s not talk about this right now. I... I need to go!"

Without further explanation, the knight swiftly departed, leaving Meredith alone on the bed.

"Did he just reject me?" Meredith asked herself in confusion.

The realisation of Alex’s sudden departure without further discussion left her feeling abandoned. Her emotions began to break. Tears erupted from within her, echoing through the room as she sank with the heartache of being declined.

Meanwhile, the knight’s steps were quick and purposeful as he descended the stairs. On his way, he encountered Rania carrying a tea tray.

"Sir Jarr, would you like to have a cup of tea first?" the maid offered kindly.

"No, thank you," Alex replied curtly, his mind consumed with the turmoil of his own emotions.

He continued, making his way toward the parlour beside the main hall without even looking at the maid, where the other members of the Gerhard knighthood were engaged in casual conversation with Lord Grey. Rania could only blink at the serious demeanour of the knight.

"Let’s go now!" Alex suddenly ordered the men upon reaching the parlour.

"Sir Jarr, why the rush?" Drystan inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.

Lord Grey had graciously arranged a delightful afternoon tea for them in the parlour, with a spread of delicious snacks and beverages already laid out.

"Why is your face so red?" asked Rafe.

Still flustered by the recent turn of events, Alex attempted to conceal his emotions.

"It’s just... It’s too hot in there," he replied, his voice strained.

"Really? But it’s cooler out here," Drystan said, gesturing to the gentle breeze that caressed their surroundings.

"Are you feeling unwell? Could it be a fever?" Rafe asked, his tone filled with genuine worry. "Strange... the knights rarely get sick over just a temperature change," he wondered, rubbing his chin.

"Let’s just go!" Alex insisted, his tone persistent and determined.

Lord Grey, puzzled by the knight’s sudden urgency, attempted to persuade him otherwise. "Don’t you want to join us for tea first, Sir Jarr?" he asked.

"Thank you, my lord, but I don’t feel too thirsty, and we already have a plan," Alex replied, maintaining his resolve.

Still unaware of the knight’s intentions, Drystan interjected with confusion. "Plan? What plan?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

"Eric’s party is tonight, remember!" Alex revealed, hoping to jog their memories.

"Oh... yeah... But it’s still too early," Drystan responded, realising the reason behind the knight’s haste.

"Just go!" Alex urged, his impatience evident.

"All right... all right!" Rafe acquiesced, understanding the urgency in Alex’s words. "Lord Grey, please excuse us for now. Perhaps we can spend some more time together in the future. We’ll take our leave now."

As the knights prepared to depart, Drystan couldn’t help but cast a longing gaze at the irresistible spread of delicious food that had been served, knowing he wouldn’t have the opportunity to indulge in it. His eyes drooped with a mixture of disappointment.

"Yes, I won’t delay you knights from your appointment. Allow me to lead you to the main door," Lord Grey expressed with gratitude, guiding the knights towards their departure.

***

As the carriage began its journey, the knights and healer mounted their horses, riding alongside at a relaxed pace. After some time, their paths diverged, with the carriage continuing toward the regal palace while the men directed their course homeward, returning to Gerhard’s mansion.

"Lucky that His Highness allowed us to return to the mansion," Drystan remarked—a hint of relief in his voice. "Now we can attend Eric’s party tonight. Otherwise, we would have been stuck in the palace as well."

Rafe chimed in, his tone tinged with a touch of regret. "I suppose His Highness and the lady won’t join us at the party. Rachel will be a bit disappointed. She had hoped His Highness would bless her child, just as he did with the first one."

Drystan reassured his companions.

"Ah, no worries. Once we are back in the duchy, we’ll have plenty of time to organise another party where His Highness and the lady can attend. We’ll have the freedom to plan it until next year!" he exclaimed, a sense of happiness evident in his voice.

With anticipation for the upcoming festivities and the knowledge that they would have ample opportunities to celebrate in the future, the knights embraced the thought of their journey back to Gerhard, eagerly looking forward to the events that awaited them.

Alex fell silent, his mind racing and his attention fully consumed by Meredith’s heartfelt words. The conversation between Drystan and Rafe became nothing more than distant background noise as his thoughts circled Meredith’s confession.

"I like you."

Her words reverberated in his mind, each syllable resonating with a newfound significance. The warmth of his flushed cheeks mirrored the intensity of his emotions.

Lost in his thoughts, Alex’s mind danced with possibilities, contemplating the depth of his own feelings and the potential connection that seemed to be forming between them.

At that moment, the world around him faded away as he allowed himself to fully absorb the impact of Meredith’s heartfelt admission.

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