The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 141: Eric’s Late Party

Chapter 141: Eric’s Late Party

"...I summon thee as the master of the seven seas!" Eric boisterously declared, lifting his fork high in the air, mimicking Anna’s gesture of summoning the storm during the encounter with the pirates.

Embracing the moment of the show, he balanced himself with one leg on the chair and the other firmly planted on the floor, towering over the captivated crowd that watched in awe.

The knights enthusiastically applauded, their hands clapping with joy, fully immersed in the play unfolding before them. Rachel’s eyes sparkled with fascination among the onlookers.

Rafe scoffed in disagreement, his disapproval evident.

"The words may be accurate, but the actions are being exaggerated!" He directed his attention to Alex and Drystan, shaking his head. "He’s putting on a show! Please don’t completely buy into it!"

"I do not doubt that our lady spoke with confidence. However, I highly doubt she dramatically raised the dirk to the sky like that," Ayden chimed in, voicing his scepticism.

"Oh, come on, Mr Amares and Mr Norman! Regardless, this is undeniably the most thrilling part!" Rachel exclaimed, her voice brimming with astonishment and delight.

Eric’s smile widened.

"You never fail to be mesmerised every time I recount the tale," he remarked, enjoying the captivated reactions of those around him.

The room was filled with an air of enchantment as Eric’s storytelling prowess and theatrical flair brought the adventurous tale to life. The guests were transported to the event of the ploy when Anna triumphantly fooled the pirates.

"Who wouldn’t? I’ve never met anyone as daring as her!" Rachel exclaimed with admiration.

She leaned in closer, eager to share the latest gossip.

"You know what I heard? Our maids were talking, and they mentioned a commotion on the road the other day during His Highness, the grand duke’s procession to the palace. Apparently, some people caught sight of the lady herself. They couldn’t stop gushing about how beautiful and kind she was. And get this, instead of punishing the maid who halted them, she actually hugged her and tried calming her down!"

"If it were any other nobleman, that maid would have faced severe consequences, maybe even a lashing or two," Luke interjected.

Drystan chimed in, confirming the story. "Yes, we were there when it happened. The maid belonged to Lord Grey’s household, and she was begging for her lady’s release. It turns out Lady Meredith Grey is the president of the fan club members who caused the riot at the mansion’s gate the other day."

As Meredith’s name was uttered, Alex fell into a sudden, contemplative silence. His mind raced with memories and emotions, a flurry of thoughts intertwining with the mention of her name.

Drystan’s storytelling continued, captivating the audience with tales of the event in the palace, recounting the near-confrontation between Anna and Kyren before the royal couple when the lady boldly requested Meredith’s release.

"The lady stood up and fought for her newfound friend right in front of Their Majesties," the knight emphasised. "It was a sight to behold, truly. I must say, she possesses a cunningness more than expected!"

Beatrice, Eric’s sister-in-law, said with eyes full of admiration, "Wow, to think she could display such bravery before Their Majesties, the king and queen, our lady is truly remarkable!"

Damon couldn’t help but interject with a sense of pride.

"Indeed, never underestimate her. Though she may appear simple and fragile, her actions surpass the capabilities of many. She possesses a strength and intelligence that is awe-inspiring."

The room filled with excitement and respect as the listeners absorbed the tales of Anna’s bravery and resourcefulness.

"True! No lady can match our beloved Lady Raychard!" Eli exclaimed, fervently supporting the sentiment.

Caught up in the shared admiration, Eric raised his glass high. "Cheers to our remarkable lady!"

"Cheers!" echoed through the room as the crowd lifted their glasses, eagerly joining the toast. The sound of clinking glass filled the air as they all took a sip, savouring the moment.

Rachel’s eyes filled with longing as she voiced her own yearning.

"Oh, how I wish I could meet her in person! Ever since I heard her story, I’ve eagerly anticipated seeing and getting to know her. Why, I wonder, did His Majesty suddenly order them to stay within the palace?"

A sudden cough from Rafe disrupted the moment, drawing all eyes toward him in search of an answer. Alex and Drystan exchanged a glance, their actions swift as they discreetly brought the tips of their glasses to their mouths, attempting to hide their reactions.

The room fell into a momentary silence, anticipation hanging in the air as they awaited the healer’s response.

Rafe cleared his throat.

"His Highness has been away on duty for quite some time," he began. "In addition, he has recently married, and this is the first time he has brought his wife to the palace. It is only natural that Their Majesties wish to spend time with them and get to know the lady as well," Rafe explained, responding thoughtfully to Rachel’s question.

The woman nodded lightly.

"That does make sense," she acknowledged. "I was truly hoping to meet her. The socks she knitted are simply adorable! I’ve already put them on our son," she said to Eric.

Just as the conversation reached a lull, a servant burst into the dining room, breathless and eager.

"My lord, my lord! His Royal Highness and his wife, Lady Raychard, have just arrived!" he exclaimed, his words excitedly electrifying the room.

"What? Really?" Eric and the knights exclaimed in unison.

They quickly stood up, ready to rush out to greet the newly arrived guests. However, before they could make a move, two figures emerged into the dining room, capturing everyone’s attention.

"Hello everyone! Please forgive us for our lateness," Kyren greeted, his voice carrying the weight of his regal presence. He stood tall, his arm encircling Anna’s, as they entered the room together.

"Your Highness! Welcome to our humble gentry house!" Rachel exclaimed. She stepped forward, curtsying gracefully to the grand duke, while the others bowed respectfully.

"Please to meet you, Your Highness, my lady," Rachel continued, introducing herself and her sister. "My lady, my name is Rachel Navin, wife of Sir Eric Navin, and this is my sister, Beatrice Perna."

Kyren and Anna nodded in acknowledgement, their eyes filled with warmth and gratitude for the sisters’ hospitable reception.

"Hello... how do you do? My name is Anna Raychard."

"I’m fine, thank you. It is such an honour to have you here. True as the story told, you are indeed a beauty!" praised Rachel delightedly.

Beatrice also nodded. They were both captivated by Anna’s glimmering emerald eyes, which were so unique.

"Thank you so much for the present you gave us. They are so cute!" said Rachel.

"You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it," replied Anna.

"Where are the other guests?" inquired the grand duke, his curiosity piqued by the sight of the sparsely populated dining room.

"Everyone else has already left, Your Highness, save for us. We had planned to enjoy the night and savour every drop of the barrels," Drystan explained, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

Seeing Anna’s attire, Damon couldn’t help but express his surprise.

"My lady, why are you wearing a palace maid’s outfit? And Your Highness, isn’t this the royal knight uniform?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Anna smiled, her eyes gleaming with amusement. Luckily, the outfit covered the whole part of her neck, concealing the bruises from the onlookers’ eyes.

"Oh, this? It’s a disguise. Kyren thought it would help us go unnoticed when leaving the palace," she replied.

Ayden, intrigued by their revelation, posed a question.

"Did you mean to say that you sneaked out of the palace?" he asked in disbelief.

"Well, we simply decided to venture out and not miss the festivities. Although, it seems we may have arrived a bit late," Kyren admitted with a playful grin.

"Oh, no! Not at all!" Beatrice interjected. "We still have an abundance of food. Please, Your Highness and my lady, be seated and enjoy."

Grateful for the kind invitation, Kyren and Anna sat at the table. The attentive servants promptly began serving more food and drinks to the couple, ensuring their comfort.

"Please take note that my wife cannot consume alcoholic beverages. If you could kindly brew some tea for her, it would be much appreciated," the grand duke requested politely as a glass of wine was presented to Anna. "The same goes for me."

"Yes, Your Highness," the servant nodded understandingly, swiftly taking the drink away to honour Kyren’s request.

The atmosphere in the room grew even more convivial as the guests settled in.

Anna’s face lit up with warmth and appreciation as she witnessed her husband’s unwavering attentiveness. This was the same demeanour he had displayed during their lunch with the royal family, proof of his caring nature.

"I didn’t realise that Your Highness had given up drinking," Beatrice remarked, curious about the change.

Kyren’s pearly blue eyes softened as he glanced at Anna.

"My wife has a delicate condition that prevents her from drinking. This is my way of standing by her side and supporting her," he explained.

The reply rippled through the room, evoking a mix of understanding and astonishment at Kyren’s unwavering devotion to Anna. The guests couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration for the grand duke’s selfless act.

Eric, ever the cheerful soul, said with a smile, "In that case, let’s brew the tea for all of us. There’s nothing wrong with toasting with it. After all, it’s the thought that counts!"

The feast continued with lively conversations filling the air and more cheers. Rachel and Beatrice were delighted to get to know Anna better as they immersed themselves in their conversations. They quickly discovered that she was a warm and friendly person, making it easy for them to form a connection.

Just as the merriment reached its peak, the nursemaid entered the room, interrupting the event.