The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 144: Our Wedding Rings

Chapter 144: Our Wedding Rings

The horse’s hooves gently struck the ground as it cantered along the cold path in the dark of night.

"Kyren, shouldn’t we be heading back to the palace? I don’t think this is the right way," the princess remarked, glancing at the surroundings as she turned around.

"We will return, but not just yet," reassured the grand duke calmly.

"Not yet? Then, where are we going?" Anna inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"To a special place. I want to show you where I used to go as an adolescent," he whispered in her ear, a smile gracing his face.

Anna turned her head, attempting to catch a glimpse of her husband’s expression.

"Where is it?" she asked, her excitement palpable.

"You’ll find out," he replied, a smile grazing his pink lips.

As the horse carried them away from the city’s cold streets, they eventually arrived at the base of a hill. Guided by the moon’s gentle glow, they embarked on a quiet ascent, traversing through a secluded path adorned with trees until they reached the hill’s summit.

Kyren halted the horse’s movement and dismounted gracefully. With tender strength, he helped Anna down, their hands intertwined. He secured the horse to a nearby tree and then led her towards an Elm tree at the edge.

"This reminds me of the Elm tree back at the camp, the first time you took me out for a walk," Anna exclaimed, her face lighting up with fond memories.

Kyren’s smile deepened. "You remember."

As they drew closer, Anna’s gaze was captivated by the breathtaking view of Gantz from atop the hill beside the Elm tree.

From their vantage point, the city unfolded below, illuminated by the shimmering lights and lanterns of the night, all under the watchful gaze of the starry sky.

In the distance, the lighthouse stood tall on the rocky little cape, guiding ships to Port Braska while the beach stretched before it. On the other side of the hill, they could catch a glimpse of the grandeur of the Palace of Cassian.

"It’s truly stunning up here, Kyren!" Anna praised the view, pulling her cloak tighter around her to ward off the cool sea breeze that danced around them.

"It is. This used to be my secret hideout, a place where I sought solace," Kyren shared, wrapping his arm around his wife from behind as they savoured the magnificent sight. "This hill was once secluded on the outskirts of Gantz. But as the city expanded, my father, the previous king, decided to clear part of the hill for urban development. I pleaded with him to leave this particular spot untouched because I couldn’t bear to see this tree removed," he explained.

"Did His Majesty King Kyden know about this place too?" Anna inquired.

"No, I never brought anyone here before," Kyren replied softly, lost in the memories of times past.

"None? What about the woman you once admired?" Anna questioned playfully.

"Anna..." The grand duke’s voice trailed off, and he gently turned her to face him, his mesmerising blue eyes locked onto hers. "There has never been another woman in my life besides you."

Anna’s eyes trembled, overwhelmed by his words. His deep, masculine voice resonated within her heart, stirring a profound warmth from the depths of her being. She felt his long fingers tenderly brush her long, fluttering, auburn hair, tucking them behind her earlobe as he continued to gaze at her.

"How could it be? A man as charming as you could have any woman you desire," she murmured softly.

"But I do not desire any of them," he replied.

"Why?" she inquired, her curiosity growing.

A sigh escaped Kyren’s lips. His gaze shifted to the expansive view before them as if searching for the perfect answer to her question.

"I do not have any feelings for them. They are drawn to me because of my appearance, wealth, and title. Their desires know no bounds. They often claim they would do anything for me, but in reality, they only seek to gain everything from me," he explained.

"What about me? Do you have any feelings for me?" she asked, her voice filled with hope and vulnerability.

Kyren gazed at her again, his calloused fingers tenderly caressing her cheek as though she were a fragile porcelain doll.

"I deeply care for you, Anna. You are the first woman who has shown unwavering dedication to me. In all honesty, I have never encountered someone quite like you. We were practically strangers when we entered into marriage, yet you were willing to risk everything for me, for my knights, and for the Kingdom of Cassian without asking anything in return. No other woman can compare to you," he told her earnestly.

The words stirred a sense of flattery within Anna, yet deep down, she yearned to hear something more from him—a confession of love.

"That’s not entirely true. I do have a desire in return. So, in that sense, I’m not so different from them," Anna admitted, her gaze falling to the ground as a guilty conscience enveloped her heart.

"What is it that you desire?" he inquired gently.

"You," she whispered.

Kyren smiled upon hearing the determined answer.

"As my wife, you have every right to desire that. It doesn’t make you a greedy person," he reassured her.

"But isn’t it the same as what they want? Don’t they also want you?" Anna questioned, her doubt lingering.

"It’s not the same," he replied firmly. "They want me to fulfil their own ambitions, while you want me for the person I am, not for what I can give you."

Kyren reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers.

"Tell me, Anna... Which woman could live in a camp full of men for months on the frontier, far from the comforts of home, dressed in common attire, sacrificing her own blood to save a kingdom not her own, and confronting her fears in the face of treacherous sea storms to confront legions of pirates alone to save a whole ship? Show me if there is anyone other than you," he challenged.

"But... I am weak and fragile," Anna confessed, her voice filled with self-depreciation.

"You are stronger than what you think you are."

"What if there is another woman who surpasses me in every way?" Anna voiced her insecurities.

"So be it... I would still choose you," he decided without hesitation.

At this moment, as his words conveyed the depth of his feelings, Anna yearned for the ultimate answer. Did he truly love her?

Summoning her courage, she parted her lips, preparing to ask the question that weighed on her heart. However, before she could utter a word, his response left her frozen in place.

"I may not comprehend love in the conventional manner that most couples do, and I may not behave in the ways society expects, but I know that you are of utmost importance to me. From the moment I took the vow to be your husband, I made a solemn commitment to protect you with all my strength," he declared, his voice filled with unwavering determination.

"You... you don’t comprehend love?" Anna’s voice trembled, her words stumbling as she tried to grasp his meaning after a moment of contemplation.

"I have never known what loving a woman truly is or how it feels," he admitted. "I suppose I am never destined for it. However, please understand that I will uphold the sacred vows of our marriage and take full responsibility for you. I will always treat you with the utmost respect, my dear wife."

Anna felt a lump forming in her throat at his explanation.

What did he mean by not understanding love or not being destined for it?

Did this mean he didn’t love her?

But then, why had he shown such intense devotion towards her all this time?

What was the meaning behind his actions?

The questions swirled in her mind, leaving her feeling bewildered and uncertain.

Anna found herself unable to provide a satisfactory answer in her mind. Kyren’s response, while comforting and assuring of her position by his side, seemed to cut through her heart like a sharp blade.

A wave of profound disappointment and sadness welled up within her, and she could only divert her gaze away from his captivating look, unable to meet his eyes.

Kyren turned his head down, briefly releasing his grasp on Anna’s hand as he reached into his pocket, hidden beneath his cloak. He retrieved a small red velvet box from within, carefully opening it before her.

"Anna... I want you to wear this," he said, his voice filled with tenderness and anticipation.

Anna’s eyes returned to him, her confusion evident at the sudden appearance of the jewellery. A pair of matching rings were resting inside the box.

"What is this?" she asked, her voice trembling with surprise and curiosity.

"These are our wedding rings," he explained, a hint of emotion in his voice. "I haven’t given you anything since our marriage. It is customary for a husband and wife to have a token to commemorate their vows. I ordered these rings after seeing the admiral the other day. I had intended to give them to you sooner, but we went through an argument. However, upon reflection, I wanted to present them to you in a special place close to my heart. That’s why we’re here tonight."

Anna was rendered speechless, her gaze fixed on the golden ring adorned with intricate, elegant diamonds. The design was both simple and stylish, tailored to her taste.

Tears welled up in her eyes and cascaded down her plump cheeks. They should have been tears of happiness, but the princess knew more of the meaning behind them.

"I asked the jeweller to create a design that was both understated and exclusive because I knew you prefer a more delicate style," Kyren continued, his words struggling to reach Anna’s ears amidst her tears.

The feelings overwhelmed her, and her cries flowed even more freely. This wasn’t the response she had longed to hear from him.

"Hey... don’t cry! This is supposed to be our moment of joy," he gently implored.

"I... I am happy, Kyren," she managed to say, her voice filled with hidden emotions.

The grand duke tenderly wiped away her tears. Then, taking the smaller-sized ring, he carefully slid it onto her right ring finger.

A smile graced his lips as he witnessed the ring finding its rightful place. "It fits you perfectly," he softly remarked, his voice filled with warmth and affection.

"Thank you," Anna sobbed with gratitude.

"Now, it’s your turn," Kyren prompted, causing her to look up with confusion lingering in her eyes. He raised his right hand, displaying his empty ring finger for her to see.

"Oh, right! I’m sorry! I was just so overwhelmed," she apologised, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. The grand duke couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle at her flustered state.

With hands trembling slightly, Anna carefully retrieved the larger-sized ring from the box, her fingers delicately sliding it onto Kyren’s right ring finger. The design of the ring perfectly complemented her own.

"We haven’t completed the ritual yet," Kyren remarked playfully.

"We haven’t? Then, how do we complete it?" Anna asked, her curiosity evident in her straightforward question.

The grand duke gracefully bowed to his petite wife, pulling her into a tight embrace after returning the box to his pocket. Anna’s face flushed, her heart racing, as Kyren’s lips came inches away from hers. Their breaths mingled in the intimate space between them.

"Have you forgotten?" Kyren whispered, his voice laced with desire. "After the groom exchanges ring with the bride, he may seal their union with a kiss... like this."

His lips tenderly brushed against hers, igniting a spark of passion. The kiss deepened as his tongue gently explored the contours of her mouth, savouring the lingering sweetness of the tea they had shared. He then trailed wet kisses along her jawline, descending to the side of her neck.

"Kyren... Kyren... stop!" Anna pleaded, her voice filled with alarm. "No hickeys, please! They’ll leave bruises."

The memory of the day’s commotion jolted her back to reality, preventing her from fully surrendering to his amorous advances. The grand duke quickly raised his head, a tinge of helplessness in his sigh. His face flushed crimson as he released her from his embrace.

"D*mn it! Why must you be so tempting?" he exclaimed in frustration. He wiped his face, attempting to regain his composure. "Forgive me. I nearly lost control."

Kyren’s heart raced, a mix of desire and disappointment coursing through him. He understood the king’s order, but the intensity of their connection left him longing for more.

"We might get in trouble if Their Majesties see new bruises!" Anna warned.

"You’re right," the grand duke acknowledged.

"Let’s go back. It’s already too late," the princess suggested, her tone filled with resignation. "We should hurry."

Anna began walking towards the horse, leaving Kyren behind. The grand duke stood there, his hands on his waist, taking a deep breath as a sense of defeat washed over him.

"Why must I constantly hold back my desires for her? For heaven’s sake, she’s my wife!" he muttered to himself in annoyance.

"Kyren! What are you waiting for?" Anna’s voice called out from a distance, breaking through his thoughts.

"I’m coming!"

They returned to the palace, retracing their steps from when they had left. Upon reaching Anna’s room, Kyren sat at the edge of the bed while his wife changed into a comfortable nightgown.

When she turned to face him, the princess found the grand duke lying on the bed, already removing his boots and outer attire. Only his pants and slightly unbuttoned tunic remained, revealing a glimpse of his well-defined chest.

"Kyren, you should go back to your room!" Anna demanded, her voice filled with concern.

However, the grand duke had already closed his eyes, seemingly unfazed by her words.

"Kyren!" the princess shook his arm, but in an unexpected turn of events, she was pulled down and fell to his side as Kyren took the opportunity to draw her into his warm embrace.

"I’m too tired, Anna. Let me just sleep here..." he lazily murmured, his eyes still shut.

"But..."

Anna’s protests faded away as she realised he wasn’t budging. His hold on her tightened, making it clear that he had no intention of letting her go.

The scent of musk and leather emanating from his chest tickled her nose, a scent she had always found comforting. Slowly, her hand reached up, tentatively touching his firm chest.

At that moment, she wondered how she could break through the walls around his heart and make him truly feel her love. But the question lingered unanswered as her eyelids grew heavy and eventually closed.

A gentle smile formed on Kyren’s lips as he felt Anna no longer stirring in his arms. Eric’s words echoed in his mind. Sometimes, a well-timed white lie could be beneficial.

He pressed a tender kiss upon her head and began to close his eyes, finding solace in their shared warmth and the feelings that had started to blossom between them.

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