The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 149: A King’s Concern

Chapter 149: A King’s Concern

"What is it that you wish to discuss with me?" Kyren inquired, his voice filled with curiosity as he faced the king.

King Kyden lifted his gaze from the report that his brother had submitted, his eyes meeting Kyren’s.

The private library provided an atmosphere of refined elegance and intellectual pursuits. The walls were adorned with richly bound books, their spines lining the shelves meticulously organised by subject. Soft, warm sunlight bathed the room, casting a gentle glow that accentuated the beauty of the surroundings.

Seated at his ornate wooden table, King Kyden exuded an air of authority, his posture commanding respect. The intricately carved details of the chair he sat upon added to the regal ambience of the space. The scent of aged parchment and leather-bound tomes filled the air, evoking a sense of knowledge and history.

As Kyren approached the settee, he settled into its plush cushions, easily crossing his legs. His relaxed posture conveyed both comfort and confidence, his hand gracefully draped on the armrest.

The grand duke’s presence exuded refined sophistication and a poised demeanour, reflecting his high stature within the kingdom.

Setting aside the rolled report, King Kyden rose from his chair and made his way towards the opened door leading to the serene veranda. His invitation to breakfast was accompanied by a warm smile directed at his brother, Kyren.

"Let’s indulge in some breakfast first. I have it all served for us here," the king declared, extending an invitation to join him.

Stepping out onto the veranda, King Kyden settled into a comfortable chair. The morning sunlight cast a gentle glow upon the scene. A table adorned with a sumptuous spread of food had been carefully arranged, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Observing the absence of attending servants, Kyren couldn’t help but remark, a hint of amusement in his voice, "I suppose you wanted our conversation to remain private, hence the lack of attendants."

King Kyden poured his brother a steaming cup of coffee, a gesture of familiarity and warmth. With a knowing smile, he responded, "You know me all too well."

Seated face to face, they began their meal in companionable silence, savouring the delectable flavours of the cuisine before them. The peaceful ambience of the veranda provided a backdrop for their discussion, allowing them to enjoy the food.

"The delegations of Ardel’s ambassadors are still here, and they are currently accommodated in the guestrooms of the east wing," King Kyden initiated the conversation.

"What is your point exactly?"

King Kyden paused momentarily, his eyes searching his brother’s face before continuing.

"The alliance that they requested... I intend to present their request to the royal council for thorough discussion this coming Monday," the king explained, his voice carrying a hint of contemplation. "I value your perspective on this. What are your thoughts?"

Kyren plucked a grape from the cluster, savouring its sweet juiciness as he chewed. The burst of flavour filled his mouth, momentarily distracting him from the weighty conversation at hand.

He replied with an air of nonchalant detachment, his tone laced with indifference, "That’s political matters, Your Majesty. I prefer not to involve myself in such affairs. It’s what you have your ministers for. Let them rack their brains on it. After all, it’s their job."

King Kyden sighed.

"Kyren, please. This is not just for me. It’s for the sake of Cassian, our kingdom. I am doing this on your behalf as well. Shouldn’t you be the one sitting on the throne, contemplating these matters instead of me?"

Kyren’s gaze hardened as he responded firmly, "I willingly handed the throne to you. You are more suited for handling these tasks than I am. Let us no longer dwell on the matter of previous succession."

The king reminded his brother, "You promised me you would help, didn’t you?"

"I did, didn’t I?! Who spent months at the border for you? And who did the dirty bidding when you had that audacious idea to open our kingdom to international trade?" Kyren retorted, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration.

Recognising his brother’s loyalty and support, King Kyden softened his tone, appealing to Kyren’s sense of camaraderie. "I know you did. So help me in this one, too."

Giving in to his brother’s persistence, Kyren sighed and relented, his tone resigned. "All right, all right! What is it that’s been bothering you?"

As they settled into a more receptive conversation, King Kyden shared the concern weighing his mind.

"As I mentioned yesterday, a new king has ascended the throne in Ardel. His name is King Kaizer Ronan, formerly the Prime Minister of their kingdom. During the mourning period, he held the position of regent."

Kyren took a moment to absorb the information.

"So, what is your concern?" he inquired, trying to ascertain the underlying issue.

"We lack substantial information about this new king, and what troubles me further is that the ambassadors’ delegations are of mixed blood, hailing from the southern regions," King Kyden explained.

"Bargesians?" Kyren interjected.

The king nodded, confirming his brother’s guess. The revelation added another layer of complexity to the situation, as the Bargesians held a complicated history with their kingdom.

"They admitted as much when I inquired about their noticeable appearance. They revealed that their ancestors resided along the southern borders of Ardel and Barges. Moreover, they conveyed their experiences of being outcasted for their mixed lineage by both the Bargesians and Ardelians," King Kyden elaborated.

Kyren listened attentively, his brow furrowing as he processed the implications. "And what exactly is your point in all of this?" he asked, seeking clarification.

The king took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding.

"Consider this. We are aware of the deteriorating state of Barges land due to the curse of His Imperial Majesty and the savagery of the barbarians in the south. Given such circumstances, it is logical to assume that Bargesians, with limited land to occupy, would seek to breach Ardel’s borders first, as it is their only neighbouring kingdom," King Kyden explained with a mix of caution and analysis.

He continued, emphasising his main concern. "So, my point is, in such a precarious situation, why would a newly risen king choose to align himself with this group of mixed-blood individuals? It would not contribute positively to his reputation, nor would it help him gain the trust and support of the true Ardelians. Shouldn’t that be the primary concern for a new king?"

Kyren nodded, acknowledging the validity of his brother’s perspective.

"You raise a legitimate opinion. Did the delegations provide any insight into this matter during your discussions with them?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"The ambassador stated that the new king is benevolent enough to value their talents rather than their bloodline. In return, they have pledged their loyalty to him," King Kyden replied, recounting his conversation with the ambassador.

The grand duke chuckled sceptically, his amusement evident.

"Sounds too good to be true," he remarked.

"It’s possible," the king countered. "Even within your own knighthood, you have individuals with diverse backgrounds and unique abilities."

Kyren reluctantly conceded, his tone slightly softened. "Fine, then. What exactly did they offer to us?"

King Kyden proceeded to share the details of the ambassador’s proposition.

"They offered an equivalent share of knowledge in the field of treatment and medicine, which aligns well with Ardel’s strengths. Additionally, their king expressed a willingness to pledge loyalty to the Ro’an Empire."

The grand duke nodded thoughtfully. "The first part of their offer does sound intriguing. It could greatly benefit our kingdom," he mused.

"Yes, indeed," agreed the king. "As a gesture of goodwill, their king has also offered to sponsor those fluent in the Ro’an language to study in Engarth."

Kyren’s curiosity deepened as he inquired further, his voice laced with caution. "And what do they want from us? What is the catch in this alliance?"

"Their main request is protection from the Bargesians. The land rampaging has already begun at the border of their kingdom, and with a new kingship that doesn’t originate from the Adhemar bloodline, their support from Galicia and Dracor is waning," King Kyden explained, his tone tinged with concern.

Kyren’s expression hardened as he pieced together the puzzle.

"So, they have turned to us, the kingdom strong enough to face the Southerners for support and security," he concluded, his voice filled with a mix of understanding and resolve.

"What are your thoughts on this matter?" King Kyden inquired, seeking his brother’s perspective.

Kyren’s mind drifted as he contemplated the situation, his expression thoughtful.

"Anna, too, had been pursued by the Bargesians. She claimed to come from Constance. If the southerners have the audacity to breach the borders all the way to the capital, then it is indeed alarming," he remarked.

King Kyden probed further. "They reached as far as Constance?" he asked, his tone filled with genuine interest.

The grand duke shook his head, clarifying his previous statement.

"I’m just speculating since she’s from there. I don’t have concrete information about what transpired," he admitted, his words laced with uncertainty.

The king’s eyes narrowed as a thought struck him. "Anna might know the new king and the issues surrounding the Bargesians. Can’t we approach her for more information?" he suggested.

"I don’t believe she will be forthcoming. She made it clear that she had nothing left there and was unwilling to talk about her kingdom and past details, fearing I might react impulsively and launch an attack as she doesn’t want to see any bloodshed," he replied, his tone laced with disappointment.

King Kyden sighed, recognising the delicate nature of the situation.

"She has an Adhemar bloodline in her veins. It’s possible for her to have such fear. We must respect her wishes, then," he stated firmly. "So, do you think forcing an alliance with them is worth it?"

"It was once Anna’s kingdom," Kyren reflected. "If you decide to form the alliance, I will not stand in your way," he stated decisively. "However, I implore you not to disclose to the delegations the fact that their princess is my wife. I’m concerned that it would only complicate matters further as the new king is not of Adhemar’s lineage."

King Kyden nodded understandingly, fully grasping the weight of Kyren’s request.

"Rest assured, I will keep her identity hidden. Anna possesses the pure serum in her blood, and it is crucial to keep her safe," he affirmed, recognising the significance of the princess’s unique abilities and the potential risks involved.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The king’s smile was etched, his heart warmed by the genuine kindness he had witnessed in his new sister-in-law. Meeting her had exceeded his expectations, revealing her modesty, compassion, and strong moral values.

"It’s clear that she has come to know you quite well. I can see the depth of your protectiveness towards her," the king remarked, observing the bond between Kyren and Anna.

The grand duke’s gaze drifted into the distance, his mind filled with memories of Anna’s radiant face. He found himself captivated by her tenderness, grace, occasional stubbornness, and a unique charm that set her apart from any other woman he had encountered, making him form a sincere smile.

Observing Kyren’s grin and the fondness in his eyes, King Kyden couldn’t help but inquire, "You truly care for her, don’t you?"

A flicker of determination sparked in the grand duke’s eyes as he responded, his voice firm, "She is my wife, after all."

The king hesitated, sensing the sensitivity of the subject he was about to broach. "Kyren, about that..." he began cautiously.

Interrupting him, Kyren’s voice held an unwavering resolve, "If you’re going to bring up the matter of concubinage, I’m going to leave. I won’t entertain that discussion."

"I am only thinking about you and her sake," King Kyden expressed sincerely.

"I can’t do that to her, Your Majesty. We’re married! I took an oath before God!"

The king raised his hands in a placating manner, emphasising his intentions.

"Please understand, Kyren, I am not against your marriage. I respect and value the commitment you both share."

Kyren’s eyes reflected his deep-rooted principles as he responded firmly, "In the history of Cassian, there has never been a concubine. How can you suggest such a thing to my wife?"

With a slightly solemn tone, King Kyden offered a historical perspective, "You are correct. In Cassian history, concubines have never been part of our customs. However, it should be noted that some of the Ro’an Emperors did have concubines."

Kyren’s frustration grew, his voice tinged with exasperation.

"And then what? If I were to accept such an arrangement, wouldn’t the ministers pressure me to take a legal wife, would they?"

"I assure you, I won’t allow that to happen. I will protect your marriage and your choice. Your happiness is of utmost importance to me."

Kyren’s scepticism lingered as he replied, "With all due respect, Your Majesty, I find that hard to believe. The ministers and court will have their own opinions and agendas. I cannot agree to this proposal. It goes against everything I hold."

The air hung heavy with the weight of their differing perspectives. Both individuals were driven by their convictions, grounded in their own sense of honour and duty.

Just then, a knock came to the door...