The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 150: The Familiar Maid

Chapter 150: The Familiar Maid

Noah paced back and forth in front of the closed treatment room, his mind filled with concern.

After the intense discussion with the knights last night in the main lounge of the knights’ quarters, he returned to the treatment room to assess the situation.

However, to his dismay, neither the healer, the healer’s assistant, nor the maid were out. The door remained firmly shut until morning, adding to his growing unease.

The treatment room door finally creaked open as the sun ascended in the sky, casting its warm glow on the surroundings.

Noah, who had been anxiously seated on a nearby bench, swiftly rose to his feet. Rafe emerged from the room, his eyes shadowed by dark circles. Without hesitation, the knight hurriedly approached him.

"How is she?" he asked, his voice tinged with anxiety and worry.

Rafe’s expression softened as he met Noah’s gaze.

"She is safe now," he reassured, his voice carrying a note of calmness. "We had to perform an emergency operation on her leg. There were internal injuries that were causing the fever."

Noah’s tense features relaxed slightly as he let out a breath of relief, grateful for the healer’s reassuring words. He had feared the worst for her, but knowing that she was out of immediate danger brought him a measure of comfort.

Still, questions gnawed at the back of his mind, and he couldn’t help but ask, "Is she... amputated?" His fear of such a devastating outcome was evident in his voice.

The healer’s eyes held a mixture of caution and optimism as he responded, "No, there was no need for amputation," he replied. "The injured leg can be saved. However, I must be honest with you..."

Rafe paused, taking his time to convey the news.

"Miss Canton informed me that she’s a knightess, an escort to Lady Raychard," he began.

"Yes, she is. She’s a knightess of Ardel," said Noah.

The healer nodded slightly with a solemn face.

"The thing is, she may not be able to fulfil her duties as a knightess in the future. She may be able to walk, but the path to her recovery will be long and arduous."

Noah’s shoulders sagged, and his face darkened.

Rafe’s weary eyes reflected a deep understanding of the emotions enveloped the knight’s face. He was acutely aware of the profound disappointment that clouded their expression.

As a healer, he had witnessed firsthand the immense value the knights placed on their abilities and the significance of their roles. The loss of their physical prowess crushed their pride and eroded their indomitable spirit.

Throughout his years of experience, Rafe had encountered numerous knights who, upon being unable to wield their swords due to injuries or sickness, found themselves devastated and adrift, their once bright hope for life dimmed by the shadows of uncertainty.

Noah’s disappointment was evident, but he quickly composed himself, acknowledging the healer’s efforts.

"I understand. You’ve done your best given her circumstances," he said sincerely. "Thank you for your help. Your dedication is truly appreciated."

The healer’s remorse was palpable as he responded, aware of the emotional impact such news could have on a knight.

"I am sorry for the outcome, but please know I will continue providing her the best care possible. We will support her throughout her recovery."

Noah’s gratitude swelled within him as he nodded in acknowledgement, appreciative of the unexpected support he had received.

Despite his past differences with Rafe and Ayden, Noah recognised the significance of their assistance in this critical moment.

Though they had not always seen eye to eye, Noah found it in his heart to set aside their disagreements and focus on the present situation.

Elis emerged from the room, her face pale and marked with exhaustion. Throughout the night, she had tirelessly assisted the healer and his assistant during Clara’s operation.

Her knowledge of herbs and remedies and her resilience in the face of the sight and scent of blood had proven invaluable, easing the burden on the two men.

"Mr Norman mentioned that he’ll be on standby, looking after Dame Verns for now. I’ll go freshen up and then return," Elis informed them, her voice carrying traces of weariness.

Rafe gently intervened.

"You need to rest, Miss Canton. Take your time and rejuvenate. I’ll take over for Mr Norman today, and we can rotate shifts tomorrow. It’s important that you prioritise your own well-being."

Elis nodded in agreement, appreciating his concern. She took a few tentative steps forward, but exhaustion suddenly overcame her, causing her to waver and nearly fall.

In an instant, Noah’s keen reflexes kicked in, and he swiftly caught her before she hit the ground. Startled by his sudden intervention, Elis let out a yelp, panic flashing in her eyes as she pushed against the knight’s arms, desperately trying to free herself.

"Please, let me go! Let me go!"

Surprised by her resistance, Noah quickly released his grip, his eyes filled with confusion and concern.

"I apologise, Miss Canton. You were losing your balance, and I was merely trying to prevent you from falling. I had no other intentions," he explained earnestly, regret lacing his words.

Elis stood before them, her face drained of colour, her hand trembling as she hugged herself, clearly shaken by the recent events.

Rafe and Noah exchanged surprised glances, both taken aback by her distressed demeanour. Just as the tension began to mount, Garin, the burly knight, appeared on the scene, drawn by the sound of commotion.

"What happened? I heard a woman shouting," he inquired urgently. He narrowed his eyes towards the men.

Upon spotting Garin, Elis’s feared expression transformed into profound relief. Seeking solace, she instinctively moved behind the protective figure of the burly knight as if seeking refuge from the unsettling occurrence.

Noah, eager to clarify the situation and clear any misconceptions, stepped forward, his tone earnest.

"I caught her from falling. Her feet were unsteady, and I acted to prevent her from getting hurt. I assure you, I meant no harm."

Garin turned to Elis, his gaze gentle yet probing.

"Miss Canton, is what he says true?" he asked inquisitively.

Still visibly nervous, Elis looked down for a moment, her fingers clutching onto Garin’s tunic, seeking comfort and support. After a brief pause, she nodded, her voice filled with a mixture of apology and apprehension.

"I’m sorry... I was just taken aback. It was a reflexive reaction. I didn’t mean to cause any misunderstanding."

Elis’s grip on Garin’s tunic gradually relaxed, her tense body language easing under the comforting presence of the burly knight. Gratitude rose in her eyes as she looked up at Garin, silently acknowledging his unwavering support.

The knight’s expression softened as he observed Elis’s nervous countenance, his gaze filled with understanding. He took a moment to reflect, recognising the source of her distress.

"It seems you’re exhausted. Allow me to escort you to your room. Come with me, Miss Canton," Garin offered, extending his hand in a gesture of reassurance.

Elis met the knight’s gaze, finding solace in his understanding and kindness. Slowly, she released her grip and accepted his outstretched hand. Together, they walked away, leaving the healer and Noah behind.

Ayden emerged from the room, alerted by the commotion. Concern etched his features as he inquired, "I heard a scream. Is everything alright?"

Rafe, quick to assuage any worries, responded with a reassuring smile. "Everything is fine, Ayden. No need to worry."

"That’s good to hear," the assistant healer nodded, his attention returning to his responsibilities. Mr Amares, could you please inform Mr Foster to arrange for the servant to bring my breakfast here? I’ll have my meal while monitoring the patient."

"Of course," the healer replied, acknowledging Ayden’s request. "I’ll make sure your breakfast is delivered here promptly."

Having worked tirelessly throughout the night, his assistant had remained steadfast in his dedication, faithfully tending to their patient’s needs. Grateful for the unwavering support, Rafe felt responsible for alleviating some of Ayden’s burden by attending to his request.

"Thank you," Ayden expressed his gratitude before returning to the treatment room to resume his dedicated duties.

As he reentered the room, a renewed sense of calm settled over the surroundings.

Rafe turned his attention to Noah, his concern evident in his gaze. He recognised the knight’s exhaustion and realised his need for respite.

With a gentle voice, he advised, "You look like you could use some rest, too. There’s no point in waiting here for now. It will take several days for her to wake up."

Noah nodded, appreciating the healer’s understanding. "All right, then. Please do let me know if anything changes."

The healer nodded in agreement. He watched as the knight made his way away. In his mind, he couldn’t help but replay the incident he had just witnessed. The palpable fear that had washed over Elis when Noah had touched her left an indelible impression, leaving him deep in thought.

"Where have I seen her?" he wondered.

Based on her introduction, he had already learned the woman’s name and was bewildered to know that she was a newly appointed maid from Gerhard’s castle, recommended by Garin.

The knowledge of Kyren’s decision to dismiss all the female servants within his castle and mansion due to a series of incidents that had occurred in the past was known among the members of the knighthood.

Therefore, he couldn’t comprehend why the knight dared to request the castle steward to hire her. However, it was not the right moment to ask.

As Rafe pondered Elis’s frightened reaction, a flicker of recognition danced in his eyes. The gears of his memory spun, desperately searching for the missing pieces. Then, like a bolt from the blue, a forgotten recollection emerged, illuminating his thoughts.

"Ah!" Rafe exclaimed. "I know who she is! No wonder she was so afraid!"

A wave of realisation washed over him, bringing with it a sense of worry for Elis. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place, revealing a startling truth.

"Oh, dear!" he muttered under his breath. "How did she end up here instead?"

The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Rafe’s mind as he contemplated the reason for Elis’s presence.

A rush of questions flooded his thoughts, leaving him wondering and curious about her circumstances.