The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 151: The Malicious Gossip

Chapter 151: The Malicious Gossip

Anna’s hurried steps carried her further down the hallway, the echoes of words and laughter from the ladies-in-waiting reverberating in her mind. Overwhelmed by their cruel remarks, she longed to escape their hurtful presence.

The palace walls seemed to close in on her, suffocating her spirit and compelling her to seek solace elsewhere. Determined to find a respite from the turmoil, she hurried toward a door that led outside, yearning for a breath of fresh air.

Stepping out, Anna found herself in an isolated yard, a hidden sanctuary from the disturbance. She walked along the cobblestone path, seeking refuge from the scorching morning sun.

Eventually, she discovered a majestic tree, its branches stretching protectively overhead. Seeking shade beneath its leafy canopy, she sat down, clutching her shawl tightly around her shoulders.

The gentle autumn breeze caressed and gently tousled her long, auburn hair. Her face filled with profound sadness as she dwelled on Sarah and her companions’ hurtful words.

She had never anticipated their malicious intentions, and words cut deep into her heart. The memory of the queen’s statement about Kyren having numerous admirers haunted her thoughts.

She had only seen a few of them, leaving her to wonder about the extent of her husband’s fan base. Now, the reality of being the wife of the grand duke became painfully clear to her. The position came with challenges, as Kyren’s countless admirers would not simply fade away upon learning of their marriage.

Was the betrothal between Kyren and Sarah indeed true?

Why had Kyren never revealed this to her?

And what about his intentions in marrying her?

The sudden reversal of the grand duke, who had vowed celibacy three years prior, was it solely to save her life?

Were the rumours true that a marriage with a slave was never acknowledged in Cassian?

Overwhelmed by the surge of unanswered inquiries, Anna’s emotions reached a breaking point. The onslaught of uncertainty and doubt consumed her, causing her anxiety to intensify.

At that moment, Anna felt an overwhelming urge to scream, to release the pent-up frustration and confusion that plagued her. The flood of questions seemed insurmountable, leaving her feeling lost and vulnerable.

"Hey, have you heard the news?"

Anna’s attention snapped to the unexpected voice piercing the tranquillity behind the trees. Curiosity piqued, she turned towards the source and discovered two maids engrossed in their tasks of hanging clothes on the drying pole.

Caught up in their conversation, one maid eagerly responded, "What news?"

The companion maid’s voice carried a mixture of surprise and disbelief as she shared the gossip, "About His Highness, the grand duke! I heard that he has married a slave."

The revelation sent shockwaves through Anna’s already tumultuous emotions. She listened intently with surprise as they mentioned a private matter about her.

"No, how can that be? Royalties don’t marry someone of such low status," the maid scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. "Do you even know what slaves are? They are considered lower than commoners, and most female slaves are forced into pr*stitution!"

Anna’s face contorted at the maid’s derogatory comments.

"Lower your voice! Someone might hear you!" The first maid cautioned, glancing around anxiously to ensure their conversation remained discreet. "But it’s true! I overheard the servants who attended to them yesterday. His Highness brought her here to present her to His Majesty. However, it didn’t take long for her to be in the throne hall. She was swiftly escorted out."

The second maid let out an exasperated sigh. Her disbelief was evident.

"Goodness... His Majesty might be rejecting her. A marriage with a slave? It’s utterly preposterous! With all the noble ladies of high standing, why would His Highness choose her?"

Curiosity tugged at the second maid’s intrigue as the first maid closed in.

"There’s more to the story. Do you want to know?"

Eagerly, the second maid nodded.

Leaning conspiratorially, the first maid whispered, "They say she intentionally consumed an aphrodisiac and sneaked into His Highness’s tent at the camp. It left him with no choice but to marry her to protect his honour. If she had died in his bed, he would have been accused of r*pe and m*rder!"

"My God! That is so daring of her!"

"Yes! And the slave has the audacity to boast about having green eyes, the very same colour as the revered first Ro’an Emperor!"

A wave of indignation washed over the first maid as she responded, her voice filled with disbelief and outrage.

"How dare she mock His Imperial Majesty by flaunting such a coincidental resemblance! It’s an insult to Cassian!"

Anna’s heart sank even further as she listened to the maids’ conversation. The weight of their words, filled with scorn and disdain, added another layer of sadness to her already heavy emotions.

Suddenly, a new voice pierced through the air, interrupting the tense exchange.

Another maid had appeared, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

"What are you two talking about?" she asked the two maids.

Sensing trouble, one of the existing maids hastily denied their conversation, attempting to brush off any wrongdoing.

"Nothing!" one of the maids said.

But the newcomer was not so easily deceived.

"I heard you! You were bad-mouthing the wife of His Highness, the Grand Duke, weren’t you?"

Defiance tinged the retort of the defiant maid.

"So what if I did? What are you going to do about it?"

The newcomer’s response was swift, laced with disappointment and admonishment.

"Don’t you have any shame? As someone who has worked in the palace for longer, you should be well aware of the rules and regulations governing our conduct. If any of Their Majesties’ close confidants were to hear you, you would face severe reprimand!"

Anna’s attention shifted to the newcomer maid, a glimmer of gratitude emerging amidst her turmoil. Though the weight of the negative words still lingered, it was a reminder that not everyone would succumb to the whispers of gossip and prejudice.

The defiant maid scoffed dismissively, refusing to be silenced.

"Huh! Don’t you dare tell us what we can or cannot discuss. That slave woman is nowhere near His Highness’s level. How could she possibly become his wife? If there’s anyone who could match him, it’s undoubtedly Lady James! Everyone knows their story. They’ve been together since His Highness was the Crown Prince!"

A hint of scepticism tinged the new-coming maid’s response. "But they didn’t end up getting married, did they?"

The first maid shook her head vehemently, her conviction unwavering.

"There is no way His Highness would choose anyone other than Lady James. I believe this marriage with the slave is just a pretence, a means for him to fulfil his desires as a man."

The conversation took an unexpected turn as the third maid interjected.

"That can’t be! His Highness publicly announced his intention to remain celibate three years ago!"

The first maid let out her stand.

"That was merely an excuse, a result of his devastation following the previous king’s death. That’s why the betrothal was annulled. He was mourning! It’s only a matter of time before he reunites with Lady James."

Anna listened intently to their exchange, her mind swirling with emotions. The mention of Lady James and the lingering connection between her and Kyren stung her heart deeply.

"Yes... yes! You’re absolutely right! It’s widely known that Lady James is the epitome of perfection for His Highness!" agreed the second maid, nodding emphatically.

The third maid said, her voice filled with conviction, "I actually had the opportunity to meet Lady Raychard this morning. I saw with my own eyes His Highness embracing her on the bed. He even requested a good morning kiss before he left the room! It’s clear to me that their connection runs deep. I could see his genuine care for his wife in his eyes."

The first maid, clearly displeased with the newcomer’s perspective, scoffed dismissively. "You’re new here. You know nothing!"

Unfazed, the third maid stood her ground, her voice filled with determination.

"I may be new, but that doesn’t make me blind or ignorant. I can discern true affection when I see it. Besides, Lady Raychard has shown nothing but kindness. She even apologised to me and my fellow friend for a misunderstanding!"

The first maid’s tone turned sharp as she retorted, "That’s because she’s a pretender! Don’t be fooled by her act!"

The third maid’s voice quivered with defiance. "I don’t believe you!"

The first maid sneered, "Suit yourself! Once news of this marriage reaches the nobles, they won’t be offering any support to His Highness! If he had any sense, he would sever ties with that woman before the nobles abandoned the royal family. She will only bring him misfortune!"

With a final disparaging glance, the maid and her companion turned on their heels, leaving the other maid with a bitter expression etched upon their faces. The third maid also departed in a different direction.

Anna was left feeling isolated and despondent. Her shoulders drooped, tears streaming down her reddened cheeks.

"So it’s true..." Anna sobbed, her voice filled with anguish. "He did become engaged to her..."

Her heart throbbed painfully as disappointment washed over her. The princess’s gaze fell downward, fixating on the golden ring adorning her finger.

She had wanted to believe Kyren’s words more than anything — that there was never another woman in his life besides her. Yet, the maids’ conversation had confirmed the truth, shattering her fragile hopes.

In her vulnerability, Anna sank with a single burning question — How could she protect her love for Kyren?

Her tears kept falling, and her cries echoed in the desolate yard.

Just then, a sudden voice emerged from behind the tree, catching Anna off guard.