The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 156: The Destined Princess For Kyren

Chapter 156: The Destined Princess For Kyren

"Unacceptable! Absolutely unacceptable, Your Majesty!" The woman’s voice reverberated through the air.

King Kyden’s unexpected request and explanation caught her off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless. The surprise elicited a strong reaction from her.

"See? Even Her Majesty, the Queen, agrees with me!" Kyren exclaimed, a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes as he found unexpected support.

Sitting there in stunned silence, Anna struggled to find her voice. The king’s proposal had left her in a state of shock, rendering her unable to articulate her thoughts.

"This decision is made with her safety in mind, Emelda," King Kyden explained, his tone firm.

"Your Majesty, with all due respect, there has never been a concubine in Cassian history, and to make her one would be degrading her status! You cannot do that! A concubine is... is like...," Queen Emelda’s voice trailed off, her words faltering as she struggled to find a suitable comparison.

The weight of the unspoken words hung in the air, highlighting the queen’s sentiment. Kyren and Queen Emelda strongly opposed the notion of reducing Anna’s status to that of a concubine.

From the moment the king introduced his proposal, a disagreement sparked between the two and King Kyden, leading them to reject the request vehemently. Even as the king expressed his genuine concern for Anna and the well-being of the royal family, their opposition remained unwavering.

"If you believe a concubine is akin to a mistress, you are mistaken! I have extensively studied the ancient scrolls and acquired comprehensive knowledge on the matter. A royal concubine holds a position within the royal family, as she belongs to the emperor. The only distinction lies in the fact that a child born from her shall not ascend to the throne and won’t be considered an heir," the king explained in a resolute tone.

"Your Majesty, a concubine cannot bear the family’s surname!" Queen Emelda interjected, rising from her seat with determination.

"Indeed, an ordinary concubine cannot. However, if she is granted the esteemed title of ’Honourable Royal Concubine,’ she can bear the surname," the king countered.

"But Kyren is not the emperor! He does not possess the authority to take in any concubines! The nobles will undoubtedly challenge this decision!" Queen Emelda pressed further, her concern for the potential conflicts evident in her voice.

"He was the Crown Prince, remember? According to the rules of the Ro’an Empire, both the crown prince and the emperor are eligible to have their own harem," the king defended, emphasising the entitlement granted by their empire’s customs.

The queen pressed her temples, feeling the weight of their prolonged and unresolved argument. Despite their lengthy discussion, no agreeable decision had been reached.

Throughout the entire exchange, Anna remained in a state of silence, still reeling from the shock and surprise brought on by the revelation. Her mind struggled to process the gravity of what she had just heard.

"Your Majesty, to have a concubine, even of the highest status, the emperor or the crown prince must have a legal wife first! I cannot take any other woman as my wife! I am already married to Anna!" Kyren asserted.

"Another wife?" Anna finally found her voice, and her face showed a mixture of shock and emotion.

Her eyes widened as she absorbed the information, her heart feeling like it had been struck with a heavy blow. The mere thought of Kyren embracing another woman was unimaginable to her.

"We have a solution to that," the king said, attempting to ease the tension.

"What solution? Please enlighten me, Your Majesty," Queen Emelda inquired, her voice trembling with curiosity and apprehension.

"He won’t have to marry another as I will determine criteria for the candidate that are unachievable by any woman in Cassian. By logic, only the Princess of the Ro’an Empire will be the one who can fulfil it," the king revealed.

Kyren’s face registered utter shock. "Your Majesty!"

"Since when has there been a Princess of the Ro’an Empire? I have never heard of her," Queen Emelda interjected, her confusion evident in her tone.

"There was..." the king’s voice trailed off, leaving an air of mystery and unfinished revelation. His eyes turned to the grand duke. "Kyren had met her before. You and her are supposed to have a fate together. She was destined for you."

Anna’s heart plummeted, shattering into countless pieces. Her eyes welled up with tears, shimmering with disbelief as they trembled with raw emotion.

"How... how can this be? You told me there is no other woman in your life!" The princess exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief and betrayal.

Kyren’s expression twisted with a mixture of guilt and frustration. "There isn’t!"

"But there is someone destined for you! And... and... you were also betrothed to Lady James!" The princess’s voice trembled as she struggled to comprehend the weight of the revelations.

Kyren’s face contorted, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features. "Who told you about the engagement?"

"So it is true! You were hiding it from me!" The princess’s words hung in the air, heavy with hurt and a sense of betrayal.

Queen Emelda let out a weary sigh.

"The rumours spread by the servants have reached our ears. Not only do they undermine Anna’s status, but they also bring to light Kyren’s previous engagement with Lady James," she explained, her tone reflecting the devastation of the situation, making the king and Kyren lost for words.

Tears cascaded down Anna’s cheeks, their silent descent a testament to the immense pain gripping her heart. The revelation had shattered her sense of security, leaving her feeling like an outsider, cast into the shadows of uncertainty. The knowledge of Kyren’s past involvement with other women, previously unknown to her, intensified her feelings of isolation.

Witnessing the depth of his wife’s anguish, the grand duke approached, intending to offer solace apparent in his outstretched hand. However, his attempt to hold her hands was immediately rejected, as Anna withdrew from his touch, seeking solitude in her pain.

"Anna, please, listen to me! Let me explain!" Kyren pleaded, his voice filled with desperation and urgency.

"No! You lied to me! You lied to me!" Anna’s voice echoed through the room as she took backward steps, her eyes brimming with tears. Without hesitation, she turned and fled through the open door, her heartache guiding her escape.

Kyren’s frustration surged, his eyes sharpening as he fixed them upon King Kyden.

"You should never have mentioned the Princess of Ro’an! Look at what you’ve done!"

His anger flared, teeth gritted in annoyance. With determined strides, the grand duke swiftly made his way to the door, intent on pursuing his wife, burdening the king with guilt.

Queen Emelda turned to the king with bewilderment.

"What is this Princess of Ro’an all about, Your Majesty? How is she destined to Kyren? How could you keep this from me?"

Her questions held an undertone of inquiry, seeking answers to the secrets that had been hidden from her.

King Kyden heaved a sigh, realising the magnitude of his mistake. The secret that had been carefully guarded for so long, known only to himself, Kyren, Rafe, and their parents, was now on the verge of being exposed because he had slipped the tongue.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have blurted it out," the king admitted, his voice laden with remorse.

"Are you keeping it from me because you don’t trust me?" Queen Emelda inquired with a tone of disappointment.

"No, Emelda! That’s not it at all!" The king’s frustration was evident as he looked down, his gaze filled with regret. "It’s simply... Kyren’s most sorrowful fate. It’s a secret that I shouldn’t have brought up."

Queen Emelda paused, considering his words. As someone in her position, she understood the boundaries and the delicate nature of some issues that may not be meant for her involvement.

She took a deep breath and responded, "Very well, Your Majesty. I won’t press you further for the details. As your queen, I am here to support you. However, I cannot accept your proposal to make Anna a concubine. Please forgive me."

With a solemn face, she respectfully bowed and withdrew from the room.

King Kyden exhaled, a mix of frustration and sadness washing over him. He only wanted to protect Anna, but his actions inadvertently painted him as the antagonist in this situation.

The king’s mind wandered as he grappled with the weight of the impending problem. He furrowed his brow, realising the gravity of the situation, and made a resolute decision.

"I cannot stand idly by. To ensure Anna’s safety and the security of the royal family, she must become the royal concubine for Kyren!" he proclaimed, his voice filled with determination.

***

With hurried steps, the petite princess dashed along the path, her feet creating a rapid rhythm of taps. Determined to conceal her tear-streaked face, she escaped the confines of the building.

"Anna, wait!" Kyren’s voice echoed from behind, pleading for her to stop, but the princess quickened her pace, desperate to distance herself.

"Go away!" she shouted back at the grand duke, her words laced with anger and hurt.

However, before she could venture further, her slender waist was trapped by his large hands, preventing her escape. He turned her to face him, and Anna struggled against his grip, her voice trembling with defiance.

"Let me go! Let me go, you liar!"

Her fists pounded against his chest in furious protest, but the resolute grand duke held her firmly. With one arm securing her waist and his other hand capturing both of her wrists, he prevented her from breaking free.

"Anna, please, listen to me first. I will explain everything to you. Just give me a chance! Please!" Kyren’s voice pleaded, his eyes filled with sincerity and desperation.

Anna’s chest heaved with each breath, her emerald eyes glistening as she looked up, searching for truth in the grand duke’s face. Scepticism and pain lingered in her expression as she sneered, her voice dripping with bitterness.

"And what are you going to say? Deny everything and claim it’s all a lie?"

"No! I will not deny it. I will tell you the truth," Kyren declared firmly with determination.

Anna’s eyes trembled. She had braced herself for Kyren to dismiss the matter as a fabrication, but his response took her aback. Gradually, she ceased her struggle.

"Let me go first!" she demanded.

Respecting her plea, Kyren released his grip on her, allowing her to step back. The physical distance between them provided a temporary respite.

"Say what you want now!" Anna retorted, crossing her arms defiantly over her chest. She averted her gaze, feigning a sulk as she awaited his explanation.

"First, about the Princess of Ro’an... Do you remember when I told you the circumstances that led me to decide not to ascend the throne?" Kyren posed the question, capturing Anna’s attention.

Curiosity sparked within the princess as she replied, "Yes, I remember. What about it?"

Taking a deep breath, Kyren prepared to share his story.

"When I was seven, my parents took me and His Majesty to Galicia. It was our first time venturing beyond the borders of our kingdom," he began. "During that trip, a group of bandits kidnapped His Majesty and I while we were at a layover near a river. We had wandered away from the group while playing."

Anna regarded Kyren with surprise. Her eyes urged him to provide further details.

"What happened next?" she inquired eagerly.

"The bandits had been tailing us for several days, seemingly intent on kidnapping the Crown Prince of Cassian for a hefty ransom. However, they couldn’t discern which of us was the true crown prince, so they took both of us," Kyren explained as he recalled the incident.

Anna’s eyes widened in shock. Concern was etched across her face as she asked, "Oh, my God! Were you hurt?"

Kyren nodded solemnly.

"We attempted to escape their captivity, but our efforts were in vain. They threatened to harm my brother, and in an attempt to protect him, I was struck on the head with a heavy object and lost consciousness. It was the royal knights who eventually found and rescued us from the clutches of the bandits. However, my injuries were severe, and I fell into a coma that lasted for a month. The healers believed there was no hope for my recovery, that I was destined to die."

"No! It can’t be! You’re alive now!" Anna exclaimed, disbelief and relief intermingling in her voice.

"I stood on the precipice of death," Kyren continued, his expression grave. "In a desperate act, my mother stole my father’s ring and took me away to an isolated island."

Anna’s brow furrowed with confusion as she sought understanding. "But why would she steal the ring?"

"The ring belonged to the last Emperor of Ro’an and was bestowed upon my grandfather by Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress of Ro’an when he assumed the mantle of kingship. It possessed magical properties that allowed us to access the island known as Semeta. The island is forbidden and can’t be entered by anyone else other than the Ro’an descendants and the Mederians," Kyren revealed.

Anna’s curiosity deepened as she asked, "The Mederians? Who are they?"

"The Mederians are the empress’s clan. Throughout history, many Emperors of Ro’an would wed Mederian princesses, making them their empresses. The Mederians possessed their own magical abilities, nearly as remarkable as those of the Ro’an descendants, though not quite superior."

Anna absorbed this newfound knowledge, her features reflecting a mix of fascination and understanding.

"But why did your mother take you to Semeta?"

Kyren’s gaze grew distant as if transported back to that pivotal moment in time.

"She took me there to seek aid from the direct descendant of the Ro’an Emperor, the only one capable of saving my life."

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