The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 158: The King And Anna’s Plan

Chapter 158: The King And Anna’s Plan

As the gentle sound of Kyren’s snoring filled the tranquil room, Anna slowly opened her eyes. She turned her head to gaze at the slumbering man beside her. The grand duke was undoubtedly fast asleep, his features peaceful and relaxed.

With a careful movement, Anna lifted her upper body and gently nudged Kyren’s strong arm draped over her waist. A faint moan escaped his lips, causing the princess to freeze momentarily.

She scrutinised the grand duke’s face, relieved he remained blissfully lost in his dreams. Taking a pillow, she delicately manoeuvred Kyren’s arm onto it, replacing her presence.

Glancing towards the window, Anna noticed that the light in the king’s private library was still illuminated, indicating that King Kyden was still there. She tiptoed towards the door with cautious steps, quickly donning a robe.

She opened the door silently, ensuring it closed behind her without making a sound. Assured that the coast was clear, she hurried down the corridor and headed towards the library.

King Kyden rested his chin on his wrist, his gaze fixed on the space before him. Despite the late hour, sleep eluded him, his mind consumed by the recent argument with Kyren and Queen Emelda.

He pondered tirelessly, searching for a resolution that would not endanger anyone’s well-being. The weight of the impending meeting with the ministers added further pressure to his restless thoughts.

Suddenly, a series of knocks reverberated through the door, breaking the stillness of the night. It was highly unusual for anyone to disturb him at such a late hour unless it was an urgent matter.

"Who is it?" he inquired, his voice carrying a hint of weariness.

From outside, a soft, muffled voice replied, its words indistinguishable. Intrigued, King Kyden approached the door and opened it, his eyes widening in astonishment at the sight before him. Standing there was Anna, her presence unexpected yet welcomed in this solitary moment.

"Anna, what brings you here at such a late hour?" inquired King Kyden, his voice brimming with curiosity.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Anna responded respectfully. "I noticed the light in your private library was still on, and I assumed you were still here. May I have a moment with you if you don’t mind?"

"Not at all. Please come in," the king replied, opening the door wider to allow the princess to enter the room.

"Thank you. I assure you, I won’t take up much of your time," Anna expressed, her voice gentle and sincere.

"Please, have a seat first," the king invited, gesturing towards a comfortable settee. He closed the door behind them, creating an atmosphere of privacy.

They both took their places, settling face-to-face. King Kyden looked up at Anna, awaiting her explanation.

"What is it that you wish to discuss with me?" he inquired, his expression attentive.

"I would like to begin by apologising for my impulsive actions and running away before. I was overwhelmed by my emotions and couldn’t think clearly," Anna humbly requested forgiveness.

"There is no need for apology. It was a challenging situation," King Kyden reassured her, his voice filled with understanding.

"I’m sure Your Majesty has been unable to sleep, consumed by thoughts of this predicament," Anna ventured.

A faint smile graced King Kyden’s face, though the weight of his worries was evident. He endeavoured to maintain composure despite the burden on his shoulders.

"I have been contemplating a solution that would benefit everyone involved," the king admitted.

"The reason I sought this meeting is also related to this matter. However, before I delve into the main point, may I ask you a few questions?" Anna requested.

"Of course. Please proceed," King Kyden encouraged, his attention entirely focused on Anna.

"I am curious about the criteria that would make me a suitable legal wife for Kyren in the eyes of the people of Cassian," she inquired.

"Typically, a high social status and a noble lineage would be expected. However, in your case, neither of those factors is considered acceptable," the king replied honestly.

"Because I’m the daughter of King Adhemar IV, right?"

"Indeed, despite your royal status, the people would not accept you once the truth about you is revealed. Your association with the traitor’s lineage, coupled with the unfortunate incident of being captured by slave traders, has branded you as a slave, the lowest status in society and an enemy," King Kyden explained.

Anna contemplated his words with a pensive expression.

"Is there no way we can simply bury all of this, and I can quietly remain in Gerhard?" she proposed, hoping for a more straightforward solution.

"That was Kyren’s initial plan," the king acknowledged, "but it is not viable. To keep the secret hidden, you must be constantly vigilant and keep yourself secluded. The more you remain hidden, the more people will become suspicious and endeavour to uncover information about you. Eventually, the truth will be revealed."

Anna nodded, acknowledging the truth in the king’s words. She knew all too well how much attention Kyren garnered, particularly from the ladies. If her true identity were to be discovered, it would spread throughout Cassian and also Ardel, potentially even reaching Kaizer’s ears. The risk was too significant to take.

"You are right. It is not a viable plan," Anna conceded with resignation. "But even if I were to become his concubine in this situation, wouldn’t it yield the same outcome?" she inquired, seeking further clarity.

"It’s not entirely the same. Many Cassian ladies aspire to become the Grand Duchess, a position that a concubine will never attain. While they may feel disheartened upon learning that the grand duke already has a woman in his life, the position of the Grand Duchess remains vacant. Moreover, the fact that Kyren has opened his heart to you would give them hope that he may eventually accept a legal wife as well," King Kyden explained, offering a glimmer of potential understanding.

Anna considered his words, her brows furrowing slightly.

"But wouldn’t any of them still desire to become his concubine?" she questioned.

"They wouldn’t. The position of a royal concubine, though part of the royal family, is traditionally held by either a slave or a prisoner-of-war. As a result, no family would willingly lower their status to such a degree, as it would tarnish their reputation within society," the king elucidated. "That’s why I’m proposing the title to you. In the end, if your real identity as the daughter of the enemy is revealed, no one can question your position."

"I understand," Anna replied softly.

The princess took a moment to gather her thoughts before posing her next question.

"What if Kyren insists on keeping me as his legal wife, even after everyone knows the truth about me? What would happen then?" she inquired.

"As I have previously explained, such a decision would have far-reaching consequences for the royal family. The nobles would withdraw their support, and the kingdom would be thrown into turmoil with protests and unrest. It would be extremely challenging for me to manage the situation, as Kyren would be seen as defying long-standing customs."

The king paused, looked at the princess with a worried expression, and then continued.

"In order to appease the dissent, the only viable option would be to strip him of his title as the Grand Duke of Gerhard. Furthermore, he would no longer hold the position of Knight Commander," King Kyden explained with a heavy sigh, his voice reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Anna’s eyes widened in concern and disbelief. "No! The knighthood means everything to him! They are like his family," she exclaimed with genuine worry.

"You have observed that as well during your time living with them for the past few months," the king acknowledged. "That is precisely why I am deeply concerned about his decision. He knows the potential consequences yet remains adamant, and I cannot sway his perspective."

Anna’s heart sank, the weight of guilt settling upon her.

"I cannot allow Kyren to lose everything he has because of me. It is too great a sacrifice," she declared firmly. She then shifted her focus, her mind exploring a different angle.

"This princess from the Ro’an Empire... is it true she has died? What if there is another princess apart from the destined one?"

A solemn expression crossed the king’s face.

"There can never be another princess," he responded firmly. "According to my mother, the daughter of the last emperor also passed away shortly after her child’s death. Thus, there are no longer any direct descendants of the Ro’an Empire."

"There’re none?" asked Anna with surprise.

The king shook his head.

"However, this knowledge is kept strictly confidential. If the people were to discover the truth, it would devastate them. They still believe that the direct descendant of the Ro’an Empire will one day return to the continent and reclaim power."

"Oh, my... that explains why they don’t return," Anna murmured understandingly. "But what about the other descendants? Are there still others who can claim some connection to the Ro’an Empire?"

"There may be others, although we cannot be certain," the king admitted. "However, they are not considered direct heirs of the last emperor. While they are respected and hold high status, the entitlement of the Prince and Princess of Ro’an only belongs to the direct lineage. The last emperor had only one child with the empress."

"Then, how will you convince the ministers that Kyren would take a legal wife with the criteria of that Princess of Ro’an? This is already like deceiving them. Even Her Majesty, the queen, was unaware of her existence."

"I have a way of manipulating that. You don’t have to worry about it."

Anna took a deep breath, steeling herself for the decision she was about to make. She turned to King Kyden with unwavering determination in her eyes.

"Then, Your Majesty, please summon me tomorrow. I will properly introduce myself, and you will declare me as Kyren’s concubine," she requested.

The king’s eyes widened in surprise. "You are willing to do this?" he asked, seeking confirmation.

Anna nodded resolutely.

"I don’t see any other way. I cannot bear the thought of Kyren losing everything because of me. It doesn’t matter what position I hold, as long as I can be with him," she declared passionately.

The king studied her momentarily, realising the depth of her commitment. "Are you certain about this? Once I make the proclamation, it cannot be withdrawn," he cautioned, concerned for her well-being.

"I am fully aware of the consequences, Your Majesty. I do not mind if my children with Kyren do not have the right to the throne or are considered his heir. It holds no importance to me. All I want is a quiet and happy life with him, even though he cannot love me," Anna asserted.

Curiosity piqued, the king inquired, "What did Kyren tell you?"

"He shared with me the story of his kidnapping when he was seven years old, the grave injuries he sustained, and how the daughter of the last emperor saved him. He also mentioned the binding spell that connects him to the Princess of Ro’an, preventing him from falling in love with any other woman," Anna explained with a tone of sadness.

"Is that all he mentioned to you?" he asked, suspecting that Kyren had not disclosed the full extent of the situation.

Anna nodded, her eyes downcast. "Yes, it is," she confirmed.

"I see..." King Kyden sighed softly, aware that there was still part of the binding spell that had been left unsaid. However, he did not have the heart to burden Anna with the complete truth, especially considering her willingness to become the grand duke’s concubine.

"Thank you, Anna, for agreeing to this. I feel a sense of relief knowing that you are willing to take on this role. However, I must warn you that Kyren will likely be furious when he discovers our decision. We need to be prepared," the king cautioned, a mixture of gratitude and concern in his voice.

"I will do my best to coax him and help him understand, Your Majesty. Please trust me in this," Anna assured him, determination shining in her eyes.

"Thank you, once again," the king expressed his sincere gratitude.

"Then, with your permission, I shall take my leave. I’ll see you tomorrow," Anna said respectfully, preparing to depart from the king’s presence.

The king nodded in acknowledgement and walked with her to the door, a sense of gratitude swelling within him. As they reached the threshold, he couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming appreciation for his remarkably understanding sister-in-law.

Inside his heart, he whispered a silent prayer of thanks for her presence in their lives. Her selflessness and unwavering support gave him hope that they could navigate the challenges that lay ahead. He bid her farewell with a deep sense of gratitude, knowing they were fortunate to have her by their side.

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