The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 160: Proving Her Worth

Chapter 160: Proving Her Worth

Lord James’s brows furrowed with concern, questioning Anna’s demand, "That is a bold claim. Your Majesty, do you absolutely agree with this?"

King Kyden met Lord James’s inquiry with unwavering conviction, recounting his personal experience.

"From my very first encounter with Lady Raychard, she displayed an exceptional command of the language. Her fluency surpassed anyone I had ever conversed with. Not only that, she effortlessly explained a rare word during our conversation, a term even I, myself, was unfamiliar with. I consulted senior scholars who confirmed both its accuracy and definition. They mentioned it belonged to a high-level form of the Ro’an language, one seldom used."

Lord James countered with a hint of scepticism in his voice, "It appears, Your Majesty, that you have already developed a favourable disposition towards her."

Resolute in his commitment to fairness, the king dismissed any notion of bias.

"I assure you, Lord James, my judgment will not be swayed. Let us grant Lady Raychard’s request and allow our best scholars to test her proficiency. This way, we can quell any doubts and satisfy all concerns."

Recognising the potential pressure on Anna, Lord Grey voiced his concern, "Shouldn’t she be given time to prepare? We cannot expect her to perform under such scrutiny without proper readiness. Even those who sit for language examinations require months of preparation."

A small smile formed on Lord James’s lips, his expression suggesting a hint of amusement or intrigue.

Lord James addressed the king, his tone suggesting a willingness to proceed without delay.

"I believe there’s no need for her to prepare anything else. Lady Raychard expressed confidence in her abilities and requested the test herself. Considering the significance of this decision and the title at stake, perhaps it would be best to proceed as she desires. Your thoughts, Your Majesty?"

King Kyden nodded in agreement with Lord James’s proposition.

"I concur with Lord James. We should not unnecessarily prolong the process, especially when all the relevant parties are present."

Kyren let out a disapproving grunt, not due to any lack of confidence in Anna but rather due to his annoyance at the ministers’ attitude. He turned to his wife with a gaze filled with concern, but she reassured him with a steadfast smile, silently assuring him that everything would be fine.

"Summon the scholars immediately," the king commanded. "We shall assemble the finest minds to assess Lady Raychard’s proficiency in the language."

With the king’s order given, the wheels were set in motion to initiate the test, marking the beginning of a pivotal moment that would determine Anna’s eligibility for the coveted title.

Charles and the attendants promptly carried out the king’s demand, summoning the scholars. It took some time, but eventually, the scholars entered the throne hall.

The chief scholars took the lead, followed by their assistants, who carried an array of thick leather-bound books, parchments, and writing tools.

Lord Anson, the lead and the eldest scholar, bowed respectfully to the king and queen, acknowledging their presence. His subordinates followed suit, paying their respects.

"Greetings to the Sun and Moon of Cassian. We’ve been told about the purpose of our summons and are here to serve you. Please inform us of the nature of the test you wish us to administer to Lady Raychard."

King Kyden expressed his gratitude to Lord Anson for his timely response.

"Thank you, Lord Anson, for promptly answering our call. As everyone is aware, Lord Hugh Anson not only served as my esteemed teacher but also tutored the grand duke and my late father, the previous king himself. Furthermore, he holds the esteemed position of chief lead among the scholars in the palace. It is only fitting that he conducts the testing. Is everyone in agreement with his appointment as the tester?" the king inquired, turning to the ministers for their input.

Lord James’s eyes glanced at Sarah, who stood not far away from the queen. Both father and daughter had a happy expression, thinking that the princess couldn’t pass the test.

He then turned to the ministers and said, "I have no objection to this and believe the selection of Lord Anson as the tester is deemed fit. What about all of you?"

Whispers reverberated among the ministers as they engaged in hushed discussions, contemplating the matter at hand. After a brief moment, they reached a unanimous agreement. Their collective response was delivered to the king.

"Good," King Kyden acknowledged their consensus. Addressing the chief scholar directly, he continued, "Lord Anson, today I request that you administer the most challenging test for the Ro’an language to Lady Anna Raychard."

Despite his years, Lord Anson, an aged scholar with a strong presence, raised a concern to the king. "Your Majesty, the most difficult test would be the one typically reserved for the heir to the throne. Are you certain about this?"

The old scholar’s appearance reflected his wisdom and experience. His weathered skin bore the marks of time, his hair long and white, with a slight balding at the front.

Turning to the princess, the king sought Anna’s response. "Anna, what are your thoughts on this matter? Are you up to the challenge?"

The princess maintained her composure and replied steadily, "I have no objections, Your Majesty. However, I must emphasise that my knowledge is limited to the language itself. I am not well-versed in the history of the Ro’an Empire."

Anna exuded quiet confidence derived from her dedication to mastering the Ro’an language. Her relentless pursuit had propelled her beyond the knowledge of her Ardelian teachers, leaving them astounded by her achievements.

Taking note of her assurance, King Kyden affirmed, "You have heard the lady, Lord Anson. Proceed as planned. Let us all witness the extent of her remarkable talent."

Lord Anson acknowledged the king’s instruction with a nod and began his briefing. The tests to be conducted comprised several rounds, starting with answering a few sets of prepared questions, reading a chosen text, writing an essay and finally, an oral examination.

Without delay, a table and chair were swiftly arranged, giving Anna a prominent position in the grand throne hall before the assembled audience.

The test commenced under Lord Anson’s guidance. He assigned one of his scholars to present Anna with a parchment containing a series of challenging questions. The princess efficiently tackled each query, leaving no room for doubt. The chief scholar attentively received her answers, carefully examining each one.

After a thorough evaluation, Lord Anson’s expression brightened, and he wasted no time announcing the result to the eagerly awaiting audience.

"All of the answers provided by Lady Raychard are correct," he proclaimed, his voice resonating with satisfaction.

A collective murmur of astonishment and admiration rippled through the hall. The revelation triggered a wave of shock among the attendees.

Sarah’s eyes widened, her gaze shifting to her companions, mirroring the bewilderment that enveloped her. The realisation that Anna’s claim might indeed been valid had caught her completely off guard.

Undeterred by the unexpected outcome, Lord Anson handed Anna another parchment, signalling for her to proceed with the test. Anna diligently scanned the contents of the parchment with unyielding focus.

With confidence and precision, she answered each question effortlessly, flowing through the task at hand. Once again, Lord Anson collected the parchment upon finishing, meticulously examining Anna’s responses.

The old scholar’s announcement echoed through the hall again, confirming the extraordinary feat.

"Once again, all of Lady Raychard’s answers are correct," he declared, his voice carrying the weight of amazement.

The crowd’s surprise grew with each passing parchment. Anna’s swift and flawless answers to question after question piqued the scholars’ curiosity.

They found themselves captivated by this unparalleled display of knowledge and proficiency, as they had never witnessed anyone navigate the test with such remarkable speed and accuracy.

Lord Anson found himself increasingly intrigued by Anna’s performance. Not a single question had been answered incorrectly, and the princess’s penmanship displayed a remarkable level of precision and elegance.

The selected words were far from ordinary; some were uncommon terms rarely used in everyday speech. The explanations provided were thorough and praiseworthy, showcasing Anna’s deep understanding of the subject matter.

Progressing beyond the initial round of tests, Lord Anson announced the next challenge, "For the next round of tests, we shall assess Lady Raychard’s reading abilities," he declared.

Instructing his assistant, the chief scholar requested a book, specifically choosing the thickest and most weathered tome from the collection his team had brought. With a sense of reverence, the chief scholar opened the aged book, carefully turning its pages until he settled upon a particular Chapter. He then beckoned Anna to read it aloud.

Accepting the book and placing it on the table, the princess confidently commenced her recitation. As the words flowed from her lips, whispers spread among the scholars as if they couldn’t believe what they were hearing.

Not only were her pronunciations impeccably accurate, but she also flawlessly captured the nuances of the speech, including the intricacies of slang and colloquialisms.

Curiosity piqued, Lord James sought confirmation from Lord Anson after she finished reading. "Does she read the text accurately, Lord Anson?" he inquired.

The chief scholar nodded, his expression reflecting awe and affirmation. "Yes, indeed. Her reading is exceptionally accurate," he confirmed.

However, Lord James, harbouring doubt, interjected, "How can you confirm over with just a Chapter from a book?"

Lord Anson turned to him and calmly answered.

"The text that Lady Raychard recited is the most challenging Chapter from the oldest scripture of the Ro’an Empire that we possess," asserted the chief scholar with conviction. "Based on my extensive knowledge, I can assure you that her reading was flawless."

Lord James fell silent, and the ministers who had supported his doubts followed suit, their expressions now serious and contemplative. The room was steeped in a solemn atmosphere, except for Lord Grey, whose delight in Anna’s accomplishment was evident.

Recognising the need to proceed, King Kyden spoke up. "Let us continue with the test," he declared.

Lord Anson nodded in agreement, addressing the next phase.

"For the third round of test, Lady Raychard, I would like you to write an essay comprising two thousand words," he announced.

Curious about the essay’s topic, Anna inquired, "May I know the subject of the essay?"

The chief scholar pondered momentarily, considering Anna’s limited familiarity with Ro’an Empire history. With a thoughtful expression, he responded, "Since you are not well-versed in Ro’an Empire history, perhaps you can write about a random topic."

Anna paused for a brief moment, a flicker of contemplation crossing her face. Then, her countenance brightened, and her eyes filled with determination.

"I believe I know what I should write," she announced.

Turning to Lord Anson, she inquired about the time allotted for the task.

"How long do I have to complete the essay?" she asked.

Lord Anson appeared momentarily confused by the question. "Pardon? Duration?"

Anna clarified her query, asking specifically about the time limit, "I mean, how much time is given to me to finish the essay?"

Lord Anson’s response revealed a lack of predetermined time constraints.

"We have never set a specific duration. As long as the word count is completed, I will accept and examine your answer," he explained.

A determined smile graced Anna’s lips.

"Then I will strive to finish it before the hourglass empties," she declared.

Murmurs of surprise and bewilderment once again rippled through the crowd. Anna’s decision to undertake such a feat within an hour left many astonished and uncertain.

Concerned, Kyren approached Anna, his voice filled with worry.

"Are you absolutely sure about this, Anna? Completing a Ro’an language essay within an hour has never been done before," he cautioned.

Anna met his gaze with a smile.

"Well, I am determined to show everyone I am worthy of you, am I not?" she replied.

Kyren sighed, realising the weight of the task she had taken upon herself.

"I don’t want you to be burdened by this," he expressed, his concern evident.

"Not at all. I have actually done this countless times in Ardel. I call it speed writing, something I used to do out of sheer boredom," Anna confidently responded, her tone revealing a tinge of nonchalance.

Lord James couldn’t help but suppress a scoff. The audacity of this petite lady in her pursuit of victory over the challenge placed before her was undoubtedly annoying him.

The revelation intrigued King Kyden. His eyes shone with excitement.

"This is truly fascinating! We have never witnessed such a race against time in writing! I am eager to watch this display," he exclaimed.

In response to the king’s enthusiasm, an hourglass was promptly brought in and placed on Anna’s table.

"Very well, let us commence," announced Lord Anson, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation as he turned the hourglass, signalling the beginning of the timed challenge.

Anna immersed herself in the task, writing diligently and with unwavering focus. The onlookers, filled with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety, watched in silence as time ticked away, eager to witness the outcome of the challenge.

The sand within the hourglass steadily trickled down, marking the passage of time.

Doubt began to cloud the ministers’ and scholars’ minds as they harboured little optimism about Anna’s ability to complete the daunting task within the allotted time.

However, just before the last grains of sand slipped away, Anna delicately took hold of the parchment and handed it to the attendant standing beside her.

"It is finished," she declared, her voice carrying a note of quiet confidence.

A collective wave of astonishment washed over the spectators, their eyes widening in surprise. Lord James, in particular, wore an expression of heightened anxiety, his nerves becoming increasingly palpable.

Lord Anson, the recipient of the parchment, carefully accepted it and began to examine Anna’s written work. His forehead furrowed as his eyes scanned the text, and his gaze trembled with a mixture of disbelief and awe.

"Oh, my!" he suddenly exclaimed, unable to contain his astonishment at what lay before him.