The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 161: A Remarkable Success

Chapter 161: A Remarkable Success

Growing increasingly impatient, Lord James addressed the scholar with urgency.

"What is it, Lord Anson? Did she miswrite it or fail to complete the challenge?" he inquired.

The chief scholar vigorously shook his head in response.

"No, quite the contrary!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with awe. "I have never witnessed such an extraordinary essay in all my years. The quality of her writing and the usage of terminology are on par with the magnificent prose of His Imperial Majesty!"

Unable to believe what he heard, Lord James approached Lord Anson and snatched the parchment from his hands. As his eyes scanned the words upon it, they trembled with disbelief. However, despite his efforts, he could not comprehend any intricate markings adorned the page.

In search of further confirmation, Lord James turned to Lord Anson, seeking reassurance.

"Are you absolutely certain about this?" he asked, his voice laced with scepticism.

Lord Anson’s response was resolute.

"Without a shadow of a doubt, yes!" he affirmed.

With a solemn expression, Lord James returned the parchment to Lord Anson’s possession and retreated to his place among the observers.

King Kyden sought clarification for his curiosity.

"Lord Anson, I am eager to know. What did Lady Raychard write in her remarkable essay?" he inquired.

"The content of the essay appears to be a love letter addressed to His Highness, the Grand Duke," the chief scholar responded, his voice filled with certainty. "The prose and writing style bear a striking resemblance to His Imperial Majesty’s love letters to Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress."

Concern arose among the ministers, suggesting the possibility of cheating and the act of copying those treasured letters. Kyren, unable to tolerate such an accusation, raised his voice in protest.

"That is absurd!" he exclaimed, his tone filled with anger.

Lord Anson swiftly countered the accusation, dismissing it as impossible.

"It is simply not feasible. All His Imperial Majesty’s writings are securely held within the archives of the palace’s royal library, carefully guarded by scholars as they represent the remnants of his esteemed legacy. They are not accessible to anyone without our knowledge," Lord Anson explained firmly.

Kyren added further support to the argument, providing a decisive refutation, "My wife arrived in Gantz only a few days ago. She can’t have even had any opportunity to look at those letters. Even if His Majesty had granted permission, as Lord Anson mentioned, the responsible scholar would have been well aware. Moreover, how could anyone memorise such intricate text and flawlessly reproduce it within such a short timeframe?" Kyren reasoned.

The weight of evidence and reason silenced the concerns momentarily, leaving the room in a contemplative hush.

"Your Highness, I assure you the writing is not a copy. I was just saying the style is similar, as it has beautiful words and exquisite prose. The content is definitely not the same," said Lord Anson.

King Kyden, intrigued by the discussion, politely requested to look at the parchment. However, before Lord Anson could pass it to Charles, the grand duke swiftly snatched it from his hands, surprising the chamberlain.

"Your Highness!" Charles exclaimed, his expression filled with bewilderment.

The grand duke justified his actions with a confident tone.

"Lord Anson stated that this is a love letter addressed to me. Therefore, it rightfully belongs to me. Shouldn’t I be the first to read it?" he asserted.

Caught off guard, the chamberlain stumbled for words, realising he had no valid excuse. He nervously glanced at the king, seeking guidance.

King Kyden chuckled, finding amusement in the situation.

"Very well, I won’t take a peek. Since Lord Anson has confirmed the brilliance of the essay, it signifies that Lady Raychard has indeed passed the third test," he declared, displaying his trust in the chief scholar’s judgment.

With anticipation, Kyren examined the parchment and began to read. As the grand duke delved deeper into the text, he discovered that the words possessed a remarkable level of sophistication and depicted intricate beauty akin to poetry.

With each passing sentence, he began to understand Anna’s decision to choose the title of a concubine instead of his legal wife, recognising the layers of meaning within her choice.

The grand duke’s countenance shifted to one of solemnity. While he grasped the reasoning behind his wife’s choice, it did not alleviate his anguish at not being able to maintain her status as his legal wife.

However, he opted to remain silent, keeping his emotions inside for the time being. Carefully, he rolled the parchment and discreetly tucked it away into the inner pocket of his attire, ensuring its concealment from prying eyes.

"Now, for the final test, we shall proceed with the oral examination," Lord Anson proclaimed, resuming his duties once the situation had settled.

Anna nodded, demonstrating her willingness to undertake and successfully complete the last test.

The chief scholar commenced the oral test by conversing with the princess in the intricate and melodic language of Ro’an, posing a series of questions. Anna maintained her composure and responded calmly, displaying her proficiency in the language.

The crowd were perplexed by Anna’s proficiency throughout the conversation. However, as Lord Anson delved deeper into the examination, his brow furrowed increasingly. Realising the need for assistance, Lord Anson beckoned his assistant to bring him a specific book from their collection.

Hastily flipping through its pages, he sought additional references to aid his questioning. Nonetheless, the more he inquired, the more apparent his struggle became. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, a testament to the immense challenge Anna posed to his scholarly expertise.

Lord Anson called upon his assistants, instructing them to retrieve more books for his reference. The assistants hurriedly complied, returning with a growing stack of volumes. Despite the wealth of resources at his disposal, the scholar found himself overwhelmed, struggling to keep pace with Anna’s remarkable linguistic prowess.

Finally, Lord Anson conceded defeat, his admission tinged with a touch of regret.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I’m afraid I cannot proceed with this test," he confessed with humility.

Perplexity filled the crowd as they struggled to comprehend the unexpected turn of events. Seeking clarification, King Kyden inquired, "But why, Lord Anson? What is the reason for your inability to continue?"

Taking a deep breath, Lord Anson responded with honesty and a hint of self-awareness. "It appears that I am not the most suitable person to evaluate the extent of her linguistic abilities," he admitted, acknowledging his limitations.

The revelation left the audience in a state of astonishment, grappling with the implications of Lord Anson’s admission.

After a prolonged silence, Queen Emelda finally broke her silence, addressing the perplexed king with a voice filled with curiosity.

"Your Majesty, what is happening here?" she inquired, her eyes searching for answers.

King Kyden shook his head in bewilderment. Turning his attention back to Lord Anson, he sought further clarification.

"Please, explain to us why you have come to this conclusion," he requested with concern and intrigue.

"It is because the lady’s choice of words exhibits an elevated level of sophistication, utilising vocabulary rarely encountered in everyday discourse," Lord Anson replied, his voice carrying a hint of frustration.

"As you can see, I have consulted numerous reference books in an attempt to continue testing her. However, it has become increasingly apparent that her linguistic abilities surpass mine. I am unable to comprehend her eloquent expressions fully," the chief scholar continued.

Lord Anson bowed his head in deference.

The hall erupted in a cacophony of murmurs. The revelation of the chief scholar’s admission reverberated through the room. Never before had they witnessed such a remarkable statement from the esteemed scholar.

The king nodded thoughtfully. As he listened to them, he couldn’t help but notice the presence of several extraordinary words that were unfamiliar to him. The depth of Anna’s knowledge and vocabulary surprised him, and he exchanged a bewildered glance with Kyren, who shared the same expression of intrigue.

On the other hand, Queen Emelda, possessing a limited understanding of the subject matter, could only listen attentively, her curiosity piqued, even though she couldn’t grasp the entirety of Anna’s conversation with the chief scholar.

King Kyden’s face was covered with a radiant smile. His eyes were full of joy and pride.

"This unequivocally demonstrates Lady Anna Raychard’s exceptional talent in the Ro’an language. She is truly a gem among us!" he exclaimed, his words resounding with admiration.

With a sense of conviction, he turned his gaze towards the ministers, seeking their agreement. "Don’t we have an agreement on this?"

Realising the futility of denying the apparent situation, Lord James finally responded, "Yes, Your Majesty. Your opinion is both wise and benevolent."

"Excellent!" King Kyden exclaimed, his voice brimming with satisfaction. "Let us celebrate this joyous occasion! I shall make an official proclamation a week from now, bestowing the well-deserved title upon Lady Anna Raychard."

"Is it not too hasty?" questioned one of the ministers, voicing their concerns about the rapidity of the decision.

Lord Grey, countering the minister’s apprehension, stepped forward and said, "Lady Raychard has demonstrated remarkable excellence in her test, promptly showcasing her abilities upon request. Why should we further delay her entitlement declaration?" His words carried a sense of urgency and support for Anna.

The concerned minister acknowledged the weight of Lord Grey’s statement and bowed in silent acquiescence, accepting the argument’s validity.

"Lord Grey speaks wisely," declared the king, his gratitude for Lady Raychard’s talents evident in his tone.

"We owe it to Lady Raychard to proceed without delay. Following the proclamation, I decree that a grand ball shall be held for three consecutive nights, a celebration befitting her accomplishments," he announced, his decision resolute. Turning to his trusted chamberlain, he continued, "Charles, please ensure the preparations are set in motion."

The chamberlain, however, raised a valid concern. "Your Majesty, with only a week’s notice, there is a possibility that some nobles from outside Gantz may not be able to attend in time," he cautioned, expressing the need for consideration.

Taking a moment to reflect, the king weighed the chamberlain’s words, acknowledging the importance of inclusivity and ensuring that all deserving attendees could partake in the celebration. After a brief pause, he responded with a measured tone.

"It would be unjust to Lady Raychard if we were to postpone her entitlement. Baseless rumours have been undeservedly thrown at her, and we need to end it. Therefore, we shall proceed with the celebration without further delay," declared the king, his voice firm and resolute.

Understanding the occasion’s significance, Anna respectfully sought permission to share her perspective.

"Your Majesty, since this celebration is going to be made for me, may I be allowed to make a suggestion?" she inquired.

Open to hearing her viewpoint, the king encouraged her to share her thoughts.

"Of course, Lady Raychard. What is your view?" he inquired, focusing on her.

"I believe it would deeply disappoint the lords residing outside Gantz if they were not extended an invitation, considering their unwavering support for you, Your Majesty," Anna expressed with consideration. "While I have no objections to the proclamation, as it is crucial for dispelling the false accusations aimed at me, perhaps we can plan the grand ball for a different time, ensuring that all deserving nobles can attend."

Anna’s suggestion carried wisdom and thoughtfulness, recognising the importance of fostering strong relationships with the nobles who have been steadfast in their loyalty. The king contemplated her words, appreciating the depth of her understanding and the significance of inclusivity.

After a brief pause, the king nodded, acknowledging the validity of Anna’s suggestion.

"You raise a valid point, Lady Raychard. We shall proceed with the proclamation as planned but reschedule the grand ball for a later date, allowing us to extend invitations to the lords residing outside Gantz and celebrate together in unity," he concluded, reflecting a blend of fairness and gratitude.

"However, I still desire to have a banquet on the night of the proclamation to mark this significant event. It shall be a closed event, exclusively for the royal family and the immediate nobles."

"Not so fast, Your Majesty. I believe there is a crucial aspect we may be overlooking," Lord James interjected abruptly, drawing the attention of the king and the assembled court.

Curious, the king inquired, "What is it, Lord James? Do enlighten us."

With a steady and confident voice, Lord James presented his opinion.

"I have just recalled that all previous Emperors of Ro’an had legal wives before taking concubines. Therefore, shouldn’t His Highness be officially married before the declaration of Lady Raychard as his concubine?"

Overhearing her father’s remarks, Sarah couldn’t help but smile with a glimmer of hope. Initially devastated at the knowledge that Anna would still be with Kyren, her spirits soared as her father’s words reminded the attendees of the vacant position.

The prospect of becoming the Grand Duchess of Gerhard’s legal wife filled her with joy. She knew that there would be no other noble maiden of higher prestige than herself in Cassian. She held confidence in her abilities, believing she was more than worthy of the esteemed title.

"You are right, Lord James," the king responded, his tone thoughtful.

The minister smiled widely, hopeful for a favourable outcome. However, the king’s following words dampened his excitement.

"According to the customs of the Ro’an Empire, the title of legal wife should be bestowed upon a woman of prestigious lineage, possessing the necessary skills befitting her position," the king explained.

"I believe the one who surpasses Lady Raychard in talent should rightfully claim the role of the grand duke’s legal wife. But, we should not rush this matter, considering the grand duke’s long resistance to accepting a partner unless a suitable candidate exhibits knowledge and skill beyond that of the lady. We can’t have the grand duchess having less intelligence than the concubine, can we?" the king concluded, his smile hiding a hint of mischief.

Lord James and his supporters met the king’s decision with solemn acceptance. Sarah, however, couldn’t conceal her anger as she bit her lower lip, distraught by the turn of events. Despite her frustration, no one could present a compelling argument to counter the king’s reasoning.

With King Kyden’s order, the crowd finally dispersed, leaving only the royal family in the throne hall.