The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 166: Her Clarification And His Plan

Chapter 166: Her Clarification And His Plan

Eric’s initial expression of hope and anticipation morphed into a profound disappointment as Anna concluded her explanation. The grand duke, seated beside her, mirrored the knight’s darkened countenance, his disapproval evident in every crease of his furrowed brow.

Within the confines of the private discussion room, a heavy silence settled, punctuated only by the collective dissatisfaction that hung in the air. The weight of their discontent bore down upon them all.

Yet, despite the shared opinion, the decision had already been made, and the scheduled proclamation could not be retracted.

Thanks to the town crier’s announcement, the news had spread throughout the city of Gantz. It had captured the attention of the city’s inhabitants, leaving them with a mix of curiosity and profound surprise, as there had never been a concubine in Cassian history.

"My lady... I am at a loss for words," Drystan interjected, his voice tinged with a sense of helplessness.

Gloom cast its shadow upon the faces of all the knights. Unable to contain his anger and frustration, Eli rose from his seat, his expression contorted with animosity.

"I will find the maid responsible for spreading these vile rumours and slap her face!" he declared, his words laced with a venomous determination.

"Sit down, Sir Henderson! The moment you raise your hand to a woman, the guards will throw you to the dungeon!" Drystan warned sternly.

Eli’s frustration burned within him, fueling his defiance. "But this is unjust! Lady Raychard is innocent!" he retorted with indignation.

In agreement with Eli, Damon interjected, "Sir Henderson speaks the truth! If it weren’t for these baseless rumours, none of this would have happened!"

Anna pleaded to them, "Please, both of you, refrain from seeking revenge or resorting to violence. I implore you not to take matters into your own hands." Her words carried a genuine concern for their well-being.

However, the knights remained visibly dissatisfied with her decision, their expressions clouded by a sense of injustice and the desire to right the wrongs inflicted upon Anna.

Aware of their discontent, the princess asserted her opinion. "It is just a title, a mere label. It does not define who I am. I will forever be the Lady Raychard you all know and have come to respect," she insisted.

"We understand, my lady. But it pains us to see the unfairness you face. You are of royal Ardelian lineage," Luke emphasised with genuine concern.

Anna’s resolve remained unshaken as she responded firmly, her words carrying a sense of finality. "I am no longer an Ardelian. I have become a Cassian, and this is where I belong, by my husband’s side. Ardel is but a Chapter of my past, and I have no desire to resurrect it," she stated unwaveringly.

Taking charge of the situation, Kyren made a decisive declaration.

"We shall cease discussing this matter any further," he said, his tone resolute. "After the proclamation, let us return to the duchy and leave behind this senseless drama. Furthermore, let it be known that I will never take a legal wife, ever," he added, his words filled with both determination and devotion.

"Understood, Your Highness," Eric replied with unwavering loyalty. "Regardless of what others may think, in our eyes and our hearts, Lady Raychard is your only wife, and our allegiance shall always be to both of you."

"Your Highness, until the day of the proclamation, may we remain by Lady Raychard’s side to ensure her safety?" Eli asked earnestly. "The one responsible for instigating these rumours has yet to be apprehended. Sir Jarr suspects a conspiracy at play. We must exercise caution to prevent any further threats against our lady."

Acknowledging the validity of Eli’s concerns, Kyren nodded in agreement. "That is a wise suggestion. Though His Majesty has already assigned the royal knights for security measures, it would be best if our own trusted knights accompanied my wife. What do you say, Anna?" he inquired, valuing her opinion.

Anna pondered for a moment, considering the proposal carefully. "I have no objection. You are right. I do feel more at ease with the presence of familiar faces. However, there is no need for a large entourage. Perhaps just two knights and Sir Navin can be excused," she suggested, taking into account the practicality of the situation.

Eric expressed his disbelief as he was caught off guard by Anna’s decision.

"What? Why? Am I not worthy of being your escort?" he questioned, his voice tinged with a mix of surprise and disappointment.

Anna hurriedly reassured him. "No, no, please don’t misunderstand! It’s not a reflection of your worthiness. You should be with your family now. Ethan, Evan, and Rachel need you. Besides, there is already a dedicated team guarding me. If you spend time with them, it will bring me great comfort and happiness," she explained earnestly, hoping to ease any lingering doubts or hurt feelings.

Eric’s expression carried a hint of sulkiness, but beneath it, he felt a deep sense of gratitude that the princess recognised the value of spending time with family.

"Your Highness, should we summon the other knights from Gerhard’s castle?" Garin inquired, considering the potential need for additional support.

Kyren shook his head. "There is no need for that. Our return is imminent very soon. Besides, it would take time to gather them all as they may be scattered in various locations within the duchy," he explained.

"Very well then. In that case, you may choose any of us, excluding Sir Navin," Garin suggested, offering flexibility in their selection.

The grand duke took a moment to ponder, weighing his options carefully.

"We also need a few of you to remain on standby at the mansion," Kyren said. "I have decided that Alex and Drystan will be my wife’s escorts," he declared, his decision final.

Eli couldn’t hide his disappointment and questioned the choice. "But why not us? Damon and I have been Lady Raychard’s escorts before," he expressed.

"Alex is the son of the esteemed Duke of Sanad. The nobles within the palace hold great respect for his family, and their manner of speech becomes more cautious in his presence. This will ensure that they exercise restraint in their words when I am not with my wife," the grand duke elucidated.

"As for Drystan, he possesses exceptional riding skills and speed. In the event of requiring backup or delivering urgent messages, he would be the most suitable messenger," he added, highlighting the specific skills and attributes of each chosen knight.

The other knights nodded in agreement, recognising the wisdom behind Kyren’s selection. The grand duke then turned to his wife and said, "Anna, please return to your room and rest. I have another matter to discuss with the knights."

"All right. In that case, I shall take my leave," the princess acquiesced, understanding the importance of allowing them to have a private discussion.

"Drystan and Alex, please see to my wife’s safety," Kyren added, assigning the specific task to the chosen knights.

Anna rose from her seat, followed by the two knights, and left the room. As the door closed behind them, the grand duke’s gaze returned to his loyal men.

"Before you depart, there is another matter I need you all to attend to. I have sensed the presence of magic coming from the east wing of the palace," Kyren revealed, his voice filled with a sense of urgency.

Taken aback by the mention of it, Eric voiced his confusion. "Magic? How is that possible? It has been years since anyone possessed the ability to wield magic. The last known practitioner was your teacher, Lord Winston, and he has long since passed away without leaving behind any apprentices," he exclaimed.

"I am aware of that fact. However, I need you to investigate this anomaly. It had been so long since I detected any traces of magic, and the sensation was faint. If I were to investigate personally, it would draw more attention and raise suspicions. Therefore, I require your utmost discretion in this matter," Kyren ordered, emphasising the need for secrecy. "Be careful, and don’t raise anyone’s attention. There are several guests residing there for now."

"Understood. We will commence the task immediately," Eric affirmed.

"Your Highness, speaking of discretion, I must inform you that Sir Brooks returned to the mansion a few days ago," Garin reported, adding an additional piece of information to the conversation.

"He’s already here?" Kyren inquired, surprised by the news.

"Yes, and he brought two women from Ardel with him. One of them is a knightess who suffered grave injuries. She is currently receiving treatment from the healer and his assistant," Garin explained.

He then proceeded to recount Sir Brooks’s return to Gerhard’s castle and their decision to bring Clara and Emily to Gantz.

Kyren’s thoughts raced as he absorbed the information.

"A knightess?" he mused, his memory swiftly returning. "That must be Anna’s escort from Ardel! She’s alive!" His eyes widened in astonishment. "And who is the other woman accompanying her?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Sir Brooks mentioned that she is the knightess’s companion. He didn’t provide further details, as he considered it a discreet mission assigned by you," Garin responded.

"I see..." Kyren nodded, contemplating the significance of the situation. "How is the knightess faring at the moment? Is she recovering well?" he inquired with concern.

"Her injuries are severe, and she had to undergo surgery on her leg on the day they arrived. However, I’ve heard that she already regained consciousness today. Sir Brooks is currently attending to her. That’s why he couldn’t be present here," the knight said, providing an update on the knightess’s condition.

"Good. It’s crucial for her to focus on her recovery first. Please ensure that my wife remains unaware of this development, as I don’t want her to be alarmed or anxious," Kyren instructed, prioritising his wife’s well-being. "In the meantime, did Sir Brooks share any additional findings or details with you?"

"No, Your Highness. He insisted on reporting directly to you regarding this matter," Garin replied.

"Very well... I will meet with him later after we return to the mansion," Kyren decided. "The banquet scheduled for the night after the proclamation is a private affair hosted by His Majesty. Apart from the escorts, the rest of you need not attend. We will hold our own celebration in Gerhard. My wife and I will not linger at the banquet for long. We will return to the mansion as soon as possible," he informed the knights, finalising the plans.

"Yes, Your Highness," said the knights in unison.

A sense of purpose filled the room as everyone acknowledged the grand duke’s instructions, understanding the importance of their respective roles in the upcoming events.

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