The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 172: The Bargesians Celebration

Chapter 172: The Bargesians Celebration

After a meticulous search of the palace’s east wing, the Knights of Gerhard found no trace of anything peculiar.

Satisfied with their investigation, they gathered their findings and swiftly made their way to Kyren to report their results. With their duty fulfilled, they excused themselves and returned to the mansion while Eric, the second-in-command, went to Beatrice’s gentry house.

Several days passed in relative tranquillity.

With the delegations from the neighbouring kingdoms having patiently waited for a decision, the King of Cassian convened an urgent meeting with his esteemed royal council members during the weekend as the pressing matter of the raised alliance demanded their immediate attention.

Gathered in the grand council chamber, the king and his ministers engaged in a thorough discussion. Each council member brought forth their wisdom and expertise, presenting their perspectives on the alliance proposal. The deliberations were meticulous, as they scrutinised every aspect and potential outcome.

Hours passed, and the meeting continued for the next two days. The weight of responsibility was evident on their faces until a consensus began to emerge.

Through careful consideration and respectful dialogue, the king and his ministers found common ground and agreed to proceed with the alliance.

Brone’s face lit up with uncontainable joy as he received the long-awaited answer from the king. His smile remained steadfast, reflecting his delight as his plan went smoothly.

Following their audience with the king, he and his men were graciously invited to the royal dinner with the king and his ministers on Monday night, which was to celebrate their newfound alliance.

Imbued with a sense of accomplishment, the Bargesian leader and his companions went to an inn in the vibrant city centre, eager to continue their celebrations after the meal.

In a display of exuberance, Brone tossed a generous sum of money onto the table, enticing the innkeeper to provide them with nothing but the finest treatment.

Initially, the innkeeper hesitated, mindful of the bookings made by customers coming for the proclamation celebration on Tuesday.

However, the weight of the coins offered by the Bargesian leader blinded him to any reservations, and he swiftly acquiesced to their requests.

Within the walls of the inn, the atmosphere brimmed with happiness. Yet, a tinge of disappointment lingered as the absence of women in the celebration was keenly felt.

Cassian’s strict laws prohibited pr*stitution within the kingdom, leaving Brone and his men to make do with alternative means of enjoyment. Understanding the limitations, the Bargesian leader urged his men to be content with what was available and cautioned them against causing any trouble.

Food and drink flowed abundantly, satisfying the palates of the celebratory company. Laughter and merriment filled the air as the Bargesian men revelled in their triumph and the promising future ahead.

Their private space within the inn shielded them from prying eyes, and the attentive innkeeper and servants discreetly attended to their needs, appearing promptly when called upon.

"My lord, congratulations!" Mikhal exclaimed, lifting his mug high in the air. The other men, caught up in the excitement, eagerly followed suit and shouted, "Hurrah!"

Derek, more reserved in nature, raised his drink slowly without uttering a word. However, his subtle nod acknowledged Brone’s initial victory. The Bargesians wasted no time and eagerly gulped down their liquor while the mage among them sipped subtly, preserving his composure.

One of Brone’s men couldn’t contain his curiosity and spoke up, "My lord, may I inquire about your mention of King Ronan’s offer to sponsor talented individuals from Cassian to study in Engarth? It wasn’t part of our original plan, was it?"

Brone’s smile widened, revealing a glimmer of shrewdness in his eyes.

"You must use your head a bit," he replied, his voice laced with a touch of amusement. "By mentioning this offer, we create an illusion. The King of Cassian won’t immediately send those individuals, and if he does, they will surely be escorted. When we execute our plan to kidnap them, it will appear as if someone is attempting to sabotage the alliance. This diversion will prevent us from being suspected, as we already position ourselves as the ones providing them with the promised benefits."

A sense of admiration and understanding spread among his men as Brone revealed his strategic thinking. They recognised the intricate web of deception he had masterfully woven, ensuring their cunning actions would remain shrouded in ambiguity.

"Ah... That was truly a stroke of brilliance, my lord!" exclaimed another one of Brone’s men.

With their glasses raised again, the men toasted to Brone’s astuteness, their voices filled with renewed excitement and anticipation.

"Are we planning to capture all of the experts?" Mikhal inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.

The Bargesian leader paused, his gaze fixated on the space before him as he delved into deep contemplation. After a moment of reflection, he reached a resolute decision.

"We’ve come too far to settle for anything less. We shall capture them all, including the concubine," Brone declared with conviction.

His men’s eyes widened in surprise upon hearing his words. The inclusion of the concubine in their plan was unexpected, and they recognised the potential risks and attention it might attract.

"But, my lord, that concubine... won’t her presence draw unwanted attention?" voiced the concerned assistant. "Remember the incident with the grand duke’s knights? Merely joking about her provoked their aggression towards me."

A sinister grin spread across Brone’s face as he responded, his voice laced with a mix of desire and determination, "That is precisely why I desire her even more. As the news stated, she possesses unparalleled proficiency in the Ro’an language, surpassing even the chief scholar."

A murmur of acknowledgement rippled through the group, their understanding of Brone’s motivations beginning to take shape. However, one of Brone’s men, who had initially brought the rumours to his attention, voiced a note of caution.

"But kidnapping her... it will be no easy feat, my lord. I’ve heard that the grand duke is utterly infatuated with her," warned Brone’s subordinate.

Brone’s eyes gleamed with a predatory glint, undeterred by the challenges ahead. The allure of capturing such a coveted prize only fueled his determination, and he relished the thought of outmanoeuvring the grand duke.

"Indeed, it shall be difficult," Brone acknowledged, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. "But the greater the challenge, the sweeter the victory."

"It is indeed intriguing that a slave possesses such an exceptional talent for language," Derek interjected, his lips wiped clean with his sleeve after the drink. He had been privy to the gossip circulating among the men and even the palace servants, which had piqued his interest.

"The palace servants mentioned that her grandfather was a scholar in Engarth," one of Brone’s men added, shedding further light on the said woman’s background.

Derek’s voice carried a hint of suspicion as he voiced his thoughts. "Perhaps he was one of the men you’ve slaughtered," he guessed as he spoke to the Bargesian leader.

Brone shrugged dismissively, an air of indifference surrounding him.

"It may be so, or it may not. Who cares," he replied nonchalantly.

Amidst the conversation, Brone’s assistant chimed in with a smirk on his face.

"That slave woman must be bending over backwards to satisfy the grand duke’s desires and gain his favour," he remarked, his statement punctuated by laughter from the men.

The room filled with a mix of amusement and derision as the men revelled in their crude humour. The assistant’s words insinuated that the concubine knew her place and how to behave like a subservient slave, further accentuating the power dynamics at play.

"We shall round her up and savour her once she is in our custody. I’ve heard she possesses such a unique charm and beauty," Brone exclaimed, his finger tracing his lower lip in anticipation.

His words ignited a fire within his men, their eyes ablaze with excitement. The prospect of possessing such a prized captive filled them with a heady mix of desire and anticipation.

Derek, the voice of caution, interjected with a stern warning. "If you insist on kidnapping her, I agree, but refrain from laying a hand on her until our mission is accomplished. We must ensure the formula’s success before indulging in personal desires."

Brone scoffed, his arrogance evident.

"I am well aware of what must be done! There is no need for you to lecture me," he retorted, countering the mage’s admonition.

Then, turning his attention back to his men, he declared, "We shall devise a plan to abduct and bring her back to Ardel alongside the other experts!"

His words sparked a chorus of cheers and raised mugs as the men once again celebrated, their drinks held high in the air. The night was destined to be filled with revelry, a testament to their shared ambition and the grandeur of their plans.

Unbeknownst to them, the path they treaded would soon become a treacherous journey fraught with unforeseen challenges and dire consequences.

Little did they anticipate that their plans would soon encounter a formidable obstacle, for another protector of the princess was on the verge of making his entrance.