The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 174: The Mederians’ Arrival

Chapter 174: The Mederians’ Arrival

As they arrived in the city, they were greeted by a scene of bustling crowds. The streets were teeming with people. All gathered in the city centre as if a grand celebration were taking place. In the heart of the city centre, an intricately decorated stage stood tall at the plaza, capturing everyone’s attention.

Guards and soldiers maintained a vigilant presence, ensuring the safety of the surroundings. Opportunistic sellers and stall owners took advantage of the large crowds, eager to boost their sales.

Colourful buntings adorned the buildings, displaying the emblems of the Firebird, symbolising the King of Cassian, and the Griffin, representing the Grand Duke of Gerhard.

Curiosity piqued, Callis gazed at the scene before her, puzzled by the unexpected festivities. "What could they be celebrating? It’s not yet time for the mid-autumn festival," she wondered aloud, her eyes scanning the crowd for answers.

Realising the need for immediate arrangements, Kiev turned to his escorts and handed them a pouch.

"Go and secure us accommodations nearby," he ordered in a firm tone. Two of the four escorts promptly obeyed and set out to find a suitable place for their party to stay.

Meanwhile, the enticing aroma of delicious street food wafted through the air, catching the attention of both Callis and Armel. Their senses heightened. They couldn’t resist the temptation and found themselves drawn towards a nearby food stall, enticed by the mouthwatering scents that filled the bustling street.

"Oh, this is absolutely scrumptious! I must have some!" exclaimed the princess, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I want some, too! " Armel chimed in. However, his forehead creased as he realised he had no money.

"Pay for me!" he pleaded, turning to Callis for assistance.

"Why should I pay for you?" the princess questioned, her tone slightly exasperated.

"You were the one who asked me to guide you to Gantz! You’re not paying me any money! The least you could do is cover my expenses. Besides, you took my dog without permission," said Armel adamantly.

"You can’t blame me for taking care of your dog! It’s his choice to stay with me," she retorted, gesturing to the sling bag where Rhen, Armel’s dog, nestled comfortably.

Armel pouted, a mixture of frustration and hunger evident on his face. Suddenly, his stomach let out a loud grumble, evoking a twinge of sympathy from the princess. Softening her stance, she relented.

"Fine! I’ll buy something for you," she conceded.

Armel’s face lit up with a grateful smile as they approached the stall, emanating the alluring aroma of roasted meat. They purchased a few skewers of the delectable treat.

Their excitement grew as they explored the bustling street, discovering a multitude of stalls selling various mouthwatering delicacies. Succumbing to their culinary desires, they couldn’t resist sampling various street foods, filling their hands with an assortment of delectable delights.

Kiev’s escorts returned, sharing their findings of a nearby inn. The group proceeded to check in at the inn. However, as they arrived, they noticed that the bustling dining area was already full of people.

One of the escorts approached Kiev and spoke, "I had to pay extra for special rooms, my lord. We scoured the entire area, but the other inns were fully booked. Luckily, a lord and his men had just left this inn after having a celebration the whole night. The innkeeper has cleared and reserved the space for us."

Kiev, unconcerned by the extra expense, replied, "That’s not an issue, as long as we have a comfortable place to stay."

As her stomach growled, Callis couldn’t contain her hunger any longer. She tugged at Kiev’s sleeve, pleading, "Brother, can we sit down and eat before heading to our rooms? I’m absolutely starving!"

Jessy, who had been helping to carry some of the food they had purchased earlier, nodded in agreement. Kiev deliberated momentarily before giving a nod of approval to their request.

"Of course, let’s eat first," he acquiesced as his eyes darted around, looking for empty tables for them.

The innkeeper, who had noticed their arrival and recognised the two escorts who had come earlier, hurriedly approached the group with a warm greeting.

"Welcome! We are honoured to have you as our guests. Please allow me to show you your reserved tables," the innkeeper greeted them with genuine hospitality, gesturing towards two secluded tables in the opposite room of the dining area reserved for special guests.

The group made their way to the designated tables with delight evident on their faces. The escorts took one table while Jessy, Callis, Kiev, and Armel settled at the other. The attentive servants swiftly arranged the tables, placing clean plates and napkins before their esteemed guests and promptly serving refreshing glasses of water.

The innkeeper, recognising the air of affluence emanating from the cloaked figure of Kiev, spoke with a respectful tone, "What would you like for breakfast, my lord?"

His keen observation of their attire and the generous deposit paid by the escorts during the room reservation indicated that these guests were of high standing, perhaps even nobles.

Callis interjected eagerly, "I want to taste this food first! What about you, brother?"

She eagerly pulled down her cloak, revealing her radiant face, ready to indulge in the delicious food she had purchased.

The innkeeper and the attentive servants stood transfixed, their eyes widening in astonishment as they beheld the princess’s breathtaking beauty.

"Just serve whatever you have right now," Kiev ordered the innkeeper as he removed his cloak. The innkeeper and servants, again, were mesmerised by his striking appearance and found themselves unable to look away.

"Oh, my lord! You are truly a person of exceptional charm!" the innkeeper exclaimed, his admiration evident in his tone. "I shall personally ensure that our speciality dishes are served without delay. Consider it all on the house!" he declared joyfully, thrilled to have such distinguished guests in his establishment.

With a sense of urgency, the innkeeper instructed the entranced servants to fulfil their duties promptly. In no time, a delightful array of breakfast dishes was placed before the group, tempting their palates with a medley of flavours.

Several servants deliberately lingered, their eyes discreetly stealing glances at Kiev and Callis’s captivating presence. It was a rare opportunity for them to feast their eyes upon such extraordinary beauty, and they seized the moment discreetly.

"Ah, the flavours are simply divine!" the princess exclaimed between bites, savouring the delicious food.

Concerned for her well-being, Jessy gently cautioned, "Take your time, my lady... You wouldn’t want to choke."

Being amidst the bustling crowd, Jessy and the escorts opted not to address Callis and Kiev with their royal titles, aiming to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Armel, who wasn’t aware of this discretion, had treated them as ordinary companions all along.

"It’s so good, Jessy! Have a bite!" said Callis, her eyes sparkling with delight as she placed a succulent kabab on the nanny’s plate, extending a gesture of gratitude.

Jessy accepted the offering with a grateful smile, appreciating the princess’s thoughtfulness. Callis also passed the same to Kiev.

"You’re lucky I tagged along to the stall and helped you make the purchase. Otherwise, you might have been tricked by the street vendors. Who in the world buys street food with Durrham coins? With just one coin, you could probably buy not only five stalls but the very souls of the sellers themselves!" Armel jested playfully.

Callis chuckled, her amusement evident. "How was I supposed to know? I’m not familiar with the currency here!" she replied with a hint of mock exasperation, playfully defending her innocence.

"No wonder the tour guide fooled you," the teenager remarked once again, recalling the story of the tour guide who had deceived the group, promising to take them to Cassian but ultimately abandoning them at the border, as the princess had shared.

Callis responded sharply as her patience wore thin, "Mind your words, or I’ll reclaim the food from you!"

Armel’s expression soured, his features contorting with a mix of frustration and annoyance. The clashes between him and the princess had become a familiar occurrence, a dance of arguments and disagreements that seemed to weave through their relationship. However, amidst the conflicts, there had also been moments of genuine camaraderie and connection.

There were times when they found solace in their shared conversations. Callis had a knack for storytelling, and Armel found himself captivated by her tales, eagerly listening and sharing his thoughts in return.

"My lady, please refrain from quarrelling at the table. It is not befitting of proper manners," Jessy intervened, addressing the princess. Turning her attention to Armel, she continued, "And you, kindly refrain from speaking while chewing. It is considered impolite."

Upon hearing Jessy’s reprimand, both the princess and the teenager ceased their squabble, realising the error of their ways. They composed themselves and resumed eating more harmoniously.

As the meal progressed, the diligent servants approached the table, presenting a delightful array of desserts. Callis observed people rushing out of the dining area from the opened door of their room as if they were heading somewhere with great urgency. As soon as the main door opened, musical sounds came from afar.

Curiosity piqued, she seized the opportunity to inquire, "What’s happening? Is there some kind of celebration or event taking place? Where are all these people rushing off to?"

"Oh, you weren’t aware?" the servant began, her voice tinged with a hint of surprise. "The proclamation is taking place. Today marks the celebration of the newest addition to the royal family. The grand duke has taken a concubine, and they will be presented to the public."

Kiev’s hand froze mid-air, the food he had been enjoying forgotten. His gaze bore into the servant, his curiosity piqued. "A concubine? Which grand duke is it?" he inquired.

The servant’s demeanour shifted, a shy smile gracing her lips as she noticed the prince staring at her.

"There is only one grand duke in Cassian, and it is none other than His Highness, the Grand Duke of Gerhard," she responded.

A wave of shock washed over Kiev, his face transforming dramatically. The entire group fell into stunned silence. Their gazes fixated on the prince.

Kiev’s grip tightened around the glass he held, his red-ruby eyes glowing with an intensity that matched his emotions. With an unexpected surge of force, the glass shattered in his hand, shards scattering across the table.

The servant uttered a startled shriek, taken aback by the prince’s sudden outburst. The room filled with a tense atmosphere as everyone turned their attention to the prince, their expressions a mix of concern and surprise.

Callis was the first to break the silence, her voice laced with worry. "Brother!" she exclaimed, reaching out to him.

The escorts reacted swiftly, immediately rising from their seats. However, before they could make a move, the princess raised her hand, signalling for them to stand down. With a determined expression, she hurriedly stood up, her chair scraping against the floor, and rushed over to her brother’s side.

Callis instantly reached her brother, her concern evident in her eyes. Without hesitation, she grabbed a nearby napkin and gently took hold of Kiev’s injured hand, carefully wiping away the blood that trickled from the cut. With a delicate touch, she removed the shattered pieces of glass from his grip, ensuring his safety.

Kiev’s eyes were still aflame with a storm of emotions. He glanced at his sister, a mixture of anger, shock, and sadness etched across his face. It was clear that the news had deeply affected him, stirring up a whirlwind of conflicting feelings within his heart.

"Are you all right?" Callis asked, her voice laced with concern as she looked at her brother.

Kiev remained silent, his expression unsettlingly eerie. Anger and frustration surged through him like a tempest, his emotions raw and unfiltered. He couldn’t contain his disdain for the grand duke’s actions.

The words escaped his lips in a venomous curse, filled with disbelief and resentment. "St*pid womaniser! Just married to Princess Anna, and he already takes another concubine? I won’t let him get away with it!"

In a sudden burst of determination, the prince abruptly rose from his seat, the scraping sound of his chair reverberating through the room.

"My lord, please reconsider! Acting hastily won’t bring any good," pleaded Jessy, worried about his resentment words. However, her warning fell on deaf ears, as the prince’s mind was already set on his course of action.

"None of you shall follow me!" Kiev commanded his escorts with a resolute tone. He bore the weight of his decision alone, unwilling to involve anyone else in the storm that was about to be unleashed.

With a menacing glare, Kiev turned his attention to the trembling servant, his eyes burning with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. He demanded information, his voice sharp and commanding.

"Where is the proclamation taking place?" he asked, his words laced with an underlying threat.

Fearful of the prince’s murderous aura, the servant pointed a shaky finger in the direction of the plaza, which lay near the inn. The gravity of the situation was palpable, and the servant dared not cross the enraged prince.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Kiev rushed towards the door, his steps fueled by a mixture of anger, determination, and an overwhelming desire to confront the grand duke.

"Oh, no! Brother seems incredibly angry!" Callis exclaimed, her voice laced with worry and urgency.

Without hesitation, she darted toward the door, determined to follow her brother’s path. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Jessy swiftly rose from his seat and joined the princess.

"Wait up!" Armel called out. He hurriedly followed suit, leaving the escorts behind.