The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 176: The Honourable Royal Concubine of Gerhard (II)

Chapter 176: The Honourable Royal Concubine of Gerhard (II)

Kyren and Anna stood on the stage amid the resounding applause and cheers from the crowd.

A peculiar, tingling sensation suddenly coursed through the grand duke’s skin, alerting his magical senses. It was the same sensation he had felt before in the palace, but this time, it carried a different aura.

His eyes darted around, searching for the source amidst the sea of people gathered below the stage. Their jubilant cheers drowned out any attempts to pinpoint the origins of the magical presence.

Concerned by her husband’s peculiar expression, Anna turned to him, sensing his unease.

"Kyren, are you all right?" she inquired, her voice filled with genuine care and worry.

"I don’t know... There’s just an unsettling feeling lingering," he expressed, his voice tinged with unease.

"Would you like to sit down?" she asked, concerned for his well-being.

"I’m all right. It’s just... there’s something... or someone out there," he replied, his words hesitant and cautious.

Perplexed, she pressed for clarification. "What do you mean?"

The grand duke chose not to elaborate, his instincts urging him to prioritise their safety. Instead, he turned his attention to the princess and urgently told her.

"Stay close to me. Don’t let go of my hand," he instructed, firmly intertwining his fingers with hers.

Understanding the gravity of his words, Anna nodded resolutely. She vividly recalled the incident of the overzealous Grand Duke fan club members who had stormed and nearly destroyed the mansion’s gate. This time, she would not dismiss his warning lightly.

"All right. I won’t," she affirmed, determined to remain steadfast by his side.

***

Kiev poised himself, preparing to unleash his magical powers to halt the procession, but before he could cast his spell, Callis abruptly grasped his shoulder, forcefully halting his actions.

"Brother, don’t! You can’t employ your abilities against those who pose no threat to you. It’s forbidden," she warned.

A surge of anger rose within Kiev, his voice seeping through his clenched teeth, "You’re telling me this now when you’re the one always defying the rules!"

Callis heaved a weary sigh, acknowledging her penchant for rebellion and going against conventions. However, she recognised that the course of action Kiev was about to take was far too perilous and fraught with risks.

"I don’t want you to get hurt. Please, don’t do this! If you unleash your ’thing’, it could also put her in danger," the princess pleaded, referring his magic to the ’thing’.

Kiev took a deep breath, contemplating the consequences. Casting his magic against such a large crowd would drain his mana, and it was an egregious taboo to employ it against those who posed no threat. Such an action would only invite a painful backlash.

"Be patient, brother. We will get her. I promise you. Now is not the time," Callis reassured, her voice carrying a sense of determination. "Besides, we don’t even know what she looks like. We’ve never seen her before."

"It’s not that difficult to identify the only woman with eyes as green as emerald," the prince finally responded.

Just as the situation seemed to intensify, Jessy interjected with a heartfelt plea, "My lord, please don’t do this! The princess could be affected. Please, my sister sacrificed her life protecting her! Don’t let her death be in vain."

The nanny’s words struck a chord within Kiev, his face reflecting the weight of regret. Witnessing Jessy’s desperation, the prince relented. His calm demeanour returned, and he cast a sidelong gaze at the halted procession, where the royal family members took their positions on the stage erected in the plaza’s centre.

In his frantic attempt to locate Anna amidst the procession moments ago, Kiev had only managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of her. He hadn’t had the opportunity to observe her closely, and the desire to do so still burned within him.

"Let’s move to the front. I haven’t had a chance to see her up close," he suggested.

"But brother..." Callis began, her voice expressing both concern and caution.

"I promise I won’t do anything for now," Kiev reassured, understanding the need to exercise restraint.

Armel, who stood behind them with wide eyes, felt a wave of confusion wash over him. Unaware of the situation unfolding, he was left in the dark.

"Don’t say anything!" Callis warned sharply, her gaze fixed on the bewildered teenager. Armel nodded, signalling that he had no intention of speaking up.

The quartet made their way towards the front, nearest the stage, hoping to gain a better vantage point. To Armel’s surprise, the crowd seemed to part to make way for them willingly. In such a tightly packed gathering, it would typically be easy for someone to be overwhelmed by the crowd.

He suddenly recalled the charm Callis had given him, tied securely around his neck.

"This is a lucky charm. Never take it off while you’re with us. It will offer you protection," the princess had told him.

While Armel initially regarded it as mere superstition, he had complied with her insistence and faithfully wore the charm. Now, witnessing the crowd’s peculiar behaviour, he couldn’t help but wonder if there was some truth to its mystical properties.

The quartet stood side by side, their gaze fixed upon the regal figures on the stage. Kiev turned to Armel, seeking guidance amidst the sea of faces.

"Which one is the grand duke?" he inquired, his voice filled with anticipation.

Armel took a confident step forward, stopping just before the rope that acted as a boundary, separating the permitted perimeter from the rest. The royal knights stood vigilant, ensuring the area remained secure. Squinting his eyes, Armel scanned the stage for a familiar face.

"There he is!" Armel exclaimed, pointing towards a distinguished figure.

Callis chimed in, surprised by what she saw.

"Oh, he is quite handsome, just like you, brother!"

Her words carried a touch of awe as she observed Kyren’s countenance. She couldn’t disagree with the grand duke’s undeniable charm, a quality described to her in Armel’s story.

The teenager’s excitement grew as he continued to point out the individuals of interest.

"And there’s Lady Anna Raychard!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

Kiev’s gaze snapped towards the woman standing beside Kyren, their hands intertwined. His ruby-red eyes remained fixed, an overwhelming wave of surprise washing over him as he laid eyes on Anna for the first time.

"She’s petite and absolutely adorable!" Callis gushed, unable to contain her admiration.

"She’s truly lovely, like what Nessy said in her letters!" praised Jessy.

After observing Anna’s apparent good health and vitality, a slight sense of relief washed over Kiev.

However, his anger at the thought of the grand duke taking another woman as his concubine resurfaced, tinged with bitterness.

Conversely, the princess didn’t appear sad or angered by her husband’s actions. It left Kiev wondering.

Was she being threatened by him?

However, the current situation did not align with Jessy’s recent discovery during the casting of life magic a few days ago.

She had witnessed the princess’s hair emanating a radiant golden glow, indicating her fine condition. This stark contrast left the prince feeling even more perplexed.

"Now, where is the concubine?" Kiev inquired, his eyes scanning the stage and the guarded area in search of the mentioned individual.

Among the women present, some were clearly nobles serving the royal family and the Queen, distinguishable by their attire. However, he struggled to identify Kyren’s new concubine among them.

Just as the search continued, the king concluded his speech with a proclamation, "...I hereby proclaim Lady Anna Raychard as the Honourable Royal Concubine of Gerhard."

The announcement left the quartet stunned into an uneasy silence. They exchanged puzzled glances, their expressions mirroring their confusion and disbelief.

"What in the world is happening?" Armel suddenly erupted, breaking their silence. "Why did she become his concubine? She told me she’s married to the commander of the Knights of Gerhard. That commander is him, the grand duke! Even Sir Brooks confirmed it!" The teenager’s voice trembled with perplexity.

"We are just as baffled and eager to understand what is going on!" Callis exclaimed, her voice reflecting the shared confusion and desire for answers.

Just as the curiosity and tension lingered, Kiev suddenly felt a touch on his back, causing him to turn around swiftly.

His eyes met those of an old, frail man who stood before him, his deep black irises fixed upon the prince. The sudden movement caught the attention of Jessy, Callis, and Armel, who also turned their gaze.

Kiev and Derek locked eyes, both momentarily taken aback by the intensity of the other’s gaze. The mage was captivated by the prince’s striking appearance, his mesmerising looks and alluring red-ruby eyes.

Breaking the momentary silence, Kiev spoke firmly, his voice laced with caution. "What do you want?"

The unsettling stare from the older man made him feel uneasy, his instincts on high alert.

Derek’s mind snapped back to reality as he heard the prince’s question. He quickly composed himself and responded, "Oh, forgive me. I thought you were someone I knew. I have made a mistake. Please excuse me."

With those words, the mage swiftly retreated, disappearing into the crowd before Kiev could say anything further.

The people around the prince began to take notice of his captivating appearance, their whispers carrying a mix of curiosity and intrigue.

Realising the growing attention, Kiev pulled down his hood, concealing his face in an attempt to reduce the spotlight on him.

"We need to leave this place. Let’s go!" he urgently instructed his group, a sense of urgency and concern evident in his voice.

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