The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 177: Their Determination

Chapter 177: Their Determination

The afternoon sun cast its warm light as Brone slowly opened his eyes, emerging from a deep slumber.

As he blinked, a wave of dizziness and a sharp pang of pain from the hangover washed over him. It took a moment for the Bargesian leader to gather his thoughts and gradually sit on the bed.

"My lord, you have awakened!" Brone’s loyal assistant exclaimed with relief when he entered the room to check on him.

"D*mn that liquor! How could I pass out after only a few gallons?" Brone cursed, his voice laced with frustration, as he gingerly massaged his temple in an attempt to alleviate the throbbing pain.

"You certainly indulged quite a bit last night, my lord. I will request the servant to prepare some hangover soup for you," Mikhal responded, pouring a glass of water from the table beside the bed and offering it to the Bargesian leader.

Brone accepted the glass and took a grateful sip, feeling a surge of relief as the cool water eased his parched throat. Handing the glass back to his faithful assistant, he mustered his focus and inquired, "Never mind. What time is it now?"

Mikhal responded, "It’s already well past the afternoon."

Brone’s eyes widened, realising the implications. "Afternoon? That means... the proclamation parade..."

"You missed it, my lord. You were quite intoxicated, so we brought you back to the palace. But Mr Hayes didn’t return with us. I don’t know where he went, and he hasn’t been back yet."

"Ah... sh*t! I missed the opportunity to see the concubine!" Brone exclaimed, cursing his luck once more. "Don’t mind that st*pid mage! It’s not that he’s so important to us!"

Observing the disappointment etched on Brone’s face, Mikhal swiftly relayed some news to assuage his feelings.

"We’ve received word that the King of Cassian is hosting an event tonight to commemorate the proclamation. It is an exclusive banquet, with invitations extended to the royal families, ministers, and selected nobles."

A glimmer of hope ignited in Brone’s eyes as he absorbed the news. The possibility of catching a glimpse of the concubine at the event beckoned to him, sparking his interest. A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and he raised an eyebrow in anticipation.

"That means she will undoubtedly be there," he remarked with a mix of curiosity and determination. "We shall attend the banquet tonight."

Mikhal furrowed his brow. Concern etched on his face. "But, my lord, we do not receive an invitation."

Brone’s expression hardened.

"How dare they overlook us when we reside within their very palace!" he scoffed dismissively. "Invited or not, I will ensure we gain entry. I am adamant about witnessing this intriguing concubine for myself."

With a resolute tone and determined gaze, Brone made his intentions clear. The allure of the event and the desire to see the concubine firsthand fueled his resolve, leaving no room for hesitation or obstacles to stand in their way.

***

As the last vestiges of daylight receded, the night enveloped the room.

Ayden’s anxiety was palpable, evident in his occasional glances toward Clara, who lay on the bed. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead as she bravely endured the waves of pain.

The healer and his assistant had administered further doses in an effort to alleviate her suffering, making the medicine that had been easing her discomfort run out the day before.

The assistant healer paced back and forth, worry etched on his face.

"Where is this Sir Brooks? Why hasn’t he returned yet?" he voiced his concerns aloud, unable to contain his apprehension. Witnessing Clara endure such agony throughout the day had left him on edge.

Emily, sitting steadfastly by the bed, grasped Clara’s hand gently. Filled with hope and faith, she reassured both herself and the knightess, "Sir Brooks is surely on his way. I believe in him! He will return soon."

The young woman’s heart had swelled with joy when the knightess finally opened her eyes after days of unconsciousness following the emergency surgery. She was relieved that her friend was already making significant progress in her recovery.

Gratitude overwhelmed the young woman’s heart as she reflected on Ayden, Rafe, and Noah’s dedication and selflessness. Their unwavering commitment to Clara’s well-being filled her with profound appreciation.

When Rafe delivered the news that the knight had embarked on a journey back to Gerhard’s castle to procure the crucial medicine required for Clara’s recovery, her gratitude knew no bounds. The thought of Noah’s determined efforts brought tears to her eyes, and she couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of thankfulness for his support.

"I’m fine... It’s not that painful," Clara uttered, her voice trembling with the effort to downplay her excruciating anguish. Her face had turned pale, betraying the intensity of her suffering.

Consumed by frustration and worry, the assistant healer couldn’t contain his anger any longer.

"Urgh! I swear, if he abandoned his task and went to entertain himself, I’ll make him regret it!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with resentment.

Emily, determined to defend Sir Brooks and maintain her faith in his integrity, responded with conviction, "Sir Brooks would never do that! He understands the criticality of the medicine for Dame Clara’s recovery. He’s an honest person who always keeps his promises!"

Skeptical and harbouring doubts, Ayden scoffed dismissively. "He’s not a knight with a good reputation. You don’t know him like I do," he retorted.

"Ayden! Don’t say that!" warned Rafe, his voice firm as he emerged from behind the screen. The healer’s stern glare caused Ayden to lower his gaze in deference, realising the weight of his words.

"He may not be the most likeable person, but he’s still a knight," Rafe interjected firmly. "A knight’s promise is tied to his dignity, and I believe he is doing his best. The journey to and from Gerhard’s castle is no trivial distance."

"I apologise, Mr Amares. My worry got the best of me," Ayden conceded with remorse.

Perceptive and astute, Emily didn’t press the assistant healer for an explanation. While residing in the mansion, she observed that Noah seemed somewhat distant from the other knights, apart from their formal duties.

Only Garin displayed a degree of leniency, engaging in occasional non-duty-related conversations with him. Though she felt a pang of curiosity, she thought it was inappropriate to inquire further as she still newly met the knight compared to other members of the knighthood.

Ayden’s eyes, dark orbs filled with concern, shifted towards Clara, bearing a worried expression.

"Dame Verns has endured so much pain today. If only I had known he wouldn’t make it in time, I would have gone out and searched for something else to ease her suffering. But now, all the drug stores are closed," he lamented.

Understanding the situation’s complexity, Rafe interjected with a calm and knowledgeable tone, "It’s not as simple as finding an alternative. Given her current condition and the medication we have administered for her treatment, it would be risky to introduce other drugs that could potentially interact and trigger adverse reactions. If we want to make a change, we must wait at least three days for her body to clear the existing medicine before starting a new treatment."

Ayden sighed in frustration, grappling with the limitations imposed by the circumstances. However, despite the challenges and uncertainty, Emily offered her unwavering support to the brave knightess.

"Be strong, Dame Clara! We have endured so much already, and I have faith in your resilience," she reassured, her voice filled with determination.

Clara, though weak, nodded weakly in response. After all she had been through, she would do whatever it took to persevere.

"I am resilient, Emily... Don’t worry! I will recover so I can fulfil my duty and have the honour of seeing Her Highness soon," she declared, her voice filled with determination and hope.

With a determination fueled by the knowledge that Anna would soon return from the palace after attending an event, Clara refused to give up easily. The prospect of seeing the princess drove her to push through the overwhelming pain she experienced.

Just as her resolve strengthened, a sudden surge of agony coursed through her body, causing her to jolt uncontrollably. A hard grunt escaped her lips, and in her distress, she clutched Emily’s hand tightly, unintentionally inflicting pain on her loyal friend.

"Ah! Ah! Dame Clara! It’s too strong! It hurts!" Emily cried out, her voice filled with anguish, unable to bear the intensity of Clara’s grip.

She flinched and, in her defence, pulled back her hand to be released from the grip.

Ayden and Rafe swiftly rushed to the scene, their concern etched on their faces as they attended to both the young woman and their patient.

"Dame Verns, let go of Miss Baker’s hand! She can’t endure it!" Ayden pleaded, his voice tinged with urgency.

Breathing heavily as she bravely endured the searing pain, Clara released her grip on Emily’s hand. Sensing the need for support, the assistant healer swiftly offered Clara his hand.

"Hold onto mine! I can endure it for you," he assured her, ready to provide the strength and stability she needed in that moment.

The knightess’s lips quivered, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions. Ayden’s tender care had been a constant presence by her side, offering both physical and emotional support.

He not only attended to her needs, feeding her and ensuring her comfort, but also engaged her in conversations on various topics, providing companionship that prevented her from succumbing to boredom and loneliness.

Deep down, Clara felt a sense of relief and gratitude that Anna had encountered the grand duke and his men. The stories she had heard about the princess’s bravery and resilience at the camp and facing the pirates during her journey to Gantz had astonished her.

It also revealed the depth of Ayden’s admiration for the princess. Overall, Clara couldn’t help but compare their treatment here in Cassian to the experiences Anna had endured in Ardel, and she concluded that the princess had been better cared for in this kingdom.

Observing Ayden’s unwavering dedication, Clara also couldn’t help but feel a sense of embarrassment. While he may not possess the physical strength of the knights she usually encountered, his gentleness and caring nature were the very qualities she admired in a man.

The knightess had closely observed Ayden’s meticulous work, noting how he precisely approached his tasks. Whenever he changed the dressing for her wound, he treated her with the utmost respect, summoning Emily or Elis to join them during the session to avoid awkwardness.

Simultaneously, he diligently imparted his knowledge of the proper techniques for dressing the wounds of the knightess to Elis. Ayden also attempted to teach Emily the same, but she seemed to struggle with the task, displaying clumsiness and a lack of proficiency.

On one occasion, Emily had come perilously close to tearing Clara’s wound, provoking an almost instinctual scream of fear from Ayden. After that incident, the assistant healer discontinued teaching the young woman and disallowed her to assist, deeming her unsuitable for the task.

Conversely, Elis demonstrated both a keen interest and proficient skills, which brought joy to the assistant healer and motivated him to continue instructing her.

"It’s all right, Mr Norman. You can let go of my hand. I know my grip is strong, and it will be painful for you," Clara reassured Ayden, aware of the strain her grip could place on him.

Ayden, however, remained steadfast in his resolve.

"It’s fine! I’m a man, and I’m much stronger than Miss Baker. You’re under my care, and I understand your immense pain. I won’t let you face it alone," he declared earnestly.

Before Clara could respond, the pain surged once again, causing her to instinctively hold Ayden’s hand tightly. As the strength of her grip enveloped him, the assistant healer couldn’t help but acknowledge the undeniable power within it.

True to her words, Clara’s grip was formidable, a testament to her prowess as the best knightess in Ardel. Ayden’s cheeks reddened, but he bit his lip, suppressing any pain coursing through his clutched hand.

Just then, a knock echoed through the treatment room, drawing everyone’s attention. Rafe hurriedly opened the door, revealing Noah’s arrival with the bag containing the much-needed medicine. A wide smile illuminated the healer’s face.

"You’re back!" Rafe exclaimed, his voice filled with relief and joy at the knight’s return.