The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 189: Coming For Her

Chapter 189: Coming For Her

The Bargesians descended from their chambers in the upper level of the palace’s east wing and arrived at the inner courtyard, where their horses had been prepared. Charles, the chamberlain, along with Lord James and several other nobles, were waiting for them.

Charles bowed respectfully as he addressed Brone and his men.

"Your Excellency, the horses are ready."

"Thank you, Mr Chamberlain," the Bargesian leader acknowledged, his tone casual and dismissive.

Charles corrected him, "It’s Lord Enos, Your Excellency."

Brone shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah... Whatever..."

Charles couldn’t help but feel a sense of disgust towards the reply. The repeated disregard for his title, despite his high-ranking position in the palace, left a bitter taste in his mouth.

It was evident that Brone only showed interest in those he deemed beneficial to him, particularly Lord James and the other ministers, who wielded significant influence in decision-making authority and kingdom affairs while neglecting individuals like the chamberlain, who were responsible for matters related to the household or ceremonial affairs only.

Nevertheless, Charles pushed aside his personal feelings, reminding himself of his duty to maintain professionalism. He had always carried out his tasks diligently, and today was no exception.

After all, this would be the last day he would have to attend to the obnoxious Ardel delegation, and the thought of being relieved from the burden brought a sense of anticipation.

The chamberlain had been receiving troubling reports about the misbehaviour of Brone’s men during their stay in the palace. These men would harass the female servants, taking advantage of situations to make inappropriate physical contact and lewd remarks.

They would laugh it off as mere jokes, dismissing the servants’ discomfort and objections. While the disturbances had not escalated into more severe cases, they created an unsettling atmosphere among the palace workers.

Concerned about the staff’s well-being and the palace’s reputation, Charles deliberated on a course of action. He recognised the delicate situation, considering the Bargesians as honoured guests of the king.

Taking direct action against them could potentially cause diplomatic tensions, so he changed all the female servants attending to the guests to male staff members. This was done to avoid further confrontation and provide the workers with a safer environment.

With a composed demeanour, Charles oversaw the final preparations for the Bargesians’ departure. He ensured everything was in order, from their horses to their belongings. Despite his disdain for Brone and his men, he remained focused on his duty, determined to see them off without any issues.

"As I’ve informed you, His Majesty is still unwell from last night. He deeply apologizes for being unable to see you depart. Lord James and the nobles will be the ones to send you off," Charles relayed the message to Ardel’s ambassador.

Brone nodded understandingly.

"It’s perfectly fine. Please convey my gratitude to His Majesty for his benevolence and the warm hospitality my men and I have received during our time in Cassian’s palace. We are honoured by the successful formation of this alliance and eagerly anticipate our future collaboration."

Lord James chimed in, his voice filled with anticipation, "Indeed, Lord Morro. We are hopeful for the best outcomes as well. The fact that Ardel has a new lineage for its throne and has sided with us is truly intriguing and holds great promise for our shared interests."

Brone’s smile widened, reflecting his satisfaction. His plan had been going smoothly so far, even with the unexpected encounter with Anna, the true heir of the stolen throne of Ardel.

"Our scholars would be looking forward to their students from Cassian," Brone said. "Please inform us in advance when the selection process is finalised, and we will make the necessary preparations for their accommodations."

Lord James responded enthusiastically, "Absolutely! It will be concluded within the next three weeks. We already have several promising candidates in mind. Once all the formalities and preparations are in order, we will send an official letter to Constance about the chosen students. As this is a huge opportunity, we shall not delay it further."

Brone’s smile grew wider as he expressed his appreciation, "That’s excellent news. Your people will be warmly welcomed and supported in Engarth. This exchange of knowledge and expertise will undoubtedly strengthen our collaboration and further the progress of both our kingdoms."

Brone and his men mounted their horses and lined up to depart, with the Bargesian leader at the forefront. A sense of formality permeated the air as one of his men raised the flag of Ardel, honouring ’their’ kingdom. The ministers and the chamberlain bowed respectfully, bidding them farewell in a show of respect.

The royal knights and guards formed an escort for the departing entourage. The sound of horses’ hooves echoed through the palace grounds as they made their way through the plaza area, the sight drawing the attention of onlookers who paused to witness the departure.

Unbeknownst to Brone and his men, their journey was not without unseen observers. A discreet presence lingered, trailing their every move even after the escorts from the palace were no longer following. Out of suspicion, someone had taken an interest in the Bargesians.

***

The room in the inn was cosy yet modestly furnished. The wooden furniture, though not extravagant, was well-maintained and functional. A round table stood in the centre of the room, surrounded by a few chairs, providing a place for the group to gather and discuss their findings.

Aware of the potential risks and the need for caution, the group made their way back to their rooms in the inn yesterday. The Mederians understood the importance of not drawing attention to themselves in such a crowded area. They refrained from casting spells, knowing that even a small slip could have dire consequences.

Kiev emphasised the need for safety and ordered them only to initiate magic once they reached a more secure location. The priority was to ensure their well-being and avoid unnecessary confrontations.

Though the desire to reach Anna was strong, Kiev recognised the futility of rushing headlong into the palace. Stirring up a commotion would only invite trouble, as the royal knights and army would vastly outnumber them. Even with their magical abilities, facing such a formidable force would lead to exhaustion and depletion of their mana reserves.

As such, Kiev turned to Armel, who had proven to be a valuable asset and guide during their journey and ordered him to locate the princess the very next morning. Knowing the ins and outs of the area, the teenager was instrumental in their search for Anna without using magic.

"I’m back!"

Armel’s voice resounded in the hall. His hand rapped on the wooden door as he announced his return. At Kiev’s command, he entered the room with a bright and eager expression on his face.

"So, have you found out where they are right now?"

Displaying impatience, Callis wasted no time questioning him, eager to hear the details.

Armel nodded fervently, his excitement evident.

"They are at Gerhard’s mansion!" he exclaimed, relaying his findings to the group.

Jessy, also present in the room, couldn’t help but express her surprise at the speed with which Armel had obtained this information.

"That’s incredibly quick! You were just out checking on them not long ago. How did you manage to find out so swiftly?" Jessy inquired, her curiosity piqued by Armel’s efficiency.

"Ah, it’s easy. I just went up to the nearby hill and looked around," he explained. "I spotted the Griffin flag fluttering at the Gerhard’s mansion. That indicates the lord is present, which means Lady Raychard must be there too."

"I see... No wonder you returned so quickly!" Realising Armel’s clever observation, the princess expressed her excitement.

Taking charge of the situation, Kiev decided not to waste any more time. "Very well," he said decisively. "Put on the robe, and let’s go to the mansion."

Jessy and Callis nodded eagerly, following the prince’s instructions. They quickly donned their robes and went downstairs to the ground floor, where their escorts were waiting. Armel led the way, and the group exited the inn, ready to proceed.

However, just as they were about to leave the front door, Kiev’s sharp eyes caught sight of an entourage approaching from the other direction outside the inn.

One of them raised a red flag denominating the golden eagle he had seen at Ardel’s castle. It immediately alarmed the prince, causing him to sense danger.

"Hide! Get back inside!" The prince urgently shouted to his companions.

Armel, taken aback by the sudden urgency, asked cluelessly, "What? Why?"

"Just go! Now!"

There was no time for a detailed explanation.

The group quickly abandoned their plans, retreating into the safety of the inn, seeking refuge from the approaching entourage.

Kiev closed the door, and the group stood silently at the back of the wall, their senses heightened and their expressions vigilant. Kiev ordered them to remain silent as the entourage passed, the horses’ hooves echoing on the path just outside the inn.

The teenager, still surprised by the sudden turn of events, couldn’t help but ask.

"What’s the matter?"

"Shush!" Callis raised her finger and put it on her lips, indicating the need for silence and caution.

Armel stopped questioning the gesture.

Keeping a watchful eye, Kiev cautiously peeked through the window to observe the passing entourage. A wave of relief washed over him as they continued on their way without stopping at the inn.

"This is surprising. What could the Ardelians be doing here?" the prince muttered, his brows furrowing in confusion and curiosity.

Callis, joining him at the window, looked outside and wondered aloud, "Brother, are those people from Ardel’s castle?"

Kiev nodded, his expression serious. "From the look of it, they seem so."

Turning his attention to Jessy, Kiev pondered momentarily and made a grave decision. "You cannot come with us, Jessy. They might recognise you," he said with concern, understanding the unwanted attention they could face if the nanny were caught in sight by the Ardelians they saw.

"But they already passed by," countered Callis.

"We don’t know where they are going. They are probably lurking around the area, so we shouldn’t take unnecessary risks. Our presence here shouldn’t be known by the Ardel’s King or his men because it might endanger Jessy and Princess Anna," Kiev said in a slow voice, emphasising the need for precaution.

"You’re right."

The nanny quickly grasped the situation, realising that if the people they had just seen were indeed from Ardel’s castle and mistook her for Nessy, Anna’s nanny, it could potentially bring harm to them.

"All of you, stay here and guard Jessy. Callis will follow me," Kiev instructed his men, his voice firm and resolute.

"But, my lord..." one of the escorts protested, concerned for the prince and the princess’s safety.

"I can look after myself. Those people have never seen my sister or me," Kiev reassured them. The prince then turned to Armel, addressing him directly. "You, too, will come with me."

Accepting his decision, the escorts bowed respectfully.

Confusion clouded the teenager’s face as he impatiently questioned the situation, "Can you tell me what is going on?"

"You don’t need to know. Just lead us to Gerhard’s mansion," Kiev said straightforwardly. "You said the princess knows you very well, right? Now is the time to make yourself useful. Move it!"

Armel pouted, slightly disheartened by Kiev’s demanding and determined demeanour. Despite finding the handsome prince generally agreeable, he couldn’t deny his assertiveness in certain situations. The teenager accepted his order, realising he had no choice but to comply.

Without wasting more time, they embarked on their journey towards Gerhard’s mansion, with the goal of reaching the princess.

The siblings began to embark on their journey to Gerhard’s mansion, led by Armel with one bold intention—to take Anna and bring her home with them.

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