The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 191: The Unexpected Prowess Of The Prince

Chapter 191: The Unexpected Prowess Of The Prince

Kiev, Callis, and Armel’s horses stood before the entrance gate of Gerhard’s mansion. Despite their repeated requests for entry, they were continuously denied access.

"I said, let me in. I demand to see your lord this instance!" The prince’s voice resounded again, adamantly requesting immediate entry. However, unfamiliar with their identities, the gatekeepers expressed reluctance to open the gate.

"I’m sorry, but we can’t let you in. We don’t know who you are!" one of the gatekeepers replied, holding his ground.

Kiev’s frustration grew evident as he reiterated his request. "I told you already who I am! Now open this gate!"

The gatekeepers were unwavering. The mention of Prince Kiev Naver from Sabel Island only made them hesitate more, as they had never heard the name of such royalty.

Just as the tension escalated, Anryr, having been informed of the commotion by a servant, appeared on the scene. Confusion etched across his face as he sought to understand the cause of the disturbance.

"What is this commotion all about?" the steward inquired, trying to clarify the situation.

Determined to make his purpose known, Kiev responded firmly, "I want to see the grand duke. He has someone that belongs to me, and I’m here to take her back!"

Anryr’s astonishment was palpable as he processed the prince’s statement. "Someone belonging to you? Who?" he questioned, his voice laced with surprise.

"Princess Anna Adhemar," Kiev declared demandingly.

Anryr’s expression shifted, a mix of surprise and curiosity surfacing. He scanned at the man wearing a long hooded cloak before him. The face of the person was partly hidden beneath the hood, making him more suspicious.

Sensing the urgency and potential danger, Callis, who was also wearing the same, interjected, attempting to defuse the situation.

"Look... if you keep resisting, this will be dangerous. We are not here to hurt anyone, so open the gate and let us enter," she said determinedly.

"We can’t do that! We received instructions from His Highness not to open up to unknown people," Anryr insisted, standing firm in his commitment to follow the grand duke’s orders.

"Unknown people... right..." A disparaging smile etched on Kiev’s lips.

Undeterred by the steward’s resistance, the prince dismounted from his horse. Callis and Armel also descended, but the princess stood still and told Armel to stay with her, allowing only her brother to move forward.

With an air of audacity, Kiev approached the gate, determined to proceed despite the gatekeepers and guards attempting to stop him. As they moved to block his path, the prince swiftly and skillfully incapacitated them, using a combination of precise strikes and powerful manoeuvres.

The first guard lunged forward, fists swinging with reckless abandon. With lightning-fast reflexes, the prince’s palm accepted his opponent’s strikes. Gripping the fist with immense strength, he took hold of the guard’s arm and twisted it behind his back.

"Arghh!" The guard cried out a shout of pain, his movement locked by Kiev, and he effortlessly forced the guard to the ground.

’Zapp!’

Another straight punch came, narrowly missing Kiev’s face as he dodged the incoming blow. Seizing the opportunity, the prince retaliated with a tremendous counterattack. His mighty fist hit the assailant’s jaw, rendering him unconscious.

The remaining adversaries closed in, undaunted by his move. Simultaneously, they launched themselves at Kiev, wielding their shining swords. Yet, each strike seemed to meet an impenetrable barrier as the prince’s strength deflected their attacks.

Kiev’s fists flew, unleashing a barrage of bone-crushing blows that sent his opponents tumbling to the ground while deftly evading the blades. His movements were fast and accurate, reaching for his rivals in a powerful strike before they could avoid him.

Groaning sounds filled the area as the guards’ attempts to subdue him proved futile. Blood trickled from their battered faces.

Those who managed to rise and launch a second attack were met with additional punishing uppercuts and crosses, slammed hard to their ribs and flesh.

In a display of his combat skills, Kiev never even raised his sword against the guards —as he didn’t need to.

Anryr, positioned on the inner part of the mansion’s ground behind the gate, watched in shock. His eyes widened as Kiev’s display of strength and ferocity shattered his preconceived notions.

"Call up the knights!" realising the impending danger, the steward shouted to the servant anxiously, sending him running to the knight’s quarters.

With no opposition in his path, the prince drew his sword and swung it against the gate’s chain, severing it in a single powerful stroke.

’Bang!’

He followed up with a forceful kick, causing the iron gate to buckle and deform. As it swung open, it created a noticeable dent and produced a creaking, distorting sound.

Anryr stood frozen, his expression filled with disbelief at the display of raw strength and the sudden breach of the once-impenetrable gate. At that moment, the steward realised he was witnessing a level of power and skill similar to the grand duke. It took only a few moments for the prince to bring down all the gatekeepers and guards.

Armel stood bewildered by the unexpected turn of events. His mouth went dry as he witnessed the combat prowess of the prince on full display. A shiver ran down his spine, realising the true extent of Kiev’s abilities. Never before had he seen such a transformation in the usually calm and composed man.

Callis, on the other hand, remained composed.

"I told you it’s going to be dangerous, but you won’t listen!" she said casually to Anryr.

Armel’s mouth opened, but no words came out as his head and eyes turned to the princess.

Was this a common occurrence when Kiev got angry?

The prince approached the paled Anryr, his face filled with fierce determination.

"Lead me to your lord before I bring down this mansion!"

***

Anna’s gaze remained fixed on the soup, her thoughts consumed by Kyren’s decision not to have children. A sense of sadness weighed upon her heart, overshadowing the present moment.

Noticing the princess’s distant expression, Rafe attempted to lighten the mood. With a playful tone, he teased, "If you keep staring at the food like that, you might just bore a hole in the bowl and make the soup spill out."

Anna’s eyes shook as the remark returned her from the deep contemplation.

"I’m sorry... I don’t think I can finish the whole thing since I have little appetite," Anna replied, her voice tinged with sadness.

Rafe took a peak at her untouched portion of the meal. Seeing that only half of the soup had been eaten and a loaf of bread from the served plate had been finished, a sigh escaped his lips.

"You know, I specifically asked the kitchen staff to cook a hearty meal for you, knowing you’re not so well."

"I’m really sorry! I didn’t mean to waste the food!" Anna begged for forgiveness. Her experience escaping from the Bargesians’ barrack and losing track in the forest empty-handed had taught her a valuable lesson of how precious a meal was.

"I’ll finish this quickly!" She began picking up the spoon again, but the healer stopped her.

"Don’t force yourself. I know you won’t be able to finish it. If you keep pushing yourself for my sake, you might feel sick," the healer said.

"I apologise again!" The princess spoke up, feeling embarrassed.

After finishing their meal, Rafe encouraged Anna to take a sip of the drink.

"How are you feeling now? Does it help a little?"

Anna nodded, appreciating his care. Their conversations over the meal about other topics managed to calm her.

"Yes, it’s comforting," she replied softly.

Rafe’s gaze shifted to Anna’s reddened eyes and nose, a tinge of pity evident in his expression. Concerned for her well-being, he felt compelled to check her condition.

"If you don’t mind, may I examine your pulse? Just to be sure," Rafe offered, his tone gentle and reassuring.

Anna agreed, understanding the healer’s intention to provide further assurance. She extended her wrist, allowing Rafe to place his two fingers on her pulse.

A faint crease formed on Rafe’s forehead as he felt her pulse, indicating a hint of concern.

"Are you still feeling anxious?" he asked, his eyes searching for any signs of distress.

Anna shook her head.

"No. I do feel a bit disheartened, but I’m not as anxious as before."

Rafe took a moment to process her response, his gaze thoughtful.

"That’s strange... Your pulse is still stronger than normal," he remarked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Anna’s worry began to creep in as she grasped for an explanation. "Is there something wrong with me?" she asked.

Rafe quickly reassured her.

"No, definitely not. It’s just that since I’ve been treating you, I’ve noticed that your current pulse rhythm is slightly different than usual. However, it’s not abnormal to have variations in its rate, especially when external factors such as surroundings and emotions come into play. Given what you’ve been through, seeing some changes is not surprising. It should return to normal soon."

Anna’s tension eased slightly as she absorbed Rafe’s explanation. She found solace in his knowledge and experience, trusting that he had her best interests at heart.

"I see... I hope I won’t get sick and cause trouble to Kyren again," Anna muttered slowly.

"Don’t worry, I’ll be right here to assist you, my lady. In case you start feeling unwell, please inform me," reassured the healer.

"Yes... ummm... Rafe..." Anna hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper as she was about to make a request.