The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 193: A Fierce Battle

Chapter 193: A Fierce Battle

A voice shattered the silence, "How dare you breach into Gerhard’s mansion?"

The Mederian siblings and Armel turned their attention to the source of the shout. Eric, accompanied by six knights, had rushed to the scene upon receiving the urgent report from a servant about intruders.

"Oh, boy! This is going to be troublesome! We’re wasting time here," Callis muttered with an annoyed expression.

The Knights of Gerhard directed their gaze towards the warped iron gates, their faces registering surprise. They observed that no army was accompanying the man before them, only a woman wearing long pants and a hooded robe, along with a teenager carrying a sling bag over his shoulder.

The fact that the assailant’s attack had severely deformed the iron gates left them bewildered. Luke’s eyes widened as he caught sight of Armel, recognition flashing across his face.

"You’re the forager kid!" he exclaimed, surprised by the teenager’s presence. The other knights shared in his astonishment.

Armel, filled with fear, quickly explained, "I... I didn’t mean to come here! I swear! They forced me!"

Callis interjected with irritation in her voice, "Wow, you make it sound like we’re so cruel to you! I’m definitely going to claim back my money for that food I bought you the other day!"

Armel defended himself, glaring back at the princess. "I’m not lying! You and your brother did force me, though!"

Callis huffed in response. However, before their argument could escalate, their exchange was abruptly interrupted as Luke, drawing his sword, stepped forward to confront the princess.

Eric’s attention remained fixed on Kiev, considering him a significant threat to Gerhard’s mansion. He drew his sword from its scabbard, gripping it tightly, and prepared to strike.

The second-in-command knight took a further step. His voice filled with authority as he shouted, "Who are you, and what do you want?"

Kiev let out an exasperated sigh, clearly annoyed by the repetition. "Do I have to repeat myself for the hundredth time? This is getting so boring!" He turned to Anryr and instructed, "You, tell them my intention for coming here."

Anryr, still overwhelmed by fear, managed to stammer out a response, "He... he wants Lady Raychard. He claims she belongs to him!"

"Ah, you must be part of the Bargesian group or their mercenaries! What a charade! Your leader pretended to leave the palace while you were here, pursuing her," Drystan interjected.

Perplexed by the mention of the Bargesians, Kiev denied, "Bargesians? I have no idea what you’re talking about!"

"Don’t pretend!"

As Damon shouted, Eric’s attention was drawn to the unconscious guards and gatekeepers scattered on the ground, evidence of the encounter that had occurred before their arrival.

Kiev observed the burly brunette knight before him, his gaze unyielding. He could sense that the knight was a formidable opponent, skilled in combat. The prince’s experience and intuition allowed him to read the subtle signs of Eric’s expertise, noting his grip on the sword and his unwavering stance.

"You seem like a worthy opponent," Kiev remarked, his tone filled with a hint of admiration.

Eric’s anger flared at Kiev’s perceived expectation as if claiming himself as a formidable enemy, on par with him.

"How arrogant! You think you can defeat me after barging in and attacking them? It seems you’ve never encountered the Knights of Cassian!"

The prince remained calm, his tone steady as he responded, "I did ask for permission... politely. However, your men refused, and your servant disregarded my sister’s warning. Furthermore, it was your guards who initiated the attack. So you could say I am merely defending myself."

"Sir Navin, this man clearly needs a lesson," Garin chimed in, eager to join the confrontation. "Let’s teach him a good one today!"

Eric squinted his eyes.

"I’ll be fair to you. I’ll fight you one-on-one, and I’ll let you leave after I defeat you... if you’re still alive."

Unfazed by the knight’s attempt at fairness, Kiev responded with a hint of arrogance, "No need to be so merciful. You and your men can attack me all at once. The red-haired knight and your youngest one can fight against my sister to keep her entertained while I waste my time with you."

Unable to contain his fury, Eli shouted fiercely, "What the h*ll! How dare you look down on me! I am an ordained knight!"

The young knight charged forward, his determination etched on his face. However, in a quick motion, Callis unsheathed her sword and intercepted his attack, preventing it from reaching the target.

’Clang!’

The blades met with a resounding clash, nearing the princess’s face.

A smile graced Callis’s lips as she commended Eli’s skill.

"Not bad for a young knight," she remarked, amused by the performance.

Eli’s anger boiled over as he shouted, "You! I don’t raise my sword against women. But you... you ask for it! Harghh!"

As the intense sword fight unfolded, the blonde knight charged towards the princess with a fervent battle cry. Callis sidestepped to let him pass, her movements fluid and precise.

With a quick flick of her wrist, she aimed to strike at his unprotected shoulder, but Eli’s speed proved formidable, causing her timing to falter. The blade sliced through the clasp of the princess’s robe, and as she spun to evade the strike, the fabric tore and cascaded to the ground.

Callis’s ethereal beauty became apparent to all who beheld her at that moment. Her flowing white hair, as silky as moonlight, danced in the wind, adding an air of enchantment to her presence. Like fiery rubies, her eyes blazed with determination and intensity, reflecting her unwavering spirit amid the battle.

The princess’s sheer magnificence struck Eli and the other men present. The sight of her radiant face, framed by her cascading hair and illuminated by the fierce glow of her red eyes, left him momentarily stunned. It was as if a rare and radiant gem had been unveiled before him, surpassing any beauty he had ever witnessed.

Callis glared at Eli with a mixture of frustration and anger.

"That’s my favourite robe! You are going to pay for it!" she exclaimed.

In response, Kiev called for Armel, who stood nearby, uncertain of what to do. The prince began to unclasp his robe, taking it off and handing it to the teenager.

"Take care of my robe. I don’t want it to get dirty," he instructed.

Armel quickly took hold of the robe and stepped aside from the fight scene.

The knights once again found themselves astounded by the striking resemblance between the prince and princess. Both possessed the same silken white hair and deep red-ruby eyes, emanating an otherworldly aura that enhanced their captivating beauty. The allure of their appearance was undeniable.

"Do not be deceived by their enchanting looks! These people are dangerous!" Alex warned his comrades, who stood in awe. Their focus returned to the fight.

Luke’s frustration and disappointment were evident as he raised his tone against Armel, expressing his discontent, "What an ungrateful kid! After we saved you, your brother, and your friend, this is how you repay us? By bringing the enemies to us?"

Armel’s voice trembled with remorse as he quickly responded, "I... I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to!"

Callis angrily addressed Luke, "Hey, red-haired! Don’t touch that kid! Come and fight me!" she taunted, her words filled with a challenging edge.

"What are you waiting for?" Kiev prodded, his tone daring Eric to face him in combat.

The clash between the two began as their swords met in a flurry of strikes and parries. Eric launched an attack, aiming a snapping cut towards Kiev’s ribcage, but the prince parried it, displaying his prowess in swordsmanship.

Undeterred, Eric pressed on, twisting to the right in an attempt to catch Kiev off guard. The prince anticipated the move and met the knight’s blade with his own, resulting in another clash of swords.

Eric could feel the immense strength behind the prince’s thrust, straining against it with all his might. His face reddened with exertion as he held his ground, refusing to yield.

A smile played upon Kiev’s lips as he balanced his posture on one leg and launched a kick towards Eric’s thigh. The unexpected blow caused the knight to stumble backwards, but he quickly regained his stance, determined to retaliate. Seizing the opportunity, Eric landed a quick thrust towards the prince’s stomach, only to have it deflected by the prince.

In a moment of fast-paced action, Kiev countered with his cut, narrowly missing Eric as the knight dodged the attack. His blade flickered, feinting low and striking high, jabbing at his opponent with precision.

The intensity of their duel surged as they engaged in a fierce battle, each one striving to outmatch the other. With every move, they tested their skills and reflexes, their movements becoming a dance of precision and agility.

The clash of their weapons echoed through the air, filling the space with a symphony of steel. Each parry and counterattack was executed with calculated precision, a testament to their honed abilities.

It was a fierce battle, a display of mastery and unwavering resolve.