The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 202: A Surprise ’Drill’

Chapter 202: A Surprise ’Drill’

The army descended from their horses and surrounded Kiev and Callis, their swords and spears poised and ready.

Armel’s fear became evident. His face turned pale, and his trembling knees betrayed his anxiety. The instinct to flee surged within him, but Luke, sensing the intention, cautioned him against making any sudden moves.

Meanwhile, the captain of the authority army, recognising the grand duke, swiftly approached him to assess the situation.

"Your Highness, are you all right?" the captain inquired. "We received a report from Lady Rogers, Count of Medhir’s daughter, stating that your mansion is under attack."

Rafe and Eric turned their gaze towards Kyren, their eyes filled with anticipation, waiting for his response that would determine the course of events.

Kyren, maintaining his composure, assured the captain, "I’m all right. I appreciate your support. However, I believe there has been a mistake. There is no attack on my mansion."

"But we saw your guards and gatekeepers lying unconsciously at the entrance. Right now, my healers are helping them," the captain countered, his confusion apparent.

He then turned his attention to the captives, their striking appearance catching his eyes. Even his own men found themselves captivated by Callis’s alluring presence, causing unease to settle in their hearts.

Kiev’s glare intensified, directed at the grand duke, as his anger grew. He believed that the trio had orchestrated this situation, and his hatred for them became more apparent, especially towards Rafe, whom he had once considered trustworthy. Realising that he had been deceived by someone he had perceived as understanding fueled his resentment.

"Let them all go. They are my guests," Kyren declared loudly, his voice carrying across the scene.

The words reached the Mederian Prince’s ears, surprising him as his initial expectations had not come to pass. He had expected to be arrested by the authorities, but the announcement quickly turned off the anticipation.

"Guests? But... what we saw..." The captain’s words were abrupt when Kyren quickly cut off.

"This was just a drill to test the mansion’s defence. It appears that the guards and gatekeepers failed to resist the attack from the outsiders." Frustrated, he grunted, adding, "They must undergo further training after this!"

The captain’s eyes widened. He looked at the surroundings again. Not only did all the guards and gatekeepers faint, but two of the Knights of Gerhard had also suffered the same consequences.

A few of the army attended them as the rest of the knights still vigilantly held their weapons against Kiev and Callis. The captain never anticipated the grand duke would make his men undergo such harsh training. Now, the news that the Grand Duke of Gerhard was so strict with his men fell right before his eyes, making him feel intimidated.

"Everyone, cease your weapons! The drill is over!" announced Kyren to his knights.

A collective surprise rose in the atmosphere while Eric and Rafe exhaled a deep breath, grateful that the tense situation had de-escalated.

Garin, Luke, Drystan, Alex, and Noah exchanged perplexed looks at the sudden turn of events, but upon the second-in-command knight’s subtle nod, they understood to comply with the grand duke’s order without questioning. The knights swiftly sheathed their swords back into their scabbards, hanging on their waists.

With the tension subsiding, standing at a distance, Sylvia quickly made her way to Anna and Meredith. Concern etched on her face, she expressed her relief and worry.

"Are you all right? I was so scared that something bad would have happened to you! I came as quickly as I could!" Sylvia exclaimed with genuine concern.

Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open as she gazed at Kiev and Callis. She had never seen such ethereal beauty before, except for the grand duke.

Anna and Meredith expressed their gratitude, gaining back Sylvia’s attention.

"Thank you, Sylvia, for your help! We feel so relieved you arrived!" said the princess.

"Who are those two people?" The count’s daughter whispered to Anna and Meredith, curious to know. But before the women could answer her, the grand duke cut off their conversation.

"We’ve got the situation under control now. Both of you and your maid can leave," Kyren instructed Meredith, Sylvia, and Rania, who stood perplexed when the grand duke told them.

He quickly came to Anna’s side. The grand duke also ordered the authority army to retreat, signalling an end to the confrontation.

The noblewomen locked eyes with the grand duke. Their surprise was evident in their expressions. Meredith couldn’t help but raise her confusion, "Wait... Just like that? After all we did to help you?"

Kyren responded directly, "There’s no need for help in the first place. Didn’t you hear me earlier? This was all staged."

Anna, still perplexed, looked at him quizzically, seeking an explanation.

"What do you mean staged?"

Realising the need to maintain the facade and avoid further conflict, Kyren leaned closer to his wife and whispered, "Just follow my lead, Anna. If you don’t want us to fight, don’t argue."

Trusting her husband’s judgment, Anna promptly relented, understanding that playing along with his plan would be the best course of action for the time being.

If Kyren said he wouldn’t do it, he would definitely make it true, so it wasn’t a good action to go against him and dwell further for now.

"Mer, Sylvia... It would be best if you leave now, as His Highness said," suggested Anna, emphasising Kyren’s authority.

Meredith’s mouth gaped open in disbelief at Kyren’s request for them to leave.

"Anna... we came all the way for you! How can you ask us to return after witnessing all this commotion?" she exclaimed frustratingly.

Kyren stood his ground.

"We have pressing matters to attend to, and my wife is not available to host you at the moment. Please leave and return at a more appropriate time."

Sylvia couldn’t hold back her defiance. "No way! We’re not leaving until Anna tells us what’s going on!"

Divided between her admiration for the grand duke and her growing scepticism about the situation, Sylvia couldn’t simply accept Kyren’s claim.

The commotion and intensity of the events triggered her curiosity, and she found it difficult to believe that it was merely a staged scenario, as he said.

Kyren’s annoyance heightened as he responded, "Have you forgotten who owns this mansion? Are you defying my order now?"

"N... no, Your Highness... I didn’t mean that. It’s just..." Sylvia stammered, a rush of fright running through her veins when the glaring blue eyes stared at her without blinking.

Desperate to speak with the princess, Meredith said, "Anna... I heard from Lord Enos that you’re going back to the duchy. Please, let us talk before you leave. I’ll regret it for the rest of my life if we don’t. Please!"

Feeling torn between her loyal friends and her responsibilities, Anna’s gaze shifted back and forth between Kyren and Meredith. Finally, she mustered the courage to make a request.

"Kyren... Is it possible for them to stay for a while longer? We need to have at least one last talk and bid farewell. You said we would be returning to Gerhard, and I won’t be coming back to Gantz."

Sylvia’s surprise was evident as she processed Anna’s statement. "You’re not coming back? Ever?" she asked in disbelief.

Anna nodded solemnly.

"I’m afraid so... It’s for the best," she replied, her tone tinged with sadness.

Meredith’s disappointment was apparent as she exclaimed, "Oh, no! Then... we’ll never see you again!"

Sylvia, still grappling with the news, asked, "When are you going back?"

Her curiosity was met with a swift interruption from Kyren, who intervened before Anna could respond.

"Tomorrow," the grand duke stated, providing a concise answer to Sylvia’s question.

Determined to make the most of their remaining time with Anna, Meredith turned to Kyren with a polite yet earnest request.

"Your Highness... I understand you are the mansion’s host, and it would be impolite to go against your orders when you’re not accepting guests. However, since this would be our last encounter, would you graciously permit us to spend some time with Anna?"

Kyren’s initial response remained firm. "I told you, we have matters to sort out right now."

"We can wait, Your Highness," Sylvia eagerly pleaded, hoping to convey their willingness to be patient. "Right, Mer?" she turned to Meredith, seeking confirmation.

Eager to support Sylvia’s plea, the noblewoman nodded fervently.

The grand duke’s gaze shifted to Anna, noticing the sadness in her expression. The memory of the destroyed bouquet flashed in his mind, causing him to feel shaken by the weight of his actions. He couldn’t bear to see his wife upset, prompting him to reconsider his decision.

"Fine! You shall wait in the parlour and stay there until we finish," Kyren relented, his tone softer than before. Meredith and Sylvia breathed a sigh of relief and expressed their gratitude to the grand duke for granting their request.

As the authority army departed from the mansion’s compound under their captain’s orders, Kyren turned to Anryr and instructed him to call up the servants.

They came swiftly upon his order. One was assigned to guide the noblewomen to the parlour, while others assisted in transporting the unconscious guards and gatekeepers to the treatment room.

Meredith, Sylvia and Rania curtsied, showing their respect before being escorted by the servant. Meanwhile, Kyren approached Kiev and conveyed his order.

"You’re coming with me," he stated firmly, his gaze unwavering.