The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 203: Meeting The Grand Duke

Chapter 203: Meeting The Grand Duke

Curious about Kyren’s intentions, the prince asked, "What are you planning?"

Doubt coloured his features, thinking what would be the grand duke’s next move.

"You mentioned wanting to meet Anna’s escort to confirm your claim, right? So, let’s go!" Kyren responded in a determined tone.

Callis, not wanting to be left behind, interjected, "I’m coming with my brother!"

Kiev asserted his demand with determination to the grand duke, "She’ll go wherever I go."

"Fine," Kyren conceded reluctantly, acknowledging the prince’s insistence.

Then, Armel, who had been momentarily forgotten, spoke up.

"And what about me?" he asked, his hesitation evident in his voice.

Kyren’s disdain for Armel became apparent as he bluntly stated to Kiev, "I don’t like that boy."

Callis, however, quickly defended the teenager’s presence.

"He’s with us! I disagree if you want him to leave," she said.

Kyren’s glare intensified, reflecting his despise for Armel. But before he could respond, Anna swiftly approached him and took hold of his arm.

"Kyren, Armel is not guilty. He claims to have gotten caught up in all of this. There must be a good explanation, and I want to know why and how he got involved," the princess pleaded with compassion.

"Do you still want to see him?" Kyren asked, his eyes gazing deeply into her with a sullen face.

Anna sighed, her voice tinged with defeat as she bowed.

"I... I won’t if you don’t want me to," she responded, reluctantly accepting the grand duke’s decision.

Seeing the frustration on his wife’s face, Kyren felt torn once again. After a brief pause, he relented.

"Fine... Since today is your last day in Gantz, you can see him afterwards, but not alone. Noah will accompany you. That boy can wait in the foyer. But for now, you’ll come with me as we need to sort out this matter," he concluded, compromising to some extent.

Anna felt relief as Kyren showed a rare moment of understanding and leniency. It appeared that he might sympathise with her impending separation from her friends.

Following the grand duke’s orders, Alex was tasked with collecting Callis and Kiev’s weapons. However, the princess hesitated, reluctant to give. Kiev urged her to comply, and eventually, she surrendered her sword and was ready to follow her brother.

"Pardon me, Your Highness," Rafe interjected after briefly observing the unconscious forms of Eli and Damon. "Before we proceed with any further actions, may I offer a suggestion?"

Kyren turned his attention towards the healer. "Go ahead. What is it?" he inquired.

"The treatment room will be swarmed with these injured and unconscious men. Dame Verns is there now. I think she should be moved to another room for a more suitable environment for your meeting. This way, you can all convene with her in a space that offers greater privacy."

Kyren nodded in agreement.

"Then, I’ll transfer her to the guestroom," offered the healer. "Mr Foster and Miss Canton, could you come with me to make the arrangements?"

"Right away, Mr Amares," Anryr nodded in agreement. Elis positioned herself near Garin, prepared to follow along.

Curiosity piqued, Kiev suddenly asked, "Why can’t she come to us?"

Kyren, taking a moment to respond, stated simply, "She’s not well."

"Not well?" Kiev questioned, seeking further clarification.

Noah, the knight responsible for Dame Verns, stepped in and interjected, "Allow me to explain. Dame Verns sustained severe injuries when I saved her life. She recently underwent surgery for a broken leg and is still in the process of recovery."

Noah then turned to Rafe, suggesting, "I should accompany you. You’ll need someone to assist in carrying her, and she may feel more comfortable with me."

The healer agreed with the knight’s suggestion, acknowledging Noah’s role in Dame Verns’s care and the potential comfort he could provide during the transfer.

Kyren’s attention then shifted to Elis. A glimmer of curiosity shone in his eyes as he noticed her attire, which resembled that of Gerhard’s maids.

"One second...," the grand duke spoke up. "Why do we have a maid here in the mansion other than Rosalie? I thought I had dismissed all female servants before."

Kyren’s sudden question drew the attention of those present, including Kiev, who had been stealing glances at Elis. He couldn’t help but notice that she avoided direct eye contact with any of the men, including him, except for Garin.

What surprised him even more was the apparent ease and comfort the maid displayed around the burly knight with wavy hair. There seemed to be an unspoken connection between them, which piqued the prince’s curiosity.

Realising that he hadn’t yet conveyed the news about Elis to the grand duke, Anryr cautiously informed, "She’s a maid from Gerhard’s Castle, Your Highness."

Elis, growing increasingly scared and nervous at the mention of her presence, felt a sense of dread wash over her. To ease her feelings, Garin quickly interjected, "Your Highness, there’s an explanation for this..."

Not wanting to delve into the matter at that moment, Kyren swiftly interrupted Garin’s words.

"Explain to me later. All three of you, come and see me once we have sorted out this matter," the grand duke ordered with a firm tone.

The trio adhered and bowed respectfully, their faces displaying a solemn demeanour.

"We shall wait in the grand hall for the moment," the grand duke informed the steward.

"Yes, Your Highness! I’ll come and inform you as soon as possible," Anryr acknowledged, understanding the importance of relaying the information promptly.

"Sir Navin, please come with us too. Your hand is bleeding," said the healer, noticing the blood smearing the knight’s sliced arm.

"This is just a little graze. It doesn’t hurt much," Eric answered nonchalantly.

"Still, it needs to be treated. Otherwise, it could be infected later on," advised Rafe. "I’m sure all the knights are affected by the fight, so please go to the treatment now. No excuse!" his order came out firmly.

The way the healer commanded the knights made Callis chuckle slightly. It was as if watching children being reprimanded by a mother. When the knights turned to her with uneased look, she quickly closed her mouth and looked away.

Kyren ordered them to move.

Thus, the knights, healer and steward swiftly headed to the treatment room. Garin carried Damon, and Luke lifted Eli, followed by Alex, while Kyren, Anna, Kiev, and Callis made their way to the grand hall.

***

The treatment room doors swung open, and the sudden rush of men entering caught Clara, Emily, and Ayden by surprise. The assistant healer instructed Emily to stay with the knightess while he went to investigate the situation unfolding behind the privacy screen.

As he approached, he was met with the sight of unconscious guards and gatekeepers being carefully placed on the beds by the servants on the other part of the partition within the room.

Shocked, his mouth gaped open at the scene before him. He turned around and saw Garin carrying Damon while Eli was on Luke’s back. Both knights were also unconscious, adding to the bewildering situation.

"What the h*ll happened?" Ayden asked. His expression was one of utter confusion.

"His Highness declared this as a ’drill,’" Rafe, who had just arrived, responded, causing the assistant healer to turn towards the voice.

"A drill for what?" the assistant healer inquired, his confusion growing.

"A practice to test the endurance and capabilities of his men against simulated outsider attacks, or so he said," Rafe explained.

"This doesn’t look like a practice at all! It already resembles a battlefield!" Ayden countered, frustration evident in his tone.

"You’ll be surprised when you find out who was behind it!" Alex chimed in, adding to the growing intrigue and mystery surrounding the situation.

The assistant healer looked at the knight anxiously, his eyes focusing on the bleeding cut on Alex’s neck, as well as the other wounds scattered across his body. Concern etched his face.

"This is not good," Ayden said, his worry apparent as he surveyed the numerous guards and gatekeepers who had fallen due to the attack.

"Don’t worry! Most of us only have minor wounds, and they’ve just fainted," reassured Eric, attempting to alleviate the assistant healer’s concerns.

Curiosity tinged Ayden’s next question as he sought to understand who was responsible for the attack.

"Who did all this? Did His Highness hire an entire army to test all of you?"

The query was met with no specific answer, and the knights felt embarrassed. They knew that if it became known that just one man and woman had orchestrated the attack, they would be ridiculed.

"Just focus on treating them for now, Mr Norman. We’re not in the mood to discuss it," Drystan interjected, his voice heavy with fatigue and exasperation.

Noah, who had entered the room, swiftly made his way behind the privacy screen where Clara’s bed was situated.

"What’s going on, Sir Brooks?" Emily, who had been waiting there, asked with impatience. Concern also was evident on Clara’s face.

"I’ll explain later. But for now, Dame Verns, I need you to come with me," the knight responded, his tone indicating the urgency of the matter.

Ayden, who heard Noah’s voice requesting the knightess to follow him, quickly pushed the screen aside.

"Where are you taking her? She can’t walk or make sudden movements! Her wound might reopen!" the assistant healer cautioned the knight, his face contorted with dissatisfaction upon hearing Noah’s request.

"Don’t worry! I’ll carry her slowly and with great care," the knight reassured him.

"But... but..." Ayden started to protest.

"Ayden, let him do his job! It’s His Highness’s order, and he wants to see her immediately. Come and help me with these men!" Rafe interjected, his tone commanding.

The assistant healer hesitated, torn between his concern for Clara’s condition and the healer’s direct instruction. Eventually, realising that he couldn’t argue further, he reluctantly acquiesced.

Understanding the importance of following the grand duke’s orders, Clara responded, complying with the demand, "If it’s His Highness’s order, then I should go. Please take me to him, Sir Brooks."

"Sir Brooks, I want to go too!" Emily pleaded. Her desire to accompany them was apparent.

"I apologise, but this is a private meeting. There are a few people who specifically requested to see and speak with Dame Verns," Noah explained.

Clara’s curiosity piqued.

"Who are they?" she inquired.

"That is for you to clarify."