The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 210: His True Intention

Chapter 210: His True Intention

Meredith sat on the plush chair, her mind filled with thoughts and worries about what was happening. The silence in the mansion only heightened her concerns, as she hadn’t heard any further arguments or signs of fighting since the temporary cease.

Meanwhile, Sylvia was delighted with the butter cookie and spread served by Rosalie. The delectable taste of the dessert pleased her palate as it crumbled and melted on her tongue. She couldn’t help but savour each bite.

"This tastes so good! Mer, don’t you want some?" Sylvia asked, extending the plate towards her friend.

Meredith shook her head, her appetite diminished by her anxious state.

"I don’t feel too hungry," she replied, her voice reflecting her unease.

"Do you want me to get you something else, my lady?" Rosalie asked politely.

"No, thank you. I appreciate your hospitality. You may leave for now. I’m sure the lady will take some time to meet us. We will help ourselves," Meredith responded, grateful for the chief maid’s attentiveness.

"Very well, then. Please ring the bell and let me know if you require anything. I will attend to you accordingly," Rosalie said, bowing respectfully to the noblewomen.

Rania, who had accompanied them, also nodded to Rosalie as a gesture of respect. The chief maid excused herself, leaving the two friends and Meredith’s personal maid in the quiet room.

Meredith’s mind continued to race with worry as they awaited Anna’s arrival, and she hoped that their concerns would soon be addressed.

Noticing Meredith’s troubled expression, Sylvia stopped eating and set the cookies aside. She wiped her mouth using a handkerchief, then turned her eyes to Meredith before speaking gently, "You’re being too worried right now. You should try to calm down a bit."

"Lady Rogers is right. Please have a cup of tea, my lady. That will ease your worries," Rania suggested.

Meredith nodded, accepting the advice. Rania began to pour her a cup of tea, carefully stirring in two cubes of sugar to dissolve them before serving it to the noblewoman. The sound of the silver spoon clinking against the porcelain was faint.

Meredith lifted the cup from the saucer, bringing it to her red-tinted lips and carefully drank the steaming hot tea. After a few sips, she gently set the cup down and handed it back to Rania.

"Do you think they can resolve the problem well? I am worried it will affect Anna," Meredith expressed her worries.

"Whether we like it or not, it will affect her. I can’t imagine being in her place," Sylvia responded, her voice filled with empathy. "But I wonder, if she is already betrothed, why would she still become His Highness’s concubine? Didn’t His Highness know about her betrothal? What do you think, Mer?" Sylvia asked, seeking her friend’s perspective on the matter.

"Yes, I thought about it too. But I’m sure there’s an explanation to this," Meredith responded, contemplating the situation.

"How about we asked the boy who’s waiting in the foyer? He might know something. He seems to know Anna from somewhere," Sylvia suggested.

Meredith shook her head.

"No, I want to hear it directly from Anna. Let her explain it herself. Asking someone else and knowing only a part of it would only trigger more questions and doubts. I’ll wait," she decided, determined to seek the truth from the princess.

"You’re right. That is the most rational thing to do," Sylvia agreed, recognising the wisdom in Meredith’s approach.

Just then, footsteps echoed through the hallway, drawing their attention. Meredith raised her head and turned towards the sound, surprised to see Alex and Luke standing at the parlour’s entrance.

"I’m returning to the knights’ quarters to change my outfit. Mine is already torn here and there," Luke said.

"Go ahead. I’ll come later. I have something to do now," Alex replied.

"All right. Let me know if there’s anything. You know where to find me," Luke said before leaving Alex behind.

Sylvia stood up upon seeing the knight and inquired, "Is Lady Raychard available for us?"

The knight shook his head and replied, "Not yet, Lady Rogers. She’s currently in the treatment room."

Meredith’s panic rose as she heard this and exclaimed, "Oh, my God! Did something happen to Anna?"

The knight quickly reassured her, saying, "No, nothing happened to the lady. Her Highness, Princess Callis seemed to be injured, so Lady Raychard is accompanying her for treatment."

Meredith let out a sigh of relief, her panic subsiding.

Sylvia recalled the description of the princess and her brother and said, "Ah, you mean the beautiful woman with white hair and red eyes! Yes, Mer did tell me about her and her brother. She said they are the prince and princess of Sabel Island."

Meredith’s curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "Since Anna took her to the treatment room, that means they are not fighting anymore. Has the matter been resolved?"

The knight replied, "As of now, the fight has ceased, and I haven’t heard any arguments. However, I can’t say for sure if the matter has been fully resolved as I don’t have the details. All I know is that they have gone to see Dame Verns, Lady Raychard’s escort from Ardel. We might need to wait a little longer to know the outcome."

Meredith’s expression showed a hint of disappointment as she sat back down, contemplating the situation.

Sylvia reassured the knight, saying, "It’s fine. We shall wait. Please do inform us if there’s any update or news."

"Yes... Umm... Lady Grey... Can I see you for a moment?" Alex gathered his courage and made a request, catching Meredith’s attention.

The noblewoman’s brown eyes darted back to the knight.

"What is it about?" she inquired.

"I have something to discuss with you. Please, it won’t take long," Alex replied, his voice filled with determination.

Meredith hesitated for a moment, considering the request. Sensing her behaviour, Sylvia eagerly spoke up, "Go ahead, Mer! Don’t worry about me. Rania can accompany me here."

The maid initially protested, "But I should be attending to my lady."

Sylvia waved off her concerns.

"Oh, hush! Give them some space. I’m sure it must be something important that needs to be discussed in private! Go now, Mer!" she encouraged her friend to take the opportunity. "Rania, would you please pour some more tea for me?" Sylvia then requested.

Meredith relented, saying, "All right. Just for a moment. Rania, please stay here and attend to Lady Rogers."

"Yes, my lady," her personal maid acknowledged.

Meredith stood up and approached Alex. They walked in silence through the hallway, both seemingly focused on their thoughts. After several steps, they arrived at an entrance that led to an outside garden.

"Where are you taking me?" Meredith asked with a hint of curiosity.

"Outside. I want to speak with you in private," Alex replied with a firm expression.

"Oh, I don’t have my coat with me. I totally forgot about it and left it in the carriage," she pointed, remembering that she had run from the carriage in a hurry earlier.

"It’s fine," Alex reassured her.

He halted and reached for the robe he had placed in his right arm, putting it gently on Meredith’s shoulders. "You won’t get cold with this."

"Thank you," Meredith expressed her gratitude.

Her cheeks felt warm when Alex adjusted the robe on her shoulder to keep herself from the wind.

They stepped out into the garden, greeted by the beautiful autumn scenery. The air was crisp, and colourful red leaves adorned the trees, creating a picturesque backdrop.

Meredith’s gaze then shifted to the wounds and cuts grazed on Alex’s body, remnants of the recent fight. His outfit was torn from the clash of blades.

"Have you received your treatment?" she asked, noticing his injuries.

"I have," Alex confirmed, acknowledging that he had accepted care for his wounds.

Meredith’s concern persisted as she asked, "Does it still hurt?"

"These small cuts won’t hurt me," Alex told her, his tone indicating that he was accustomed to such injuries.

"I see... Then, you should go back and change. Your clothes are torn, and the weather is chilly these days," Meredith suggested, her worry evident.

Alex’s expression softened as he responded, "You still care about me. I thought that day you said our connection had ended already."

Meredith’s eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed with a tinge of embarrassment.

"This has nothing to do with that! I am concerned because... because you’re Anna’s escort! If you’re hurt, then how can you protect her?" she explained, her words slightly rushed.

Alex remarked as his hazel eyes stared deeply into the woman before him, "You stammered."

Meredith’s face flushed further, and she quickly retorted, "I did not!"

The knight quipped determinedly, "You did!"

Meredith huffed, feeling irritated towards the knight. Taking a breath to compose herself, she asked, "What exactly is your point, actually? What is it that you want to talk to me about?"

"Your decision... Marrying into Gerhard to become Lady Raychard’s Lady-in-waiting... please abort it."

Meredith’s expression turned defensive as she asked, "What does it have to do with you?"

Alex replied earnestly, "I don’t want you to get married just because you have to. If you want to, marry someone you like... someone you care about."

Meredith’s voice carried a hint of frustration as she argued, "What difference does it make anyway? Noble marriages have always been arranged by families for political reasons. If I don’t resort to that, I would end up marrying someone chosen by my family."

Alex countered, "I don’t think your father would force you to get married in such a way. He cares about you, and I can see that clearly."

A flicker of sadness passed through Meredith’s eyes as she responded, "You think I have so much choice, don’t you? Even you have rejected me."

The knight’s words stumbled as he tried to clarify, "I don’t... I mean... Lady Grey..."

Meredith interrupted, her tone laced with frustration, "Just stop meddling with my life. You don’t know what it feels like to be rejected."

"That’s not my intention!" Alex protested.

Meredith’s frustration grew, and she retorted, "Then, what is? You obviously don’t want me. You refused to accept my confession, and now you’re telling me to marry someone I like? What is wrong with you?"

Alex’s expression turned serious, and he spoke firmly, "Listen... Lady Grey, I am a serious man, and I don’t know how to joke around or take things lightly."

Meredith’s voice quivered with emotion as she confronted the knight, "Do you think I was joking when I confessed my feelings to you? Can you possibly fathom how nervous I was to reveal my heart?"

"You’re having so many men in your interest. You’ve been His Highness’s fan, and you even mention Mr Amares and Mr Norman as your choice of suitors!"

Meredith’s frustration welled up as she continued, "Oh, so you think I was playing around? Yes, I have admired His Highness, and my admiration remains steadfast. But that doesn’t equate to love! Don’t you also hold him in high regard?"

"Of course I do! He is the lord I serve, and he embodies the pride of Gerhard and Cassian," Alex responded proudly.

Meredith’s voice grew more impassioned as she countered, "Then, would it be fair for me to claim that you are in love with him?"

A look of bewilderment crossed the knight’s face as he exclaimed, "That’s absurd!"

Meredith seized the opportunity to make her point, her tone resolute, "Exactly! The same principle applies here! Admiration and love are inherently distinct! You can discern the difference from your perspective, but you cannot impose that understanding on my feelings! How preposterous is that!"

"You’re a woman!" Alex exclaimed.

Meredith’s eyes narrowed as she retorted, "And a woman can’t have the same admiration as a man does?"

Confusion etched across the knight’s face as he questioned, "Then, what about Mr Amares and Mr Norman?"

Meredith’s frustration boiled over.

"I was just saying their names to make you angry! But you just stood there with a stern face as if nothing happened! You’re so heartless and cruel!"

Alex’s eyes widened, and the hurt in his voice was evident as he pleaded, "Don’t say that! I am not what you think. You don’t know me!"

Tears welled up in Meredith’s eyes as she choked back a sob.

"You don’t even care!"

"I do care!"

Silence hung in the air. She turned her head away as her tears fell down her cheek.

Alex’s voice broke the stillness, trembling with vulnerability, "Lady Grey..."

He continued, softer this time, "I am not good with words. I grew up with all brothers and had little experience interacting with girls. So, it’s been challenging for me to understand your feelings when you expressed them to me."

The knight took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts.

"I wasn’t rejecting you. I was just taken aback because no woman had ever been so brave to approach me like that, and I thought you were teasing me."

Desperation filled Meredith’s voice as she vehemently denied his assumption, "I was not!"

Alex came close and raised his hands. He cupped her face with a gentle touch and turned her to look at him. His finger brushed against her cheek, wiping away her tears.

"Do you truly mean what you said to me? Are your feelings sincere?"

Meredith’s voice quivered, her words laden with honesty, "I meant every word."

Alex’s voice grew more resolute as he pressed on, seeking affirmation, "And do you still feel the same way about me now?"

She hesitated for a moment before finding her voice, "That..."

The knight pleaded, "Please say it! I need to know."

A moment of anticipation hung in the air before Meredith finally responded with conviction, "I do!"

A mixture of relief flooded Alex’s expression.

"Then... from this moment onwards, I would like to court you with the intention of marriage."

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