The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 213: A Dispute Meeting

Chapter 213: A Dispute Meeting

The atmosphere was tense as the two parties sat face-to-face in the discussion room. Kiev and Callis occupied their seats on one side while Anna and Kyren held their positions on the other.

Noah stood near the door, his presence exuding an air of protection.

The door creaked open, and Rafe entered. He respectfully bowed towards his lord and lady and the guests gathered in the room.

"May I inquire why I have been summoned, Your Highness?" Rafe politely inquired Kyren, his curiosity piqued by the unexpected order.

Following Callis’s treatment, the group, consisting of Kiev, Callis, Anna, Kyren, and Noah, had moved to the discussion room to delve further into their private meeting, seeking a resolution to their pressing matter. However, it didn’t take long for the healer to be called upon, adding another dynamic to the gathering.

"I requested your presence," Kiev addressed Rafe, his voice steady and determined as the healer looked at him.

"He wishes for you to act as the mediator to facilitate a resolution to this dispute, leading us to a fair and satisfactory settlement," Kyren explained, causing Rafe to turn his attention towards the grand duke again.

"Me? As a mediator? But why me?" asked the healer, his surprise evident.

"Because you are the most rational person in this mansion, and judging from what has transpired, I believe you possess good judgment and unbiased perspective," Kiev confidently responded.

Callis, too, wore a slight smile, acknowledging her brother’s opinion.

"Sit there, Rafe," ordered Kyren, pointing to the host chair of the oval table.

Rafe hesitated initially, but with encouragement from both sides, he approached the designated seat, pulling it out before settling himself comfortably.

His eyes shifted between the two royals, seeking their approval. Upon receiving a nod from the grand duke and a confirming glance from the prince, he took charge and initiated the discussion.

"Very well. As the appointed mediator for this dispute meeting, I shall outline a few rules that we must adhere to," Rafe began, capturing the attention of all present.

The room fell into a peaceful silence as everyone’s gaze fixated on him, eager to understand the guidelines that would govern them.

Rafe took a moment to gather his thoughts before addressing the attendees.

"First and foremost, I want to reiterate that violence, cursing, and shouting are prohibited in this discussion. We must maintain a civilised and respectful atmosphere throughout our deliberations," the healer stated firmly, emphasising the importance of maintaining decorum.

He then continued, providing more specific guidelines for the discussion, "Each party will have the opportunity to indicate their objectives, present any evidence or witnesses they deem relevant, and submit proposals for resolution or suggestions one at a time. It is crucial that we respect the mediator’s instructions and allow each side to express their viewpoints without interruption."

Rafe then clarified his role to prevent any misunderstandings. "I want to state that while I will not make any final decisions regarding this matter, I will ask questions to help establish the facts and provide suggestions for the optimal outcome. It will be based on collective knowledge and understanding of the relevant information."

He turned to the participants, seeking confirmation that they understood the guidelines.

"Are we all clear on these rules and expectations?"

Kiev nodded, affirming his agreement.

"Sounds fair to me," he stated.

Kyren, though visibly sceptical, acknowledged the guidelines as well.

"I have no objection," he agreed, albeit with a hint of reservation.

Rafe took note of their responses and proceeded.

"Now, let us begin by addressing the subject of our discussion, Lady Anna Raychard," the healer started.

"Princess Anna Adhemar," Callis promptly corrected the healer.

Rafe nodded appreciatively.

"Right... I will address her by her maiden name and title. Thank you for that."

Kyren furrowed his brow at the mention of Anna’s maiden name, but he chose to remain silent.

The healer refocused the discussion, keeping it on track.

"The matter in question concerns Her Highness, Princess Anna Adhemar. As claimed by His Highness, Prince Kiev from the Kingdom of Sabel, she is his betrothed..."

Kyren interjected, asserting his statement, "Was his betrothed."

"Is my betrothed!" Kiev insisted.

"Your Highnesses, please, let us remain composed. We have only just begun our discussion," Rafe said, his voice carrying a note of caution.

He then reiterated the crucial points to ensure clarity.

"Once again, I want to emphasise that Princess Anna is both High Highness Prince Kiev’s betrothed and the concubine of His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke of Gerhard," the healer stated formally.

Kyren’s expression soured at the mention of the term ’concubine’, his irritation evident. However, he refrained from interrupting, crossing his arms firmly over his broad chest.

"I understand that His Highness Prince Kiev provided a document confirming the official betrothal between him and Her Highness Princess Anna, along with an engagement ring that she identified and verified. Additionally, I am aware that the four of you met with Dame Verns, the sole witness in this matter. Could you please inform me of the outcome of the meeting?" Rafe inquired, seeking clarification.

Confidently, Kiev responded, "Dame Verns verified my identity and confirmed the validity of the betrothal."

Evaluating the prince’s statement, Rafe turned to Anna, seeking her input.

"Is this true?"

"Clara indeed affirmed it," she said.

Rafe absorbed the information, recognising the significance of Clara’s testimony. He then shifted the discussion towards establishing the timeline of the betrothal.

"May I know when this betrothal started?" asked the healer.

"Three years ago, when Princess Anna was sixteen," stated Kiev.

"My lady, I mean, Your Highness... is this correct?" asked Rafe as he turned to Anna.

The princess nodded solemnly. "Yes, that is correct," she confirmed.

Rafe proceeded with his line of questioning, delving into the history.

"Throughout the betrothal period, has Prince Kiev or anyone from your side ever attempted to annul it?" he inquired.

Anna responded firmly, "No, he has not, and there are none from my side, either."

Rafe then asked again, "And what about proceeding with the marriage? Has there been any attempt to move forward with the wedding?"

Anna’s expression grew solemn as she recounted the tragic event.

"Yes, there was. Two years ago, my family intended to send me to the wedding in the Kingdom of Sabel. However, a shipwreck incident occurred, resulting in the loss of my entire family. I was the sole survivor," she explained, her voice tinged with sadness.

Rafe then asked, "Did His Highness Prince Kiev come to visit you after the incident?"

"He came during the funeral, but we never had the chance to meet," Anna replied.

"I refrained from disturbing her as I was informed about her grave illness and bedridden condition," Kiev explained, defending his decision.

Rafe then sought additional information.

"Was there any subsequent visit from His Highness, the prince?"

"No, there wasn’t," Anna confirmed.

Kiev interjected again, providing the reason behind his absence.

"I couldn’t visit due to the ongoing war," he clarified.

"Yes, we know that, as you have previously informed us."

Turning to Kyren, Rafe then requested, "Now, with your permission, Your Highness, Grand Duke, I would like to ask a few further questions."

Kyren nodded and said, "Proceed," granting permission for the healer to continue.

The healer then posed a question to the grand duke.

"Had Princess Anna ever informed you about the betrothal?" he inquired.

Kyren’s face turned serious as he responded, "Rafe, we have already discussed this matter."

The healer maintained his position, emphasising the need for transparency.

"Yes, we have discussed it. However, it is important for this party to be informed," he stated firmly.

Kyren sighed before answering the question, "Yes, she did inform me. It was about a month ago when we were returning to Gantz from the frontier," he revealed.

Prince Kiev interrupted, showing his frustration, "So, you knew all along."

Kyren’s voice held a note of exasperation as he clarified the situation.

"She knew nothing about you. She told me she was engaged to a man from the Kingdom of Sabel. Her parents made the arrangement, and you never appeared before her until now!" he asserted, highlighting the lack of prior involvement from the Mederian Prince.

Kiev scoffed, but he was met with a stern gaze from Rafe, who sought to regain control of the situation.

"Let us now turn our attention to the heart of the matter. Based on both sides’ evidence, witness, and facts, it appears that His Highness Prince Kiev has the right as the official betrothed to claim Her Highness, Princess Anna..."

"What?" Anna exclaimed, disbelief washing over her face.

Responding to Rafe’s statement, Kyren, the grand duke, was on the verge of rising from his seat in protest. Meanwhile, Kiev and Callis wore confident smiles, believing victory was already within their grasp.

Sensing the rising tension, the healer quickly raised both palms in a calming gesture, signalling for them to hold their reactions.

Rafe continued, his voice steady yet deliberate, "We have not yet reached a conclusion. Please allow me to continue."

The healer’s words temporarily paused the room as the grand duke and his wife anxiously awaited further clarification.

"His Highness, the Grand Duke and Her Highness Princess Anna have spent several months together upon their encounter, nurturing their feelings for each other as a couple," Rafe explained.

"It would be inherently unjust to separate them, even if His Highness, Prince Kiev, has legal rights to do so. In order to resolve this matter peacefully, I would like to hear your suggestions, Your Highness, Grand Duke," the healer requested, hoping to foster a dialogue that could lead to a mutually agreeable solution.

Kyren’s response was firm but measured, "I offered Prince Kiev compensation in terms of fortune, but he refused." He turned to Kiev and said firmly, "I will not simply hand over my wife to you, regardless of the circumstances. So, please state what else I could offer if money is not your interest."

"She’s not your wife! She’s your concubine!" Kiev stated.

Kyren stood his ground with determination.

"She’s my wife! I’ve never agreed for her to be my concubine! She made that decision of her own free will due to the circumstances," he proclaimed. "I married her, and we consummated our marriage legally at the border while I was on duty!"

Prince Kiev pressed further, his tone accusing.

"You did that because you didn’t want her to die in the camp!" he asserted. "The moment Dame Verns told me the story of your marriage, I already anticipated the reason behind it! Your law indicates that you cannot touch a maiden before marriage, so you did it to avoid legal complications! If she had died, you and your knighthood would be held accountable for her death because you brought her back to your bed!"

Kyren’s lips quivered, anger boiling within him. However, he managed to maintain his composure and respond, "Even if that is true, so what? She’s still my wife, and we have developed genuine feelings for each other throughout this time! She loves me, and I care deeply for her!" he declared passionately, defending the emotional connection they had formed.

"But do you love her back?" Callis questioned, pressing Kyren on the matter. "I noticed that you’ve been avoiding answering this question before."

Kyren’s frustration grew apparent as he responded, "It doesn’t matter if I love her or not! She’s important to me!"

The Mederian Princess countered, "It seems to me that you don’t! You can’t even say it! How ignorant you are to keep someone with you when you don’t even love her!"

Anna couldn’t bear the exchange any longer and stood up, her voice filled with anger. "Stop it! You have no right to say that to Kyren! You don’t know what he has been through and why he can’t express his feelings!" Her outburst left everyone bewildered as tears started to fall from her emerald eyes.

"I know you have every right to take me, Prince Kiev... but I love my husband, and I’m not willing to go with you," Anna declared firmly, making her choice clear.

Prince Kiev persisted, attempting to undermine her feelings.

"You don’t love him, Princess Anna! You’re only blinded by his pretentious kindness because you’ve never been treated as such! He gave you nice dresses, a good place to live, and freedom to move around, things you had never experienced in Ardel, so your heart was swayed by that. The truth is, he only wants your body!"

"Shut up!" Kyren shouted.

"You shut up!" Kiev retorted.

Rafe raised his voice, "Calm down, everyone! Please, no shouting!"

Anna’s lips trembled, her emotions overwhelming her.

"What you said is not true! I love him for who he is, not because of what he gave me! It doesn’t matter if he can’t love me back. I don’t need to have my love reciprocated. Being with him is more than enough!" she spoke up to the prince.

"This is preposterous!" Kiev turned to Kyren with a darkened expression. "You had not only taken my betrothed but also touched her, and now you’re putting her under your charm!"

"That is an absurd remark! She said it herself that she loves me! Nobody is forcing her feelings! Not even me!" Kyren glared back at the prince.

"Enough! All of you, stop arguing!" Rafe shouted, attempting to bring an end to the heated altercation.

The room fell into a contemplative silence, interrupted only by Anna’s sobs.

"I can’t take this anymore, please...." the princess cried.

Overwhelmed by the situation, she rose from her seat and ran towards the door, pulling the knob and fleeing from the room.

Rafe inhaled deeply, then sighed.

"We need a break," he stated, acknowledging the emotional toll the discussion had taken on everyone present.

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