The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 217: The Past of A Former Slave

Chapter 217: The Past of A Former Slave

Elis couldn’t contain her overwhelming sorrow any longer. The tears streamed down her face, their intensity matching the depth of her pain. She sought solace beneath the shelter of a tree, desperate to conceal her anguish from prying eyes.

Her mind drifted, haunted by the dreadful memories that had plagued her since that fateful day. Her life had become an abyss of unending suffering, devoid of any glimpse of joy.

Abuse, sorrow, fear, and shame had become her constant companions, overshadowing any semblance of a normal existence. Every day was a battle for survival, a cruel reminder of the life she was trapped in as a slave.

But then, an unexpected ray of hope pierced through the darkness. The Knights of Gerhard arrived with their commander, like a divine intervention she had never dared to dream of. It was as if a miracle had descended from the heavens.

Their appearance marked the end of the unimaginable torture she had endured. Unexpectedly, the commander, who was also the Grand Duke of Gerhard, in accordance with his agreement with the Count of Abinair of Dracor, took her and the other slaves into his hands.

Elis had braced herself for yet another ordeal, expecting the worst to follow. However, what transpired was far from her expectations. The grand duke not only freed her and the others from their torment but also returned them all to their homes.

It was a new aspiration, a lifeline that offered the possibility of reclaiming her humanity. No longer treated as possessions or mere animals, she dared to dream of a life restored, where she could once again be recognised as a human being.

Despite the deep scars etched into her soul, Elis yearned for a fresh start—a life of tranquillity and restoration. She longed to rebuild what she had lost, to find solace in the embrace of a supportive community back home.

However, those who had known her and witnessed her growth turned a blind eye in her time of need. When the catastrophe befell her life and loan sharks snatched her and her sister to sell them to slave traders, the people she once trusted remained silent, their indifference a painful betrayal. Those who were meant to shield and safeguard her shut her out completely.

Upon her return, freed from the clutches of slavery, Elis discovered that her hometown had transformed into a cesspool of disdain. The townsfolk treated her as if the misfortunes that had befallen her were of her own making.

Bruised, battered, and isolated, she mustered every ounce of strength to endure, for the town was the only place she had ever called home. But on that dreadful night, when intruders invaded her home, intent on violating and extinguishing her life, Elis could bear it no longer. She fought back like a frenzied spirit, wielding a knife to defend herself before fleeing into the unknown.

In the dead of night, she ran aimlessly, her destination uncertain. Tears mingled with her despair as she contemplated her fate, convinced that ending her own life might be the only means to escape the ceaseless suffering.

She felt trapped, unable to return to a town that would never accept her for who she truly was. The label of a slave had been seared onto her existence, an indelible mark that no amount of longing could erase.

Amidst her darkest hour, the words of a man she had encountered resurfaced in her memory.

’If you ever have difficulties starting over and have no one to turn to, you can come to me at the Gerhard’s Castle. I promise I will help,’ his words echoed in Elis’s mind, a faint glimmer of hope amidst her desolation.

Garin Skyler, the knight with intense brown eyes and wavy brown hair, possessed a rugged and formidable appearance that initially instilled fear within Elis.

Like other men she had encountered, her body trembled with apprehension as she beheld his imposing figure. She braced herself for the familiar cruelty she had come to expect.

Yet, to her surprise, Garin never exhibited the sinister intentions that had haunted her past experiences. He never once violated her trust despite sharing the same horse for days as he escorted her home.

He bestowed her with sustenance, ensuring she had nourishment at every opportunity during the journey. Occasionally, he inquired about her comfort and needs. Still, he never engaged in unnecessary conversation and treated her with kindness without words, even though he was aware of her tainted history.

One incident stood out in Elis’s memory, etching Garin’s character upon her heart. When a fellow slave, driven to despair, attempted to end her life by plunging into the river, the knight fearlessly leapt into the water without hesitation, risking his own safety to rescue the woman. His act of selflessness resonated deeply within Elis, offering a new profound confidence towards the man.

Driven by her will to survive, Elis pressed on, enduring days of relentless walking that left her feet throbbing with pain to reach the Duchy of Gerhard. She relied on the kindness of strangers, begging for scraps of food and sips of water to sustain herself during the arduous journey.

Finally, she arrived at Gerhard Castle, only to be met with hostility from the dismissive servants. Weakened and on the brink of losing consciousness, she made one final plea to see Garin before succumbing to her fatigue.

Her life took an abrupt turn thereafter. Upon learning of her story and desperate situation, the knight ensured she received the necessary care to regain her strength. To put her close in his observation, Garin arranged for Elis to become a maid within the castle once her health was fully restored.

Shielded by the knight’s protection, she found solace in the quiet routine of her work, grateful for the respite from her tumultuous past. Elis believed that seeking Garin out had been the right decision, a hope that had rescued her from the abyss of despair.

However, fate had other plans in store for the maid.

One day, Noah, Emily, and sick Clara crossed paths with her, and from there, she was set in motion for a perilous adventure. Joining them, Elis and Garin embarked on a race against time, journeying to Gerhard Mansion in Gantz, driven by the urgent need to save the life of the knightess.

Upon arriving, Elis’s gaze fell to Rafe, recognising him as the healer who had treated her after the nightmarish incident during the Count of Abinair’s presumed birthday celebration.

The event, devised to curry favour with the Grand Duke of Gerhard, had subjected her to a brutal assault by one of the count’s knights, leaving her battered and broken.

Despite the brief relief she had found in Gerhard’s mansion, Elis’s world came crashing down when Kyren’s rejection to accept her as his servant pierced her heart. The devastation left her feeling utterly miserable, overwhelmed by the fear of once again being alone and cast aside.

As tears trickled down her cheeks, a voice broke through her sorrow.

"Why are you crying?"

Elis lifted her head, discovering Callis’s striking visage, gazing down at her. Behind the princess stood Kiev, his piercing red-ruby eyes locked onto her without a blink.

Attempting to hide her vulnerability, Elis hastily denied her tears, sniffling and trying to compose herself.

"No... nothing! I wasn’t crying," she stammered, her voice betraying her attempt to conceal her emotions.

The princess’ sceptical expression revealed her disbelief.

"Seriously? Do you expect me to believe that?" she questioned, her tone laced with curiosity.

Realising that her attempt to hide her distress was in vain, Elis took a deep breath and mustered the strength to respond.

"It’s nothing important," she murmured, her voice tinged with resignation. "I’d better be going now."

Standing up, Elis brushed off her skirt, attempting to remove the clinging fallen leaves.

"I’ve heard that the grand duke doesn’t want you to stay and told you to leave by tomorrow. Where are you planning to go?" Kiev blurted out, causing Elis to pause in her tracks, her intended departure halted by his words.

"What? That obnoxious grand duke dismissed her?" Callis exclaimed in disbelief. "What wrong did she do? Is it because she helped me in the treatment room?"

"No. Somehow, he seems to despise female servants. That’s why we don’t see them around in the mansion," the prince explained.

"Then why did he hire her in the first place if he dislikes them?" the princess questioned, her confusion evident.

"Please don’t speak ill of His Highness! He’s a good man!" Elis interjected.

"You’re still defending the person who wants to throw you out? I can’t believe he has such loyalty from you! Apparently, he doesn’t deserve it!" Callis voiced her disappointment.

"Stop it! You don’t know him like I do!" Elis voiced out determinedly.

"Fine! I won’t question your blind faithfulness to him. However, it is disappointing to see an arrogant person like him receiving admiration yet failing to appreciate it," the princess expressed with remorse. "Though our encounter has been brief, I believe you’re a kind person and don’t deserve to be treated like that," Callis let out her thoughts.

"It’s fine. Even if he doesn’t want me to serve him, I will always remember his kindness," she replied, expressing resignation.

Despite the looming uncertainty of her future, Elis remained steadfast in her gratitude for the moments of compassion she had experienced under the grand duke’s roof. Callis shook her head in dismay, struggling to comprehend the maid’s unwavering loyalty towards Kyren.

"I’d better go now. There’s a lot of work to be settled before I leave. Please excuse me!"

Elis bowed politely to the siblings, signalling her intention to depart and attend to her impending duties.

The two royal siblings watched as the maid left, her figure receding into the distance.

"Interesting," Kiev mused, his voice breaking the silence between them as his eyes trailed upon her.

"Who? Are you referring to the maid?" Callis sought clarification.

The prince nodded lightly.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"She’s the first person who avoids looking at me every time we meet, and she doesn’t show any interest," Kiev responded.

"Come to think of it, you’re absolutely right. Other girls would have been smitten by now. Even Princess Anna’s friends were mesmerised by you," Callis remarked, recalling the usual attention her brother received.

"I’ve heard that she is scared of men and doesn’t want to have a relationship with any of them," Kiev shared his knowledge. "But there’s this one particular knight who seems to care for her like a sister... I wonder what happened to her."

"I’ve noticed that too."

"I don’t know... it seems like she has some history or something," Kiev pondered aloud.

Callis sighed, concern evident in her voice. "I hope she’ll be fine and find a better job elsewhere."

Just as their conversation began to delve into speculation, a snapping twig caught their attention. Both siblings turned around to find the healer approaching them, interrupting their train of thought.

"Your Highnesses, Her Highness Princess Anna has returned and wishes to discuss something with you," Rafe said. "Please come back to the discussion room immediately."

The two nodded. As they moved, Kiev turned his head around one more time, glancing at Elis’s figure, which had become smaller in his eyes.