The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 219: A New Lady-in-waiting & Maid’s Duties

Chapter 219: A New Lady-in-waiting & Maid’s Duties

The news of the decision spread quickly through the mansion, reaching the ears of its occupants. Upon receiving the information, the knights swiftly prepared themselves to follow.

Even Damon and Eli, battered and bruised from their injuries, didn’t want to miss the chance to witness the duel. Despite their condition, they got off their bed and readied themselves, unheeding Ayden’s advice.

Meredith, Sylvia, and Rania, who had been patiently waiting for the outcome of the dispute meeting, were informed by Noah of the immediate departure. Excitement surged within them.

"I don’t care! I need to go and watch this!" Sylvia declared, her anticipation evident.

"Me too! I wouldn’t miss it for the world!" Meredith added enthusiastically.

The knight, aware of the possible protocol and restrictions, cautioned them. "I’m not sure if His Highness would allow it."

"I’ll go and ask," Sylvia decided, determined to get permission.

Just as they prepared to head out of the parlour, Anna and Kyren arrived. The grand duke directed his attention to Meredith, seemingly recognising her role.

"Are you the one who came up with the idea for the duel?" he inquired, his gaze serious.

Meredith bowed respectfully before responding, "Not exactly, Your Highness. It was Lady Racyhard’s proposition. We were discussing Cassian and Ardel’s laws at the time, and it was Armel who initiated it at first."

Kyren’s gaze intensified.

"You’re also the one who wanted to be my wife’s lady-in-waiting, correct?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Meredith answered nervously.

"But you left her last night during the commotion," Kyren pointed out, his tone serious.

Meredith took a deep breath, gathering her courage and responded, "I swear, Your Highness, it wasn’t intentional! My father ordered me to return home, and we argued. When I insisted that I was still on Lady Raychard’s side, my father relented and allowed me to come here to support her."

Eager to make amends, Sylvia said, "Yes, Your Highness! We came here to apologise for our mistake. The truth is, we never looked down on Lady Raychard. We were just confused and angry because she had hidden her true identity from us, even though we were already friends."

Kyren took a moment to contemplate their words, his expression softening.

"Very well, then. You are forgiven for your contribution, especially since Anna has already accepted you," he stated.

Turning his attention to Meredith, he continued, "And since you have shown unwavering support for Lady Raychard to be with me, I shall grant your request. I will officially proclaim your position later on, but for now, please immediately start your role as the lady-in-waiting. Escort my wife and be with her during the duel."

Meredith’s eyes widened, surprised by Kyren’s decision.

"Yes, Your Highness! I will fulfil my duties faithfully," she replied with gratitude and determination as she bowed to him.

"You can bring her together," said the grand duke, directing his eyes towards Sylvia. "As for you..." Kyren said as he looked at Rania, Meredith’s personal maid, "Return to your mansion and inform Lord Grey of the service I am acquiring from his daughter," he stated. "Furthermore, kindly relay my request to the Count of Medhir, informing him that I have also asked his daughter to accompany my wife."

"Yes, Your Highness," said the maid with a bow.

***

In the meantime, Kiev strode purposefully towards the foyer, with Callis following closely behind him.

"Armel, you’re coming with us! We’re heading to the palace!" Kiev commanded the teenager who had returned to his spot after Anna and Noah left to tell the grand duke of the duel proposal.

"Yes, my lord! I mean... Your Highness!" Armel replied, adjusting his words respectfully.

Moments later, the grand duke’s group joined them, filling the foyer with their presence.

"Wow... it seems the whole cheering squad is here!" Callis exclaimed, observing the knights and escorts accompanying Kyren and Anna.

Kyren smirked at her remark.

"What can I say? I am quite popular, and my people are eager to witness my victory over you."

Kiev scoffed at Kyren’s confident statement.

Callis looked around, realising someone was missing.

"Where is Mr Amares? He should join us since he’s the mediator!"

"I’m right here!" Rafe’s voice called out from afar. He walked down the hallway, carrying his bag in hand.

Curiosity sparked in Eric’s eyes as he squinted at the healer.

"Why are you bringing your bag with you, Rafael?"

The Mederian Princess’s face grazed with confusion. Throughout the time, she had known the healer as Rafe Amares, not Rafael.

"It’s my treatment bag, just in case anyone gets injured. It’s part of my duty as the healer," Rafe explained, clarifying the purpose of his bag.

"Speaking of injuries, as you know, my sister here is hurt," Kiev stated firmly, seizing the opportunity to address the matter. "Therefore, I demand that someone attends to her care until we leave."

Callis turned to her brother, taken aback by his sudden request.

Rafe offered his assistance.

"You can let me know if she needs anything," he suggested.

Kiev shook his head in disagreement.

"No, not you," he asserted. "You mentioned that she needs meticulous care due to her condition. While I appreciate your intention, I cannot allow you to always be with her. As a man, it would be inappropriate for you to be alone with my sister, who is a maiden. I need a female attendant to chaperone her."

Kyren sighed, annoyed by the prince’s demand but choosing not to oppose it.

"Fine! Get me, Rosalie," he ordered Anryr, standing nearby to send them off.

But the Mederian Prince intervened, rejecting the suggestion.

"No, not her. I want the maid who attended to my sister during the treatment. She is familiar with Callis’s injury, and my sister is comfortable with her," Kiev insisted.

Callis’s expression changed, perplexed by her brother’s request. She wondered why he insisted on having the maid attend to her when he could heal her after the duel. However, she remained silent, recognising the stern look her brother gave her.

"You didn’t make this request on purpose, did you?" the grand duke inquired, suspecting a hidden motive.

"Of course not! You heard what the healer said earlier!" Kiev replied defensively. "After all, you have your whole team with you, and I am simply asking for one attendant to serve my sister, considering your knights caused her injury. Is it too much to ask?"

"Fine! Call for the maid now!" Kyren instructed Anryr, yielding to the prince’s demand.

The steward swiftly turned and soon returned with Elis. The maid, who appeared scared and confused, bowed respectfully upon her arrival.

"You are not allowed to leave and must attend to Her Highness, Princess Callis until she and her brother depart from Cassian. Ensure you provide your best service to her, as I do not wish to owe anything to them after this," Kyren instructed Elis.

"Yes, Your Highness," the maid nodded in acknowledgement.

Garin, who had overheard the decision, felt relief wash over him. A smile spread across his lips, mirroring the expression displayed on Anryr’s face.

"Thank you, Grand Duke," Kiev expressed his gratitude." Miss Canton, please escort my sister. She will be in your care while I finish the duel," Kiev directed Elis.

"Yes, Your Highness," Elis replied, stepping up and quickly positioning herself by Callis’s side.

"All right, everyone. Let’s head to the palace," Kyren commanded, signalling for them to proceed.

***

"How dare you humiliate her! Have you forgotten that she is a member of the royal family?"

Queen Emelda’s enraged voice reverberated through the grand throne hall, striking at the assembled lords who had gathered due to the previous night’s events. The weight of her words silenced the room, leaving the lords with mouths tightly shut in apprehension.

The news of the banquet’s abrupt end had reached her ears a bit late, as she had stayed by her husband, King Kyden’s side, until late morning, tending to him as he recovered from a night of excess. The king, unaccustomed to heavy drinking, remained bedridden, necessitating the postponement of his scheduled activities for the day.

Fueled by his dissatisfaction, Lord James countered with a sharp retort, "She’s an Adhemar! A traitor’s bloodline! How can you accept her into the Cassian royal family?"

Undeterred, Queen Emelda met his objection head-on with gritted teeth. Her tone held a firm resolve as she responded, "You do not possess the authority to question who we want to bring into our family!"

Lord James, unwilling to back down, continued to challenge the queen’s decision.

"My family has significantly contributed to the kingdom of Cassian since its establishment. I have dedicated myself to upholding the dignity of the royal family!"

In a sudden surge of anger, Queen Emelda rose from her throne and descended the dais. With a swift motion, she seized a nearby guard’s sword from its scabbard and twirled her movement with a fierce determination, bringing the blade to a halt just inches from Lord James’s neck. Gasps of astonishment filled the hall as the assembled lords watched the scene unfold.

"My grandfather sacrificed his life in the great war, defending Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress!" Queen Emelda declared, her voice laced with intensity. "Never should you question my loyalty to the empire, Lord James!"

Her piercing gaze bore into the minister, leaving no room for doubt. "And do not presume that your family is the sole contributor to the kingdom. Though I may have remained silent and refrained from interfering in the government administration, do not mistake my silence for ignorance. I am well-informed and possess the knowledge necessary for the kingdom’s welfare."

Lord James’s eyes widened as they flickered towards the glinting blade. The queen’s sudden and uncharacteristic act had surprised him and the other ministers.

While it was common knowledge that the queen’s family had a history as renowned warriors of the empire, they distanced themselves from the royal council after the kingdom’s establishment, so he never expected that she would raise the sword against him.

"Your Majesty..." The voice of another minister began, but Queen Emelda’s fierce gaze silenced them all.

The queen’s voice cut through the room, laced with authority. "When His Majesty proposed opening up trades with other kingdoms, you were among those who opposed it boldly. Yet now, you reap the benefits and profits from these very businesses! Shall I revoke all the ventures that you once despised so vehemently?"

Lord James swallowed hard, his expression shifting as he absorbed the weight of the queen’s words. After a tense moment, Queen Emelda withdrew the sword and cast it aside, its clatter echoing in the hall.

"I will take your silence as a resounding ’no.’ So, let it be known that if you dare to disrespect the royal family again, I will not remain passive. Do I make myself clear?"

The queen’s warning hung in the air, her unwavering resolve leaving no room for doubt.

All the lords bowed in silence, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. With sombre expressions, they left the throne hall, the consequences of their actions weighing on their minds.

Queen Emelda resumed her seat on the throne, sighing in frustration. The encounter with Lord James and the ministers had left her visibly exasperated.

"Oh, God! What a nuisance! When will I be able to get rid of him and his daughter?"

Just then, Lord Enos, the chamberlain, urgently rushed into the throne hall.

"Your Majesty! His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke of Gerhard, has arrived with his entourage and requests an audience with His Majesty, the King!"

"He’s here? I thought he planned to return to the duchy," the queen responded, her brows furrowing with curiosity.

"I am unsure of the details, Your Majesty, but it is a matter of great importance. Moreover, he has brought several esteemed guests with him, His Highness Prince Kiev and Her Highness Princess Callis from the Kingdom of Sabel," Lord Enos informed her.

The queen considered the situation before making a decision. "Let them in. I will receive them and attend to their matters since His Majesty is still not well."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Lord Enos acknowledged with a bow before swiftly exiting the throne hall to relay the queen’s instructions.

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