The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 220: Entering The Royal Arena

Chapter 220: Entering The Royal Arena

Queen Emelda listened intently to the grand duke’s explanation, her surprise evident on her face. Her gaze shifted from Kyren to Kiev and Callis, the Mederian siblings who stood before her with an air of confidence and determination. Their striking appearances captivated her, but the news of the two princes’ altercations over Anna left her even more perplexed.

"How come you never told us that Anna is engaged?" the queen inquired, her voice tinged with confusion.

Kyren’s response was swift.

"Her betrothed never appeared, so I assumed he was no longer interested in her. Furthermore, as you know, I have already married my wife, and I only learned about her betrothal while we were coming to Gantz."

The queen absorbed his words, her brow furrowing as she processed the information.

Standing beside Callis, Kiev interjected confidently, "I have explained the reasons for my absence. It was never intended, and I am in a position to have Princess Anna back with me, regardless of her current relationship with the grand duke."

Queen Emelda let out a weary sigh, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on her. The news had taken her by surprise, and she never expected to find herself embroiled in such a bizarre predicament. She pressed her temple with her slender fingers, attempting to ease the mounting tension.

"We have come to the conclusion that a duel shall take place between us. The winner will claim Princess Anna," Kiev added, his voice firm and resolute.

The queen’s eyes widened in disbelief. "What? How could you resort to such a drastic decision? Anna is not a mere object to be won or lost! She is a human being with her own emotions, and it is clear to me that she is in love with the grand duke!" she exclaimed, her tone filled with a mix of concern and frustration.

"I have tried to explain this countless times, Your Majesty, but these two individuals refuse to understand," Kyren responded.

Kiev, undeterred, expressed his perspective. "Love can be nurtured, Your Majesty. What matters most is taking responsibility. According to the official documents, Princess Anna is legally bound to me. However, out of respect for her desire, I am willing to accept the duel as a final gesture. I request that His Majesty preside over the duel as a fair witness so that this matter can be put to rest once and for all after the grand duke is defeated," he declared without hesitation.

Kyren’s expression hardened, his voice reflecting his disapproval.

"In your dreams, red eyes! I assure you, you’ll never be able to beat me, ever."

"Please, let us pause for a moment and refrain from descending into another argument," Rafe’s timely interruption cut through the heated conversation.

He turned his attention to Queen Emelda, his words laced with respect, "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I have been entrusted as the appointed mediator for the dispute meeting. Allow me to elucidate the agreed-upon terms regarding the proposed duel."

"You’re the mediator?" Queen Emelda asked, her tone filled with surprise and intrigue.

Rafe nodded respectfully, acknowledging her question.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Both parties have appointed me for this dispute to ensure a fair resolution."

The queen turned her gaze towards Kiev, seeking his confirmation.

"And you agree with this choice, Prince Kiev?"

The prince nodded decisively, expressing his confidence in the healer’s abilities.

"Indeed, Your Majesty. Through my interactions with Mr Amares, I have realised that he possesses a rational and intelligent approach compared to others who have acted based on emotions. His reliability and adherence to address the matter in accordance with the facts have satisfied me."

Rafe spoke up, clarifying his stance to the queen, "While it is true that I serve the grand duke, I have made a conscious decision not to let my loyalty cloud my judgment. My foremost responsibility is to uphold the truth and the facts. In this dispute, I have refrained from taking sides and instead focused on laying out the consequences based on the evidence and witnesses presented to me."

"I see..." Queen Emelda nodded lightly, indicating her understanding and agreement with the healer’s perspective. She focused on Rafe and requested further clarification. "Please, explain to me in detail what has been agreed upon."

The healer acknowledged the queen’s request and proceeded to outline the specifics of the rules and agreement. Once he concluded, Queen Emelda turned to Anna, recognising the significance of the decision on her life. With a caring tone, she sought her thoughts on the matter.

"What are your thoughts on this? It directly concerns your life, and your input is crucial," the queen inquired, allowing the princess to express her viewpoint.

Anna took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding.

"Your Majesty, I am the one who initiated this request. While I never wished for things to become so complicated, a fair duel seems the only way forward, considering Prince Kiev’s reluctance to withdraw, despite my expressed desire to be with Kyren."

The queen listened attentively, understanding the complex position Anna found herself in. She weighed the options in her mind before voicing her next concern.

"Well, since you have discussed and made your decision, I will not intervene further. However, His Majesty is currently resting for the day. Is it possible to postpone this matter to a later date?"

"No!"

Both princes adamantly rejected the suggestion in unison, their determination evident in their expressions. They exchanged a brief, serious glance, conveying their shared resolve.

"The sooner we conclude the duel, the better," Kyren asserted firmly. "Please inform His Majesty of this matter."

Queen Emelda acquiesced, acknowledging their request.

"Very well. I shall personally convey the message to him. Rest assured, this matter shall be resolved accordingly."

***

The royal arena was a vast circular space, enclosed by towering stone walls carved with legendary battles and heroic figures. They were punctuated by archways that allowed spectators to enter and exit easily.

Above, an expansive domed ceiling stretched overhead, allowing sunlight to filter through during the day and offering a view of the bright sky during day events.

The King and Queen of Cassian were seated within the royal cubicle, their regal presence commanding attention. Flanking them on the side were Rafe, the appointed mediator of the dispute, and Charles, the ever-attentive chamberlain, ready to assist the monarch in any capacity.

Rafe detailed the intricacies of the dispute to provide a comprehensive briefing to the king, who was still suffering from hangover effects from his heavy drinking last night. Charles stood beside the healer, listening intently, his focus unwavering.

Meanwhile, several guards and royal knights diligently maintained their positions, ensuring the service and security of the entire arena area.

At the side of the hall, a group of servants and attendants patiently awaited their assigned duties, ready to fulfil their roles with utmost dedication.

The royal arena, designed with tiered seating arranged in a circular fashion, clearly distinguished the two parties involved. Callis occupied a seat on the left side, with Elis faithfully standing by her side.

Armel stood behind them, maintaining a watchful presence. On the right side of the arena, Anna, Meredith, and Sylvia sat, accompanied by the Knights of Gerhard, who occupied seats of slightly lower elevation.

King Kyden, feeling the weight of the situation, massaged his temple in an effort to alleviate the strain on his senses. His mind worked tirelessly to maintain composure and sobriety amid his condition.

Yet, the responsibility was on his shoulders, and he strived to fulfil his duties as the King of Cassian to the best of his abilities.

"Are you feeling alright, Your Majesty, my king?" Queen Emelda expressed her concern, her face etched with worry as she observed her husband’s weariness.

"I wish I hadn’t indulged in so much drink last night. I swear to God, I’ll never drink again," King Kyden confessed, attempting to alleviate the pounding in his head that resulted from his excessive drinking.

"Luckily, I intervened in time. It could have been even worse! You know you’re not accustomed to heavy drinking, so why did you push yourself like that?" the queen chided, her concern with a hint of reprimand.

"Trust me, my dear. If there were no pressing need, I wouldn’t have done it," the king replied, acknowledging his lapse in judgment.

"Is there anything you need, Your Majesty? If you wish, I can prescribe you some medication to alleviate the hangover," Rafe offered, noticing the king’s pale complexion.

"The royal healers have already prescribed me the medication this morning, and I’ve taken it. I’ll be fine within a few more hours," King Kyden assured, appreciating the healer’s concern.

"Very well, then," Rafe nodded, respecting the king’s decision, and stepped back.

King Kyden’s gaze then shifted towards Anna, who appeared restless in her seat alongside her companions. He clicked his tongue as he contemplated the predicament his brother had entangled himself in by pursuing someone who was already promised to another.

"Just what has my brother gotten himself into this time... taking someone’s betrothed?" he mused.

"Well... we can’t entirely blame him, considering how he ended up married in the first place," Queen Emelda remarked. "In any case, his life has certainly become more interesting since Anna entered the picture."

King Kyden let out a tired sigh, longing for the situation to be resolved so he could return to his bed. He confidently said, "Let’s just get this over with. Kyren is bound to win anyway."

However, his wife’s response suggested uncertainty, "I’m not so sure about that..."

Surprised by her lack of confidence in his brother, King Kyden questioned, "You doubt the abilities of the best knight in Cassian? My brother?"

The queen leaned closer and whispered, relaying an intriguing account she had heard, "I heard from Sir Navin that the prince from the faraway island single-handedly confronted Kyren’s guards and gatekeepers. He effortlessly defeated them all before taking on and besting five Knights of Gerhard, and they couldn’t match his skill. After that, he confronted Kyren with a fierce battle. Neither had shown signs of defeat until the fight got interrupted."

King Kyden’s expression shifted from calm to surprise as he absorbed this revelation. He turned to his wife, seeking confirmation, and she nodded fervently, affirming the astonishing tale.

"I couldn’t believe it too when I found out. I had never heard of anyone being able to confront Kyren as such. That’s why I want to watch this!"

The king, intrigued by the unfolding events, rubbed his cleanly shaved chin and narrowed his eyes, his curiosity piqued.

"Let’s see just how good he truly is," he remarked with genuine interest.

Upon the king’s permission, announced by the attending arena guardian, the contestants made their entrance into the arena through two opposite archways. Armed with their swords, they exuded confidence as they stepped into the arena hall.

All eyes were suddenly drawn to Kiev, who surprisingly lacked any armour or protective gear.

Kyren, taken aback by this, couldn’t help but question his opponent’s choice, "Why aren’t you geared up? Are you not up to the challenge?" he inquired, a hint of scepticism in his voice.

The prince responded with a disparaging smile, exuding a sense of self-assuredness, "I don’t need it. Besides, this will be just a short fight, so I don’t want to burden myself with unnecessary hassle."

Kyren’s expression turned scornful as he contemplated Kiev’s audacity. "How bold of you," he retorted. "If that’s the case, I shall remove mine as well so we can fight on equal footing."

Kiev let out a light laugh, seemingly unfazed by Kyren’s words.

"I won’t mind if you do. After all, you’re the one who seems to require all the protection," he scoffed, his confidence unshaken.

"Hey, though I despise your irritating, arrogant remark, a fair fight is still the main core of the duel, remember?" reminded the grand duke sternly.

"Go on, be my guest," Kiev retorted dismissively, rolling his eyes in an unbothered manner.

Kyren, determined to match his opponent’s lack of armour, signalled for a guard to assist. Without hesitation, he had his armour removed. Witnessing this, Anna’s worry intensified, and she rushed down the aisle and made her way to the arena grounds.

"Kyren! You’ll get hurt! Don’t do this!" the princess pleaded, her voice shaking.

"Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine," the grand duke assured her, his voice filled with determination. "You need to trust me on this. Just let me kick that b*stard’s *ss so he’ll be gone for good."

"But... but..." Anna stammered, unable to find the right words to express her worry.

Frustrated by the situation, Kyren called for Meredith.

"Lady Grey!" he addressed her urgently.

The noblewoman swiftly descended upon his call.

"Yes, Your Highness!" she responded promptly as she arrived.

"Please take her away," Kyren instructed, his gaze fixed on Anna. He paused momentarily, continuing, "I think it would be best for her to leave the arena."

"What?" Anna’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"You’ll be a distraction to me if I hear your cries. Furthermore, I don’t want to subject your eyes to the sight of bloodshed once I sever that arrogant prince’s body here and there," Kyren explained, his tone resolute.

"But, Kyren! I can’t just leave you! You’re putting your life on the line because of me!" the princess protested, her voice filled with desperation.

"Anna, listen to me. This won’t take long. Be a good girl and put your faith in me, will you?" Kyren gently touched her cheek, trying to reassure her.

"Hey, watch where you’re touching her! She’s not yours!" Kiev yelled, his voice filled with anger as he witnessed the grand duke’s tender gesture towards his wife.

Kyren shot a glare back at Kiev, his eyes filled with disdain. However, before he could retort, Rafe intervened, "Both parties, please respect the agreed-upon rules that we have stipulated earlier," he declared firmly.

"Fine," Kyren said, retracting his hand from Anna’s cheek. Anna turned her gaze to the floor, her expression filled with sadness.

"Go now. I’ll come back for you soon," Kyren determinedly assured his wife. But the princess’s feet felt heavy, reluctant to leave his side.

Meredith quickly stepped in, holding Anna’s arm. "His Highness is right. Let’s go, my lady," she persuaded, gently pulling Anna to the side.

The noblewoman then turned her head to Sylvia and signalled with her eyes for the count’s daughter to come down. Sylvia looked confused at first, but after receiving a firm nod from Meredith, she rushed down to join them.

"Come. We’re leaving the arena," Meredith urged them both.

"What? But I thought we were going to watch..." Sylvia started, her words trailing off in confusion.

"Just come!" Meredith insisted firmly.

"All right, all right," Sylvia relented, following Anna and Meredith out of the arena, albeit with a frustrated expression.