The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 223: An Intense Duel

Chapter 223: An Intense Duel

The duel commenced with a swift exchange of blows as the signal was given. Kyren and Kiev moved with synchronised fluidity, their movements mirroring each other in a dazzling display of force. They lunged and parried, their swords meeting in a symphony of metallic clashes, creating sparks that danced in the air.

Kyren initiated the offence, launching a series of lightning-fast attacks to breach Kiev’s defenses. His strikes were precise and calculated, each swing carrying the weight of his expertise.

The Mederian Prince, however, matched him blow for blow, his reflexes honed to perfection. He deflected Kyren’s advances with expertly timed parries, showcasing his impeccable defensive skills.

As the duel between Kiev and Kyren intensified in the royal arena, their contrasting fighting styles became even more apparent. Kiev’s movements were akin to those of a hummingbird in flight, swift and nimble, weaving in and out with remarkable agility.

In contrast, Kyren’s approach was reminiscent of a mighty tiger, exuding strength and controlled ferocity. Each swing of his sword carried immense force, his movements displaying raw power and precision. The grand duke emanated a commanding presence, his steps purposeful and deliberate.

The crowd watched in awe as the duel intensified. Kyren executed a spinning manoeuvre, his blade whirling through the air with lethal intent. Kiev swiftly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the deadly arc of the grand duke’s attack.

In response, the Mederian Prince retaliated with a fast counter, his sword quickly slashing towards his opponent. Kyren evaded the strike by performing a graceful backflip, landing remarkably on his feet.

The duel continued in a flurry of strikes and parries, each combatant showcasing their versatility and adaptability. Kyren incorporated intricate footwork, circling Kiev and launching a series of lightning-quick slashes.

The Mederian Prince, undeterred, met each strike with equal force, skillfully parrying and countering with his own swift and precise movements.

Their swords became a motion blur, weaving an intricate dance of offence and defence. The audience held its breath, their hearts pounding with excitement as the duel reached its climax.

Both Kyren and Kiev displayed unwavering concentration, their eyes locked on each other, searching for the slightest opening to exploit.

"My God! His Highness, our grand duke is truly amazing!" Eli voiced out as he watched the fierce battle between the two princes.

"That prince is not bad either. He’s quite a formidable challenge to His Highness," said Eric as his grey eyes bore into the skills projected by Kiev.

The Knights of Gerhard, renowned for their loyalty and unwavering support for the grand duke, found themselves captivated by the duel unfolding before them. While their confidence in Kyren’s abilities remained steadfast, they couldn’t help but acknowledge the fierce determination displayed by the Mederian Prince.

As the clash of swords echoed through the royal arena, the knights observed both princes’ relentless skill and tenacity. They marvelled at Kyren’s focus and precise technique, a testament to his years of training and experience. With each strike, the grand duke showcased his strength and prowess as a strong opponent.

However, the knights couldn’t deny the impressive performance put forth by the Mederian Prince. His ferocity and unwavering resolve were evident in every move he made, leaving a lasting impression on the onlookers. Kiev fought with a fire that couldn’t be ignored, his every action demanding respect and admiration.

Kyren and Kiev pushed themselves, their blades clashing with a thunderous impact. The sound reverberated throughout the arena, echoing the intensity of their rivalry. Sweat glistened on their brows as they fought with determination, their movements fueled by their equal competency levels.

***

"Could you please assist me in putting my hair up in a bun similar to yours? It will help prevent it from tangling with the sling tie," requested Callis politely.

Elis replied with a respectful tone, "Certainly, Your Highness. I will request the servant to fetch the necessary toiletries for you."

Taking charge of the situation, the maid promptly instructed the servant to gather the required items. Once the servant returned with the requested items, the maid guided the princess to a comfortable seat in front of the mirror, ready to commence the task.

However, an unexpected mishap occurred as Elis began working on arranging Callis’s hair. The maid’s sleeve button became entangled in the princess’s luxuriant locks, causing Callis to let out a yelp of surprise and momentary discomfort.

"Oh, my apologies, Your Highness! I deeply regret any discomfort I have caused you," Elis exclaimed, her voice filled with sincere remorse. She carefully untangled the button from the princess’s hair, ensuring no further pain was inflicted.

Callis quickly reassured Elis, "It’s quite all right. My hair tends to wander freely, even with the gentlest breeze. This mishap is but a minor inconvenience."

"It’s because your hair is incredibly soft and beautiful," Elis complimented, her voice filled with genuine awe. "Its unique colour is truly remarkable. I have never seen such a captivating hue before."

Callis’s hair possessed a unique quality beyond its silken white appearance. When touched by the sunlight, it would shimmer with delicate silver hues, adding an enchanting touch to her already captivating locks.

"Thank you for your compliment," Callis responded graciously. "Although many praise my hair, I often wish I could cut it shorter for the sake of practicality and ease of movement. However, my brother strongly disagrees. He even keeps his hair long to show that it’s not as burdensome as it may seem."

"I see... He truly cares for you," Elis remarked, recognising the strong bond between the siblings.

Callis nodded, a fond smile gracing her lips.

"Yes, we are very close. He has always been there for me."

Just as Elis was about to begin styling Callis’s hair, the princess made a request. "Perhaps you could fold your sleeves before we start. It would prevent any further entanglements and ensure that my hair doesn’t get pulled," Callis suggested, voicing her preference.

"Of course, Your Highness. Please wait a moment," Elis replied, acknowledging the request.

The maid unbuttoned her sleeves and neatly folded them, ensuring they were out of the way.

As the Mederian Princess observed the maid’s actions, her gaze shifted to Elis’s hands, which bore numerous visible scars. Surprise and concern filled her voice as she questioned, "What happened to your hands? Why are there so many scars?"

Caught off guard by the sudden inquiry, Elis instinctively hid her hands behind her back, a hint of apprehension in her eyes.

"It’s nothing, Your Highness," she replied, attempting to downplay the significance of the scars. "Just ordinary marks from my work."

Callis, however, refused to be fooled by the maid’s response. She turned fully towards Elis, determination in her eyes. "Do not deceive me. Show me your hands," she insisted firmly.

"It’s not that relevant, Your Highness," Elis murmured, her voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and reluctance.

"Show it to me! You’re supposed to serve me now, right? So, you’ll do as I say!" demanded Callis with a sense of urgency.

At a loss for words, Elis stammered, unsure of how to respond to the princess’s forceful demand.

"Please, I..." Elis began, her voice faltering under the weight of the princess’s insistence.

"Come on! We don’t have all day!" Callis pressed, her impatience evident.

Reluctantly, the maid slowly moved her hands to the front, revealing her arms marked with numerous scars. The Mederian Princess took hold of Elis’s arms, examining the scars with concern and curiosity.

"These are definitely not scars from chores!" Callis exclaimed. "Tell me, who did this to you? Was it the obnoxious grand duke or his men?"

Shaking her head, Elis quickly responded, her voice laced with sincerity, "None of them, Your Highness! I swear! These scars were acquired before I started serving His Highness."

Callis tightened her grip on the maid’s arms, searching her eyes for any signs of deception. "You’re not lying to me, are you?" she questioned sternly.

The maid’s voice quivered earnestly as she replied, "I swear to God, I am not! It was His Highness and his knights who saved me. I would have perished if it weren’t for their intervention."

Callis studied Elis’s determined expression, contemplating whether to trust her words. After a tense moment, she finally released her hold on the maid’s arms.

"What happened to you? Who abused you?" the princess inquired with concern.

"Your Highness, I do not wish to relive those memories," Elis responded softly, her gaze downcast. "But please, trust me when I say that none of these incidents occurred within the borders of Cassian land. This kingdom has strict rules prohibiting any man from raising a hand against a woman, except as punishment sanctioned by the law itself."

Callis absorbed Elis’s words, realising that the scars bore witness to the pain and suffering the maid had endured beyond Cassian’s safety.

"So, this means these events took place somewhere else, outside this kingdom," the princess concluded.

Elis nodded silently, appreciating the princess’s understanding and willingness to listen without judgment.

"You seem reluctant to talk about it," Callis remarked, her tone softening. "Fine, I won’t ask anymore. Please continue with my hair. We need to return to the arena."

"Yes, Your Highness," Elis replied, relieved by the princess’s understanding.

As they finished the hairdo and tidied up, Callis stood up and turned to admire her new hairstyle—a smile formed on her lips.

"It’s beautiful! Thank you, Miss Canton! I like it," she expressed her gratitude.

Elis smiled warmly.

"You may call me Elis, Your Highness. There’s no need for formalities since you are of higher rank."

"Your name is Elis?" Callis asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"It’s Elisabeth, but most people call me Elis," the maid explained.

"That’s my grandmother’s name! It’s a wonderful name, Elis!" Callis exclaimed. Smiling, she stepped up and said, "All right, let’s make our way back to the arena."

Exiting the washroom, the princess suddenly turned to the maid with a request. "Is it possible to get a drink? Some tea, perhaps. My throat feels a bit thirsty, and I want something to warm my stomach."

"I’ll arrange it immediately," Elis assured her, promptly relaying the request to the servant nearby.

Feeling nervous due to her newness in the palace, the servant approached Elis with a trembling voice. "Excuse me, miss, but may I know the person’s name for the order? The kitchen staff will ask for it."

Callis interjected, noticing the servant’s unease. "It’s for Princess Callis Naver, the guest of His Majesty, the King of Cassian. Just inform them of that," she instructed, offering reassurance.

"Thank you, Your Highness! I’ll make sure to deliver it quickly," the servant replied, bowing respectfully before hurrying off.

"Let’s go, Elis," Callis said, motioning for Elis to come with her.

The maid nodded, and they began walking back towards the cloister leading to the royal arena. Unbeknownst to them, their every move was being observed by two pairs of old eyes from a distance.

Lord Anson, the chief scholar, had noticed Callis earlier with her striking features—her white silken hair, fair complexion, and captivating red-ruby eyes.

As the two women disappeared from view, the young servant who was on her way to the royal kitchen crossed paths with Lord Anson and bowed respectfully.

"Who was that person just now? The one with the red eyes and white hair?" Lord Anson inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"That is a guest of His Majesty, the king, my lord," the servant replied.

"A guest? Do you happen to know her?" Lord Anson pressed further.

"She introduced herself as Her Highness, Princess Callis Naver," the servant informed him.

"Naver?" Lord Anson repeated, his memory stirring.

"Yes, my lord. She is currently attending a duel at the royal arena," the servant shared.

"What duel is that?" Lord Anson questioned, intrigued.

"I’m not entirely sure, but I heard it’s between His Highness, the Grand Duke of Gerhard, and the guest party," the servant answered.

"Thank you. You may attend to your errand," Lord Anson dismissed her, deep in thought.

The servant bowed again and left.

Lord Anson continued his walk towards the library. Throughout the way, Callis’s face kept on bothering him. He had never seen anyone with such a look. However, the princess’ appearance made him keep thinking.

"Naver... Where have I heard that name before?" the chief scholar pondered, pressing his temple as he tried to recall.

The chief scholar’s hand reached for the library door, swinging it open with purpose. He swiftly entered the room and made his way to his desk, where various scrolls and documents lay scattered.

"Wait a minute!"

Suddenly, a surge of memory flooded his mind. A realisation struck him, prompting him to act on a newfound revelation. Feeding to his suspicion, he approached a locked cupboard and deftly opened it with his key.

Inside, he carefully sifted through a collection of well-preserved documents, searching for a specific love letter belonging to His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Ro’an.

Finally, his eyes widened as he found the last document he sought. The letter’s contents revealed a significance that left him astounded.

"Oh, my!" he exclaimed, comprehending the implications of the name ’Naver’ and Callis’s appearance mentioned within it. Realising the urgency of the situation, he quickly turned around and hurriedly made his way towards the royal arena.

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