The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 233: Breaking The Departure News

Chapter 233: Breaking The Departure News

Anna sat on the settee, accompanied by Meredith and Sylvia. After having lunch with the queen, the three of them retired to the room to rest.

However, the princess couldn’t shake off her anxiety and kept glancing towards the door, hoping for Kyren’s swift return.

"You didn’t eat much during lunch, Anna. It would be best if you lay down. You look pale," suggested Meredith, concerned for her friend’s health.

"I don’t feel like sleeping, Mer. Furthermore, Kyren will be back soon," Anna responded, her voice tinged with worry.

"We can wake you up when he comes back," Sylvia offered, reassuring her.

The petite princess shook her head, determined to stay awake until Kyren’s return. She felt it better to be alert and ready for his arrival.

"Fine. At least have some fruits. They will give you energy," Meredith suggested, extending a plate of freshly served fruits towards Anna.

"Thank you, Mer," the princess expressed her gratitude, accepting the plate.

Anna continued indulging in the sweet and sour taste of the green grapes. It was delightful, making her savour every bite. Meredith felt a sense of relief seeing her friend eat a little more than before.

Taking the opportunity to shift the conversation, the noble lady brought up a new topic.

"Sylvia, since I have been appointed as Anna’s lady-in-waiting, would you consider applying for the same position? That way, we can be together at Gerhard," Meredith proposed.

"Yes, Sylvia, it would be quite lonely when I return to the duchy. As you know, I don’t have many friends, and given my position, it is unlikely that other noble ladies would genuinely befriend me. If you’re willing, I can discuss it with my husband," Anna agreed, appreciating the idea.

Sylvia hesitated, her thoughts reflecting her situation.

"That’s an interesting offer, but my circumstances differ from Mer’s. She already has a suitor from the duchy and plans to get married, whereas I have no such prospects. Additionally, the idea of marriage itself scares me," she expressed honestly.

"Why is it so, Sylvia?" Anna inquired, curious about her friend’s perspective.

Sylvia sighed softly, contemplating her response. "I am not in a relationship with any man. Therefore, I don’t want to end up in a loveless arranged marriage. Moreover, it has been quite challenging for me to find a suitor."

Anna raised an eyebrow, concerned.

"Is your family strict about potential suitors?"

"Not particularly," Sylvia replied. "But so far, there haven’t been any suitors who have shown interest. You see... I am the only female among my siblings, which means any potential husband would have to go through my brothers and my father, not to mention my three uncles and their sons, and last but not least, my grandfather. The story of how my father was brutally beaten while courting my mother became quite well-known. As a result, suitors fear facing the same consequences and are unwilling to pursue me."

Anna gasped, empathising with Sylvia’s difficult situation.

"Oh, my... that must be incredibly hard for you!"

"It is," Sylvia admitted. "Even my mother had to enlist the help of a matchmaker to find suitors for me, but as soon as they discovered that I am Sylvia, the granddaughter of Marquess Sylvere, they promptly declined the offer. My grandfather is over eighty but still commands respect and is seen as a formidable figure. Men are intimidated by him."

Anna’s eyes widened.

"Is he a fierce man?"

"He was known as a fierce northern warrior in his prime, but he has always been kind to me. He’s retired now, enjoying his later years."

Meredith chimed in, adding to the conversation, "Sylvia gets pampered a lot whenever she visits her grandfather’s march. Her uncles and other family members dote on her so much."

"No wonder Sarah and her companions seemed daunted when you mentioned your mother’s family name," said Anna.

Meredith chuckled, acknowledging the revelation.

"Now you understand," she said, sharing a lighthearted laugh with her friends.

"I just wish that the man who wants to ask for my hand in marriage would be brave enough to face them, and I certainly don’t want him to be beaten to a pulp like my father. Most importantly, I want him to like me for who I am, not just because of my family status," Sylvia expressed her concern.

"Oh, don’t worry, Sylvia. I’m sure there will be a man who will appreciate you for who you are someday," Anna reassured her friend, offering a comforting smile.

"His Highness Prince Kiev is certainly handsome. He would have made a great suitor if he weren’t interested in Anna," Meredith remarked.

"Uh... We’re talking about a Mederian Prince here! With his striking looks and esteemed status, no one would reject him," Sylvia responded.

"Well, Anna did!" Meredith interjected.

Sylvia quickly said defensively, "She’s in a different situation! You can’t compare that!"

Before the conversation could continue, a subtle knock echoed from outside. With Anna’s permission, the door swung open, revealing Kyren, who stood in the doorway. Seeing the grand duke, Meredith and Sylvia quickly rose to their feet and curtsied in respect.

"Ladies, if you would excuse us for a moment, I need to speak with my wife privately, " Kyren politely yet firmly requested.

Meredith and Sylvia promptly acknowledged his request, stepping outside to allow the grand duke and Anna privacy.

The princess rose from her seat and approached Kyren, her emerald eyes meeting his tall figure as she stared at him with concern etched on her face. She spoke, her voice filled with worry, "What’s going on, Kyren?"

The grand duke took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding.

"Let’s sit down first," he suggested, leading her to the comfortable settee.

They both settled down on it. Kyren’s severe expression heightened Anna’s heartbeat, intensifying her anticipation for his reply.

"There’s something I need to tell you," Kyren began, his voice steady as he reached out and gently held his wife’s hand, his fingers softly rubbing against hers in an attempt to calm her nerves.

"Do you remember when I mentioned that I went to Galicia during the kidnapping incident that occurred when I was a child, along with His Majesty, the King?" he asked.

Anna nodded lightly, indicating her recollection of the event.

"In truth, it was not just a mere visit. It was a signing ceremony where the kingdom of Galicia acquired a portion of our land in the Agathe Islands," Kyren disclosed. "The islands comprise two parts: the larger island, which remains under our possession, and the smaller island, which is no longer part of our kingdom according to the terms of the purchase agreement."

Anna’s curiosity piqued, and she couldn’t help but inquire, "Why would Galicia buy that small island?"

"Because a part of the small island falls within their waters. To ensure the safety of the Galicians residing on it, they requested to purchase the entire small island. My father agreed to the deal, as the compensation offered was substantial, and it helped avoid the risk of war. Additionally, we didn’t want to endanger the Cassians’ lives on the big island. Many of the island’s inhabitants, regardless of nationality, are families and relatives," Kyren explained.

Anna’s brows furrowed in concern as she sought further clarification.

"So, what does this have to do with you now?"

"The islands are currently under attack by an unknown army, and we need to take immediate action," Kyren revealed. "Therefore, I will be heading there the day after tomorrow."

Anna’s eyes widened in shock.

"What? Are you saying you’re going to fight against an army?"

Kyren’s expression remained resolute as he replied, "It’s a matter of regaining control over our territories."

Anna’s concern grew, and she pressed for more information, "How many estimated enemies are we talking about, Kyren?"

A heavy silence hung in the air.

"How many? Please, tell me!" Anna pleaded in desperation.

Kyren steadied himself before responding, "Only two thousand of them."

Anna’s heart sank, realising the magnitude of the situation.

"Two thousand? That means... you’re going into a war!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with fear.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and her hands began to shake uncontrollably. Her cries began to wet her red cheeks.

"I won’t be leading the troops. Admiral James will be in charge. I will only be there as the political representative. You know very well that my presence is required when crossing the borders of another kingdom. We don’t want Galicia to think that we’re attacking them."

Tears streamed down Anna’s face fast as she struggled to come to terms with the news.

"You’re going to leave me again!"

Kyren’s voice softened as he spoke, his hand patting her back softly. "It will only be for a short time. I’ll be back before you know it."

Anna’s voice quivered as she asked, "What about the duel?"

"We will postpone it until my return. Right now, I need to focus on the preparations," the grand duke explained.

Unable to meet Kyren’s gaze, Anna looked down, her heart heavy with sadness. The weight of the news felt like a boulder crushing her spirit.

"Don’t cry. You know that this is my responsibility," Kyren said, gently brushing his fingers against Anna’s cheek and wiping away her tears.

The princess’s voice trembled as she asked, "When will you be back?"

"After several weeks or a month. I will make sure to resolve everything quickly. I’m leaving the Knights of Gerhard here to take care of you. So, please be strong while I’m away, all right?" Kyren urged, his voice filled with both concern and reassurance.

Anna’s worry deepened, and she voiced her concerns, "That’s an indefinite timeframe. Why aren’t you taking any escorts? It could be dangerous!"

"The royal knights will be my escorts," Kyren reassured her, his voice steady.

"Oh, Kyren! I don’t want you to go!" Anna cried, tightly embracing her husband. Kyren continued patting her back, offering comfort.

"You know I must go. Don’t make it any harder for me," Kyren whispered softly to her ears.

"But I won’t know when you’ll come back!" Anna sobbed, her grip on him tightening.

Kyren lifted her face, looking into her eyes with sincerity.

"Don’t worry. I will surely come back to you as soon as possible. I promise. I have always kept my promises to you, haven’t I?"

Anna nodded sadly, her tears still flowing.

"When I come back, I will win the duel, and then we can return to the duchy together. After that, no one will ever disturb us," Kyren declared. "And at my territory, I will host a grand wedding ceremony for us."

"A wedding ceremony? But we already had the proclamation celebration," Anna responded in surprise as she looked up at the grand duke.

"No. That embarrassing event doesn’t count at all. We should have a proper wedding ceremony, and I will ensure you will be the most beautiful bride," Kyren insisted.

Anna’s voice trembled with emotion as she replied, "You really mean it?"

"I do, and we will live happily ever after," Kyren affirmed.

"I don’t care much about the wedding ceremony, Kyren. All that matters to me is having you by my side," she confessed.

"I know, but I still want to give you the best celebration for marrying me. So, even if it’s a little late, let’s have the ceremony in Gerhard soon," the grand duke suggested.

"All right. Then, please return to me as quickly as you can," Anna pleaded as she embraced him again in her cries.

"I will," he vowed.

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