The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 242: Love At First Sight

Chapter 242: Love At First Sight

The aged lady rushed in with an anxious expression, desperately attempting to pull Callis away from Rafe’s arms. However, Elis quickly stepped in, blocking her path.

"What are you doing? Move away!" the lady shouted at the maid.

Before Elis could respond, Callis intervened, her voice filled with urgency. "Jessy, there’s no need to panic. It’s not what you think! This man is a healer, and he’s treating me."

"Treating you? He looks like he’s taking advantage of you! How could a Cassian healer act so disrespectfully towards a maiden, let alone the honourable princess of the Mederian Clan? This is despicable behaviour!" the lady exclaimed, her worry turning into anger.

Rafe, taken aback by the accusations, quickly defended himself. "I swear I didn’t do what you accused me of, and such thoughts never crossed my mind!"

"Never? My princess is young and beautiful. It’s hard to believe that you wouldn’t find her attractive!" the lady retorted, her scepticism evident.

"I’m not saying she’s not attractive. Yes, she’s indeed beautiful, and I admit any man would have his heart fluttered over her, but I have no bad intentions whatsoever towards Her Highness! I am merely doing my job as a healer," Rafe explained sincerely.

"What a scumbag you are! Not only are you a liar, but a pervert!" the aged lady fired back, her wrath intensifying.

"Jessy, stop it!" Callis shouted.

The nanny was taken aback by the sudden outburst. She had never seen the princess so angry with her before.

"Mr Amares didn’t lie. I asked him to hold me like this. Please believe me," Callis pleaded, her tone softening this time.

"Her Highness is right. I have been here all the time. Mr Amares never took advantage of her. He wanted to move away after helping her sit, but Her Highness was in pain and asked him to hold her," Elis explained, stepping in to support Rafe’s innocence.

"And why didn’t you help instead?" the nanny questioned, demanding an answer.

"I was tasked with mixing the ingredients for the poultice and applying it to the injured spot. It would have been more inappropriate if Mr Amares had done it, as it is a sensitive area," Elis clarified, trying to explain logically.

Jessy paused, her eyes shifting between Callis and Rafe, noticing the princess’s tight grip on the healer’s arm as if not wanting to let go.

Curiosity began to fill her as she recalled Callis despising all the suitors who had come for her, refusing even to hold hands with those who courted her. Yet, now she acted differently with this Cassian healer.

Having received a letter from Armel upon his return to fetch her at the inn, Jessy was already aware of the siblings’ identities’ revelation to the Cassians and the princess’s injury. It also mentioned the postponement of the duel and Kiev’s loss of magical abilities.

Callis and Elis’s explanation made her relent, and she withdrew from her anger. Realising her mistake, she bowed as a gesture of apology.

"Please forgive me for my rudeness. I guess I’ve made a mistake."

Still holding the Mederian Princess, Rafe looked at Jessy and asked, "Pardon me for asking, but may I know who you are?"

"I am Her Highness’s nanny. My name is Jessica Collins. His Highness Prince Kiev instructed me and his men to come to the palace for the stay," Jessy introduced herself.

"You brought your nanny here with you?" Rafe asked Callis, surprised by the nanny’s presence.

"It’s a long story and not what you may think," Callis replied, worried that the healer might perceive her as still behaving like a little girl needing supervision.

"Don’t worry, I won’t judge you. After all, it’s your personal matter, and I’m in no position to comment or dwell on it," Rafe reassured her calmly.

"I apologise again for calling you with bad names earlier. Thank you for helping my little princess," Jessy said sincerely, her tone filled with remorse. She then turned to Elis and added, "I’m sorry for shouting at you too."

Elis nodded, accepting her apology. "No need to apologise, Madam Collins. We all acted out of concern for Her Highness."

"Please, do call me Jessy. I am more comfortable with that," the nanny insisted.

"Very well then. Pleasure to meet you, Jessy," Elis responded politely.

"Perhaps, may I know who you are, mister? I didn’t get your name in the first place," Jessy inquired curiously towards Rafe.

"I am Rafe Amares, His Highness the Grand Duke of Gerhard’s healer, and this is Miss Elisabeth Canton, a maid of Gerhard who is now temporarily serving Her Highness Princess Callis during her stay," Rafe introduced himself and Elis.

"You’re His Highness, the Grand Duke’s healer? I thought His Highness Prince Kiev was currently having a dispute with him. Why would you treat my princess?" Jessy asked in confusion.

"Her Highness Princess Callis was injured during the fight at Gerhard’s mansion, and it was my lord’s order to have her treated. Thus, she is now my patient," Rafe explained.

"Brother agreed to it, Jessy. Though Mr Amares is a subordinate of the Grand Duke, he’s a rational individual and has even acted as a mediator during our dispute meeting. I can assure you that he meant no harm to me whatsoever. I am truly grateful for his help," Callis interjected, her voice filled with sincerity and trust.

Callis then turned to Elis, acknowledging her presence. "Miss Canton here has also been a great help to me. I feel comfortable having her around," she added, expressing her gratitude towards the maid.

"I see... thank you for explaining," Jessy responded.

A sense of relief washed over her as the misunderstanding was cleared.

"I believe you should lie down and rest now," the healer advised Callis. "Since your nanny is here, I shouldn’t worry as much anymore."

Rafe carefully helped the princess lie on the bed and tucked her in.

Once finished, he stood up and turned to Jessy, politely requesting, "Please look after Her Highness Princess Callis. She is not allowed to move rashly and needs to take her medicine accordingly. I will brief Miss Canton on that."

"You want me to retake the awful medicine?" Callis protested.

"You don’t want my medicine?" Rafe questioned, concerned.

"It’s not like that... It’s just... the taste is so bitter," she complained, making a face.

"You have to take it, at least until your brother heals you. Otherwise, it’ll get even worse. You’ll be in more pain and soreness if you don’t," the healer firmly explained, emphasising the medicine’s importance.

"But..." Callis’s forehead creased, clearly unhappy with the situation.

"You took the medicine for the first time already. It shouldn’t be that bad the next time," Rafe reassured her, hoping to alleviate her worries.

Jessy was surprised to learn that the healer had managed to make Callis take her medicine. Given how much the princess despised it, her family always had to heal her, sparing her from enduring the unpleasant taste.

Understanding the gravity of the princess’s injury, Jessy knew that the medicine was essential for her recovery, even if it was unpleasant.

"Don’t worry, Mr Amares. I will surely look after my baby princess. Please forgive us for all the trouble she caused you," the nanny replied apologetically.

"Jessy... don’t call me that! I’m a grown-up woman," Callis interjected, her cheeks blushing from embarrassment.

A slight smile appeared on the aged nanny’s face.

"You’ll always be a baby to me, Princess Callis."

"Thank you for the assurance," Rafe gratefully replied to Jessy. He then turned to Callis and tenderly said, "Take a good rest, Your Highness."

"You’re leaving already?" The princess asked, sounding a bit disappointed.

"Yes, I’m afraid so. I have matters to attend to," Rafe explained, preparing to leave. Elis began organising the items back into the healer’s bag.

"I will escort you, Mr Amares," the maid offered, ready to accompany him as she carried the healer’s bag in her hands once finished.

Rafe nodded appreciatively.

"That’s a good idea. I’ll brief you about the medication intake while we walk together," he agreed.

"Then, let me send you out," Jessy suggested. "Our escorts are outside. If they see you suddenly leaving this room, they might misunderstand, just like I did."

Rafe agreed, understanding the need for clarification. Jessy led the healer and the maid out of the room, and when the escorts spotted them, she quickly explained the situation to prevent any confrontation or misunderstanding.

Once she ensured that Elis and Rafe had safely departed down the corridor, the nanny returned to the room and approached Callis, who was lying on the bed. She sat at the edge, concern etched on her face.

"What happened to you? How did you get hurt? Who hit you?" Jessy inquired, her voice filled with worry.

"It was one of the Knights of Gerhard. There was a big commotion when we arrived at the mansion, and I was engaged in a fight with them," Callis explained, recalling the events.

"How dare they! They have no respect towards the royal Mederians for attacking you!" the nanny exclaimed indignantly.

"They didn’t know who we were at first. Our identities were only revealed after we came to the palace, amid the duel," Callis clarified, reflecting on the circumstances.

The princess then recounted her experience upon arriving at Gerhard’s mansion and the subsequent events.

"Still, how could a knight of chivalry hurt a young girl like you? How savage is that?" Jessy fumed.

"To be honest, it’s not entirely their fault. I raised my sword against the young knight first and even insulted the others. Anyway, it was a great fight. It’s been a long time since I faced such talented rivals," Callis revealed, a spark of excitement in her eyes.

"Rivals? How many of them did you fight? Don’t tell me you went against several of them simultaneously?" Jessy asked with concern.

Callis chuckled softly.

"I did. I fought against two of them. One seems to be a young knight. He was clumsy and full of rage but agile and talented. The other is probably a high-ranking knight, but I hate him!" Callis recalled.

She couldn’t help but remember the embarrassing incident of Luke grabbing her bre*st, which only fueled her dislike for him.

Jessy took a moment to process the information before posing another question.

"So, tell me about this, Mr Rafe Amares, the healer. What do you think of him?"

"Oh, he’s a great man! When I first saw him, I already knew he was a bright person. He was the only one among the Gerhard’s members who eventually listened to our explanation. I don’t know what he did, but after he talked to his lord, the grand duke eventually allowed us to meet Clara. He even covered up the fight when the army attempted to arrest us by saying it was a drill," Callis eagerly praised the healer, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

"That’s not the answer I’m seeking," Jessy responded, her gaze fixed on the princess. "Since when have you liked him?"

"What?" the princess stammered, caught off guard by the question.

"Don’t ’what’ me, princess. I already knew when I saw you firmly holding his arm. You even scolded me for him, something you have never done in your entire life," Jessy pointed out, her tone firm but gentle.

"It wasn’t like that! I’m just amazed because he’s a good person," Callis tried to explain, her cheeks turning crimson.

"I’ve raised you since you were born. I know exactly what’s going on in your mind. Dozens of suitors have pursued you, trying to capture your heart with their wealth, skills, good looks, and status. Yet here you are, falling for a Cassian man you just met. How bizarre is he that he’s capable of subduing your heart in just less than a day?" Jessy questioned, her eyes studying the princess intently.

"Jessy... please..." Callis blushed, feeling exposed and vulnerable.

"Is it love at first sight?" the nanny inquired directly, her gaze unwavering.

The Mederian princess’s cheeks turned even redder. The nanny quickly understood the gesture.

"Does His Highness Prince Kiev know about this?" she probed.

"Oh, please don’t tell him! He’ll be mad at me!" Callis pleaded, her voice filled with anxiety.

"Hmmm... I don’t think Mr Amares knows about this either. Men can be a bit oblivious when it comes to women’s feelings," Jessy remarked.

"No one knows," Callis muttered slowly, her words barely audible.

The nanny sighed, realising the complexity of the situation.

"I don’t think he’s suitable for you. You’re a Mederian Princess of high prestige, and he’s just a healer. You and him are on opposing sides. There’s no way he would reciprocate your feelings. Furthermore, we’ll be leaving this place soon. So, before the feelings get stronger, you should forget him," Jessy advised, pointing to the practicality of their situation.

Callis looked down with a gloomy face, her heart heavy with the weight of unrequited feelings.

"Yes, Jessy. I understand."

The nanny observed Callis’s sadness and felt her heart ached in response. It was her first time seeing the princess in such a state. Nevertheless, it was her duty to care for Callis and ensure her safety.

"Don’t worry. It might just be a passing infatuation. While he seems like a good person, it’s important to approach this situation cautiously. You’ve only met him and didn’t know much about his background or character. It’s best to remain vigilant and keep your options open. There will be suitors who are better for you than him," Jessy gently advised.

Callis nodded, though her sadness remained apparent. The reality of the situation struck her down, and she couldn’t deny the validity of Jessy’s advice.

Deep inside, she knew that pursuing a relationship with Rafe could bring complications and challenges that might be difficult to overcome.