The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 252: The Unexpected Fall

Chapter 252: The Unexpected Fall

As the two siblings skipped and giggled down the corridor, Helen trailed closely behind, her watchful eyes never leaving their playful figures. Determined to prevent a repeat of any mishap, she remained vigilant.

However, she still allowed them to have a good time on their own, knowing how the princess hated to be restricted. Soon, their path reached its end, revealing a flight of stairs leading to the lower floor.

"Hold my hand, Your Highnesses. The stairs are quite steep," urged Helen, aware of the potential danger.

However, accustomed to their growing independence, the princesses resisted being held by their governess.

"Your Highness! Wait for me!" Helen exclaimed and hastily rushed to catch them; however, the mischievous princesses jumped down with a laugh, escaping the governess.

"You can’t catch me! You can’t catch me!" Lilith playfully taunted Helen, her laughter filling the air.

Laura joined in the amusement, finding her sister’s antics quite entertaining.

"Your Highness, please be careful!" Helen pleaded, her expression growing increasingly panicked as the princess continued to tease her, jumping down the stairs.

Lilith’s confidence grew with each leap, escalating from small hops to more daring bounds.

However, as she landed near the edge of the stairs, her steps faltered, causing her to stumble and fall.

"Princess!" Helen cried out in terror, her heart pounding in her chest.

A piercing scream escaped from Lilith’s mouth as she plummeted towards the ground. The governess desperately lunged forward, attempting to catch her, but she was unable to reach in time. Laura, witnessing the terrifying scene, screamed, her eyes wide with fear for her sister.

As Lilith hit the ground, a loud thud resounded. Helen gasped in shock. In a few moments, tears started to well up in Lilith’s eyes, and she began to cry.

The governess rushed to the princess’s side, enfolding her in a comforting embrace. She held Lilith tightly, her own eyes filled with worry and shock.

"Are you all right, Your Highness?" the governess asked.

"It hurts! It hurts!" Lilith cried, tears streaming down her face.

Helen carefully examined the princess’s condition and discovered a minor injury on her knee.

"Oh, no!" she exclaimed, panic evident in her voice as she noticed the blood seeping from the wound.

A passing maid halted her steps and approached the distressed group.

"What’s going on? Is she all right?" the maid inquired, her eyes reflecting concern.

Helen turned to the maid, her expression grave.

"Her Highness Princess Lilith fell down. Her knee is injured," she explained.

The maid knelt beside Lilith and gently assessed the crying princess. While the injury wasn’t severe, the fall had grazed Lilith’s skin, causing it to bleed slightly. Lilith continued to cry, and Laura, her sister, stood nearby, visibly frightened.

"Is Lilith going to be fine?" Laura anxiously asked.

"She’s going to be all right. It’s just a small injury," reassured the maid, offering words of comfort.

Helen sighed, clearly concerned.

"I was just reinstated, and now this has happened. Their Majesties will surely notice the wound. I’m afraid I’ll be dismissed again!"

The maid’s eyes lit up with curiosity as she heard Helen’s comments.

"You were dismissed before? May I ask why?"

Helen hugged Lilith tightly, soothing her as she spoke with a hint of vulnerability. She recounted the details of the previous incident to the maid, revealing the circumstances that led to her dismissal.

"I see..."

The maid’s realisation dawned upon her as she understood the significance of the two children being the king’s daughters. She took time to think about how she could help them. Suddenly, an idea struck her.

"I believe there might be a way to address this situation. We need to seek help from someone," suggested the maid, her voice brimming with resolve.

Helen looked at the maid, perplexed.

"Who can we turn to? Even if we consult a healer, the injury won’t go unnoticed by Their Majesties, and it will be physically evident," she said, her worry resurfacing.

"Don’t worry," the maid reassured her with confidence. "We’re going to see someone with a unique skill. The injury will be gone in no time, without a trace."

Helen looked at the maid, concern evident on her face.

"Are you sure about this? Who is this person we’re going to meet?" she asked, hoping for some reassurance.

"I’m perfectly sure. He is someone better than a healer," the maid replied cryptically, leaving Helen even more intrigued.

The governess couldn’t contain her curiosity.

"And may I know who you are?" she inquired, her voice filled with wonder.

With a gentle smile, the maid introduced herself.

"I’m Elisabeth Canton, but please call me Elis."

Helen reciprocated with a polite introduction of her own.

"I’m Helen Reed, the royal governess of the princesses. Please address me as Helen."

As they conversed, Helen’s eyes wandered to Elis’s uniform and noticed the Gerhard emblem adorning it.

"You’re a maid of Gerhard," Helen remarked, her tone tinged with astonishment.

The grand duke and his maids were the subjects of a rumour that the palace’s attendants were well aware of. Thus, the revelation was confusing.

With the exception of Rosalie, Gerhard mansion’s head maid, all of his female servants and maids had been fired due to rumours of attempted seductions. The tale gained notoriety and was the talk of the palace.

Elis nodded, acknowledging the truth.

"Yes, I am," she admitted calmly. "Let me assure you that I have no ulterior motives. I only want to help Her Highness Princess Lilith and you."

Helen pondered for a moment, assessing Elis’s sincerity. Seeing the genuine concern in the maid’s eyes and feeling a glimmer of hope, she relented.

"Very well, Elis," the governess said. "If you believe this person can truly help, then please lead the way."

Elis nodded with a smile, then gently insisted, "Please, allow me to carry the princess on my back."

"It’s all right. I can carry her," said Helen, determined to fulfil her role as the governess. "After all, she’s my responsibility."

Elis intervened, "She got blood on her knee, and it’ll stain your white dress. Mine is black, so it won’t be as noticeable."

Helen paused, realising the practicality of the maid’s suggestion. Grateful for the consideration, she nodded appreciatively.

"You’re right. Then, please do help me," she said, expressing her gratitude.

"Gladly," Elis replied.

Turning her attention to the princess, she made a gentle plea. "Your Highness, let me hold you and carry you with me."

Lilith, still tearful and upset, vehemently protested.

"No! No! I don’t want!" she cried, resisting the idea.

Elis, undeterred, tried a different approach to ease the princess’s distress.

"It’s a piggy-back ride. Don’t you want it?" she coaxed.

Lilith’s cries subsided slightly, intrigued by the idea.

"A piggyback ride?" she questioned, her curiosity piqued.

Excited to join in the fun, Laura chimed in.

"Ooh... I love that! I want that too!" she exclaimed.

Helen considered their enthusiasm and proposed a compromise.

"Then, how about I carry you on my back, and Elis carries Her Highness Princess Lilith?" she suggested, hoping to accommodate both of the princesses.

The two siblings exchanged glances, their eyes filled with anticipation. They both enjoyed piggyback rides, a cherished memory from playing with their father. Lilith’s cries gradually ended, and Helen gently wiped her tear-streaked face.

"Both of us will have a piggyback ride together?" Laura asked, her excitement palpable.

Helen smiled warmly, embracing the moment of shared joy.

"Yes! It’s quite a walk from here to the place I’m taking you. So, it’s going to be side-by-side piggyback rides," Elis declared, playfully sparking their interest.

Lilith, without uttering a word, extended her hands towards the maid, silently requesting to be carried. Elis’s smile widened, understanding the unspoken gesture, and she carefully lifted the princess onto her back, ensuring her comfort and safety.

Witnessing her sister being lifted by the maid, Laura couldn’t contain her excitement.

"Ooh... Helen! Pick me up, too! Hurry!" she exclaimed, eagerly raising her hands.

Responding to Laura’s plea, Helen joyfully obliged, lifting the young princess onto her own back. Now, the two sisters were seated side by side, ready for their shared piggyback adventure.

"Where are we going?" Laura asked eagerly.

"Elis is taking us to someone special who can heal Her Highness Princess Lilith," she explained, instilling hope in the little girl’s heart.

Lilith was so excited and full of expectations that she was unable to control herself.

"Let’s go!" she exclaimed, gesturing in the maid’s direction with unbridled enthusiasm.

The group, consisting of Elis carrying Lilith on her back and Helen carrying Princess Laura, set out on the path with anticipation. They walked with purpose, guided by the prospect of meeting the special person.

The piggyback ride, which initially began as a means of transportation, turned into an enjoyable and memorable experience for both Lilith and Laura.

With her cleverness and warmth, Elis skillfully diverted their attention from the pain the princess had experienced, captivating them with her engaging stories and pointing out the beautiful scenery they passed along the way.

The laughter and joy shared among them created a bond that transcended the physical discomfort Lilith had initially felt.

Helen observed with delight the genuine connection forming between Elis and the princesses. She was pleased to witness the maid’s natural ability to interact with children and recognised her as a caring and friendly presence.

Finally, after what felt like a good amount of passing time, they reached their destination. The place they had been eagerly anticipating stood before them.

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