The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 253: The Princesses And The ’Special Fairy’

Chapter 253: The Princesses And The ’Special Fairy’

Kiev looked at Elis with stern eyes, taken aback by the unexpected request. He was surprised to see the maid, accompanied by an unknown woman and two children, standing at his door when he opened it himself. The prince had chosen to dismiss the servants from assisting him, as he was uncomfortable with their constant gaze at him.

Previously, Kiev had entrusted Elis with a task; to deliver a message to the stablemen asking them to prepare a carriage for their trip to the festival at the plaza.

However, as the maid made her way back to the Mederians after conveying the message, she stumbled upon Helen, Laura and Lilith, who were caught in the falling from stairs incident and decided to help them.

Kiev sought confirmation from the maid. His eyes fixed on her.

"So, you want me to heal her?" he asked again, wanting to ensure he understood her request correctly after the maid introduced the unexpected guests and informed him of her intention of bringing them to him.

Elis nodded in affirmation, having her gaze averted from the prince’s face as usual. Her unwavering determination to seek help for Lilith remained evident, even in her subtle gestures.

Meanwhile, Helen couldn’t help but be captivated by Kiev’s striking appearance. His presence held an air of charm and allure reminiscent of the grand duke. His otherworldly aura resonated with her, drawing her eyes and ears towards him.

Elis, wishing to convince Kiev, spoke with sincerity.

"I was hoping you could help, just as you did for me before," she said, recalling the previous incident.

Kiev’s expression hardened as he responded firmly.

"I did that because my sister requested it. If everyone in the palace sought my healing for every injury they had, it would drain my mana and have severe consequences on me. Mana drainage is not a trivial matter since it can even lead to death," he explained, emphasising the gravity of the situation.

"But, it’s just a small injury... and she’s still a child," Elis remarked, casting a pitying glance Lilith’s way.

Laura, the eldest princess, approached the prince with a polite and heartfelt request.

"Please, Sir. Can you heal my little sister? We’re so sorry for running down the stairs. We promise we won’t do it again," she pleaded, her innocent eyes filled with remorse.

The prince let out a sigh as he gazed upon the adorable princess. Her genuine apology and the sight of her innocence tugged at his heartstrings, melting any reservations he had.

"Very well," he assented, "Come inside and sit on the chair."

He gestured for them to take a seat with a slight nudge of his chin as he allowed them to enter the room.

Relieved, the entire group stepped inside. The two princesses settled comfortably in the chairs while Elis and Helen stood beside them.

"Let me clean my hands first before examining her injury," Kiev said, making his way to the basin on the table. He took his time, ensuring thorough cleanliness and hygiene.

Curiosity sparked within Helen, and she leaned towards Elis to inquire further.

"Who is he?" she whispered, her voice filled with intrigue.

Elis responded discreetly. "He’s a Mederian Prince, a guest of His Majesty," she revealed, providing the governess with the information she sought.

The revelation left Helen momentarily taken aback. This was her first encounter with a Mederian, and his presence truly amazed her.

She swallowed her astonishment, trying to compose herself in the face of such unexpected grandeur. Nevertheless, Helen couldn’t help but express her admiration.

"Wow... it’s true as the stories go. They are truly good-looking!" she praised in genuine awe and appreciation.

The maid then cleared her throat, signalling to the governess that it was best to stop talking when Kiev approached. Both Elis and Helen fell into silence, their attention now entirely focused on the prince attending to Lilith.

The prince knelt before the princess, his gaze focused on her.

"Where are you hurt?" he inquired gently.

Lilith responded by lifting her skirt, revealing the injury on her right knee, "It’s here, at my knee."

"Hmm... this is just a scratch."

Kiev looked up and turned to Elis and Helen, addressing them directly.

"It doesn’t require any special healing. You can go to the royal healer and have it treated," he suggested.

Elis hesitated, understanding the potential consequences of involving the royal healer. She expressed her concern, explaining the situation to the prince, "I know it’s just a minor injury. But if we were to do that, the matter would reach His Majesty. Miss Reed was just reinstated after being dismissed this morning due to an incident. If His Majesty the King were to find out about this, she might not be able to continue her job."

The prince’s response was firm and direct.

"Well, that would mean Miss Reed is not competent enough if she made mistakes twice in a row. It would only be fair to dismiss incompetent servants," he stated matter-of-factly, his words striking a chord with Helen.

The governess bowed her head, her expression turning gloomy as she internalised the weight of the prince’s words.

Lilith, with a sense of guilt, spoke up.

"Please don’t be angry. It’s my fault," she pleaded.

Laura, filled with desperation, pleaded too, her voice filled with earnestness, "Please, don’t send Helen away! We promise to behave. Please, we love her so much!"

Her words conveyed her deep attachment to the governess and her fear of losing her.

The prince took a moment to observe the children, shifting his gaze between them with his striking red ruby eyes. He sensed their genuine emotions and the impact of their words.

Overwhelmed by guilt, Helen responded.

"I understand if you don’t want to heal her because of me. I will go and admit my mistake to Their Majesties. But please, I implore you to heal Her Highness Princess Lilith. It pains me to see her suffering," she expressed, her voice laden with remorse and a genuine concern for the princess’ well-being.

After a brief pause, Kiev made an unexpected decision.

"Fine... I will heal her. But can you promise me one thing?" he requested, his tone severe and resolute.

Elis, taken aback by the prince’s change of heart, listened attentively, curious about his request. Initially, she perceived him as obnoxious, but his willingness to help surprised her.

Eager to comply and grateful for the prince’s change of mind, Helen responded promptly, "Yes! What is it that you want us to promise, Your Highness?"

"I don’t want the matter of my healing abilities to become widely known within the palace as I don’t prefer my door to be swarmed with people making ridiculous requests," Kiev explained, emphasising his desire for privacy and avoiding unnecessary attention.

Helen reassured him with genuine earnestness.

"Definitely! We will keep this matter strictly between us," she promised, her excitement palpable as she realised the prince had reconsidered his stance.

"Good."

Kiev went to retrieve a soft cloth, dampening it before carefully squeezing out the excess water. Returning to Lilith’s side, he intended to clean her injured knee.

"Let me do it, Your Highness," Elis kindly offered, taking the cloth from Kiev’s hands.

Kneeling before the princess, the maid gently wiped away the dirt and debris from Lilith’s wound. The young girl winced in pain, her discomfort clearly visible.

However, Elis provided words of encouragement, assuring the princess that the process would soon be over. With a display of remarkable courage, Lilith gathered her strength, bravely enduring the stinging sensation as the maid diligently cleaned the wound.

Maintaining a gentle and reassuring demeanour, Elis worked meticulously to ensure the wound was thoroughly cleansed, paying attention to every detail. Her skilled hands moved with care and precision, exhibiting a level of dedication that amazed both Helen and Kiev.

When the prince deemed the wound sufficiently cleaned, Elis moved aside to allow him to do the healing. Kneeling beside the maid, Kiev placed his palm gently on Lilith’s knee.

A radiant white light emanated from his touch, accompanied by a comforting warmth that enveloped Lilith’s skin. The wound vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving behind unblemished fair skin.

Helen couldn’t contain her astonishment, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"Oh, my! This is magic!" she exclaimed, marvelling at the incredible healing prowess displayed by the prince.

Kiev, with a hint of smugness, confirmed her observation. "Indeed, it is. It’s called healing magic, and it utilises mana," he explained.

Captivated by the spectacle, Lilith couldn’t help but interject with wonder.

"You’re a fairy!" she declared, her eyes filled with admiration and enchantment.

Chuckling softly at the notion, Kiev corrected her.

"I’m not a fairy, but you could say I’m special," he replied, revelling in the praise.

Laura, enthralled by the healing process, chimed in with her own comparison.

"I think you are a special fairy! And handsome too, just like Uncle Ky!" she exclaimed, drawing a parallel between the prince and her beloved uncle.

"Are you referring to the Grand Duke of Gerhard?" Kiev asked.

The princess nodded fervently.

Curiosity piqued, the prince inquired further, seeking to understand the extent of Kyren’s abilities.

"Does this Uncle Ky of yours also possess magical abilities?" he probed.

Laura shook her head, clarifying the difference.

"No, but he makes the pain go away. He kisses our wounds and makes us feel better," she explained, emphasising the soothing presence the grand duke had always provided them.

Kiev nodded thoughtfully, drawing his conclusions. He speculated that Kyren possessed a similar ability to his own, considering the golden barrier that had protected the grand duke during their previous duel.

"So, you have a magical ability?" asked Helen curiously.

Kiev, with a calm demeanour, confirmed her inquiry.

"Yes. Specifically, I can utilise healing magic to mend wounds and injuries and also treat diseases to some extent. Though I have this ability, it doesn’t mean I can heal everything," he explained, his tone filled with confidence.

He continued, elaborating on the intricacies of his magic. "The level of magic required depends on the type of injury or sickness. Healing scars, for example, would require a greater amount of mana. In the case of the princess, I exerted more mana to ensure there would be no scar at all."

Lilith and Laura blinked, struggling to comprehend the prince’s words entirely. Helen, however, understood the significance of his abilities and expressed her gratitude towards him.

"Since the princesses love you so dearly, I will overlook your mistake and keep this matter to myself. You don’t need to inform Their Majesties about the incident," he decided, acknowledging the bond between the princesses and their beloved governess.

Laura, still processing the information, sought clarification. "Is Helen leaving again?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"Not if you keep quiet about this," Kiev stated firmly.

Eager to comply, both princesses enthusiastically pledged their commitment.

"We will!" they exclaimed simultaneously, eager to protect Helen from potential repercussions.

Elis interjected with a smile, holding out her pinky finger. "Pinky promise?" she suggested, inviting the two princesses to make a symbolic vow.

Laura and Lilith turned to Elis, their eyes widening in surprise.

"You know about the pinky promise?" Laura voiced her astonishment.

Elis nodded with a smile.

"Yes, I do. It’s the most revered vow a girl could ever make. I remember making similar vows with my sister," she remarked, highlighting the importance of the commitment. "Given how important it is to keep Helen with us, we should definitely pinky promise."

Laura enthusiastically consented, knowing full well the seriousness of the situation. "Yes! Let’s pinky promise!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm palpable.

The two princesses reached out and entwined their pinky fingers with Elis’s and Helen’s, signifying their undying trust to keep the matter a secret.

Then, they turned to Kiev, stretching out their pinky fingers towards him, inviting him to join their promise. The prince, taken aback by the gesture, questioned his inclusion.

"Me too?" he asked, surprised by their insistence.

Both princesses nodded, their faces displaying a serious determination. Smiling, Kiev agreed.

"Very well. But you must also keep the secret about me using healing magic," the prince reiterated.

"All right, Sir," both princesses replied in unison, acknowledging the prince’s request.

Kiev then addressed them accordingly, "You may call me Prince Kiev."

Lilith couldn’t contain her surprise.

"You’re a prince?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Yes, I am," Prince Kiev confirmed with a nod.

"We are princesses too. You can call me Laura and my younger sister Lilith," Laura said.

"Pleased to meet you both, Laura and Lilith," Prince Kiev responded warmly. He then took a moment to address their behaviour, urging them to be well-behaved. "Promise me that you’ll never be naughty again and won’t put your governess in trouble, or you might lose her again."

"We promise, Prince Kiev!" the princesses declared earnestly.

To seal their sincere commitment, the children interlocked their pinky fingers with Prince Kiev’s one by one. The gesture solidified their shared secret and their determination to keep it safe.

With the matter settled, Helen quickly requested to return to the queen’s quarters after thanking Elis and Kiev. As they prepared to leave, Lilith surprised everyone with a sudden request.

"Can you give me a kiss?" she asked the maid.

Elis, taken aback but obliging, replied, her affectionate gesture met with a smile, "Why... sure!"

She bent down and tenderly kissed the princess on both cheeks.

Laura, not wanting to miss out, pleaded, "Kiss me too!"

The maid chuckled and happily kissed the eldest princess as well. The two princesses embraced Elis, and a broad smile spread across her face, a genuine display of joy.

Observing the scene with astonishment, Kiev couldn’t help but notice the dimples on Elis’s cheeks when she smiled. It was the first time he had seen the maid express such genuine happiness as she had always been severe and silent.

Before leaving, Lilith made another request, "Can I have more piggy-back rides with you next time?"

"Definitely! I’ll be staying in the palace for a while, so whenever I’m free, I’ll come and visit," Elis assured her.

The princesses exclaimed happily. Together with Helen, they bid farewell and departed.

Kiev’s gaze remained fixed on Elis, his deep red ruby eyes tracing her every movement. He couldn’t help but be captivated by the lingering remnants of her smile as she waved to the children.

Elis’s cheerful demeanour and sincere interactions with the princesses left a strong impression on Kiev. Her genuine care and sincerity were evident in every gesture and word, astoundingly different from her usual silent and severe nature.

"I’m impressed by your way with children. You would make a good mother someday," Kiev complimented the maid.

Elis’s expression suddenly changed, her face turning dark at the words.

"That’s not going to happen," she muttered to herself, despair evident in her voice as she looked down.

Surprised by her response, Kiev inquired, "Why not?"

Elis’s shoulders jolted, realising that she had inadvertently voiced her thoughts aloud, and the prince had heard her. Embarrassment flooded through her, causing her cheeks to flush with a hint of crimson. Quickly, the maid shifted gears, changing the topic.

"I need to get back to Her Highness, Princess Callis. The carriage to the plaza will be ready soon. Please excuse me."

Elis cut off the conversation, returning to her usual composed demeanour as she hastily bowed to the prince and swiftly left the scene.

Kiev’s gaze lingered on her, his red eyes filled with curiosity and concern as he pondered the meaning behind her unintended revelation.

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