The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 258: An Approved Suitor

Chapter 258: An Approved Suitor

As the old man sat at a café with his three sons, engrossed in their conversation over cups of coffee, a commotion erupted nearby. The sound of thundering hooves and panicked screams drew the old man’s attention.

His eyes widened as he witnessed a wild horse charging towards a crowded area, heading straight for a stall. Without a moment’s hesitation, he sprang to his feet, his hand tightly gripping his walking stick.

"Quick! We need to help them!" he urgently called out to his sons.

The three men, well aware of their father’s unwavering courage, immediately understood the gravity of the situation. They swiftly rose from their seats, ready to join their father in aiding those in danger.

Despite his age, with white hair adorning his head and a walking stick as his companion, the old man exhibited an indomitable spirit.

"Don’t wait for me. Move quickly!" he urged his sons to act fast.

The three men raced towards the chaotic scene, leaving their father behind. As they arrived, they were astonished to find a knight already astride the wild horse, valiantly attempting to calm the frantic creature.

The knight’s grace and skill left the elderly man and his sons in amazement. They were astounded by the knight’s capacity to restore order amid the mayhem, seeing his deeds as evidence of his training and unyielding will.

With a final burst of effort, the knight succeeded in subduing the horse, freeing it from the entangled ruins. The once-unruly animal now stood calm and composed. Its wild energy transformed into a quiet surrender.

The old man was about to scold his sons for standing idle when he arrived. However, his rebuke for them was halted as he witnessed the knight, with his piercing brown eyes and hair, take control of the situation.

Observing the knight’s skilful handling of the horse and the ensuing negotiations, the eldest son spoke up, his arms crossed over his broad chest, "It seems we don’t need to take action anymore. That knight has everything under control."

His siblings nodded in agreement, their eyes fixed on Drystan’s every move. The siblings remained captivated as the knight negotiated between the horse owner and the wrecked stall owner.

They observed as he navigated the delicate balance between asserting the stall owner’s rights and addressing the concerns of the horse owner and acknowledged his adeptness.

The second son then commented, "He possesses a remarkable ability to navigate difficult situations. He knows precisely when to stand firm and when to exercise restraint."

The old man, his experienced eyes discerning the qualities of leadership and authority, chimed in, "He must be a knight, and quite possibly a high-ranking one at that."

His assessment of Drystan reflected both admiration and respect for the knight’s commanding presence.

Together, the old man and his sons watched as Drystan resolved the aftermath of the incident, his actions leaving an indelible impression.

"That emblem on his surcoat..." the third son’s voice trailed off as he noticed the emblem on Drystan’s surcoat.

His eyes narrowed, and he tilted his head to get a better view. Intrigued, his siblings followed suit. Their gazes were fixated on the knight’s attire.

"It’s a Griffin! That’s the coat of arms of His Royal Highness of Gerhard!" he exclaimed, his excitement evident as he confirmed the renowned emblem.

Equally impressed by the discovery, the old man chimed in, "Indeed, it is!"

A sense of awe washed over him as he realised the significance of Drystan’s connection to the royal family.

As people started approaching the area, joining hands with Drystan and the stall owner in the cleanup efforts, the old man suggested, "Let’s get closer to him and assess more."

His sons nodded in agreement, and together, they joined the crowd, actively participating in restoring the area and constructing a new stall.

The old man’s anticipation grew as he observed Drystan’s actions, witnessing the knight’s selflessness and generosity firsthand.

Word soon reached the old man’s ears that Drystan was gifting the mare to the stall owner and his wife without any expectation of payment. The act of kindness and compassion further deepened the old man’s admiration for the knight.

A warm smile spread across his face as he watched Drystan, realising that he embodied the virtues of an honourable knight.

The old man’s excitement brimmed as he spoke to his sons, "This knight is truly exceptional! Not only does he possess strength and skill as an experienced warrior, but he also exhibits well-developed social and leadership skills. He carries himself with humility, earning respect from all around him."

The third son nodded in agreement, adding, "And let’s not forget, he’s also quite handsome with his friendly smile."

Intrigued by the possibility, the eldest son inquired, "Do you think he would be a suitable match for her?"

The third son interjected, "We initially considered pairing her with His Highness."

The old man’s expression turned contemplative as he shared his reservations.

"The grand duke already has a concubine despite his claims of celibacy. I doubt she would desire a man whose heart is divided. She seeks true love, a partner who will wholeheartedly devote himself to her."

The second son said, "I do not feel that this knight is lacking in any way. He possesses all the qualities we have been seeking. We have searched long and hard for a man who meets her standards, and it seems we have finally found one."

The old man pondered his son’s words, realising they were true. It had been a considerable amount of time since they had encountered someone who possessed the qualities they desired for the lady they mentioned.

"Oh... he’s moving somewhere... wait... he’s after a kid!" the third son exclaimed, his eyes widening as he noticed Drystan chasing a young thief.

Excitement filled the air as the old man urged his sons, "We must see this! Let’s follow him!"

The four of them hurriedly rushed after Drystan, their curiosity piqued. They halted at a safe distance, observing as the knight grabbed the young boy’s shirt.

The three men’s expressions darkened, anticipating that the knight might resort to violence. However, to their surprise, the knight knelt on the ground, turned the child to face him, and engaged in a conversation. Moments later, Drystan led the boy to an isolated alley.

Curiosity mixed with concern, the second son asked, "What is he doing? Is he planning to harm the boy in the alley?"

"He could be! After all, he has a reputation to uphold, so he wouldn’t do it in front of a crowd," the eldest son speculated, a hint of scepticism in his voice.

Frustration laced the third son’s remark as he scoffed, "What a scumbag! A pretentious man who puts on a show of goodness in society while hiding his dark behaviour in secret!"

The old man, however, urged his sons to withhold judgment.

"Let’s give him a chance. It’s too early to make such assumptions. We’ll wait and see. If it takes too long, then we’ll intervene."

The third son protested, concerned for the child’s safety, "But that kid could have been hurt! We can’t just stand by and wait!"

Just then, amidst the bustling road, their eyes widened as they saw Drystan emerge from the alley, this time holding another boy’s hand.

"Ah... there’s another child! He has gone to get him. The little thief must have told him about his brother," the eldest son deduced.

"How do you know the little one is the thief’s brother?" asked the second son.

"Look at their faces. There’s a close resemblance. Isn’t it obvious?" said the eldest son.

The second son, initially sceptical, conceded, "Ah, I see it now. Their faces do bear a close resemblance."

"Now, what is he going to do with them?" the third son pondered, his curiosity getting the better of him.

The four men continued to trail and observe as Drystan led the children back to the fruit stall. To their surprise, he apologised to the stall owner for the stolen fruit.

However, instead of getting angry, the stall owner showed understanding and insisted they take some apples as a gesture of goodwill.

Word quickly spread among the neighbouring stall owners that the children were hungry, and they extended invitations to Drystan and the children to sit and enjoy a meal. The generosity and kindness shown by the community warmed the hearts of the four men.

The old man nodded approvingly, his smile growing wider as he witnessed Drystan lifting the younger child onto his shoulders to continue their walk.

He couldn’t contain his satisfaction and exclaimed, "He has passed our criteria! Without a doubt! He possesses all the qualities we were seeking and even demonstrates a fatherly figure. He is undoubtedly qualified to be a part of our family!"

Concern crept into the third son’s voice as he raised an important question, "But what about his status?"

"What about it?" retorted the second son in response to the third son’s concerns. "Father already made it clear that noble bloodline isn’t a requirement. Moreover, he is already a knight, which is a commendable accomplishment."

The third son persisted, clarifying his point, "I’m not concerned about his lineage. I’m referring to his marital status. How he interacts with the children suggests that he is accustomed to being around them."

Rolling his eyes, the second son dismissed his brother’s negative assumptions, "You’ve been harbouring doubts about him from the beginning. From what I know, most of the knights in Gerhard are still single, except for Sir Eric Navin. We even attended his wedding, remember?"

The first son chimed in, affirming his observations, "I don’t see any ring on his finger. He appears to be single."

The third son countered, "Well, he could be a bachelor or a divorcee."

"Shut up!" shouted the eldest and second sons in unison.

After assessing the situation, the old man finally spoke up, "I’m going to ask him directly."

The third son questioned his father’s decision, asking, "Are you sure about this, father?"

The old man nodded confidently.

"We can’t let such a remarkable gem slip away. This knight is perfect in every aspect for her, and I wholeheartedly approve of him," he said satisfyingly. "Let’s approach the knight. I will speak with him personally while you all hide for now. Wait for my cue. We don’t want to intimidate him."

With their plan set, the four men followed Drystan and the children to the patrol station. They patiently waited until the knight emerged from the building, allowing the old man to approach him and initiate a conversation.

***

As Drystan emerged from the patrol station compound, he surveyed the bustling plaza, contemplating his next destination.

Suddenly, a friendly voice called out to him from behind, "Hello there, young man."

Startled, the knight turned to face the source of the greeting. The sight before him was an elderly figure clad in a hooded cloak and leaning on a walking stick for support.

Drystan’s keen eyes carefully scanned the old man’s black attire, noting the subtle details that hinted at its quality despite its apparent simplicity.

Curiosity piqued, the knight responded, "Yes, what can I do for you?"

With a calm demeanour, the old man replied, "Actually, I have been observing you from a distance."

Drystan’s brows furrowed.

"Why?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on the enigmatic stranger.

"I was nearly knocked down by the horse that went berserk and caused chaos. If you hadn’t arrived on time, I would have sustained severe injuries. I wanted to thank you for saving me. You’re a remarkable individual," the old man fabricated a story, expressing his gratitude.

Drystan humbly responded, "Ah, it was nothing significant. I believe anyone would have done the same."

The old man shook his head with a smile.

"Not just anyone. I must say, you possess exceptional horsemanship skills. And if I’m not mistaken... that emblem on your surcoat... it belongs to the Knighthood of Gerhard, doesn’t it?" he asked, seeking confirmation.

A sense of pride swelled within Drystan as he replied, "Yes, indeed. I am an ordained knight serving His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke of Gerhard."

Curiosity gleamed in the old man’s eyes as he continued the conversation.

"May I have the pleasure of knowing your name, please?"

Drystan introduced himself with a nod, "Certainly. My name is Drystan. Drystan Mills."

"I see... what a fine man you are. Not only are you a skilful knight, but your compassion towards animals and children is truly admirable. Bringing people together to erect the new stall for the fruit seller was another testament to your character," said the old man proudly.

"Ah... I suppose everyone is in good spirits due to the festival. But were you observing me all this time?"

As a high-ranking knight, Drystan’s senses were finely attuned, and he usually noticed when someone was watching him.

However, he hadn’t been aware of the old man’s observation. He reasoned that the bustling crowd and the festive atmosphere might have distracted him, leading him to dismiss any lingering curiosity.

The old man chuckled softly.

"Indeed, many people did observe your heroic actions. It was truly a spectacular sight."

The knight humbly responded, "I wouldn’t boast about it. If His Highness had known about the incident and my presence here, he himself would have instructed me to prevent the mare from harming the public. It is the duty of the knights of Gerhard to protect the people."

The old man nodded in agreement.

"Yes, indeed. Your sense of duty is evident. I must admit, you have captured my attention. If I may ask, are you currently seeing someone?"

Drystan paused, taken aback by the unexpected question.

"Pardon me?" he asked.

"I mean... are you in a relationship or something? I noticed that you’re not wearing a ring. So, I assume you’re unmarried. However, I wish to confirm it with you."

"I am still single and not in any relationship. But may I know why you are asking..." Drystan began to inquire, but the old man suddenly turned around and shouted excitedly before he could finish his sentence.

"He’s single and available!"

Drystan’s eyes widened in surprise as he watched the events unfold. Out of nowhere, three men wearing hooded robes appeared and started approaching them. Bewildered, the knight questioned the situation.

"What’s going on here?" he asked, his gaze shifting between the approaching men and the old man.

"I would like you to become a suitor for my granddaughter."

"What?"

The old man smiled and pulled back his hood, revealing his face.

The three approaching men also pushed back their hoods, revealing their identities. As Drystan recognised their faces, his jaw nearly dropped in astonishment.