The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 259: The Relatives Unexpected Intervention

Chapter 259: The Relatives Unexpected Intervention

A noble lady strode down the road after descending from her elegant carriage. Her expression was etched with annoyance. Each step she took seemed to reverberate with her frustration, resonating through the cobblestone path.

"My lady, please allow me to accompany you!" pleaded her devoted personal maid, who hurriedly came down from the carriage and followed closely behind.

"Don’t bother!" Sylvia exclaimed, her voice tinged with a grouchy tone.

Her maid halted her steps, exchanging concerned glances with the carriage driver, both unsure of how to alleviate their lady’s distress.

A deep well of frustration and anger surged through Sylvia’s heart. Her relatives—her grandfather, three uncles, their wives, and cousins—had unexpectedly arrived in the middle of the night, earlier than anticipated.

Despite having to wake up at an awkward hour to welcome their early arrival, Sylvia was filled with delight. She swiftly arranged for her relatives to rest in their respective rooms, then returned to her own slumber.

However, it didn’t take long for the sun to rise, and her disciplined guests were accustomed to early mornings due to the influence of her strict grandfather.

In respect for her grandfather and to maintain harmonious relations with her relatives, Sylvia also roused herself from sleep early to join them for breakfast. Yet, as soon as the guests gathered around the table and began their meal, she found herself bombarded with a barrage of questions, one after another.

"Have you already found someone special in your life?" one relative inquired.

"Has your mother arranged any meetings with potential suitors?" asked another.

"You’re becoming more mature now. It’s time to consider marriage. Are you being selective in your choices?" chimed in yet another relative.

Sylvia’s mother skillfully deflected the probing questions, protecting her beloved daughter from their intrusion. On the other hand, Sylvia, having faced such inquiries from her relatives before due to her marriageable age, remained calm and composed.

However, Sylvia’s mood shifted dramatically when her cousins began teasing her, taunting her that she would become a spinster and that suitors would flee upon meeting her due to her outspoken nature. The remarks struck a nerve, causing her demeanour to change.

But then, her grandfather, the Marquess of Sylvere, spoke up in her defence, "Do not pressure her so much. She is the sole granddaughter of our family and must uphold our prestige. She cannot simply marry just any man."

Sylvia felt an immense wave of relief wash over her upon hearing her grandfather’s words. The Marquess’s statement caused her aunts and cousins to promptly close their mouths out of respect for his authority and cease their pestering.

"The person who shall marry her must be approved by me. Therefore, I shall personally find the best candidate for her," declared the Marquess, his words leaving Sylvia’s jaw nearly dropping in astonishment.

"Why?" she managed to ask, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Because it has been quite some time, and with only your parents’ intervention, it doesn’t seem to be progressing in the desired direction," her grandfather responded, casually breaking a piece of bread and dipping it into the mushroom soup before taking a bite.

"We will also assist this time to expedite the process," Sylvia’s eldest uncle interjected while his two brothers nodded in agreement.

In a state of panic, Sylvia turned to her mother. The thought of her grandfather and uncles intervening filled her with dread.

Considering their military background, she was confident they would choose a burly man with a knightly figure, someone solely interested in fighting and warfare.

There would be little chance of finding a spouse who truly cared for her feelings. Instead, he would be preoccupied with pleasing her grandfather and uncles.

"I have been working with the assistance of a matchmaker, and the process is still underway," Sylvia’s mother interjected, trying to alleviate their concerns.

"And for how long must I wait? She is nearing the end of her marriageable age. Men will lose interest in her as she grows older. Have you not considered that?" The Marquess’s low, husky voice carried a tinge of impatience.

"Father, I have indeed considered it. But the arrangements have not yet come to fruition. Please be patient," Sylvia’s mother replied, her voice filled with a plea for understanding.

"If we continue to wait, the chances of witnessing my granddaughter’s wedding will diminish," the Marquess responded firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

His words hung heavy in the air, casting a silence over the table. Sensing the tension, Sylvia’s father, the Count of Medhir, cautiously voiced his thoughts, careful not to incite his father-in-law’s wrath.

"But, father... this is about Sylvia’s happiness... shouldn’t she find someone she genuinely likes on her own?"

"That would take forever. I might not live to see it. Enough with the delays! You and my daughter had your chance to arrange the matter, yet you failed. Now, I will take charge. In fact, I have been discreetly searching within our march and other territories, but none have met my preferences. With the upcoming festival, there will be many people visiting, and I shall commence my search immediately."

"But... but... grandfather..." Sylvia’s voice trembled, her apprehension evident.

"Hush! My decision is final! Once I find a man I am satisfied with, you shall be engaged to him, and we will arrange your wedding."

"We will be heading to the palace shortly to meet with His Majesty. It would be the ideal place to begin our search for a suitable bachelor from a noble lineage," suggested Sylvia’s second uncle.

"Agreed. Let’s do this together. I also have connections with high-ranking officers in the palace, and I can include them in the list," spoke up Sylvia’s third uncle.

"Don’t! This is not an army enlistment! This is my personal life we’re discussing!" Sylvia countered.

"My dearest Sylvia..."

She turned to her grandfather’s calling.

"We are taking these actions because we care about you, not out of nosiness. All I want is the best person to marry you and bring you happiness. Your uncles and I have more experience in this matter than your parents. So, please trust us," the Marquess stated firmly with authority.

Sylvia was poised to argue again when her mother subtly shook her head, signalling her to hold back. Continuing the argument would only further offend her grandfather and uncles, and that would be disrespectful towards the elders.

"Your decision is wise, father. We all agree to it," Sylvia’s aunt, the wife of her eldest uncle, intervened, quickly cutting off the conversation.

Among the other aunts, she was known for her astuteness in sensing when the Marquess’s mood was about to shift. Her interjection served as a silent warning to the others, urging them to respect and support the head of the family’s decision.

As the Marquess and his sons departed for the palace to seek an audience with the King, Sylvia couldn’t shake off the growing anxiety brought about by her grandfather and uncles’ new intervention. She understood they loved her deeply, especially since she was the sole granddaughter in the Marquess of Sylvere’s family.

Throughout her life, she was showered with affection, and her doting relatives granted her every wish. Even her cousins, though occasionally annoying due to their jealousy of the attention she received, never meant any harm, and she had grown accustomed to their teasing and jokes.

However, when her grandfather decided to involve himself in her marriage matters, Sylvia saw it as a warning sign. She had a sinking feeling that things would not turn out well and feared being trapped in a loveless marriage with a stranger.

Feeling desperate, Sylvia implored her mother to try to persuade her grandfather to reconsider his decision. However, both her parents hesitated to go against the Marquess, well aware of his reputation for strictness and unwavering rulings.

Sylvia was at a loss, unable to see a way out of the situation. She sighed, feeling hopelessness clouding her vision of the future.

Growing increasingly frustrated with the circumstances at home, the noble lady contemplated seeking solace with her friends, Meredith and Anna.

However, the thought of her grandfather and uncles being present deterred her. She knew that if they successfully found a potential suitor at the palace, she would be forced to meet him immediately.

With this in mind, she decided to find solace elsewhere and turned her thoughts to the upcoming festival—the only joyful event that came to mind. Determined to calm herself, Sylvia made her way to the festival, hoping it would provide a temporary escape from her worries.

As Sylvia walked through the festival alone, she attempted to immerse herself in the lively atmosphere.

A group of wandering bards had taken the stage, captivating the crowd with their performance. The sounds of applause and laughter filled the air as people revelled in the festivities. However, Sylvia found no solace or joy in the spectacle despite the merriment surrounding her.

The vibrant view of the bustling plaza failed to divert her attention from the weighty matter that consumed her thoughts. The concerns and uncertainties regarding her future and the impending decisions made by her grandfather and uncles continued to weigh heavily on her mind, casting a shadow over the otherwise cheerful event.

Sylvia’s heart skipped a beat as she heard her name being called amidst the bustling festival atmosphere.

"Sylvia!"

The voice was unmistakably familiar, causing her to turn around in search of its source. It came again, drawing her attention towards a group of figures. Her eyes widened in surprise as she recognised her three uncles and her grandfather among them, one of them waving for her to approach.

Curiosity piqued, Sylvia made her way towards them, her gaze momentarily fixated on a tall, strong-built man with brown hair who stood facing them. His back was facing her, and a sense of familiarity washed over her as she observed his broad figure.

As she neared the group, the man turned around, revealing a bewildered expression on his face. Sylvia’s breath caught in her throat as their eyes locked.

There before her, stood Drystan with a bewildered expression, his eyes wide opened and unblinking.

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