The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 261: A Collaboration For An Escape

Chapter 261: A Collaboration For An Escape

"Grandfather, uncles, I don’t think this will work! Sir Mills and I are way too different!" Sylvia voiced her concerns when her grandfather introduced the knight as a potential suitor for her.

She couldn’t fathom how they had stumbled upon a candidate amidst the bustling festival at the plaza. To add to the astonishment, the man turned out to be none other than Drystan.

"How can you be so sure?" inquired her eldest uncle.

"It’s too early to say that. You’ve only just met. Perhaps with time, through several meetings and getting to know each other, you’ll discover common ground and develop feelings," suggested Sylvia’s second uncle optimistically.

"That’s right. I have already approved of this knight. He is perfect for you!" declared the Marquess confidently.

"He can’t be! I know him!" Sylvia countered, her tone resolute.

"You know him?" questioned the Marquess’s third son, curious.

Sylvia took a deep breath, preparing to explain.

"He happens to be one of the escorts of my friend, Lady Anna Raychard, the concubine of His Highness the Grand Duke. We have crossed paths on multiple occasions," she revealed.

"Oh, so you already know each other! This is truly a blessing from God! It seems you were destined to be together right from the very beginning!" the Marquess concluded.

"No! It’s not like that, grandfather! We’re not even friends! And... and... we don’t like each other!" Sylvia vehemently protested.

"Lady Rogers is absolutely right! We are so different that it simply doesn’t make sense for us to be a couple," Drystan chimed in, his tone firm. "I’m sorry, but I have to decline this proposal."

"Are you saying no to me?"

The Marquess’s initially joyful expression morphed into a darkened one upon hearing the knight’s refusal. The sudden silence that followed hung heavy in the air, with the three lords sharing an anxious look as they observed their father’s change in mood.

"He’s just feeling nervous, father. I don’t think he meant what he said. Perhaps he needs some time to collect his thoughts," the eldest son interjected, attempting to reassure him.

"Yes, indeed. Youngsters often say things that they don’t truly mean. Sometimes their words don’t align with their true intentions," added the second son. "Since they are already here, why don’t we give them a chance to take a walk together and get to know each other without any disturbances? It might help foster a romantic connection."

The Marquess pondered momentarily, his gaze shifting between Drystan and Sylvia as he weighed their words and observed their expressions.

"Fine... you both must nurture your feelings as well. Since it’s festival time, take this opportunity to spend time together. I will allow you, Sir Mills, to accompany my granddaughter and court her accordingly. You have my permission," the Marquess conceded.

"Oh, father! Why don’t we head over to that side? There seems to be a lively crowd and surely something interesting to see!" the third son swiftly intervened, grabbing his father’s shoulders and turning him around.

At that moment, he subtly winked at the eldest son, signalling for him to take action.

"Ah, yes! I’m already in the festive spirit!" the Marquess exclaimed, easily swayed by his son’s suggestion. He followed the third son and walked away, with the second son following suit.

Meanwhile, the eldest son of the Marquess approached Sylvia and Drystan, his tone stern.

"Are you out of your mind? Do you comprehend the gravity of declining His Grace’s request?" he scolded the knight.

"But this decision affects my future," Drystan defended himself. "I can’t simply agree without careful consideration."

"If you persist in refusing, it will be a catastrophe! Once His Grace sets his eyes on something, he never let go," the lord warned. "Trust me, it won’t bode well for you or your knighthood."

"You’re right," Sylvia said with a sigh. "Grandfather is renowned for his stubbornness. No one can sway him from his determination, and he will be furious if things don’t go his way. It’ll be chaos."

"It’s good that you still remember about it!" said her uncle.

Puzzled, Dyrstan asked the noble lady, "Why didn’t you inform me that you’re the granddaughter of His Grace, the Marquess of Sylvere?"

"For what reason? We aren’t even close enough to discuss our family matters!" she scoffed dismissively.

"I don’t know what disagreement exists between the two of you, but please try to resolve it before he finds out. As he has decided, you and him will be paired, and the engagement and wedding plans will proceed. Unless you can change his mind, these arrangements will go forward," Sylvia’s uncle interjected.

Without waiting for a response, he turned around and swiftly walked away, catching up to his father and brothers, who were already ahead.

"Oh, God! Why is this happening to me?" Drystan exclaimed, patting his forehead with his palm in frustration.

"What did you do to make him yearn for you?" scolded Sylvia, her hands on her hips.

"I didn’t do anything! He approached me out of the blue and insisted that I become your suitor!" the knight retorted, glaring back at her.

"And you couldn’t even come up with a lie? You could have said you were already married or involved with someone!" Sylvia lamented, her frustration evident.

"How was I supposed to know he was pairing me with you? He disguised himself under a hooded robe and only revealed himself after I responded! Your uncles were even watching me discreetly!" the knight protested.

"Huh! I thought you were skilled enough to detect anyone observing you! Aren’t you a high-ranking knight of Gerhard?" Sylvia teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Hey! Your grandfather is a northern warrior, and your uncles are trained directly under him! Their skills far surpass mine!" Drystan defended himself.

Sylvia couldn’t help but snicker.

"There’s no doubt about it. I bet only other northern warriors could counter their abilities."

"Enough of that! Now, what do we do about this?" Drystan asked with concern. "If we don’t take any action, we might end up getting married! Your relatives are so adamant about this!"

Sylvia rubbed her lower lip with her thumb, contemplating the situation.

"We need to come up with a plan to change my grandfather’s mind," she finally decided.

"Agreed! I can’t imagine marrying someone like you," Drystan stated firmly.

Sylvia fixed a penetrating gaze on the knight, her eyes narrowed and her expression serious.

"I’m not saying you’re unattractive or anything. It’s just that we don’t have anything in common, and I don’t have any romantic feelings for you," the knight explained, raising both his palms as a gesture to diffuse the situation.

"I understand that very well, Sir Mills. You had feelings for my best friend, and I don’t want to be anyone’s second choice. Besides, I’ve noticed how easily your eyes wander towards pretty maidens. So, I don’t think you’re someone suitable for me," said Sylvia teasingly.

"And I also don’t believe that someone as outspoken and stubborn as you could be my ideal partner. Now I can see where that behaviour of yours is inherited from," Drystan retorted, mocking the noble lady in return as he felt irritated with her candid remarks.

"Fine! We both agree that we are not suited for each other. Therefore, we must work together to dismantle their plan," Sylvia declared.

"So, you’ll be my ally in this?" Drystan asked, seeking confirmation.

"Definitely! While I can’t think of a solution now, I’m fairly certain they are spying on us. So, let’s pretend to get along while we devise a plan to save ourselves," the noble lady suggested.

"That’s a good idea! But I need your assurance that you won’t tarnish my good name. I am an ordained knight, and I can’t have my honourable status under His Highness be tainted," Drystan requested.

"I promise! We will uphold each other’s good name and dignity during our collaboration," Sylvia assured him.

"Good. Let’s shake hands as a gesture of our agreement," the knight proposed.

Sylvia looked at him with a hesitant expression.

"Is that necessary?" she questioned.

"A knight always takes matters of promise seriously," Drystan stated firmly, emphasising the importance of their commitment.

Sylvia pondered for a moment but then nodded.

"Fine."

She extended her hand, and Drystan reached out to meet it. Their hands clasped firmly, sealing their agreement. Both wore serious expressions, the gravity of their situation reflected in their determined faces.

Just as they completed the handshake, a voice called out, "Sylvia!"

They both turned, surprised to see Meredith and Alex approaching with perplexed expressions. The noble lady instinctively withdrew her hand from Drystan’s, a hint of unease creeping into her demeanour.

"My, my! I didn’t know you and Sir Mills were in courtship!" With a note of surprise in her voice, Meredith said.

Drystan hurriedly added to clear up any confusion, "It’s not what you think, Lady Grey."

"You were holding hands just now. Isn’t it obvious?" Alex continued with a playful tone.

"No, it’s not courtship. We were simply shaking hands. The truth is, we find ourselves in quite a predicament," Drystan explained, his tone serious.

"He’s right. Both of us are in big trouble!" Sylvia added.

"What kind of trouble?" Meredith asked, her interest sparked.

"I think we need to sit down and discuss this. We may require your assistance in devising an escape plan," Sylvia suggested, recognising the need for their friends’ support.

Alex and Meredith exchanged glances, a mixture of concern and curiosity evident in their eyes. Despite the uncertainty of what lay ahead, they nodded in agreement, ready to lend a helping hand.

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