The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 266: A Wish Half-Granted

Chapter 266: A Wish Half-Granted

Callis scanned the area, her eyes searching for her brother or any other Mederians from her entourage, but realised that none of them were yet to be present. A sense of excitement filled her, knowing she stood a chance.

"None of my people are here," she whispered, a twinkle in her eyes. "So... I could do it in secret!"

However, Flora voiced her concern, reminding Callis of the potential trouble she might face.

"Are you sure about this, Miss? I don’t want to put you in any difficult situations, especially considering it goes against your customs," she cautioned.

Callis paused for a moment, contemplating the florist’s words. But her eagerness overpowered her hesitations.

"They’re not going to know since they aren’t here," she reasoned. "If I make the wish and wear the flower for a short while, will that be enough?"

"Well... there is no strict time limit for wearing the flower. The result can vary from person to person. Some have found their true love in a matter of weeks, while others have had to wait years. Patience is key," she explained.

Callis’s determination grew more assertive.

"I don’t mind waiting. After all, I have nothing to lose," she declared with unwavering resolve.

Callis removed her hood, revealing her face to Flora, who was taken aback by the sight of the stunning Mederian Princess. Her red ruby eyes sparkled with a captivating allure, and her fair white skin, adorned with blushes on her cheeks, seemed almost otherworldly.

"You are lovely, Miss! I have never seen anyone quite like you," Flora exclaimed, her eyes widening with awe. "With such captivating looks, no man could resist you," she added with admiration.

Callis graciously accepted the compliment.

"Thank you for your kind words, but I yearn for a man who will love me for who I am, not just for my looks or possessions," she confessed. "I simply wish for a genuine and sincere love from the man who has captured my heart."

"Oh... oh... wait!"

Flora’s eyes lit up with an idea as she picked up her basket containing several types of flowers.

Excitedly, she instructed the Mederian Princess, "Choose your flower and then put it close to your heart and make your wish with sincerity and wholeheartedness. God will hear you and make your wish come true, whether sooner or later. Then, place them on your braid and wear them for a while. I would recommend red roses as they symbolise love and affection."

"Right! Let’s do this!" Callis exclaimed with determination.

She was ready to take this leap of faith and see if the myth held any truth for her.

The Mederian Princess eagerly took the red roses from Flora’s basket, holding it gently against her heart as she closed her eyes and focused on her deepest desires. She whispered her heartfelt wish, pouring her genuine emotions into her words.

"I hope he’ll come to me and accept my love for him," Callis murmured, her voice filled with anticipation.

Opening her eyes, she turned to Flora and asked, " Could you please help me put the roses on my braid? As you can see, my right hand is limited in its range of motion due to my right shoulder injury. Additionally, I’m not skilled with my left hand, and don’t want to risk ruining my braid."

Flora responded with reassurance, "No problem at all! I’ll be glad to help since your bouquet is already completed. However, you must bend down a bit since I’m shorter."

Agreeing with Flora’s suggestion, Callis bent down slightly to accommodate the florist, who was a dwarf. Unfortunately, pain radiated from her injured shoulder as she assumed the position, causing her to grimace and emit a grunt.

"Oh, dear! I won’t be able to reach, and you can’t bend down any further. Perhaps I should quickly go to the neighbouring café and borrow a stool. Unfortunately, mine broke this morning due to a fall. Would you mind waiting briefly?" suggested the florist.

Callis replied, "No problem at all!"

Flora rushed off to the nearby café to fetch a stool, promising to return promptly. Left waiting, Callis wondered about her wish and the true love’s myth when suddenly, a voice called out from behind her.

"Are you, Your Highness, Princess Callis?"

Startled, she turned around, her eyes widening as she beheld the face of the man she longed for.

"Mr... Amares!" she exclaimed with astonishment.

In a moment of surprise, Callis gulped, unintentionally swallowing the hardened candy and lodged it in her throat.

Rafe greeted her with a friendly smile.

"It is you! We meet again! I caught a glimpse of your exquisite hair colour from behind, and I thought it might be you. And indeed, it is!" he remarked, his words filled with delight.

Still, though, the Mederian Princess had a startling expression. Her eyes were big, her cheeks were flushed, and she did not return the smile. Rafe noticed her unusual behaviour and grew concerned.

"Your Highness... Are you all right?" he inquired, tilting his head as he looked at her curiously.

Desperate to convey her distress, Callis waved her hand, which was clutching the roses, in Rafe’s direction.

"Urgh... urgh!" she managed to utter, her gestures filled with urgency, as she struggled with the candy stuck in her throat.

Frowning in confusion, Rafe attempted to comprehend the situation.

"Wait... Are you choking?" he asked.

"Umph! Umph!" Callis nodded vigorously, her eyes pleading for his assistance, as she waved her hand once more, desperately seeking his help.

"Oh, my God!" Rafe reacted swiftly, realising the severity of the situation.

He motioned the Mederian Princess to bend forward, cocking her back and stepped behind her with a sense of haste. His fingers made several hard taps on the back of her neck.

"Try to spit it out! Hurry!" Rafe exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency and concern.

He continued to strike the back of her neck, increasing the force with each tap. Finally, on the fifth hit, the candy dislodged in Callis’s throat and spat to the ground.

She coughed heavily, her body convulsing as she fought to catch her breath. Rafe moved closer, rubbing her back gently to provide comfort and support.

"Are you all right?" he asked worriedly.

Understanding that she may need hydration after the ordeal, he reached for a water container hanging from his waist and offered it to her.

"Here, drink this," he said, carefully placing the container’s opening against her lips.

"Careful... Slowly," he advised, his tone gentle and reassuring.

Once she had finished drinking, Rafe closed the lid of the water container and returned it to his waist. He then retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket. With meticulous care, he wiped her lips, removing any traces of moisture.

"Feeling better?" he inquired, his grey eyes focused intently on Callis, who now stood more composedly.

The concern in his gaze conveyed his genuine care for her well-being.

The Mederian Princess nodded, indicating that she was all right. The healer’s concern remained evident as he offered her a suggestion.

"Do you want to sit down first?" he asked, scanning the surroundings for a stool or bench. However, he realised that none were available nearby.

She shook her head, declining the offer.

"I’m fine now. Thank you for saving me," she responded with gratitude.

Curiosity sparked within the healer as he sought to understand the cause of the incident.

"What were you chewing just now?" he inquired gently.

Blushing, the Mederian Princess admitted, "Umm... that was candy. I had it in my mouth, and I accidentally swallowed it, choking myself just as you arrived."

When the Mederian Princess realised how awkward her next meeting with her crush had turned out, she was overcome with embarrassment. She hadn’t anticipated such a mortifying situation to be the backdrop for their next interaction.

"Candy? You like eating it?" Rafe asked inquisitively.

She nodded sheepishly. "I do..." Callis responded.

Her expression then shifted from shyness to hesitant as she realised her innocent confession. Fearing that the healer might perceive her as childish, she promptly clarified, "Not all the time! Just casually... sometimes... based on occasions."

The Mederian Princess then bowed. Her cheeks burned with redness. She just realised she had stumbled on her words and made a fool of herself again before the man she liked. She was so embarrassed that she felt like digging a hole in the ground and burying herself.

To her surprise, Rafe chuckled in response, his laughter carrying a warmth that lifted her embarrassment.

"I like candy too. But too much sweetness isn’t good for me, so I indulge occasionally, just like you."

His understanding and lighthearted response brought relief to the Mederian Princess. It was a simple statement, but it showed his ability to put her at ease and diffuse an awkward situation. Rafe had a talent for calming tensions and making her feel comfortable.

Callis then gathered her composure and decided to engage in conversation.

"What are you doing here, Mr Amares?" she asked politely, her embarrassment momentarily pushed aside.

"It’s festival time. Of course, everyone is interested in coming here to celebrate," Rafe said, understanding the allure of the occasion. "As for me, besides enjoying the festivities, I’m also on the lookout for rare remedies that I can use in my treatments."

"Ah, I see," she responded.

Curiosity got the better of him, and Rafe turned the question back to Callis.

"What about you? Why are you alone here?" he inquired, concerned about her well-being.

"I’m not alone," she clarified, "My brother and Elis went back to the carriage to store the items I bought. They’ll be back shortly."

Rafe nodded approvingly.

"That’s good to hear. Many unknown individuals are at this festival, so it’s important to be cautious and avoid walking alone. The authorities are monitoring the area, but it’s always better to take safety measures and be accompanied."

"Thank you for your concern," Callis replied gratefully, appreciating his vigilance.

The conversation took a turn as Rafe’s gaze fell upon the sling still adorning the Mederian Princess’s arm.

"By the way, why are you still wearing the sling? Hasn’t your brother healed you yet?" he inquired.

Callis’s expression shifted, her gaze briefly turning downward to the sling.

"Oh, this..."