The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 276: Breaking The News To The Mansion

Chapter 276: Breaking The News To The Mansion

Clara lay in bed, taking the time to rest, while Emily busied herself with organising the linen in the cupboard. The room was filled with a sense of calm until a knock at the door disrupted the tranquillity. Ayden, the assistant healer, entered with a bright smile, bringing an air of liveliness with him.

"Hi there, ladies! I hope I’m not interrupting," he greeted them warmly, his presence injecting a spark of energy into the room.

"Oh, not at all, Mr Norman. We weren’t doing much. Right, Dame Clara?" Emily replied, gesturing towards her friend.

Clara nodded, a hint of boredom evident on her face.

"I was starting to get restless from being cooped up in this room all day. It feels stuffy and confining."

Ayden’s eyes lit up with excitement.

"Ah, I knew you would feel that way. That’s why I’ve come up with something."

Emily raised an eyebrow curiously.

"What are you up to this time, Mr Norman?"

Due to Clara’s restricted movement, the knightess rarely had the opportunity to leave the room. Being perceptive and considerate, Ayden always found ways to ensure that the knightess wouldn’t succumb to boredom.

They often spent time together, engaging in long conversations or sharing meals. Sometimes, he would bring books for Clara to read despite her not being particularly fond of them.

Regardless, she appreciated the thought and effort he put into keeping her entertained. Their chats held a special place in her heart, and their bond grew stronger with each passing day.

As Ayden prepared to share his plan, Clara’s eyes brightened with anticipation. She was grateful for his consistent efforts to bring joy into her world.

"It’s a big surprise! You’re going to love it!" Ayden exclaimed, bringing a sense of anticipation into the room.

He went out the door and manoeuvred a wooden chair with wheels, pushing its handles into the space.

Curiosity piqued, Emily approached the chair with interest. Clara, too, fixed her gaze on the peculiar-looking device.

It appeared to be a wheelchair equipped with cushions on the seat and backrest, designed to aid those with mobility restrictions. The two women did not lose sight of its significance.

Ayden took a moment to explain the purpose of the device.

"It’s a wheelchair, typically used by individuals with limited mobility. With this, Dame Verns can go out whenever she wants and won’t have to be confined to the bed all the time," he clarified.

Emily’s excitement was evident.

"Oh, my! This is fantastic! Now we can spend more outdoor time together!"

Clara couldn’t help but feel touched by Ayden’s thoughtfulness. The idea of being able to leave the confines of her room filled her with excitement.

"Yes, we should! Lying in bed constantly isn’t good for you, and it can lead to bed sores. This device will greatly assist your movement. Although it may require someone to push the wheelchair, it will still give you some freedom to move around," Ayden expressed earnestly.

"This is more than great, Ayden! I truly don’t know how to express my gratitude. You’ve been incredibly helpful. Thank you so much!"

Clara’s eyes glistened with tears of appreciation.

Ayden wasted no time and proposed putting the wheelchair to the test.

"Alright! Why don’t we give it a try? I need you to test it so that I can make any necessary adjustments to enhance its functionality further," he suggested.

Clara’s excitement grew, and she eagerly agreed, "Yes, definitely! Let’s do it!"

Ayden maneuvered the wheelchair close to Clara’s bedside while Emily assisted the knightess in transitioning from the bed to the comfortable seat.

"How is it? Is it comfortable?" Ayden inquired.

"Very much! The cushions you added are soft, making it comfortable to sit on. I don’t feel any pain in this position," Clara replied.

A sense of relief washed over the assistant healer.

"That’s good to hear. Miss Baker, try pushing it around so I can assess the movement," Ayden instructed.

"Surely, Mr Norman!" Emily eagerly replied.

She began to push the wheelchair while the assistant healer carefully observed her action.

After a moment, Ayden inquired, "What do you think?"

"It’s not heavy at all and easy to push around! This is perfect, Mr Norman!" Emily exclaimed excitedly.

"Good! Then we can venture out of the room and enjoy more time outside," Ayden suggested, a sense of anticipation in his voice. "Let’s start by moving around the mansion."

Just as they were about to embark on their excursion, Rosalie, the chief maid, entered the room with an anxious expression on her face.

"Mr Norman, there you are!" she exclaimed, appearing relieved.

The chief maid had been frantically searching for Ayden, aware that Clara’s room was one of his frequent destinations. Realising the situation’s urgency, she quickly rushed to the place to convey the news.

"What is it, Mrs Foster? Is something urgent?" Ayden inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Yes! Sir Brooks has just returned from the palace, and he mentioned that there’s a serious announcement he wants to make. He specifically requested your presence at the main hall," Rosalie explained, her voice filled with urgency.

"Me? But for what?" Ayden asked, surprise evident in his tone.

"I’m not entirely sure, but he emphasised that it’s important and related to Mr Amares," Rosalie replied.

Ayden’s concern grew.

"Oh, God! Has something happened to him?"

"I don’t know the details, but Sir Brooks called for everyone to gather for the announcement, and he specifically requested your presence," Rosalie answered, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Clara and Emily exchanged worried glances before Clara made a decision. She turned to the young woman and said, "Emily, please push the wheelchair. I don’t want to be left out and want to hear the announcement too."

Ayden offered his assistance, saying, "I’ll push you. It’ll be faster."

"Then, let’s go," the knightess replied determinedly.

The group began to make their way to the main hall, where Anryr and the other servants had already gathered. As they approached, Noah, standing among the crowd, caught sight of Emily. His serious expression softened, and he eagerly awaited her arrival.

"Sir Brooks!" Emily exclaimed, quickening her steps as she saw the knight. Her heart beat anxiously with anticipation.

The last time they had met, the knight had returned to the mansion late at night, covered in blood alongside the grand duke, the Mederian Prince, and the other knights.

It put her in fright, thinking that Noah had been hurt. However, the knight reassured her that it was the blood of the beasts they had hunted, and he was unharmed.

Emily was also surprised to see Kiev among them, but Noah explained that the Mederian Prince had joined the hunt to ensure the safety of Anna and the mansion’s occupants. Seeing them all sitting together, peacefully enjoying a meal, Emily decided not to question further.

Clara had been informed of the situation and understood its importance. The mansion’s occupants were also aware of Kyren’s impending departure to the Agathe Islands and Anna’s temporary stay at the palace.

Ayden couldn’t contain his concern any longer.

He asked, "Is everything all right? What happened to Mr Amares?"

Noah replied, addressing the questions and concerns of those gathered.

"Everything is fine. Let me convey the news about him," Noah began, trying to calm everyone’s curiosity.

All eyes turned to him with serious gaze, anticipating the message. The crowd stood in silence, eagerly paying attention to the knight. Noah then proceeded with the announcement.

"By the royal decree of His Majesty, the King of Cassian, Mr Rafe Amares is now married to Her Highness Princess Callis."

The room erupted with gasps and murmurs of disbelief.

Ayden’s eyes widened with shock as he blurted out, "What?!"

Noah nodded.

"Yes, the marriage is now official and proclaimed by His Majesty himself."

Ayden’s mind raced to comprehend the sudden turn of events.

"But... but how could this happen so suddenly? They only met a few days ago!"

Noah explained further, "It was His Majesty’s royal decree. From what I know, Princess Callis developed a strong affection for Mr Amares, much to the disapproval of her brother, His Highness Prince Kiev."

Unable to contain her curiosity, Emily asked, "Was Mr Amares forced into this marriage?"

"No, I don’t think so because both of them agreed," Noah clarified.

"But, why would His Majesty pronounce it right away?" asked Anryr, curious.

"Princess Callis inadvertently declared Mr Amares her soulmate in secret, but her brother discovered it. This bond is unbreakable and can only be severed by the death of either one of the couple. So, to prevent the worst, His Majesty decided to proceed with the immediate proclamation of the marriage."

The explanation left everyone astounded and struggling to process the unexpected turn of events.

"If His Highness Prince Kiev disagreed with the bond, it would indeed cause complications," Rosalie stated, voicing her concern.

"Yes, that’s true. But with the knot of the marriage, Mr Amares is now officially recognised as his sister’s husband," Noah explained, referring to the ritual they had witnessed.

"That would make him a family. Killing one’s own family is a grave sin before God and considered one of the worst moral transgressions in society," Anryr interjected. "His Highness Prince Kiev is a proud descendant of the esteemed Mederian clan and a relative of Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress. So, he wouldn’t resort to such drastic measures after the marriage."

"You’re right," Noah agreed, acknowledging Anryr’s point.

The rest of the group nodded in agreement, now having a clearer understanding of the situation.

"Oh, my! Her Highness Princess Callis’s story seems like a case of love at first sight," Emily exclaimed, her voice filled with astonishment.

Noah nodded, adding, "Indeed, it appears that way. She confessed her feelings to Mr Amares in front of us when she argued with her brother at the festival. Even our healer was taken by surprise by her confession."

The news left the group in disbelief, as they tried to comprehend the whirlwind romance that had led to Rafe’s marriage to the Mederian Princess.

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