The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 279: A Passionate Dance

Chapter 279: A Passionate Dance

As night fell, the festival site buzzed with the crowd gathered for the main event - the prayer.

The King of Cassian, accompanied by his queen and children, along with Anna and Kyren, arrived and gracefully made their way towards the elaborately decorated stage situated in the centre of the plaza.

Stepping down from their carriage, they were greeted by the sight of royal knights and guards standing tall on both sides of the path, adorned with a luxurious red carpet in the middle, reserved exclusively for the king and the royal family.

With each step they took, the people on both sides bowed and curtsied, demonstrating their deep respect for the monarch.

King Kyden, holding his queen’s hand, walked with grace and poise towards the stage. As they advanced, he raised his hands, acknowledging the reverence bestowed upon him by his people. The Princesses of Cassian, Laura and Lilith followed closely behind them, with Kyren and Anna trailing right behind.

The presence of not only the royal couple but also the grand duke and his concubine garnered significant attention from the crowd. All eyes were drawn to them as they moved gracefully through the plaza, adding an aura of grandeur to the already vibrant atmosphere.

The king’s lord-in-waiting and the queen’s ladies-in-waiting, along with Meredith, the lady-in-waiting for Anna, the Honourable Royal Concubine of Gerhard, followed behind the royal family, guided by Charles, the chamberlain.

The high-ranking noble families of Cassian took their place at the front, positioned before the stage. As the entourage approached, each of them bowed and curtsied respectfully.

Among them were the Marquess of Sylvere and his family, accompanied by Sylvia and other ministers, scholars, high-ranking government officials and their families.

Having raised their heads, the crowd fell into a reverent silence as the king, queen, and the royal family settled on the stage. Kyren stood on the king’s right side, signifying his status as a member of the royal family and the next in line for the throne in the absence of a crown prince.

The queen stood slightly further back on the king’s left, with her children positioned on her left and right. Meanwhile, Anna stood on Kyren’s right, placed a little further behind the rest of them.

The arrangement followed a protocol that Charles had emphasised for the event, dictating that the king’s and grand duke’s spouses, along with their children, should stand behind their respective heads of the family according to their ranks.

"Let us begin the prayer now," announced the king.

The king initiated the prayer with both hands on his heart and his eyes closed. The gathered crowd followed suit, mirroring his actions. The words of the prayer echoed in the Ro’an language, flowing from the king’s lips. Anna listened intently, comprehending the meaning of each spoken word.

The king fervently prayed for his people and kingdom’s well-being, safety, and happiness. He also wished for bountiful harvests for the upcoming autumn season and everlasting peace for the entire nation.

"Ray All barka mu im," concluded the king, opening his eyes.

(May God bless us all.)

"Amen," responded the crowd in unison, opening their eyes following the cue.

"Now, let the fireworks begin," King Kyden ordered Charles.

Bowing respectfully to the king’s command, the chamberlain signalled the guards responsible for the fireworks display.

Kyren turned to his wife, urging her to stand closer by his side now that the prayer had concluded. The queen and her children also gathered near the king, eagerly preparing to witness the breathtaking spectacle of the fireworks.

In a matter of moments, a resounding bang echoed through the air, startling Anna. Reacting swiftly, Kyren instinctively held her waist, ensuring her safety. Suddenly, the sky burst into a dazzling display of vibrant sparks as fireworks exploded in a mesmerising array of colours.

The crowd gathered to witness the spectacle and marvelled at the captivating sight above them.

Among them stood the Knights of Gerhard, their hearts filled with hope for a brighter future. Eric, accompanied by his family, Noah and Emily, looked up with beaming smiles, eagerly anticipating the breathtaking display.

Eli, Damon, Luke, Garin, and Drystan stood, looking up with pride. Alex and Meredith held hands, happiness blooming in their hearts as they watched the mesmerising sight.

Everyone in the crowd held their heads high, their faces illuminated with joy and anticipation, as they wished for their dreams to come true.

"It’s beautiful!" exclaimed Anna, her eyes fixed on the flashing fireworks.

This was her first experience witnessing such a spectacle. The loud bangs continued to resonate through the air. The grand duke held his wife close. His arm encircled her back, his face radiant with delight.

Kyren was thrilled to see Anna’s excitement, which reminded him of a child’s wonder. He, too, revelled in the beautiful scenery unfolding above them. The crowd erupted in applause, their hands clapping with sheer joy.

As the fireworks drew to a close, the king instructed the royal governess, Helen, to escort Laura and Lilith back to the palace. The princesses were still grounded for their offence of taking Armel’s puppy without permission.

Accompanied by the governess, they reluctantly began their journey back, their hearts still filled with the memories of the breathtaking display.

Meanwhile, the performing musicians started playing a melodic tune, creating a harmonious atmosphere that complemented the lingering magic of the fireworks show.

"Would you care for a dance, my dear?" asked King Kyden, extending his hand to his wife, Queen Emelda.

The queen’s face was radiant with joy as she happily replied, "Definitely, my beloved husband."

The royal couple took to the stage. Their movements synchronised with the joyful rhythm of the music. The crowd erupted in applause, revelling in the enchanting sight of their king and queen dancing together.

As the king started his dance, Kyren led Anna off the stage, creating space for the royal couple to bask in the spotlight. The nobles began socialising and conversing, and some joined the dance in the spacious area before the stage.

Soon, more and more people participated in the dance, filling the area with twirling couples and joyous laughter.

"Let’s have a dance too!" Kyren suggested to Anna.

The princess’s eyes sparkled with excitement. It had been a while since they had danced together. The grand duke gently took her small hand, guiding her to the centre of the swirling crowd. They moved in perfect harmony with the rhythm of the music, their steps intertwining as they embraced the moment’s joy.

Anna’s heart was filled with pure happiness. The bright smile on her face radiated her delight in the night’s festivities. As the song ended, Kyren stood before his wife, their eyes locking in a profound connection. They gazed at each other with deep affection.

At that moment, the grand duke’s blue eyes delved into his wife’s soul. Without uttering a word, he pulled her into his embrace, leaning down to capture Anna’s lips with his own.

The world around them faded away, leaving only the two in their own realm of love and passion.

When their lips finally parted, Kyren whispered tenderly to his wife, "Thank you for appearing in my life. You mean so much to me, Anna."

As the grand duke and his wife indulged in their passionate embrace, the attention of the surrounding crowd became divided. Whispers spread through the onlookers, their voices reflecting a range of emotions.

While some admired the grand duke’s affectionate gesture towards his wife, most whispers carried scepticism and doubt, mainly directed at Anna.

Being known as the daughter of the late King Adhemar IV, whose lineage was associated with betrayal towards the Ro’an Empire, Anna faced a sceptical gaze from many in the crowd.

As the grand duke and his wife shared their passionate embrace and kiss, a sense of jealousy and resentment simmered among those who were envious of the attention Anna received from her husband.

Kyren, the Grand Duke, had always been highly regarded and idolised by the people as the most sought-after bachelor, known for his unwavering dedication to his duties. The fact that he had chosen Anna as his partner intensified the curiosity and speculation.

Whispers and gossip intertwined within the crowd, discussing the fiercely protective nature of the grand duke towards his concubine.

The stories circulated, emphasising how he never hesitated to defend her honour, deterring anyone from speaking ill of her directly. These tales served as a silent warning to those who might have harboured negative thoughts about Anna, creating an atmosphere of caution and restraint in their presence.

A few shy smiles emerged among the onlookers, appreciating the grand duke’s bold display of affection. However, the prevailing sentiment remained one of scepticism and disdain towards Anna.

The mixed reactions in the crowd reflected the complex dynamics and tensions surrounding her background and position within Cassian.

Despite the divided attention and the whispers of doubt, the grand duke and Anna remained locked in their intimate embrace, oblivious to the surrounding judgment. Their connection was unshaken, affirming their devotion to one another amidst the complexities of their circumstances.

The grand duke held Anna close, his arms enveloping her in a protective embrace. He affectionately placed her head on his broad chest. A tender kiss graced her hair, and the sweet scent of ripened apple filled his senses, captivating him in that intimate moment.

After a brief pause, the princess lifted her head, her eyes meeting Kyren’s, and they exchanged a loving smile, their connection unbroken amidst the presence of others.

As they revelled in their world, a group of high-ranking nobles approached the couple, breaking their solitude. With regal greetings, they addressed Kyren, acknowledging his elevated status as a royal family member.

"Greetings, Your Highness," the high-ranking nobles spoke in unison, their voices filled with respect and deference as they approached the Grand Duke and Anna.