The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 280: Meeting The Marquess’ Family

Chapter 280: Meeting The Marquess’ Family

Anna and Kyren turned to the source of the voice and saw the Marquess of Sylvere and his three sons bowing respectfully to him and his wife.

"Greetings, Marquess of Sylvere. Please rise. It has been a while since we last met," Kyren greeted them.

The Marquess and his sons lifted their heads from their bow, and the grand duke extended his hand for a handshake. Anna took several steps back, giving some space for her husband. She watched the high-ranking noble family approach Kyren, accepting the handshake.

As the men exchanged pleasantries, Anna observed the respectful and congenial demeanour of the Marquess and his sons. It was clear that they held the grand duke in high regard, and their interactions reflected both their admiration and the genuine friendship they shared.

"Yes, Your Highness. It has been a while. How are you doing right now?" the Marquess inquired.

"Never been better," Kyren replied with a smile. "It has been years since you last visited the capital. Did you come for the festival?"

"Actually, we received an invitation to the celebration banquet. However, we couldn’t make it in time due to our absence on the march and only managed to arrive this morning. We are here to congratulate you and apologise for being unable to attend," explained the Marquess.

"We met His Majesty this morning and were informed about your preparations to depart for Agathe Island. Knowing that you were quite busy, we didn’t want to bother you, so we delivered the presents we brought to your mansion," added the second son.

"Thank you for that. I appreciate your effort. The long journey must have been uncomfortable for all of you, especially for the Marquess," Kyren acknowledged.

"I may be old, but I still could endure the journey, Your Highness. I can assure you that I’m quite fine," said the Marquess.

Anna remained still as the men conversed, listening intently.

"It’s good to hear that you’ve been well," the grand duke responded, his eyes assessing the Marquess’s overall condition.

The Marquess smiled warmly.

"Indeed, Your Highness. I have been fortunate to receive excellent care from my sons and daughters-in-law. They have been a great help in my recovery. It has been quite some time since I fully regained my health."

Kyren nodded appreciatively.

"Your sons and daughters-in-law are truly dedicated to your well-being. Family support is invaluable in times of need. I’m grateful that they have been able to assist you."

"I couldn’t agree more, Your Highness," the Marquess replied, his voice filled with conviction. "My family is everything to me, and I wouldn’t be standing here today without their unwavering support."

A flicker of understanding crossed Kyren’s expression.

"I can relate to that sentiment, as I now have a family of my own," he said, his tone tinged with warmth and affection.

The Marquess’s eyes gleamed with pride as he spoke about his family.

"Yes, they have been a constant source of strength and support throughout my journey to recovery. I am truly blessed to have such devoted children."

"Indeed, you are," Kyren affirmed, a genuine smile gracing his features.

The Marquess paused for a moment, his expression turning serious yet determined.

"Since you understand the importance of family, Your Highness, there is a matter that I would like to discuss. I realise the timing may not be ideal, but since you’ll depart tomorrow morning, I believe there wouldn’t be a better opportunity to address it."

Curiosity flickered in Kyren’s eyes as he gave the Marquess his full attention.

"Please proceed, Marquess. I’m here to listen and consider your request."

Kyren, who had anticipated the topic of conversation, interjected swiftly, "Is this related to one of my knights, Sir Drystan Mills, by any chance?"

The Marquess’s old eyes lit up excitedly when he heard the knight’s name.

"Exactly! How did you become aware of it?" he inquired, pleasantly surprised.

Kyren smiled knowingly.

"He approached me and shared the details of what transpired. It seems you want to arrange a match between him and your granddaughter, Lady Sylvia Rogers."

The Marquess nodded, pleased that the news had reached the grand duke.

"Ah, so the information has reached you already! Excellent! I must commend Sir Mills for his efficient delivery. My granddaughter is already acquainted with him, as she befriended Lady Raychard, and Sir Mills happened to be the lady’s escort during their encounters. With that in mind, I must ask, would you grant your permission and give your blessing for their union?"

The Marquess’s excitement was palpable as he awaited Kyren’s response.

Kyren’s mind swirled with empathy and concern as he recalled Drystan’s plea for his intervention. The knight and Sylvia’s disagreement with the proposed match-making weighed on his conscience.

However, standing before the Marquess of Sylvere, the last remaining northern warrior who had served Their Imperial Majesties with unwavering loyalty, Kyren felt torn.

The Marquess and his family had made significant contributions to the empire and the establishment of the Kingdom of Cassian, and Kyren couldn’t ignore their importance.

Now that he stood face-to-face with the Marquess, Kyren found it increasingly challenging to deny his request. The weight of the Marquess’s presence made it even more difficult for Kyren to refuse.

He couldn’t help but feel a sense of obligation and respect towards the Marquess, considering his immense contributions and the hardships he had endured during the Great War.

"I have no objection," Kyren finally replied.

A wave of gratitude washed over the Marquess. His voice was filled with appreciation.

Kyren then added with a calm and measured tone, "Before proceeding further, it is crucial to ensure that both Sir Mills and Lady Sylvia Rogers consented to the match-making. The happiness and willingness of the couple to enter into this union are of the utmost importance. It would not be ideal if they disagreed or felt coerced into it."

"They surely will! I have personally met with Sir Mills, and I strongly believe there could be no better suitor for my granddaughter than him! Thank you so much, Your Highness!"

The excitement among the Marquess’s family grew palpable with the grand duke’s approval.

The second son eagerly spoke up, "Then, if all is set, the next step would be to meet Sir Mills’s parents and discuss this!"

"Yes, indeed! We should expedite this. A good opportunity should be seized without delay. We will directly discuss this with Sir Mills, Father," added the Marquess’s third son.

The Marquess couldn’t have agreed more, his enthusiasm matching that of his sons.

Kyren, taking a moment to recall the information he had, responded, "Sir Mills’s parents reside in Oldmie, on the outskirts of Gantz."

The Marquess, his eyes gleaming with determination, turned to his sons, who mirrored his enthusiasm.

"Yes, he did tell us! We can swiftly organise a visit to them! This truly is a remarkable opportunity. Let us make the necessary arrangements without delay while we remain in the capital!"

As the Marquess’s gaze returned to Kyren, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude, "I am genuinely grateful for your kind support in this matter, Your Highness. Your understanding and blessings mean a great deal to me and my family. Furthermore, I must admit, news of you obtaining a woman of your own has taken me by surprise. Knowing your resolute nature, I never expected you to change your stance on remaining celibate. I am intrigued to meet the lady who has captured your heart."

With his curiosity piqued, the Marquess turned his head, attempting to catch a glimpse of Anna, who stood behind Kyren. The dim lighting and the bustling crowd made it challenging for him to have a clear view of the princess.

Kyren acknowledged the Marquess’s interest with a warm smile.

"Ah... so you wish to get to know my wife," Kyren responded.

"Wife?" the third son asked, clearly confused. "Isn’t the lady your concubine?"

Kyren’s expression shifted at the mention of the word ’concubine.’ Although it was a title bestowed upon Anna by the king, he disliked addressing her as such and always referred to her as his wife.

"A concubine is also an unofficial wife, so it is never wrong for me to address her as such. The title is meant for formal occasions," Kyren explained, subtly emphasising his preference.

Sensing the seriousness of the grand duke’s voice, the eldest son of the Marquess quickly interjected, "Yes, yes! That’s right, Your Highness!"

"It seems His Highness truly favours the lady," the Marquess remarked, a smile playing on his lips.

"She has indeed captivated me," Kyren admitted. He turned to Anna and urged her, "Come closer, Anna. Let me introduce you to these men."

Anna slowly stepped forward, joining Kyren’s side. As the couple stood together, their contrasting heights and figures were evident to the high-ranking noble family.

"Everyone, this is Lady Anna Raychard, my wife," Kyren proudly announced, introducing her to the gathering. The princess glanced at the individuals her husband mentioned.

"Anna, this is Lord Liam Pearce, the Marquess of Sylvere," the grand duke began, gesturing towards the old distinguished gentleman before her, "and these are his sons, Lord Aaron Pearce, the eldest, Lord Daniel Pearce, the second, and Lord Chris Pearce, the third."

As the introductions were made, the men bowed respectfully to Anna, acknowledging her presence. The princess reciprocated with a graceful curtsy.

"Greetings, my lady," the men chorused, their voices filled with warmth and respect.

Anna offered a polite smile, her eyes meeting each of the figures.

"Greetings, my lords," she replied.

As the high-ranking nobles stood face-to-face, their gazes locked on Anna. Liam’s forehead furrowed with a hint of confusion. His eyes studied her features intently as if trying to unravel a mystery.

In the Marquess’s mind, Anna’s soft facial features triggered a surge of memories, distant and elusive but undeniably familiar. Her face stirred something deep within him, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing.

As he continued to observe the princess, a wave of emotions washed over him. Images from the past flickered in his mind like fragments of a forgotten tapestry. The contours of her face, the delicate curve of her lips, and the sparkle in her eyes resonated with a face he had once known but had since become a mere memory.

"You... You are..." Liam stammered, his voice barely audible.

Daniel, the second son of the Marquess, noticed his father’s sudden change in demeanour and couldn’t help but grow concerned.

"What is the matter, father?" he asked.

Liam’s gaze remained fixated on Anna, unwavering and devoid of blinking. The intensity of his stare perplexed the princess, who began feeling curious and nervous. Something seemed to have seized his attention with an undeniable force.

Then, in a startling moment, Liam’s expression transformed. Utter bewilderment washed over his face as he was sure of the familiar face he hadn’t seen in many years. His eyes widened, and his mouth fell open in astonishment.

"Your Imperial Majesty!" the Marquess exclaimed in an overwhelming emotion.

His trembling hands and knees gave way in a sudden and uncontrolled movement, causing him to slump to the ground and kneel before Anna.