The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 288: Pursuing The Families’ Approval

Chapter 288: Pursuing The Families’ Approval

Rafe came out of the dressing room feeling refreshed and fully dressed. He had opted for a simple yet neat attire, wearing a long-sleeved blue cotton tunic adorned with a long grey overcoat with a front slit. A sash belt was tightened around his waist, adding a touch of credibility to a healer’s persona.

As he entered the main room, he noticed that a hearty breakfast had already been served on the table, and Callis was standing beside it, waiting for him. The servants stood behind, lowering their heads in deference.

"Please sit down," she invited.

Rafe hesitated for a moment before responding, "You sit first."

"You’re my husband. You should take the seat first," Callis insisted politely.

Understanding the importance of cultural customs, Rafe didn’t argue any further. He took the seat, and the Mederian Princess followed suit, sitting before him.

"Please serve him," Callis said to the waiting servants. "What would you like first?" she asked Rafe.

"It’s all right. I can do it myself," the healer replied. "Can you all excuse us?" he requested, addressing the servants.

Sensing his desire for privacy, the servants bowed and left the couple to enjoy their meal.

"You don’t like to be served by the servants?" Callis inquired.

"It’s not something I’m used to, and I prefer to have a meal without being watched," Rafe explained.

"I see... Then, would you like me to serve you?" she offered.

"Oh no! You don’t have to!" the healer quickly responded, not wanting to burden her.

"Why not? Isn’t it part of a wife’s duty? Or is it because you don’t like me to?" Callis questioned.

"No... no... it’s not like that," Rafe reassured her, feeling the need to clarify. "Your shoulder still hurts, so you should hold back your movements and not strain yourself."

Callis’s expression softened as she understood his perspective.

"Right."

"Then... Let’s eat," Rafe replied.

Callis struggled to use the cutlery with her left hand, her movements awkward and hesitant. Sensing her difficulty, the healer offered his assistance. "Let me help you."

"It’s fine. I don’t want to trouble you. I can manage on my own," the Mederian Princess insisted, her voice tinged with a hint of stubbornness.

Rafe’s gaze softened as he gently said, "You’re not well. Let me take care of you. Besides... you’re my responsibility now," he said.

His words caused a warmth to spread through Callis’s chest. A faint blush tinged her cheeks, realising that despite their sudden marriage, the healer still cared for her deeply. She thanked him for his upright demeanour.

With practised ease, Rafe tore the bread and cut the sausages into smaller, manageable pieces, making it easier for Callis to eat using the fork.

As they began to eat, the Mederian Princess mustered the courage to broach the topic he wanted to discuss.

"You said you wanted to talk to me," she started tentatively.

Rafe paused momentarily, his gaze meeting hers, before offering a small smile.

"Let’s eat first, shall we? We can talk afterwards."

The Mederian Princess nodded. They continued their breakfast in comfortable silence, allowing their thoughts to settle as they savoured the meal in each other’s company.

Once they had finished eating, Rafe led Callis to the veranda, where they sat down, overlooking the breathtaking scenery. The air was crisp, and the quiet serenity of the surroundings provided a peaceful backdrop for their conversation.

After a moment’s pause, Callis gathered her courage and spoke softly, her voice filled with apprehension, "Are you... mad at me?"

Rafe’s grey eyes darted to meet his wife’s gaze.

"I don’t think anger is what I feel right now," he answered sincerely, his voice calm and reassuring.

Callis fidgeted with her fingers, her nervousness palpable. She couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes, her gaze downcast.

"I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean for things to turn out like this! Truthfully... I never expected His Majesty to order us to marry," she admitted, her words laced with regret.

"We both know the reasons behind His Majesty’s decision," he said.

A fleeting look of guilt crossed Callis’s face.

"I never wanted to force you into this marriage. It was never my intention. Please believe me," she pleaded, her voice filled with sincerity.

Rafe took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding.

"I understand. But, every action has consequences, Your Highness. I believe you are fully aware of it now," he said, his tone measured and composed.

Callis’s voice trembled with remorse as she admitted, "Yes... it’s all my fault. I truly apologise, I really do."

"His Majesty has issued his royal decree, and we are now bound in marriage. There is no turning back from this path we find ourselves on."

"I know you must be angry with me. But please, give me a chance to be your wife. I promise I’ll make up for all the wrong I’ve done," Callis pleaded earnestly.

Rafe’s gaze held a complexity of emotions.

"Honestly, it’s difficult for me to put into words how I feel right now. I can’t say that I’m happy about this situation, but I’m not against it either. It just happened so abruptly. You are a beautiful woman, Your Highness, the most beautiful person I’ve ever met in my life. With such beauty, any man would desire you."

Her heart fluttered as she heard his words, and she couldn’t help but interject, "Please... call me Callis."

Rafe nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Right, so... Callis," he said, the sound of her name on his tongue quickening her pulse.

"Let me explain further. I am just an ordinary person, and until now, my focus has solely been on my work. It’s not that I never thought about marriage or having a family of my own. It’s just... I never believed that any woman would be interested in me. I have been so consumed with my tasks that I never expected my life to take this turn after meeting you," Rafe elaborated honestly.

Callis looked at him, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Meaning?"

Rafe took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before continuing.

"What I mean is that I never dreamed of having someone like you. I know who I am, and you are a princess seemingly out of my league. I am genuinely surprised you have such deep feelings for me after our brief encounters. I am worried now that I won’t be able to meet your expectations. Perhaps you have imagined more than I can offer, and I fear you will become frustrated in me in no time."

Shaking her head, Callis responded, "No, Mr Amares! From the moment I first laid my eyes on you, I knew deep in my heart that you were my soulmate. I won’t become frustrated with you because I love you just how you are. You are already perfect for me in every way."

Rafe’s eyes searched her gaze for any signs of doubt.

"But I am not a noble, and I do not come from a wealthy family with high status. I am not even a knight with great strength."

"I don’t desire any of those things. I sincerely want to devote my life to you because I can never love anyone else. My mother always said that not everyone has the chance to find their soulmate, but when we do, we will know, and I knew it right away when I met you. It may sound crazy, but it’s something that both the Mederians and the Ro’ans believe in."

Rafe nodded, a sense of acceptance washing over him.

"Fine, I won’t question it any further. I suppose Flora is right. If it’s meant to be, then it’s meant to be, and there’s no way we can run from it. So, if I ever hurt you in any way after this, please forgive my shortcomings," he said with humility.

"I trust that you won’t. And I will do my best to be your good wife. Though I am a Mederian, I am still a human, and I may make mistakes from time to time. So, along the way, please teach me so that I can be better," Callis replied, her voice brimming with sincerity and love.

"We both need to learn and grow together. I will do my best as your husband, too," Rafe affirmed, his voice filled with determination.

A wave of relief washed over Callis as she heard his decision.

"Thank you for accepting me. You don’t know how worried I was. I thought you would be furious with me and want to divorce me."

"How can I do that? His Majesty would surely be displeased if I resorted to such a thing. Though it is shocking to be married this way, I understand my role as a man. I agreed to this marriage, so I am responsible for upholding my decision," he replied.

A shy grin tugged at Callis’s lips as she ventured, "Then... may I call you Rafe now?"

Rafe returned the response with a smile, too.

"Yes, you may. It’s a new start for both of us. However, please understand that I still need to get to know you. I acknowledge that you have a deep affection for me, but please allow me some time and space to fully accept you as my wife."

"I understand. Thank you for giving me this chance," the Mederian Princess replied earnestly.

Rafe’s gaze turned thoughtful as he continued, "Also, for a new beginning, if you don’t mind, there is one thing I would like to have."

Curiosity sparkled in Callis’s eyes.

"What is it?"

"Families’ approval," he said. "Although we are already married under the royal decree by His Majesty, their approval is important to me. So, I would like to introduce you to my parents and brothers first. They reside in Rivendelle, a town located between the City of Gantz and the Duchy of Gerhard. It’s a two-day journey from here. If you don’t mind, I would like to take you there to meet them."

A smile of excitement spread across Callis’s face.

"I would love to! When are we going?"

Rafe’s expression turned slightly more serious.

"Well... before we embark on that journey, there is one more person we need to see," he revealed.

Anticipation filled Callis’s voice.

"Who?"

Rafe’s eyes met hers, a determined look on his face.

"Your brother. He is your family, and his consent to our marriage is essential, too."

Callis’s voice filled with concern and alarm, "But... but you know he objected! If we meet him, who knows what he’ll do to you! He tried to kill you before!"

Rafe acknowledged her fear with a solemn expression.

"I understand he was angry and had reservations about me. But you are his sister, and I cannot afford to be the reason for your strained relationship. This bond of yours needs to be mended and returned to the way it was."

Callis hesitated, her voice trembling slightly, "It’s not that I don’t want to. The thing is... you don’t know him. My brother is a stubborn man. It’s hard to change his decision once he sets his mind on something."

"The stubborner he is, the harder we should try. As I said, families’ approval is important. Besides, didn’t he say that a bride can only be married by the consent of her male guardian according to Mederian clan customs?"

Callis sighed, her shoulders slumping.

"That... that is true."

"Then, we are considered unofficially married according to your customs. Since he’s the only family you have here on the continent, his approval is necessary. As for your family on Sabel Island, we should arrange a visit to them too," Rafe suggested.

Callis’s heart skipped a beat, unsure if she should reveal her true origins to her husband. She hailed from Semeta, another hidden island located northeast of the continent, rather than Sabel Island, which fell under the Mederian royal administration.

"Callis," Rafe called out, sensing her distraction.

She snapped back to the present. "Yes?"

"Is it fine with you if we meet him?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.

"Meet him?" Callis repeated, her mind racing. After a moment, she relented, "Yes... I suppose we should. You’re right. His approval is crucial, too."

A relieved smile etched on his lips by her response.

"Then, let’s go and meet him now."

"Wait... now?" the Mederian Princess asked, taken aback.

"Yes, the faster we settle this issue, the better. It’s not a good thing for siblings to have prolonged confrontations. I would like to start our new married life on good terms," Rafe explained earnestly.

Callis nodded, though a concern rose in her eyes of the outcome.

"I understand, Rafe. Then, let’s go! I, too, need to return his dagger to him."

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.