The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 291: A Friend’s Persuasion

Chapter 291: A Friend’s Persuasion

Meredith hurriedly entered the chamber as soon as the servant opened the door.

"How is the lady?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

"The lady has been in bed since her return. She has refused to eat or see the healer. I heard her crying for a while, but she insisted on being left alone," the servant replied.

The noble lady let out a sigh, her gaze shifting towards the bedroom.

"Please leave us," she commanded, her tone indicating a need for privacy.

"Yes, my lady."

The servant bowed respectfully and exited the room.

Meredith approached the bed, drawing closer to Anna, who lay there. She gently pushed aside the curtain covering the bed and secured it to the bedpost.

"Please, just leave me alone!" Anna’s voice trembled as she spoke, her distress palpable.

Despite the princess’s plea for solitude, Meredith disregarded her order and sat at the edge of the bed.

"Why are you like this?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Anna lifted her head from the pillow, recognising her friend’s voice. A glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes as she embraced Meredith.

"Mer!" she exclaimed, clinging to her friend.

Meredith returned the embrace, gently patting Anna’s back as she trembled with sobs.

"He’s gone!" the princess cried in anguish.

"There, there, now," Meredith consoled her. "He’s only fulfilling his duty. You knew this was coming, didn’t you?" she reminded her.

"I know, but... I just... I don’t know why I’m so sad. I don’t feel like myself," Anna confessed.

"You’ve let your emotions overpower you. Calm down. He’ll be back before you know it. Have faith in him. It’s not the first time he’s left you, right? When you lived with him at the camp, he had to leave to fulfil his duty, too. Did you cry like this before?" Meredith questioned.

"No, not at all. I was fine back then. Perhaps... it’s because my feelings for him have grown over time. That’s why it feels so difficult now," Anna explained.

"You’re being overly sensitive. Have faith and confidence in your husband. He will return unscathed," the noble lady reassured her.

"Do you really think so?" Anna inquired.

"Think? I believe so! He’s the best knight in Cassian, my idol! Of course, he will come back," Meredith replied confidently.

A glimmer of relief started to emerge in Anna’s heart as she absorbed Meredith’s assurance. Knowing her friend’s faith in her husband provided a small measure of comfort amid her sadness.

"Now, I don’t want to see you crying like a baby like this. I bet His Highness told you to stay strong, didn’t he?" Meredith guessed, attempting to lighten the mood.

"How did you know?" Anna asked, surprised. Her sobs began to subside slightly.

"Am I not the President of His Highness’ fan club?" Meredith replied with a playful tone.

A small chuckle escaped the princess’ lips amidst her tears.

"That’s more like it!" Meredith said, her smile widening as she saw a flicker of happiness in Anna’s expression.

"I heard from the knights that you were not feeling well this morning. Are you all right?" Meredith asked, placing her palm on Anna’s forehead to check her body temperature.

"I’m fine. It’s just the usual. Lately, my body temperature has been slightly elevated in the morning, but it usually goes away after a while," Anna explained.

"That’s strange! Could it be some kind of illness? You should get it checked," suggested Meredith. "Should I call the royal healer?"

"No... no. There’s no need for that. You know I have a weak constitution. I think it’s just due to the changing weather. It’s getting colder these days," the princess reassured her.

"You’re right... Winter is approaching in a few months. We should be prepared. Somehow, I feel like it might arrive earlier than usual. I can sense the change in the wind already," Meredith commented, a note of concern in her voice.

Anna wiped the tears from her face. Her crying had subsided.

"Sylvia didn’t come today?" she asked, shifting the topic.

"No, she won’t be coming for a while. Her grandfather is currently recuperating at her father’s mansion, so she must be busy taking care of him," Meredith explained. "I saw a commotion involving you from a distance, but the royal knights prevented me from approaching. What actually happened?"

"About that..."

Anna took a deep breath and began recounting the incident involving the marquess on the previous night.

"What?" Meredith exclaimed, clearly taken aback by the revelation.

"Somehow, I feel guilty when I think back on the marquess’s illness. His Lordship is already old, yet he suffers greatly from the effects of dark magic," the princess sighed.

"I had no idea about his sickness! I mean... I knew he was unwell, which is why he didn’t participate in the royal court, but I never anticipated it was due to something like that," Meredith expressed her surprise and concern.

"I suppose his family decided to keep the matter discreet, away from the public’s knowledge. However, Kyren and His Majesty were aware," Anna explained.

"Of course, such a matter shouldn’t be the talk of the town. But why would you feel guilty about it? Didn’t you manage to persuade him to go to the inn and have the situation under control? From what I see, you had helped him," Meredith reasoned.

Anna’s gaze met Meredith’s before she cast her eyes downward.

"Mer... my grand uncle was one of the traitors, remember?"

"You are his indirect lineage! You are not his immediate family!" Meredith insisted.

"But I still carry the Adhemar’s bloodline," Anna replied softly.

"Oh, stop it already! That’s all nonsense! One bad apple in a basket doesn’t mean the whole basket is rotten! You have a kind heart, and you’ll never become like him in any way, even though you come from the same family. You are a Raychard now! Remember that," Meredith urged, her voice filled with conviction.

"Thank you, Mer, for comforting me. What would I do without you?" Anna expressed her gratitude.

Meredith smiled warmly.

"You’re a strong woman, Anna. Even before knowing me, you’ve done so well. It is I who feel honoured to have a courageous friend like you."

Anna reciprocated with a soft smile as she appreciated her friend’s opinion.

"Oh, by the way... I just remembered. Sir Drystan Mills is currently residing at the Count of Medhir’s mansion," the princess added.

"Really?"

"Yes, Kyren ordered him to do so. During the incident, Sir Mills was the only one the Marquess knew of. His Excellency’s son informed me that he usually doesn’t recognise anyone when the madness takes hold. That’s why Kyren also instructed him to look after the Marquess," Anna explained.

Meredith’s expression turned worried.

"Oh dear... then I don’t know how Sylvia could avoid the matchmaking with Sir Mills. With her whole family and relatives around, they would surely push them to be together."

"Yes, I share the same concern. I discussed it with Kyren. Sir Mills asked him to intervene, but he didn’t want to offend His Excellency by refusing the matchmaking. So last night, when the Marquess and his family requested Kyren’s permission and blessings, he reluctantly agreed, with the condition that Sir Mills and Sylvia also consented to it," Anna revealed.

"This is getting more tense! I don’t see any way for her to escape now. Poor Sylvia!" Meredith exclaimed.

"Should I go and talk to the Marquess’s family?" Anna asked. "After all, this is about our friend’s future. We can’t let her live in an unhappy marriage."

"Better not! I wouldn’t go if I were you," Meredith advised. "What if His Excellency saw you again and had his madness triggered? That could be dangerous!"

"You’re right. I should avoid him for now. I don’t want him to become sick again," the princess agreed.

"Let’s leave the matter to them. They are both adults and since they are together at the Count’s mansion, perhaps they can discuss and devise a solution to settle their problem. There’s nothing we can do," the noble lady suggested.

Anna nodded in agreement.

"Now, I heard that you haven’t eaten anything since morning. Let’s have something first. Then, we can go out, breathe fresh air, and enjoy the moment. Perhaps we can take a walk in the garden or see Her Highness Princess Lilith and Laura," Meredith proposed.

"I don’t have much appetite, Mer," Anna replied.

"Oh, come on! You can’t starve yourself for the whole day just because you’re still sad!" the noble lady insisted.

"No, Mer... I actually feel better already. I just don’t feel like eating," the princess clarified.

Just then, a knock came at the door, and a servant entered upon permission.

"Forgive me for interrupting, my lady. But Her Majesty the Queen has requested that you join her for brunch at the queen’s court," the servant informed them.

"Perfect! A walk out of this room and having a meal while chatting would be good for you," Meredith said, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"I don’t feel like going, Mer," Anna hesitated.

"Are you going to say no to Her Majesty, the Queen’s invitation? You wouldn’t, would you?"

Meredith gave Anna a stern look. The princess exhaled, realising she didn’t have much of a choice.

"Fine... Let’s go," she agreed, though still feeling reluctant.

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