The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 292: Daring Mockery Words

Chapter 292: Daring Mockery Words

"How are you feeling now, Anna?" Queen Emelda asked, her expression showing genuine concern. "I heard from the servant that you refused to receive treatment from the royal healer and haven’t eaten anything since morning."

"I don’t feel sick, Your Majesty. There’s no need for a healer’s examination," Anna reassured the queen.

The queen’s worry persisted as she probed further, "Are you sure? Kyren told me that you had a fever."

Anna explained, "It was just a slight rise in my body temperature in the morning due to the weather. It has returned to normal, and there’s nothing to worry about."

Queen Emelda let out a sigh of relief.

"I’m glad to hear that. However, you still need to eat something to regain your energy."

Meredith interjected, "I’ve already persuaded her to eat, Your Majesty. My lady isn’t feeling much of an appetite."

"I know," Queen Emelda admitted with a smile. "That’s why I purposely invited you to join me for this brunch. There’s a variety of food being served here. Take whatever you like. I promised the grand duke I would take good care of you, so please have a meal."

Anna and Meredith’s eyes wandered over the bountiful dishes on the table, resembling a lavish feast.

"Your Majesty, this is too much. I won’t be able to finish all of it," Anna expressed her concern.

"I understand. I wasn’t sure what you would prefer, so I ordered the royal kitchen to prepare a variety. It’s fine if you can’t eat everything. But please have something. It would put my mind at ease knowing you’ve eaten," the queen gently urged.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Anna agreed, realising the queen’s concern.

The servants promptly began serving them with the food of their choice. Anna decided to start with a small portion of porridge and a bun.

"You should have some meat as well, Anna," the queen suggested, noticing her food choice.

"Pardon me, Your Majesty. But I don’t feel like eating it. I’m truly sorry," Anna expressed with regret.

Somehow, her appetite vanished when she looked at the served meat and poultry.

"In that case, how about some fruits?" Meredith suggested, trying to find an alternative that might appeal to Anna’s appetite.

"We have the first batch of newly made dried fruits. They were prepared in anticipation of winter. Whenever I have a poor appetite, I turn to them. Would you like to try some?" Queen Emelda asked, hopeful that the dried fruits would help stimulate Anna’s appetite.

The princess nodded, showing her willingness to give them a try.

The queen promptly instructed a servant to bring the fruits. In no time, a plate filled with various dried persimmons, apricots, raisins, prunes, peaches, kiwis, and dates was presented before them.

After struggling to finish her porridge and buns, Anna started to munch on the dried fruits. Her eyes immediately lit up, and a smile graced her face as she savoured their flavours.

"These are delicious!" she praised, genuinely enjoying the taste.

"I’m glad you like them. It seems like your appetite is returning," Queen Emelda remarked, her smile growing wider.

"Yes, Your Majesty. The taste is sweet and sour, and it suits my palate perfectly. Thank you!" Anna expressed her gratitude.

"I’ll have the servants send more to your chamber later, so you can have them as a snack whenever you like," the queen offered kindly.

Anna felt a surge of gratitude towards the queen’s thoughtfulness.

"Thank you so much, Your Majesty," she replied, appreciating the queen’s gesture.

"But you need to eat more. Having only porridge is insufficient to keep you full," Queen Emelda advised, concerned for Anna’s well-being.

The princess hesitated, wanting to respect the queen’s wishes but also mindful of her diminished appetite.

Just as Anna was about to respond to Queen Emelda’s concern, a knock at the door interrupted their conversation. They turned their attention towards it, and to their surprise, Sarah and the other ladies-in-waiting entered the room after receiving permission.

"Forgive me for interrupting, Your Majesty," Sarah began, curtsying respectfully to the queen and Anna. "I’m here to discuss your schedule for the whole week. We usually have a meeting at this hour and have been waiting. I decided to come here when I didn’t see you in your office."

Queen Emelda realised her oversight and expressed her apologies. "Ah, I completely forgot about the meeting since I’ve been attending to Anna. Can we reschedule it?"

Sarah hesitated before responding, "I would love to avoid disturbing your private moment with Lady Raychard. However, your schedule begins today, and you have an important event in the afternoon. I need to ensure that you’re prepared."

Realising the importance of the upcoming event, Queen Emelda nodded. "You’re right. I should be ready for that. But I still worry about Anna not eating much."

Anna quickly reassured the queen, "Please, Your Majesty, don’t be concerned about me. I’m perfectly fine."

"How can I not worry? I promised Kyren to take care of you," the queen replied, her voice filled with genuine care and responsibility, "and you’re not eating much."

"Perhaps I could provide you with a briefing right here if Your Majesty and Lady Raychard don’t mind. I have all the relevant documents for your review. It won’t take long, and you would still be able to stay with her," Sarah suggested, glancing at the piles of documents held by Naise and the others.

"Hmm... That’s a good suggestion," Queen Emelda considered. "I can see you’re still hesitant to eat more, Anna. I think it would be best for me to stay and monitor you. If I leave, you might not eat at all."

Sarah turned her attention to Anna and asked, pretending to be concerned, "Why are you not eating, my lady? Are you feeling unwell?"

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

"Oh, you poor thing," Sarah sympathised. "You must be feeling quite sad about His Highness the Grand Duke’s departure. Rest assured, my brother, the admiral, will look after him and keep him safe. He has always considered His Highness as family and will take care of him."

Meredith couldn’t help but display her disapproval with a grimace and an eye roll. However, she refrained from commenting since the queen was present.

"Why don’t you and the ladies join us, Lady James?" Queen Emelda suggested, extending an invitation. "There is an abundance of food, and we can have a casual meeting while enjoying our meal. Since it’s a private setting, we don’t need to adhere too strictly to protocol."

"Most certainly, Your Majesty. I feel honoured by your invitation," Sarah responded with a smile.

The ladies-in-waiting took their seats at the table, with Sarah sitting beside the queen. The briefing commenced as Sarah presented the official documents one by one, diligently carrying out her tasks.

"And this will be your speech for today. I’ve made it shorter and more concise, as you requested," Sarah stated, handing the final document to the queen.

Queen Emelda’s gaze fell upon the paper, and she carefully read through its contents.

"Perfect. Thank you," the queen expressed her satisfaction.

"You’re welcome, Your Majesty," Sarah replied with a smile. She then instructed Naise and Bridgette, "Lady Warren and Lady Lynn, could you please help me deliver the documents to Her Majesty’s desk in her office? She may want to refer to them again later."

"Most certainly, my lady," Naise responded, taking hold of the bundle of documents piled on the table. The two ladies left the room after receiving permission from the queen.

"Thank you once again for organising everything so well, Lady James," Queen Emelda expressed her gratitude.

"It’s my duty as your chief lady-in-waiting, Your Majesty," Sarah proudly replied.

"Now, why don’t you and the others enjoy your meal?" the queen suggested.

Glancing at Anna, the queen noticed she was aimlessly pushing around the served roasted chicken on her plate with her fork.

"Anna, please take a few more bites. I hate to force you, but I don’t want you to fall ill again," the queen gently urged but in a firm tone.

Realising that the queen was really concerned, Anna quickly responded, "Yes, Your Majesty."

A knock at the door interrupted the conversation, and an attendant entered the room.

"Forgive me for interrupting, Your Majesty. But His Majesty the King has called for you and requested your immediate presence," the attendant informed.

"Very well, I’ll come right away," Queen Emelda acknowledged, rising from her seat.

The rest of the ladies stood up as a sign of respect.

"Would you like me to accompany you, Your Majesty?" Sarah offered.

"There’s no need to. The attendants will escort me. Besides, you are just about to start your meal," the queen declined.

"Very well, then," Sarah acquiesced.

"Lady Grey, please ensure that Anna finishes her plate before leaving," the queen ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Meredith responded dutifully.

"All right, ladies. Please excuse me now," the queen said, addressing the group.

The rest of the ladies curtsied respectfully as the queen departed. They then retook their seats and began eating in silence. Not long after, Naise and Bridgette returned to the room.

"Where is Her Majesty?" Naise inquired, looking around as she couldn’t spot the queen.

"His Majesty the king summoned her, so she went to see him immediately. Please have a seat and eat with us, Naise and Bridgette," Sarah said, dropping the formalities.

"I see... yes, my lady," Naise replied, and the two of them settled down to begin their meal.

Sarah sighed and shook her head as she began the conversation.

"It’s unfortunate how much responsibility falls on Their Majesties’ shoulders. I admire the sacrifices made by His Highness, the Grand Duke, who left for war to protect our kingdom, and even my brother, who prioritised his mission for the safety of our people. While some of us work diligently for the betterment of everyone, a few seem to idle away carelessly."

Evelyn chimed in with a mocking tone, "And to think, some have the audacity to bother Her Majesty with trivial matters. I never realised someone’s health and appetite were so crucial that they required the detailed attention of Her Majesty, the queen herself."

"You’re absolutely right," Sophia, another lady-in-waiting, added. "Some individuals are simply born weak and useless, contributing nothing to the kingdom. They’re nothing but a nuisance."

Meredith halted her meal and glared at Sarah.

"What are you implying, Lady James? If you and your companions are mocking Lady Raychard, you’ve crossed a line you shouldn’t have!"

Sarah placed her hand on her chest as if surprised by the remarks. A small chuckle escaped her lips.

"My, my! When did I mention any names? Why would I dare to mock the beloved concubine of His Highness?" she said disparagingly.

Nancy, another one of Sarah’s underlings, spoke up, "Indeed, we are well aware of Lady Raychard’s status. We would never dare to offend her. A concubine, though sharing similarities with a mistress, is still considered part of the royal family."

Meredith couldn’t contain her anger any longer. She stood up, the sound of her chair pushing back echoing in the room. Anna swiftly intervened, gripping Meredith’s hand to prevent further escalation.

"Lady James, this insolence will not go unnoticed! I will report this to Her Majesty!" the noble lady shouted.

Sarah remained composed, responding calmly to the accusation.

"I apologise, Lady Grey, but you seem to be mistaken. None of us insulted Lady Raychard, and we were merely stating facts. While it may not please your ears, a concubine does bear similarities to a mistress. Neither can assume the title of the grand duchess nor act in that capacity. Furthermore, their children will not be considered heirs and will not inherit any royal titles. So, in what way is Lady Glenn’s statement incorrect?"

Meredith gritted her teeth, her anger still palpable as tensions lingered in the room.

"How dare you!"

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