The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 294: A Determined Intention

Chapter 294: A Determined Intention

"Oh, it’s great to see you, Mr Amares! How are you feeling now?" Meredith greeted Rafe as he entered the bedroom.

"As you can see, I’m already feeling good. I had a good rest last night," Rafe replied, his demeanour calm.

"Of course you had," Meredith responded with a smile. "By the way, congratulations on your marriage, Mr Amares."

The healer nodded appreciatively.

"Thank you, Lady Grey."

Meredith then asked him to examine the princess’s condition, "Can you take a look at Anna?"

"Why? What happened?" Rafe asked.

"She doesn’t seem well. She’s in the bedroom now. Let me take you to her," Meredith offered, leading the way.

As Rafe took in the scene, his concern deepened. Anna lay on the bed, her back propped up by pillows against the headboard. She was dressed in a comfortable gown, clearly indicating that she was in a state of rest.

An empty plate rested on the side table, evidence that Anna had consumed all the dried fruits.

Noting the situation, Rafe’s focus turned to Anna.

"How are you feeling now, my lady?"

The healer rushed to the bed, his concern evident as he let out his questions.

"I’m all right," Anna responded.

"She vomited just now," Meredith explained.

"Vomited? Did she eat something that didn’t agree with her stomach?" Rafe inquired as he stood by the princess’s bed.

"No, I’m fine, Rafe," Anna reassured him.

"How’s your fever? I heard from Sir Henderson and Sir McQuinn that you were ill this morning. I ran into them on my way here," Rafe informed Anna, concern etched on his face.

"I have no fever. I’m perfectly fine. Don’t worry," Anna reassured him again with a gentle smile.

She then shifted the conversation to the healer’s condition, expressing her concern about his well-being.

"How about you, Rafe? Are you already feeling better now? You fainted yesterday, and I was quite worried."

"I wouldn’t be here if I weren’t fine, my lady," Rafe replied, his voice filled with gratitude for her concern.

Anna then asked about the situation between the newlywed healer and his wife and Kiev.

"And what about your wife? From how Prince Kiev left the library yesterday, it seemed things weren’t going well between the two of you and him."

"I believe you already knew that His Highness Prince Kiev vehemently opposed our marriage and expressed his disapproval. There were disagreements and tensions between us. However, Callis and I had a conversation with him this morning about finding a resolution. We have devised a plan to address the situation and find common ground. That’s why I came to see you, to inform you about it," Rafe explained.

As Anna observed the healer addressing his wife, Callis, by her first name, a sense of relief washed over her. It indicated that the healer was accepting the Mederian Princess as his wife despite the circumstances of their sudden marriage, which had been formed by a royal decree from the king.

Despite Callis’s sincere confession of love to him, Anna had been concerned that Rafe might reject her. Kyren’s opinion and prediction about the healer’s response to the marriage did not appear wrong.

"What is the plan?" Meredith asked eagerly.

"I think it would be best to examine my lady first since she was showing some sickness symptoms," said Rafe.

"Ah, right!" Meredith exclaimed. "I get too excited easily, and I almost forgot I asked you to."

"If you don’t mind, may I check on you, my lady? Just to be sure. After all, you’re my responsibility," the healer suggested to the lady.

"Yes, Anna. Please let Mr Amares examine you. That would put us at ease," supported Meredith.

Anna’s eyes darted alternately between the two of them, both wearing concerned looks in their eyes.

"Very well, please proceed," Anna gave her permission to Rafe, allowing him to conduct the examination.

The healer gently placed his palm on her forehead, assessing her body temperature. To his surprise, there were no signs of fever, contradicting what the knights had informed him.

He inspected her eyes and tongue, finding no apparent abnormalities, confirming Anna’s claim of being perfectly well. However, as he checked her pulse, the rhythm of it made his forehead crease with concern.

"Your pulse still seems strong, like a few days ago. Is there something troubling you?" Rafe inquired.

Anna paused momentarily before responding, "I was experiencing a bit of stress just now."

Meredith let out a sigh and proceeded to share the details of the incident.

"We had a brunch with Her Majesty, the Queen and her ladies-in-waiting. Towards the end of the meal, we were left alone with Lady James and the other ladies-in-waiting as Her Majesty was summoned by His Majesty, the King. Arguments ensued, and upon our return, Anna suddenly turned pale and vomited. I wanted to call the royal healer, thinking you might still be unwell from yesterday’s incident, but she insisted otherwise."

Curiosity sparked within Rafe as he asked, "Why would they argue with you?"

"Well, you see, Lady James harbours a great deal of jealousy towards Anna for being Her Highness’s wife. She resorted to pouring out mean-spirited words just to offend her. Fortunately, our lady is brilliant and skillfully countered Lady James and her companions. You should have watched how she effectively shut their mouths! Hah! Just because that obnoxious woman once betrothed to His Highness, she thinks she could win him back and become the grand duchess! In her dream!" Meredith remarked with a disparaging smirk.

The noble lady’s sneer revealed her contempt for Sarah, but her expression suddenly changed. The slip of her tongue regarding Kyren’s previous betrothal triggered worry within her heart.

Rafe, too, wore a concerned look as the matter was brought up. None of the knights or the staff of the Gerhard mansion had ever openly discussed the topic with the princess, leading to a sense of unease.

As Anna noticed their concerned expressions, she reassured them, "Don’t worry. I know about Kyren’s previous betrothal with Lady James. He told me all about it."

Meredith, surprised, asked, "You knew?"

The princess nodded.

"We’re husband and wife, after all. We share a lot of matters. I didn’t mention it because it was a past event and held no significance," Anna explained.

A sense of relief washed over Meredith, and she rubbed her chest.

"I’m glad you knew. I was worried you would be saddened by it," she admitted.

"Honestly, my feeling was initially affected. Lady James boasted about the betrothal to me when we first met. Disheartened, I ran and hid myself under a tree in the palace compound. Her Majesty, the Queen, persuaded me to talk to the grand duke himself about it. He and I had a heated argument afterwards because he was against the King’s proposal to make me a concubine, and I discovered his past connections with other women. However, Kyren explained everything to me, and we managed to sort out our differences," Anna recounted, recalling the difficult situation that occurred during her first stay at the palace.

Meredith’s eyes widened in realisation.

"So, you mean this concubine title you acquired was His Majesty’s idea all along!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, it was meant to protect the grand duke and the royal family. Rest assured, I was not forced into it and willingly agreed. Kyren, on the other hand, never did. In fact, he strongly opposed it despite His Majesty’s explanation. So, His Majesty and I devised a plan, and he announced it when I was summoned to the throne hall before the ministers," Anna clarified.

"His Majesty must have known all about you, then! That’s why he resorted to such a proposal!" Meredith exclaimed, understanding the situation.

Anna smiled and replied, "Now you know."

"Indeed, His Majesty must have carefully considered all aspects before making such a decision. From a political standpoint, considering your origin and background, it would have caused a significant commotion if you were to be the official wife of His Highness," Meredith remarked.

Anna agreed.

"I remember when the Ardel’s Ambassador accused you of being the illegitimate daughter of King Adhemar. Even in your position as the Royal Concubine, there were attempts to disrespect you at the banquet. Thankfully, it has quieted down now. My father informed me that Their Majesties intervened to secure your position and silence those who sought to undermine you. Not being the Grand Duchess played a part in minimising the rejection," the noble lady explained.

Anna chimed in, drawing a parallel.

"Historically, even the Emperors of the Ro’an Empire used to take princesses from the enemy kingdoms as concubines. As Cassian is built upon the culture and history of the empire, His Majesty used this fact to appease everyone," she added.

Understanding dawned upon Meredith, and she nodded in agreement.

"I see now. The people of Cassian greatly respect the emperors despite the empire having long ceased to exist," she concluded.

Curiosity sparked within the noble lady as she continued, "Oh, but then... you mentioned ’women’... Who else had a connection with His Highness other than Lady James? I don’t recall him being involved with anyone else. That fact wouldn’t have escaped my knowledge, considering I’m the President of his fan club."

Anna quickly came up with an excuse to cover up Kyren’s secret.

"Oh, it’s nothing important! You know how popular the Grand Duke is. Naturally, many had a crush on him and tried to vie for his affections."

"I see. Yes, you’re definitely right."

However, with his observant gaze, Rafe caught on to Anna’s attempt to conceal something. He noticed her gaze averted from her lady-in-waiting, confirming his suspicions that there was more to the story.

Noticing that Anna’s pulse had been beating unusually strongly, Rafe suggested, "My lady, it has been quite a while since your pulse has been in such a strong rhythm. I suggest we take a blood test to confirm your diagnosis. Though you’re saying it is because of stress, it’s best if we could rule out any suspicions."

Anna dismissed his suggestion with a shake of her head.

"There’s no need for that."

Still, Rafe persisted with his concern.

"You said it was because of stress, but now you appear fine. However, your pulse rhythm hasn’t subsided. That is a condition we should be concerned about. I strongly suggest we proceed with the blood test, just to be sure," he insisted.

"No need, Rafe. I believe it’s still like that because I have something in mind right now, and I’m quite excited about it," she explained.

Curious, the lady-in-waiting asked, "You’re excited about what?"

Anna looked at both Meredith and Rafe before speaking.

"The conversation we had with Lady James and the other ladies-in-waiting got me thinking, and I don’t think they’re entirely wrong," she stated.

Confused, Meredith replied, "What do you mean? I don’t understand. All I heard were their jealous remarks."

Anna continued, "They talked about a meek and weak person by His Highness’s side... that explicitly referring to me."

Meredith interrupted, trying to persuade her, "Oh Anna, don’t let their words bother you. You already mentioned that they intentionally tried to get on your nerves."

Anna shook her head.

"No, it’s not that. I’m not feeling down because of it," she insisted.

Curiosity piqued, Rafe asked, "What do you have in mind, my lady?"

With an unwavering expression, Anna gazed at them both.

"Before I answer that, I want Sir Navin to come over immediately," she suddenly ordered.

Rafe and Meredith exchanged perplexed glances, unable to determine Anna’s intention.

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