The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 301: An Unsolved Dilemma

Chapter 301: An Unsolved Dilemma

The second-in-command knight proceeded to explain the situation to them. He shared how Anna insisted on receiving training after being mocked by Sarah and her companions.

Sylvia’s anger flared up. "Those... b*tches! I wish I could just yank their hair!"

Drystan, taken aback, quickly interjected, "Whoa... whoa... my lady, please mind your language! A noble woman should refrain from using such curse words."

Sylvia’s chest heaved with anger, struggling to contain her emotions.

"I apologise for my outburst. I just can’t get hold of myself! This is not the first time she mocked Lady Raychard, you know. That Lady James is still delusional, thinking she’ll become the Grand Duchess!" Sylvia said, her voice filled with frustration.

Though surprised by the noble lady’s daring remarks, Eric couldn’t help but chuckle. Her strong-willed nature and cunningness showed that the descendant of the Marquess of Sylvere was not someone to be underestimated.

"Don’t worry about Lady James," Eric reassured her. "She will never gain the favour of His Highness. I know our grand duke well, and she wouldn’t sway him. As for Lady Raychard, I’ll take care of her and end the training as soon as possible."

Sylvia nodded, her anger gradually subsiding as she trusted Eric to handle the situation.

"Thank you, Sir Navin," she said. Shifting the topic, she continued, "I hope grandfather can recover and forget about this matchmaking obsession. Lately, he keeps pushing us to marry, and I’m at a loss for how to counter him."

Eric raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"He brings up the matter again?"

Drystan chimed in, confirming Sylvia’s statement, "Yes, Sir Navin, every single day... several times a day. His face lights up whenever he talks about it as if it’s the only thing that brings him joy amidst his condition."

Eric understood the gravity of the situation. "He seems quite determined about it. I am aware of both your reservations regarding the matchmaking."

Sylvia sighed, her expression turning gloomy.

"I wanted to tell him directly that I don’t want to marry Sir Mills, but because of his state, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I don’t want him to feel devastated or become even more unwell because of my refusal."

Drystan nodded in agreement.

"I feel the same way. Seeing how much it means to him, I can’t find it in my heart to tell him my disagreement."

The knight then turned to Eric and asked, "Sir Navin, can’t you think of something? You always have bright ideas that can solve these problems."

"Not in this matter. My expertise lies in building love and relationships, not breaking them," Eric responded with a smile.

Sylvia and Drystan’s disappointment was evident as they cast their eyes downward, their hopes fading.

Eric observed them, his grey eyes searching their faces. Somehow, a certain compatibility seemed to emanate from their presence together from his gaze. An idea began to form in his mind, and he decided to ask them a question, breaking the heavy silence.

"Let me ask you two something," Eric said, his voice gentle yet curious.

Sylvia and Drystan looked up, their eyes meeting his.

"Do either of you have a love interest? Someone special in your life?"

Both Sylvia and Drystan shook their heads in unison.

"No," they replied in sync.

Eric nodded understandingly. "So neither of you currently has someone special..." He paused for a moment, contemplating his following words. "Then, what makes you think you can’t go through with this marriage?"

Sylvia scoffed, "We have nothing in common! Our personalities clash, and our interests are worlds apart."

Eric raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"

"I prefer a man who has his attention solely on me, not someone who has his eyes on every passing woman," said Sylvia determinedly.

Drystan interjected, a hint of defensiveness in his voice.

"Hey, I was only looking for the right lady for me. It’s not wrong to keep my options open so that I wouldn’t miss her!"

Sylvia rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, right. You really do keep your options wide open for various selections, Sir Mills."

Drystan grunted and crossed his arms over his chest in annoyance. Eric couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of them engaged in their little argument, their faces wearing sour expressions.

"Well," Eric said with a mischievous smile, "Sometimes opposites attract. It’s the differences that can make a relationship interesting and fulfilling. Perhaps you two have more in common than you realise."

Sylvia and Drystan exchanged puzzled glances, disbelief colouring their faces.

"That’s absurd! People of opposite stands and interests can’t live together!" the noble lady scoffed.

"Agreed!" Drystan responded.

"These differences, are they your only discrepancy with Sir Mills, Lady Rogers? Does his looks or stature despise you?" Eric inquired, wanting to delve deeper into their concerns.

"I have no problem with those. In fact, I respect him as the Knight of Gerhard, and I’m grateful for his caring attention to my grandfather. It’s just his personality that strikes me in a distasteful way."

Eric turned his attention to Drystan.

"And what about you, Sir Mills? What are you seeking in the right lady for you?"

"Someone who can understand and agree with me. Also, someone who sees my intentions clearly."

Eric smiled knowingly.

"Well, I don’t see that as an obstacle for the two of you."

Drystan voiced his confusion, asking, "What do you mean?"

Just a moment ago, when you mentioned the Mederians’ healing magic, Lady Rogers immediately understood your intention. She seemed to grasp your words effortlessly. Wouldn’t that make her fit the description of the right lady you’re searching for?"

Drystan’s eyes widened in protest. "That’s different! It’s totally poles apart from what I meant! She hardly understands me!"

Sylvia’s anger flared, her voice laced with frustration. "Are you implying that I’m stup*d? That I simply cannot grasp what you’re saying?"

Drystan hastily interjected. "No! I didn’t say that! See, Sir Navin? This is what I meant!"

Eric couldn’t help but laugh at their exchange, finding their banter endearing.

"You know... I have a hunch that the two of you would make a good couple. Perhaps you should try opening up and truly understanding one another."

Sylvia’s expression turned incredulous.

"No way! I can’t be with a man who is disloyal to love!"

Drystan’s eyes widened.

"Who says I’m not loyal? You don’t know me! Once I find the woman I love, I will respect and cherish her with all my heart!"

"I doubt that! You can’t even commit to a proper relationship! Do you think I don’t see how quickly your interests change, faster than you change your clothes!" Sylvia exclaimed.

Drystan’s face flushed angrily as he responded, "How dare you accuse me! I’m not that kind of person! The reason it seemed that way is because they weren’t the right ones!"

Eric interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension.

"Hold on, both of you. Let’s take a moment to calm down."

Sylvia continued, her voice filled with exasperation, "Sir Navin, this is precisely why I can’t marry him. We are fundamentally incompatible on this matter. There’s no spark of love between us. How can we be married and live together? It’s impossible!"

Drystan grunted in annoyance.

Eric offered a different perspective to mediate the situation, "It’s not entirely impossible, Lady Rogers. Consider His Highness the Grand Duke and our lady. They didn’t marry out of love initially but have cultivated a faithful and loving relationship over time. Marriage can be formed based on mutual understanding and respect. Rafael’s case is similar. He accepted his marriage as fate and adapted to his situation very well."

The pair fell silent, unable to counter the second-in-command knight’s wise words.

"I’m not here to force you both to accept my advice," Eric continued. "But from what I see, you both care about His Lordship’s condition and want the best for him, and you can’t deny that he desires this marriage more than anything now. Not going through with it will have a tremendous impact on him."

Drystan spoke up, his voice filled with sincerity, "I’m simply fulfilling my duty here, Sir Navin. Above all, I greatly respect His Lordship for being the last remaining northern warrior of the empire."

Eric challenged Drystan’s remarks, "If it’s solely out of duty and respect, why would you be concerned about offending him? Why not be honest and speak directly to his face? You don’t have to worry about the consequences of his health since he’s not your family."

"I..."

Eric pressed on, his observations cutting the knight’s words. "You care about him more than you realise, Sir Mills. From what I’ve observed, you like him... a lot."

"I don’t..." Drystan attempted to deny it, but his voice faltered.

"I’ve never been wrong about these things. You’re my subordinate, and I know you well," Eric asserted.

Silence enveloped them as they processed his words.

"I’ll leave the matter up to your consideration. As I mentioned before, I won’t force anything. After all, this decision impacts your future. However, think carefully about your next steps and response to him. Even if he recovers, His Lordship is already old, and we know his time will come sooner or later," Eric stated.

Sylvia’s expression turned grave, understanding the weight of his words. Drystan remained silent, deep in thought.

"I’ll take my leave for now. Once Rafael and the Mederians return, I’ll inform you, and you can come to see them," Eric concluded.

Drystan and Sylvia nodded in acknowledgement, their minds filled with the weight of the decision before them.