The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 302: Meeting The In-laws

Chapter 302: Meeting The In-laws

The carriage jolted along the uneven, rocky path, its wheels rattling with each bump. The escorts maintained their diligence, ensuring the carriage’s and its passengers’ safety.

Inside the carriage, the conversation continued, with a sense of restlessness hanging in the air. Kiev turned to Elis and posed a question.

"Elis, what is my favourite colour?"

Elis appeared nervous, her gaze shifting downward. She hesitated but finally responded, "It’s blue, Your Highness."

Kiev pressed on, seeking more specific information. "As in what?"

The maid’s voice faltered, but she mustered the courage to answer, "As in... my eye colour."

Kiev nodded, acknowledging her response. The atmosphere in the carriage felt tense.

Seeking to test her knowledge further, he inquired, "And how long have we been married?"

Elis let out a sigh. Her weariness was evident.

"Five months, Your Highness," she replied.

"Great! You got all the answers right. But you seem to be forgetting something..." Kiev remarked.

Elis lifted her gaze, her nervous eyes meeting the Mederian Prince’s, wondering what she had missed.

"It’s Kiev, not ’Your Highness.’ As my wife, you should address me by my first name," Kiev explained.

Elis swallowed hard, struggling with the idea of addressing a man of such royal lineage so casually. The difference in their social status made it feel improper.

"I wouldn’t mind if you called me ’husband’ or used more endearing terms like ’honey’ or ’darling.’ We Mederians are known for our affectionate language when addressing our spouses," Kiev added nonchalantly.

A deep blush spread across the maid’s face, colouring her cheeks.

"Brother, that’s enough teasing for now! You’ve bombarded her with questions. How can you expect her to remember every detail of the fake marriage story you’ve concocted in just two days?" Callis, who sat beside Elis, interjected with concern.

"I’m not teasing her. I’m simply reminding her of the proper way to address me. Besides, she answered all my questions correctly. I don’t see any issues except for her not addressing me as a wife should," Kiev stated matter-of-factly. "It’s important to convince everyone once we arrive."

Callis shook her head, her gaze shifting to her husband, Rafe, who sat beside her brother, silently seeking his support.

"Miss Canton might be nervous and accidentally reveal something unexpected. She’s not fully prepared," the healer cautiously pointed out, his words chosen carefully.

Kiev’s confidence remained unwavering as he expressed his belief in his maid.

"She won’t. She’s smart and meticulous. I know she’ll do well," he affirmed. "Now, Elis, address me by my first name. I haven’t heard you say it, not even once."

The maid felt a lump forming in her throat. She wished she could disappear then, regretting her decision to follow them to Rivendelle. Initially, she believed her role would be to serve Callis during the trip, but Kiev unexpectedly burdened her with this task.

"Elis... I’m waiting," Kiev prompted when he received no response from the maid.

Reluctantly, Elis mustered a response, "Yes..."

"Yes, what?" Kiev pressed on.

"Yes... Ki... Kiev," she replied, her voice filled with hesitation.

A subtle smile graced the Mederian Prince’s lips.

"Good. Stay by my side at all times and never stray away. Let me do the talking if your mind goes blank or you’re unsure how to respond to any question."

Rafe furrowed his brow, clearly disagreeing with Kiev’s entire plan. However, the Mederian Prince remained resolute in his ideas.

Just then, the sound of a bell rang out, indicating their arrival. Rafe pushed aside the curtain of the carriage window and peered outside, a longing smile spreading across his lips.

"We’ve arrived at Rivendelle!" he exclaimed.

"We’ve arrived?" Callis echoed, her eyes widening with anticipation.

As she turned her gaze to the town of Rivendelle, she took in the charming sights before her. The place was not expansive, but it possessed an undeniably appealing quaintness.

Beyond the main gate entrance, a few buildings lined the streets, showcasing various architectural styles. Some structures stood proudly with stone facades, while others boasted timber frames and thatched roofs, creating a harmonious blend of old-world charm.

In the heart of the town, a delightful square opened up, adorned with a central fountain. Water cascaded gracefully from its ornate sculpted centrepiece, creating a soothing melody that mingled with the gentle hum of activity.

The atmosphere was one of warmth and community, with locals going about their daily routines. Market stalls displayed an array of goods, their vibrant colours adding splashes of life to the scene. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, enticing passersby with its tempting fragrance.

"Oh, it’s beautiful!" Callis exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Elis also turned her gaze outside, her attention captured by the picturesque scenery. However, her face quickly turned anxious, knowing they had reached their destination after two days of travel. It was time to put on their act, and the thought trembled her.

"Don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine," Callis, who had turned around, reassured Elis, sensing her nervousness. She reached out and held the maid’s hands, offering a comforting gesture. Elis nodded, grateful for the support.

The carriage finally stopped at the end of a quiet road. A two-story house, constructed with bricks and sturdy wood, stood at the side. It was a large building with a spacious compound, though not so extravagant. For a middle-class family, it could still be considered luxurious.

As Armel opened the door, a sense of anticipation filled the air.

"This is it," said Rafe.

Glancing at Callis, the healer couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nervousness. He wondered how his family would react to his sudden marriage.

"Come, Callis," he beckoned. "Hold onto me as we step out."

Growing annoyed by the act, Kiev cleared his throat.

"Don’t you want this to appear as normal as possible?" the healer asked sceptically. A husband should hold his wife’s hand when exiting the carriage. We need to show them the intimacy of newlyweds."

Reluctantly, Kiev relented. He turned to Elis, his gaze meeting hers.

"Fine! You should do the same, too, Elis," he instructed. "Hold my hand as well when we descend."

Looking up at the Mederian Prince with nervousness in her eyes, the maid hesitated. Though fabricated, the thought of such intimacy with him made her hands tremble, and she was unsure of how to proceed.

"Be confident, Elis," Kiev urged, his voice gentle. "Hold onto me. I won’t harm you if you make a mistake. You can trust me," Kiev reassured her.

With his sincere words, Elis found the strength to submit.

"Yes, Kiev," she replied.

A smile bloomed on the Mederian Prince’s face, and warmth spread through his heart as her lips spoke his name.

***

A few curious onlookers rushed out from the house upon spotting the carriage’s arrival and its escorts. Furrowing their brows in confusion, they tried to discern the guests’ identities. Their eyes widened in surprise as they witnessed Rafe descending from the carriage, his hand intertwined with a beautiful woman’s. The sight of the newlywed couple only deepened their astonishment.

"Oh, my God! Is that our new sister-in-law? She looks like an angel!" exclaimed one of the young men, bearing a resemblance to Rafe. His jaw dropped as he locked eyes with Callis, unable to tear his gaze away.

"Quick, call mother!" the other young man beside him exclaimed, sharing the same astonished expression.

Without wasting a moment, the first young man dashed inside. It didn’t take long before a middle-aged woman dressed in a blue gown rushed out with an anxious look on her face.

Her steps faltered as she caught sight of Rafe standing before the carriage, his hand securely clasping his wife’s. Tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks. Another middle-aged man hurriedly emerged from the house as well.

Unmindful of the onlookers, the middle-aged woman raced toward Rafe, a broad smile breaking across her face. The healer’s eyes lit up at the sight of her, and he reciprocated her embrace, patting her back soothingly.

"Oh, Rafe! My little boy has returned!" the middle-aged woman sobbed.

"Mother, I’m not a little boy anymore," Rafe chuckled softly, his voice filled with warmth.

The middle-aged woman lifted her face, her gaze shifting to the healer. She wiped her tears away and cupped Rafe’s cheek lovingly.

"Why have you grown so thin? Have you not been eating well or resting enough?" she asked, her concern evident.

"This is how I’ve always been, mother. I lead a good life serving His Highness the Grand Duke. He takes excellent care of me, as do the knights. Please don’t worry," Rafe reassured her.

"How can I not worry about my little boy? I received the news of your sudden marriage out of the blue! Can you imagine how shocked I was? I’ve already packed my things and was about to set off to Gantz to see you!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with a mixture of relief and lingering worry.

"I knew you would. That’s why I hurried home to see you as soon as possible. I need to explain everything. But first, let me introduce you to my new wife," Rafe said, turning to Callis, who had respectfully given them space.

"Callis, come over here," he beckoned.

Shyly, the Mederian Princess approached. Her cheeks tinged with a blush as the healer held her hand gently, his grip firm yet tender, as he introduced her to his mother.

"Mother, this is Callis, my new wife," Rafe introduced. Turning to his wife, he said, "Callis, this is my mother, Eva Amares."

Eva hesitated, unsure how to address the stunning woman standing before her. The letter she received from the messenger of the King of Cassian had indicated that her son had married a princess from the prestigious Mederian clan, known for their close ties to the imperial family of the Ro’an Empire.

Finally, Eva curtsied and spoke up, "Greetings, Your Highness Princess Callis."

"Oh, please don’t!" Callis interjected, her hand gently grasping Eva’s arm as she pulled her up. Confusion clouded Eva’s expression.

"It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to curtsy to me," Callis said, her voice warm and gentle.

"But you’re a royal princess of the Mederian Clan. How could I not show you respect?" Eva questioned.

"You’re my mother-in-law now. It is I who should show you respect," Callis insisted, her words reflecting her genuine humility.

"Oh, Your Highness! You are truly humble," Eva responded, a smile gracing her lips.

"Please, call me Callis. After all, we are family," Callis said, her delight shining through her words.

"She’s not only beautiful on the outside, but her heart is just as beautiful, too, Rafe. You are truly fortunate," Eva remarked, her eyes filled with affection as she looked at her son.

The healer couldn’t help but smile, his happiness radiating from within.

"What happened to your hand, dear?" Eva inquired, her gaze falling on the sling worn by Callis on her right arm.

The Mederian Princess chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling.

"Ah... this?" she said, gesturing to her injured arm. "I got injured when I first arrived in Gantz. It was Rafe who treated me. That’s how we first met," she explained, her voice filled with fondness.

Eva’s expression turned concerned as she observed the sling.

"That must have hurt badly," she remarked, her worry evident in her gaze.

"Don’t worry, mother. I’ve been diligently treating her, and she’ll be fine soon. It’s just a matter of being careful with her movements," Rafe reassured his mother.

Eva nodded.

"Then, I’ll take care of you. You just need to rest and enjoy the sights of Rivendelle while you’re here," she declared, her maternal instinct kicking in.

Callis’s heart swelled with gratitude, touched by her mother-in-law’s caring nature. She smiled warmly, feeling a sense of belonging and acceptance in her new family.

A middle-aged man with hair mixed with brown and white, accompanied by two young men with brown hair, approached the group. Two servants stood nearby, ready to assist.

"Callis, this is my father, Louis Amares, and these two are my elder brothers, Jason and Nicholas, or shortly, Nick," Rafe introduced.

Louis and his two sons bowed respectfully to the Mederian Princess.

"How do you do, Your Highness?" he greeted her.

"Please don’t bow to me, father, brothers!" Callis exclaimed, surprising them all.

They straightened their posture, exchanging glances before turning their attention back to her.

"It’s not right for father and mother to bow to their children..." she said. Seeing their surprised look, she hesitantly asked, "You wouldn’t mind if I call you that, would you?"

Eva’s smile widened.

"Of course not! You’re my daughter-in-law. Definitely, you can address us as father and mother," she replied warmly.

The Mederian Princess felt a wave of relief wash over her, and she returned the smile, her eyes meeting Rafe’s with a sense of happiness.

"Welcome home, Rafael," Nick greeted.

Rafe’s cheerful expression wavered as his brother mentioned his actual name.

"Rafael?"

Callis was wide-eyed with surprise as she realised she had never heard her husband’s full name.

"Drop it, Nick! Don’t start!" Rafe warned, a touch of annoyance in his voice.

Before Callis could inquire further, the sound of heavy footsteps interrupted their conversation. A striking figure emerged from the carriage; a handsome man with long white hair and captivating red eyes, bearing a resemblance to Callis. He possessed a lean and tall stature, exuding strength and solidity.

"Oh my goodness! Another angel!" Nick exclaimed, unable to contain his awe at the man’s appearance.

Embarrassed by his younger brother’s outburst, Jason quickly covered Nick’s mouth to quiet him.

The handsome man extended his hand, which was met by the gentle touch of a lady who gracefully descended from the carriage as Armel held the door. She also possessed a beauty with mesmerising blue eyes and soft features. The onlookers couldn’t help but be captivated by their allure.

"Forgive me for taking some time to come out. My wife isn’t feeling well after the long journey," Kiev, explained as he held the pale Elis in his arms.

"You are..."

Eva glanced at the gorgeous man and then back at Callis, unable to ignore their striking resemblance. Both shared the same features of red eyes and silky white long hair.

"I’m Kiev, Callis’s brother, and this is Elisabeth, my wife," Kiev introduced himself and his ’wife’.

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