The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 312: A Woman’s Emotion

Chapter 312: A Woman’s Emotion

After Kiev expressed his gratitude to Eva’s maid and closed the door, Elis immediately wriggled out of the Mederian Prince’s embrace. She hurriedly retreated to a corner of the room near the window and leaned against the wall, avoiding his gaze. Her fingers nervously fidgeted, and her palms grew sweaty as if she had committed a grave error.

Perplexed by her sudden change in demeanour, Kiev inquired, "What’s the matter?"

"You... you... shouldn’t address me in such a way, Your Highness!" Elis stammered, her voice barely audible, still avoiding eye contact.

Amused by her response, Kiev teasingly inquired, "Oh, you mean... ’my sweetheart’? Does it make your heart tremble?"

"Your Highness!" Elis protested, her voice filled with both embarrassment and concern.

"It’s Kiev, or ’my darling’, my dear. Have you forgotten your role?" he reminded her as he moved towards a nearby chair.

"We are not in the presence of others! It is essential to maintain decorum and show respect, Your Highness," Elis responded.

"The most crucial duty of a maid is to obey her master, and I never permitted you to address me as you normally would, even in private. I recall our agreement that you would address me as a wife should. So, if you’re reluctant to call me your ’darling’, you can address me by my name, and it’s Kiev, in case it slipped your mind," the Mederian Prince stated, his voice soft but his words piercing like a knife.

"I don’t think I can bear this! It’s too overwhelming for me, and I fear making a mistake at any moment! Please, Your High... I mean... Kiev!" Elis pleaded with desperation as she looked at him.

Kiev responded with a dismissive smile, unbuttoning his surcoat and removing it to hang on a nearby rack. At the sight of the Mederian Prince’s actions, Elis felt a wave of panic.

Confused, she asked, "What are you doing?"

Kiev turned his gaze back to her, only to see the maid growing paler.

"What? I’m simply removing my surcoat. It’s becoming warmer in this room," he explained.

Elis’s eyes darted towards the braziers containing blazing embers at the corner of the room, realising the maid had warmed the place for their comfort.

"Don’t worry. I am a betrothed man. I have no eyes for any woman other than my destined one," he reassured her casually, understanding her fear.

Embarrassed, Elis lowered her gaze. She believed that someone as handsome and of such high status as him would never harbour desires for a lowly woman like herself – so she thought.

Kiev settled comfortably into the chair, adjusting his position and clasping his hands on his stomach. With a gentle tone, he advised, "Lie down on the bed and get some rest. You’re exhausted."

"I’m not that tired," the maid protested.

"You’re as pale as a sheet, and I can’t have you falling ill. You have a duty to fulfil while we’re here. Please, listen to me," he urged, his eyes closing.

"I assure you, I’m fine," Elis insisted.

"If you were to faint, I would hold you in my arms and drag you along with me everywhere, whether you like it or not. I won’t let you go and risk leaving myself vulnerable to the attention of other women. So, make your decision wisely, Elis."

Again, Kiev’s voice sounded gentle like a melody, but the firmness struck the maid deeply. His words were both tender and commanding, leaving her with no choice but to comply.

"Yes, Kiev. I will take a rest now."

In a sense of compelled obedience, she surrendered to his order. A smile etched on Kiev’s lips silently.

***

The pair walked side by side along the road, having left the house some time ago, heading towards their destination. Instead of taking a carriage, Rafe had suggested they walk on foot and enjoy the scenery.

As they moved silently, Callis felt a mix of emotions envelope her heart. She had asked her husband about Lisa, hoping for a satisfying answer. However, his response was vague, merely stating that she was someone special. On the other hand, his family had fallen solemnly quiet upon hearing her name.

Was Lisa Rafe’s beloved?

Was he taking her to meet this woman so she could apologise for stealing him away abruptly?

Would Lisa scream and yell at her for leaving Rafe with no choice but to marry her?

Countless questions swirled in Callis’s mind, and her courage to ask them dissipated. She feared that the answers might break her heart.

After a long silence, Rafe finally broke it, noticing the Mederian Princess’s sombre mood.

"You’re so quiet now. Are you sure you’re not tired?" he inquired.

The only sounds that had accompanied them before were their footsteps on the hard ground, the wind rustling through the trees, and the distant sounds of birds chirping, sheep bleating, and dogs barking.

"No, I’m fine," Callis replied in a low voice, her tone tinged with sulking.

"What’s the matter?" Rafe pressed on, sensing her bitter mood.

"Nothing," she responded curtly.

"Nothing?" the healer probed again. "Usually, when a woman says nothing, it means there’s a lot of things in her mind. Do you dislike walking with me?"

"Of course not!" Callis promptly denied it.

"Then why are you sulking?" he inquired.

"I’m not sulking!" the Mederian Princess retorted, her tone defensive.

Rafe halted his steps, making her stop as well.

"Callis, I’m not adept at interpreting gestures or guessing. I prefer factual information. So, if something is bothering you, please let me know, and if I’ve made any mistakes that hurt you, do tell," he earnestly expressed.

Rafe waited patiently, hoping for a reply from her.

Callis sighed, feeling the weight of her emotions. Finally, she mustered the courage to ask, "This... Lisa... is she someone you love?"

Rafe smiled warmly.

"Yes, she is. She is so special that no one could ever replace her in my heart."

Callis felt doomed. She screamed internally, cursing herself for asking the question. She shouldn’t have brought it up, but her heart had disregarded her rational thoughts.

Now that she knew the truth, she felt utterly hopeless. She was like Pandora, who ignored Zeus’s warning and opened the box, thus bringing misery upon herself through her own actions.

The Mederian Princess lowered her gaze, fighting back tears and an overwhelming desire to flee from her husband. However, she knew it would be futile. If there was anyone to blame in this situation, it was none other than herself.

"Callis," the healer called her name and waited for a response.

There was none.

Callis stood silently, her eyes cast downward, lost in her thoughts and emotions.

"Callis," Rafe called again, his voice gentle and filled with concern. His grey eyes searched for her face.

Still, there was no response.

"Callis Amares," he uttered her name together with her new surname, which belonged to his family, causing her heart to race. She began to waver.

Why would he call her as such if he was about to introduce her to another woman whom he loved? She couldn’t comprehend.

Rafe’s voice remained gentle to her ears, making it difficult for Callis not to respond. Although they stood so close, she felt a vast distance separating them.

"Yes, Rafe," she finally answered, her voice trembling.

"Look at me in the eyes," he requested.

Slowly, the Mederian Princess raised her head, locking her gaze with his. Tears shimmered in her eyes, betraying her inner turmoil.

"Why are you crying? Did I make you angry?" Rafe asked, taken aback by the sadness on his wife’s face.

"No," the Mederian Princess replied, her voice choked with emotion. She turned her face away from his sight, closing her eyes as tears began to stream down her cheeks.

"Hey... look at me," Rafe urged with concern. "I won’t know unless you tell me. Talk to me, Callis."

Through her tears, Callis mustered the courage to speak, "You... you said Lisa is so special, you love her, and no one can replace her in your heart! Why are you only telling me this now after we arrived in Rivendelle? Why didn’t you tell me directly before we came here? You said you’ve never had a relationship with a woman before!" She sobbed, her words filled with hurt and confusion.

Surprised by her reaction, the healer responded, "Wait... are you jealous?"

"Are you happy now?" Callis retorted, her face flushed with disappointment. Like Anna’s, her fair skin always blushed when her emotions fluctuated.

Rafe chuckled, realising that his wife had misunderstood his words.

"Forgive me. I owe you an explanation. However, since we’re almost there, it’s better to finish our walk first. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you everything, and it’s definitely not what you’re thinking about," he assured her gently.

Callis looked at Rafe again, uncertain if he was telling her the truth. Just as she was about to inquire further, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears.

"Don’t cry. Your brother would beat me if he saw you crying because of me," he said, attempting to lighten the mood.

Callis took a deep breath, determined to halt her tears. Though annoyed with this ’Lisa,’ she didn’t want Kiev to harm her husband. She composed herself, and they continued walking at the healer’s persuasion, leading her onwards until they reached a small hill.

"We need to climb up a bit. There’s another way that doesn’t require climbing, but it would take us on a longer route. Come, hold on to me," the healer instructed, extending his hand to her for support.

Callis hesitated, her pride conflicting with her need for assistance.

"I know you’re strong, but your shoulder is still hurt. Just hold my hand so you can maintain your balance," he encouraged.

After a moment’s consideration, the Mederian Princess finally reached out, placing her hand in Rafe’s. She could feel the warmth of his palm against hers, and a sense of reassurance washed over her.

With the healer’s support, they began the ascent up the hill, step by step, their intertwined hands providing stability and comfort along the way.

As they reached the top of the hill, the Mederian Princess’s eyes widened in surprise, her mouth agape at the sight before her.