The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 318: An Unforeseen Danger

Chapter 318: An Unforeseen Danger

"Are you all right?" he asked, breaking the silence that had descended upon them. "I nearly screamed when I saw the branch falling towards you. Thankfully, your reflexes saved you."

"I’m fine. A small branch like that won’t harm me," she replied.

Ayden’s eyes, dark orbs of concern, shifted downward to Clara’s hand.

"I keep forgetting that you’re a knightess," he murmured. "I’ve missed you... It’s been too long since we last spent time together."

Clara remained silent, her gaze drifting away from the assistant healer, seeking solace in the tranquil beauty of the garden.

"Are you angry with me?" Ayden questioned, his eyes searching for any hint of her emotions.

"No," the knightess responded curtly.

"Then why do I sense that you’re avoiding me? What mistake did I make that caused this distance between us?" he pressed.

"You didn’t do anything wrong, Ayden," Clara replied, her tone laced with sadness. She let out a sigh, her emotions weighing heavily on her.

"I don’t understand..." Ayden’s confusion was evident in his expression, yearning for an answer.

The Knightess lowered her gaze, a sombre expression etched on her face.

"I shouldn’t have let myself fall for you. It was a mistake," she muttered softly.

Ayden’s eyes rounded in surprise as her words reached his ears.

"You... what?" he asked, bewilderment in his voice.

Clara bit her lower lip, her fist clenched tightly as she mustered the courage to speak her heart. Despite being a bold knightess, confessing her feelings to Ayden proved to be a daunting task.

"Ayden, I like you. I like you a lot... more than just a friend. In fact, I believe I fell for you the moment we met," she finally admitted.

Ayden held his breath, his heart soaring with joy. Warmth flushed his cheeks as the rush of emotions coursed through him.

"Clara!" he exclaimed, taking steps closer and kneeling before her. Staring at her figure, he pleaded earnestly, "Please, look at me."

Clara felt torn, her instincts urging her to turn away, but the desperation in Ayden’s voice compelled her to meet his gaze. Slowly, she turned her head, her eyes meeting his.

"I like you too, Clara. No... ’like’ isn’t accurate enough. The truth is... I’ve fallen in love with you," Ayden confessed, his words filled with sincerity and affection.

The knightess was rendered speechless, completely taken aback by Ayden’s reciprocation of her feelings. She hadn’t anticipated this outcome.

"Why?" she asked in bewilderment.

The assistant healer smiled tenderly, his eyes reflecting his love for her.

"Because you’re the most courageous woman I’ve ever known," he replied. "You’ve shown unwavering loyalty to Lady Raychard, risking your safety and nearly losing your life in the process. Also, despite the excruciating pain you endured from your injury, you never once complained. You’re an incredible person that I wish to be with."

"No, Ayden! I’m not as incredible as you think! There’s no way we should be together," Clara protested.

"Why not? You admitted that you fell for me, and I love you! What’s stopping us?" Ayden asked, genuine confusion etched on his face.

Clara tightly closed her lips, tears welling up in her eyes. She longed to reciprocate Ayden’s love and her heart was consumed by the depth of her feelings for him. However, fear held her back.

"Is it because of Sir Brooks?" Ayden suddenly questioned. "You two are close. Did he say something that made you withdraw your feelings for me? I know I don’t get along with him..."

"No! This has nothing to do with Sir Brooks! He never stood in our way," Clara interrupted, her voice filled with frustration.

"Then why? Please, tell me! Don’t leave me wondering. I need to know!" Ayden pleaded in desperation.

"Because I’m not the person you think I am! I’m unworthy of your love!"

Clara’s voice trembled as tears streamed down her cheeks. She took a moment to compose herself before continuing.

"That day... when you told me about Sir Brooks’s past crime... and how you despised him for it... it struck me. Your words reminded me of my own dark history. I am a tribeswoman of the Sunik tribe, and I have taken countless lives in battles fought for my people..." Clara’s anguished confession hung heavy in the air.

"That’s different!" Ayden interjected. He was surprised with the revelation, yet his willingness to understand was apparent.

"I haven’t finished," Clara insisted with determination.

Ayden closed his mouth, allowing her to continue her story.

"I didn’t just fight for them... I committed a grave injustice. I took the life of an innocent man who was framed for the assault and murder of my sister and mother. After finding the truth, I was consumed by grief and anger, so I sought vengeance and brutally murdered the true culprit. I fled from my tribe, carrying the sin of my actions. That’s how I ended up in Ardel, becoming Lady Raychard’s escort."

"Clara..." Ayden’s expression shifted from compassion to shock as he absorbed her explanation.

The knightess looked at the assistant healer, her sobs breaking through her words as her vulnerability laid bare before him.

"That’s not my real name, Ayden... My actual name is Ammara Cerva, and I am a ruthless murderer! You wouldn’t want a woman like me!" Clara’s voice cracked with hurt as she revealed her true identity.

***

The vast expanse of the cerulean sea stretched out as far as the eye could see, captivating in its boundless beauty. The Cassian warships sailed forward with a sense of majesty, gracefully cutting through the undulating waves. Above, the sky painted a brilliant canvas of azure, its brightness illuminating the scene below.

Onboard the carrack, the crew moved with diligence, their hands deftly handling their tasks, ensuring the smooth progress of the journey towards Agathe Island.

Kyren took a moment of respite to adore the breathtaking sight. He lifted his gaze towards the heavens, where the sun held its position at the sky’s zenith, casting its warm ray upon the world below.

The noon hour had arrived, but the presence of fluffy white clouds scattered across the atmosphere provided a welcome shade from the scorching heat. The gentle autumn wind whispered through the air, creating a pleasant, temperate calmness.

The grand duke reclined on the hammock, finding solace in its gentle sway. With his hands placed behind his head, he allowed himself a moment of relaxation after assessing the fleet’s condition.

Since their departure, the voyage to the island had been remarkably smooth. Though a few rains and bouts of inclement weather had challenged them, they had not hindered the fleets’ steady progress.

As Kyren gazed up at the sky, his thoughts involuntarily wandered back to his cherished home. The vibrant clouds above seemed to stir memories within him. He could vividly picture Anna’s tearful eyes and red cheeks as she tightly embraced him before his departure.

The echoes of her tender voice bidding him farewell still reverberated in his ears, a bittersweet melody that tugged at his heartstrings.

’Goodbye, Kyren... my husband.’

The words etched a deep ache in his heart. He couldn’t help but wonder why her farewell had carried such a sorrowful tone. Despite his promise to return and his confidence in the smooth progression of the expedition to secure the Agathe Islands, an underlying worry for his wife plagued his thoughts.

Aware of the sombre mood that threatened to consume him, the grand duke consciously redirected his focus to a different memory, remembering a happier moment. He reminisced about the enchanting dance they shared after a breathtaking fireworks show.

Their synchronised movements, ideally attuned to the rhythm of the music, intertwined with the warmth of her petite frame nestled in his embrace. The recollection brought a gentle smile to his face, momentarily casting aside the weight of his concerns.

However, another recollection emerged unbidden as memories flowed, revealing a night of undeniable intimacy. The passion they shared on that occasion had ignited a deep pleasure within him; the image of Anna draped in a seductive, sheer red dress, her silhouette captivating his gaze and stirring his heart.

Frustration surged through Kyren as the yearning lust resurfaced, the memory lingering in his mind like an unfinished Chapter.

"D*mn it!" he cursed, expressing his exasperation at the unfulfilled desire that still burned within him.

Interrupting his reverie, Adam, who happened to be passing by, interjected, "Are you all right, Your Highness?"

"I’m fine," Kyren replied, his tone carrying a stern note as he rose from the hammock.

Seeking clarity and solace, the grand duke strode towards the railing, his gaze fixed on the expansive view of the tranquil waters. The rhythmic motion of the waves brought a sense of calmness while the cold breeze tousled his raven-black hair and brushed against his charming face.

Kyren’s attention was suddenly drawn to a small white vessel sailing in the distance. His curiosity was piqued, and he couldn’t help but ask, "What is that?"

Adam came to his side to identify the floating object.

"Ah... That’s a fishermen’s boat. Our watcher has confirmed it from his surveillance."

Kyren’s brow furrowed as he sought further information, "Galicians’ or Cassians’?"

"Most likely Galicians’ as they sailed from that direction. They pose no threat, so I decided to let them pass without intervention," he responded.

Accepting the explanation, Kyren nodded, believing the small boat posed no immediate danger.

***

An alarm was triggered through the vessel, jolting the crew on duty into action.

The watcher swiftly reported to the captain with urgency, "Captain, it’s confirmed! The fleets heading to the Agathe Islands are warships from Cassian. I spotted their unmistakable blue flag with the emblem of the Firebird!"

Relief washed over the small boat’s crew as they observed that the warships had not aggressively approached them. It became increasingly clear that the Cassians had not anticipated the true nature of their seemingly inconspicuous vessel—a surveillance ship from Ardel cleverly disguised as a humble fishing boat.

"This is dangerous!" exclaimed the captain with alarming concern. "With the number of fleets we see, they are undoubtedly preparing for an all-out war at the islands! Somehow, they must have discovered our troops’ conquest!"

Anxious and seeking guidance, the crew questioned, "What should we do?"

Without hesitation, the captain replied, determination in his voice, "We must immediately send an alert to His Majesty King Ronan! He has to be made aware of this imminent threat!"

One of the crew members raised a valid point, "Should we also notify His Majesty, the King of Barges?"

The captain paused, contemplating the situation.

"Considering the numbers of the warships, it is highly likely that the Cassians outnumber the current mercenaries and hired pirates currently stationed on the island," he reasoned. "The Bargesians should be alerted to the impending danger and send their reinforcements as well."

Understanding the captain’s concern, the crew asserted, "Then, I will go and prepare the messenger pigeons immediately to deliver the news!"

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.