The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 327: The Surge Of The Dormant Prowess

Chapter 327: The Surge Of The Dormant Prowess

An air of alarm permeated the castle as the king’s aide burst into the throne hall, his hand tightly clutching a small note that had just arrived.

He hurriedly made his way towards the king and bowed deeply in a show of respect before him, but his expression was grave, revealing the imperative situation.

"Your Majesty, there is an urgent message from our surveillance team," the aide informed, his voice laced with concern. "Several fleets of the Cassian army have been sighted, making their way towards Agathe Islands!"

"What?"

King Ronan’s booming voice echoed through the hall. He swiftly descended from his throne on the dais, approaching the aide hastily.

The aide extended the small note to the king, who grabbed it without hesitation. His eyes scanned the written lines, absorbing the information.

"D*mn it!" King Ronan cursed, his features darkening. He fixed his piercing gaze on the aide and asked, "When did you receive this information? When did they know?"

"The note has just arrived, and according to its contents, the surveillance boat is currently in the waters of Galicia, nearing the Agathe Islands," the aide explained. "Since it was delivered by a messenger pigeon, I estimate the travel time to be two to three days."

"The same message has been sent to Barges as it stated here," King Ronan muttered, his voice filled with concern. "It will take at least another day or two for it to reach Dago, their capital."

Turning his attention back to his aide, the king inquired, "Any news from Lord Morro and his men?"

The aide shook his head in response, indicating a lack of news.

"Since the Cassians have already mobilised their armies, it likely means that they..." the aide paused, leaving the statement unfinished.

"Foolish Brone!" King Ronan’s frustration surged forth. "He couldn’t even accomplish such a simple task! If the plan to recreate the serum had been successful, we would have gained immense profits! Thankfully, I didn’t solely rely on him and collaborated with the King of Barges to occupy the islands. We had just begun reaping the benefits of our occupation, and now the Cassians are meddling! D*mn those northerners!"

"The Agathe Islands are divided into two parts, with the larger one belonging to the Cassians and the smaller one in Galicia’s possession," the aide interjected. "Our mercenaries and pirates must have inadvertently breached the northerners’ territory instead of focusing on the actual plan to conquer the smaller island. What should be our next action, Your Majesty?"

King Ronan studied the note once more, noting the estimated size of the Cassian troops, which ranged from four to five thousand based on the number of their fleets.

Determination filled his voice as he responded, "Gather our troops and double our forces! We must send reinforcements to the islands! It’s time to claim all of the islands for ourselves!"

The aide voiced a concern, "But that would mean engaging in an all-out war with the Cassians! The Galicians will likely side with them, considering we have conquered their island."

"What is there to fear? Galicia is the smallest kingdom on the continent and has the fewest occupants. Even if they join forces with the northerners, it won’t make a huge difference in terms of sheer numbers! Besides, we have the armies of Barges in alliance with us. Their king will surely send reinforcements as well!"

"But the northerners... They are known as the ’Guardians of the blessed land,’" the aide hesitated.

"Enough! That title is a relic of the past! Times have changed, and Ardel will be in power! Now, go and make the necessary arrangements!"

"Your Majesty, I understand your command. However, this will be our first encounter with the northerners since the Great War. We are well aware of their formidable reputation. Furthermore, it will take time for the Bargesians’ support to arrive since they are situated further south. Shouldn’t we wait for them and combined forces before proceeding?" suggested the aid.

"The Cassians are already en route, and you suggest we wait?! I have invested significantly in this collaborated occupancy and stand to lose everything if our stationed armies are defeated there, you f*ol!" sneered the king.

"But, Your Majesty, they possess a strong military force! While we may outnumber them in troops, our soldiers will be demoralised upon learning this. We need something to bolster our confidence."

"Fine! I shall personally lead my armies!" declared King Ronan, his fist clenched tightly. "I will not retreat and allow my possessions to be taken away from me!"

Blinded by his greed, the king remained resolute in his decision, oblivious to the impending consequences that awaited him.

***

The majestic palace basked in the morning sunlight, its walls adorned with creeping ivy, casting an air of mystery.

A messenger pigeon gracefully descended, landing on the windowsill. With a swift movement, it hopped onto the desk positioned near the open window.

A hand marked by bulging veins gently received the bird and carefully untied the small note attached to its leg.

Adjacent to the desk, a cage awaited the pigeon’s arrival, its door ajar. Inside, a bowl of water and nuts was provided, and the hungry bird wasted no time going in, quenching its thirst and satisfying its hunger.

A smile graced the face of the man, his muscular physique radiating strength. Standing behind him, a lean figure observed attentively.

The intimidating man turned his attention to the note in his hand. Its contents sparked intrigue within him.

"Well... well... Finally, they have made their move... just as I anticipated," he murmured, a wicked grin stretching across his face.

"Is everything proceeding as planned, Your Majesty?" inquired the advisor.

The king nodded confidently.

"Without a doubt. Has Ardel initiated any movements?" he inquired.

"Our intelligence reports indicate that a massive troop gathering has been ordered," replied the advisor.

"It appears they are advancing without delay, heedless of our presence. The carefully placed gold within the Agathe Islands has indeed ensnared the King of Ardel, clouding his judgment with insatiable greed. We owe our thanks to Brone for providing valuable insights into the king’s character," the king remarked delightedly. "Any news from him thus far?"

"No, Your Majesty. We have not received any updates since his departure to the northern lands. Not even from Mr Derek Hayes," responded the advisor.

"Hmm... It is unfortunate to lose such talented individuals, but great causes demand great sacrifices. If, by any unfortunate circumstance, they were to fall into the hands of our enemies, we shall pay solemn tribute to their invaluable contributions by erecting monuments for them. That shall be sufficient."

"Shall we mobilise our troops immediately, Your Majesty?" inquired the advisor, returning to the main point of discussion.

The king paused, contemplating the question.

"Have we completed all necessary preparations?" he asked, seeking reassurance.

"Yes. Our men are ready and awaiting your next command. However, if you wish to unleash the Laradie plague as a strategic move..." the advisor’s voice trailed off abruptly when the king raised his hand, halting the suggestion.

"We shall reserve that as our final card and must not risk compromising our forces at this stage. The outcome of the testing done by Derek is also not known yet, although he was quite confident in it. On the other hand, the number of serums produced is limited due to time constraints and resource availability."

"Considering our ongoing progress, should we halt the production of the distributed drug based on the formula obtained from the kidnapped professors?" inquired the advisor.

"No. Keep continuing," replied the king firmly. "I foresaw the looming possibility of a second Great War, and we must remain prepared. Furthermore, we have yet to acquire the pure serum formula, and there is a chance that Brone is still out there procuring it. Securing everlasting immunity against the plague will undoubtedly ensure our triumph."

The advisor sought further clarification.

"Then, what are your orders, Your Majesty?"

"We shall march towards Constance," declared the king. "They will assume we are dispatching reinforcements to Agathe Islands, thus opening their borders to us."

The advisor then expressed an opinion.

"Won’t this raise suspicion? We can travel directly to the islands from our port."

"Embarking directly from our port would lengthen the voyage as it is located further south. By crossing Ardel and reaching their port, we can expedite our arrival to the islands. This logistical advantage shall serve as our cover."

"Indeed, Your Majesty. That is a plausible excuse to pass their patrolling soldiers. Your plan is truly exceptional."

A smile spread across the king’s face as he continued, "Once we have reached Constance, eliminate the futile soldiers of Ardel without mercy. Those who ventured to the Agathe Islands will likely meet their end at the hands of the northerners. This conquest shall be effortless, and their lands shall be ours. The glory of Barges will rise once more! Now, go and proceed as ordered!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! I shall relay your orders to the warlords," said the advisor, bowing his head in respect towards the king.

The advisor was about to make his move when suddenly the king inquired. A thought of an unresolved matter crossed his mind.

"Has she been found yet?" he asked, referring to someone.

Understanding what the king meant, the advisor responded, "No. She has not been located yet so far. We are still searching."

The king’s concern surfaced.

"My concubine still refuses to disclose her whereabouts?" he questioned inquisitively.

"No, Your Majesty," replied the advisor, looking down. "Despite our attempts, she remained silent."

A sense of worry laced on the advisor’s face. A few weeks ago, an escape incident occurred and caused uproar throughout the palace. As of now, the pursuit of the person hadn’t been fruitful.

"Torture her more! Do whatever it takes to find my girl!" the king commanded. "Once we have conquered Ardel, I want our grand ceremony to be held in Engarth, the previous capital of the Ro’an Empire, as a symbol of prosperity. She cannot have fled too far."

"Yes, Your Majesty! We shall spare no effort in locating her," affirmed the advisor dutifully.

***

"Greetings, my lady," the Duchess of Sanad respectfully bowed to Anna.

"Oh, please rise, duchess," the princess warmly responded. "There’s no need for formality."

Today, Anna was delighted to receive a visit from the Duchess of Sanad, who also happened to be Meredith’s future mother-in-law.

The duchess had expressed her intention to visit the princess, fully aware of Anna’s recent bout of illness. It was a kind and considerate gesture, indicating the duchess’s concern for the princess’s well-being.

"Do call me Valerie, my lady."

"How could I? You are one of the esteemed high-ranking nobles in Cassian," Anna remarked.

The duchess smiled graciously.

"And you are a cherished member of the royal family. Though I may not address you with a royal title, your status surpasses mine."

"I’m just a concubine."

"My husband, the Duke of Sanad, shares a bloodline with the king, tracing back to their grandfather’s generation. This makes us distant family. It would be perfectly acceptable to call me by my first name," suggested Valerie.

"In that case, do call me Anna as well."

"Gladly, Anna," the duchess responded happily. "How are you feeling so far? I heard from Meredith that you were unwell the other day. I came to see you immediately after meeting with Her Majesty, the Queen. Please forgive the delay of my visit, as I am currently preoccupied with the preparations for my son’s betrothal ceremony."

Anna smiled. Valerie’s use of Meredith’s first name indicated their closeness, which made her happy.

"I’m perfectly healthy now. I’ve taken enough rest and am feeling much better. Nothing is alarming," said the princess. "Also, I’m glad you prioritised the preparations. I can imagine there’s a lot to do."

"Yes, indeed. I’m grateful for the support I have in ensuring everything runs smoothly," Valerie replied with a nod.

She extended a pristine white envelope containing an invitation card to Anna.

"Speaking of which, Anna, I have an invitation for you. Meredith has spoken fondly of your close bond with her, and she would be delighted if you could attend her betrothal ceremony. She had initially wanted to hand you the invitation personally, but as I’m organising the event on her behalf, it seemed more appropriate for me to extend it to you."

"Oh, thank you, Valerie. I would be delighted to attend," Anna replied with gratitude.

Their casual chat continued as they settled on the settee with the Duchess of Sanad’s gaze fixed upon the princess. Anna’s striking emerald-green eyes captivated her attention.

"Your eye colour is truly unique. I must admit, I have never seen anyone with the same mesmerising shade. I imagine you receive such reactions quite often," the duchess remarked.

"Most of the time, especially from those who see me for the first time." Anna chuckled.

"Perhaps there is someone in your family with the same eye colour?" Valerie inquired curiously.

The princess paused, contemplating the question. Her father, King Adhemar IV and brother, Crown Prince Ryan, both had brown eyes. However, she had never known her mother’s eye colour since she had passed away during labour.

"Not that I know of, so far," Anna replied.

"I did hear rumours about your extraordinary eye colour when I first entered the palace. They claimed it was so different and beautiful that no one had ever seen the like before. Now that I’ve witnessed it firsthand, I can confidently say it was no exaggeration," Valerie expressed sincerely.

"It’s just an eye colour. There’s nothing particularly special about it," Anna modestly remarked.

"I think it’s quite special. Some people do describe it as similar to His Imperial Majesty, The Great Khasif. Of course, he lived a hundred years ago, so no one knows what he looked like. There’s no portrait of him, just some descriptions in the old tome of parchments that were saved after the Great War," the duchess shared.

"I have limited knowledge about him, mostly from what the Cassians have told me since I arrived in this kingdom. It seems like everyone holds him in great respect," Anna continued.

"Oh, yes, we certainly do. He was the first Ro’an Emperor, the most powerful of all, and a renowned seafarer. The Great Khasif was the one who united the entire continent and formed the empire," Valerie explained.

Anna’s expression turned saddened as she reflected on the history of the fallen empire.

"The empire would have thrived to this day if not for the betrayal," she sighed. "It could have been a great and prosperous era where everyone would live happily."

Sensing Anna’s emotional heartfelt to the empire’s history, Valerie tried to console her.

"It’s all in the past now. Let’s look on the bright side. If the empire hadn’t fallen, Cassian might never have come into existence. This kingdom holds a special place in our hearts."

Anna managed a smile, appreciating the duchess’ words.

"If only I possessed the power of His Majesty, the Great Khasif, I too would unite the continent and alleviate all suffering, no matter where it existed. Unfortunately, all I have in common with him is the same eye colour, or so people say. We don’t even know if it’s truly the same."

Valerie laughed gently.

"You are surely full of compassion, just as Meredith described. No wonder His Highness the Grand Duke loves you so much!" Valerie remarked, causing Anna to blush.

The two continued their light conversation, indulging in pleasant topics and getting to know each other better. Their bond grew stronger as they shared stories, laughter, and anticipation of the upcoming betrothal ceremony.

***

At the same time, in the vast expanse of the blue sea, an unexpected occurrence suddenly happened.

"Argh!" A small grunt escaped from Kyren’s mouth, catching the attention of Adam, who turned to look at the grand duke.

The grand duke stared down at his trembling hands, feeling some internal struggle. Out of the blue, he felt a strong surge of current flowing from within him, unlike anything he had experienced before.

"What’s the matter, Your Highness?" Adam asked, concerned about the grand duke’s state.

Surprisingly, the pain Kyren had felt a moment ago vanished, as if something else had intervened and eliminated it. His hands were no longer trembling.

"I don’t know," Kyren replied, perplexed, as he furrowed his brow. "It felt like a flow of magic."

"What? How is that possible? We’re in the middle of the sea, and there’s no one here but us. Are you certain you detected the presence of magic nearby?" asked the admiral, who was aware of the grand duke’s unique ability.

Kyren shook his head, his confusion evident.

"It’s different this time. It felt like it was coming from within me. Something wanted to emerge. But that’s impossible! I don’t possess any magic."

"That’s strange. Are you sure you’re feeling all right?" Adam inquired, worry lacing his voice.

"Perhaps I just need some rest," Kyren suggested. "We’ve been out at sea for days, constantly scanning the horizon. Fatigue may be playing tricks on my mind. I’ll go inside and take a nap."

"Of course, Your Highness. Take your time. If there’s anything I should know, please inform me," replied Adam.

Kyren acknowledged the admiral with a nod and left the deck.

Little did he know that an extraordinary and unforeseen event would soon disrupt the tranquillity of his life.