The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 329: Presenting The Report To His Majesty

Chapter 329: Presenting The Report To His Majesty

"How are things going? Did everything go well? Has Prince Kiev accepted you wholeheartedly?" King Kyden inquired excitedly to the healer who had come to meet him secretly in his library.

Upon learning of Rafe’s arrival at the palace, the king had summoned him discreetly.

"Not entirely, I’m afraid. He mentioned needing to observe more," the healer replied.

The king’s eyebrow raised in curiosity. "Observe what? What exactly happened?"

Rafe recounted his visit to Rivendelle with Callis, Kiev, and Elis. As he finished, the king burst into laughter.

"Your brother-in-law is quite the amusing character. He acted supportively in front of your family, even discussing the dowry and sponsoring a banquet, but then he told you he needed more time to accept the marriage!"

"That’s what he said. Until now, I have been living separately from my wife. He made me promise to wait until he accepts the marriage," Rafe added.

"He did that? So, you’re telling me that you haven’t consummated your marriage yet?" the king widened his eyes in surprise.

Rafe’s cheeks turned red, and his silence confirmed the suspicion.

"How outrageous! It’s as if he’s declaring that he has more authority than me, who officiated your marriage!" the king exclaimed with disbelief and indignation.

"He didn’t mean it that way, Your Majesty. Kiev did it out of concern for Callis. She’s his only sister, and he feels responsible for her," Rafe defended the Mederian Prince.

"Hmm... It seems to me that you’re taking his side now. You even address him by his first name. Do you have some fondness for him?" King Kyden asked teasingly.

"He’s now a part of my family, Your Majesty. He told me I could address him as such. While he may be firm and stubborn in certain ways, he is a good man overall," the healer stated.

"Fine, I’ll let that one slide. I have a brother who shares the same character as him, as you know very well, so I’m accustomed to such personalities. I suppose we have to wait a while to meet our junior Amares," the king relented.

"Junior Amares?" Rafe furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Your child, of course! If you haven’t been intimate with your wife, how could the junior come into existence?" King Kyden teased mischievously.

Rafe cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

"Your Majesty, please... how can you have the same thoughts as Callis!"

"Oh, she thinks wisely and makes sense! She is certainly a wife material," the king remarked, chuckling. "Here’s my advice to you... Just ignore your brother-in-law and go for it. Your wife clearly desires you, and it would be wonderful to have children. It’s about time you started a family. After all, you’re not getting any younger."

"I am a member of the Knighthood of Gerhard. Even though I’m not a knight, I should honour my promise to him," Rafe insisted.

"All right then, it’s your choice in the end," the king conceded, raising his hand dismissively. "Now, are you returning to the mansion for Anna’s training tomorrow after lunch?" the king inquired.

Surprised, the healer asked, "You knew?"

"Of course, I knew! I’m her guardian! Sir Navin reported everything to me after you left for Rivendelle."

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty, for not informing you earlier. I intended to update you upon my return. So, you don’t object to the training?" the healer sought clarification.

"I was initially concerned, but after your friend explained everything, I decided to let him handle it. The Knights of Gerhard and you have spent more time with Anna since she arrived in Cassian. You would understand her behaviour better than me," the king acknowledged.

"That is indeed true," Rafe agreed.

"I could put a stop to everything with my intervention, but that would only make Anna unhappy. My queen mentioned that she hasn’t had much appetite and hasn’t been well lately. She has missed my brother so much, so we need something to distract her attention."

"I noticed the same. I advised her to get a proper blood test, but she refused," said the healer.

"Believe me, being stubborn is one of any woman’s behaviour. There’s no point in forcing her. That’s why I allow her to return to the mansion. I trust that all of you will take good care of and manage her well. Of course, my queen is unaware of this situation. It would create chaos if she were to find out. So, for now, let’s keep it between ourselves," the king suggested.

Rafe felt a wave of relief wash over him.

"Thank goodness. I’m already exhausted from the commotion caused by Kiev. It would be completely overwhelming if Her Majesty the Queen were to discover it as well."

"Prince Kiev knew?" the king inquired.

"I informed him about it when we were in Rivendelle. We just met with Lady Raychard regarding this matter. He thought he could persuade her to abandon the plan, but instead, she reprimanded him. Lady Raychard stated that he has no authority to dictate her actions until the duel is over and he emerges victorious. You should have seen the look on his face!" Rafe recounted with a hint of amusement.

"Hah! Serves him right! Did he back down then?" the king asked with a smirk.

"In a way, yes... He knew of Sir Navin and the other knights’ plan but still insisted on overseeing the training himself to ensure her safety. So, he and Callis will also be coming to Gerhard’s mansion," Rafe explained.

"Let him be. It’s not like he has anything else to occupy his time with right now, apart from waiting for Kyren’s return," the king remarked dismissively.

At that moment, a knock resounded on the door, and with the king’s permission, it creaked open.

Armel entered cautiously, removing his hat and bowing slightly as he approached the king, as per his order.

"You summoned for me, Your Majesty?" the teenager asked.

"Yes. Rafe has informed me of the details of the journey to Rivendelle, but I still want to hear it directly from you," the king replied.

The teenager stood in silence, contemplating.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Did you come across anything suspicious?" the king inquired.

Armel’s fingers tightened around his hat, and he had a hesitant look as he recalled the stern warning from Prince Kiev.

"I... I..." he stumbled over his words.

"You’re stammering. There must be something!" King Kyden pressed.

The teenager swiftly dropped to his knees on the floor.

"Your Majesty! I beg for your protection! His Highness Prince Kiev has warned me. If I ever reveal his secret, he’ll kill me!"

"I knew it! There’s something he’s hiding from us! Rise and tell me everything!" the king demanded.

"Promise me you’ll protect me, Your Majesty! I’m scared of him! He possesses magic and is formidable in combat. And... and..." Armel’s voice trembled.

"Enough of that! You’re my subject! I will surely safeguard you from being harmed by him! Speak up now!" the king urged.

Armel rose to his feet.

"Well... it concerns the incident with Miss Canton vomiting during the banquet..." he began.

"Ah, that incident... Yes, Rafe informed me about it. The Gerhard’s maid, who pretended to be Prince Kiev’s wife, fell ill. What about it?" the king inquired, curious to hear the details.

"I delivered the medicinal concoction later that night as instructed by Mr Amares. After serving it, I was about to leave the room. Then... Miss Canton began thrashing on the bed, clearly caught in her nightmare. His Highness Prince Kiev approached her and used his magic to calm her," Armel explained carefully. He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing.

"We knew about that," said Rafe.

"Yes... But there was more of it... I overheard him whispering to her..." Armel’s voice trailed off, his worry intensifying as he prepared to reveal the secret.

The two men leaned in closer, their interest piqued as they squinted their eyes, eager to hear his following words.

"He said... she was his soulmate... and he won’t let her go!" the teenager finally divulged.

"What?!" both the king and Rafe exclaimed simultaneously in astonishment.

"Why didn’t you inform me about this?" the healer asked.

"How could I when His Highness Prince Kiev was watching my every move throughout the journey? I would have been dead if I had spoken a word then! Besides, everyone warned me not to reveal anything about Miss Canton spending the night with him!" Armel replied, fear lacing his words.

"He did what??" King Kyden turned his gaze towards the healer, his eyes narrowing with anger and shock.

"I can explain, Your Majesty! It’s not what you think!" Rafe interjected quickly, raising both hands in surrender.

"Talk!" the king demanded, his tone firm.

The healer recounted the incident involving Kiev and Elis, including the part that had not previously been revealed to the king. He described how he had discovered Kiev and Elis together in bed the following morning after the initial incident.

"Why didn’t you report this to me from the beginning?" the king questioned sternly.

"I thought it wasn’t that important. Furthermore, it was unrelated to the mission I was given, and I only wish to protect Miss Canton’s honour. Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I couldn’t foresee the consequences," Rafe replied, a hint of regret in his voice.

The king shook his head, frustration crossing his face. Nevertheless, his anger quickly dissipated, as he knew that the healer was acting in the maid’s best interest.

"No wonder Kiev was so insistent on marrying her," Rafe concluded.

"He said he can only take her as his concubine!" the king corrected. "As far as I know, the Mederians consider the bond of soulmates to be special and significant, so they don’t take it lightly. Look at your own case," he added, addressing the healer. "Now, this raises a question... why wouldn’t he let go of Anna if he has already found his soulmate? Doesn’t that strike you as peculiar?"

"Yes, indeed, Your Majesty. But I have no answer. All he said was that Lady Raychard was promised to him," Rafe responded, also curious.

"Then... we can use this secret as a bargaining chip for us to have Anna stay for good," the king said, a smile forming on his lips as an idea crossed his mind.

"What do you mean, Your Majesty? Kiev is determined to have her. Furthermore, if we make a fuss about this matter, he will realise that Armel has revealed the secret to you. That would put him in a precarious position," Rafe cautioned with concern.

"Oh, God! Please no, Your Majesty! He’ll surely kill me!" Armel pleaded, his fear palpable.

"Hush! No one is going to die!" the king exclaimed firmly. He clasped his hands together, tapping his index finger on the back of his other hand as he contemplated.

"Now, where is this Miss Elisabeth Canton? Is she still in service to your wife?" the king inquired, turning his attention to Rafe.

"Only until tomorrow. She has informed us that she intends to quit and leave," Rafe replied.

"This maid is quite audacious. Not only has she rejected a Mederian prince, but she also plans to run away from him. She certainly knows how to play hard to catch. How intriguing!" the king remarked, rubbing his lower lip thoughtfully.

"What is your plan, Your Majesty?" Rafe asked.

He knew the king was about to unveil a strategy from the look on his face.

"I have something in mind. Of course, it comes with some risk, but it’s a gamble I’m willing to take for my brother," the king revealed, a glimmer of determination in his eyes.

"I don’t understand," the healer admitted, exchanging a curious glance with Armel.

"I won’t reveal it just yet. It will be a surprise. But rest assured, I will ensure everyone’s safety. And considering how fiercely protective Prince Kiev is of his soulmate, he will undoubtedly take action," the king said with a smile.

He then turned to Rafe and instructed, "Tomorrow, attend the lunch as per the invitation. Keep this conversation a secret from Prince Kiev and go with the flow."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the healer acknowledged, nodding his understanding.

"What is my next order, Your Majesty?" Armel then inquired.

"You may return to Prince Kiev’s side and continue as usual. Pretend that we never had this meeting. Do not mention the secret again. If you reveal it, it will be at your own risk. Your life’s safety is also in your hands," the king cautioned.

"I understand, Your Majesty! I will never speak of it again," Armel obediently nodded.

"Good. You may all leave," the king dismissed them.

The healer and the teenager bowed respectfully before exiting the room.

Left alone, the king murmured to himself with a grin, "Let’s see whether you are willing to sacrifice your soulmate for Anna, Prince Kiev. I’d love to see what your move would be."