The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 333: A Resurfacing Trauma

Chapter 333: A Resurfacing Trauma

Elis walked down the path, her hands carefully clutching the parcels wrapped in protective coverings. Within them lay the exquisite custom-made dresses that Callis had booked. The carriage awaited a short distance away, in a designated parking bay, and Elis was walking towards it.

Having instructed the carriage driver to remain by the carriage, Elis chose to venture alone to the boutique. Unfamiliar with him, she felt more at ease without his presence by her side.

Elis’s appearance had transformed. No longer dressed in a maid’s outfit, she donned a new tailored dress, specially crafted as Callis had requested.

Madam Carson and her skilled workers had insisted that she try on the dress during the fitting. Its perfect fit had impressed them so much that they persuaded her to wear it for the rest of the day. Not wanting to prolong the visit or engage in a debate, Elis graciously acquiesced.

Mindful of keeping her new pristine dress, Elis took deliberate, measured steps. The rhythmic clacking of her shoes resonated on the cobblestone path as she walked towards the carriage parking bay.

However, just as she turned a corner, a momentary misstep made her almost lose her balance. Unfortunately, one of the parcels slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground.

"Oh, dear!"

Elis swiftly bent down to retrieve the fallen parcel. Her heart raced, fearing that it would be damaged. She lifted it carefully and inspected it with bated breath.

Luckily, it hadn’t suffered any significant damage, only a slight smudge. Relieved, she clutched the parcel tightly and held it together with the rest. Walking a short distance, Elis stopped at a bench, where she gingerly placed the parcels.

Taking out her handkerchief, she focused on the soiled parcel, her slender fingers delicately wiping away the dirt to restore its pristine condition. Lost in her task, the maid was startled when a hoarse voice called out to her from behind.

"Well... well... well... My eyes surely didn’t lie to me. It is undoubtedly our beautiful Elisabeth!"

Her heart skipped a beat as the familiar voice reached her ears. Her busy hands froze, and her previously composed face contorted into a horror mask. Tremors coursed through her trembling fingers.

She was certain that the voice belonged to the same menacing man she had managed to escape from when the Grand Duke of Gerhard and his knights had come to her rescue. She couldn’t believe her ears as she heard the same voice again.

With trepidation, the maid turned slowly to confirm her suspicions.

’Thud!’

The parcel slipped from her grasp, and the handkerchief fluttered to the ground as her eyes met the sight of the man before her, accompanied by his comrades. Elis felt as if her soul had departed her body, leaving her with an overwhelming sense of dread.

"When you came out of the boutique, I couldn’t help but notice your familiar face, though, in a totally different outfit from when we used to see you. So, my men and I trailed you, and guess what... it is you!" said the man.

"Wow... you look so gorgeous wearing such a beautiful dress! Almost like a noble lady now! Although, I must say, without wearing any dress, you would be even more alluring," another man chimed in, his eyes twinkling as he giggled.

The rest of the men joined in laughter. The atmosphere grew increasingly unsettling as the first man spoke again, his tone laced with a sinister undertone.

"Don’t you miss us, Elisabeth? After you left, the Count’s mansion became so dull. The other slaves couldn’t provide the same satisfaction as you did," he said, a wicked smile on his face accompanied by a predatory gaze.

Elis’s lips quivered in fear as the man approached her, his strides covering the distance with alarming speed. Petrified, she managed to utter his name in a trembling voice.

"I... Ivar!"

Ivar’s smile widened, revealing a glimpse of his true nature. Clad in an elegant suit adorned with an insignia on his surcoat, he exuded an air of authority. The other men, similarly dressed, closed in around him.

"I thought you had forgotten about me," Ivar said, his voice dripping with a mix of amusement and malice. "But deep down, I knew you wouldn’t forget your first... man."

"Oh, she surely wouldn’t. If it weren’t for the Count’s peculiar preference for chubbier slaves, you wouldn’t have the first taste of her. We were thankful that you were so nice to share her with us," said one of the men to Ivar as he gave a derogatory look at the maid.

Elis’s entire body shook uncontrollably, her fear palpable. Ivar’s comrades drew nearer, their presence intensifying the sense of impending danger.

"You... you... Get away from me!" the maid yelled.

She took a step back; it felt so heavy as she dragged her leg to move. Her face was as white as the corpse.

"Oh, come on, Elisabeth! Why are you shooing us away? Weren’t we once so intimately close? I can still hear your seductive moans echoing in my mind... D*mn, you’re arousing me all over again! You always had that effect on us," another knight jeered, a lewd grin stretching across his face.

"Yeah! Our moments together were unforgettable, filled with passion," said another.

Elisabeth shook her head vigorously, fighting back her agitation.

"What is going on here?"

A stern voice pierced through the tense atmosphere. Two Cassian patrolling guards made their way to the scene with grave expressions, positioning themselves beside Elisabeth to secure her. Ivar quickly stepped back, his comrades following suit.

"Nothing, we were just greeting an old friend. She was just taken aback by our sudden appearance after such a long time," Ivar replied to the guards, regaining composure.

"Is that true, lady?" one of the patrolling guards asked Elis.

The terrified maid struggled to find her voice.

"It’s true, isn’t it, Elisabeth? Or should we enlighten these officers with vivid descriptions of our past relationship?" Ivar taunted, his voice oozing confidently as he stood defiantly before the patrolling guards.

Elis remained silent, her wide eyes filled with terror as memories of the past flooded her mind. Her lips continued to quiver, but she couldn’t form any words.

Tears began to stream down her cheeks. Suddenly, she felt a familiar, strong arm wrap around her shoulder. Startled, her body jolted, but as she turned to face the person, a wave of relief washed over her.

"K-Kiev!"

That was the only word she could utter. Her tense body weakened in his embrace. The Mederian Prince held her petite frame tightly yet with gentle care to avoid causing any harm.

Kiev’s hand caressed the back of Elisabeth’s head, guiding it to rest against his broad chest. The maid embraced him without hesitation, seeking protection in his comforting hug. Her tears flowed freely, releasing the pent-up emotions within her.

The surprising sight of the ethereal figure holding the maid left Ivar and his knights dumbfounded. The stranger possessed an angelic aura, with long, silky white hair cascading down his shoulders and captivating red-ruby eyes that held their gaze. His regal appearance was unmistakable, gaining attention and respect with every glance.

"Who are you?" asked one of the patrolling guards, taken aback by the newcomer.

The Mederian Prince moved with such swiftness and grace that not even a whisper accompanied his approach. His charming countenance only added to the astonishment of those present.

"I’m her husband!" Kiev responded without a moment’s hesitation, causing Ivar and his knights to be taken by surprise again.

The Mederian Prince’s gaze shifted to the group of knights before him. As his eyes landed on them, they widened, sharpening with recognition.

He had seen these men before, glimpses of their faces embedded in Elis’s dark memories he peeked when he healed her injured hand from the broken glass. His expression contorted as he identified them.

At that moment, another figure rushed onto the scene, instantly capturing the group’s attention. Running Rafe finally stopped, gasping for breath as he bowed, his hands resting on his knees.

"Who is this now?" inquired one of the patrolling guards upon seeing the healer.

The other guard leaned to the side, trying to get a better view of the man.

Just as Rafe lifted his flushed face from his exertion, the guard exclaimed, "Why... I know him! It’s Mr Rafe Amares, the healer of Gerhard!"

Rafe took a few more deep breaths before responding. He raised a trembling finger and managed to utter amidst his heavy breathing, "That’s right! I’m Rafe Amares!"

"What did you do to her?!" Kiev yelled at the knights, his rage palpable as he held Elis in his arms.

Caught off guard by the sudden outburst, Ivar countered, "Nothing! Elisabeth is our dear friend! We were simply greeting her!"

"Lies! I’ll kill you!" Kiev’s voice boomed with anger.

Fearing the situation would escalate to a more dangerous situation, Rafe hurriedly stepped in front of Kiev, pleading, "Wait! No, Kiev! Please!"

"You’re defending them?" The Mederian Prince narrowed his eyes, casting a scornful gaze at the healer.

Rafe’s mind raced, searching for a way to defuse the situation. Then, an idea struck him as he noticed how desperately Elis clung to Kiev.

"Elis needs you! Please!" he implored, hoping to appeal to the Mederian Prince’s concern for his soulmate.

Kiev glanced down at the weeping maid in his arms, his heart wrenching at the scene. The anger that had consumed him transformed into bitterness and sorrow as he witnessed Elis’s vulnerable state.

"Please, calm down first. Eyes are watching!" Rafe warned through gritted teeth, reminding Kiev of the patrolling guards present at the scene.

The Mederian Prince remained silent, his lips tightly sealed. His gaze fixed on Elis, and his hand gently stroked her back in an attempt to soothe her. The maid continued to cry, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"Can you tell us what exactly is going on? We asked this lady, but she didn’t answer and only cried," inquired one of the patrolling guards.

"Can’t you see she’s scared?! They must have done something to her! Arrest them!" Kiev exclaimed, his voice filled with anguish.

"We didn’t! Do you have any proof to support your accusation? Is there a witness who can confirm it?" Ivar challenged, his tone defiant.

The Mederian Prince bit his lower lip.

"We were here before you, Sir, and we can testify that these men didn’t touch her. We only saw her standing, looking shocked, so we approached. We didn’t see anyone else who could prove that they did something to her, and we couldn’t extract any details from her either. It is wrong to arrest anyone on baseless accusations," stated the other patrolling guard, supporting Ivar’s claim.

As the tension lingered, Rafe turned to face the group of men who had threatened Elis. His gaze fell upon their faces and then shifted downward to the insignia on their surcoats.

Furrowing his brow, he took a moment to recall where he had seen them before. Suddenly, the memory rushed back to him.

"You’re the Knights of Abinair! The Count of Abinair’s men!" the healer exclaimed, recognising their affiliation.

Ivar’s grin widened.

"Yes, that’s right! And you are..." he trailed off, his eyes scanning Rafe’s figure. Recognition dawned upon him as he noticed the familiar insignia on the healer’s surcoat.

"You’re the grand duke’s man!" Ivar exclaimed, acknowledging the Griffin insignia on Rafe’s attire.

"Yes. We’ve met before... during the Count of Abinair’s birthday party," Rafe confirmed.

He was sure by now that the man before him was the knight who had kicked Elis that night and was subsequently reprimanded by the Count during the banquet.

"Hmm, see? We’re acquainted!" Ivar told the patrolling guards.

"So, you know each other," the guard remarked, taking note of their familiarity.

"What are you doing here?" Rafe inquired with curiosity.

"Don’t you remember that your grand duke has a business collaboration with our count? Thanks to that, my lord has established a new business and opened a few shops here in the plaza. We’re here to ensure the goods are delivered safely. The first batch of sales during the mid-autumn festival was great," Ivar explained. "We even invited your grand duke for the opening, but he was too busy to attend."

"It’s ’His Highness the Grand Duke’, if I may correct you," Rafe interjected firmly.

"Tskk... it’s just a title!" Ivar dismissed the correction nonchalantly.

"You’re in Cassian now, so please show respect and address him formally," the healer warned sternly.

The two patrolling guards also grew displeased with Ivar’s casual response, their faces showing disapproval.

"Fine. Please accept my sincere apology and convey my gratitude to His Highness, the Grand Duke. My lord is delighted with the success of our business venture. He hopes to have the opportunity to meet him soon and discuss further opportunities," Ivar continued, his tone more respectful this time.

"I’m afraid that will have to wait as my lord is currently preoccupied with other matters. Please write an official letter to the duchy for any further correspondence," Rafe replied, maintaining a composed demeanour.

"Right... I will definitely relay the message to my lord. It’s a pleasant surprise to see you and Elisabeth here in Gantz. And I must say, it’s quite unexpected to learn that she has gotten married so quickly to this handsome gentleman," Ivar remarked, casting a glance at Kiev.

"What?" Rafe blinked in confusion, caught off guard by the remark.

"Yes, that’s what your friend here told us. He claimed to be Elisabeth’s husband. Is that not true?" Ivar questioned, raising an eyebrow.

The healer turned to Kiev, disbelief in his eyes. He hadn’t anticipated the Mederian Prince to continue the charade they had started back in Rivendelle.

"I am her husband!" Kiev declared determinedly.

Understanding that the Mederian Prince made the statement to protect the maid, Rafe quickly responded, "Ah... Yes. He is right."

"Well... Elisabeth certainly wastes no time finding a reliable man for herself. She truly possesses a remarkable talent in that regard," Ivar commented with a disparaging smirk.

"You!" Kiev gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with contempt as he glared at Ivar.

"I believe there is nothing more to discuss here. We have exchanged pleasantries, and my men and I have other matters to attend to. If you excuse us, we would like to take our leave," Ivar stated, deciding to leave the scene since there were men around Elis, disturbing his initial intention to pester her.

"Just like that?! After scaring my wife??" Kiev shouted, his anger rising.

"As I mentioned before, we did nothing to her. Therefore, you have no grounds to hold us in custody," Ivar replied calmly.

"What this gentleman said is correct, Sir. Unless the lady wishes to file a complaint, we cannot proceed with any further action," one of the patrolling guards explained to Kiev.

"Go ahead if she wants to. I would be more than willing to cooperate and provide a detailed account, including our past relationship. Would you like me to, Elisabeth?" Ivar offered, his tone laced with insincere concern.

Elis’s crying intensified, and she buried her face in Kiev’s chest. Recognising the true reason behind her distress and fear, the Mederian Prince knew he couldn’t push the situation further. Revealing her dark past to the public was something he couldn’t allow.

Understanding the same, Rafe swiftly responded, "There is no need for that. You may go."

The Knights of Abinair nodded respectfully and departed, followed by the patrolling guards, leaving only Rafe, Kiev, and the distraught Elis.

The healer approached the maid cautiously, concern evident in his eyes.

"Are you all right, Miss Canton?" he asked gently.

However, in a sudden and unexpected outburst, Elis shouted at him in fear, "Get away from me! Get away!"

Her gaze conveyed a complete lack of recognition, as if she didn’t know him at all.

Rafe was taken aback by her reaction.

"Miss Canton, please don’t be afraid. It’s me, Rafe Amares," he reassured her in a soft and soothing tone.

"No! No! No other man! No! Please, no! Save me, Kiev! Take me away! Take me away from them!" Elis pleaded desperately, gripping Kiev tightly, seeking refuge in him.

The Mederian Prince too, was shocked by the maid’s behaviour, but he remained calm.

"It’s all right, Elis. I’m right here! I’ll take care of you."

He comforted her, holding her close as she continued to cry on his chest.

Rafe realised that her behaviour was seriously alarming.

"Something’s not right. I believe she’s traumatised. We need to get her to safety," he suggested.

"I agree. Let’s return to the palace," Kiev proposed.

Rafe shook his head, considering the situation.

"No, the palace has too many people, and she cannot be seen in this state. Let’s bring her to the mansion instead. Fewer people are there, and I can provide better care for her. We have a dedicated treatment room in the mansion, and my assistant is also there," he explained, weighing the options.

"Then, let’s go," Kiev agreed, understanding the need for a more secluded and controlled environment.

"All right. Let me gather all these parcels and inform the carriage driver to send a message to Callis and Her Highness Princess Anna, telling them to proceed straight to the mansion without waiting for us," Rafe suggested.

"That’s a good idea. Also..." Kiev paused for a moment, contemplating the situation. "Let’s keep Elis’s condition from their knowledge... at least until we reach the mansion," he said.

Rafe nodded in agreement.

"Understood. I will handle it accordingly."