The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 334: The Convergence At The Mansion

Chapter 334: The Convergence At The Mansion

Anna’s entourage arrived at the mansion, where Anryr, Rosalie, and the servants eagerly gathered at the main entrance to welcome back their lady and the knights.

"Welcome home, my lady," greeted the steward warmly as soon as Anna descended from the carriage.

Rosalie and the other servants bowed respectfully in her presence. The knights dismounted their horses, and the stablemen quickly took charge, leading the horses to the stable.

"Thank you, Anryr. It’s been a while. How have you and Rosalie been?" Anna reciprocated the greetings.

"We are both well, my lady," the steward replied with a respectful nod. He, too, extended his courtesy to Eric and the other knights.

"How has the mansion been faring? Is everything running smoothly?" inquired the second-in-command knight, seeking an update on the mansion’s affairs.

"Yes, Sir Navin. As you already know, our most recent event was the visit from Their Graces, the Duke and Duchess of Sanad. Apart from that, it has been a routine," Anryr informed, providing a brief overview of the activities.

"Her Highness Princess Callis and her nanny should’ve departed by now and soon to arrive. Have you made the necessary preparations for their stay?" asked Eric.

"Yes. As soon as I received your message about the Mederian Royal siblings’ temporary stay, I made all the arrangements. However, if I may ask, what is the occasion for their visit?" Anryr inquired.

The steward and the mansion’s servants remained oblivious to Anna’s training and the reason for Kiev and Callis’s presence to monitor her.

"That... I’ll tell you a bit later," Eric responded, signalling the princess to maintain the secrecy for now. She nodded in understanding.

Anna smiled and changed the subject, trying to lighten the mood.

"Well, now that the knights and I are here, you’ll be busy again. I hope you enjoyed your peace and quiet," she said to the steward.

Anryr replied dutifully, understanding his role, "You are never a bother to me, my lady. It’s my job to serve you all."

"By the way, did Rafe and Prince Kiev return before us? He sent me a message saying they would head straight here without joining my entourage," Anna inquired curiously.

A flicker of concern crossed Anryr’s expression, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Yes, they have already arrived. They came just before you did," he confirmed.

"I thought we would return together. I wonder why Rafe changed the plan abruptly," the princess mused aloud. "Never mind... I’ll go and ask him myself."

"About that, my lady..." Anryr paused, choosing his words carefully. "Mr Amares has requested everyone not to see him for now. He is currently attending to someone who requires his attention."

"Oh, who is it? Did someone get sick?" Anna asked with concern.

"Well... it’s Miss Canton..." the steward replied, his tone reflecting worry.

"Miss Canton is unwell? What happened?" Garin, standing behind, stepped forward upon hearing the news about Elis.

"I’m not entirely sure."

Anryr frowned, his thoughts recounting the arrival of Rafe, Kiev and Elis at the mansion.

Both men had ridden on their horses, but to his surprise, the maid was being carried in the arms of the Mederian Prince. She appeared pale and scared. Her eyes were red and swollen, and her trembling was palpable.

"Anyway, Mr Amares is attending to her in the treatment room accompanied by His Highness Prince Kiev. Only the three of them are there," Anryr informed the group.

Curiosity piqued among Eric and the other knights, but Garin’s concern for Elis took precedence.

"I should go take a look! She is not comfortable being confined with men," he expressed, his worry for Elis reflecting in his voice.

Aware of the maid’s history and how uncomfortable she felt around men, Garin wished to ensure her safety.

"But, Sir Skyler, Mr. Amares explicitly warned us that no one should enter the treatment room!" Anryr cautioned, trying to dissuade him.

Garin’s expression darkened, his worry intensifying. He feared that something serious might be happening to Elis.

"That’s even more reason for me to go! Please excuse me, my lady!" he responded, determined to check on her.

The knight ignored the steward’s protests and turned towards the treatment room.

"Sir Skyler, wait!" Anryr called out, attempting to halt him, but Eric swiftly intervened.

"Let him be. The more we try to stop him, the more anxious he’ll become. You know how close he is to Miss Canton," Eric reasoned.

"But Mr. Amares would be angry..." Anryr hesitated, worried about the consequences.

"Rafael will handle him. Trust me, Sir Skyler won’t defy our healer. Let Rafael address the matter himself," Eric assured the steward, confident in Rafe’s authority as once a royal healer.

Reluctantly, Anryr relented, acknowledging the second-in-command knight’s wisdom.

"Is Elis going to be all right? Her condition isn’t serious, is it?" Anna inquired with concern.

"Please don’t worry, my lady. Rafael is a skilled healer, and we’ll receive an update from him later. Rest assured, Miss Canton will recover soon," Eric said.

"I truly hope she gets better," Anna expressed sincerely, her thoughts filled with good wishes for Elis’s speedy recovery.

"She will. I’m sure nothing is alarming. For now, please head up to your suite to rest. Tonight is the betrothal ceremony of Sir Jarr and Lady Grey. Let’s maintain a joyful atmosphere for the celebratory occasion. Furthermore, it would be best if you were also ready for our activity tomorrow," Eric assured Anna.

His words instilled confidence and dissipated her worries. The anticipation of the upcoming celebration and training plan rekindled her excitement.

"You’re right. But first, I want to see Clara. It’s been a while, and I’ve missed her so much. Please excuse me. Rosalie, would you accompany me?" Anna requested, eager to meet her escort.

"Of course, my lady," Rosalie responded, stepping forward and gently taking Anna’s hand as they made their way towards the stairs.

As soon as the princess departed with the chief maid, Eric dismissed the other servants, leaving only Anryr and the knights around him.

"What is going on, Mr. Foster? Your expression suggests that something has happened to Miss Canton. Please enlighten us," Eric inquired, his tone serious.

"I swear, I don’t know. She’s been behaving unusually," Anryr confessed.

"In what way?" Luke asked, curiosity in his voice.

"She screamed when a male servant approached them when they arrived. Also..." Anryr paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts.

He motioned for the knights to draw closer, and his voice dropped to a whisper before continuing, "His Highness Prince Kiev carried her in his arms, and she embraced him in return! Mr. Amares didn’t utter a word and instructed us to keep our distance. He even walked apart from the two of them!"

"What? How dare His Highness do that! Miss Canton is an unmarried woman! He shouldn’t touch her in such a manner!" Eli exclaimed, his indignation clear.

"Absolutely!" Damon chimed in, supporting his fellow knight’s sentiment.

"Hmm... now that I think about it, Rafael arrived with them. Among us, if such an inappropriate act occurred between a man and a woman, he would be the first to respond. But strangely, he allowed His Highness Prince Kiev to carry and tend to Miss Canton in such a way. Something is certainly amiss," Eric said, his thoughts deep in contemplation.

The knights exchanged concerned glances, their minds working to unravel the unusual situation.

Noah remained silent, his attentive ears absorbing the conversation without interjecting. Known for his reserved nature, he preferred to listen and only offer his opinions when necessary, aware that he wasn’t particularly well-liked among the other knights.

Luke broke the silence, curious about Ayden’s whereabouts.

"Where’s Mr. Norman?" he inquired.

"Mr. Amares summoned him upon arrival and instructed him to go directly to the treatment room. However, he didn’t stay inside for long and was told to wait outside. We could hear cries and screams, but we still don’t know what triggered Miss Canton to behave that way," Anryr explained, his voice tinged with confusion.

"Should we go and see what’s happening?" Damon suggested, his concern mirrored in his question.

"No! There must be a reason why Rafael didn’t want anyone to disturb them. Let’s wait for now," Eric decided, asserting his authority.

The knights nodded in agreement with respect to his decision.

***

Inside the treatment room, the anguished cries of Elis reverberated. Her trembling hands clung tightly to Kiev’s surcoat as they sat together on the bed, her slender frame resting in the Mederian Prince’s comforting embrace.

Rafe, standing nearby, attempted to console her.

"Elis, calm down! It’s all right. I’m not going to hurt you. It’s me, Rafe. Try to remember," the healer coaxed gently, his voice carrying a soothing tone.

"No! You’re evil! You’re like them! Like them! Get away from me!" Elis screamed, her fear and distress evident.

The healer took a deep breath and realised that his usual treatment methods wouldn’t work. Her attachment to Kiev was undeniable; she had refused to let go of him since encountering the Knights of Abinair.

"This won’t do. She doesn’t recognise me and sees me as a threat," Rafe said with a sigh, his concern etched on his face.

"Let me treat her with my magic. I’ve done the same before in Rivendelle, and it worked. She should be fine afterwards," offered Kiev.

Rafe nodded, acknowledging the Mederian Prince’s magical abilities. Kiev placed his palm gently on Elis’s head, preparing to cast his magic.

However, the door was forcefully kicked open from outside before they could proceed. Garin stormed in with a furious glare, followed closely by Ayden, who rushed to restrain him.

"I said you can’t go in! Mr. Amares forbade all of us..."

The assistant healer’s words trailed off as he caught sight of Elis in Kiev’s embrace on the bed.

"What the h*ll is this?" Garin shouted, his anger fueled by the assumption that the Mederian Prince was taking advantage of Elis.

As soon as she caught sight of Garin’s intimidating figure, fear surged through her, causing the maid to scream again. Desperately seeking protection, she clung to Kiev’s neck, burying her head against his chest as if seeking refuge. Taken aback by her behaviour, Garin watched on with widened eyes.

"There... there now. It’s just Sir Skyler," Kiev reassured her with a soothing voice, his hand gently rubbing her back in a comforting gesture.

"No! That’s not him! Sir Skyler is kind! He’s one of them! He’s going to do bad things to me! Help me, Kiev! Help me! I’m scared!" Elis wailed, her voice filled with terror and distress.

Garin approached the bed.

"Miss Canton, it’s me, Garin Skyler," he said, his voice controlled now.

"Go away from me, you monster! Go away!" she shrieked, vehemently rejecting his presence.

Confusion clouded the knight’s features as he glanced between Rafe and Kiev alternately. Ayden, standing nearby, was at a loss for words, surprised by Elis’s reaction.

"I believe you all should leave now. She can’t see any other men for the moment. That includes you too, Rafe," Kiev stated firmly.

"But... you’re holding her like that..." Garin argued.

"I can’t let her go! She needs me! So, before things get worse, please leave the room!" Kiev demanded.

"He’s right. Let us leave them," Rafe suggested. Turning to the Mederian Prince, he added, "I entrust her to your care. Please treat her and take care of her for now."

Kiev nodded in acknowledgement, accepting the responsibility placed upon him. Garin hesitated for a moment but ultimately followed the healer’s suggestion. He and Ayden exited the room with the healer, the door closing behind them, leaving only Kiev and Elis inside.

Within a few moments, the torrent of tears subsided, and an air of calm settled over the room. Garin’s anxiety prompted him to voice his concerns.

"What is going on, Rafe?" he questioned, seeking answers.

"She’s traumatised... We encountered the Knights of Abinair at the plaza," Rafe began with a solemn expression.

"What?" Garin exclaimed in surprise.

Rafe proceeded to recount the details, explaining the events that had occurred. Listening intently, Ayden struggled to comprehend the reason behind Elis’s deep-seated fear.

"Mr. Amares, I don’t fully understand. Why would Miss Canton be so afraid of them?" he asked.

Rafe sighed, his worry apparent.

"Ayden... I had considered not telling you this, as it involves her dignity..." he began, his voice filled with hesitation.

"Oh, please, Mr. Amares! I’m your assistant! I may be someone who nags and talks a lot, but I know when to keep my mouth shut. Please don’t keep me in the dark. It seems even Sir Skyler knows something about her," Ayden interjected, urging the healer to share the information.

Rafe turned his eyes to Garin, seeking his approval. The knight gave a silent nod, granting permission to disclose the truth.

"Miss Canton was a slave of the Count of Abinair in Dracor. During the campaign, His Highness, the knights, and I went to the county due to a dispute on some matters. Through negotiations, His Highness managed to secure her freedom with the other slave women by forming a business collaboration with the count," the healer explained.

"Oh, my God!" Ayden exclaimed. "I always had suspicions about her as she seemed unusually anxious and guarded around men. I also felt weird when I found out she was appointed a maid by your recommendation," he said to Garin.

"We had sent her back to her hometown, Glandon, in Dracor. But one day, she appeared at Gerhard’s castle, battered and bruised. She had nowhere else to go, and I once promised she could come to me if she ever needed assistance starting over. That’s why I helped her. And in turn, she aided me and Sir Brooks in attending to Dame Verns during our journey from the duchy to here," Garin added.

"I see... Oh, how regretful that such things happened to her," Ayden said, his voice filled with solemn.

He couldn’t help but feel sorry for Elis. She was a kind woman who had contributed to saving Clara, his beloved, during her time of need.

"You know that slavewomen in Dracor are subjected to unimaginable cruelty. They endure not only hard labour but also the unspeakable desires of men. I believe the Knights of Abinair had abused her physically and... s*xually. That’s why her trauma resurfaced upon encountering them," Rafe shared with a bitter tone.

"D*mn those filthy men! If I ever got my hands on them..."

Ayden bit his lip. His anger seeped through his expression, his desire for vengeance burning within him.

"Forget it, Ayden!" Rafe interjected. "His Highness has a collaboration with the count, so we can’t take direct action against him and his men."

"Why didn’t His Highness just eliminate them all? It’s not fair for her!" Ayden exclaimed in frustration.

"It’s not just unfair to her, but also to the other slave women who had suffered. However, that was the best solution His Highness could devise without instigating a war. He is more than capable of taking action against them, but certain circumstances prevent us from acting according to our will. His Highness had to consider the best interests of our kingdom," Garin explained, his voice tinged with regret.

Ayden clenched his fist, dissatisfied with the explanation, even though he knew the knight was right.

Looking at Ayden, Garin voiced his thoughts, "I feel sorry for her, too. Any woman doesn’t deserve such treatment. That’s why I did my best to help her start a new life. I witnessed many positive changes in her, and she seemed genuinely happier in Cassian. I never anticipated that her past would come back to haunt her."

"Don’t worry. Kiev is using his magic to heal her. She will recover soon," Rafe assured them.

"You’re addressing His Highness Prince Kiev rather casually now," the knight remarked.

"He’s my brother-in-law. I’m allowed to," the healer replied.

"Ah, right! You married his sister. Sir Navin mentioned she’s on her way with her nanny," Garin recalled.

Rafe nodded at the shared information, acknowledging it.

Curiosity piqued, Ayden suddenly asked, "How did Miss Canton become so close to His Highness Prince Kiev? It surprised me to see her clinging to him like that. Despite her trauma, she still knows him and seems to trust only him. She doesn’t even recognise the rest of us,"

Rafe carefully chose his words, keeping the dramatic events in Rivendelle a secret.

"She serves my wife by the order of His Highness the Grand Duke, remember? Due to that, they have become acquainted and have grown accustomed to each other’s presence."

"Still, it’s quite peculiar for a traumatised woman to hold a man so intimately. They’ve only recently met, yet they appear incredibly close. She even addresses him by his first name," Ayden remarked, finding the situation perplexing.

"Miss Canton is experiencing symptoms of trauma. She’s not herself, which may explain why she addresses him in such a way. She had a similar incident at Rivendelle, and Kiev cured her with his magic. Perhaps the effects of the previous healing still linger, leading her to see him as her saviour," Rafe clarified.

"She had the same symptoms before? How did that happen? And why?" Garin inquired.

"It was not as severe as this time. I’m not sure why it occurred suddenly, but thankfully, he healed her. So, we must trust Kiev’s abilities and let him treat her," Rafe stated.

"I don’t feel entirely comfortable allowing him to hold her so closely," Garin expressed his reservations.

"There’s no other choice. It’s the only way for now. Please trust him," Rafe urged, hoping to assuage Garin’s concerns.

"Fine. But I will remain here," the knight asserted, determined to keep a watchful eye.

"Me too!" Ayden chimed in, showing his support.

Rafe nodded, acknowledging their determination, and together, they waited for the outcome.

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