The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 335: A Visit Of The Unexpected

Chapter 335: A Visit Of The Unexpected

"Put on your veil now, Jessy. We are arriving," Callis ordered Jessy as their carriage entered the mansion’s compound, escorted by their guards.

The nanny let out a sigh of exasperation.

"Do I have to, princess?" Jessy questioned, reluctant.

Callis looked at her nanny, understanding the frustration.

"We don’t want Princess Anna to be shocked. Besides, my brother hasn’t given his instructions to reveal yourself to her yet. So, until then, please bear with it," the Mederian Princess persuaded, trying to reason with her nanny.

"Fine... for her sake, I’ll do it," Jessy relented, resigning herself to the situation.

She retrieved her hat and gracefully lowered a black sheer veil from it, covering her face.

As the Mederian Princess and her nanny arrived, they were warmly greeted by the steward and the servants.

"Welcome, Your Highness, to Gerhard’s mansion. It is an honour to serve you again," Anryr greeted them respectfully.

"Thank you, Mr. Foster. It’s Mrs Callis Naver-Amares now, or you can just call me Mrs Amares," Callis replied with a polite smile. "Also, please allow me to introduce my nanny, Jessica Collins."

"Please... do call me Anryr."

He then greeted Jessy, acknowledging her presence. He then turned to Callis with a hint of hesitation.

"Are you sure you want me to address you as Mrs Amares? It’s not that I don’t want to, but you’re someone of high status... a royalty of the Mederian clan," he expressed his concern, feeling uncertain about using a humbler title for her.

Callis chuckled lightly, understanding his hesitation.

"I am married to Gerhard’s healer, Rafe Amares. According to our patriarchal custom, I should follow his title instead of mine. So, please don’t feel hesitant about it. I am very pleased to be addressed as ’Mrs Amares’," she reassured Anryr.

"Very well, then. Let me lead the way, Mrs Amares and Madam Collins," Anryr replied respectfully, guiding them into the mansion.

Armel, who accompanied their journey on the other hand, was welcomed and led by one of the servants to the staff quarters behind the main building.

As the Mederian Princess and the nanny entered the mansion, Jessy couldn’t help but whisper a question to Callis, "Why do I only see male servants here? Don’t they have any female servants or maids?"

"There are only two maids here, and Elis is one of them," Callis explained. From what I know, the Grand Duke dislikes female servants. Rafe once told me that the Grand Duke dismissed the maids and female servants due to an incident. It seemed that one of them attempted to seduce him by entering his suite and going up to his bed."

"That was audacious! How could someone even think of such a thing? Didn’t she have any self-respect?" Jessy exclaimed, surprised by such behaviour.

Callis responded with a wry smile, "Well... His Highness is quite a charmer himself. It’s not surprising that any woman would be attracted to him. Additionally, he holds high status and wealth. Who wouldn’t desire the luxuries that come with being by his side?"

"You wouldn’t! You chose his healer instead," Jessy playfully teased.

Callis couldn’t help but burst into laughter at her nanny’s comment.

"I’m not one of those women. Besides, Rafe is my soulmate. To me, he’s much cuter than the grand duke." She chuckled.

"I wish I could catch a glimpse of His Highness, the Grand Duke, myself. I’ve only heard stories about his charming appearance but never had the chance to meet him in person," Jessy expressed her curiosity.

"Oh, you’ll have the opportunity once he returns from his expedition," Callis assured her.

Their conversation continued as Anryr led them to their assigned bedchambers.

"This is your dedicated chamber, Mrs Amares. The adjacent chamber is for Madam Collins so that she can attend to your needs easily," the steward explained as he opened the door.

"And where is Rafe’s chamber located?" Callis inquired.

"Mr. Amares has his own chamber in the knights’ quarters building. Sir Navin informed me to prepare for your stay here as you are our distinguished guest," Anryr informed her.

"And what about my brother’s?"

"His Highness, Prince Kiev’s bedchamber is on this same level, right at the end. It offers a wonderful view of the front garden," the steward replied.

"I see... and where are Rafe, my brother, and Elis? I didn’t see them when I arrived. Aren’t they supposed to be here already?" Callis questioned.

"Yes, they are here. Currently, they are in the treatment room," Anryr responded.

"The treatment room? Is someone unwell?" Jessy interjected with concern.

"Yes. Miss Canton appears to be unwell," the steward confirmed.

"Oh, dear! I should go and check on her!" Callis exclaimed, worried about the maid.

"Please forgive me, Mrs Amares, but Mr Amares instructed me that no one should enter the treatment room for now. It would be best for you to wait until he comes to you," Anryr advised.

"No! I must attend to this! Elis is serving me, and she was supposed to retrieve my dresses from the boutique today. But then, I received a message from Rafe informing me that he, my brother, and Elis would be coming to this mansion! No wonder she didn’t return to the palace! Something must have happened to her!" Callis said, her worry evident in her voice.

"I’m afraid I can’t provide much information about the situation either, as I’m unaware of the details. Upon their arrival, they immediately went to the treatment room, and Mr. Amares specifically instructed everyone to refrain from interfering and to maintain a distance," Anryr explained with caution.

"That’s it! I need to go down and see this for myself!" Callis declared, her concern intensifying.

"But, Mrs Amares, I don’t believe it would be wise. Please wait here."

"No, please! This is crucial! Elis is someone dear to me, and I can’t simply ignore this matter. I assure you, I’ll take responsibility if Mr. Amares reprimands you for informing me," Callis remarked.

"Very well. I won’t stand in your way, then," Anryr conceded, acknowledging the princess’s resolve.

"Let me come with you, princess," said Jessy, also worried for Elis’s well-being.

"No. Please stay in the chamber for now and wait for me, Jessy. I know the way to the treatment room. I’ve been there before," Callis instructed her nanny.

"I’ll go with you. I’m coming down eventually anyway," said the steward.

The Mederian Princess nodded. Jessy reluctantly agreed, trusting the Mederian Princess’ judgment.

With unwavering determination, Callis walked the hallway and then descended the stairs, with Anryr following closely behind.

***

Upon Callis’s arrival, Rafe, who had been waiting outside the treatment room, swiftly approached her. Anryr stood a little further away, joining Ayden and Garin, who had gathered before the treatment room.

"You’re here," Rafe greeted her.

"Yes, I’ve just arrived. I heard Elis is unwell again. What happened?" Callis asked, her concern evident.

"Some men accosted her while she was retrieving your dresses from the boutique, and she became terrified," Rafe explained.

"Oh, God! Did they harm her? I swear I’ll track them and break their hands and legs if they do!" exclaimed the Mederian Princess. Her face clouded with worry and resentment.

"No. Fortunately, Kiev and I arrived in time. Nothing worse occurred," Rafe reassured her, grateful for their timely intervention.

"Shouldn’t we report this to the authorities?" Callis inquired, her mind racing with thoughts of justice.

"The patrolling guards were present during the incident. However, without concrete evidence, they couldn’t make any arrests. Elis was exhibiting tremendous fear, so we decided to bring her here instead of taking her back to the palace. That’s why I sent you the message," Rafe explained the situation.

"But why are you outside here? Aren’t you supposed to be treating her?" Callis questioned, puzzled by Rafe’s presence outside the treatment room.

"Kiev is currently tending to her," Rafe clarified.

"I don’t understand..."

Before Callis could finish speaking, hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway, and a servant approached Anryr with an urgent report.

"Mr. Foster, the chief of the queen’s lady-in-waiting, is here!" the servant announced breathlessly.

"Chief Lady-in-waiting? You mean Lady Sarah James?" Anryr asked, bewildered by the unexpected visitor.

The servant nodded in confirmation.

Garin voiced the question lingering in everyone’s mind, "Why would she come here? What does she want with us?"

"I’m not sure of the reason, but she demanded to see Mrs Amares immediately," the servant relayed.

"Me?" Callis interjected, pointing to herself in surprise. "What does she want from me?"

"I’m uncertain, Mrs Amares, but she appeared quite furious," the servant responded honestly.

"That sounds like trouble to me," Ayden chimed in, his expression reflecting his unease.

Anryr made a suggestion, "I don’t think this is good. Let me go and attend to her first."

"No. I’ll go with you. After all, it’s me whom she’s seeking out, even though I’m not acquainted with her," Callis proposed, determined to face the situation head-on.

"I’ll accompany you. From the sound of it, I don’t believe she has good intentions," Rafe offered, worried for his wife.

"It’s all right, Rafe. I can handle this," the Mederian Princess assured him, appreciating his concern.

"No, you’re my wife. It’s my responsibility to take care of you. Don’t worry, I won’t interfere unless necessary," the healer insisted.

Callis relented as she recognised Rafe’s support. Ayden, feeling a lack of purpose in staying behind, decided to join them.

"Oh, I’m coming too! Since I can do nothing here, I might as well accompany you. I promise I will just watch," he said.

"Fine. You can come," Callis permitted.

Ayden turned to Garin and asked, "What about you, Sir Skyler? Don’t you want to come too?"

"I’ll stay behind. You can inform me of the situation later," the knight replied.

"Very well, then. Let’s go," Callis said, her resolve firm as she prepared to face the unexpected meeting with Sarah.

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