The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 356: The Mederian Prince’s Woman

Chapter 356: The Mederian Prince’s Woman

That evening, the knights gathered in the dining hall, as instructed by Eric, ready to commemorate the Mederian Prince’s triumphant duel.

Upon Kiev and Elis’ entrance, they rose from their seats and bowed in respect.

"Where is Princess Anna?" Kiev inquired, noticing her absence.

"She’s not feeling particularly hungry tonight, Your Highness. So, she has decided not to join us," replied Rosalie.

"What about Dame Verns?" the Mederian Prince asked again.

"Dame Clara Verns and Miss Emily Baker are also having separate dinners after their recent session cleaning Dame’s wounds."

A sense of solemnity fell upon the Mederian Prince and Elis. The woman couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt, perceiving herself as a complicating factor in Anna’s relationship with her betrothed.

"I should go and apologise to Lady Raychard," Elis murmured.

"It’s not your fault. It’s mine. Any woman would be upset if her betrothed took an interest in another woman. Don’t worry. I’ll speak to her tomorrow," Kiev assured her, thinking that Anna’s reluctance to join them stemmed from his heartfelt declaration of affection towards Elis.

As the Mederian Prince spoke, the rest of the group exchanged subtle glances, acutely aware that his thought was not the case.

However, they collectively opted to remain silent, recognising the delicate nature of the circumstances.

Elis conceded, accepting Kiev’s proposition.

Turning his attention to Callis, Eric inquired, "Is your nanny not joining us, too? I rarely see her leaving her chamber."

"She’s caught the flu, remember?" the Mederian Princess replied, giving the excuse.

"Ah, right," Eric acknowledged, recalling the circumstances.

"Now, let us commence our dinner. Elis, sit beside me," ordered Kiev, signalling for his soulmate to join him.

Elis hesitated momentarily, but knowing she couldn’t defy her master’s command, she complied and sat beside him. The dinner began, and the attendees started their meal.

The atmosphere was meant to be one of lively celebration for Kiev, but an air of awkwardness hung over the dining hall.

While they were grateful that Elis had been spared punishment through the Mederian Prince’s victory in the duel and was healed by him after the traumatic ordeal with the Knights of Abinar, the fact that their king had been defeated left them uncertain about the appropriateness of celebrating.

Sensing the conflicting emotions, Eric spoke up after the main course, "Now, everyone, let’s raise a toast to His Highness Prince Kiev and Mrs Amares. His Highness has won the duel, and we should celebrate his achievement. Also, Mrs Amares has saved us from His Majesty’s sword with her swift action. We should be thankful to her, too."

"You’re absolutely right! Cheers to His Highness Prince Kiev and Mrs Amares!" Garin raised his glass, and the others followed suit.

"Cheers!"

The group had their toast, with Callis drinking only non-alcoholic beverages, following Rafe’s request.

The dinner continued, and the conversation turned to Ramios, the emperor’s sword. It had caused quite a commotion at the training ground when it seemingly rejected King Kyden.

The Mederian siblings had spoken privately about it earlier in the afternoon and believed that the sword responded to Anna’s command to prevent it from harming the king. However, they remained puzzled about how she could summon the sword.

As they finished their main course, a servant approached Ayden, interrupting the dinner.

"Forgive me, Mr Norman, but Lady Raychard has summoned you," the servant informed.

"Is there something wrong? Do you need me as well?" Rafe, who heard the conversation, interrupted.

"No, Mr Amares. My lady seemed fine. She only requested Mr Norman’s presence," said the servant.

"Very well, then. Gentlemen, ladies. Please excuse me."

Ayden gracefully rose from his seat and left the dining hall to attend to the calling.

After indulging in a few more drinks, Callis and Rafe excused themselves, retiring for the day. Sensing the need for rest, Kiev decided to do the same.

"It has been an exhausting day for us all," he said, rising from his seat. "I believe it’s time I retired to my chamber, too. I will see you all tomorrow morning at the training ground."

Eli looked puzzled.

"For what?" he suddenly asked.

"For Princess Anna’s training, of course," Kiev responded.

Damon chimed in, "Is the training still on?"

"Well... No one says it’s off. What’s the decision, Sir Navin?" Luke said as he turned to their leader, seeking clarification.

"It was interrupted due to the duel this morning, but Lady Raychard hasn’t withdrawn yet. So, it’s still on," Eric decided.

"Come to think of it, I plan to see her tomorrow. So, I’ll talk to her again to stop the training," suggested the Mederian Prince.

"You have another way?" asked the second-in-command knight.

Kiev paused, deep in thought. He had realised the time was right for the princess to meet Jessy. With a resolute nod, he made up his mind.

"I will persuade her with a better approach this time."

"Very well, then. Thank you for your efforts," Eric acknowledged, expressing his gratitude to the Mederian Prince.

As Kiev approached the door, he noticed Elis standing behind, not following him as expected. He halted his steps, confused by her behaviour.

"Why are you not following me?" he inquired.

The knights gaze towards Elis with curiosity.

"You mentioned wanting to rest. So, I thought I shouldn’t be disturbing you. I will see you tomorrow," she responded, bowing respectfully.

Surprised by her response, Kiev asked again, "Why would you see me tomorrow? You were supposed to come with me."

"Come with you? Do you require my services?" Elis asked, clueless of his intentions.

"What services? It’s late, and I simply wish to sleep. Of course, you’ll be sleeping with me," the Mederian Prince stated calmly.

The knights’ eyes widened in bewilderment at his remarks, and Elis’s face flushed with embarrassment.

She hesitated to respond, her voice trembling slightly.

"Sleep... with you?" she repeated with a look of reluctance on her face.

Kiev stood firm, unwavering.

"Where else would you sleep? If you plan to sleep elsewhere and escape in the middle of the night, you can toss that idea aside because you will be sleeping with me from now on!" he declared possessively.

Garin couldn’t contain his dissatisfaction and spoke up, "Wait a minute! Isn’t this too much?"

Kiev turned to face him, challenging his opposition.

"What is too much?"

"I understand she is now yours, but asking her to sleep with you is highly improper!" the knight countered.

"Sir Skyler, that’s enough!" Eric quickly intervened.

Garin wanted to voice his concerns further, but the second-in-command knight’s warning silenced him. He pressed his lips together tightly, his dissatisfaction apparent.

Eric then offered an apology on Garin’s behalf towards Kiev.

"Please forgive him for interfering in your personal matters, Your Highness. We all understand that Miss Canton is no longer under the jurisdiction of the mansion’s household and belongs to you."

The Mederian Prince glared at Garin with a scornful look.

Elis looked alarmed by the situation, uncertain of how to respond. Her fingers fidgeted with her skirt.

Sensing the tension, Rosalie stepped forward to diffuse the situation.

"Perhaps it would be better for me to assist Miss Canton in preparing for the night before sending her to your chamber, Your Highness. She still needs to change into appropriate attire. Don’t worry, I will ensure she remains in my sight at all times," she suggested.

Kiev’s gaze swept to Elis, who was still dressed in a simple outfit.

"Very well. I trust you to take care of her. Additionally, tomorrow, arrange for representatives from various boutiques to come over. She needs a wardrobe change," ordered the Mederian Prince, his tone firm.

Relieved, Rosalie’s smile returned.

She nodded and replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

"I’ll take my leave now. Please don’t keep me waiting for long," Kiev said, his voice tinged with anticipation, and he made his way out.

The remaining knights exchanged glances. Rosalie quickly guided Elis out to get her prepared.

Left in the dining hall, Garin couldn’t contain his anger any longer.

"What a shameless man! It’s barely the first night after his victory, and he’s already taking advantage of her!" he exclaimed.

Eric interjected, his voice stern.

"Stop it! You have no right to be angry at him. Miss Canton has a duty to serve him as she belongs to him now," he said, defending the Mederian Prince’s actions.

"Duty? Duty to let him have his way with her? Do you not see how scared she was?" Garin retorted, his anger unabated.

"Like it or not, there’s nothing we can do about it," Eric said.

"Isn’t he supposed to treat her with respect?" Garin continued, determined to voice his concerns. "I don’t care! I want to report this mistreatment to His Majesty!"

"Sleeping with her is not a mistreatment! His Majesty was already hurt because of the duel. Don’t cause trouble just because you’re unhappy that Miss Canton has to submit herself to her master!" the second-in-command knight argued.

"Why are you implying as if she’s a slave? We freed her before, and this is a kingdom that does not condone slavery!" Garin protested, his voice filled with frustration.

"I’m not saying she is a slave, but the rules of the duel supersede all other regulations," Eric reprimanded.

"Sir Skyler has a point about slavery. So, we can’t simply assume she’s a slave. But then, what exactly is Miss Canton’s status now? Is she a mistress or a concubine?" Luke questioned.

Eric sighed, uncertainty evident in his voice.

"I don’t know," he admitted, his tone heavy with resignation.

Noah, who had been quiet until then, finally spoke up.

"She is His Highness’ woman," he said, his voice calm yet filled with understanding. All eyes turned to him.

"It’s evident that he cares for her. So, Sir Skyler, stop prying. Be grateful for what His Highness has done. Even if he demanded her body, it was a fair price for saving her life. Her fate would have been far worse if he hadn’t won her. Ten lashings with that fragile body... she won’t even last a breath for another day," Noah said, his voice tinged with a low note.

His words carried weight as he himself understood the pain of a whip all too well.

Garin’s voice trembled with emotion as he confronted Noah.

"Are you insinuating that it’s acceptable for her to be treated as a mere object? How would you feel if your sister or someone dear to you were put in her position?" he challenged, his words laced with righteous anger.

Noah raised his hands in a placating gesture.

"No, that’s not what I’m implying," he quickly clarified. "I didn’t say it’s fine for any woman to be treated in such a manner. However, we must acknowledge that His Highness, of all people, stood up, fought for her, and won her with dignity when she needed help the most," he explained.

The knight then continued, "I wholeheartedly agree with Sir Navin. It is within His Highness’ rights to have her, and we shouldn’t question every aspect of their relationship. He is a man of honour who wouldn’t treat her like dirt. Moreover, they have spent the day together. How can we be certain that nothing meaningful has transpired between them?" Noah reasoned, offering a different perspective.

Garin’s retort died on his lips as he absorbed the knight’s words. The rest of the knights, too, fell silent, their inquiries quelled by Noah’s reasoning.

It was rare to witness him and Eric, who were often at odds, finding common ground in their understanding of the situation.

Noah walked past Garin but paused momentarily. He turned to face him and offered some advice.

"A true knight knows when to retreat. Even His Majesty relented and accepted his defeat. So, don’t make a fool of yourself by complaining about the decision. I didn’t see Miss Canton declining His Highness’ order. If you respect her choice, then accept the situation as it is."

With his words lingering in the air, Noah left the group.

***

"What’s the matter, my lady? Are you not feeling well?" Ayden inquired as he entered Anna’s chamber.

"It’s not that serious. Just a little cramp," Anna interjected, attempting to calm the assistant healer’s growing concern.

"A cramp?" Ayden asked. "Where?"

"In my lower belly. I also noticed some spottings, although it’s not significant, just a few drops," she explained.

"Oh... you’re on your menstrual cycle! No wonder you look pale. You should take some rest," Ayden said, relieved to have identified the cause.

"I need something to alleviate the pain. It feels a bit different than usual. It comes in waves, sometimes intense and sometimes not at all," Anna expressed, her discomfort evident.

"Perhaps your body wasn’t accustomed to the physical training you underwent today. Rest assured, I have recently learned a new remedy that is beneficial for such discomfort. I will quickly prepare it for you," Ayden assured her.

Anna nodded appreciatively, grateful for his assistance. Then, a thought crossed her mind.

"Ayden... can I ask you something?" she inquired.

"Of course, what is it?" he responded, attentive to her needs.

"Honestly, I’ve been losing my appetite and experiencing headaches, especially upon waking up lately. Initially, I attributed it to the weather and thought it would pass. But recently, it has become more frequent," she confessed.

"That’s indeed peculiar. Do you experience other symptoms?" Ayden inquired.

"I easily get tired, and I’ve noticed a slight increase in body temperature when I wake up. However, it subsides shortly after. I’m just concerned because it’s becoming a regular occurrence," Anna shared.

Ayden furrowed his brows.

"Does Mr Amares know about this?"

"He was aware when it first happened at the palace. I even vomited because I couldn’t stomach the roasted chicken they served. However, I haven’t informed him about the recurring symptoms."

Surprised, Ayden questioned her further, "Why not?"

Anna hesitated before answering, "If I did, everyone would suggest I quit my training. I’ve only just begun, and stopping after just one day would be embarrassing."

Ayden sighed.

"Your health is more important than the training! You shouldn’t continue if your body is in this condition. Nobody would dare to laugh at you knowing that you’re unwell."

"But I don’t want to quit, Ayden. I want to keep going," Anna insisted.

Ayden’s voice rose with alarm.

"What are you thinking, my lady? This is not the time to be stubborn! If anything were to happen to you, all of us would be punished by His Highness!"

"This is precisely why I called for you instead of Rafe. He would immediately inform the knights if he knew, and my plan would be called off without compromise. But it’s different with you," the princess explained.

"What’s different? I would still nag at you and agree with him right away!" Ayden retorted.

Anna looked at him earnestly.

"At least you would listen to me first. Aren’t we friends?"

"Even if we’re friends, I have a duty to care for you," Ayden replied.

Seeing the princess’ sulky face, he relented.

"Fine! State your reasons. Let’s hear them before coming to a conclusion."

Anna felt a slight sense of relief.

"The truth is... I want to show people that I’m worthy of Kyren. The people of Cassian see me as a burden... someone weak and useless."

"Who dares to say that?!" Ayden interjected with indignation.

"No one said it explicitly, but I can feel it through their glances. Even at Mer and Sir Jarr’s betrothal ceremony, I couldn’t shake off that feeling when the nobles stared at me. So, I want to change and become someone I can be proud of... someone who is respected just by their presence," Anna shared.

"If there’s anyone like that, I can only think of Her Majesty the Queen or Mrs Amares," Ayden replied.

"You’re right. They’re the perfect example—strong, beautiful, and command respect from everyone. They inspire me," Anna admitted.

"Each person is different, my lady. You can’t compare yourself to them like that. You are also great in your own way," Ayden reassured her.

"I know, but I can be better, can’t I?" Anna asked hopefully. "I’ve just started, so I don’t want to quit now. I told Sir Navin and Rafe the same reasons when I first requested the training, and after a long argument, only they agreed. So, please understand and don’t stop me too, Ayden."

Ayden let out another sigh.

"I suppose there’s no point in dissuading you since you’re so adamant. But as your friend, I hope you’ll consider my advice. Get yourself checked so we can determine the cause of your symptoms. It’s better to find out early before things worsen."

"Rafe suggested having a blood test when I first experienced the symptoms, and I’ve been considering it, although I doubt it’s something serious," Anna explained.

"In that case, would you like me to take care of it for you? I have a friend who works at the Royal Laboratory. I can have your blood properly tested without anyone knowing. At the very least, we can confirm the root cause and ease our worries."

"You can do that?" she asked, intrigued.

"Yes. I promise I won’t tell anyone before informing you of the outcome. But you must agree to stop training if it turns out to be serious. What do you say?" Ayden suggested.

Anna nodded.

"Agreed. I, too, don’t want to put anyone in trouble. The last thing I want is for all of you to be reprimanded by Kyren. So, if it’s really a concerning illness, then I will stop the training."

"Great! I will draw your blood now and send it to the lab first thing in the morning. I’ll ask my friend to run a full blood test. The results won’t be immediate. It will take about a month or so," the assistant healer explained.

"That long?" Anna asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

"We must wait in line like other samples unless I announce it’s yours. Furthermore, as I mentioned, it will be a comprehensive blood test, which will take some time. Do you want me to expedite it?" Ayden offered.

"No! If you reveal it, the matter will reach Their Majesties immediately! I don’t want them to know! So please just treat it as a normal sample!" the princess pleaded.

"All right, I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry," Ayden reassured her with a smile.