The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 357: A Bizarre Demand

Chapter 357: A Bizarre Demand

Rosalie guided Elis into a comfortable guest chamber, where she arranged for the young woman to take a refreshing bath and change into a lovely nightgown.

As Elis went through the preparations, a solemn expression clouded her face.

Sensing her distress, Rosalie inquired, "What’s troubling you, Miss Canton?"

Elis shook her head sorrowfully.

"I don’t think this is right, Mrs Foster. I’m not the person Kiev believes me to be. He would be repulsed by me if he knew the truth about my identity."

"Why would you think that? His Highness publicly declared his favour for you. He even won the duel for you, and I can see that you address him by his first name. I believe it’s safe to say you have feelings for him, too," Rosalie remarked.

"He ordered me to address him that way. So, I have no choice. I understand what he said about me, but the truth is, I wouldn’t dare to reciprocate his feelings. He holds a prestigious position, and I..." Elis paused, her voice cracking.

"I don’t believe he is bothered about your past. I can see that he genuinely cares for you. The way he healed you, treated you... I doubt any other man could compare. I know you’re close to Sir Skyler, but the connection with His Highness is different, isn’t it?" the chief maid stated.

"But Mrs Foster... I’m not the person you think I am. When I was bathing earlier, I’m sure you saw the scars on my body. It’s humiliating! If Kiev sees them, he’ll be disgusted and hate me. I’m hideous and full of shame!"

Elis began to cry.

Rosalie reached out, pressing her hands on the back of the young woman’s palm.

"Miss Canton... The truth is, my husband and I are aware of what happened to you. After you arrived, Sir Skyler informed us about your condition out of concern. But we never discussed it again because His Highness the Grand Duke instructed us not to. None of us believe you are at fault for what occurred. You deserve happiness, and I believe His Highness will bring that to you."

"Oh, Mrs Foster!"

Elis’s cries grew stronger.

Rosalie embraced the young woman, gently patting her back in comfort.

"I don’t know how you will face him if he finds out, but you shouldn’t assume the worst. You’re letting fear of the unknown consume you. How can you draw conclusions about something that was beyond your control? If you’re so concerned, I suggest talking to him beforehand. Let him know the truth. That way, you won’t bear the burden alone."

"But what if he thinks I’m a promiscuous woman?" Elis worriedly asked.

"If he did, the worst he could do is let you go. He cannot mistreat you since he had promised His Majesty before the duel. You would be free and no longer associated with him in that case. My husband and I will always support you. You can return to work at the mansion, and we will persuade His Highness to accept and allow you to stay, ensuring you always have us by your side."

"I... I don’t know what to say to him... I’m scared... I’m scared he will hate me!" Elis confessed.

"We cannot control someone’s feelings towards us. But don’t let that fear hinder you from living life to the fullest. You are young, with a long journey ahead. Forget the past and live for your future. What you have endured does not define your true self. Given what you have faced, I believe you are much stronger than you realise," Rosalie reassured her.

Elis continued to shed a few more tears. After a while, Rosalie released her embrace and wiped away her cries.

"Don’t be sad. Whatever happens tonight, face it with strength. If he desires you, serve him well as your duty demands. But if he doesn’t want you, so be it. You have nothing to lose. However, I strongly advise you to speak with him and express your feelings."

Elis nodded, her heart heavy. She couldn’t shake off the looming sadness when contemplating the worst-case scenario. Would Kiev change his heart once he discovered the truth about her?

"Now, let’s proceed to His Highness’s bedchamber. We don’t want to keep him waiting," Rosalie said, gently leading Elis towards the door.

"Mrs Foster, thank you for not looking down on me," the young woman expressed gratefully.

Rosalie smiled warmly.

"You’re a good person, and I will always respect you for that. Remember, you’re no longer the maid of Gerhard and now His Highness Prince Kiev’s person. I hope you find your happiness with him," she said sincerely.

The two women left the chamber and soon arrived at Kiev’s bedchamber. As Rosalie knocked on the door, the Mederian Prince hurriedly opened it. A look of relief washed over his face as he saw Elis standing behind the chief maid.

"What took you so long?" he asked as the two women entered.

"Forgive us, Your Highness. It took some time for me to help Miss Canton choose a suitable nightgown. The weather has been chilly lately, so I advised her to wear something warmer," Rosalie explained.

She then uncovered Elis’s robe and hung it on the stand.

Kiev nodded.

"If there’s nothing else, please excuse me, Your Highness and Miss Canton. Should you require anything, do ring the bell, and the night servant will attend to you shortly," she said, excusing herself.

"Very well. Thank you, Rosalie," Kiev replied.

Rosalie curtsied respectively before leaving the couple alone.

As soon as the door closed, Kiev embraced Elis and they stood together in silence.

"I thought you had run away again. I was about to chase after you," he confessed, his long fingers raking Elis’s loose black hair.

Tonight, she appeared different from her usual self. Her hair, which was always tightly bound in a neat bun, now flowed freely, cascading down her shoulders. She wore a white nightgown made of fine material, a garment typically reserved for special guests of the mansion.

It was as if she had adorned herself in an ethereal beauty, yet her inner turmoil remained hidden beneath the delicate facade.

"I would never dare to run away. I belong to you, don’t I?" Elis replied softly.

Kiev’s smile widened, his heart swelling with pride and happiness at her words. Gently, he lifted Elis’s face, his red-ruby eyes gazing into hers.

"Why are your eyes red, Elis? Have you been crying?" he inquired, noticing the tear tracks on her face. Elis remained silent, a look of guilt crossing her features.

"Are you not happy that we’re together now?" Kiev asked, concern lacing his voice.

"No, Kiev. It’s not what you think," Elis began, her voice trembling. "There’s something you must know about me... something I believe you should know before we take this step."

"What is it?" Kiev prompted, his expression filled with curiosity.

"I’m not a virgin."

The words hung heavy on Elis’s lips as she mustered the courage to tell the Mederian Prince the truth about herself. The revelation pained her deeply, but she knew it was necessary.

Kiev’s forehead creased.

"What are you insinuating?" he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.

Tears streamed down Elis’s face as she continued, "I’m no longer pure. I’ve been tainted, not just once or twice, but many times."

Her hands clenched into tight fists.

"I was a slave, and I endured unimaginable horrors. I was r*ped repeatedly..."

Silence enveloped the chamber as Kiev absorbed the revelation. He had never expected his soulmate to unveil her dark secret on this fateful night.

"Why are you telling me this now?" he finally managed to say.

"Because you want to sleep with me," Elis replied, her voice choked with tears. "I thought you should know before you touch me. After hearing this, I understand if you no longer desire someone as tarnished as me. I should have revealed this to you sooner."

She wept, her heart torn between the need for honesty and the fear of rejection.

"Sleep? I..."

Kiev let out a weary sigh as comprehension washed over him. Finally, he understood why Garin had been so agitated when he casually mentioned Elis would be sleeping with him during the conversation at the dining hall.

The peculiar looks exchanged between the other knights now made perfect sense. It was clear that they had gravely misunderstood his words.

"Elis..." Kiev’s voice softened, reflecting a mix of empathy and determination.

"Please, allow me to continue and explain myself before you make any decisions," Elis pleaded.

The Mederian Prince remained silent, allowing her to continue.

"Tragedy befell my family. We once owned a small pharmacy in Glandon, selling remedies and medicine. After my parents passed away, my sister and I took over. Unbeknownst to us, our uncle had used the pharmacy as collateral for a dangerous loan. When he couldn’t repay his huge gambling debts, the place and our properties were seized, and we were sold into slavery about two years ago. The Count of Abinair purchased and turned us into his possessions. It was His Highness the Grand Duke and his knights who saved and freed me."

As Elis revealed her past, Kiev’s jaw clenched tightly, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

"What became of your uncle?" he asked, his voice low and seething with restrained fury.

"He died due to his intoxication," Elis replied with a bitter tone.

"And your sister, where is she now?" Kiev inquired.

"I don’t know... those Knights of Abinair... they said if I did whatever they wanted, they would send her away as a maid instead of being a slave. So I did... But I never get to see her again after that. I tried searching for her after being freed but couldn’t find her."

"So you’ve been enduring your life despite what happened to meet her again," said Kiev, his heart aching from the harrowing tales.

"Yes. She’s the only family I have left and the reason I keep going."

Kiev’s features were etched with a grave expression. He was well aware of Elis’s tormenting past through his previous use of magic, but this was the first time she had opened up to him the full extent of her suffering.

As Elis laid bare the details of her ordeal, Kiev felt a sickening ache in his heart. Knowing that his soulmate had endured such immense sorrow and trauma, far exceeding what he had already comprehended, cut him deeply.

"I accept any punishment you deem necessary. If you no longer want me, I understand. However, if you still desire my presence to pleasure you tonight, I willingly offer myself to you. Please don’t hold back or worry about anything. I won’t tarnish your bloodline with a child born out of wedlock as I’m unable to conceive. The men who r*ped me overdosed me with Purple Krista, which caused my menstrual cycles to stop and rendered me barren," Elis continued.

Kiev’s features hardened, darker than before. A surge of anger and the desire for vengeance against those who had committed such heinous acts against Elis consumed his thoughts.

Yet, he knew that now was not the time to confront them. His immediate concern lay with her, who needed his support and compassion during this vulnerable moment.

"So, that’s what you meant back at Rivendelle when Rafe’s mother inquired about your menses that night," he spoke quietly, piecing the puzzle together.

"Yes," Elis affirmed.

"And also, why you said it wouldn’t happen when I mentioned you would make a good mother," Kiev said.

"That..."

Elis tried to recall the conversation.

"Back when you brought Princess Lilith to me for treatment when she fell... you said so to me," he reminded her.

Elis was taken aback, not expecting Kiev to remember the details of their conversation from long ago.

"That’s correct," she responded, her voice quivering slightly as she felt like swallowing a lump in her throat.

"Furthermore, I bear the tattoo of a slave behind my back and hideous scars all over my body. Those men whipped and tortured me whenever I resisted. Sometimes, they would starve me for days or shove my mouth with raw livers... or whatever torments they wanted to do. I fear you would find me repulsive and abhorrent. So, if you wish for me to leave..."

"Stop," Kiev interjected, cutting off her words. "I don’t want to hear it anymore."

Elis felt doomed. She had anticipated this moment, knowing that he might not see her in the same light after learning the truth, but the pain still pierced deeply within her.

Tears streamed down her face, and she whispered, "I’ll leave... Please forgive me for disturbing you and wasting your time."

"Stay!" Kiev’s command echoed through the chamber, his voice firm and resolute.

Elis lifted her tear-stained face, uncertain of what to expect. Was he going to reprimand her for her honesty?

"Since you have already shared these truths with me, I suppose we must move forward," Kiev declared.

"I... I don’t understand," Elis murmured, taken aback by his unexpected response.

"I want to see all of you, just as you are, right before my eyes," Kiev clarified.

"Pardon?" Elis questioned, her confusion evident.

"Strip off your clothes."

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