The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 361: A Mederian Descent (I)

Chapter 361: A Mederian Descent (I)

Elis’s eyelids gradually fluttered open, revealing her striking blue irises. With great effort, she lifted her head from the plush pillow, only to be struck by a sudden, heavy headache.

Wincing, she gingerly pressed her palm against her temple, willing the throbbing pain to subside. Though the discomfort lingered, Elis forced herself to rise from the bed.

As her gaze swept across the familiar surroundings, Elis realised she was in Kiev’s bedchamber.

The closed space was eerily quiet, and she appeared to be alone. Glancing down, she was surprised to find herself properly attired in her nightgown, her hand instinctively clutching the knots at her chest.

Elis strained to recall the previous night’s events, but her mind remained frustratingly blank. The last thing she remembered was the Mederian Prince’s demand that she strip her clothes before him.

Had she obeyed his order and surrendered herself to him?

And if so, how had she ended up wearing back her nightgown?

A sense of foreboding crept into Elis’ heart as she pondered the possibilities.

What if she had defied him?

Was Kiev furious with her?

Was that why she had been left alone in his chamber?

Elis pushed the blanket aside, determined to get up when her hand suddenly brushed against a neatly folded piece of paper on the bed at her side.

Picking it up, Elis opened and read the elegant handwriting.

’Good morning, my dear Elis,

Upon waking, you may feel dizzy and weakened. This will pass with time, so take your ease before rising. Ring the bell, and Rosalie will attend to you. I have urgent things to care for, but I will surely return to see you later. Please wait for me and rest well for the day.

Sincerely,

Your Kiev.’

Elis reread the words, a flicker of relief washing over her. Kiev’s endearing address suggested he was not angry with her. Yet, the lingering mystery of what had transpired the night before continued to trouble her.

Gathering her strength, the woman reached for the bell, summoning Rosalie to her aid. Though unaccustomed to being the one waited upon, Elis knew she would need the chief maid’s assistance to wash and change, her body still feeling the effects of... whatever had occurred.

After a few moments, Rosalie, the chief maid, arrived at the bedchamber. She approached Elis, still seated on the edge of the bed, with a concerned expression.

"Good morning, Miss Canton. How are you feeling?" Rosalie asked.

Elis offered a weak smile.

"Umm... I’m fine, I suppose. I’m just a bit dizzy and slightly sore. Could you please help me wash up, Mrs. Foster?"

Rosalie frowned as she gently took Elis’s hand.

"Oh dear, what happened? Was His Highness rough with you last night?" she asked with concern.

Elis felt her cheeks blush from embarrassment.

"No, nothing like that happened!" she quickly replied.

Rosalie raised a sceptical brow.

"Nothing? He didn’t touch you at all?" she pressed.

"Well, I... I’m not sure. I don’t quite remember what occurred last night," Elis admitted.

"You don’t remember?" Rosalie’s eyes widened. "My goodness! Did he make you drunk or something?"

Elis shook her head.

"No, I don’t think so. I can’t drink, so I’m sure I would know if that happened."

"Then, what do you remember? Did you speak with him last night?" Rosalie probed gently.

Elis nodded.

"I did. I told him everything. I thought he was angry with me and wanted me to leave, but then he asked me to stay. And he... he told me to remove my clothes," she said, her cheeks flushing.

"Oh, my! Surely something must have happened between you two then! No man can be saint enough to hold back, sit and only watch a woman’s body after giving such an order! It wasn’t so gentlemanly of him if he did such a deed while you’re unconscious," said Rosalie, her expression shifting to anger at Kiev.

"Please, don’t be upset with him. You know he’s my saviour and now my master. He has the right to do as he wishes," Elis responded, defending the Mederian Prince.

Rosalie’s features softened, though a trace of concern remained.

"I understand your loyalty, my dear. But he should still treat you with more care and respect. You’re his woman now."

"I’m sure he meant no harm to me. Now, shall we go freshen up? I would feel better after a wash."

Rosalie nodded. The worry in her eyes had not entirely diminished.

"Of course. Let’s get you taken care of."

"Thank you, Mrs. Foster."

Elis felt much relieved as Rosalie relented and stopped discussing the matter. She knew her concern came from a place of care, and she appreciated the chief maid’s support.

Rosalie helped Elis stand and led her to the bathroom. Behind the screen, she carefully untied the knots of the woman’s nightgown and removed it. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and a look of shock swept across her face.

"Dear Lord!" Rosalie exclaimed in disbelief.

"Why? What’s the matter, Mrs. Foster?" asked Elis, curious.

"Your... your body!" the chief maid stammered.

"What’s wrong with it?" Elis asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

Rosalie didn’t immediately respond, still visibly shocked. Anxious, Elis walked up to the standing tall mirror in the corner. As she looked at her n*ked reflection, a look of surprise washed over her.

Elis’s skin was as white and smooth as snow, with not a single mark or blemish. All the bumpy scars from the lashes and tortures she had endured as a slave had vanished as if they had never been there.

In shock, she turned around, lifting her long black hair to inspect her back in the mirror, the part where the scars were the most severe on her body.

The slave tattoo that had once engraved her skin was gone, leaving no trace of its existence, and so did the terrible marks of abuse.

Elis then faced the mirror again and examined her arms, noticing for the first time how flawless they appeared.

She wasn’t aware of their changes as she had worn a long-sleeved nightgown before. Not believing, she pinched herself. She yelped as she felt the pain. The affected skin turned red at her own action.

This was no dream—the transformation was real.

Rosalie’s shock gave way to joyful tears.

"Praise to God! His Highness Prince Kiev has healed you completely, Miss Canton! Not even a scar was left! What a truly honourable man he is!" she cried, sniffling.

Elis stared at her reflection, scarcely believing the beautiful figure before her was her own. For years, she had disliked looking at herself in the mirror, but now all she could see was her radiant charm—a gift bestowed upon her by Kiev.

"Kiev..."

Warm tears fell from Elis’s eyes as she uttered his name with deep gratitude and compassion. She yearned to rush to him and express her heartfelt thanks, but she remembered the note he had left.

Clenching her fists, she steeled her emotions, resolving to wait for his return as he had asked her to.

"I’ll wait for you..."

***

"What does he want from me?" asked Anna, her brow furrowed with apprehension.

The servant bowed respectfully.

"I’m not sure, my lady. But he asked you to come to the meeting room. I believe it’s something important."

Anna sighed as the sudden summons disrupted her morning.

"Fine. But this better have a good reason, and it shouldn’t take long! I’ll surely be late for my training again," she grumbled.

Despite her reservations, the princess agreed to see the Mederian Prince. She quickly made her way to the meeting room, where she found Kiev, Clara, Callis, and Rafe already seated at the long table.

"You wanted to see me?" Anna asked Kiev as she approached them.

The Mederian Prince stood and gestured to the empty chair.

"Yes. I figured you might not want to meet with me alone, so I’ve invited Callis and Rafe as well. Please, have a seat. I assure you, I mean no harm."

Anna eyed the others sceptically.

"What about Clara? Why does she have to be here?"

"Because she needs to be here as well since she’s part of this," Kiev replied calmly.

Reluctantly, Anna sat down.

"Fine. Let’s get this over with. I have a training to attend, and the knights must be waiting for me."

"Don’t worry, I’ve already spoken to Sir Navin. You won’t be reprimanded. I guarantee it," Kiev assured her.

Anna turned and glanced at Rafe, raising a brow as if asking what this was all about. But the healer only shrugged his shoulders, gesturing that he had no idea.

Callis hadn’t informed him of anything either. She had simply told him to join them when the Mederian Princess came to his room at the knights’ quarters that morning.

The princess then turned to Clara. The knightess, too, shook her head, indicating she was equally clueless. Rafe and Callis had brought her to the meeting room without any explanation.

"What is this meeting about?" Anna finally asked, her curiosity getting the better of her as she propped her chin with her clasped hands.

A wistful smile played on Kiev’s lips as he approached the princess. Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved a delicate silk handkerchief and held it out to the princess.

Anna’s eyes widened as she recognised the familiar fabric.

"My handkerchief!" she exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes," Kiev responded gently. "Forgive me for keeping it with me for a while."

"How did you come by it?" Anna asked, her brow furrowed in curiosity.

Kiev’s expression turned thoughtful.

"When I first arrived on this continent, I went to Ardel’s castle and spoke with the king. He told me you had died, so I asked to see your chamber." He paused, his gaze meeting Anna’s. "It was there that I found this handkerchief and requested it as a memento. Thanks to it, I was able to track you down."

Anna studied the familiar embroidered cherry blossoms, her fingers tracing the intricate stitching.

"So you’ve called me here just to return my handkerchief?" she asked again.

Kiev shook his head.

"No, not just that. I wanted you and Dame Verns to meet someone important. She’s been waiting for this day to meet you both."

"Who? I don’t see anyone I don’t know here," the princess said, confused.

"I’ll call her shortly. She’s waiting behind that door," Kiev replied, gesturing to a door that connected the meeting room to an adjacent space. "But before I do, I want you to take a deep breath and stay calm. This may come as quite a shock."

"You’re speaking weirdly, Prince Kiev," Anna responded, her brow furrowed.

"I’m taking precautions. That’s why I have Rafe here with us, just in case. Please, wait a moment."

Kiev then walked to the door, leaving the princess full of questions.

Anna glanced alternately at Rafe, Callis, and Clara, but they remained silent. The healer and the knightess were equally perplexed. The Mederian Princess, on the other hand, held an anxious air, bracing herself for the momentous union.

"Callis, who is your brother referring to?" Anna whispered as soon as Kiev left for the door.

"You’ll know her. Don’t worry," Callis replied with a reassuring smile.

Her cryptic answer only piqued Anna’s curiosity further. Just then, a woman of middle age entered, accompanied by Kiev. She wore a veil that covered her face, obscuring her identity.

"Who is this?" Anna asked impatiently as the duo approached.

The woman and Kiev stopped before her. The Mederian Prince took a deep breath before making the introduction.

"Princess Anna, I want you to meet Jessica Collins, my sister’s nanny."

"Jessica, who?" Anna creased her forehead.

Kiev did not answer. Instead, he turned to the veiled woman and said, "Jessy, lift your veil and show yourself to her."

"Yes, Your Highness," the nanny replied, her voice stirring a sense of familiarity within Anna.

As the veil was removed, the princess’ mouth fell open, her face etched with shock.

"Take a deep breath, Princess Anna!" Kiev said, concern lacing his voice, worried she might faint.

But Anna remained silent, her green eyes transfixed on the woman’s face.

"It can’t be!" Clara, who saw Jessy, exclaimed, her voice thick with disbelief.

The nanny looked at Anna with a sad smile and said, "Princess... I’m so happy we finally reunited."

Tears gleamed in her eyes.

"Nessy... but... how? You... you’re alive?" Anna stammered.

"Who is Nessy?" Rafe whispered to Callis, his brow furrowed in confusion.

The Mederian Princess spoke up in a quiet voice, "Nessy was Anna’s nanny."

"I don’t understand..." the healer responded, still perplexed.

"Wait for it," Callis said, reassuringly patting her husband’s hand.

The nanny stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Anna.

"Forgive me, Princess, but I am not Nessy. Nessy, or Nessica as you knew her, was my sister."

Rafe’s eyes widened in surprise as he processed the explanation.

Anna’s eyes filled with tears.

"How...how can this be? You’re not her? But... you look exactly like her!" Her voice wavered with emotion.

"No, Princess Anna. I am Jessy, Nessy’s twin," the woman clarified.

"But Nessy never mentioned having a twin! Not once!" Anna exclaimed in bewilderment.

Jessy’s expression saddened.

"That’s because your father forbade her from telling you. We begged him to let you stay with us, but he still mercilessly took you away. You were so little, and we were so scared of losing you!"

Anna turned to Kiev, her eyes questioning. "My father took me away? From who? I don’t understand..."

Kiev glanced at Callis, who gave a slight nod. Rafe and Clara still appeared confused by the unfolding revelations.

The Mederian Prince met Anna’s gaze steadily and answered, "Princess Anna, there is something you did not know about yourself. You are, in fact, partly of Mederian descent. Your mother was half-Mederian."

"What?!"

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