The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 372: A Brother-In-Law’s Full Acceptance

Chapter 372: A Brother-In-Law’s Full Acceptance

Kiev entered, his gaze sweeping over the room until it settled on the healer. His steps came forward to Rafe.

"Speak of the devil..." Eric muttered under his breath.

"What did you say?" inquired the Mederian Prince, turning to the second-in-command knight.

"Ah, nothing! I was remarking on what a fine morning it is for all of us. I should prepare for the day’s training..." Eric attempted to excuse himself, but Kiev interrupted.

"Stay."

Respecting the Mederian Prince as a guest of the mansion, the second-in-command knight halted his movements, concealing his annoyance behind a forced smile.

"What’s going on?" Kiev asked Rafe.

"Nothing!" both men replied simultaneously.

Kiev’s gaze briefly flickered to the knight before returning to Rafe.

"Nothing? Callis informed me that you were bleeding last night and fainted when she visited your room. Are you injured? Do you have a wound? I can heal you immediately," the Mederian Prince offered.

Chuckling, Eric laughed. "Such brotherly love! Ha ha ha..."

Both Kiev and Rafe turned to the knight with stern expressions, causing Eric to cover his mouth quickly. His laughter faded as their gazes locked.

Regaining his composure, he cleared his throat and returned to a calm demeanour, hands clasped behind his back and head held high.

Kiev shifted his attention back to Rafe. His red eyes caught sight of peculiar marks on the healer’s neck.

Observant Eric subtly gestured to his friend to cover up, but it was already too late.

"Why do you have bruises on your neck?" Kiev’s inquiry cut through the tense atmosphere.

Eric bit his lower lip, averting his gaze as Rafe stood there, caught red-handed.

Alarmed, the healer hastily tugged at his collar to hide the marks. He was clad in a patient’s outfit after the knights took him to the treatment room.

Right after hearing Callis’s urgent cry for help the knights barged into Rafe’s room the previous night. They were all perplexed when they found the healer with the Mederian Princess; she was in a robe, and he with only his braise on.

Rafe’s face was smeared with blood dripping from his nose, a moment so awkward that he promptly fainted upon their arrival.

Eric swiftly instructed the other knights to leave the room and waited outside to preserve the couple’s dignity. Then, he personally saw Rafe’s transfer to the treatment room, followed by the others, and Callis left behind at his advice.

Ayden, who had been fast asleep, was promptly roused and summoned to provide medical treatment in response to the urgent situation.

Despite the assistant healer and the knights’ astonishment, Eric sternly cautioned them not to make a fuss about the incident out of respect for the couple.

"Nothing happened! I assure you," Rafe insisted, a futile attempt, it seemed.

"You’ve already said that," Kiev responded sharply. "Let me see..."

"No, you don’t need to," the healer protested, hunching his shoulders defensively.

"Show them to me, or I will make you," the Mederian Prince demanded firmly.

In a moment of desperation, Rafe turned to Eric, silently pleading for support. However, the second-in-command knight chose self-preservation over friendship.

"You know, I think you both deserve some privacy. Trust me, you don’t want me around. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my leave now," Eric interjected.

Kiev nodded in agreement this time, allowing the knight to be excused.

Rafe’s eyes widened in disbelief. His mouth moved in silence, cursing the words ’F*ck you!’ to Eric.

The knight, seemingly unperturbed, stifled a laugh and departed without a second thought.

Facing Kiev once more, Rafe’s complexion drained of colour.

"I’m waiting, Rafe. Don’t make me repeat myself," the Mederian Prince asserted sternly.

With no other recourse, the healer, who was out of options, relented, his fingers trembling slightly as he released his grip on his collar.

Kiev promptly examined his brother-in-law’s neck. After a moment, he let out a derisive scoff.

"Hickeys... I should have known," he remarked.

"Wait! I can explain!" Rafe exclaimed nervously. "Callis came to my room last night. Initially, she mentioned she had something to discuss... then... then... well... umm... she started to... umm..."

Rafe paused, struggling to find the right words to articulate the peculiar circumstances. Eventually, he let out a defeated sigh as he closed his eyes, his shoulders slumping.

"Please don’t be angry with us! Though it seemed to be heading that way, nothing actually happened," he pleaded.

Kiev’s stern countenance softened, a calmness replacing his earlier severity. Rafe braced himself for the anticipated reprimand, but the Mederian Prince’s response surprised him.

"Don’t fret. I know this is all her doing. I understand Callis all too well. She is determined and knows her mind. It’s in her nature to pursue what she desires, regardless of obstacles," Kiev reassured his brother-in-law.

"I tried to resist, but she was insistent!"

"You’re her husband. You have the power to set boundaries. If you don’t wish something to occur, you must make it clear to her," Kiev told him.

"But she wasn’t receptive last night. She even restrained me when I protested."

"That’s because you displayed your vulnerability to her. Here’s a tip. Assert yourself confidently and without hesitation. Show her your resolve, and she will heed your wishes. You are her soulmate, after all," Kiev advised sagely.

"Why are you telling me this? Aren’t you upset with me?" Rafe questioned hesitantly.

"No, quite the opposite. I trust you," Kiev affirmed.

"Y-you trust me?" Rafe stammered, taken aback by the unexpected show of support.

"I do. You have proven yourself to be a deserving partner for my sister and a dependable individual. As such, I consider you a member of my family. You also did your best to protect my Elis, and I am grateful for your actions. You have not only cared for her with kindness but also preserved her dignity despite knowing what happened to her."

"So you are aware..." Rafe said, his fear dissipating.

"She confided in me. I am indebted to you, the grand duke, and his knights for rescuing her. I now understand why you intervened with me at the plaza and attempted to use your influence for Elis’s sake before the king. Your actions did not go unnoticed," Kiev expressed his gratitude.

"I did what little I could. Even my former status as a royal healer was insufficient to shield her from punishment. You, on the other hand, went above and beyond. Honestly, I’m glad you won the duel."

"You did your best. Standing up to a king, despite your limited authority, is an act of courage. You possess qualities you may not even be aware of, Rafe, and I am delighted to entrust my sister to you. Therefore, I invite you to visit my island for an introduction to my parents and a traditional Mederian wedding ceremony. I look forward to witnessing Callis in her bridal attire as you both embrace our customs," Kiev expressed warmly.

A wave of relief swept over the healer as the weight lifted from his shoulders.

"Thank you, Kiev, for your recognition and acceptance. I assure you that I will seek His Highness’s permission once he returns and bring Callis to meet my parents-in-law. I am eager to make their acquaintance," Rafe responded gratefully.

Kiev nodded approvingly.

"That’s wonderful! You can join me when I depart with Princess Anna."

"You still want to have her? What about Miss Canton?" the healer asked.

"She’ll come with us too, of course!" the Mederian Prince asserted confidently.

"But... you publicly declared your affection for Miss Canton. Don’t you love her?" Rafe inquired, his curiosity evident.

A smile gracing Kiev’s face provided a clear response.

"I do," he affirmed.

"Then why pursue Her Highness Princess Anna as well?" the healer pressed for an explanation.

"I have my reasons, which I will share when you visit my home. For now, let us await the grand duke’s return so I can continue our duel and win it," Kiev replied cryptically.

Sensing Kiev’s steadfast determination, Rafe decided against pressing further. As the saying ’curiosity killed the cat’, it was paramount not to jeopardise the positive strides achieved with too many questions.

With Kiev’s newfound openness in accepting him, the healer harboured a growing conviction that, in due time, he would come to learn more about the secret that the Mederian Prince was holding onto.

"Are you feeling better now? Would you like to rest here more or accompany me to oversee Princess Anna’s training? Callis was watching over her yesterday from a distance since Princess Anna was upset with me. So, today, it’s my turn," Kiev interrupted Rafe’s wandering mind.

"I am feeling much better! I want to join you, but I must first apologise to Callis for last night," he replied earnestly.

"You can speak with her after the training. I advised her to rest as she was deeply concerned about you and unable to sleep last night. She approached me in distress this morning, requesting that I check on you. That’s why I came," Kiev explained.

"Very well, I’ll return to my room to change my outfit first. Please go ahead, and I’ll follow shortly," Rafe agreed.

"Understood. I’ll see you there," Kiev nodded, then took his steps heading towards the training grounds.

***

Eric paused, contemplating the request. Two pairs of eager eyes now fixed upon him, their excitement palpable. Yet, their proposal did not instil the same sense of enthusiasm within him.

"My lady, it has only been three days of training. It may still be too soon for such a demand. Armour is heavy, and your body may not yet be ready to bear its weight," cautioned the second-in-command knight.

"Then what is the point of altering it if I don’t get to wear it? I wish to try it on!" Anna protested.

"Surely there would be no harm in allowing her a brief moment to experience it?" Sylvia chimed in, her tone persuasive.

Eric sighed, Anna’s stubborn nature stirring a growing concern within him. Only the previous day, she had nearly sustained an injury from a wooden sword, saved only by Eli’s timely intervention. Now, she was making another request that could potentially endanger her again.

"My lady, I must strongly advise you to reconsider," he cautioned.

"Sir Navin, I have already completed running ten laps to warm up before you arrived! I am truly excited about this. Please, let me try it on, just this once! If it does not feel comfortable, I shall remove it immediately," Anna pleaded, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Eric’s gaze shifted between the two women and then returned to rest upon the princess. Seeing the unwavering resolve in her expression, he finally relented.

"Very well. You may wear the armour, but only for a brief period. Once satisfied, you may remove it, and we shall continue your regular training. Agreed?" he asked.

Anna’s face lit up with a broad, triumphant smile, and Sylvia grinned with delight at the granted permission. The princess eagerly nodded her assent to the terms. Happily, the two friends then proceeded to the smithy where the armour was.

Garin, who had been standing apart, now approached the second-in-command knight.

"Sir Navin, are you certain about allowing Lady Raychard to wear the armour? This seems unwise," he voiced his concern.

The other knights, save for the moody Noah, assembled around Eric, awaiting his response.

"I had little choice. She gave me those irresistible eyes. Furthermore, you all know how determined our lady can be once her mind is set on something," he explained.

"Indeed, she is much like His Highness the Grand Duke in that regard," Luke observed.

"They do share that unwavering resolve," Damon added.

The knights wore expressions of apprehension, furrowing their brows with concern. They were all too familiar with Anna’s unwavering determination—once she had set her mind to something, it was futile to try swaying her.

Breaking the tense silence, Eli offered, "I shall go and assist our lady."

"No need. Since this was her desire, let her experience the challenge of wearing the armour herself. Once she feels the true difficulty, she may understand. She needs to learn by now," Eric decided.

With a collective sigh, the knights turned their attention to Anna and Sylvia’s figures, disappearing around the corner towards the smithy. Their faces were solemn as they braced themselves for the next occurrence.

***

The smithy was bustling with activity, the air thick with the scent of searing metal and the rhythmic clanging of hammers upon anvils.

Rows of gleaming tools and partially completed weapons lined the walls, their sharp edges catching the flickering light of the forge’s flames.

In the centre of the smithy, the blacksmith, wearing a leather apron and thick gloves, was tending to his work, his brow furrowed in concentration as he expertly wielded a heavy hammer.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, he looked up, his expression brightening as he recognised the visitors.

"My lady! Good morning!" he greeted Anna and Sylvia with a respectful bow. "What brings you to my humble smithy?"

Anna stepped forward, her eyes alight with excitement.

"Hello there. I’ve come to try on the armour meant for my training. It’s ready, isn’t it?"

The blacksmith nodded.

"Yes, my lady. I was just about to have a servant deliver it to the knights. You shouldn’t have come here. This place isn’t suitable for you. It’s dirty, and the air is thick with smoke from the furnace. You might become ill."

Anna let out a small laugh.

"Oh, this is quite all right. Now, where is the armour?"

"Ah, yes, of course."

The blacksmith turned and made his way to the corner of the smithy, the two women following closely behind.

As they passed by the workbench, Anna’s gaze fell upon a familiar sword lying there. She paused mid-step, her eyes narrowing with recognition.

"This sword... It’s His Majesty’s," she murmured.

Sylvia’s brow raised in curiosity.

"The emperor’s sword?" she asked, her gaze drawn to the gleaming blade. Her eyes widened in awe as she admired its elegant, masterful craftsmanship. "Is this Ramios that you’ve told me?"

Anna nodded. Her gaze was fixed on the blade.

"Wow! I’ve never seen it up close before. It’s truly a magnificent weapon!" exclaimed Sylvia.

Noticing that the two women had fallen behind, the blacksmith returned to them, a questioning look on his face.

"What’s the matter, my lady?" he inquired.

Anna turned her attention to the blacksmith, asking curiously, "Why is His Majesty’s sword here? Shouldn’t it have been returned to the palace after the duel the other day?"

"Ah! Sir Navin asked me to fix the hilt guard that was bent during the duel. I’ve just completed the repair work," the blacksmith replied.

Sylvia’s eyes narrowed.

"It took you more than a day to fix a bent hilt guard?"

The blacksmith nodded, explaining, "The hilt guard is made of a special metal, not the typical kind. It requires more time and skill to restore it to its original state. After all, this is His Majesty’s sword, so I must be cautious."

Anna’s expression darkened slightly.

"But wouldn’t it be dangerous to leave it here? I witnessed how it behaved the other day."

The blacksmith quickly raised a hand, a reassuring smile on his face.

"Oh, no need to worry, my lady. You see, this blade has a peculiar trait. It won’t cut. Allow me to show you."

The blacksmith grasped the king’s sword firmly, his weathered fingers wrapping around the hilt. With a steady hand, he brought the sharp-looking edge of the blade to his fingertip.

Anna and Sylvia held their breath, anticipating the blacksmith’s skin to be sliced open. But to their utter astonishment, as the blade made contact with the blacksmith’s finger, it did not cut through. Not even a shred of skin was broken, nor was a single drop of blood spilt.

The two women stared in stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief at the unexpected demonstration.

Sylvia was the first to find her voice.

"My goodness! If this sword doesn’t cut, then why would His Majesty use it in a duel?" she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"It’s a magical sword. Perhaps it only responds to the right hand and behaves differently in the wrong one," the princess responded.

Sylvia’s eyes widened further.

"Ah, yes! You did mention that before. It makes perfect sense now."

"Come on, Sylvia. Let’s go see the armour instead," Anna said, leaving the workbench.

The blacksmith guided them to a secluded corner of the smithy, where the impressive suit of armour stood proudly upon a sturdy display stand.

Excitedly, Anna began donning the armour with Sylvia’s assistance. After a moment, the princess stood before them, fully clad in the imposing steel suit, save for the helm, which seemed too large for her head.

Anna tried to move, and immediately, the weight of the armour became apparent. She struggled to take a step, the heavy burden slowing her movements. Sylvia’s brow creased with concern.

"Are you sure you’re all right, Anna? This seems heavy for you."

The blacksmith shared a similar look of worry but remained respectfully silent, unwilling to voice his reservations.

Determined to prove her resilience, Anna straightened her shoulders as best she could.

"I’m fine. This is the first step, and I must start somewhere. If I keep delaying, how will I become stronger?" She turned to Sylvia, a glimmer of resolve in her eyes. "Let’s go show Sir Navin what we’ve accomplished!"

Sylvia reluctantly agreed, feeling a pang of guilt for having initially encouraged this endeavour. The two women then made their way out of the smithy with Anna’s movements hindered by the weight of the armour.

As they turned the corner heading towards the training ground, a small figure came rushing towards them from the opposite direction.

"Look out!" Sylvia cried out in alarm.